Today is the autumnal equinox, the day of the Swallowtail Festival! The sun, while still very low in the sky at this hour, is shining brightly and the air is unseasonably warm around the town ofSandpoint along Varisia's Lost Coast.
At dawn, the proud new cathedral bells echo throughout the streets of Sandpoint to start the day of its own consecration. The warm breeze lazily flaps the streamers and colorful bunting hangs throughout the tidy and especially clean streets.
There are many citizens already out of bed at dawn this morning, and the main square of the town has an early-morning bustle of different traders preparing their wares for today’s festival and consecration. 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.
Three different women wander the crowd, taking in the sights and sounds as the town's officials prepare to give their opening speeches and officially kick off the Swallowtail Festival. Little do these women know that this will be the day that changes their destinies...
Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings
22 Rova, 4707 AR
Thanara had spent most of the previous night arguing with her father. Titus had been mad at her over a night of late revelry at the Rusty Dragon, given the importance of being present at the Swallowtail Festival today. She had spent most of the night in tears in her room before finally getting some sleep.
In turn, when the sun was pleasantly warm and bright the following day, she decided to settle her nerves a bit before heading to the town proper. She made her way to the balcony of her room and laid down behind the railing atop of a blanket, spending the first few hours of the day allowing her body to soak in as much of the sunlight as she could. With fall and winter approaching, this just might be one of her last chances.
Eventually, she made her way back inside and slipped on her magical gown. She used its magic to transform itself into one of her favorite looks, a purple dress with gold trim that flaunted the glowing tan she had spent time working on this morning. After finishing with her hair, jewelry, and makeup, she makes her way to town, pausing at the mirror at the southern edge briefly just to do a final check of her appearance before heading on to the market.
She waves happily at Ameiko when she sees her at the Dragon. "Don't forget to hold my corner booth for tonight!" she calls out as she passes.
She spends a while perusing the wares here before continuing on up Main Street. She makes sure to give Shayliss a flaunting smile and wave before continuing on down Tower Street to the festival grounds proper. She paused briefly to admire the finished Cathedral. It was definitely one of the nicer buildings in town. She then began milling about the festival grounds, looking over every stall for something that might interest her, but making sure to stop long enough to talk to the more prominent members of the community...as her father made certain she was supposed to be doing today.
Snow, meanwhile, is placed firmly by one of the food stalls. The owner, a local farmer named Kemnit, recently had a problem with his horse and asked her to take a look. In payment for her good work he offered her free food for the festival and looks like he is beginning to regret the offer. His herb mix is remarkably good and Snow is polishing off skewer after skewer with the voracious appetite of a true carnivore.
A young mother with a baby on one arm and a toddler holding her other hand approaches and Snow gives a brief smile in greeting before crouching down to the boy. She offers him a skewer and a smile, Mika and she are old friends after an incident with a dog, a spilt cup of apple juice and an afternoon saved by the arrival of a snow white puppy.
"Ghost puppy?" The little boy asks hopefully and Snow shakes her head in response. "Maybe later Mika, you know the rules. Ghost puppy can't play when there are lots of people around." The little boy nods solemnly before nibbling on his skewer and getting distracted by a passing flock of butterflies.
Snow straightens up and catches a glimpse of blonde hair and a purple dress surrounded by a group of her usual cronies. The shifter gives the young women a brief glance and then moves on, the fancy youth of the town are no concern of hers - they never liked her and they never liked Nualia. Of course their parents said pretty things at the funeral, 'young life, taken so tragically early' but they didn't mean it. They were just jealous of a girl who was prettier and kinder than they'd ever be.
And she was my friend.
Snow gives herself a rather canine-like shake, she's not going to get glum. She promised herself she'd enjoy this, it's what Nualia would have done.
Thanara continued to mill about, from one stand to the next, engaging in polite conversation as she went. She eventually makes her way to the stand the Avertin twins were operating. She caught glimpse of a snarky glare from across the market from the stable girl, but dismissed it before approaching Arika, her visible displeasure of working clearly labeling her as the sister on duty. ”Hey! Oh wow, the danishes smell amazing!”
Arika rolled her eyes and said ”Yeah. Try smelling them all day long and you’d think otherwise.”
Thanara giggled. She purchased one and took a small bite before asking ”So how long you stuck manning the stall?”
Arika huffed. ”Another couple hours when sis finishes the next batch at the shop.”
Thanara took another bite and replied ”Shame,” as she gave the stable girl a brief look over her shoulder. ”What’s her deal?” she asked quietly.
Arika shrugged as she finished with another customer. ”Who knows. Maybe Sandru made her actually take a bath for today?”
She waves happily at Ameiko when she sees her at the Dragon. "Don't forget to hold my corner booth for tonight!" she calls out as she passes.
"Okay, but don't be late, or I'm going to have to give it away!" Ameiko calls back. "With all the out-of-towners, I'm sure the Dragon's going to be packed!"
***
Among the crowd in front of the cathedral are the new acolytes that Father Abstalar Zantus has recruited to assist him in tending to the faithful of Sandpoint. The acolytes devoted to Shelyn, Desna, and Erastil are older men and women who have lived in town for many years, but the cleric of Sarenrae is a newcomer, having arrived to answer Father Zantus's call from further abroad.
And it's no wonder why Lisavet is the most popular of the acolytes. Those who have met her often speak to how she is caring, intelligent, and eager to provide whatever assistance she can. Plus, her youth and beauty certainly do not hurt! She smiles as she greets people and offers the blessings of the Dawnflower to them.
Snow makes her way through the crowd feeling the familiar nervousness closing up her throat. Dense crowds like these just aren't natural for her, even after years of living among the hustle and bustle of Sandpoint. The plan was simply to slip up with the rest of the crowd, drop off her offering to the new temple and fade away without being noticed but Father Zanthus promptly puts pay to that idea.
The kindly priest has been a good friend to Snow since he first arrived in Sandpoint, taking the feral child under his wing and teaching her to read (a skill she has grasped) and write (still a work in progress). Gentle proselytising followed and although Snow has never dedicated herself to any particular god Zanthus has always provided her with her image of what a good priest should look like, unlike his mentor Father Tobyn.
"Hello Father." She manages, forcing the words out in respect for a kindly friend and mentor.
"Hello Snow, I'm glad to see you here." The Father replied. "I wasn't sure you'd come today, with all the crowds."
"Not easy." Snow agrees, his kind smile just about keeping her anxiety at bay. "Wanted to. Say thank you. For gift. Nualia would." She points to her hip where the Father's gift, a starknife, sits on her hip. "Thank you."
"You're welcome Snow." Zanthus replies kindly. "I hope you enjoy the festival."
Snow doesn't say anything else, choosing instead to give a small wave and fade back through the crowd as fast as possible. Animals and small children are so much easier to deal with than adults, always asking questions and pushing their opinions on you.
Distracted by the crush she nearly bumps into a group of gossiping youths and swerves sharply at the last second, managing to only put a single boot on the purple hem of a dress. Snow knows she should stop, should apologise, but with her instincts screaming to get out of this crowded place she can't bear to stop.
Thanara spotted the new priestess in town. She realized she hadn’t met the girl yet, and being a priestess, even one her own age, meant she would be carrying some influence in town. And the Gods knew her father wanted her to be here rubbing elbows. She turns to Arika and says ”I’m going to go meet the new Priestess. Have fun selling cakes!”
”Ha. Ha,” Arika countered as Thanara walked away.
The sorceress makes her way through the crowd towards the new citizen. On the way, she feels pressure on her dress and almost stumbles. She whips her head around and spots the stable girl! ”Hey! What is your problem!?!? You almost tripped me!” she fumes.
Snow shoots a look over her shoulder that seems to be three parts anger to seven parts panic and pushes on through the crowd without a word.
Her headlong flight doesn't pause until she's at the base of the Old Light with the expanse of the Varisian Gulf in front of her and the clean smell of salt filling her nose.
With peace and quiet her heart-rate finally slows and the trapped feeling subsides.
Thanara rolls her eyes and looks down at the dirty footprint on her skirt. She works some magic and small arcs of lightning dances along the fabric, somehow leaving it clean in their wake.
She then continues on to the priestess. ”Hi. I don’t think we’ve met. Thanara Scarnetti,” she says, holding out her hand to the girl.
The young priestess smiles and takes the offered hand. "Lisavet Ambra. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am relatively new in town, but I have heard of the Scarnetti family. I understand they are rather influential here in Sandpoint?"
”One of the Mercantile League families. We manage logging operations and provide lumber to the town,” she replies. ”How are you liking it so far?”
"Everybody I've met so far has been very friendly," Lisavet says. "Their welcome has been as warm as Sarenrae's own light! I am looking forward to working with Father Zantus and the other acolytes here in the cathedral."
”Work is one thing. What do you do for fun?” she asked curiously. ”I haven’t seen you out on the town much.”
"Well, that's because I haven't been out much," Lisavet chuckles. She brushes a few stray hairs back from her face. "I've been mostly focused on settling in at the cathedral. What sort of things would you recommend?"
She sighs. ”Not much, sadly. There isn’t a proper dance hall or anything. Some of the taverns are good for stories and drinking. The theater has good shows though. And in the warmer months the beach is nice. But, more often than not, you have to make your own fun,” she adds mischievously.
"Well, one of these days, you'll have to show me how to make said fun," Lisavet says with a smile. She looks back at the cathedral's stoop, where Mayor Deverin is about to emerge for the opening speech. "It looks like things are about to get started. I'll see you later, Thanara!"
The turnout for the opening speeches is quite respectable, and the four keynote speakers each deliver short but well-received welcomes to the festival. 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 amusement (except Larz’s).
Sheriff Belor 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 several years ago.
The next speaker is scheduled to be local nobleman Lonjiku Kaijitsu, but a sudden illness has prevented him from attending the ceremony (this isn’t something that surprises the locals, given Lonjiku’s well-known dislike of frivolity and festivals).
Sandpoint’s own showman Cyrdak Drokkus is more than up to the challenge of bringing the crowd’s mood back up with his rousing anecdotes. 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 to give a short speech thanking everyone for coming before declaring the Swallowtail Festival underway!
Following the speeches, numerous games and contests take place, including sack races, games of hide-and-seek, weight-lifting challenges, balance beam contests, tug-of-war events, and the like. The mood is festive and full of joy.
”Perhaps. See you around,” Thanara says to the new girl as she heads over for the speeches. Thanara watches and listens to the presentations quietly. Once they are done and the festival is thoroughly underway, Thanara feels a hand on her arm. She looks over to spot Arika signaling for her to follow her.
Thanara slips away and follows the rebellious twin down a side street before turning down Shell Street. At the end of the street in a small alley behind Savah’s armory, the two girls dip in at Arika’s urging. There sits a can of white paint. Thanara looks at Arika, confused. ”What’s going on?” she asks.
Arika smirks and picks the paint can up. ”Little bit of fun and payback. Couple weeks ago Savah made a smart remark about our baking.” Then the girl sloshed the paint onto the wall of Savah’s shop!
”Arika!” Thanara gasped in shock.
”Oh it’s no big deal. Everyone’s at the fair. She’ll never know it was us,” she says as she sloshes another swath of paint on the wall, but this time she bumped a shovel and caused it to tumble over in a clatter.
”What is going on back there!” a woman’s voice calls out from inside the smithy!
”Run!” Arika said before bolting back out and up the street! Thanara darted behind her, trying to keep up and hoping she wasn’t seen.
Unfortunately, Thanara's escape attempt doesn't go exactly as intended. She trips on a loose cobblestone and goes sprawling in the alleyway. As she struggles to get back on her feet, the proprietor of Savah's Armory looms over her. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Thanara Scarnetti, come to cause trouble at my shop! And just what exactly do you think you're doing?" Savah Bevaniky says, hands on her hips.
”I…I wasn’t causing any trouble,” she stammers as she starts trying to get to her feet. ”I didn’t even do anything. I was just…here. And tripped over your shovel.”
"Uh huh," Savah says. "Then how do you explain that?" Savah asks, pointing to the paint sloshed on the wall.
Thanara was growing pale as somehow, despite being innocent in all this, this was being turned around onto her. Even so, she was not keen on ratting out her friend either.
”I don’t know. Was already there. But I for sure didn’t do it,” she says as she puts her hands on her own hips in defiance of Savah’s accusation.
"I see," Savah says. She steps closer to Thanara, looking into the noblewoman's eyes. "Maybe it was you, maybe it wasn't. Either way, I've been slighted, and I demand compensation for the damages done. But I don't think coin will do in this case. Maybe you have something else to offer me?"
The armorer is very close to the sorceress now. Her eyes drift to Thanara's lips and her smile widens.
Thanara looked at her, confused. ”Well, you better figure out who did it. Why would I be responsible for something I didn’t do?”
She turns and starts to head back towards the festival. I’m going to kill Arika.
"This isn't over, Thanara Scarnetti!" Savah calls as the sorceress walks off. But she lets the other woman depart without pressing the issue.
When she calls out the threat, Thanara pauses and doubles back. ”And just what is that supposed to mean? I already told you I didn’t do this!”
"I mean that you uppity noble girls think you can just get away with everything, with no consequences," Savah says. "Somebody ought to put you in your place."
Thanara sighs. ”Look, I’m sorry this happened to your shop. Here, let me try and fix it,” she says as she steps over to the painted wall and begins working some magic. Small arcs of electricity begin dancing along the wall, incinerating the paint but leaving the wall behind unscathed.
Unfortunately, there was a lot of paint. Thanara had to put a lot of focus into it, longer than she usually has to use her magic. By the time it was all said and done, she had a light sheen of sweat on her skin and was a bit out of breath. ”There, that better?”
"Much better," Savah says. She inspects the wall and nods before turning back to look at Thanara. "You know, that's a good look for you. All hot and bothered." She gives the sorceress a wink. "Run along, now. I'm sure you've got other people to pester."
Thanara flushed at the lewd comment. Is…is she actually flirting with me?
Thanara was left a bit dumbstruck before she wordlessly stepped away and back down She’ll Street. She made her way back to the festival, trying to wrap her head around what had just happened.
Having calmed down with all the fresh air and quiet Snow is making her way back towards the festivities when a scampering girl who smells of bread comes charging round a corner and runs into her. Snow, being significantly tougher than the other girl, barely staggers while the runner ends up sprawled on the cobblestones and glaring ferociously.
"Watch where you're going, mutt!"
The unfairness of the whole situation, combined with the resurgence of the hated slur, makes Snow growl low in her throat and anger gives her the courage to speak fluently for once, in a low voice full of rage.
"It's your fault you little idiot! And if you call me that again I'm going to pin you down and show you what wolves do to little b!&~$es like you who don't know their place!"
Either the imperfectly suppressed rage or the mouthful of sharp teeth in her face gets the message across and bread girl scrambles to her feet and flees even faster than before. Snow doesn't bother to mention the huge mud stain down her back, the girl deserves it.
She rounds the corner just in time to hear the blacksmith flirting with the blonde girl from earlier.
Huh. Savah Hot Iron wants that girl. Snow muses, taking a sniff of the air around them as the girl backs away and passes her without a word. Sparks, flowers and fear. Since the girl is so distracted Snow doesn't bother to hide her considering look. Interesting.
Still, she actually has business with Savah, not staring at girls in the street so she heads on to the forge and raps on the nearest support beam.
"Savah. Trouble? Is dagger ready?"
Savah smirks. "No trouble at all. Nothing I can't handle, anyway."
The smith reaches under the table and produces the main-gauche that Snow had ordered. "Here you are, dear. Finely crafted and perfectly balanced. Stick the pointy end in the person who's giving you grief. Not that you need to be told how to use a weapon, of course."
Thanara pauses at the corner of Shell Street before rounding the corner, trying to collect her thoughts. She leans her back against the building and props her head against it, her eyes watching the clouds as her mind works a mile a minute.
What in the world just happened? Savah was making moves on me! And she was so angry. What would she have done had she cornered Arika? What else is she going to do? Did she see Arika? I should go back there and make sure she isn’t going to keep on pursuing her. But…I’ve never had another girl flirt with me. How do I handle that?
You make your way back to the festival grounds. 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.
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. It soon becomes apparent that the darling of the lunch is, once again, Ameiko Kaijitsu, whose remarkable curry-spiced salmon and early winterdrop mead easily overshadow the other offerings, such as the Hagfish’s lobster chowder or the White Deer’s peppercorn venison.
Savah smirks. "No trouble at all. Nothing I can't handle, anyway."
The smith reaches under the table and produces the main-gauche that Snow had ordered. "Here you are, dear. Finely crafted and perfectly balanced. Stick the pointy end in the person who's giving you grief. Not that you need to be told how to use a weapon, of course."
Snow barks a short laugh at Savah's comment. The rough woman made a pass at her once, but that was never going to work out. Still the smith does good work and doesn't treat Snow like a lot of other townsfolk, so that makes her alright in Snow's book.
"Thank you." She says, leaving the promised coins on the nearby table and testing her new blade. The grip is large enough to cover her entire fist and she makes a short jabbing motion to test the weight. It's excellent.
Snow leaves with little more than a nod to the blacksmith and is just in time to watch the release of the butterflies, which she applauds with as much delight as any of the children. At lunch she descends on the peppered venison being offered by the White Deer, where she works regularly, and is quite thankful that the Rusty Dragon stall does so well - more venison for her!
Thanara saw the butterflies from her spot of introspection as they passed over the rooftops into her field of vision. She rounded the corner and made her way to the food stalls, Ameiko’s in particular. She found a spot to eat beside Arika. ”You so owe me,” she grumbled. Arika was wise enough not to push the issue, especially after her confrontation with Snow.
Thanara took a bite of salmon and leaned back as she savored the taste. ”Mmmmmmm oh man Ameiko makes the best meals. Well, non-desserts that is,” she says, giving Arika a playful nudge with her elbow.
Arika rolls her eyes. ”Right. This salmon is delicious, though.”
The festival continues throughout the afternoon, full of laughter and merriment. The day wears on, and the sun begins to set. A sharp retort, 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 clears his throat, takes a breath to speak, and 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:
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 can see the creature that killed the dog now hiding at the edge of a nearby wagon—a single goblin, licking the blood from its dogslicer as it looks excitedly at the crowd, seeking out a new target. Two more goblins creep up alongside it, looking at you menacingly!
Lisavet had been standing near the stage when the commotion suddenly began. She pushes her way through the crowd to stand beside Thanara. ”Look out!” she cries, raising her holy symbol and sending a ray of holy energy at the goblins.
The beam badly wounds one of the goblins!
Shrieking, the wounded goblin scrambles to take cover. He ducks back behind the wagon, then draws a shortbow and pops out to fire at Lisavet. The cleric turns aside, dodging the arrow.
A second goblin runs screaming at Snow, swinging his dogslicer with wild abandon! The ranger avoids the attack!
The third goblin gets distracted by a nearby plate of salmon, choosing to stuff his mouth and pockets with the delicious food rather than attack!
Thanara gasps at the sight of the attack, dropping her plate of food as she stands. Not quite sure what to do, she closes her eyes and points a hand at the one Lisavet hurt, sending an arc of electricity its way almost by reflex.
Unexpected though it is, Snow knows exactly how to react to this kind of threat. Her weapons are in her hands almost faster than the eye can see and something about her body shifts as she weaves away from the dogslicer with a strangely lithe motion.
Then she retaliates! Although the small creature dodges her weapons it isn't prepared for a longshanks to dart forward and bite it!
Snow's jaws tear the goblin's throat open, and it falls, spraying hot blood into her mouth. Thanara's lightning arc takes down the goblin Lisavet struck. The other one dodges some of the electricity, but it is still injured, and another divine lance from Lisavet causes it to fall as well!
The skirmish was swift, but all around you, chaos has engulfed Sandpoint. Goblins race everywhere, running amok and singing and slashing indiscriminately!
”By the Gods,” Thanara stammers, ”what’s happening?” she asked Lisavet as she stepped closer to the priestess. ”Arika. Where did Arika go?”
"I don't know!" Lisavet says, clutching her holy symbol tightly. "This is madness! We have to keep everybody safe!"
”Where are the guards? How are…AAAAGGGHHH!” she shrieked as a goblin ran uncomfortably close past her, ”They are everywhere!”
Snow, with her face twisted into a wolf-like muzzle full of sharp teeth, marches through the crowds, lashing out at goblins as she passes. She would tell people to run, but her teeth make talking hard and everyone seems to be doing a perfectly good job of running by themselves.
Seeing two women, including one of the priests, standing around looking shocked she heads towards them both and jabs towards the church with her weapon.
"Go. Run! Church!"
The words are twisted by her muzzle but just about intelligible.
Lisavet is taken aback by the feral woman. Despite her fearsome countenance, she seems to be the goblins' enemy. The cleric shakes her head firmly. "I will not run. We will protect the townsfolk! Fight with us!" she insists.
Snow lets out a growl that sounds suspiciously like "Stupid" but makes no demur, pushing off towards the nearest set of screams.
A sudden bloom of fire from a nearby unattended cart grabs your attention. A group of goblins has found the cart full of fuel for the sunset bonfire and set it ablaze! Several cackling goblins dance around the cart, including one who seems to be leading the eerie goblin song. As soon as they see you, they shriek in delight and rush to attack!
The lead goblin continues its song, inspiring its allies while distracting you with the silly and repetitive lyrics!
"Burn dog-longshanks!" the other goblins cry as they run up to attack Snow, swinging torches at her.
Thanara was just as scared of the what could very well be a werewolf as Lisavet! But, as the priestess said, she seemed the enemy of the goblins. ”Maybe…maybe we stick with the werewolf? It seems intent on killing the goblins…”
As they come upon some more goblins, Thanara throws another bit of magic out, the adrenaline getting to her now. Her hands crackle with electricity before leaping across the fray to the singing goblin and enveloping it!