Date: Lamashan 23, 4707
There are pockets of civilization up and down the Lost Coast of Varisia. Traditional Varisian campsites can be found in nearly every gulch and hollow along the cliff-lined reaches, and lonely houses sit upon the bluffs now and then -- domiciles for eccentrics or the rich seeking a bit of peace far from the bustle of Magnimar's streets. Roadside inns graces the Lost Coast road, and low stone shrines to Desna, goddess of wanderers and patron of the Varisians, give further opportunities for shelter should one of the all-too-common rainstorms catch travelers unaware.
As one approaches the town of Sandpoint, the footprint of civilization upon the Lost Coast grows more clear. Farmlands in the outlying moors and river valleys grow more numerous, and the blue-green waters of the Varisian Gulf bear more and more fishing vessels upon the waves. Passage over creeks and rivers is more often accomplished by wooden bridge than ford, and the Lost Coast Road itself grows wider and better-kept. Sight of Sandpoint from the east is kept hidden by the large upthrust limestone pavements known as the Devil's Platter, and the arc of the rocky outcroppings and lightly forested hilltops that rise up just east of town, but as the final bend in the road is rounded, Sandpoint's smoking chimneys and bustling streets greet the traveler with open arms and the promise of warm beds, a welcome sight indeed for those like Jeremy, who have spent the last few days alone on the Lost Coast Road.
A low stone wall gives the town a bit of protection. Here, the road passes through a stone gatehouse that is generally watched by one or two guards. Hanging from a bent nail at both the gatehouse is a sign and a mirror-- painted on the sign is the message: "Welcome to Sandpoint! Please stop to see yourself as we see you!"
Jeremy Kithkin has been staying at the Rusty Dragon, a large inn, named for the impressive (and quite rusty) iron dragon that looms on the building's roof, doubling as both a lightning rod and decoration. You awaken early to the smell of delicious food wafting from the kitchens. The proprietor, Ameiko Kaijitsu, is a lovely young Tian woman known for her exquisite exotic (and spicy!) food and it seems that she is working hard this morning, preparing enormous portions with the help of her kitchen staff. The inn is packed out today, and nearly every seat is taken.
Despite the many patrons vying for her attention (as well as the many, many pots and pans of food), Ameiko takes the time to smile at Jeremy when she notices his presence.
"Ah! Jeremy! Are you headed out to enjoy the Swallowtail Festival today? It is being held at the square in front of the new cathedral!"
Jeremy Kithkin, late of Cheliax and much appreciative of the calmer surroundings, woke up that morning in a good mood. Being out from under the thumb of his family and neighbors' expectations... and disdain... was refreshing. Leaving that life behind was an easy choice, and hdid not yet regret it (even during the first night's blisters). Out in the open, the clear air, the peace of being away from people for a bit, all of it helped him get back at peace.
He had chosen this place as soon as he walked by the front door not too long ago, the smell of dinner nearly making his mouth (and eyes!) water.
Seriously, it's like the dragon out front breathed fire into the soup that night. Perfect!
Although never the largest fellow, you wouldn't know that by his appetite, and subsisting on mostly Wandermeal just wasn't doing it for him. Ameiko's good food and good beds, plus the ability to get off of his feet for a while, was well worth the price. Jeremy smiled back at her, gave a little bit of a bow, and had to raise his voice a bit to be heard over the other customers.
"The festival sounds like a good idea! Never been by here before, so I can't wait to see it all for myself. Have anything in the kitchen that's good on the go?"
Ameiko smiles winningly, and hands him a pheasant drumstick, coated in a thin layer of sweet and sour orange sauce.
"Now, I trust you'll vote for me at the cooking competition, right?" She winks. "I think I'll simply die if that smug Risa Margravi wins yet another year. The potatoes aren't that good."
Behind her, a large pot threatens to boil over and Ameiko sighs, brandishing a soupy ladle. "Duty calls. Enjoy yourself out there!"
"But of COURSE I will vote for you, ma'am! I will make sure to enjoy myself as well, just as you command"
With a broad grin of his own, Jeremy stepped off towards the cathedral square, seeing the sights and enjoying his pheasant thoroughly.
Jeremy walks down Market Street, then takes a right up Main street to get to the cathedral square. It is crowded with both locals and travelers, and there are several merchant tents featuring food, clothes, local crafts, and souvenirs.
He arrives just in time for the opening speeches. A middle-aged human woman stands at the podium, with short strawberry blonde hair.
"Welcome, welcome one and all, to the Sandpoint Swallowtail Festival! For those travelers who are new to our fair town, I am Kendra Deverin, Mayor of Sandpoint. I am pleased to see such a lovely turnout here today! Why, even Larz Rovansky, our most notorious workaholic has managed to pull himself away from the Tannery to join us in celebration!" she pauses as the residents erupt into a fit of laughter at her joke. You notice a couple of locals pushing around an older gentleman, still dressed in tannin-stained work garb, cross his arms and scowl at the jest. Kendra Deverin smiles widely. "This year's festival is very special to us as we consecrate the grand opening of our new cathedral. Five years ago, tragedy struck our little town as fire claimed our last temple, claiming the lives of both our high priest and his young daughter. However, we banded together, and like a phoenix rises from the ashes, we have rebuilt! Please go forth and enjoy the celebration and keep in mind what this year's festival stands for. Today is a new beginning." The crowd claps, as Mayor Deverin steps down and a large, gruff Shoanti man in chain mail briskly takes her place.
The man's face is dour and humorless. "For those of you who do not know me, my name is Sheriff Belor Hemlock. I want to remind you all to be safe throughout the festival, and especially tonight at the evening bonfire. We just built this new thing and we don't need it getting burned down all over again." His tone clearly conveys that he does not mean this as a joke, and no one chuckles. "In closing, I'd like a moment of silence to those who died in the Late Unpleasantness five years ago." He closes his eyes and bows his head to the floor, as does several locals in town. Afterwards he leaves the podium without a word.
Mayor Deverin hurries up to the podium and reads off a piece of parchment: "And now we'd like to welcome... Lonjiku Kaijitsu!" The residents clap, though less enthusiastically. After a few moments of waiting, she speaks out again, "Uh...Lonjiku?" An assistant hurries up to the podium and whispers something in her ear. Mayor Deverin smiles awkwardly, and continues "Ah, it appears that Lonjiku has come down with a sudden illness and will not be able to present today. Taking his place instead is Sandpoint's own showman, Cyrdak Drokkus!"
Cyrdak Drokkus is a short, flamboyant man with a red goatee. He is more than up to the task of bringing the crowd's mood back up with a series of quips and anecdotes. He delivers a not-completely-irreverent recap of the long process the town went through to finance and construct the new cathedral. After his entertaining bit, he finishes with a bit of shameless self-promotion: "And of course, I am sure to see you all tomorrow evening at my new production of 'The Harpy's Curse'! I am pleased to announce that the lead role of Avisera, the harpy queen, will be played by none other than the famous Magnimarian diva, Allishanda!" He bows, and leaves the podium to many cheers and hollers.
Finally, a bald, dark-skinned man steps up to the podium. "My name is Father Abstalar Zantus, and I am the High Priest of Sandpoint. I'm sure you're all anxious to get to the festivities, so I'll keep this short. Desna smiles upon each and every one of us today. On behalf of all of Sandpoint, I thank you for your patronage. The Swallowtail Festival is now, officially, under way!" The people cheer and disperse.
There are numerous games and contests going on all around you, as well as Varisian fortune tellers, live music, and vendors peddling food and drink. Among the contests there is an archery contest, a bean bag toss, a contest to knock down a pile of stones with a catapult, and a gambling game involving racing lizards.
As the crowd disperses, Jandar meanders towards the Archery contest. On his way, he tried to get some information from random friendly-looking people. The questions were simple, and usually prefaced by a "Sorry, I'm new here, but...":
"Who is Lonjiku Kaijitsu?"
"Who is Cyrdak Drokkus?"
"Any big prizes going out today?"
Best avoid asking about the former High Priest, though I'm itching for that knowledge. No need to kill the mood THIS early.
Jeremy approaches a lovely young half-elf girl, tall, and thin, wearing a silver longsword pendant around her neck. She has long, silvery hair, and large, grey eyes. Her clothes are perfectly tailored. She smiles sweetly at Jeremy.
"Oh, Hello! I don't think I've seen you around before, are you just in town for the festival? My name is Rynshinn, what's your name? Where are you from?"
She listens to his questions with interest.
"Oh, Lonjiku runs the Sandpoint Glassworks. Surely you've noticed the big glass factory on the west side of town? I don't buy that story about him being sick. He's an old miser, hates 'frivolty and festivals' as he calls it. His speech wouldn't have been as good as Cyrdak's anyway!"
"Cyrdak runs the Sandpoint Theater! Ooh, if you have time you definitely need to check it out before you leave! He's a really talented bard, and the plays there are as good as any you'll see in Magnimar, I swear by the Inheritor!"
She pauses and thinks for a moment. "Well, most of the prizes are donated by the villagers. Food, handycrafts, that sort of thing. Ooh, and of course bragging rights! The copper raised by the games goes towards paying off the debt for building the Cathedral so its all for a good cause! I think you can win some money for gambling at the Dragon Races, though," she gestures towards the lizard race track.
"Many thanks, Rynshinn. I am Jeremy Kithkin, lately of Cheliax but happy to be gone from there. The contests should be fun, though. I never was much on gambling, but I will say that a good prize brings out the best in any competition. Having tasted Mrs. Kaijitsu's cooking, though, donated food is better than gold around here.
Understatement of the day right there, I'd CATCH the arrows of the archery contest for some of the spicy soup
The sounds of competition and the crowd announced that they were fast approaching the archery posts. It was time to give the competition a shot. Jeremy stepped forward to where he could see how this contest would work.
A glowing third eye manifests on Anthony's forehead, and Rynshinn's eyes widen. "Woah! What's that? Are you a wizard?"
The half-elf girl seems intrigued by the mysterious, magical stranger and follows him to the archery posts to observe how he fares. The archery posts are shaped as two large targets with silhouettes of a monstrous winged horse set up fifty yards away from a firing line. The bull's eye on each target is where the horse's heart would be, and there are four concentric circles surrounding the bull's eye.
The stand is being manned by two young women, both astonishingly beautiful. The lovelier of the two has long, curly red hair, and seems completely bored and disinterested at the prospect of manning the booth. The other girl has black hair pulled back into a braid, and seems to be working hard to make up for the other's laziness.
"Step right up! Do you have what it takes to bring down the infamous Sandpoint Devil? Take a shot and see!" When she spots Jeremy she addresses him specifically. Her red haired sister barely notices, preoccupied with a book titled 'Irresistible Secrets'. Their name-tags identify them as Shayliss Vinder (the red-haired girl) and Katrine Vinder (the raven-haired girl) "Hello there! Would you like to play? It costs two copper pieces. Then just take one of these longbows, and two arrows. If you get a bull's-eye you win a pie courtesy of Alma Avertin from Sandpoint Savories! Hitting anything else wins you a seashell necklace!"
"Not... quite, Rynshinn. Think of it as wanting something REALLY badly, and it coming true in small amounts. Nothing that twists reality, not like the wizards I've met, but enough to get me a bit of an edge when I need it."
Jeremy stepped up to the stall, pulling out a couple of copper pieces and flipping them before placing them on the counter. "Katrine, pardon the pun, but mind if I take a shot at this?"
Taking up the unfamiliar weapon, Jandar begins thinking this may not have been the best of ideas. He was far more adept with the smaller shortbows, or his favored crossbow. Nothing for it, though, but to take his attempts.
"Hmmmm." Rynshinn thinks to herself for a moment. "Y'know, I know exactly what you mean!"
Katrine smiles wryly at Jeremy's little joke, and hands him a longbow and two arrows in exchange for his coins. While Jeremy walks up to the firing range, Rynshinn pulls a silver coin out from her pocket and rubs her fingers on it, staring at it deep in thought.
Jeremy's first arrow lands several yards short. The second arrow manages to hit the target, but nowhere near any of the concentric circles.
Shayliss Vinder glances over her shoulders at his work, before huffing and returning to her book. "Next!"
Rynshinn smiles at Jeremy encouragingly, putting her coin away as he approaches. "That was a good try!"
"Eh, could have done much better. Longbow isn't my thing, it seems... or at least, not yet."
Seriously, great way to show off for the ladies, there...
Jeremy pauses a moment to watch the next one up shoot, then starts meandering towards the catapult game. Along the way, he asks a question that bugged him a bit.
"Anything in particular about that coin you just had? Good luck charm?"
"Mmhmm! My papa died when I was just a baby, and this elvish coin is all I have left from him." Rynshinn seems relaxed and honest. "Though every year on my birthday I get small gifts left on my bedside table! Mama says its his ghost come to wish me a happy birthday...sometimes I wonder if he's still alive, and looking out for me. What about you? Do you still have a papa?"
The catapault game is set up to the west, with the Old Light looming in the background.The Old Light is a large, ruined Thassilonian monument made of white stones that is vaguely in the shape of a lighthouse. However, it is neither a lighthouse nor a true tower as it seems to be solid stone the entire way through. The game itself has a table with six square stones stacked on it in a triangular shape, and has a firing line twenty feet from the tables. Using a small catapault, players try to knock down the stack of stones.
A dwarf stands at the booth, calling for participants. "Who needs a lighthouse without a light, huh? Let's knock it down and use the stone to build something new!"
A little blonde boy runs up to his mother and tugs on her skirt. The woman cradles a little baby in her arms. "Mama, mama! I want to play! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease!" His father stands nearby, and smiles at him, walking over to the dwarf.
"So how much is it to play, Master Battlehorn?"
"Ahh, Alegast, welcome! Two copper pieces to play. You get three shots to try and knock the stones down. You have to knock the entire stack of stones to win." Alegast nods and pays the fee for his son to play.
The little lad runs excitedly over to the catapault with his father. The catapult itself is a work of art. It is 2 feet tall and made of wood, carved in the shape of a stone giant, with its arm throwing the stone.
The dwarf, Master Battlehorn, winks at Jeremy. "You'll go after the little lad in a moment, if you'd like."
The boy fires once, missing the stones entirely. His eyes well up with tears. The dwarf hurries over to him. "There, there, little Aeren. Here, let me show you how it works..." With the dwarf's assistance, the little boy is able to knock over the six stones.
"Congratulations! You knocked the Old Light down! Here's your prize!" He hands the boy a small toy catapult. Aeren cheers and cradles the catapult in his arms.
"Look mama, look! I won! I won!" His mother tsks disapprovingly.
"A weapon! Desna weeps. Just the right size for a little boy to shoot their own eye out with!"
The boy's father shakes his head, before ruffling his son's hair affectionately. "Let the kid be a kid, Amele." Amele sighs and grasps her husband's hand, and the small family leaves for the next attraction. Master Battlehorn watches the family leave wistfully before turning to Jeremy.
"Thanks for waiting. So it'll be two copper for three shots. Think you have what it takes?" he grins.
"I would, in fact, like to take a shot at this, You said two coppers, Master Battlehorn?
Jeremy reaches into his pocket, thinking extremely hard about multiple things. He brings out the two coins and places them on the table.
Let us hope that I'm better at this than at archery, or I may have to move towns before the day is out. And that coin... gotta see if Rynshinn'll let me scan it. Might be nothing, but if it's actually haunted by a benevolent spirit I'd like to know
Very carefully, he lined up his shots...
There are six stones. The first shot flies high. The second shot manages to hit the pile of stones, causing the top stone to topple down. The final shot also misses the tower of stones completely.
"Looks like someone's been neglecting his prayers to Desna, hmmm?" Master Battlehorn chortles. "Ah, no shame lad, you don't look like you've fired a catapult in yer life."
While Jeremy was busy at the catapults, Rynshinn was approached by another man, a Varisian, with dark skin and long, greasy, dark hair in leather armor.
"Rynshinn! Desna smiles! Come, let me buy you a drink at the Fatman's Feedbag."
Rynshinn puts her coin away hurriedly, and frowns. "Oh, it's you, Jubrayl. No, thank you," she says, politely.
"Aw, come on, beautiful!" Jubrayl sidles up closer to her, and the half-elf backs off, uncomfortable. When she sees Jeremy approaching, she flees to his side and grabs hold of his arm, wrapping herself around it.
"I was just showing Jeremy here around town! He's new here, and he's a wizard!"
Jubrayl looks Jeremy from head to toe with a dirty look on his face. "Hmph. Wizard, eh? Didn't think skinny and scrawny'd be your type, Rynshinn."
Jubrayl skulks off. Rynshinn lets go of Jeremy, and smiles apologetically at him. "Um, I'm sorry about that! I know you said you're not a wizard but...um... I'm getting a little old to be unmarried, and I have a lot of suitors you see...I couldn't think of a better way to get him to leave me alone. Um... anyway! Where would you like to go next?"
Unwanted attentions of any kind really got Jandar's goat, and his irritation at messing up the siege shots wasn't helping things. The man just needed a way to vent, and the Varisian provided the perfect opportunity.
"Jubrayl, was it? Please, allow me to introduce myself. I am Jeremy Kithkin, recently of Cheliax, and Rynshinn here was showing me the town. Now, I don't know about what her type might be, but I am more than slightly sure that greasy-haired chauvinists wouldn't have much of a chance. Please, stand aside, we have other sights to see and no desire to waste time this festival day on you."
Let us hope he gets the point, and that dueling is illegal here
Jubrayl sneers and turns to face Jeremy. He stands tall and moves up to him until they're barely a few inches apart, a clear intimidation move.
"Well, wizard Jeremy, recently of Cheliax," he mocks. "should be careful with whom he mouths off to. Sounds like you're aways from home. Don't want to get in over your head, now, hmm?"
After leaving his thinly-veiled threat, he skulks off. Rynshinn laughs weakly once he's out of ear-shot.
"Ah, he's a real piece of work, isn't he? I promise most people here are nice!"
"You are an example of that much, Rynshinn. No need to worry, I can fend for myself. Especially if he keeps thinking I'm a Wizard. Now, I hear there is a bean-bag toss around here? Might be fun to try, haven't done that since I was a little boy."
REALLY smooth, Jeremy. Seriously, he's armored, and that usually means someone who can fight. You probably should have led with the Light Whip, not your tongue. Get your head back together!
It was a slightly more nervous man who meandered his way towards the other games. A much more alert one, as well.
Jeremy keeps a careful watch on Jubrayl's whereabouts in his peripheral vision. He notices Jubrayl sidle over to the person in charge of the Dragon Races. They have a hurried, but cheerful conversation. Afterwards Jubrayl vanishes into the crowds. No one else around Jeremy appears to be behaving suspiciously.
The bean bag toss is a fairly simple set-up, run by an wrinkled old man. A board with a row of three holes is set up 10 feet from a throwing line. There are buckets of beanbags sewn to look like goblins by each of the three stations, and each bean bag has a goblin name printed onto it.
Jeremy spots the same family from at the catapult game, just wrapping up. The old man hands the little boy, Aeren, a few pieces of jerky.
"Here you go! Fresh, dried, goblin meat!"
Aeren's eyes bug out of his head, sticking out his tongue. "Ewwwww! Goblin meat?!"
The old man nods vigorously, his face crinkled up into a big smile. The family walks off. Jeremy hears little Aeren's voice as they leave: "Mama, is it really goblin meat?" "No, child, Mr. Hosk was just kidding. It's just venison from the meat market." "....awwww."
Mr. Hosk turns to Jeremy and cackles. "Look, son! Three goblins have found their way into your house and are tearing it up! Toss them into the fireplace before they can destroy everything! It costs one copper piece to play, and you get three goblins to throw into the fireplace. You're a grown man so you have to aim for the smallest hole. The bigger holes is fer the children. Make all three shots and you get a bag of goblin meat!"
Rynshinn picks up one of the beanbags and sighs. "Ugh. Goblins. Horrible little creatures."
Mr. Hosk nods. "Aye, not going to argue you that point, lass." He winks at her. "Goblins consider it bad luck to write, and writing down their names is the worst thing you can do to desecrate their memory. So I've written down the name of every goblin bastard I've ever known and killed."
Jeremy good-naturedly slaps down a copper coin.
"Well, if it's slaying Goblins, then I guess I just have to give it a shot, now, don't I?" he says with a grin.
I wonder, though, about Rynshinn. Seems a bit personal on the point of the Goblins, maybe that's what got her dad?
Jeremy's first toss makes it through the hole, seeming effortless. Unfortunately, it seems that his first success made him over-confident, and his subsequent attempts bounce off the wood.
"Better luck next time!" Mr. Hosk says, good-naturedly.
As the two slowly meander away, headed towards the lizard race, Jeremy suddenly stopped for a moment.
"Rynshinn, something you mentioned earlier has had me thinking. I may not be a wizard, but I'm a bit of a dab hand at it. If you will permit me to, I can scan you and your father's coin? I can usually confirm at least the immediate presence of such things. I don't mind if you say no, some people think of it as me getting into your personal space. Really, it's just checking auras."
Rynshinn looks at Jeremy with surprise. "Hmmm. I don't really understand what you're asking, but okay!" She pulls her silver coin out from her pocket, and hands it to him. The silver coin is very old, and clearly elven. She watches Jeremy closely and curiously.
Eventually the pair makes it to the lizard races, or, as the banners name them, the Dragon Races. There are two thirty-foot-long double-lane tracks set up next to each other with a three-foot wide gap in-between. Near the starting line, there is a large cage with twelve lizards in it. Each lizard has a set of twig and cloth wings attached to their backs, and each is painted a different color. There are nine lizards total, and four race at a time.
This is easily the most popular event, and is crowded with people cheering the lizards on. The man taking the bets is an enormous Varisian man, both tall and wide.
Rynshinn seems excited at the race, which is won pretty handily by the orange "dragon". When it is over she turns to Jeremy. "I don't know...my mother told me only the foolish and desperate gamble."
The next game is about to begin. Do you want to place a bet, or stand back and watch another game?
There are four lizards on the track]
Lizard 1 is painted orange. It won last time.
Lizard 2 is painted blue. It finished last.
Lizard 3 is painted black. It finished third, last time.
Lizard 4 is painted green. It finished second, last time.
Intriguing... there really may be something here about the coin, though it's subtle. Beyond me to really make out... yet. I'll need to check back on this at some point, when I have a bit more reference to base things off of
[b]"Your mother was... very close to the truth. Only the foolish or desperate gamble, unless it's for tiny stakes that will not hurt them if they lose. Taken that way, it is just like any other game out here. You pay to have some fun, and get a prize if you win."
Jeremy steps forward, looking the lizards over and getting ready to place a small bet
Jeremy places three coppers on the Orange Lizard.
The people scream and cheer on for their favorite lizard. At first it seems like the blue lizard is going the fastest, but the green lizard pulls it out in the end. The orange lizard does not go nearly as fast as it did in the previous match. The green lizard had the worst odds of all of them, so a select few people in the crowd get some pretty big payouts!
Bunch of Varisians getting lucky this game. Concidence, probably. Maybe Green is a lucky color for them?
Jeremy shakes his head a bit. Today had not been his day at these games, and he was just thankful that the people around here didn't quite recognize him yet.
"Rynshinn, about that coin... I got a very deep sense of positive emotion from it. Hard to miss, actually. Your father must have loved you beyond words to leave that kind of mark on the world." He sighed a bit, frankly jealous. That attachment had not been his own lot, as evidenced by the fact that he was here and not back in Cheliax. "Anything we've missed around here before the big ceremony?"
"I'm really glad to hear you say that, Jeremy. I never knew my father, but I am sure he is watching over me, in some way." Rynshinn smiles warmly at him. "Oh yes! There are all kinds of games... but look, the food!"
Long banquet tables were set out in front of the new cathedral, and the town's finest chefs were bringing out pots of hot food on carts to set the table. Ameiko Kaijitsu walks by with a small parade of attendants in tow, all carrying heaping plates of salmon. She winks at Jeremy as she walks by. The food is all free of charge in honor of the Cathedral's consecration, though of course this is as much a marketing push by the various restaurants and taverns of Sandpoint to win new customers as it is to feed a hungry crowd. People begin lining up immediately, and Rynshinn grabs Jeremy by the arm to drag him up closer so that they don't have to wait too long. Among the options are Ameiko's remarkable curry-spiced salmon (easily the best, as long as you can handle the heat!), the Hagfish's lobster chowder, spiced potatoes from Risa's Place and the White Deer's peppercorn venison. Many long tables and benches have been set up to give the festival-goers a place to sit and eat.
Once the majority of the festival goers are sitting and eating, Father Zantus and his acolytes wheel a large covered wagon into the square. The priest recounts a quick parable: "A long, long time ago, Desna fell onto Golarion, injured, after a great battle with Lamashtu, the mother of monsters. A blind orphan nursed her back to health, and to thank the child, the goddess transformed her into an immortal butterfly. In this form, the child could forever fly around the world, seeing its wonders. As Desna teaches us, blessed is the long road, the destination, the homeward path, and all who make the journey. Let each dream be a bright star in the night sky of your mind, lighting your path in the day."
And with that, Father Zantus pulls aside the wagon's cover, releasing the thousand children of Desna-- a furious storm of swallowtail butterflies that swarm into the air in a spiraling riot of color to a great cheer from the crowd. Children leap from their seats to futilely chase the butterflies, never quite quick enough to catch them
Afterwards, a ballot box goes around, inquiring each festival goer to vote for their favorite dish.
"I think I liked the peppercorn venison the best. What about you?" Rynshinn asks.
Jeremy, not one to dishonor either the gods or the fine cooking, eats heartily and cheers with the rest of the crowd when the butterflies were released. It was moments like this that he had set out to find, and he was astounded that one had come so quickly.
When the voting box came around, the choice was VERY clear to Jeremy."Oh, EASILY the curry salmon! That venison was good, but it's definitely behind the salmon and the chowder"
needed that chowder to cool off, Ameiko didn't hold back on this!
Rynshinn takes a timid bite of the salmon, causing her eyes to water. "Huuuu! Too hot for me!"
A sharp retort, like the crack of distant thunder, slices through the excited crowd as the bright noonday sun shines high in the sky. A stray dog that has crawled under a nearby wagon to sleep starts awake, and the buzz of many conversations quickly hushes as all heads turn towards the central podium, where a beaming Father Zantus has taken the stage. He clears his throat, takes a breath to speak, and suddenly a woman's scream slices through the air. A few moments later, another scream rises, then another. Beyond them, a sudden surge of strange new voices rises-- high-pitched tittering shrieks that sound not quite human. The crowd parts and something low to the ground races by, giggling with disturbing glee as the stray dog gives a pained yelp and then collapses with a gurgle, its throat cut from ear to ear. As blood pools around its head, the raucous sound of a strange song begins, chanted from shrill, scratchy voices.
The Goblin Song:
"Goblins chew and goblins bite.
Goblins cut and goblins fight!
Stab the dog and cut the horse,
Goblins eat and take by force!
Goblins race and goblins jump.
Goblins slash and goblins bump!
Burn the skin and mash the head,
Goblins here and you be dead!
Chase the baby, catch the pup.
Bonk the head to shut it up.
Bones be cracked. Flesh be stewed.
We be goblins! YOU be food!"
The crowd erupts to mad panic as the festival goers rush out en masse to flee the square.
"They're at the gates! They're at the gates! Men! To your posts!" you hear a guardsman yell from far away.
Suddenly the square is crawling with goblins and commoners. The guardsmen are forced to run to the gates to hold off the bulk of the goblin force, and those few members of Sandpoint who can fight draw their weapons to battle the goblins. Sheriff Belor Hemlock draws his sword and fights three at once to protect Mayor Deverin's retreat.
Rynshinn tugs on Jeremy's sleeve. "Jeremy! We need to run! Hurry, you can hide at my house!"
But in the corner of Jeremy's eye he notices the little boy from earlier, Aeren, cornered by a small group of goblins. All of the rest of Sandpoint's defenders are otherwise preoccupied, and his parents are nowhere to be seen. What does he do?
Initiative Rolls
Initiative Order
1. Goblin 2
2. Jeremy
3. Goblin 1
4. Goblin 3
What the...
"One is at the wagon!" Jeremy sprang into instant action. The third eye on his forehead blazed with a red light, and from a previously-nondescript ring on his left hand a line of brilliant sparks begins dripping to the ground. His crossbow nearly leaps into his hand, as he takes careful aim at the nearest one
As the bolt flies true, Jeremy yells loudly. "Hey! Dog-breath! Try eating THIS one!" The stream of sparks solidifies into a restlessly writhing whip of pure light.
The goblins turn and leer at Jeremy, cackling evilly at his taunt.
Round 1
The goblin closest to Jeremy brandishes his little knife and charges at him!
Jeremy's whip wraps around its leg and drags it to the ground.
With one on the ground, Jeremy loads up and takes a shot at the closest one still on its feet, one that hadn't yet had a chance to really react to him. The third eye on his forehead flares as he takes his shot.
The bolt flies true, and he steps back towards Rynshinn. "If you can help me, I could use it. If not, get clear!
Jeremy's bolt darts into the closest goblin with an eerie thunk. It falls to the ground with a squeal, blood pouring out from its wound.
The other goblin shrieks, dropping its little dagger to the ground. Still giggling like a maniac, it speeds up to the podium, too far away for Jeremy to trip it. It clambers up to the podium, and tries to climb up it, but fails miserably.
Rynshinn shakes her head, seemingly paralyzed with fear. "I-I can't. I'm sorry!"
The little boy looks at the chaos all around him and chooses to climb underneath the wagon and hide.
Round 2
The goblin that fell prone stands back up. He tries to move towards Jeremy with his little dagger, but Jeremy's whip trips him once more.
I can take care of the guy on the ground in a sec, he seems to be having fun failing at jump rope with the Light Whip. REALLY don't want the other guy getting away from me...
Jeremy takes aim at the one who attempted to climb onto the platform, making sure to stay by Rynshinn in order to keep her within the protective radius of his Whip.
With an unnerving thunk, Jeremy's bolt lands in the goblin's arm. The little creature seems undeterred, stepping slightly away from Jeremy. It draws its own short bow, notches an arrow, and fires back at Jeremy. It flies through the air and lands in his shoulder: a shallow wound.
The goblin with a bolt in his chest starts to slowly bleed to death.
The goblin on the ground realizes that he is laying next to an up-turned plate of Ameiko's salmon, and starts stuffing his face with it. Immediately his eyes begin to water, but he can't stop himself and spends the round eating.
Although outwardly, Jeremy kept his cool, inward was another matter.
YOW! Ok, that hurt, not going to be able to take too many of those. I need to reduce this down, preferably to, well, just the good guys
Once again, he methodically reloaded and took aim, firing as he sighted upon his standing foe.
With the serenity that comes only from long practice, Jeremy calmly looses a flawless shot at the goblin, driving yet another bolt into the little monster. It shrieks in pain, and attempts to retaliate with another shot from its bow, but he smoothly ducks behind a table, the shot harmlessly sailing past overhead.
The other goblin finally remembers that it was attacking Jeremy prior to this and scrambles to its feet. It runs up to Jeremy, nimbly dodging his light whip as it goes.
WAY closer than I like, on both counts!
Jeremy stepped back next to Rynshinn, giving enough of a gap between him and the incoming bundle of green ugly to reload and loose once again at the smart one (relatively speaking, anyway) with the bow.
Can't keep this up forever, I didn't bring all my bolts and eventually one of these gobs is going to get lucky.
Jeremy's smooth shot lands in the farther goblin's eye, killing it in one hit.
The other goblin advances slowly towards Jeremy, brandishing its weapon. "Hehehehe, longshanks not trip me up now! Gonna stab you with my dogslicer now!"
He swipes at Jeremy, but the vizier dodges just in time so he just barely grazes his leather armor.
I've been called worse than Longshanks, dogbreath. No need to trip you anymore"
With that Jeremy abruptly drops the crossbow and dives for the opposite side of the Goblin, coming up with his quarterstaff ready to clobber this one.
Jeremy's tumble is too slow, and the goblin seizes a chance to swipe at him as he moves by.
Jeremy manages to kick the blade away as he moves.
The goblin swipes at Jeremy yet again, lacing his moves with sly deception before hitting its mark in Jeremy's leg.
Despite the cut Jeremy knew the fight would soon end in his favor. Giving the Quarterstaff a quick twirl, he strikes swift and sure.
... though apparently not quite as sure as he was with the crossbow.
The goblin slips away from Jeremy's strike, and he finds himself overextended.
The goblin seizes the opening, and strikes, but Jeremy likewise slips out of the creature's reach.
Alright, tough guy. You KNOW how to fight, start remembering those expensive lessons Dad gave you instead of actual time
This time, rather than holding back for defense, his Eye flared blood-red as he lunged, aiming the tip of the quarterstaff for the kill.
With a blow that would fell a goblin cleanly, Jeremy oversteps his mark and misses, taking a massive splintering chunk out of a nearby chair. With a grin, the goblin rights itself and makes for its counter attack. The goblin slices towards Jeremy with an overhead chop, but it’s deflected to the side at the last moment. Jeremy kicks its weapon away.
Ok, so smacking him upside the head isn't working. Stab, maybe?
Jeremy drops the quarterstaff, draws the knife, and goes for a much more bloody kill this time. The Eye focuses on the Goblin
With a casual twist of Jeremy's wrist, he carves a notch out of the goblin. It squeals in pain, and retaliates swiftly, leaving a deep laceration in Jeremy's leg.
I will NOT lose to a freaking Goblin!
The little creature laughs maniacally as it side-steps Jeremy's overzealous lunge. It delivers another shallow cut, slowly whittling the vizier down.
Perhaps THIS would put the thing down...