.
22nd day of Rova 4707 AR - Autumnal Equinox
The whole town of Sandpoint has been abuzz for weeks in anticipation of the first day of autumn. Eager to put the tragedies of the Late Unpleasantness behind them, it seemed that one couldn't go anywhere in town without somebody talking about the Swallowtail Festival held in honor of Desna and the long-awaited consecration of the new cathedral.
The Swallowtail Festival begins promptly, as scheduled, with weather that is cool and clear, signaling the arrival of fall. The square before the church quickly becomes crowded as locals and travelers arrive, and several merchant tents featuring food, clothes, local crafts, and souvenirs are there to meet them.
The turnout for the opening speeches is quite respectable, and the four keynote speakers each deliver short but well-received welcomes to the festival. Speakers
Mayor Deverin’s friendly attitude and excitement prove contagious as she welcomes visitors to town and jokes about how even Larz Rovanky, the local tanner (and notorious workaholic) managed to tear himself away from the tannery to attend, much to everyone’s but Larz’s amusement. Sheriff Hemlock brings the crowd down a bit with his dour mood, his reminder to be safe around the evening’s bonfire, and his request for a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives in the fire that claimed the town’s previous church five years ago. Fortunately, Cyrdak Drokkus is more than up to the challenge of bringing the crowd’s mood back up with his rousing anecdotes as 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 give a short speech thanking everyone for coming before declaring the Swallowtail Festival underway.
Numerous games and contests take place during the day, including sack races, games of hide-and-seek, weight-lifting challenges, balance beam contests, tug-of-war events, and the like.
At noon, Father Zantus and his acolytes wheel a large covered wagon into the square, and after recounting the short parable of how Desna first fell to earth and was nursed back to health by a blind child whom she transformed into an immortal butterfly as a reward for her aid, they pull aside the wagon’s cover, releasing the thousand children of Desna—a furious storm of swallowtail butterflies that swarm into the air in a spiraling riot of color to a great cheer from the crowd. Throughout the rest of the day, children futilely chase butterflies, never quite quick enough to catch them.
Rothgarr stands at the back of the crowd, his shield strapped to his left forearm, his battleaxe hanging at his side, and his greatsword draped across his back. His 6'4" frame is imposing as he looks serious and angry, trying to intimidate any troublemakers. He listens to the speeches with little interest. He perked up when the Sheriff spoke. He liked him, he had been one of the few who did not judge him by his appearance. Hemlock had asked Rothgarr who was in town visiting if he did not mind doing some guard duty and he had agreed. Sandpoint was a nice town, though it seemed to have sad past, one he didn't know about. He grew up in the Cinderlands, his bushy red hair and red beard, marking him as different. He was going to prove to all that his birth was not the bad omen that everyone thought. But he first had to find and kill a giant, proving his worth to his tribe.
Red, as he was called by most who dared address him at all, looked bored. When the butterflies were released, he smiled and looked in awe at them. Butterflies had no place in barbarian lands, but here, this was different and they were pretty...He envied the children who could chase them all day. After a few minutes of reverie, he snapped out of it and went back to his guard duty, breaking up fights or stopping thieves. He hoped that would be the excitement of his day.
Know. Local
Shel looked around the festivities, and had to admit, she was pretty intrigued. Things had been so serious lately, what with her trying to earn as much coin as quickly as possible to help out her former noble house that she hadn’t smiled in weeks, seemed like.
The little halfling stood off to the side, taking everything in before committing to join into the merriment. She kept her cloak pulled up, hiding her armor and weapons, best as she could. No reason to alarm the others, but she didn’t feel entirely comfortable as she didn’t know many of the townsfolk just yet. Once she determined no one there was a threat, she decided to partake in just a bit of the contests.
The balance beam seemed made for her. She had a low center of gravity and supposed she could quickly move across it without much trouble.
Acrobatics
But she was overconfident, and stumbled about mid way across the beam. She embarrassedly moved off to the side, walking away as quickly as she could. She did encounter a vendor with particularly good smelling hand pies, and ordered a lamb one for lunch and a berry pie for dessert.
At least I’ve still got several coins in my pocket, she thought as she nibbled on lunch.
The balance beam competition is quite competitive and Shel comes in 3rd place, behind 2 young sailors who are quite adept at balancing. Afterwards, as she stops to snack, her gold is refused, as the food during the festival is free. The shopkeeper who gives the halfling her pie tells her to save some room in her stomach, as lunch time brings the competition for the best meal among the local establishments: the Rusty Dragon, the Hagfish, and the White Deer.
GM
Master Brodert Quink waved his hand in his usual, casual manner, giving Rîleth leave to stop work and go enjoy The Swallowtail Festival. She smiled at the old human scholar, and, closing the leather-bound tome in her hand, she collected her light grey hooded Elven cloak and made her way to the church square. At her hip, she had her trusty rapier and strapped across her back - her shortbow and quiver. She was dressed in a light grey Elven gown and she pulled the hood over her dark hair, covering her prominent ears. The willowy (she stood at 5'10"), graceful and slender elf moved about the merchant stalls, taking a moment to stop and admire the work of the local craftsmen and artisans. She enjoyed such beautiful creations.
The festival day would be a good distraction for the folk of this town - she recollected the tales of murder and destruction by fire Brodert had regaled her with in the first week of her arrival and training - the town had been shaken by the violence and tragedy associated with the Late Unpleasantness.
When the speeches began, Rîleth only partly listened, distracted with her studies of the morning and interested in the upcoming games. She was happy when the oration was done with and she promptly made her way over to the tug of war game, measuring the people and teams on either side of the rope; trying to gauge who would win.
When the sun rose to its highest peak, the swallowtail butterflies were released and she admired their frenzy and beauty as the children squealed delightfully around her and the crowd cheered. Rîleth admired their freedom and prettiness as they lifted higher into the sky - a wonderful tribute to Desna. When the butterflies became only specks in the blue expanse, Rîleth's stomach rumbled softly for she had forgotten to break her fast upon waking and was suddenly quite hungry.
At noon, lunch is provided free, at the expense of Sandpoint’s taverns. Each brings its best dishes—this event is as much a marketing push by the taverns to win new customers as it is to feed a hungry crowd. Ameiko Kaijitsu, the proprietor of the Rusty Dragon, serves her remarkable curry-spiced salmon with early winterdrop mead. The Hagfish serves lobster chowder and the White Deer offers peppercorn venison. Though all the dishes are delicious, the clear darling and winner is Ameiko, a human woman of Tian origin. She is a gracious winner and walks through the crowds making sure everyone has enough to eat. When asked as to the secret of her salmon, she smiles and says it is a family recipe, that her deceased mother shared with her.
After lunch, the festival and the contests continue, with everyone eagerly awaiting the sunset when the official consecration ceremony of the new church begins.
Sitting cross-legged on the grass, Rîleth savoured the bowl of curry-spiced salmon with its still-crisp asparagus. The paired early winterdrop mead had just the flavour to accompany the spicy meal. Ameiko Kajitsu certainly deserved the win with such a fine dish. Her family were one of the wealthiest in town, yet Ameiko was gracious and beloved. Rîleth had visited the family's glassworks business when she first arrived in Sandpoint. She marvelled at the work demonstrated by the skilled glassblowers - and such colours! She understood why the business was doing so well.
After finishing her meal, Rîleth stood up and returned the bowl and cutlery to the nearest server. She moved onto the areas designated for the contests. Even though she had been in town for just over four months, she was more studious than a reveler, so Rîleth preferred observing the local opponents rather than joining in the challenges. Her legs were too long for the sack races, she found, and lifting heavy weights was not something she was particularly good at. The balance beam and tug of war were her favorites and she cheerfully clapped the winner of each event.
When the contests were drawing to a close, Rîleth moved to the stand near the furthest edge of the square. It belonged to a Varisian tattoo artist and she keenly watched as he deftly etched a rune on a woman's arm. She wondered if she should add to her own rune tattoos for the man seemed to know his craft well.
Shel chose to sample the wares of the three participants in the contest. To be frank, she probably preferred the venison, all things considered, but that salmon was pretty darn good in its own right.
Know. Local
Shel didn’t know much of the Ameiko woman, but she seemed nice at a base level.
She continued to watch the revelry and was amazed at just how many people could fit into the small town. She stopped at a booth and bought a rainbow colored bow in the shape of a butterfly for her hair, while she enjoyed the sights and sounds.
The Swallowtail festival is one of those things people should just relax and enjoy. Perri started the day with the intent of getting as close to doing that as he can manage, while keeping his eyes open for trouble.
He wandered about the village, cheering for some at the various games, chatting with the vendors, encouraging the children to find treats to share with their parents and friends. His relaxed, comfortable interactions with the people he's known his entire life, while staying out of their competitions and games, kept him in contact with the community, kept him aware of how they seemed to feel the day was going. So far it was exactly the kind of relaxing fun Perri had been hoping for. Oh, sure, there were a few arguments over the competitions, and some old feuds popped their heads up in odd corners, like getting that "right" treat from a vendor, but none of that is serious. He found Vasia serving people from a large basket of pastries. The one she gave her little brother had pepper and fish in it. He thanked her and smiled, knowing she gave the sweet ones to children.
When the swallowtails were released, Perri just smiled and watched the children playing. Their care-free joy lifting his spirit and reminding him how peaceful home could be when you just got out of the way.
For lunch, Perri read the crowds and saw how popular the salmon was, so he took a simpler path and got the peppered venison so that he would spend less time waiting instead of patrolling. The two pepper-forward dishes in a row, though, got Perri pulling on an ale to clear his palate.
The afternoon had a few incidents relating mostly to people being tired from trying to do too much in the morning. Easily resolved for the most part, though Perri did have to escort an older farmer out of the Hagfish and over to the White Deer in order to stop an old feud from expanding into a fight. As the day started winding down, Perri found a meat pie to quiet his belly before beginning to direct people towards the consecration ceremony. He helped vendors get people out of their areas so they could shut down for the ceremony, too, and followed everyone else to the ceremony. This left him on the edge of the area. Instead of trying to claim an elevated spot so that he could see better, Perri helped children up onto those spots as he continued watching for a fly in the ointment, one it seems that wasn't going to show today.
Red gladly eats from each of the dishes and flirts a little with Ameiko, though he has no clue how to women from her culture. However, he's not ugly so he tries to flex his muscles when she's around. He partakes in his guard activities during the rest of the day and by sunset, he hopes his shift is almost over as he is quite bored.
Rileth debates getting a tattoo but decides not to as the artist, Jarel, is a bit xenophobic and does not particular warm up to her elven nature.
Perri was very helpful during the festival, popular with the children, and as sunset nears, he finds a good spot to view the consecration.
The shopkeeper, Farn, gladly gives Shel the bow for free, "May Desna guide yer way, m'lady."
Red's muscles intrigue Ameiko, but unfortunately, when she starts discussing academic subjects with the barbarian, she sees the haze in Red's eyes and she loses interest quickly, though she does love his grand appetite. She seems to float through the crowd, greeting everyone, before disappearing, heading back to her establishment prior to sunset.
Finally, as the sun begins to set, a loud , 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 smiles, "Now that the thunderstone got your attention, it's time to start with the Prayer of First Dreaming." Father Zantus clears his throat and closes his eyes...
However, before he can speak again, 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, emanating from the SE.
"Goblins chew and goblins bite.
Goblins cut and goblins fight.
Stab the dog and cut the horse,
Goblins eat and take by force!
Goblins race and goblins jump
Goblins slash and goblins bump.
Burn the skin and mash the head,
Goblins here and you be dead.
Chase the baby, catch the pup.
Bonk the head to shut it up.
Bones be cracked, flesh be stewed,
We be goblins! You be food!"
You look and see the three goblins in the western section of the square, including the goblin who killed the dog, who is currently licking the blood from his dogslicer and cackling maniacally.
Shel seemed to be moving in quicksand as the scene played out around her. What are goblins doing here, she thought to herself. She knew if she didn’t help protect the town, those three would kill more than just an unfortunate pup.
She moves 20’ toward the goblins and pulls her rapier.
Round 1: Goblins
The scene around the square is chaotic with people running around and screaming, with goblins all around tearing down market stalls and trying to set fire to some of the tents. As the guards engage the chaos, these three goblins stand out.
The closest goblin to Shel sees her approach and draw her weapon and cackles, pointing at her and looking back to its friends, ”Look, someone our size trying to be a hero! We only heroes around!” The goblin shrieks and hoots, as it moves close to Shel before leaping at her with its dogslicer! Shel's training assists her as she narrowly doges the blade! The goblin, seemingly dumbfounded, looks in disbelief at its weapon, "How you miss her?"
The second goblin climbs the wagon behind it and stuffs its pockets with pieces of salmon, "Food for later!" It waves its weapon threateningly at the crowd of villagers.
The last goblin, feeling mischievous, moves toward the crowd and waves its weapon threateningly at a small girl about 5 years of age, "Fear Grobkuk the almighty!" The little girl cries, as her mother screams, "Leave my baby alone! Someone help!"
Mouth agape, for a second, Perri pulls his bow, steps forward and attempts to get the attention of the goblin threatening the child.
"Hey! Shorty! Scaring kids all you can do?"
Rothgarr is caught aback by the sudden goblin attack, but quickly recovers. He vaguely remembers a barbarian named Vilkas from his tribe who used to collect goblin teeth, but he’d never really seen one up close. They were small buggers to be sure…but maybe, they were led by a giant?! The barbarian saw the little girl in trouble and saw an arrow land near the creature. He had to act quickly so he sprinted toward the little green monster, drawing his battleaxe, and drove it down on the creature’s skull! he holds up his shield to deflect any blows from its allies.
Careful not to hit the little girl, Perri's arrow flies wide of the mark and misses the goblin. However, the goblin's luck runs out when the barbarian moves up to it and slices half its face off with the axe blade, shocking the little girl and her mother, who stare at Red with a mixture of fear and awe on their faces. The mother grips her daughter strongly and nods in thanks to the muscular warrior. The goblin's body slinks to the ground with a thud dead.
Round 1:
With the arrival of the goblins and the crowd's ensuing screams, Rîleth drew her rapier , stepped 5ft diagonally toward the blue goblin , and went into total defense , defending herself as she determined her next move (and that of the nearest goblin's or the one behind it).
Shel takes a poke with her rapier in return, trying to spear the blue goblin on her sharp blade.
Attack
Damage
The blue goblin is distracted by the pretty elf and yelps in pain as Shel's rapier finds its mark.
Round 2: Goblins
The wounded goblin bares its corroded teeth at Shel, "Why you hurt me? I will eat your bones now!" However, the buildup and bravado to the goblin's swing is a disappointment to the creature's actual skill with its weapon, as Shel barely had to move to deflect the blow away.
The goblin standing on the wagon filled with foodstuffs sees Red cut his friend in two, so it bends down, grabs a pear with its free hand, and decides to throw it at the barbarian! Surprisingly, the pear strikes Red on his shoulder inflicting . Upon seeing his unbeknownst accuracy with fruit missiles, the goblin begins to laugh and cackle maniacally, hooting and hollering, very proud of itself. "Who the best goblin in the world?! Meeee!"
Round 2:
Seeing the nearest goblin attack and miss the Halfling closest to her, Rîleth took a 5ft step and attempted to slice at the fell creature with her rapier; fighting defensively upon this first attempt.
Adjusting his position closer to the fruit-flinger, Perri lets fly again, hoping for a better result.
Red grumbles as the pear strikes him. He is about to move in and chop the goblin in two when he sees an arrow strike the creature. He looks back to see Perri holding his bow. He thinks he has seen the Varisian before, some type of monster hunter if he remembers correctly.
Perri's aim is true and his arrow strikes the boastful goblin in the throat and he gurgles, before collapsing backwards off the wagon, quite dead.
Shel nodded at the other three who had helped her put down those pesky goblins. ”Where did those little buggers come from? I’ve never seen goblins running all open around a town before. “
The halfling bends down and starts searching the blue tinged goblin, for anything useful, like clues where it came from, or anything that she could use, like extra weapons or goodies.
Responding to the female voice coming from across the crowd, Perri notes, "These hit the trash heap often enough, but they know better than to approach Sandpoint proper. Something's seriously not right." Then he kicks his volume up a notch. "People! Head for shelter, go together into larger buildings, like the inns, and work together to repel any goblins until we sort this out!"
Red looks at Shel a little confused. he had not seen too many halflings in his life, at least not up close. Dwarves sure, but not halflings. He is jarred from his thoughts as Perri raises his voice. He looks at Shel and Rileth, "Good job ladies. Be prepared, there may be more. Maybe they're led by a giant?" You can't help but notice the hopefulness in the large warrior's voice.
As the last of the goblins nearest them fell, Rîleth looked to the people around her - the female halfling and the two human males. She recognised one - Perri and she inclined her head in acknowledgement.
"You all were very brave," she addressed the other three. As Perri attempted to coral the townsfolk into safety, Rîleth added her own voice,
"Those who cannot fight, run now and lock yourselves inside the church or a nearest shelter. Those who can wield weapon and fight, join us so we may put an end to these pests."
The red haired warrior had spoken of a possible giant leader and this drew her attention back to their current predicament. Rîleth looked around her to see how many goblins or threats were in the vicinity to gauge the true extent of danger to them and Sandpoint.
Shel was surprised. The others think there may be more of these blighters and maybe they are in tandem with giants, she thought. After completing her search of the goblin, she follows the others leads and looks for more chaos from maybe more
Goblins.
Perception
Heartened to see the people trying to take some sort of shelter, Perri agrees that it is time to start looking to see if there's more trouble. "They normally come from the North along the coast to get to the trash heap. So, more likely they'll come in the North gate?" Perri tries to guess where more trouble is most likely.
"If no one sees anything needing attention, we should probably check to the North!"
Hearing Perri's suggestion to check the North Gate, Rîleth quietly contemplated the best direction or location (whether gate or underground cavern/tunnel etc) the goblins or any other any enemy would likely enter the town from/through or generally congregate to attack.
You have to yell to hear yourselves over the chaos that has engulfed Sandpoint. Goblins race everywhere, running amok and singing and slashing indiscriminately. The crowd tries to move up to the stage to defend themselves, while others run around confused. Just as you're about to head to the north gate, a band of 4 goblins working in unison catches your attention, with one of them singing.
Round 1: Goblins!
The 3 warrior goblins set the wagon on fire and light torches, while a warchanting goblin in the back inspires them to cackle and shriek furiously!
Shel moves 40’ towards the goblins near the wagon, ready to move and strike next round. ”We need help over here,” Shel calls out to the three others she’d just met.
Red bangs his shield with his battleaxe and moves up 40' with Shel, "We kill goblins before they burn nice town."
Perri moves across the courtyard, working to get a clear line of sight before he takes the shot.
Rîleth moved quietly around and then down toward the goblins near the burning wagon; keeping to the rear of the wagon for now, her rapier in hand ready to cut down the enemy.
Perri's arrow strikes the goblin in the lead, causing it a grievous wound as it shrieks in pain, with the arrow protruding from its chest, as blood pours out of the wound.
Round 2: Goblins!
The goblins, at seeing how grievous the injury was, realize that the adventurers mean business and they throw their torches to the floor in disgust. They look at the adventurers with evil in their eyes and draw their dogslicers as they move to attack!
The black goblin takes a 5' step and attacks Shel, missing by a mile!
The wounded goblin charges at Perri in anger!
The red goblin, intimidated by Red's size, moves to attack Shel as well, but again the attack fails!
The warchanter sees the red-headed barbarian as the greatest threat and intones magic to confuse him, as he sings a fast-paced song meant to distract him. The barbarian, however is unaffected.
Shel takes a 5’ step to the south east, and tries to slash the goblin with her rapier in return.
Attack
Damage
"Stop running, goblin!" Red scolds the goblin with a swipe of his axe.
He then moves to the red goblin who avoided him, but mistimes his swing.
Red's swipe decapitates the running goblin, saving Perri from sustaining damage.
Perri continues closing with the goblins, grateful to see the one split in twain by Red, and draws a bead on the chanter . . ..
But his aim is nowhere near as good as he likes to tell himself it is, and the arrow lodges in the wall of the building behind the chanting goblin.
Rileth takes a 5ft step and drops her rapier by her feet. Taking her bow, she nocks an arrow and calls upon Desna's mighty luck to guide her arrow true, and fires at the unobstructed warchanter goblin.
Round 3: Goblins!
Despite outnumbered 4-2, the goblins are not deterred and continue to fight. The black wounded one slashes at Shel with its dogslicer, but catching nothing but air.
The red goblin, who dodged the barbarian's axe, slashes at his knees, but the skillful warrior brings his shield down in time to deflect the blow.
Rîleth moves 5ft down, and, buoyed by her prayers for Desna's favour, nocks another arrow and shoots at the red goblin.
Shel continues to attack the black clad goblin with her rapier, quiet as a churchmouse.
Attack
Damage
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
he young human moves around the courtyard again, looking to get a clean line of attack on one of the goblins. Watching Shel miss the one in front of her, he decides to see if it can catch an arrow . . ..