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Kemras waves her apology off, smiling. "Please, I know how it is to get so excited about something that you forget to tell folks your name." He thinks for a moment, weighing which stories are best suited for the circumstances. "As for a story... well, there was this one time that my sister and I..."
The tale is surprisingly exciting, involving an affair between a settled local and a wandering Varisian, discovery of a Sczarni group in another clan, no less than three pigs, two very angry farmers, and five stirges. "... so we decided to never tell our parents about what had happened that day." He concludes. "I still don't know what that slime was, and I've looked into it a bit since I started studying in Magnimar."
Audra had returned from her walk through town, not going anywhere in particular just yet. She then headed back to the tavern for a sitting with a beverage.
Of the tables, all taken, just one had at least one familiar face sitting. Kemras chatting with a human woman.
"Hello Kemras. Mind if i join?"
She gives a nod to the strange woman.
"Oh, hello!" Sara smiles at the sylph woman as she approaches. "You're a friend of Kemras, I take it? Please, sit down and join us! He was just telling me this amazing story from his travels. Oh, I'm Sara, before I forget to introduce myself again!" She chuckles as she looks from Audra to Kemras and back again. "So you two came to the festival together, then? I was thinking of asking Kemras for another story, but don't want you two missing the rest of the festival. I'd be doing both you and the town a disservice if I made you two sit down and just share stories with me the whole day."
"Please, feel free, Audra." Kemras nods, then looks at Sara. "Audra came in with the same caravan as I did." He explains, before taking another careful bite of his food. Feeling the heat wash over his face, he gives Sara the chance to reply to Audra before he continues.
"What do you recommend, then?" He asks. "A local guide would be tremendously helpful in discovering what are the most interesting parts of the Swallowtail Festival."
As the group converse, a heavyset young man approaches. His bearing and attire suggest a warrior, perhaps a knights squire.
"Excuse me. I could not help but overhear... I too am new to Sandpoint and would benefit from a local guide..."
He stoops to place the longspear he carries upon the ground; the black and crimson leather worn beneath a simple tabard creaking as he does. The warrior then bows formally before introducing himself;
"I am Bulvarius of Korvosa's noble House Bromathan."
"Oh, hello!" Sara smiles at the sylph woman as she approaches. "You're a friend of Kemras, I take it? Please, sit down and join us! He was just telling me this amazing story from his travels. Oh, I'm Sara, before I forget to introduce myself again!" She chuckles as she looks from Audra to Kemras and back again. "So you two came to the festival together, then? I was thinking of asking Kemras for another story, but don't want you two missing the rest of the festival. I'd be doing both you and the town a disservice if I made you two sit down and just share stories with me the whole day."
"Friend...aquainted at least. He and i arrived on the same caravan. Though he and i had different conversations among the others."
This was not said coldly, but it was noticeable being addressed as a 'friend' was unexpected to her.
Which reminded her the shy tiefling drifter had vanished.
Kemras looks to the newly arrived man, his brows arching upwards. A southerner. Rare to see someone from Korvosa this far up north. "I'm Kemras, Kemras Iuvescanu, late of Magnimar. No noble blood in me, though - I think, anyways." He smiles to take any implication of mockery from the words. Still, he looks to Sara to allow her to answer - it's not his choice to allow the nobleman to come with them.
At the sylph's words, the half-elf inclines his head, not disputing them. "Quite. I believe we just met on our journey here? I usually have a good memory, but I might be incorrect."
"Hello, Bulvarius. I'm Sara, a pleasure to meet you as well. As for joining us for the festival, well, the more, the merrier, right?" Sara smiles at the newcomer, and then looks to the whole group. "Hmmm, the most interesting parts of the festival... Depends on what each of you likes, really!" Sara gives a small laugh before continuing.
"I'd say you don't want to miss the bonfire at beach later tonight. Besides that, you have the free food and drink for the whole day, and I assure you every dish on offer is delicious." She nods towards Kemras as she talks. "Well, if you're not into to spicy food, you might want to avoid Ameiko's. If you've already eaten, though... There's some games of skill you can try, for the competitive among you. No prizes to be had, aside from having fun competing with others."
She thinks a bit more on their choices. "If you're not staying long after the festival, I do think you should at least check out our new cathedral. It's really something, even if Cyrdak was embellishing things a bit too much with his speech!"
Bulvarius nods cordially at the introductions, then retrieves his spear.
"Master Iuvescanu, once of Magnimar... The City of Monuments; it looked quite the sight on the journey dpwn from Korvosa. They have a contingent of The Nail stationed there do they not?"
An akward smile flashes over his broad features as he elucidates further;
"I should perhaps explain that as an aspirant of the Hellknight Order of the Pike I am drawn here to the festival in the anticipation of not of celebration, but of monsters..."
Gripping the towering spear he leans against it;
"... It is my hope Lady Sara, that the plentitude of Sandpoint's hospitality will loosen local tongues on the regions creatures and beasts of legend, leading me to foes worthy of a glorious record of deed!"
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The half-elf scratches his chin, carefully considering Sara's suggestions and pursing his lips. "I wonder... I'd be more than happy to work out some sort of competition. I probably won't win, of course - I'm not very... adept." He smiles wryly.
Bulvarius' words bring him up short, though. "The Order of the Nail?" Kemras' lips twist in a faint scowl. "Yeah, the Nail-Knights have a group there." He look at Bulvarius when he reveals his status as an aspirant, measuring carefully. "Ah, no offense. I have had... issues with their behavior in the past. Not personally, but more... broadly. I know that the different Orders have different..." Means of oppression. No, that would be impolite. "Goals, but I'm unfamiliar with the Order of the Pike. What exactly are your goals?"
Bulvarius nods, matching the serious tone of the half-elf;
"I understand. The Nail-Knights have a reputation of harsh judgement, one rightly earned. The Order of the Pike are charged to slay monsters that threaten peace and innocent lives. They learn about their prey, documenting their nature and behaviours before hunting them and are named for their signature longspear. "
The warrior runs his gloved hand gently over the longspear he himself bears;
"As an Armiger of their order I bear this weapon, and aspire to adhere to the Hellknight credo of The Measure and The Chain. The Measure concerns itself with law and its enforcement, while The Chain is the disciplines all Hellknights obey and embody. Rest assured my goals are to learn more of Sandpoint and its monstrous inhabitants. To serve my order and earn my knighthood I have much to master and hope this frontier town has potential as my proving ground..."
Kemras listens quietly as Bulvarius explains, hand brushing his lips thoughtfully. "Monster hunting, is it? Interesting, and certainly more noble than I'm used to seeing from Hellknights - again, no offense intended. I'm... somewhat cynical about them."
"That explains why you've come here, then." He glances wryly at Sara, wondering what she feels when her home is referred to as a 'frontier town.' "There are a fair few monsters in this area, aren't there?"
Bulvarius telling he is from Magnimar, Audra's mind wanders.
"Under monsters, do the Hellknights count only creatures, or do mortals displaying mindless butchery for personal entertainment count as well? There was a small mercenary company stationed in Magnimar that attacked innocent people camped outside of the city out of boredom."
Bulvarius nods;
"None taken Master Iuvescanu. As a child my imagination was captured by visits to the Jeggare Museum - it has macabre exhibits of monsters and mythical beasts such as an owlbear skeleton and a wax model of the Sandpoint Devil..."
He allows himself a brief smile before Audra's more grim tale draws his attention;
"Well met M'Lady. Mindless violence out of boredom seems an act of wanton chaos and whimsical bloodletting. Such an act would merit the attentions of the Hellknights under both Measure and Chain, and those dastards who perpetrated those actions should expect little in the way mercy."
Audra looks away into nowhere particular, after that answer.
When then looking back at Bulvarius, she replies.
"Supposedly, their banner showed a red sun behind a battleaxe and sword crossed. If what you say could become reality, i...i..."
She desperately holds back tears, the memories of that event still vivid in her mind.
It takes her some time to recollect herself.
"Knowing justice was dealt out, would be peace of mind."
Sara smile quickly fades as Audra brings up the topic of the murderous mercenary group.
"I... I don't know what to say, Audra... I do think those mercenaries should be brought to justice. I'll... Talk to Sheriff Hemlock about them, and if they show up to cause trouble around here, we'll be ready for them. Besides that... Well... My family knows important people down in Magnimar. I can try to have them send a message about it, see if justice is done."
She then turns to Bulvarius. "I'm not much of a hunter, so I can't really help much if that's what you came here for. If you're specifically hunting for the Sandpoint Devil... Well, there's alot of different tales about it floating around, as you might imagine. It's a bit of a local legend, you see. I don't think you'll have trouble finding people to talk about it - the difficulty will be in filtering out what's actually real about it."
Kemras looks at Audra thoughtfully, concerned. She's speaking from experience, then. Strange, I don't know that I heard of anything like that happening... maybe it was before I was there. Or... He sighs inwardly, setting the thought aside. "Sometimes," he chooses his words carefully, and his tone is sympathetic, "the real monsters are people. Or, they are shaped like them." Not that I've encountered anything like that before... Not directly, at any rate - he shoves thoughts of blood and fire away.
Still, he pays careful attention to Sara as she describes the local legend, rubbing his chin absently. "Do you believe it is real at all?" He asks. Is it some remnant of the ancient times? Or something more recent?
Bulvarius nods in agreement at Sara's advice to Audra;
"While Magnimar's enforcement of the law is not as... rigid as Korvosa's, they do have the Nail Knights. They would welcome any opportunity to smite the lawless and dastards such as that wayward mercenary company."
He smiles at Sara and Kemras' musings;
"The hunting side I welcome, it is the local knowledge and research on creatures of lore and myth that I will need assistance with. As you both note, there is much that is lore and hearth tales, but some truth of a monster's nature will lurk within the words. And no, while the Sandpoint Devil would be quite the quarry, I would welcome any challenge to test my martial prowess... Moreso if such a creature threatens innocent lives or the welfare of local folk."
Though Joanna is disappointed that she's missed the release of the swallowtails, it vanishes when she spies her cousin talking to a few people she doesn't recognize. She takes off running while her bodyguard, Darius, sighs and scans the crowd for any signs of someone coming after her, more out of habit than any sense that the young noblewoman is in any danger.
"Sara!" the excited cry and the sound of running boots are the only warnings the priestess gets before her cousin, Joanna wraps her up in a tight hug. The young noblewoman laughs as she, despite looking almost as small as the petite priestess, lifts Sara's feet clear of the ground and spins around before setting her cousin back down. "It's so good to see you. I have missed both you and Sandpoint. How have you been? Who are you new friends?"
Joanna lets Sara go and gives the others a chance to take a good look at her. A heavy green gambeson belted at the waist with a broad leather belt hanging with a short sword and a dagger is covered with dust from the road, as are the brown pants and heavy leather boots she wears. Her long, raven-black hair is done up in an ornate bun held together with a few simple wooden hair pins, and her fair and freckled face is flush from the run and excitement she feels while her blue-gray eyes sparkle with delight.
Trudging up behind the exuberant young woman, carrying two back packs and couple of plates of curried salmon, is a giant of a man with graying hair, thickly muscled limbs, and the expression of one who's torn between letting his charge have her freedom and his duty to ensure she is safe. Sara would recognize him as "Uncle Darius," one of Joanna's unofficial uncles.
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Still, he pays careful attention to Sara as she describes the local legend, rubbing his chin absently. "Do you believe it is real at all?" He asks. Is it some remnant of the ancient times? Or something more recent?
"Eheh, that's a good question. There's obviously stuff I don't believe about it, but some details are more or less common among unrelated tales, so there has to be some tru... Aaaah?!"
Sara's reply is cut short as she lets out a surprised scream that quickly turns into a laugh, as she realises what's happening when Joana lifts her up.
"Oh Joanna, I should have realised it was you right away! I've missed you so much as well!" Sara replies with a smile as she looks to Joanna "Oh, and your Uncle Darius came along as well! Will you two be staying here a while, or did you come just for the festival?" She waves towards the towering man, before turning back to her cousin and leading her back to the others. "Come, sit down and eat with me, and my new friends!" She chuckles "We've just met, actually. It started with me seeing Kemras here eating alone and deciding to keep him company and getting him to tell me stories of his travels." She gestures towards the half-elf, and then the other two. "Then Audra and Bulvarius joined us as shortly after."
As they get back to the group, Sara does a little bow and gestures towards Joanna, "Everyone, I'd like to introduce my dear cousin Joanna and her Uncle Darius."
"It is a pleasure to meet all of you," Joanna says with a curtsey, the cape belted about her waist substituting for the more typical skirts, before turning back to Sara. "Tera had planned on coming along as well, but her sister gave birth the day before we were going to leave, so she stayed behind to help take care of her sister and her niece. I was planning on staying for a week or two, but enough about me," the young woman turns and beams at Audra, Kemras, and Bulvarius. "I'd love to hear about your travels as well! It's one thing to read someone's letter or journal, but it's another to hear it from the people who've been there," she says as she takes a seat.
The man following her, Uncle Darius, catches up and sets both plates and packs down before giving a bow to everyone at the table.
"Ah, Miss Deverin, It's a pleasure as always. It's good to meet you as well," he adds to the other three people at the table. "I do hope you'll help an old man keep an eye on Miss Whitehall here. She's gotten to be a bit of a handful in recent years."
Joanna sticks her tongue out at Darius before turning her attention back to the others as he chuckles and pushes one of the plates in front of her.
"Don't listen to him. He's got a low and wicked sense of humor," Joanna tells them in a conspiratorial stage whisper.
Bulvarius again nods his head in greeting at the newcomer and her burly porter.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance Lady Whitehall and Master Darius. I am Bulvarius of House Bromathan, late of Korvosa now here in Sandpoint... hunting monsters to earn my renown and the armour of my chosen order - the Hellknights of the Pike."
He proudly leans against his longspear;
"If either of you have, or hear, any tales of creatures or beasts that could test my prowess against please share them also. I only have the accounts and chronicles from the Jeggare Museum to go on..."
Kemras shifts his position to look up at the new arrivals, gaze piercing as he examines them. Deverin, do I know that name? He shakes his head inwardly. Don't think so. Idly toying with his kapenia, he greets them both.
"Pleased to meet you both, Miss Whitehall, Master Darius." The historian says. "As Sara has said, I'm Kemras Iuvescanu, most recently of Magnimar. Here to study some of the local histories, ideally with the man named... Master Quink, I believe." He grins at the older man. "I make no promises save that I'll keep it in mind. I'm not unfamiliar with mischief myself, after all."
Kemras turns to look at Bulvarius. "Well, from what little I know, the most common threats around here are goblins." He glances at the locals to confirm or deny this.
Bulvarius raises an eyebrow quizzically;
"Kemras, do you think your Master Quink may know more on the local creatures and lore? Goblyns are all fair game, but I'll not make my name having them wriggle upon my pike point..."
Joanna nods her head in a bow as Belvarius and Kemras introduce themselves. The young woman then has to stifle a giggle when Darius harumphs and gives the Varisian scholar a glower that is more than a little compromised by the twinkling amusement in the giant man's eyes.
"If you are not here for the goblins, then you must be after the Sandpoint Devil," Joanna says to Belvarius before savoring a bite of the curried salmon. She chews and swallows before continuing on. "Master Quink is mostly interested in ruins like the Old Light over there," she says, pointing to the ruined tower at the northwest corner of Sandpoint. "If it's monsters you're after, I think Miss Shalelu would be the one you would want to talk to," she says before turning to Sara. "Isn't that right, Sara? Is she in, by the way?"
Audra feels somewhat better, hearing some of her new acquaintances may be able to convey the injustice to the authorities. Though the reputation of Hellknights in general is known, the fact that there are those gladly punishing the wicked, gives her a little hope such an event may come to pass in the future.
With that in mind, she listens to the rest of the conversations.
Kemras rubs his lips, nodding slowly as Joanna answers. "It seems the locals are probably the best bet to ask." He tugs on his scarf idly. Still, I wonder whether fame is so important? The thought prompts him to wonder whether he is driven by a desire for fame. I don't think I am... discovering things is its own pleasure. Still, it is something to keep in mind in the future.
It's at this point, that a local man, tipsy from too much Hagfish stout, leans back in his chair, coming precariously close to tipping over. "If it's monsters yer after, Shalelu's the one to ask! She's always out and about the wilderness keepin' us all safe! But she won't be back 'til late in the season." he almost bellows.
He fixes an eye on Bulvarius , "Don't you be seeking out the Devil! Many a good man's gone lookin'....and never returned. Saw it with mine own eyes out on the Moors, I did. I was lucky it had slaughtered a cow....else I'd not be here to tell the tale! HAHAHHAHHAH!" cackling, he let's his chair settle and turns back to his drink.
"Yup, Joanna and your new friend are exactly right, Bulvarius. Shalelu's definitely the one you want to talk to about anything related to hunting monsters and beasts around here. A shame she's still out right now. But I can point her towards you if I see her when she gets back. Where are you staying right now?"