"To peace and a prospering town of Sandpoint." Szaranoth raises his Mug of ale. (and a nice job with nothing to do...)
Ingowil drains her mug, and gives Grael an interesting look. She still doesn't quite know what to think about him.
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The sunrise's first light dispels the early morning mists and its soft caress brings out the color of the stone walls of the newly constructed cathedral of Sandpoint draped with streamers saying: "Welcome".
Here and there, people can be seen up and about cheerfully setting up booths in the open space in front of the cathedral. A wagon containing cages filled with swallowtail butterflies can be seen pulling up beside the cathedral. An impromptu stage with a podium is already erected at the steps of the cathedral. Here, the Sheriff is talking to the woman you have come to know as Mayor Deverin. Besides them listening is a small, foppish man. The Sheriff seeing the party motion for you to come join him. He introduces you to the mayor and the foppish man by the name of Cyrdak Drokkus.
"Excuse me, Madame Mayor, I have to brief our new deputies," says the Sheriff.
"By all means, Sheriff," replies Mayor Deverin.
The Sheriff motions the party to a quiet corner of the square. "Most of the activities of the festival will happen here in this square, so I want you guys to be here and keep the peace. If you have to arrest anyone, try to do it quietly and without a scene. The town is celebrating for the first time in five years and it deserves this moment of joy. By the way, take these red sashes and put them on. They signify that you are with the town's militia." Sighing, the Sheriff mutters, "It's going to be long day."
A few hours after dawn, the Swallowtail Festival was officially opened with welcoming speeches from Mayor Deverin and the Sheriff. The foppish man Cyrdak Drokkus also gave a speech along with a plug for his latest production "The Harpy's Curse" starring the famous Magnimaran Diva, Allishanda. The last of the welcoming speeches was given by Father Zantus. "Thank you everyone for being here. It has taken us five years to finish this work but we're finally here. Thank you for all your support. The gods' blessing be upon us. Thank you."
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After Father Zantus' speech, the mayor once again took the podium and encouraged everyone to have a good time. "Food and drinks are being provided free of charge by our community's finest dining establishments."
The crowd's enthusiastic applause in response to the mayor's pronouncement is deafening.
Everyone except Grael, Spot Check DC 18
Spot (+1 from Draconic Aura) (1d20 1=2)
"Well, well, the nice part begins now." Szaranoth looks longingly at the tables laden with food.
Targ walks up next to Szaranoth. "Ya know, he didn't say we couldn't eat nothing while on duty. Don't know about you, but I didn't have breakfast this morning."
Etellio tries to keep eyes sharp for anything, but also spends time performing magic tricks for festival attendees as he wanders around....which means he probably isn't paying as much attention as he should.
Perhaps a snack as well...
During the day's patrolling, if time allows, Etellio will also take a moment to chat with Grael first, then the others as opportunity allows.
For Grael:
"Hello, friend...I wanted to say that I speak Elvish, so I know your name has more meaning than perhaps you let on."
He pauses a moment in thought.
"It shouldn't surprise me, except that recently a seeress directed me here, and to me that means Desna has a hand in all this. Our meeting isn't coincidence."
"Maybe we were fated to meet; perhaps you have some insight that is to guide me. I don't know...but whatever you have to say...be it concerning my fate or those of the others...don't hesitate to tell me if you can."
"I've cast my lot with fate or destiny for now, so I expect there'll be portents for good or bad."
With that, he'll extend his hand in friendship and hope Grael takes it. Unless there's something else added, he'll then move on with his duties afterward.
For Etellio:
"Food and drinks are being provided free of charge by our community's finest dining establishments."
The crowd's enthusiastic applause in response to the mayor's pronouncement is deafening.
Ingowil cheers along with the rest, and looks at the food-laden tables with longing. She looks around, wondering what kind what she should do first at the festival.
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The opening ceremonies of the festival ends without incident. People can be seen sampling the many delicacies offered at the various tables, while others are shopping at the many stalls around the cathedral square. Here and there, buyer and seller can be observed haggling over price and discussing the merits of a particular product. It seems that the gods of the marketplace have also graced this occasion with their presence.
Suddenly, a man screams, "Help!"
Suddenly, a man screams, "Help!"
Etellio turns in the direction of the scream and looks to see what has happened...
"Great, some fop just got 'handled'," Targ mumbles to whomever is close by. "Somebody should go talk to him. I'll check over by the food tables to see if the thief headed in that direction."
Targ heads over to the food tables, scanning the crowd but not really expecting to find anything.
Szaranoth walks to the victim. "Please, sir. Keep your voice down. We will have no chance to find your purse or from any other victims, if the culprit is warned. We will certainly look out for him. Won't we, Targ? Please, sir, give us your name and where you are staying at. So we can contact you, when we have the thief in custody. And the festivities are free of charge. Thank you." Szaranoth sees his compatriot throwing glances into the crowd. "Did you spot him, Targ?"
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"I am Heinrich Libay and I am staying at the White Deer." Teary-eyed, the foppish man blows his nose into a handkerchief.
For Szaranoth Only
"Somebody has already managed to lose his coin purse? That is...rather sooner than I expected", Grael sighs. A blind man can do little in these circumstances.
"What?" Ingowil says as she hears the man. She hurrys over to the man and Szaronoth, and says "Is there anything I can do?"
Etellio looks around for a barrel or crate to stand on, then does a search of the crowd - looking for anyone moving suspiciously away from the scene.
Perhaps near an alleyway or side-street next to the church square?
For Radavel
Having taken in the man's features and dress, Etellio will try to make his way carefully towards that individual - trying to keep sight of him without drawing overt attention.
If one of his comrades happens to be near, he'll try to signal them to follow quietly for now.
Once he gets close enough, he'll keep an eye on the man for anything suspicious like pickpocketing or snatching an item from the vendor. Otherwise, he's also looking for anything like a cut coinpurse.
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For Targ
You notice that Etellio has also seen the man.
For Etellio
For Radavel & Targ
Hide Check (1d20+2=4)
As he continues to move towards the man, Etellio will give Targ a brief wave and point towards the suspicious man. Perhaps that has given him away...but he continues on for now.
"Do you see anything, Etellio?", Grael asks anxiously. He wishes he could see what was happening.
Targ nods at Etellio to let him know he's seen him, and slowly makes his way through the crowd, trying to keep the man in sight while not being seen himself.
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For Grael:
Suddenly, Grael cries out in pain and collapses. He murmurs, "No...no...flames...NO!!!" He screams. He looks around frantically, seeming to see something. Then he comes to his senses.
"That can't be it. No. It can't be that. Surely not. Surely not." He whispers to himself.
"Surely not."
Szaranoth says to Ingowil. "Yes, watch out for cutpurses. They are around, even though everything here is free of charge." He waits a bit until the warrior woman is a bit away, so he can reassure Heinrich Libay, whispering:
"Please give me a description of your purse and, if you are willing, of it's content."
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For Szaranoth:
Dropping his voice to a whisper, [b]"Let's not talk about those other people here. See me at the White Deer tonight, if you wish to know about THEM."
[/b]
Ingowil wanders off into the crowd, seeing that Szaranoth was taking care of the purse-snatching problem. She eyes the food tables hungrily, wanting to eat, but waiting until someone gave the word that she could.
Etellio continues to eye the man in question for any suspicious actions; uncertain whether he's been seen yet. He does note that Targ is also aware of the man and also closing in.
Hearing Grael's cry (I'm assuming), he his head turns momentarily in alarm...Cripes! I've left our blind friend alone in my mad dash...foolish!
Worried, but not wanting to let this man escape just yet, he stands his ground for the moment...
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Ingowil
Etellio and Targ
Grael
Szaranoth
Assuming that he's probably spotted us, and decided that the pickings are slim, Etellio will approach closer to Targ:
"I think he probably spotted me and moved on for now. I could try to follow him, but I heard Grael cry out and I'm feeling a bit guilty for dashing off and leaving a blind man alone in this crowd."
He starts to move back in Grael's direction, "Let me check to see what's up...then we can proceed together, if that seems amicable?"
After concluding the conversation with the victim of the theft, Szaranoth moves over to his blind compatriot Grael, who has cried out something about fire. This does not bode well for the day. Crying out something within a crowd with the word "fire" or "Flames" calls down for a world of trouble, let alone a panic in the crowd. "Grael, what's up? Everything okay? Too many people around you?"
Grael starts to say something, but then keels over. "What? No..." He screams again.
He slowly looks up at his friends' concerned faces. "What? Oh..." he sighs. "I-I...I'm not called Grael for nothing. I think that...where are the others?"
He continues. "I-I think Ingowil is, or will soon be, in danger. Have to find her." He tries to get up, but is too exhausted. "You must find the others."
for Radavel
"Hurry!" Something seems to be making Grael especially agitated, and he keeps glancing around nervously.
Assuming that he's probably spotted us, and decided that the pickings are slim, Etellio will approach closer to Targ:
"I think he probably spotted me and moved on for now. I could try to follow him, but I heard Grael cry out and I'm feeling a bit guilty for dashing off and leaving a blind man alone in this crowd."
He starts to move back in Grael's direction, "Let me check to see what's up...then we can proceed together, if that seems amicable?"
Targ nods in agreement.
"I'll try to keep him in sight, but there's no way we can police this whole crowd. It's too big. I'll stay here. Yell if you need me."
Targ scans the crowd, with a muttered curse about "damned beanpole humans everywhere" and tries to keep the man in sight. He also keeps his ears open for any sounds of trouble.
Spot check (1d20+5=9); Listen check (1d20+4=11) (with Szaranoth's senses aura added)
Having confirmed with Targ, Etellio finishes making his way towards Szaranoth and Grael...
"Grael, I'm here...what's going on?"
Puzzled by his blind comrade's statements, but also worried by the conviction on his face. Etellio begins to scan the crowd for both Ingowil and anything else that would merit such alarm.
"She was over there a moment ago..."
The din of the festival crowd makes it impossible to have a conversation over the distance of some feet, or even spot someone else talking several yards away.
"Targ, you stay with our enlightened friend. Let him describe the surroundings of the vision. Perhaps you know that particular spot around here. Etellio and me will search for her. If you find anything and need help, whistle as loud as can, we will do the same. You can whistle on your fingers, can you?"
After waiting for the answers of his companions, Szaranoth plans to get to the edge of the crowd, together with Etellio, and will start the search for Ingovil in earnest.
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For Ingowil
Sense Motive DC 15
Spot Check DC 15
"Very...well. I should have said before, but I was worried about being known as a demon. It has...happened before. 'Grael', as Etellio knows, means 'The Seer' in elven. I...saw Ingowil chatting with a man, then...someone grabs her purse. She follows the thief, but is soon surrounded by his friends. It may not have happened yet, but it may happen soon. We...have to find her..."
For Ingowil
** spoiler omitted **
for Radavel
Ingowil looks around wildly, noticing that her purse was gone. "Come back!" She yells after the man. "Stop Thief!" She goes tearing after him, hoping someone else from the inn would help her.
" We...have to find her..."
"Be at ease, Grael...we'll find her." He places a quick reassuring hand on his shoulder before following in Szaranoth's wake.
After waiting for the answers of his companions, Szaranoth plans to get to the edge of the crowd, together with Etellio, and will start the search for Ingovil in earnest.
Etellio follows Szaranoth, searching and listening in earnest for any signs of Ingowil near an exit to the plaza.
Targ heads back over to the group. If the man he and Etellio were following tries to steal something, he has no doubt he'll hear about it.
"All right," he growls, "I'll stay with the blind one. You two don't have too much fun without me, though. I'm getting twitchy."
Targ pulls out his heavy crossbow and begins cocking and loading it.
"So...Grael, is it? Tell me more about what you 'saw'."