Rousing late the next morning, Tanwen bids farewell to the man from the previous night and makes her way to the festival. Knowing that she only had so much free time, Tanwen is a little upset that she slept so late. Still the festival couldn’t be missed so she quickly dressed herself and made her way to the festival.
Needless to say, the scene was much different than the day before, and Tanwen was going to make sure she enjoyed the festival to the fullest. Feeling like a child again, Tanwen intends to spend much of her time playing the various games that the festival has to offer.
"I didn't say either of those things," the tiefling starts dumbly, her words falling on deaf ears as the child runs off. As the mother scolds her she cocks her head, querulously.
"I was not trying to scare-, yes. Goodbye." She nods at them both, and as they leave, lifts her mask in response to the child doing the same, mouthing back "it's fine."
Tanwen has to wake Yanikumo up who leaves while attempting to be sensual. It doesn't work that well the morning after, but the night before he was still respectful and entertaining.
Ribitta opens her mask to the girl Elise who, surprisingly doesn't get scared at her, but instead has an inquisitive look. She tries to stop her mother to come back, but she is not strong enough. She changes tactics and tries to bring her mother's attention to the strange woman, but fails to do so. By that time, they are already far enough that Elise decides to turn and face the music.
The morning has a pleasant and not excessive warmth and people start engaging in some games around town. One of the games seems to have many children's attention.
This goes on until noon when people are driven to the square in front of the new cathedral. A great crowd is standing and talking with smiles on their faces. The smell of barbecue and ale is in the air as the lunch hour approaches and people get hungry. Mayor Deverin walks the steps to the cathedral and the chattering stops in deference. When she speaks, there is utter silence.
She says "Welcome dear Sandpointers and visitors! It has been a while since I've seen you so happy and it warms my heart. Are you having fun yet?" A few people cheer. She continues "Even our tanner Larz found the time to get out of work to the festival!" People laugh loosely. "Well, I tell you by day's end you'll have had so much fun, you'll remember this day forever! We have a lot of games around town, let me tell you what they are." She picks up a sheet of paper and announces "There is horseshoe throwing in Festival Street and in the Undercliff Way, there's an egg hunt going on to win this beautiful golden necklace! The eggs have only just now been placed, so if you've been searching until now, I'm sorry, but they weren't there." There are laughs and a few people look down embarrassed. She presents a sample egg, which is a chicken egg, painted apparently by children.
She goes on "Gorvi, our local garbage collector has set up a game of throwing junk towards the junk beach, although I'm sure he's just trying to get people doing his work for him." A roar of laughter ensues. "There is a rat race going in the Rat Alley. Jargie from the Hagfish would like to remind everyone that Norah's challenge is still going on during the festival. Talking about the harbor, there's a race to be placed on the beach sand."
"Sadly, the Glassworks has not provided a game today. But, on Bishop Street, you can find a greasy pole to be climbed. Cydar Drokkus is also making a comedy competition in front of the theater! Last, but not least, there are two secret competitions which you're going to have to find... Now, only the egg hunt, Norah's challenge and the secret competitions have an actual prize, which are secret except for the golden necklace and the sack of silver pieces, but the winners of the other games will have bragging rights forever in Sandpoint!"
Mayor Deverin finishes saying "Tonight we have a bonfire right here in this square, and the whole town is decorated with beautiful lights and maybe fireworks... If you behave."
If you want to play any of the games, give me the following rolls:
Horseshoe throwing* is ranged touch attack with an improvised weapon. Roll three times.
Egg hunting is Perception. Roll three times. This game takes the whole day, so you won't be able to participate in any other games.
Throwing garbage is Strength check. Roll three times.
Rat race is Handle Animal. Roll three times.
Norah's challenge is to drink down a single tankard of the water of his hagfish, Norah. It costs a silver piece to try, but if you manage to, you'll get the bag full of coins. Succeed on a Fortitude saving throw DC 13 to win. Winning means earning 200sp. Failing means spending the rest of the day with the sickened condition.
Racing on the sand is 10 Constitution checks
Greasy pole* is two Climb checks DC 20
Comedy competition is one Perform or Artistry check you find appropriate
You will have to find the secret games on your own if you want. Games with * can be played more than once, but no more than three times. There are other people wanting to play as well.
The mayor is cheered and applauded as she walks down the steps. Next comes the sheriff Hemlock who says briefly "Be safe around the bonfire. There will be no fighting in the festival and no trouble at all." People stop smiling with the sheriff's speech. He also says "I request a moment of silence in memory of our lost brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the fire that destroyed our previous church five years ago." After the minute of silence, the mayor comes back up and people look up expectantly. However she says "Our next speaker would be our own noble, Lonjiku Kaijutsu, but I have received word that he is ill and won't be able to come." People look at each other mumbling.
Next comes Cyrdak Drokkus, the towns showman who has been very busy lately. He says with a smirk "Well, what if our nobleman actually got lost on his way to town, I think that is possible, no?" The people laugh, apparently getting their spirits back up. He goes on "Well, gladly everyone here isn't sick. We're all ready to fight the Sandpoint devil, now aren't we?" Half the crowd screams 'Yes!' and the other half laughs.
Cyrdak doesn't let the ball drop "It's almost like the time that I didn't leave my house the whole day because I couldn't find my pants!" The crowd roars with laughter. He takes advantage of their attention and says "It's important to remember all the work of the fine people of Sandpoint and the years of labor which allowed us to build this cathedral. If not for our dedication, the contractor from..." He goes on to explain rather lengthly the process of rebuilding and collecting funds. In the end he says "And your work will all be rewarded by my own work. I am proud to finally announce that tomorrow night, there will be a new production of 'The Harpy's Curse', featuring none other than the Magnimarian diva Allishandra herself, as the harpy queen!"
After some applause by the crowd, Father Zantus steps up and pauses for a moment. Some apprehension builds until he finally says "Thank you all." He is clearly nervous. He says "Densa... I mean, Desna. Uhm... First fell to earth and was nursed to health by a blind child. Later she turned that child into an immortal butterfly." The crowd is unsure how to react to his nervousness. But then, from below him, a cart that was until now unremarkable, has a cover on top of it removed and thousands of colorful butterflies fly up into the air and the crowd is very excited. Children chase the butterflies and Father Zantus, more confident says "The consecration will be at sundown right here. Until then, lunch is free, provided by our inns! The Rusty Dragon is offering Ameiko's classic curry-spiced salmon and early winterdrop mead, the Hagfish is offering fresh lobster chowder and the White Deer is offering peppercorn venison. Finally, Cracktooth's tavern is offering their famous sausage with mashed potatoes and a special wine! Have fun everyone!"
The people disperse and continue enjoying the festival. With many rumbling stomachs, most's first stop is the inn's around town.
Mashaka notices that even adults are playing the egg hunting, and in her heart she can't resist - and after a quick and hearty lunch, she immediately joins the activity as well. She's looking joyfully happy as she runs around searching.
She's so distracted and focused on the task that she doesn't notice anything particularly interesting on what the mayor says about the absence of the nobleman Kaijutsu.
Mashaka manages to find a lot of eggs during the day.
Doing the egg hunt was one of the ways to find out one of the challenges. As you walk by the town bakery, Sandpoint Savories, there is a cookie eating contest. You can participate despite doing the egg hunt.
To win, succeed at a Will save DC 12 to keep eating, and then a Fort save DC 12 to keep it in. The prize is a Sustaining Spoon. If more than one player succeeds on the checks, the higher rolls win.
If you choose to participate, please do so in a spoiler to keep it as a surprise for the other players.
If you choose to participate, please do so in a spoiler to keep it as a surprise for the other players.
Mashaka loves the idea of the cookie eating contest and immediately applies herself to it. The changeling grabs the spoon with her long nails and - despite any looks towards her - she smiles as if it was absolutely normal, showing her dark yellow, somewhat rotten teeth once again.
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Brand notes that some of the adults are searching for eggs but leaves them to it. He looks at his general sketch of the town and decides to get better detail of the north gate and the two bridges. He gets up and begins to amble through the crowd headed for the gate and will then move clockwise around the town to hit the bridges inspecting the north wall as he goes.
Elan chuckles and shakes his head when noticing the adults in the egg hunt. He listens to the speeches and notes where things are.
Elan remember a funny story from a really old book he hard read in a previous life and heads to the theater to try reciting it. He smiles as he leaves the stage having heard some laughs, That may not win but at least I didn't embarrass myself.
When all is finished there he heads to try his hand a horse throwing if there is time.
If there is time left he will search the town looking for any of the secret games.
Brand finds that the north wall is as poorly manned as the day before.
Elan provides a funny story which was more recited than told, but the there are many people in the square and most of them stay focused. The tale was actually quite funny and many people laugh. Elan descends from the stage with hearty applause. Cyrdak can be seen smirking at him.
Aferwards he goes to one of the horseshoe throwing and manages to hit one of the shoehorses. He notices another person managed to hit two and is getting high praise from many people.
Afterwards he pays careful attention to his surroundings and he hears some commotion in a direction where there shouldn't be any games.
To win, succeed at a Will save DC 12 to keep eating, and then a Fort save DC 12 to keep it in. The prize is a Sustaining Spoon. If more than one player succeeds on the checks, the higher rolls win.
There is currently a woman with long pointy nails holding the victorious title, with no challengers.
If you choose to participate, please do so in a spoiler to keep it as a surprise for the other players.
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Brand calls out to see if anyone is actively using the ladder. When he gets no response he pulls it down and lays it on its side next to the wall. It makes him feel better but leaves the ladder for whoever put it there. Then he continues on around to the bridges to sketch them out and consider defensive measures.
Brand finds nothing else of notice during his walk.
As Elan left the stage from his comedy routine, he nods at the disguised figure.
Although she finds speeches quite boring, Tanwen does her best to pay attention to the long list of people who seem to want to spend the entire festival talking! Who would want to spend a festival talking?! This was the time for merriment and fun.
Aside from the mentioning of the burning of the old cathedral, Tanwen is fairly unphased by the speeches, and she isn't surprised to see that 'lord' Kaijutsu is absent.
When the speeches are over, Tanwen wonders what the first game she should play should be, and decides to make her way to the hagfish to try her hand at Norah's Challenge.
While the taste of the hagfish water leaves much to be desired, Tanwen manages to barely avoid being overwhelmed by the desire to spew it everywhere.
"Dear Arshea, that stuff is nasty! I need some of that chowder to wash this taste out." The Chelish girl exclaims as she knocks the tankard down, empty.
Elan notices the cloaked woman smiles at him, a little embarrassed.
Tanwen causes a great commotion in the Hagfish as she gulps down the ladle. After being green for almost a full minute, she clearly shows it's going to stay down. Everyone in the pub, mostly sailors and fishermen, cheer her up and start spreading the rumor. The owner, Jargie, takes down the pouch with the reward money and hands it to the recovering Ifrit. He hangs up another pouch with 10 silver pieces inside. He gets her anything she asks afterward, and the sales seem to have increased as well.
Gorvi answers Ribitta with a shrug, who gets a sense that he is an entitled slob. However, one of the men trying to throw things into the water says in a friendly voice "The goblin activity around the city has diminished, miss. If you want to talk to someone who's truly up to par, you should talk to Shalelu, the elf who patrols the town's outskirts. But only... she doesn't show up in town very often. Beats me to know where to find her." One of the man's friends attempts throwing a piece of broken clay brick into the water and fails. In order to give the impression he wasn't trying very hard, he joins the conversation saying "Oi, Murdoc, she should be talking to them sheriff. That she-elf comes talk to him when she comes, ye?" The first man, Murdoc apparently, nods.
Ribitta tries the throwing contest and only manages one good throw into the water. A large farmer managed to also throw a piece in the water and another very far still. He seems to be getting most of the praise.
Ribitta makes a mental note to talk to the Sheriff at the first opportunity and thanks the men for their help.
She tries to cheat the contest and play to the judge by discussing something she knew Quint was into, but rather than say something truly unique or interesting she only manages to discuss how almost the entire country fell into the sea during Earthfall. Nerves.
The changeling approaches Elan with a warm smile.
I guess you're used to a different kind of cook, huh? - she says, with a chuckle - And to think that all chariots were in fire! Poor badgers. Swim, swim, always swim.
By evening, everyone in town has had so much fun that one could wonder if they would ever be capable of enjoying the night activities. But the energy has not given the slightest sign of diminishing. Without an explicit command, people start to gather in front of the cathedral again.
The sun is setting and mayor Deverin takes the stage again. A stray dog sleeps relaxed under one of the now empty carts north of the square. She announces the winners of the games. Norah's challenge was won by a woman named Tanwen. She is cheered fiercefully as many people recognize they wouldn't ever even attempt the challenge.
The comedy contest was won by a certain Elan, a cleric of Sarenrae. Many people either remember his performance or were told about it and, even though they didn't actually see it, they laugh loudly to pretend to be remembering the story. Elan sees that many people come talk to him wanting to tell him stories as well to see if they're worth his attention. However, it all comes out as a cacophony as it is too hard to focus on anyone.
The garbage throwing contest has no clear winner. Afterwards the winners of the horseshoe throwing contests are recognized as the Jinji brothers, two teenage boys from one of the local farms.
The egg hunt is announced as a woman called Mashaka, who managed to gather as much as 44 eggs. Many cheers can be heard and the mayor says she has the eyes of an eagle, and as long as she is in town, she will miss nothing hidden! She is invited up to receive her necklace, estimated at 30 gold pieces. Even though Mashaka is not a normal woman, people don't seem to mind and cheer her on.
Then, the two secret contests are revealed to be a cookie eating contest at Sandpoint's Savories and an obscure Lore contest in Brodert's shack near the Lighthouse. The cookie contest was won, again, by Mashaka! She is invited back up to receive a Sustaining Spoon, a magical item which refills itself and can feed up to four people per day. There is a comment about how the Avertin sisters won't ever need such tasteless food.
The lore contest was won by a mysterious tiefling with a mask who told a story of an old empire that was engulfed in the sea as they blindly worshiped an evil ruler. Brodert was so amused he gave the prize to her, some drops to be put on one's eyes to give them nightvision.
The winners of the rat race and the racing in the sand were not very exciting since none of the rats reached the end and no one managed to finish the 20 laps on the sand.
The people are excited to congratulate the winners. After a while, the mayor says "Now, let me bring forth Father Zantus, who will start the cathedral consecration. Afterwards we will all enjoy the night lights we've all prepared, some hot wine and... the bonfire!" The people cheer loudly as Father Zantus comes up. Before starting the ritual, he means to say a few words.
He looks at everyone who wait for him to start speaking. There is a deep silence. He finally opens his mouth to speak and a woman's cry is heard. The people look at him confused. He closes his mouth again, and a child's crying is also heard. People start looking to the sides. The people close to the north of the square manage to watch the formerly sleeping stray dog yelp as his throat opens spraying blood on the ground. A percussion based music seems to be forming in the background.
Dolgrin, Dart, Jonathan, Poppy and Izumi, along with all the people, were a little engulfed in the festival spirit and take a while to understand that there is an attack underway, and it's not a surprise musical performance. The undenying evidence comes in the form of a goblin from the top of the house to the west, illuminated by the setting sun, holding a torch as if he is about to stick the torch on the ground like a flag. Instead, he throws the torch towards the people.
Although the torch doesn't hit anyone, the people start screaming and running in all directions. As this happens the tune takes shape and the first strophe can be heard.
"Goblins chew and goblins bite."
"Goblins cut and goblins fight."
"Stab the dog and cut the horse,"
"Goblins eat and take by force!"
After a few moments, the square is mostly clear of people. A few peasants cower in place, afraid to go anywhere and be chased. The 5 wielders of divine magic knew at once what they had to do.
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Brand yells at the people nearby, "Get inside!" and then crosses the distance between him and the nearest goblin drawing his scimitar as he goes and attempts to strike the thing down.
Brand yells at the people nearby, "Get inside!" and then charges at the nearest goblin and attempts to smash its face with his fist.
Brand reacts fast and runs towards the nearest goblin and doesn't bother drawing a weapon. Instead he punches the goblin hard, which makes it see little stars.
The goblins around him start shouting angrily and get around Brand, except one of them is too focused on a woman nearby and runs towards her, only to trip and face plant the ground. The woman wails in fear.
Meanwhile, the goblin on the roof performs an advanced maneuver to jump on top of Elan and use the momentum to stick its teeth in the man. Unfortunately it was so excited that it miscalculated its speed and instead falls on the nearby wagon, breaking its neck.
One of the goblins lucks out and manages to get past Brand's defenses, sticking its weirdly shaped knife in his leg.
From the first note of goblin-song, Ribitta stands at the ready. No longer does she hobble and lean on her ranseur, but brandishes it as a weapon, stepping up to the fallen goblin and stabbing it in its neck.
Ribitta's promptness can be easily seen as she moves quickly and severs the goblin's head from its body. Its head rolls towards the woman nearby who screams and cowers from the head without actually moving away from it.
Brand slashes the goblin he previously hurt on the belly, making some of its innards come out.
Slow, Mashaka limits herself to draw her exotic sword and shield and step towards danger.
Tanwen draws her crossbow and moves away from the building she's near slightly before loading the crossbow.
Elan moves between the goblins and the townspeople and says to them "Get inside somewhere safe! I'll make sure these goblins don't come after you." He then pulls out his crossbow.
As the frightened people next to Elan go inside as per his instructions, the goblin song continues.
"Goblins race and goblins jump"
"Goblins slash and goblins bump."
"Burn the skin and mash the head,"
"Goblins here and you be dead!"
One of the goblins , crazed by the song, swings at Brand and tries to hit him. The other one becomes suddenly very tactical and leaves the other goblin to try and climb a nearby table, hoping to get a vantage point.
At the same time, to the south, a panicked goblin is chased by a dog. To the west, a goblin appears throwing cookies at Elan, laughing maniacally.
The goblin does succeed in climbing the table (if it survives Brand's attack), while the other only hits his armor. The newcomer goblin misses Elan completely with the cookie, but it grabs a kitchen knife that it got somewhere.
Tanwen moves towards the south of the town and fires a crossbow bolt at one of the goblins.
Tanwen shoots a bolt at the panicked goblin. The bolt penetrates its body, killing it instantly.
Mashaka moves towards the goblin over the table and tries to attack him with her sword, but is not successful. Maybe she ate too much cookie dough!
There are monkeys in fire, I tell you! It's in the flag. Believe me, pirates would be riding these horses right now if it wasn't for the color of the moon. - she says, as her attack goes wide.
The tiefling lopes around the goblins, keeping her unlinked eyes each fixed on the two nearest and staying out of their reach. She jabs the one on the table with her ranseur, growling and letting loose a loud croak as she does.
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"Cookies! You throw cookies at me!?!?!" Elan yells at the goblin. "I"ll trade you a crossbow bolt!" He then fires at the goblin.
"Cookies! You throw cookies at me!?!?!" Elan yells at the goblin.
Brand hits the goblin next to him dead in the chest. Despite being mortally wounded, the goblin can still fight and tries to hit the dwarf, even though it probably doesn't know what it's doing.
Surprisingly, it lucks out and slices the dwarf again.
As Mashaka swings at the goblin on the table and misses, the goblin starts laughing at her face and doesn't notice Ribitta's swing which leaves it very hurt. It tries to poke Mashaka...
... and falls unconscious with the effort.
Meanwhile, Elan was so disgruntled by the goblin's attempt to throw a cookie at him that he missed his crossbow shot entirely. The goblin approached with a kitchen knife and tried to hurt the man.
But the goblin misses the man entirely.
Ribitta slaps the injured goblin with the side of her polearm, issuing commands to it in its own language.
She hisses and exposes her tongue and throat, a boggard behavior, indicating her willingness to eat the goblin if it disobeys.
Elan drops his crossbow and yells at the goblin while he attacks with his quarterstaff, "Have you been spying on me all day?! Is that why you're throwing COOKIES at me?"
With the goblin by her unconscious, Mashaka charges at the closest one - by Elan, the man which was in the eating competition with her - to provide some assistance.
Now, that's a nose you don't see every day! Aligned with the moon. Oh, the song of the waves!
Ribitta sees that she managed to scare the goblin, only instead of complying, it attempts to flee.
Elan's swing grazes the goblin's crude armor. The goblin starts laughing hard at Elan, and it doesn't see Mashaka run in and cut it in half.
Brand's wounds close as he chants a prayer to Sarenrae.
As the goblin flees, Ribitta lops its head clean off, snarling.