Hasslo decides to call it a night and goes upstairs to sleep the night away. He's excited for the festival tomorrow!
Rudak is speechless as the exotic woman talks to the table. He manages to mumble out a subdued "Fine" when asked how things were going and shakes his head ro the follow up question.
The evening in the Rusty Dragon wears on, with some departing for bed early, and others staying late, either in conversations with new friends, or by themselves in pensive solitude.
The public room fills as the evening wears on with, perhaps, a less savory crowd than might be at the White Deer in the upper town. But it's not a criminal element, just working men and women, and a few more interesting sort, adventurers or vagabonds or others with a checkered past.
Ameiko plays another set on the stage, but this one is more common and lively music. Her skill shows, but her heart is not on the popular music the same as in the songs from her native Tien.
Eventually, the fires are banked, and the crowd departs and the lively room gets sleepy. If you strain, one can hear the music and dancing and merriment from the upper town, where wagon-loads of Varisians cavort until the sun rises, and many other merchants busily unpack and prepare for the festival which begins early in on the morrow.
Most of you sleep soundly, your bellies full and the tingle of intoxicating spirits buzzing in those who imbibe. The beds in the Dragon are not new and the bedding is not the latest style, but it is all clean, comfortable, and homey, and you drift of easily once you stretch out for the night.
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Gideon sleeps well. It's amazing how much better a free room sleeps than one he had to spend coin on. He has a slight buzz from drinking, but as usual keeps his witts about him. Before turning in, he invites any of his new friends that are low on coin to flop on the floor of his room.
He arises the next morning before dawn, and seeks out a place where he can watch the sunrise, and say his morning prayers, before heading downstairs hoping to break his fast.
The town seems to already be awakening, early this morning, in preparation for the days celebrations.
Xenobia winds Whisper, her clockwork familiar, before she sleeps so it can keep watch throughout the night. In the morning, she wakes up well rested and excited for the day.
The elf winds Whisper again to top him off, looks him in his little crystalline eyes and says, "Today's the big festival are you as excited as I am?"
The brass creature's gears whir nearly soundlessly. It looks back at her, unblinking and unemotional, but cocks its head at her like a pet bird.
She chuckles at her own personal joke, "Of course you are! Some day I'll figure out how to make you talk and give you emotions and even a real brain. Aren't you excited!"
The winged lizard continues to meet her gaze, the gears turn, whisper soft. It cocks its head the other way.
"Of course you are! And tomorrow, after the festival we'll check out the lighthouse. You'll like that."
She continues to prattle on to her mechanical friend while she dresses.
"... I hope Brodert is right and it's Thassilonian..."
...
"... And I will definitely have to finally find the Nisses and Ludwig texts, I've been meaning to do that..."
...
She finishes up by using mage hand and prestidigitation to clean her clothes and freshen herself up while looking in a small mirror she brought with her.
"Off to get a big breakfast! I have no idea when we'll have time to eat again." She motions and Whisper flies over to her shoulder taking its usual perch.
As she walks down the stairs, her endless stream of words continues.
"... I'm glad I made you, imagine having an animal familiar and having to deal with constant poop stains on your shoulder ..."
Despite his worries, Stefan sleeps deeper than he meant to. He's used to sleeping in much worse conditions, and his body betrays him by cashing in on a good night's sleep. He sleeps through the dawn and only wakes up when the light coming through the window becomes too much to bear.
Stefan lazily lays still for a few minutes before the gears click into place in his head and he jumps to his feet in a panic. After reorienting himself, determining which direction is north, and checking the position of the sun in the sky, Stefan breathes a sigh of relief that he didn't sleep the whole day away.
Going to the Fatman's Feedbag is Stefan's second priority, right after getting something to eat.
Hasslo wakes up and stretches. Just after sunrise. He hasn't slept that well in ages. Especially not since his mom died.
He looks at himself in the mirror. Quickly changes into his clothes. *sniff*. May need to wash them sometime.
"Maybe some of my new found friends will be at breakfast," he thinks to himself.
He'll walk down the stairs to scarf down some food.
Then it occurs to him. Todays the festival! Maybe he should take some extra time to clean up.
Rurik wakes up a few coins lighter thanks to the drinking last night. He is a little groggy in ther morning and decides a good breakfast will help so he heads downstairs. He looks around the common room giving nods to the other unusual folk from last night and takes an open table. He glares at any of the townspeople that try to sit with him but gives deference to any of the out of towners and waves over anyone he drank with last night.
The smell of frying bacon greets all who rise in the Rusty Dragon. Breakfast, and a lot of it, greets any who come down to the common room in the morning. Ameiko and Lars are absent from the dining area, off to get the town meal prepared, but Bethany greets each of you warmly as you descend. She seats the out of towners together at the same public bench, serving a plate of eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, and biscuits family style. The food is as delicious as it smells, and there is bitter coffee or warm tea for any who wish more than water.
The roof, complete with the namesake of the inn, is quiet in the early morning as Gideon does his daily ablations, feeling the inner peace that commune with the Inheritor instills.
Thoughts of her discussion with esteemed scholar Brodert Quink fills Xenobia's head as she prepares for the festival with her clockwork companion. There is a lot to see and do today, but her mind is a thousand years away, imagining the Old Light as a Thassilon tower.
Stefan is a bit unsettled as he tucks into breakfast, thoughts on the reputed shady dealings of his family concerning him. He had hoped for a clean start in Sandpoint, and doesn't want to get dragged into any questionable shenanigans. At least not right away...
Hasslo is concerned about his hygiene, which for a dwarf is unique already. He is pleased to see other visitors to town at the breakfast table, including those from last night, an elven woman and a giant of man. He sniffs himself one more time, and figures its good for one more day before a bath is required...hopefully
Rurik fills his plate as full as possible, wolfing down the vittles rapidly. Filling his belly always helped the mild hangover, plus the food was very fine. He was pleased to be a bit separated from the locals, more comfortable in the silence at the visitor table. From behind the big man, a voice calls out, "Hey big man! Good to see you again!" Rurik turns and sees the sketchy fellow, Banny Harker from the day before. He sits with two young girls, one raven-haired, the other a fiery red.
"Good morning new friends! What a great day so far. That's the best nights sleep I've had in ages. Who's ready for the festival today? Do you guys want to head over together?
Rurik enjoys breakfast with his new acquaintances. "Sure! It's better to enjoy things like that with friends." He eats in mostly silence after that but nearly chokes on his food when he sees Harker and the girls he's with. He quickly excuses himself from the group table to go speak with Harker. "What happened to you last night? I still owe you a drink! I don't think now's a good time to repay the debt though. And who are these lovely lady's you're escorting?"
Harker smiles a crooked smile at the great Shoanti. "This is my girl, Katrine," he says wrapping his arm around the dark-haired young lady. "And this is her sister, Shayliss." Harker nods is head across the table to where the red-head sits. The hair coloring isn't the only difference in the two sisters. Katrine nods demurely, her eyes not lifting to meet yours, while Shayliss offers her hand to you and looks you dead in they eye, a little smirk on her face, barely concealing her amusement. "Charmed, I'm sure," she says, and slides over to offer you a place to sit next to her.
"Never too early for a pint, mate," says Harker with a laugh. "'specially if it's a free 'un." He snaps his fingers rudely at Bethany and orders a round for the table. "An' this big fella's gonna pay for it," he says without asking Rudak.
Shayliss grasps Rudak biceps admiringly, "I've never met a real Shoanti before. Well, the sheriff, but he doesn't really count," she says, tossing her red hair out of her face. "Tell me a story about the wilderness."
The others watch as Rudak steps over and sits with the group of townies. It is quite evident to them that the red-headed young lady is flirting heavily with the barbarian from the plains. Bethany rolls her eyes as their table orders ale in a rather rude fashion.
As you finish up breakfast, you each prepare to go to the festival or to the many vendors, shops, stalls, and tents set up along the roadways in Sandpoint.
Xenobia meets Bethany's gaze for a second and rolls her eyes in sympathy.
After eating a hearty breakfast and hearing Hasslo's suggestion, she'll reply, "I'd like to head over together, festival's are much more enjoyable with others to talk to."
Stefan lingers around his new acquaintances for as long as he can justify, but when the others start to head out for the festival, Stefan takes his leave.
"I'd like to too, but I need to go find my family first. Maybe I'll see you all at the festival," Stefan says. "Uh, see ya."
Soon, he leaves for the Fatman's Feedbag.
"Have you been close to the cathedral yet? I want to see it up close.". Hasslo asks Xenobia (and whoever else joins?) while they are walking out.
"Also, have you heard of the Hagfish? I may stop in there for lunch. I'm already hungry! HA!"
Hasslo also brings his axe and shield - he's a bit hesitant to leave them here as they are the only connections he has to his family/Dwarven heritage.
Rudak frowns a little as Harker orders like that but shakes it off. He tries to come up with a story the girl is looking for but all of his wilderness experience was with a Varisian caravan.
He starts off stuttering trying to delay having to tell any kind of story but knows he eventually has to say something. "Well... you see... the uh, the wilderness is fine. It uh, it's not as fast as the town here normally. There's some beasts you need to watch out for if you're alone. There are some pretty sights to see but it can be dangerous." He tries to keep conversation going as best he can until his new acquaintances start to file out. Here puts a hand out to Haslo, "I'll catch up with you guys ok?"
Once they are more isolated he speaks to Harker in a low voice, "Do you know a man named Jubrayl Vhiski? My uncle sent me here to find him and I don't really have any leads. No offense but uh, you seem the type to have maybe met some of my uncle's friends."
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"Have you been close to the cathedral yet? I want to see it up close.". Hasslo asks Xenobia (and whoever else joins?) while they are walking out.
"Also, have you heard of the Hagfish? I may stop in there for lunch. I'm already hungry! HA!"
Hasslo also brings his axe and shield - he's a bit hesitant to leave them here as they are the only connections he has to his family/Dwarven heritage.
Gideon comes down from the roof to catch the end of breakfast. His head perks up when the Dwarf mentions going to the temple. "I would join you if you'll have me. That's the main reason I've come to this place, and no time like the present".
"Come on Gideon! Join Xenobia and I. We're just about to head over to the cathedral."
Hasslo nods at Rudak and Stefan. "Hope to run into you at the festival"
"What d'ya want with Vhiski?" asks Banny Harker with the roll of his eyes."Tha' fellas nothin' but trouble. With a cap'tal T. Might wanna steer clear o' him no matter how big ya are. But if yer determined ta find him, I'd look at Fatman's Feedbag. Tha's where his crew hangs an' if he's not there, one a' his crew'll know where he's lyin' low."
Stefan is just saying his awkward goodbyes to the others, when he hears the man speaking with Rudak mention the Feedbag as well. That piques his interest, and he hangs for a bit, listening.
"Your not leaving are you?" says Shayliss with a bat of her eyes. "You only just got here, and you seem SO interesting."
"Let's get another round, eh?" says Banny snapping at the wait staff once again.
The others leave the Rusty Dragon, and head back up to the upper town where the new cathedral and the main festival await. Along the route, shops, stalls, wagons and tents line the way, hawking all manor of fabulous and mundane things. Outside a small shop, an elderly Varisian crone sits with a crystal ball read to tell fortunes for the unwary. A dancing bear cavorts tethered to an iron chain just out of reach of the many spectators. Games of chance and skill are available to those who wish to part with their hard-earned coin.
In the churchyard, long tables are set up with many chairs, in apparent readiness for the town luncheon and the opening dedication ceremony for the new cathedral. Blue-robed acolytes scurry here and there preparing the grounds of the new church.
The scene is wild, joyful and riotous with noise and activity.
The well-dressed elf smiles to Hasslo and Gideon, "It will be excellent seeing the festival with you two."
Turning to Hasslo and answering, "I have not seen the cathedral up close, when I went closer to it yesterday, I ran into a fight Rudak was in and ended up being distracted by a curious gnome."
Shayliss's behavior is slightly suspicious to Stefan, and he watches her interaction with Rudak critically. He clumsily provides Rudak an out, if he wants one.
"I, uh, I'm going to the Fatman's Feedbag right now. We could go there together," Stefan suggests. He lets the offer hang in the air.
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Gideon as usual is tightly focused on his next objective, and blindly ignores the ongoing games, and shops.
I never was very athletic anyway, so why waste my time to only be embarrassed.
"If any of you are interested in these sidetracks, please don't let me deter you. I can always just meet you at the temple. Perhaps I'll grab a cold beverage to sip while I await your arrival".
Rudak might not be very wise but he remembers beautiful girls only hang on him like this when they want something. Then again, his cousins are usually around to take all the attention so maybe this time is different. Stefan's invitation makes up his mind. "Uh, as much as I'd like to stay Shayliss, I'd better get going before I stay here all day. Not that i wouldn't like it but, uh... I gotta go." Rudak quickly runs out of things to say and starts pulling away. As he goes, he drops a couple more coins on the table. "Thank you for your hospitality Banny, girls, I'll see you all around right?" He looks hopefully to Shayliss as he asks the last question.
As Xenobia, Gideon, and Hasslo work their way up to the cathedral, they do peruse the wares for sale quickly. Most are mundane, but skilled, works of art, jewelry or the like. There are no real magical or even clockwork pieces, but Varisian scarves, brooches, and brightly colored clothing predominate.
It is a pleasant walk, filled with the bustle of commerce, and a dozen side conversations to overhear as they ascend from the dock area to the higher end of town. The white marble of the cathedral sparkles in the fall sun, and the light reflecting off the stained glass windows is a marvel, even from the outside.
Eventually, the trio arrives at the outer doors of the church itself. Several blue-robed acolytes bustle around the church, doing odd jobs or errands of some kind, but all are quite busy and red-faced with the effort. No one stops you from opening the heavy oaken doors and entering.
Inside the cathedral, the stained glass in the main sanctuary makes dozens of motes of colors and patterns turning the holy area into a veritable work of art. The interior is really 3 churches in one, with different altars at each end. To the south, facing the heart of Sandpoint, are shrines to the gods of commerce: Erastil and Abadar. To the the west, offering a dazzling view of the Old Light and the sea beyond are the shrines to Shelyn and Gozreh. To the east, offering view of the Boneyard and the rising sun, are the shrines of Sarenrae and Desna.
As you look around in wonder at the majesty of the place, a voice sounds behind you. "Impressive isn't it?" The speaker is also a blue-robed priest, but he is obviously much older with a thick mustache and beard, and weary-looking brown eyes. "I am Abstalar Zantus, high priest of this place. We welcome visitors, so please be at peace here as you will. But you don't look familiar to me, are you from out of town?"
Stefan creates an opening for Rudak to exit the table with Banny and the sisters.
"I'll count on it," says Shayliss with a little pout as Rudak promises to see them later.
Stefan is baffled by the actions of the pretty girl, who could have any boys she wanted, and he can only shrug his own confusion to Rudak as they leave for the Feedbag.
Fatman's Feedbag is a dockside tavern not far from the Rusty Dragon. It is built right along the bustling waterfront with a long quay running from it out to ships loading and unloading cargo of various sorts. As a result of its location, many of the customers of the Feedbag are less-than-reputable sailors or stevedores or perhaps the shady types of the Varisian underworld.
The tavern is run by an enormous man named Gressel Tenniwar. He is perhaps as large as Rudak but gone way over to morbid obesity. He weighs 450lbs easily, hence the name of the establishment. The large man nods to you and beckons you to sit anywhere you like with a rather spotted dishtowel.
The inside smells like stale beer, piss, vomit, and seawater, but that doesn't keep dozens of tough-looking fellows and a few hardened ladies from sitting inside. Anyone who looks up at the pair of you does so without friendliness or acknowledgement -- mainly just scowls or a quick sizing-up.
A serving girl with a big tattoo showing on her her skinny chest barks for your order.
"Hello Father Zantus. Yes, we are visitors to town. This is a beautiful cathedral. Do you mind if we walk around?"
Stefan poorly masks his distaste. He's certainly eaten worse, but he would be a lot less healthy if he didn't have some standards for what he ate. To avoid being rude, he orders a cheap beer. As long as it isn't straight up poisonous, Stefan will sip at it and pretend to forget about it when he leaves.
With that out of the way, Stefan considers the best way to get the information they want. He doesn't want to speak for Rudak without his permission, so he keeps his initial inquiry abstract.
"Hey, uh, we're looking for some friends that come through here sometimes. Who's the best person to talk to about that?" Stefan asks the serving girl. He suppresses a wince.
The elegant elf turns and smiles at the high priest, "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Father Zantus. It is a beautiful new cathedral. I am from Magnimar and down here for the festival and to learn from Brodert. The sight of this place makes me incredibly glad to have journeyed to see its unveiling."
She lowers her voice a bit and looks a bit hesitant, "At the risk of touching on a sensitive subject, what happened to the prior church?"
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Gideon eyes the place nodding at it's newness. "I too travel from Magnimar, but the festival is only a fraction of my reason for coming".
He walks around the building stopping at each shrine to pay homage to the god each represents.
"It concerns me that the souls of those who worship the inheritor lack representation in this temple. Is there someone I could speak with to address this oversight"?
The sword bearing priest moves so that his holy symbol is on display.
Father Zantus smiles through the barrage of questions. "Of course, feel free to look around," he says motioning around the expansive sanctuary.
To Gideon he says, "Few in Sandpoint worship the Inheritor directly, hence there is no altar for her, but her generosity and valor are respected by all, and her proponents are free to venerate her in this holy place. No offense is intended, I am sure, it is merely a matter of practicality." He smiles a weak, placating smile.
To Xenobia's questions about the prior church, he makes a shrug and long face. "I was not a resident of Sandpoint at the time, and may not know all the facts of the matter, but the old church burned some five years ago. The old rector, Father Tobyn, and his daughter, Nualia, died in the blaze. It part of the Recent Unpleasantness that locals speak of, but want to talk little about. I came here not long after the accident, and began raising funds and planning for this lovely masterpiece. Or course, Sandpoint is in a unique position to offer the stained glass, which makes this whole space so spectacular."
At the Fatman's Feedbag
Stefan orders a cheap beer, and when the waitress returns, he asks her a question. She looks him up and down, noting Rudak's size and Shoanti heritage. "Not sure you're in the right place, mate. Don't think any of your friends are here, either." But you see her cast her eyes quickly on a door in the back of the public room that seems to lead to a more private area. One stoop-shouldered man stands near the door, leaning against the wall casually, but also keeping an eye on the place and any who pass near.
Stefan sighs and tries not to look too irritated as he presses the issue.
"Look, we're not here to cause trouble. We really are here looking for our friends. I'm looking for Yim Merula, and--" Stefan stops and glances over at Rudak. What was the name of the person he was looking for again? Wait, did Banny say something about a crew? Stefan shakes his head and continues.
"We probably don't need to bother whoever's back there with this," Stefan says, gesturing at the private door. "All I need is a, 'Oh yeah, Yim works over at the...'" Stefan says, trailing off pointedly. He hesitates for a while before continuing.
"Who is back there, anyway? Will they bite our heads off if we ask a quick, in and out, 'Where's our friends?'" Stefan doesn't mean to sound snide, but his worry doesn't quite come across through his words.
"Thanks for getting me out of that... Stefan was it? I don't think I could have left on my own. That girl was gorgeous! I guess you heard why I was going to this feedbag place, if you don't mind me asking, what're you going there for? You know what, it's none of my business. I'm just glad for the company."
Noting the woman looking him over, "I know you must think I'm Shoanti but I'm actually Varisian. Came up in a caravan and everything. My uncle sent me here to find someone and I hear this is the place." It seems Rudak is more confident when he doesn't have a beautiful girl hanging on his arm.
"This is a beautiful temple. The stained glass is exquisite. This temple will surely bring people from all over Golarion.". Hasslo spends a few moments just taking in the temple. He's not a religious man, but this temple is outstanding.
"Will there be a dedication ceremony for the temple?" Hasslo asks the priest.
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Gideon stares at Father Zantus without a hint of a smile. "Well then that is still up for debate is it not? Perhaps if there were a shrine to the Inheritor, then there would enough worshipers to deign a spot in the new temple".
He then takes a step forward, not threatening the man, but letting him know they are in disagreement. "You know the whole analogy of which came first the chicken or the egg".
He then steps back looking less intimidating. "Still, I'm sure you would have no problems with me setting up a small pavilion outside on the grounds of the temple to give those pre-disposed to the worship of Iomedae a chance to say their blessings. Perhaps once the presence is known, the worship will grow".
Diplomacy
Xenobia looks a bit aghast at Gideon's lack of decorum and mumbles a quick thank you to the priest before turning towards the impolite man, "Thank you Father for the information."
The elf looks at Gideon, "I do not think it's appropriate to treat this holy man in such a fashion and in such a sacred place. What would you do about someone who walked into your temple on the day it was being dedicated and in front of all of the guests loudly demanded why their deity was not represented and tried to physically intimidated you?"
"Judging by how you just treated this good priest who has done nothing to you, you'd shout loudly at them and probably lose your temper. Then you'd probably do something physically rash like loom menacingly over them in full armor and weaponry." scolds the magical elf.
"The last time I was in a temple dedicated to Iomedae there was no shouting and intimidating tolerated in such a sacred place. If this is how worshippers of Iomedae are allowed to behave, why on earth would anyone want to attract more of you?" she finishes glowering at him.
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Gideon looks at Xenobia as the haughty Elf judges him and simply shrugs his shoulders.
"I've just met you, so why should I suffer from your judgement... still it is your right to opinionated, but not to pass judgement on my actions".
The man begins to walk away to find supplies to set up a temporary shrine outside the temple.
"The way my god is presented is of importance. I have the answers I seek, and an satisfied with his answers. Nobody is injured, so I deem the encounter as a success".