Morgan chuckles at Aleister's objection, glancing quickly around the very noisy common room with a raised eyebrow. "Not sure this qualifies as anybody's notion of peace... what kind of monastery you from?"
Snatching up the dice cup again, he gives another throw.
"The dice are not with us tonight, it would seem. Passing through myself, looking for a bit o' adventure, or at least the odd guard job. The ol' hammer is lacking for things to hit." he says with a grin and a nod in the direction of the mammoth hammer strapped to his back. "Been all about, here and there, though I'm from Absalom originally. Heard good things about this festival tomorrow, thought I'd check it out."
Ynja stands still as the two intimidating looking knights ride up to them, She looks to her companion to see what her reaction is. While slipping he gun out under her coat ready, should she need it, but then she lips it back into its holster as they talk.
As the talked finishes, Ynja smiles a girly smile, and seems to take on a airhead like glazed look, Her eyes fluttering at the two knights.
** spoiler omitted **
"Why fine sirs, myself and my familiar here where just out to take the night air before the festivities, But what a joy to see two fine members Heldannic Knights."
She pats the flank of Shi'Vatha.
"I was just telling Shi,shi here the other day, about the tails of the Heldannic Knights. Big strong men riding out to face danger and hurt, while protecting the weak and venerable like myself"
She then blushes a little.
"Is it true what they say, that you train day and night to make your muscles big and strong"
She looks at their forms admiringly, and takes a step forward her hand reaching out as if to touch the talking knights arm and test the firmness, but then she seem to lose her bravery and pulls her hand back. She turns and goes back to Shi'Vatha in a girlish manner. She scratches between his ears and says over her shoulder.
"We'er here for the festivities tomorrow, will you fine knights be staying as well?"
A flirty look their way.
...
"Sheriff Beylor Hemlock is the law here." Shi responds. "Was a fussy boy when he was younger, still puts his feelings over his duty sometimes. But town loves him."
Shi rubs one finger along it's muzzle.
I AM NOT SURE YOU SHOULD CONNECT TO MY MIND, MORTAL ONE, ON A REGULAR BASIS. I'M NOT SURE HOW SAFE IT IS. The creature's mental voice has the quality of a giant's bellow, but heard from a great distance and only through a small crack in a cave wall. IF YOU WISH TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THEM, YOU MAY, BUT I WILL NOT HAVE SANDPOINT THREATENED BY OFFAL SUCH AS THIS. IF THEY ARE SCOUTS FOR A LARGER FORCE INTENT ON INVADING, THEN I HAVE A DUTY TO REMOVE THEM.
::"Agreed, I have a bad feeling about them, to much bluster and not caring who the insult. The aggregation of an innovator. I have fight in armys full of types like this. It's heart braking to see how crushed they can be, when beaten for the 1st time. Their god is a fool, seeing to never lose. An Army's need to lose now and then, so it knows to fight to NOT let something happen."::
When your minds links, Ynia is mind is like an ever moving crystal kaleidoscope. A mote of tightly focused power behind walls of shimmering layered designs, designs like the ones on her skin, and Revolver. mathematical, logically cold.
It's very apparent now she is very much not human or even mortal. She seems to be linked to an even deeper power that holds her fixed in reality. What that can be is hard to see, but you being other, know the taint. It's some thing outside. Something Mythic. Then the crystal kaleidoscope shifts and its gone. You have never seen such a decollate place, you can see how others may find it disquieting. Her voice seems to come from everywhere it's soft and light. Reassuring and confuting, and totally at odds with the mind that is projecting it.
BE PREPARED FOR COMBAT, IF NEEDED, I CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. FOCUS ON THE QUIET ONE FIRST, HE'S LIKELY THE SMARTER ONE. THE MORE TALKATIVE ONES ARE USUALLY THE ONES WITH THE LEAST SKILL.
::"I see you now Shi'Vatha, well that explains a lot, this is just a representation of you on this plane. Your not the 1st I have meet like this, once I... Well we agreed not to talk about the past. So yes I have a feeling your claws may be needed. I will wait for you to act 1st if combat seems to be coming."::
"Eating and drinking, while chatting with your friends is a lot different than randomly shouting at the top of one's lungs about some carnival to a bunch of strangers."
"As to my monastery, it was known as the Serpent's Spire, in the hills of Cyrusian, dedicated to Lissala, goddess of runes and nobility."
|
Aleister is rather taken aback by the loud proclamation. "Excuse, why are you shouting while indoors? Have some manners, and respect the others attempting to eat their meals in peace." He says, chastising Vincent.
"Eating and drinking, while chatting with your friends is a lot different than randomly shouting at the top of one's lungs about some carnival to a bunch of strangers."
His voice picks up like any true carnival barker.
Directly responding to Morgan's comment, Vincent states, "Aye, it's been a good life, traveling and seeing the world. I owe them enough to raise my voice for a moment in a busy tavern." He gives a friendly grin towards Aleister, the chastisements not affecting his mood.
"Sheriff Beylor Hemlock is the law here." Shi responds. "Was a fussy boy when he was younger, still puts his feelings over his duty sometimes. But town loves him."
Shi rubs one finger along it's muzzle.
I AM NOT SURE YOU SHOULD CONNECT TO MY MIND, MORTAL ONE, ON A REGULAR BASIS. I'M NOT SURE HOW SAFE IT IS. The creature's mental voice has the quality of a giant's bellow, but heard from a great distance and only through a small crack in a cave wall. IF YOU WISH TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THEM, YOU MAY, BUT I WILL NOT HAVE SANDPOINT THREATENED BY OFFAL SUCH AS THIS. IF THEY ARE SCOUTS FOR A LARGER FORCE INTENT ON INVADING, THEN I HAVE A DUTY TO REMOVE THEM.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+10
The Knights are evidently completely serious about their expectation of soon presiding over the law enforcement of this community. However, this is not necessarily unexpected given the tenuous political situation that prevails in Norwold. Indeed, the remnants of the Alphatian Empire, the forces of great Thayatis, as well as the Heldannic Freeholds all hunger to possess this rich territory for their own purposes. The Knights' expectation of conquest does not mean it is absolutely likely, just that they believe fervently in the final success of their cause.
Ynja stands still as the two intimidating looking knights ride up to them, She looks to her companion to see what her reaction is. While slipping he gun out under her coat ready, should she need it, but then she lips it back into its holster as they talk.
As the talked finishes, Ynja smiles a girly smile, and seems to take on a airhead like glazed look, Her eyes fluttering at the two knights.
** spoiler omitted **
"Why fine sirs, myself and my familiar here where just out to take the night air before the festivities, But what a joy to see two fine members Heldannic Knights."
She pats the flank of Shi'Vatha.
"I was just telling Shi,shi here the other day, about the tails of the Heldannic Knights. Big strong men riding out to face danger and hurt, while protecting the weak and venerable like myself"
She then blushes a little.
"Is it true what they say, that you train day and night to make your muscles big and strong"
She looks at their forms admiringly, and takes a step forward her hand reaching out as if to touch the talking knights arm and test the firmness, but then she seem to lose her bravery and pulls her hand back. She turns and goes back to Shi'Vatha in a girlish manner. She scratches between his ears and says over her shoulder.
"We'er here for the festivities tomorrow, will you fine knights be staying as well?"
A flirty look their way.
...
The Heldannic Freeholds are one of the three great powers vying for control in the rich territories of Nowold, alongside the still potent remnants of the Alphatian Empire, and the Empire of Thayatis. These two gentleman are evidently members of the Heldannic Knights, the Templar order that rules the Freeholds. They are a martial brotherhood of exceptional size and power, and one which presents a clear and present danger to all its neighbors.
The Knight who had previously addressed the two companions speaks again,
"Bah, no indeed fraulein -- the ceremonies tomorrow are in honor of an Immortal other than our sworn patron Vania, the Lady of Battle. We shall certainly NOT be partaking."
Having replied to Ynja, the Knight then regards Shi'Vatha again with an intense quizzical expression,
"And just what might you be?"
In an instant Ynja manner changes, cold hard eyes look at them.
"I would expect knights to speak with more politeness, but it seems your Vania, Teaches only thuggery and not knightly manners."
Her arm goes into her duster and she seems to crouch slightly.
"Understand knights, you have no rights to interrogate here. Where as we would ask about you threats of invasion and your disrespecting tone related this lands gods"
her eyes do not move from them yet her stance screams ready for action.
The designs on her body glow electric blue.
"It could be seen as tantamount to sedition or even terrorism, so I suggest you leave town now. Do I make myself perfectly clear."
All the time her voice is level and even.
::"I am Sorry Shi'Vatha, I need to test how short a fuse this pear have, if this fails we may need them claws of yours"::
Shi just nods at Ynja, and then addresses the Knight who asked what it was. "I am a guardian of this town and these people, and an Ally of Ixion." It pulls it's holy symbol out from under it's silk armor cover, showing the holy symbol of Ixion. "This town is under the protection of Ixion. It is strongly suggested that you show proper respect while visiting, or leave. Any aggression will result in bad things."
Shi just nods at Ynja, and then addresses the Knight who asked what it was. "I am a guardian of this town and these people, and an Ally of Ixion." It pulls it's holy symbol out from under it's silk armor cover, showing the holy symbol of Ixion. "This town is under the protection of Ixion. It is strongly suggested that you show proper respect while visiting, or leave. Any aggression will result in bad things."
[dice=Intimidate, Aid]1d20+9
The Knight who the first speaker previously identified as 'Helmut', but has thus far held his peace, now interjects himself into the speedily-igniting confrontation between his chivalric companion and this strange pair of night wanderers.
"Come, be peaceable, Herr Friedrich, and do not let your tongue slip so casually to words of combat. Neither we, nor our venerable Ordnung have any present quarrel with these or theirs. Any possible future disputations are naught but that."
::"So one hot head and one cool one. I don't know which is more dangerous."::
"Well spoken Sir knight and more the manners I was expecting."
Ynja visible relaxes, her stance going back to one of normality.
Her arm comes out from her duster. She takes a step behind Shi'Vatha, so that Shi'Vatha, is between her and the knights.
::"I best not do any more talking, You want to ask them what they are up to?"::
THE COOL HEADED ONE IS ALWAYS MORE DANGEROUS, THE HOT HEAD CAN'T CONTROL HIS EMOTIONS, AND IS THEREFORE A KNOWN QUANTITY.
Shi tilts his head, not completely relaxing. "Your companion has all but admitted to your being here on a scouting mission for hostile actions. Either he was being stupid and discussing his mission publicly, or he was being stupid and claiming a mission he didn't have. I don't see much else you could call it. Given the circumstances, I would say your Ordnung is poorly served by this one, no matter which it is. It seems you are clarifying that he was simply claiming a mission he did not have, is that correct?"
Ynja waited to see what the two would no next, if they went for weapons she would be ready but she got the feeling the cool headed one did not want a fight. So scouting then, but it was hard to tell what they where thinking under all that armour..
Morgan blinks in surprise as the monk just stands up and walks on up to his room without so much as a goodbye. He looks around the table briefly in surprise, before muttering "Guess he had too much to drink! Didn' even take his dice with him..." Shrugging, he goes to order another drink, but turns his head a little too fast, causing the whole bloody room to start spinning. "Ugg, maybe I had too much to drink too..." he grimaces, holding his head in his hand a little. "I think I'll head up too. Nice t' meet y'all." He slowly stands up from the table, wobbling a little, but slowly making his way to his room. He leaves the dice cup at the table for the monk or his brother to find.
THE COOL HEADED ONE IS ALWAYS MORE DANGEROUS, THE HOT HEAD CAN'T CONTROL HIS EMOTIONS, AND IS THEREFORE A KNOWN QUANTITY.
Shi tilts his head, not completely relaxing. "Your companion has all but admitted to your being here on a scouting mission for hostile actions. Either he was being stupid and discussing his mission publicly, or he was being stupid and claiming a mission he didn't have. I don't see much else you could call it. Given the circumstances, I would say your Ordnung is poorly served by this one, no matter which it is. It seems you are clarifying that he was simply claiming a mission he did not have, is that correct?"
The quieter, calmed Knight identified previously as "Herr Großschäffer Helmut," by the loquacious squire named Friedrich, again replies to Shi'Vatha, regarding him with an unmistakably nonplussed expression, his pointed non-regard a placid lake of utter indifference to the ordinarily attention-attracting eidolon,
"Mein Muggeseggele Ausländer" begins the unsettlingly-dispassionate Ritter of the Heldannic Ordnung, "neither myself nor my faithful companion are obliged to satisfy your curiosity regarding the presence or intentions of our persons or that of our venerable Ordnung in these lands."
Helmut's lips curl almost imperceptibly upwards as he concludes his reply,
"Come Herr Friedrich, let us complete these nocturnal ambulations of ours and return forthwith to our accommodations. Hoffentlich, we will be able to do so with alacrity and ease."
Ynja waited to see what the two would no next, if they went for weapons she would be ready but she got the feeling the cool headed one did not want a fight. So scouting then, but it was hard to tell what they where thinking under all that armour..
The motives of the two Knights, or Ritter in the Teutonic tongue of the Heldannic Territories, are a complete mystery, and any attempt to divine their mental state faces a baffling wall of opacity -- almost as if their interior selves were somehow shielded from all outside observation by some powerful supernal agency or artifact. The lady warrior can no more discern their state of mind than that of a rock, pool, or blade of grass.
[dice=Memory Check] 1d20
Henric first beheld the old castle while journeying on the Lost Coast Road, the primary avenue of entrance to the coastal town of Sandpoint for travelers arriving from the north.
He remembered hearing a strange moan in the surrounding forest, something like a wolf's cry, but deeper, and more lonesome, and the same strange clarion resounding from the towers of the keep.
Needless to say, Henric attempted to speedily put the unsettling monument and its auditory phantoms at his back.
Two brothers? Please sit down with us and tell us your tale! Are you real brothers or monks?
About that castle, i remember a strange occurance when i passed by on the road. There were unusual birds singing and i went to spot them, when suddenly the castle had disappeared for a moment, but the next moment it was there again. As if it had just blinked out of existance for a moment. I remember this because the castle is a sight to behold, how it looms imperiously on that bluff overlooking the bay. For a moment the spot was empty though. Very odd, very odd indeed.
She waits and watches them go.
::"They ether have no minds or they are shielded in some way. Which tells me a lot about them"::
She projects to Shi'Vatha.
Shi watches them go. WE NEED TO REPORT THIS TO THE SHERIFF, COME, HE IS UNLIKELY TO BE ASLEEP SO EARLY. AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE POWERS THAT BE ARE AWARE OF THESE TWO AND ANY POTENTIALS FOR FURTHER ISSUES, EITHER FROM THEM OR THEIR LORD. THEN A STOP BY THE TEMPLE TO ALERT THE CLERGY AS WELL.
Shi watches them go. WE NEED TO REPORT THIS TO THE SHERIFF, COME, HE IS UNLIKELY TO BE ASLEEP SO EARLY. AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE POWERS THAT BE ARE AWARE OF THESE TWO AND ANY POTENTIALS FOR FURTHER ISSUES, EITHER FROM THEM OR THEIR LORD. THEN A STOP BY THE TEMPLE TO ALERT THE CLERGY AS WELL.
[dice=Kn(Relig)]1d20+6
The Heldannritterorden or Heldann Ordnung venerate the Immortal Vanya, Lady of Battle.
Vanya was a brave warrior princess of the Kerendan tribe, who lived in Davania, the vast southern continent to the south of Brun, around the VII century BC. Fleeing before the marching forces of the Milenian Empire, a nation of philosophers, oracles, architects, and mighty pikemen where Citizens elected their own leaders, and ultimately the Emperor himself. Vanya led her own people northwards, together with the ancestors of the Thyatians and the Hattians, looking for a refuge where the Milenians would not pursue them.
When it was clear that the only hope lay beyond the ocean and that they needed to abandon their homeland, Vanya formed a battalion of brave soldiers, and with hit-and-run raids she delayed the Milenian troops enough to allow the three tribes to build the ships and to sail northward. This sacrifice cost her freedom, since the survivors of her warband were captured and enslaved by the merciless Milenians.
After years of serving her hated enemies as a slave, Vanya was sent near the southern border of the Empire, in the Lower Arypt. Here she found an unlikely ally in a Milenian cleric of Khoronus, who admired her indomitable will and eventually fell in love with her.
When her master threatened to kill her when she refused to submit to his sexual desires, the Milenian cleric organised her escape and followed her heading southwest in the uncharted wilderness.
After days spent marching, they arrived near the coast where Vanya helped many primitive Neathar tribes living here to withstand the might of the rakasta tiger-people raiders. Thanks to her wits and military prowess, as well as to the superior knowledge she learnt from her Milenian captors, she taught her Neathar allies to build better weapons and armours and trained them in more efficient military tactics.
In a decade she became the warleader of a large clan, and later the overlord of a whole coalition of tribes, building a fortress as her seat of power that would have later be renamed Vanya's Rest by the Heldannic Knights that discovered the keep in Lower Arypt.
Once the rakasta threat was dealt with, Vanya convinced her allies to plan a massive raid against the northern Milenian outpost she fled many years before. This way she would have halted the Milenian expansion in the south and avenged all the years of slavery she had to endure. Vanya's troops obtained a crushing victory and the city was completely annihilated.
Following this success, Vanya returned among her allies and in BC 586 she was proclaimed Queen Varellya, using the name the Neathar gave her, which meant "Victory".
In the following years she faced two major threats to her kingdom but she was ever victorious, until one night Khoronus appeared in her dreams and asked her to abandon her people and to follow him: only in this way she could have earned true immortality.
Vanya abdicated in favour of her son and went on a quest, looking for an artifact to travel through time. Thanks to this artifact, she assured her dynasty a firm grip on the Kingdom of Varellya for the centuries to come, and after building the new capital of the kingdom turned Empire in the middle of the Vulture Peninsula while using a fake identity, she finally managed to become immortal in the Sphere of Time around BC 380, leaving her mortal body in the ancient fortress of Vanya's Rest.
From that moment Vanya became patroness of war and victory, and she extended her protection first over the Varellyan Empire, and then over the Thyatian Empire, the latter founded by the descendants of her people, and therefore considered with a special attention.
The last consequence of her machinations was the war that led the Order of Vanya to migrate from Thyatis and conquer the Heldann's Freeholds, thus establishing the new theocracy called the Heldannic Territories in AC 956. The Heldannic Knights were then guided by Vanya to find Vanya's Rest and take possession of the Star of Vanya, a priceless artifact the Knights used to improve their military might and impose Vanya's will all around the world.
Shi watches them go. WE NEED TO REPORT THIS TO THE SHERIFF, COME, HE IS UNLIKELY TO BE ASLEEP SO EARLY. AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE POWERS THAT BE ARE AWARE OF THESE TWO AND ANY POTENTIALS FOR FURTHER ISSUES, EITHER FROM THEM OR THEIR LORD. THEN A STOP BY THE TEMPLE TO ALERT THE CLERGY AS WELL.
[dice=Kn(Relig)]1d20+6
Pai Song sits in the corner of the table playing her instrument and quietly singing along,watching the others.
[dice =perception]1d20+16
The bard stirs from her reverie at the realization that someone not able to be seen by the naked eye is attempting to empty the contents of her satchel.
Vincent plays a few more games of dice, talking up the carnival, before heading out to his tent.
She nodded in agreement and followed. She liked this Shi'Vatha they worked good as a team and this was the kind of work she was use to. Gods know she had seen her fair share of wars. They always started with little things like this.
::"From experience I agree with your plan. So lets get at it"::
And she walked on, happy to have something to take her mind of her memories. .
With a sudden flash of motion, Pai Song jumps up, grabs a bowl of hot soup from the table and empties it right next to her.
Hey you! You think you can nick my satchel unseen here? Using some invisibility magic and i don't get it?
[dice=Soup Attack]1d20+9; 1d100
The invisible assailant continues its rapid progress through the common room, undeterred by Pai Song's attempted assault.
Shi watches them go. WE NEED TO REPORT THIS TO THE SHERIFF, COME, HE IS UNLIKELY TO BE ASLEEP SO EARLY. AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE POWERS THAT BE ARE AWARE OF THESE TWO AND ANY POTENTIALS FOR FURTHER ISSUES, EITHER FROM THEM OR THEIR LORD. THEN A STOP BY THE TEMPLE TO ALERT THE CLERGY AS WELL.
[dice=Kn(Relig)]1d20+6
Shi watches them go. WE NEED TO REPORT THIS TO THE SHERIFF, COME, HE IS UNLIKELY TO BE ASLEEP SO EARLY. AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE POWERS THAT BE ARE AWARE OF THESE TWO AND ANY POTENTIALS FOR FURTHER ISSUES, EITHER FROM THEM OR THEIR LORD. THEN A STOP BY THE TEMPLE TO ALERT THE CLERGY AS WELL.
[dice=Kn(Relig)]1d20+6
The Knights are known to operate by means of political dissimulation. First, they claim a portion of a territory as an ancestral possession of the Hattians. The definition of the 'Hattian' ethnicity is both cultural and genetic, and so this is a malleable category that can be employed to wide effect. Then, the Knights attempt to 'repatriate' the territory to its kin.
Once they have seized part of a territory in this fashion, they invade with a quick-striking force of overwhelming power, wiping out all resistance in a matter of weeks.
They are obsessed with a notion called 'Lebensraum' or 'living space' in their native Teutonic language, and are constantly on the eye for new opportunities to expand the Heldannic League.
Henric has called Ameiko over, taking a break from watching the surroundings. Ameiko, you had asked about our observations coming into town. That old keep - when I walked by, I heard a long, lonely howl that seemed deeper than a wolfs. Not sure what to make of that, beyond that I should sleep indoors.
Speaking of that, might there be a room here I could rent out for the night? I know that there's the festival going on, but if you have a space...
By early morning, the decorative courtyard which lies before the shrine of Desna is almost filled with attendees of the Swallowtail Festival.
The veneration of the Immortal Desna is a foreign import that has increasingly made itself at home in the continent of Brun. It originates in the far east, on the continent of Skothar, in an island nation known as Minkai. The Immortal's original name is Ōhirume-no-muchi-no-Desna-no-kami, and in her homeland she is an important patron of the Imperial House. Her veneration was brought to Norwold and the other western territories by means of immigrants such as the members of Sandpoint's famed House Kaijitsu.
Replacing an older structure which had largely deferred to western conventions of sacred architecture, the new structure more-fully reflects the original origins of the Immortal’s worship.
The new building, whose mouth-breaking and tongue-tying full appellation is the Shinshagongengūjinjajingūmorimyōjinshataishaubusunayashiro-Ōhirume-no-muchi -no-Desna-no-Kami, was substantially financed by the wealth of House Kaijitsu, the aristocratic proprietors of the local Sandpoint Glassworks. It was constructed with great care over the last few years to replace a previous structure lost in the devastating fire which occurred alongside other unfortunate events known as the ‘Late Unpleasantness’.
Today, its use will be inaugurated by the celebration of the Fujisaki Hachiman-gū ritual.
The Fujisaki Hachiman-gū, known as the 'Swallowtail Release' or 'Swallowtail Festival' in Common, is a holiday in honor of the Immortal Desna, and is held annually on the first day of autumn.
This seasonal autumn festival originated in the ancient ceremony from far-off Skothar known as the Ho-jo-e, an indigenous Minkai ritual for releasing living beings. Originally, the Ho-jo-e was a customary seasonal festival of letting wild animals go into the fields, but was later introduced to the shrines of Desna by the Immortal's devoted servants among the retainers of the Imperial House.
The Fujisaki Hachiman-gū is above all characterized by a parade known as the Zubiyo composed of Desna's shrine clerics, known as kannushi or shinshoku, alongside their warrior protectors.
This processions is followed by groups of other attendees who chase the priest's horses, each trusty steed bearing decorative bamboo cages filled with the soon-to-be-released butterflies.
The followers of the Zubiyo parade shouted the ritual expression "Boshita, Boshita" in earlier times, but now "Dookai Dookai" or other phrases are more common. It is a peculiarity of the ancient practice borne by the Kaijitsu family that the Sandpoint performance of the ritual preserves the older formulation.
The festival serves to commemorate a legend in which an avatar of the Immortal Desna fell to Calidastara after a fierce battle with the demon Lamashtu. She was discovered and nursed back to health by a blind orphan. To express her thanks, Desna transformed the child into a beautiful, immortal swallowtail butterfly so that he could explore the wonders of the world for all eternity.
To celebrate the festival, priests of Desna release a wagon full of swallowtail butterflies in front of a crowd of believers. Worshipers consider it a good omen if a butterfly rests on him or her for a short time.
The remainder of the day is spent in celebration and can include activities such as feasting, storytelling, and singing.
In preparation for this event, larger shrines of Desna often have enclosed gardens in which they raise swallowtail butterflies year round.
In colder climes, where the raising of butterflies is impossible, faithful will sometimes substitute colored leaves or painted corn husks for the actual insects.
Henric has called Ameiko over, taking a break from watching the surroundings. Ameiko, you had asked about our observations coming into town. That old keep - when I walked by, I heard a long, lonely howl that seemed deeper than a wolfs. Not sure what to make of that, beyond that I should sleep indoors.
Speaking of that, might there be a room here I could rent out for the night? I know that there's the festival going on, but if you have a space...
[Dice=Perception] 1d20 +10
Ameiko nods at Henric a broad smile,
"Why of course, I always have spare room for a friendly guest."
The gracious hostess proffers Henric a marvelous key carved skillfully with the roaring effigy of a white dragon.
"In fact, as luck would have it, the white dragon room just opened up for you. The fellow who was supposed to stay there checked out early, and without any warning, so you're actually doing me a favor by filling the otherwise un-leased accommodations."
As Ameiko concludes, a inhuman cackle is hear as some invisible presence charging at full gallop attempts to flitch the minstrel Pai Song's satchel. However, the Skotharian muse narrowly misses an attack on the mysterious interloper, who then scurries off, still at a blinding pace, into the cool night breeze, leaving no discernible trace.
Early morning dawn, Ynja is where she says she would be, sitting in the common room of the rusty dragon, writing in a small note book and drinking strong black coffee, form a mug. There is a large pot next to her, hot and full of coffee, with more mugs for about 12.
On the extensive ceremonial grounds of the Shinshagongengūjinjajingūmorimyōjinshataishaubusunayashiro-Ōhirume-no-muchi -no-Desna-no-Kami, there are several important religious structures.
These three structures are connected, and form a 'H' pattern when viewed from the heavens.
The decorative garden and the shrine are separated from the rest of Sandpoint by a ritual enclosure called ita-kuroki-no-kaku-kakugōshi-sujikaigōshi-tatehigo-sukashigaki-tamagaki, a term which, translated from the language of Minkai, means the "unbarked vermillion lumber, squared-board timber lattice see-through bamboo fence."
Perhaps foremost in importance is the shrine's haiden, the shrine's main prayer hall where worshipers come to speak whispered prayers to Desna. It has been constructed in with three distinctive architectural features which reflect direct inspiration from the origins of the Immortal's veneration in far off Minkai. The first of these styles is irimoya-zukuri, a term which, in the sacral architecture of Skothar, denotes a 'hip-and-gable' roof style which comprises a hip roof that slopes down on all four sides and integrates a gable on two opposing sides. The second of these distinctive features is the hirairi or hirairi-zukuri, traditional Skothar architectural structure where the building has its main entrance on the side which runs parallel to the roof's ridge. Finally, the Shinshagongengūjinjajingūmorimyōjinshataishaubusunayashiro-Ōhirume-no-muchi -no-Desna-no-Kami possesses a traditional copper-plated roof known as a doubanbuki. The white screens hanging off the ceiling are changed to purple ones on ceremonial occasions, including the Fujisaki Hachiman-gū, the autumnal festival known as the either the 'Swallowtail Festival' or 'Swallowtail Release' to most inhabitants of Sandpoint.
The elaborate haiden or prayer hall described above is the main building of the shrine enclosure. It sits in front of a smaller structure known as the honden-shinden-shōden, the sanctuary of the Shinshagongengūjinjajingūmorimyōjinshataishaubusunayashiro-Ōhirume-no-muchi -no-Desna-no-Kami. It contains an effigy of Desna known as the go-shintai-mitamashiro. In this shrine, the object of veneration is a small waterfall around which the rest of the enclosure was constructed.
Connecting the larger prayer hall and the smaller sanctuary is the offering chamber known as heiden-ishi-no-ma-chūden in the language of Minkai. Since the shrine is constructed in the style known as ishi-no-ma-gongen-yatsumune-miyadera-zukuri, the stone pavement of the offering chamber is lower than the floor of the other two rooms.
In font of the prayer hall stand a small ornamental garden centered on a placid pool and fountain. On the far end is a koi pond teaming with brilliantly-colored fish. The garden is resplendent with chrysanthemum and cherry blossoms, even at this late date in their growing season.