"The festival is amazing! Truly. We just did the wheelbarrel race and I was about to suggest going for the riddle compe-" Mia's eyes widen when she recognizes the mayor just a second too late. "O-Oh! Um. Hello, madam. I'm Mia, a novice acolyte. Though I guess acolyte implies novice
anyway and I shouldn't have specified, right? I'm just here helping the guard today. And hoping to learn a bit more about the faiths from brother Darius I suppose." She gives a nervous laugh as the group is suddenly faced with the highest local authority next to the Sheriff himself.
"When she says 'we', it was just us cheering on the four of them here," Clive smoothly interjects. "There's no way the guard would actually partake in these games, right Mia? Unless we had express permission, that is." He gives a mayor a questioning glance.
Larry finishes drying off his armor and weapons. He knows that he'll have to polish and oil them tonight to keep them from rusting, and he'd never consider having rust on any of his equipment.
When he hears Mia's "madam" he glances over. "Oh, Hi Mayor. Great fun. And I won a really nice little shield!" He holds up the buckler, then looks for how to strap it on his arm so he won't have to hold it all the time.
"Oh! Hello, Aunt Kendra!" The paladin startled. "Yes. Mia and Larry you have met. And these are Miss Wyssal, Clive in the town guard, and Miss Veedra and Miss Sahlara."
Wyssal gets as far as returning Darius's bow with a quick curtsey before Mayor Deverin inserts herself, breaking things off. Wyssal turns to the Mayor and gives her a small, quick wave hello.
The Mayor laughs in joy, patting Darius on the back and saying humorously, "Glad you're making friends that aren't from the bar!" She then looks at the others and shakes all of their hands, saying, "Make sure to enjoy the festival! And Mia, if Belor gives you and your friend crap, tell him you got the Mayor's official permission to enjoy yourselves while also standing guard! I have to meet up with Father Zantus to prepare for the consecration, have fun now!" And with that the Mayor walked back towards the cathedral.
The iridescent-eyed paladin looked askance as his aunt walked away. "She made it sounded like I spent all my free time at The Dragon. I spend over a month helping to build the Swallowtail Cathedreal", Darius huffed.
Larry grins at his friend, "Awe, You know she likes you. She was just glad to see you having fun. Now let's go find some more fun."
With the conversation shifted by then mayor's arrival, then shifted again to kinda sorta things involving Darius's possible virtues or vices, Wyssal decides it's better to ease out. Best not to comment on things about which she doesn't know anything regarding a person who she doesn't really know, and who is actually present.
She steps back and turns away while giving the cluster of humans a quick wave.
"Well, nice to meet you all. Looks like it's time for the formal stuff to happen. Don't want to miss anything."
Turning away Wyssal makes her way toward the cathedral as well.
As the group travel around, they see another game, this time ran by the Foreman of the town's Lumber Mill, Banny Harker. You all see people behind a mechanism releasing a wooden disk, and participants trying to hit the disks with arrows.
"This game is simple! Hit the targets, the more targets you hit the better the prize! Price is one gold piece! You can use your own bow, or we can provide you one to use for this game!"
Larry moves up to the Bow competition, readying his longbow. He pays the gold and asks, "How many tries for the gold?"
Harker smiles, “You have up to five targets to hit, game’s over when you miss a target! Each shot will be more difficult than the last!”
Larry easily hits the first target. “Let’s see if you can keep up! Ready, wait for it…FIRE!” Another target is launched, somewhat farther above than the last one.
Larry grins and tries for the next.... "OK then!"
His second shot is over the top of the target. "I hope nobody's behind there!" He shrugs and moves out of the way for the next contestant.
The aasimar patiently waits until Larry's shooting is done, clapping for support.
“Thankfully there isn’t. Unfortunate you lost, but a small participation prize for you!” Larry is handed 20 arrows.
Larry accepts the arrows with his usual grin. "Your turn Darius. Want to use my longbow? Maybe you'll do better!"
"Thank you", the paladin says as he accepts Larry's borrowed longbow. Darius notches a bow and pulls the string back.
"READY!"
“Nice shot! Let’s see you do better!” The team far away fires the second disc, same height as the one Larry missed.
Darius notches another arrow and aims at the target.
The second shot barely hits the target. On Harker’s command, a third target is fired even higher into the air.
After the previous contestant had concluded their turn, Tomo, a tall (6'2") male slender elf stepped up with his lonbbow to try his skill at this game. Perhaps he would do better even though he was not overly skilled with the bow. As he was waiting he realized that he could have improved his odds greatly with a spell he had heard of but had not learned yet, however as it was, he would have to depend on pure talent and skill.
The arrow flies wide, stopping the paladin's progress.
Harker hands both of them 20 arrows each as their compensation prize.
Wyssal doesn't find the shooting of arrows at things particularly entertaining. She threads her way through the big people to get close to the stage as possible so she'll be able to see when things kick off there.
Tomo acccepts the arrows while mentally kicking himself for having missed the target. He feels he did not do his race much credit, granted being highly skilled with the bow was not something he had focussed upon but still... his performance had been rather pathetic.
He strolled off threw the crowd to see if there was anything he could compete in where his real skills might shine through.
Larry sees a strange elf try, and do even worse than he did, and turn to leave.
"Hey friend! Are you new to town? I thought I knew everybody but your face is new. I'm Larry."
"If so, welcome to Sandpoint", the tall human with iridescent eyes interjected. "I am Darius Deverin, nice to meet you."
The aasimar appreciated elves whenever they visited the town, because they, too, have unique eyes like Darius. And that made the paladin not so self-conscious about them.
Tomo, the 6'2" rather slender elf, turns to the two other humanoids and responds, "Well met. He looks them both over and then continues, "I am Tomo and I know of both of you. Now while I have been in town for a while now, I do keep quite busy. As I spend most of my time either at Hannah's place working with my cousin or at the Bottled Solutions working with Nisk Tander or at the Turandarok Academy helping Ilsoari Gandethus. Those places are all in the nothern part of town so perhaps," he looks at the one called Larry, "perhaps you, son of Rupert, simply do not visit the northern part of town very much." He then looks at the one called Darius giving a slight bow, "and thank you, Darius Deverin for your welcome to your family's town."
Taken from the Kendra Deverin page on PathfinderWiki:
Kendra is the daughter of Amos Deverin, Sandpoint's first mayor, and sister of Fenchus Deverin, who succeeded their father. After Fenchus died, she inherited both the family fortune and his position as mayor. Kendra lives in Deverin Manor with another brother, Aiver, his wife Vana, and their five sons.
I created Darius and his immediate family from that listing.
"Ah yes, please do not get me wrong by your family's town I was simply referring to the fact that your family is one of the handful of families that hold a major interest within this town and work to help it thrive and having a member of one of those families even informally welcome you to this town is something to hold in esteem."
The tall aasimar humbly bowed his head. "Unless anyone else wants to shoot, you can join us in experiencing the other games offered here, Tomodai."
Not sure what Darius meant by if anyone else wants to shoot, so Tomo replies, "I was not planning to stay to see who won but feel free to do so. If not, then yes I was going in search of contests more fitting my better skills, although I am not sure such contests are being offered here as those would be much more mental in nature."
Larry smiles at Tomodai's recognition, even if he doesn't "know" him. "I guess my family would be considered as migrating here. I was born in a town that doesn't exist anymore. Goblins and giants.... When I'm working I'm usually on a caravan, as a guard. When I'm home, well, I do worship Cayden Cailean...."
"Ah I see, perhaps more reasons why you, Larry son of Rupert, have never seen me. As I do not accompany caravans and rarely do I go to the cathedral. For I like my cousin and many of my race, follow Gozreh the Ancient One and they are best worshipped in the more natural places, such as where the waves crash upon the shores, where the winds blow more freely, or where the trees reach deep into the earth and stretch high up into sky. Still I do hold respect for Cayden the accidental deity and what they represent for freedom is important. So," Tomo turns and looks at Darius, De... Darius Deverin I see you call Shelyn the Eternal Rose your patron, this is good. I too hold them in high respect as do many of my kin. Art is so important. Still, he breathes in deeply and gives a little sigh, as you have seen, I am rather lacking in the art of archery and... for that matter the other martial arts as well. Yet I still have plenty of time to perhaps look into those arts some day."
"Tomodai, perhaps your perceived lack in archery was seen as a means to help others feel their inner beauty? I, for one, felt better, as a holy warrior that I did as well as one of the high elves. Even setback can be used for high work. So please, do not despair in your abilties: instead look forward to becoming a better version of yourself currently", Darius explained.
Larry listens to Tomodai, surprised to get such a detailed answer. He wondered why Tomo had referred to him as son of Rupert, twice, and hadn't mentioned Anita? He thinks for a moment while the elf switches attention to Darius. His usual response would be something like raising his tankard and nodding, playing the dumb drunk. Then he notices preparations for the ceremonies. He points that way.
"Looks like any further competitions will be delayed at least. They're getting ready for the ceremonies. Everyone ready for long speeches?"
"Indeed. Aunt Kendra's been preparing all morning." Darius agreed.
Larry glances over at Darius when he makes his reply. Did the man actually look forward to the long, boring speeches? Hmm.... He probably did.
Larry shrugs and start watching the area for any stranger that he hasn't met. Maybe they'd be interested in getting a drink later?
Dagny wore her armor and weapons. She was not one to go out often and when she did it was mostly to shop. Dagny had been staying at The Pixies' Kitten, the Lucky Lads had frequented the brothel whenever here. Since she was no longer a part of the group Dagny sought to find her way.
The petite adventurer found herself back in Sandpoint. With the Cathedral still being built, she sought out the only person she could remember Kaye Tesarani the patron of the local brothel. So she asked for work as a cook and in house healer. With a bit of persuasion and a show of her talent, mixed with the history of her mentors Dagny was given a chance.
Thus the tiny blonde had proven herself worthy of the position. Now with the festival in swing and the Temple done, Dagny roamed the festival hoping to enjoy herself. As she walked around she looked for food stalls.
She would seek out the exotic and see if she can find a few more unique recipe. Even more maybe some new ingredients, herbs and spices to experiment with.
With the clap of a thunderstone, the murmurs of the crowd grow silent. A stray dog yelps and runs to hide underneath a wagon. All heads turn towards the central podium, where Father Zantus has taken the stage. He clears his throat, takes a breath to speak, and suddenly a woman's screams slices through the air. A few moments later, another scream rises, then another, and another, until the entire crowd runs in a panic, with some yelling "Run for your lives!". 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. As blood pools around its head, the raucous sound of [url=https://youtu.be/G9cRvSGHaJc?si=UBkLw69fYRFuKGf7=a strange song begins[/url], chanted from shrill, scratchy voices.
Initiative Turn Order
[color=blue]Lawrence[/color]
[color=blue]Tomodai[/color]
[color=blue]Wyssal[/color]
[color=blue]Dagny[/color]
Goblin 2
Goblin 3
Goblin 1
Darius
Seeing and hearing goblin voices Larry throws any common sense to the winds. Goblins, and giants had killed his grandparents' home. His parents had told him over and over to always be ready. He screams as he draws his sword and charges the closest little monster. "So where are the giants? After you are chopped to pieces where do I find the giants? I'll kill them too!"
Lawrence takes the goblin by surprise and beheads it. Horrifyingly, the other two goblins are not scared from seeing that-instead, they cackle, almost as if they're wanting a challenge.
Dagny draws her Scimitar. As she does she then assesses the scene and seeing the Goblins she moves forward. As she moves forward she runs through the various lessons the Lads taught her. So when she clashes with the Goblin she'll strike.
Wyssal's ears are left ringing from the thunderstone. It's an unpleasant surprise and if she knew it was coming she wouldn't have moved up so close to the stage.
The ringing isn't so bad as to drown out the disturbance toward the back of the crowd though. At first Wyssal isn't sure what's happening due to all the tall humans between whatever it is and herself. As the panicked crowd thins though, she sees the goblins.
Wyssal is no warrior, but she's not unfamiliar with goblin banditry on wilderness roads. She unwinds the scarf from her shoulders, taking it in two hands and holding it in front of herself defensively. Held in this manner, several small blades sewn along the edge of the scarf are revealed.
For safety, Wyssal steps closer to Darius and a couple of other humans who are prepared to stand and fight, but she doesn't move any closer to the goblins. Instead she takes up the crowd's hue and cry announcing the goblins. Wyssal's cry is different though, she pinpoints the goblin's location and urges those who are armed to fight back. Also, her voice carries far better than anyone else's. It is astoundingly loud for someone so small. Her voice is also clear and bright as a bell, rising up and over any other shouts or cries.
Tomo moves back and Shifts atop the stage where he lets an arrow fly at the closest Goblin and thinks about what he knows about Goblins.
Dagny and Tomodai’s attacks miss, though the elf’s arrow barely grazes a goblin’s ear. Both goblins surround Lawrence and attack with maniacal glee.
One does a wild swing and completely misses, but before Lawrence could mock the overconfident goblin, he can feel the other’s blade cut into the back of his leg.
Larry feels the cut on his leg as the goblins move to flank him. He roars in anger as he steps across and swings at one of the little creatures. "I'll kill you all myself if I have to. And then I'll find your leaders and destroy them too!"
Round 1
Darius advances on the nearest goblin invader, providing flank for the caydenite.
Dagny recenters herself. A good swordsman, knows even the most diligent practioner of swordsmanship changed in the heat of battle. So not letting it deter her she reset and tried again at a goblin.
With the last of her protection now running toward the goblins, Wyssal takes a deep breath and follows the woman. When she's close enough, she whips the edge of the scarf in her hands out at the goblin in a slashing motion. The centrifugal force of her swing causes the scarf to open and spread as it moves with the small blades along the edge glittering, making it look like a brightly colored saw like the ones used to fell large trees.