Tierce sits down at his empty table and fixes his eyes on Zoruk. He waits until he makes eye contact and gestures to the open seat at his table. He waits for the man to approach before saying "Tried to get my attention earlier? Please have a seat"
Lucanus nearly steps on Zelladania's toes, "I'm sorry... not really good at this. I'm not really accustomed to this. Your a really good teacher though." Lucanus slightly blushes at his comment
The dark-skinned Half-Elf danced with the woman in blue for a little bit before she requests to take her leave. Tipping his hat, he bids her a due. Having seen the dark-haired beauty dance earlier, curiosity got the better of him. Carefully walking up to the dancing pair, the young warrior tapped on the big man's shoulder. "Mind if I cut in, my dear fellow?"
"Not too worry, you are actually learning quite quick and you have good reflexes. You haven't stepped on toes yet, unlike the other fellow with the scythe."
Zella looks over the dark-skinned half-elf that comes up to cut into her dance instruction.
"I think he has earned himself a respite from my teachings, though I may have another lesson for him when he recovers from this one."
If Lucanus does not object, Zella will allow the half-elf to lead her into another dance.
I wonder if this one knows how to dance?
Gilly squawks and stumbles after Noro, confused and unsteady.
She seems pleased, though.
"Let us see how I, the student, does with you, the master. Shall we?" he asked with a sweeping bow.
"Very well then, let's see how well you take my instruction."
Zella chooses to take the lead and attempts to show her new partner a few steps from Katapesh dance she did with Tierce earlier. Unfortunately, one of Zelladania's flowing scarves trailed on the ground just far enough for him to step on it. Unfortunately, his stepping upon her scarf caused Zella to trip over it as she tried to execute a turn, slightly spraining her ankle as she falls to floor.
Quite naturally, Darius then trips over top of Zella and they both end up in a bit of a tangle on the floor.
Lucanus bows to Zelladania "A pleasure for the lesson, my lady." He looks to Darius with a bit of sadness and envy. He walks over to the counter and hails Ameiko, "Good Innkeeper, I would like the key to my room please." He takes the offered key from Ameiko and heads up the stairs to the rooms.
His heart pounding, Shalluk considered his options. On the one hand running like his infernal forefather were after him was his usual method for someone identifying him, and why else would someone have spoken to him in Abyssal? The tongue was literally part of his blood, one he couldn't help but understand. However, ignoring the person seemed to have done the job...for now. he could always run later, if needs must.
Instead, he waited and watched until the Pathfunder was finally less busy and decided to approach the man. There was something he'd been curious about, and perhaps the man could help him with it. If nothing else, it would be worth seeing how such a travelled man responded to his red skin and obviously 'other' heritage. Shalluk had mostly stayed away from larger towns and cities, warned by others he'd met that it would be unwise, but maybe that had been a mistake.
"Excuse me, Pathfinder?" Shalluk approached the man from the side, resisting the urge to pull his hood even further forward. "If you have a moment, I have a question I would like to ask you. A simple curiosity on my part, nothing important, but if you have a moment..."
Zoruk slides into the seat tome still in hand.
"Simply someone who is interested in certain topics you mentioned. You wouldn't happen to have a wayfinder? I have heard they are common among Pathfinders."
He looks at the Tiefling as he interrupts them, his purple eyes studying him.
Getting to his feet as fast as he can, the Half-Elf blushed, not that anyone could tell with his dark skin. "I am sorry milady," the young warrior extended his hand to the fallen woman. "Here, let me help you up."
Zella accepts the half-elf's assistance in returning to her feet.
"No worries. I think I will be okay and it still isn't the worst dance that I had tonight."
With a very slight limp as she takes a step, Zella decides that she is likely done with dancing for the night.
"Perhaps you would be so kind as to walk me back to my table? I think I could do with another drink if you'd care to join me?"
Offering his arm to her, the Half-Elf led the young woman to her table. After seating her, he asked, "What would like to drink? I'll buy."
Tierce keeps an eye on his friend Zelladania as the young half elf attempts to make a move on her. He shakes his head slightly at the thought of it.
Tierce looks up at the arrivals at his table, he gestures for both of them to take a seat. To Shalluk he sayd, "Please ask away, my ears and mind are open!" He removes the wayfinder from his belt and slides it across the table to Zoruk. "Azlanti design, handy when in a dark dungeon. Don't worry about the ioun stone inside."
"A simple question, really", replied, not meeting the other man at the table's gaze. Instead he pulled out the oversized longsword he'd found and carefully laid it out on the table. "A few days ago, I found a young lady, a Paladin I think, who had died fighting a creature. She did kill it, though. I buried her, and burned the creature, but I never knew what it was. I was hoping you might know what creatures might wield a weapon like this one."
It was simple curiosity, really. Shalluk wanted to know what kind of creature would carry such a weapon, partially so he would be more prepared...but mostly so he could know what, exactly, the women had given her life to defeat. It must have been important, and he didn't even know what the thing was called. Which was hardly shocking - he tended to avoid trouble, and the creature had been in a fairly pathetic state before he burned it.
Shalluk briefly glanced over at the dancers, and felt a faint impulse to join in. But he knew he wasn't agile, and had never tried dancing. besides, he could see how many people in the bar watched them - drawing even the small amount of attention required to talk to the Pathfinder went against his grain. But he couldn't help but wish.
Zoruk removes something from a pocket, an ioun stone of his own. But this one is dull gray and old indeed.
"I am well aware of the design. Yours is not an original is it, a copy of those artifacts if I am not mistaken. Can you tell anything from this?"
He places the stone on the table sliding it across the table to the pathfinder in turn.
This ioun stone has lost its power due to age and is ancient indeed. Dating back to the time of the Azlanti.
Noticing Tierce keeping an eye on her, Zella gives him a little wink as she sits down.
"I'd like a glass of wind and your name. Mine is Zelladania."
Tierce examines the longsword and shakes his head "Unfortunately this isn't much to go on. A large longsword like this is common, possibly from a bugbear, an orc, or even a giant of some kind. Without knowing a description of the creature, I will be unable to tell you what it is."
Tierce picks up the Ioun stone and gives it a look. "Seems old for an Ioun Stone, unfortunately my specialization lies outside ancient artifacts such as this..."
He takes a moment, sliding the wayfinder back to its owner.
"That is an ioun stone from the age of the Azlanti. I see your familiar with Qadira. If you would be so kind, may I ask what is your specialization?"
Gilly knows artifacts! But is upstairs putting a dress on Noro. By force if necessary! Drunken Halfling force is a force to be reckoned with indeed!
"Glass of wine it is. And the name is Valinargus. Darius Valinargus." He left to the bar and returned with two glasses of wine. Handing Zelladania one, the Half-Elf said, "Once again, I apologize for tripping you. I hope it does not interfere with your performance tomorrow."
After making some small talk with the dancer, Darius finished his glass and went up to his room for the night.
Noro fumbles though the clothes
how about this?, or maybe this? noything she picks has any kind of appeal, mostly miss matched or just plain wrong.
finally Noro and Gilly find something.
throwing it on, but Noro insists on keeping her regular clothes on underneath.
when Gilly bings up nice shoes Noro is very adamant with a no way!
Once dressed Noro looks to Gilly
well do I look girly enough?
Gilly peers at Noro. She's a bit blurry, but the halfling climbs onto a chair to pet down Noro's hair, her lips pursed. "Y'should grow this out so I can braid it. Out of your way in a fight, and still pretty!" Gilly tsks over Noro a bit more, straightening her clothing a bit though they still look a bit odd because its double-layers. "Very pretty!" Gilly chirps happily. "Just remember when you dance, no punching." And she grins.
Gilly peers at Noro. She's a bit blurry, but the halfling climbs onto a chair to pet down Noro's hair, her lips pursed. "Y'should grow this out so I can braid it. Out of your way in a fight, and still pretty!" Gilly tsks over Noro a bit more, straightening her clothing a bit though they still look a bit odd because its double-layers. "Very pretty!" Gilly chirps happily. "Just remember when you dance, no punching." And she grins.
what? no punching? Noro jokes.
well here goes nothing... Noro goes down stairs and goes over to Tierce's table Hey Tierce, you me, dance, now. she may look girly but she hasn't learned to talk and act girly. she grabs Tirce's hand and tries to drag him up to dance.
as anothe parton starts to luagh at Noro's attempt she stops amoment to deck him in the jaw the goes back to Tierce.
Shorry gilly she comments as she gets back to danceing
Gilly comes tottering back down the stairs after Noro, appearing pleased with her efforts to make Noro look girly. She finds herself a chair and climbs up onto it to watch, only sighing and shaking her head at Noro's need to punch people. "Well ... I guess that's better than punching Tierce..." She says, and laughs.
"Pleased to meet you Darius and I am sure that I will be just fine to dance tomorrow."
Zella will wish him a good night when he makes his way up to his room, though she stays down at the table for another drink. A drink which she very nearly spits out when she sees Noro walking back into the room in her 'girly outfit'.
Zella is soon biting her lower lip in an attempt to not laugh or even grin as Noro drags Tierce out onto the dance floor and then attempt to dance with him.
Oh blessed Desna, it is so very hard not to just roll on the floor laughing at all this, but I don't wish to hurt Noro's feelings.
Zella waves Gilly to come back over to the table.
"I can't believe she is actually dancing. How much did she have to drink?"
as noro attempts to dance she still carries herself with her usual grace. (or perhaps lack of grace).
zella (being a dancer by trade) can tell that Noro may look the girl on the outside but underneath she still is the same Noro, her ripped pants and bare feet underneath that dress.
Gilly leans into the back of her chair and shrugs, "I dunno, I wasn't lookin'," She says of Noro's drinking. And she still looks far too pleased with herself.
"The creature was not in a state to be identified, I am afraid..." The Tiefling shrugged his shoulders in surrender. Maybe there was another way to find out what he wanted, but it was not here. "The battle meant that it's most identifying features were all in the wrong place. The lady used a very unpleasant weapon. What wasn't smashed had been cut." Shalluk shuddered slightly at the memory. It had taken more time to gather up the creatures various parts and hurl them in the fire than he cared to remember, and his stomach churned slightly at how difficult it had been to tell it's blood from his own skin - he had bathed at every opportunity since, with good, strong soap and he could still feel it on his skin.
With his question answered, he overheard another. He had not been this curious since he was a child, when he had learned that he didn't want to be that curious. Once again he quelled inside, but so far, so good - despite his interaction there was no one yelling at him, no one watching him suspiciously, no one was lining up pitchforks...although the truth be told he was usually come and gone long before anyone really understood he was a Tiefling, let alone plagued by Yla spirits which would torment those physically close to him.
"Excuse me, sir," he said after a moments hesitation, turning his gaze to the other man. "I have never heard of this...Atlanti? I am sorry, I did not catch the name. Could you tell me anything of it?" The man had said it was old, but there were some fairly ancient empires around, and it never hurt to know about other places where he might not want to go. And if it was gone...well, knowledge rarely hurt.
He glances at the tiefling.
"If you are unaware of the ancient Azlanti. Then their is little point in attempting to discuss it with you as it would take far longer then a single night. Their happens to be a sage and library in Sandpoint, I would suggest you seek them both out if you so wish. Speaking of which it seems the night has grown long."
Retrieving his ioun stone. He once more locks his gaze on the pathfinder.
"Perhaps another time then."
As he leaves the colored lights he had released earlier leave with him, as he disappears to find his bed for the night.
Shalluk nodded. Well, he knew a little more than he had - it sounded like a place you could only find in books and legends. Maybe it would be worth looking up, but he somehow doubted it - he tended to be more focused on practical skills. Skills that made him useful. Skills that would keep him alive. "My thanks for your time, anyway," he said with a nod to the two men. It never hurt to be polite, after all.
The scholar was right, though, it was late into the night. It was certainly time to find somewhere to sleep, and decide on whether to attend the festival. Shalluk expected he would, however - festivals were busy, and sometimes there was a chance to earn coin. He could alter how easily someone was likely to deal with alcohol, for example, and could bet on drinking contests with a good idea of the winner - if he stood in the right place. And coin was something he always needed more of...
Shalluk went to find somewhere comfortable to sleep.
Tierce grins at Zoruk, "I specialize in...urk" He is suddenly unable to finish that sentence as he is pulled on the dance floor by Noro. Tierce smiles widely at his dance partner, "I'm glad you came back down, I was worried that I lost you for the night! I love the look, your like a double wrapped present, twice the anticipation!"
Tierce allows Noro to lead in her dance for a minute. He notices the other patrons sneaking off to bed and counts himself lucky. He still spots Zelladania and Gilly and shrugs as he reasoned that they at least won't be as scandalized from what is about to happen...
During a turn of Noro's dance, Tierce quickly and lightly takes control of the dance, switching to a Chelish Tango. The sheer scandalous nature of the dance causes one of the musicians to burst out an unintended note. A few of the regular patrons that Tierce failed to see gasp out.
As he twirls her around in the dance, he gives her his best charming smile. "I've decided to stay in Sandpoint for a least a few more days. The Festival sounds like it will be fun. Plus a local girl who likes to get into fights has caught my fancy." He winks at her.
As the music ends, Tierce dips her and as she is bent, he plants a soft kiss upon her lips. He straightens her quickly and takes a step back before bowing to Noro "It was a pleasure, my dear lady. I am in room 8 if you would like to talk or perhaps join me for a drink..."
And with that, Tierce heads up to his room for the night...
You have waited all year, and the day has finally come! The Swallowtail Festival has started! The town square is decorated with as many streamers and colors that they seem to boggle the mind. Merchant tents from all over Varisia, selling food and wares from as far as Korvosa.
You come to the festival just as it starts. Mayor Deverin delivers her speech from the stage, her friendly attitude and joking demeanor has the crowd laughing within minutes, especially her joke about the local tanner, Larz Rovanky, managing to tear himself way from work long enough to attend.
The attitude of the crowd is brought down slightly as Sheriff Belor Hemlock reminds everyone to be safe during the festival and to not try anything silly or dangerous, his eyes resting on a few of you. He also requests a moment of silence from everyone to remember those who perished in the previous church fire.
The mayor takes to the stage once again to announce the third and last speaker, Cyrdak Drokkus. A few of the crowd begin to murmur and the Mayor tells them that their oringal speaker, Lonjiku Kaijitsu, has taken ill and won't be attending the festival.
Cyrdak takes the stage and has the crowd roaring in laughter once again with his jokes and anecdotes. At the end of his speech, he invites everyone to attend the Sandpoint Theater the following evening for the opening night of "The Harpy's Curse". Cyrdak announces that the lead role of Avisera, the Harpy Queen, will be played by none other then the famous Magnimarian diva, Allishanda!
And with the opening speeches finished, the festival games begin!
Sunrise the next morning stirred Darius from his slumber. I hate mornings, he thought to himself. Getting up and walking over to the water basin, the Half-Drow avoided looking out of the window, for the sun stung his eyes. The warrior poured some water in the basin, and splashed some of it in his face. After drying off his face, he looked in the mirror. Seeing his shirt and breeches on the floor in the relection, Darius thought to himself, I suppose I'd better get some more clothes. He got dressed and looked at his gear. I don't think I'll need that, indicating his scale armor as he put on his swords. While he didn't have much, his father's swords were his most prized possessions. Grabbing his wide-brimmed hat, the warrior headed downstairs for some breakfast.
After the openning speeches were finished, Darius went to browse the merchants to find more attire.
Gilly claps and laughs, amused to watch Noro dancing. She smirks at Noro and shoos her after Tierce with wide bright eyes and a mischievous smirk.
Then she goes trotting up the stairs to her own bed, falling asleep face down with all her clothes still on. Just means that the next morning she spends a little longer smoothing her hair. She wriggles into her dress, smooths her hair a bit, and then puts all her armor and things on over it - she still looks pretty fancy.
She goes out into the crowd with a happy grin on her face. She barely stands still through the speeches before running off, getting underfoot, and looking for contests to join. She'll try all of them, challenging whoever she sees around.
As he twirls her around in the dance, he gives her his best charming smile. "I've decided to stay in Sandpoint for a least a few more days. The Festival sounds like it will be fun. Plus a local girl who likes to get into fights has caught my fancy." He winks at her.As the music ends, Tierce dips her and as she is bent, he plants a soft kiss upon her lips. He straightens her quickly and takes a step back before bowing to Noro "It was a pleasure, my dear lady. I am in room 8 if you would like to talk or perhaps join me for a drink..."
once kissed Noro had a flood of emotions, was he sincere? I won't be taken advantage of
Once Tierce stands Noro salps him across the face wash a dancshe, thatsh all her lisp definately more evident than before. Tierce can sense she wanted to deck him but the slap came instead. Noro attempting to keep control.
Noro rushes back upstairs before she gets angry. Noro goes to the room where she got changed. and changes back into her normal attire. was supposed to be a dance, I don't want that other mushy stuff. get a grip girl, stay in control
Damnit, I want to punch something she yells out. a couple of other locals hear her and quicken thier pace to get out of sight of Noro.
Opening the package you notice a single red rose and a pair of gloves. The gloves have the tops of the fingers cut off and appear to be leather, but reinforced with silvery chain. Your quite sure you could punch someone rather hard with these on.
A note attached to the gloves says "Please don't wear these the next time I kiss you. T"
While out and about looking through all the festivities, you instantly catch sight of something bright and blinding by the new Cathedral. A single guard is stationed outside, protecting the cathedral like a sentry. You recognize it as the tall gentle giant from the night before, however his shy demeanor is replaced by a serious watchful look.
His armor is recently polished, and the bright bluish metal is almost blinding in the morning sun. He remains standing vigilant as you pass by
Gilly stops to say hello, offering her hand up up up, "I'm sorry I didn't say hello before!" She says brightly.
Lucanus doesn't even take his eyes away from scanning around as he shakes Gilly's hand, having to bend down almost on his knees. "I am Lucanus Drek, Paladin of Iomedae, pleasure to meet you"
"Gilly! Of Gilly!" Gilly never takes very much seriously if she can help it, but doesn't give the impression of mocking him or anything. "Nice to meet you too. I hope you're going to enjoy some of the food today." She looks around, maybe looking for what he's looking for.
Lucanus tries not to crack a smile from Gilly's energy. "I'm afraid I am on duty today and will not be partaking in the festivities. Maybe once the Festival is over you can join me at the Rusty Dragon for a bit of supper. I'm rather new in town and haven't made any friends yet..."
Tierce comes stumbling out of the inn and looks up at the sky. He scoffs at the brightness of the sun and slaps on his wide brimmed hat and runs his hands quickly across it to keep it in shape. He shakes his head to himself as he muses over the evening before. He quickly heads off to a stall of food for morning breakfast.
Gilly waves a hand, "Silliness. I have it on good authority that Ameiko's making food today - I'll bring you some. It'd be a travesty if you were to miss it." Gilly nods. It is decided. There can be no argument! "Even on-duty people need lunch."
Zella almost falls out of her chair in surprise when Tierce plants a kiss on Noro. When he gets slapped for it, Zella has to quickly get up and go to her room before indulging in a fit of laughter that she didn't want either to see.
Sleeping a tad bit later than intended, perhaps due to bit too much wine, Zella washes up and gets dressed quickly in her dancer's outfit with all the scarves hoping to have time for some breakfast before going to the festival.
Once she grabbed a quick bite to eat, Zella hurries out to the festival grounds. As she wanders through after catching the tail-end of the speeches, Zella passes by the new Cathedral and offers up her own little prayer to Desna.
After offering up her prayer, Zella can't help but notice one of her dance partners from last and Gilly. With a friendly wave and smile, she will move over to them.
"Good morning to the two of you. Desna has surely blessed us with a fine day for the reopening of the temple."
Lucanus nods his head to Gilly, "I greatly appreciate your kindness, My Lady"
Lucanus looks at Zelladania's outfit and the only sign of his surprise is the slight widening of his eyes. He goes back to remaining vigilant on his guard duty. "Good Morrow, my lady" He states with as much regalia as he can
Gilly giggles at being addressed as a Lady, and makes an elaborate attempt at a curtsy. Like all of her gestures, its somewhat larger than life. Certainly larger than the small halfling - she's just like that. Bigger than her little body.
She turns to wave at Zell, "Sir Treetops here was just telling me about being on duty and missing Ameiko's lunch." She informs the dancer with laughing eyes.
Apparently he has a nickname now.
Noro wanders the festival haveing shed her girly charade from the night before.
Noro grabs a couple of nibbles from various vendors looking for a couple of familiar faces. and avoiding others she would prefer to not see, especially her father.
tucked into her belt are a new pair of gloves. she seems rather protective of them as she walks around
She soon finds herself watching the arm wrestling sizeing up the various competetors.
eventually she takes a seat at an empty wrestling table. seems Noro's reputation is a little more known than she would like as several locals avoid wrestling her. leaving her without a challenger.
Noro just takes in the forfiet victories. eashiest win yet
The noise and the crowds were terrifying, but it was exciting at the same time. In his life Shalluk had rarely seen so many people in a single place. It was hard to imagine the town could hold so many, although Shalluk supposed it couldn't, not really. He was certain he hadn't been the only one sleeping on the streets last night, although he suspected that he was one of the few who'd had some practice at it. He'd quickly found an empty and comfortable place behind a large rain water barrel away from prying eyes and cutpurses.
The noise of the festival overwhelming him, Shalluk headed for the new Cathedral. He stopped, admiring the building, and feeling peace as he viewed his patron Deity, Iomadae. Although he'd never really lived up to the ideals taught, he'd never broken with them either, giving help to those who needed it when he could. His strength made him useful on occasion.
The peace of the sanctuary called to him, but the Cathedral was guarded. Perhaps it was not ready for the public to enter? Or some part of the festival was being prepared inside? Shalluk did not know. Although he was surprised to overhear that the giant from the previous knight was a Paladin, and felt humbled by his presence. No wonder he was blessed with such strength and power, he was the blade of the Goddess.
Approaching, Shalluk bowed before the holy warrior. "Sir Knight, I am Shalluk." He had not title to add, and no reputation, but hopefully that would not be against him. "I crave to make an offering to the Light of the Sword, if that is possible. Is the sanctuary open to visitors?"