"The Town of Sandpoint needs you!"
This tale, like all the best ones, begins with two friends sharing a drink at an inn. It is not the best inn to be found in the town of Sandpoint, a mid sized city nestled in a natural cove on Varisia's Lost Coast, but nor was it the worst. The ale was pleasant and cool, if a bit lacking in body. The food was hot and plentiful, but uninspired.
Music wafted through the air as servers moved between tables, bringing food and drink to the diverse clientele. Most of the talk was of the upcoming Swallowtail Festival to commemorate the opening of the new Cathedral, replacing the one burnt down five years previously.
Similar to the others, the arrival of the Swallowtail festival is the topic of conversation between the friends as well. The half-orc attempting to convince the tiefling to stay for it when he wishes to look for work in Magnimar, the jobs here having been slim since they escaped from their slavers.
Maze sat beside Silas, nursing her mug of ale. Her deep golden eyes coolly appraised the interior of the inn, taking stock of those within and anything noteworthy. She also listened in to conversations going on in nearby tables. She was wary of new places and Sandpoint was no exception to her rule.
She took another gulp of her ale and then spoke in low voice to Silas, "Come, do not leave me here on my own. Let us attend this festival and then we can go look for work. Gives the horses a chance to rest before we push them, again." Gives my haunches a rest after being in the saddle for so long, she added privately.
Silas grumbles a bit into his mug before saying Fine, but as soon it's over we head out. Agreed? These people aren't in need of our help as much as those poor souls in Magrimar either. Sandpoint has been relatively peaceful these last years from what I gather. Sarenrae's light is needed elsewhere I am thinking.
Perhaps knowing a little more about the after hours activities of the festival, Maze leaned in closer and in hushed tones tried to warm the Tiefling to the idea of the festival, "There are unsanctioned gladiatorial fights, or least I've heard rumours of such contests. If that isn't to your liking, then we could look at the weapons and armour stand and see what they have on offer. And yes, yes we'll leave the next day, if you're so eager to go to Magnimar." Maze wasn't against the idea especially since she was certain Carrug had sent Orcs after her. Can't stay in one town for too long, she mused inwardly.
Silas wrinkles his nose in distaste at the gladiatorial fights before saying, "The weapon and armor stands sound promising. This vambrace needs replacing soon." He indicates the armor encasing his left forearm, wear is evident and it is covered in scratches.
He looks around at the rest of the inn and says "Well if we are to stay for this festival then perhaps some rest is in order. I will see you in the morning Maze." He smiles slightly before saying his customary bedtime phrase, "Sleep well and wake, Maze."
The night passes uneventfully and you find Silas at the same table you both occupied the night before. Your dreams were troubled, as sometimes happens to you, which usually foretells some sort of trouble. This has happened often since your escape however and you push the feeling of foreboding down, intent on enjoying the Swallowtail Festival to it's fullest.
The day has dawned clear and cool as you step outside after breakfast. You briefly check on Silas' horse at the Goblin Squash Stables. Silas has been a bit obsessive about Phyxius after receiving her and checks on her at least twice a day.
By the time Silas is satisfied that, no Phyxias is NOT being tortured, the Festival is in full swing. Stalls and games are everywhere, children laugh and get under everyone's feet, their harried parents running after them. The main event now though is the welcoming speeches. Talking to several people you find out that there will be four speeches in total. You arrive just in time to see the Mayor step on stage.
Mayor Deverrin steps on stage, an infections smile on her face. She waits for the crowd to quiet down a bit before speaking in a clear, albeit excited, voice. "Good day citizens and guests of Sandpoint! I see almost the whole town is here, even Larz Rovanky has managed to tear himself away from the tannery to be here!" The people laugh and look at a red bearded man who seems to glower at the attention. "I don't wish to take time away from the Festival and the many attractions but I wanted to welcome you all and..." She continues with her speech, alternating between soaring words of the nature of the festival and good natured humor at some of the towns residents and herself. She is followed by Sheriff Hemlock, who by contrast gives a dour speech about safety in and around the festival, making sure to admonish people to be careful around tonights bonfire, and the like. It is announced that the following speaker, local nobleman Lonjiku Kaijitsu, was to speak but a sudden illness has prevented him from attending the ceremony.
He is replaced, to the crowds delight, by Sandpoint’s own showman Cyrdak Drokkus who is more than up to the challenge of bringing the crowd’s mood back up with his rousing anecdotes. He delivers a not-completely-irreverent recap of the long process the town went through to finance and construct the new cathedral. He throws in a bit of self promotion at the end, as is his wont, inviting everyone
to stop by the Sandpoint Theater the following evening to check out his new production of “The Harpy’s Curse,” revealing that the lead role of Avisera the harpy queen will be played by none other than the famous Magnimarian diva Allishanda! Finally, Father Zantus steps up to give a short speech thanking everyone for coming before declaring the Swallowtail Festival officially underway.
She knew the idea of new weapons and armour would draw her Tiefling companion's attention. When he abruptly announced he was retiring, she sighed but graciously accepted his bedtime tribute. "You, too, Silas. Good night." Maze stood, cast one last look about the inn before taking the stairs to her bedchamber and the tiny, sleeping armadillo, wrapped up in a shawl on her cot.
In the early hours of the morning, she rose without falter even though her dreams had been troubled, washed her face and tidied her hair and then sat down, cross-legged on the hard wooden floor. Placing Stix in her lap, she proceeded to begin her spell preparations; reaching out to the Spirit world, to the Battle spirit she had formed a strong union with. She sat for an hour this way; and the smell of Battle was all around her as she learned each spell and gained every power she was granted by her Spirit.
Once done, she gave Stix some food and water, collected her pack and as soon as her armadillo had finished eating (he scoffed his food down quick as was his way), she put him in his satchel. Donning her fine-crafted armour and placing the satchel strap across her body, she was ready for anything. To Stix she murmured, "Aye, it is a festival, but such things cannot stop enemies, like Carrug." Maze, put on her cloak, collected her weapons and made her way back to the dining hall where she saw Silas at their "usual" table. "Good morning, Silas", she called over a serving girl and requested some food and drink to break her/their fast.
During the meal, Silas made mention of checking on Phyxias, again. Maze rolled her eyes, "The horse will be fine, right alongside Varu." But off to the stables they went as soon as the meal was done and coin paid. As Silas checked on his horse, Maze checked on her own. Varu was trained for battle much like Phyxias, but her dappled grey stallion was leaner/lighter in form compared to the heavier Phyxias. Satisfied the horses were well fed and cared for, they finally headed to the festival.
Maze was still a little self-conscious of the two small tusks protruding from her mouth, thanks to her Orcish blood, now she was in Sandpoint. She attempted to listen to the speeches on the podium and take note of the names of each speaker. She found her mind wandering - out of boredom and lack of experience in listening to drawn out talk. As the one called Father Zantus spoke, Maze cast her eyes about the people around her; a cautionary glace as Sandpoint was still new to her.
You don't see much out of the ordinary in terms of people. After the speeches, people begin to wander around to the different booths, trying their luck at games of chance, skill and strength. The vendors have a row to themselves selling all manner of items.
Lunch is still several hours off but there are stands selling all manner of treat. Candied floss, sweet cakes, mince pies and all other type of delectable foods.
Silas looks over at you and says Anything in particular you want to do?
Silas looks over at you and says Anything in particular you want to do?
"Not, really. I wanted to walk around and look for now. Then circle back if something catches my eye. You?"
Silas looks over, his stomach suddenly growling louder than the bear doing tricks behind a roped off pen to your left. Reddening slightly he says "Perhaps something to eat?"
He then begins to head towards a stall selling mince pies and skewered meat that looks like goat or lamb. Buying a skewer and mince pie for each of you, he heads over and finds a bale of hay set up around the makeshift games field. There are people tossing cabers, lifting heavy weights, and the like. For a brief moment he lets his perpetual guard down and relaxes, the corners of his mouth giving a ghost of a smile.
You both make your way around the fair for a while, trying various games and events, winning some and losing some so you come out even but having a great time. Dinner comes early with the various taverns providing the food, this being an excellent opportunity for marketing. It soon becomes apparent that the darling of the lunch is, once again, Ameiko Kaijitsu, whose remarkable curry-spiced salmon and early winterdrop mead easily overshadow the other offerings, such as the Hagfish’s lobster chowder or the White Deer’s peppercorn venison (Silas's favorite incidentally).
Finally, as the sun begins to set, Father Zantus takes the central podium. A sharp retort, like the crack of distant thunder, slices through the excited crowd as the sun’s setting rays paint the western sky. A stray dog that has crawled under a nearby wagon to sleep starts awake, and the buzz of two dozen conversations quickly hushes as all heads turn toward 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 open from ear to ear. As blood pools around its head, the raucous sound of a strange song begins, chanted from shrill, scratchy voices.
Hearing the screams and then the strange new voices chanting, Maze called to Silas, "Come! We must see what it is", and with that she drew her heavy flail and began to move swiftly, but thoughtfully/stealthily forward using the crowd as cover for her advancement, casting her eyes to determine the cause of the disturbance/threat.