[Information] Varisia

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Varisia   Relevant Locations Sandpoint-Known as the "Light of the Lost Coast," this relatively new town has grown out of the wilderness north of Magnimar, with its blessings and protection, and into a beacon of what Varisia can be. A small town, it is a bastion of adventurers and scholars alike, seeking to find their claim to fame. This grows out of the success of the "Saviors of Sandpoint," a widely-famous group of adventurers from this town.

Overview Varisia is the name for the land that formerly belonged to the Empire of Cheliax, a vast and unconquerable land ruled by no one city, no one Mortal, and no one group. With a history stretching back to Thassilon and the Cyclopic empires, it is strone with ancient ruins, monstrous beings, and hamlets bearing strange humanoids. But despite this, mortals, and Humans mainly, have risen up among the wilderlands of Varisia and made homes out of the ruins and dark places, and where there are Humans, other mortals are sure to follow. The ancient home of the vagrant Varisian and the tribal Shoanti, many Taldane, Ulfen, and Chelaxian-blooded folk can be found here, along with Elves of yore and Dwarves hunting for proof of the Quest for Sky. On Varisia's far-eastern border is Belkzen, the holdings of the Orc chiefs, where Dragons and their hordes stand only against sparse settlements and the bulk of Shoanti tribes to oppose them. Four major cities exist in Varisia: Magnimar, the City of Monuments; Korvosa, a former Chelish colony; Riddleport, a lawless city of thieves and pirates; and Kaer Maga, the City of Strangers. Given the diversity of the four, one can easily see why Varisia is such a colorful place: everyone has a place they fit in here. Varisia's largest claim to fame is the sheer number of adventurers it attracts, including a healthy portion of the Pathfinder Society. With its many ruins, and with those artifacts, there's plenty to be found; this is most proven by the rise of the Saviors of Sandpoint, where a group of adventurers in a small town north of Magnimar discovered a Thassilonian plot that threatened the whole of the region in 4707-08. Ever since, adventurers have flocked to every corner of Varisia looking for their own claim to fame. Whether an adventurer, someone fleeing the politics of the Inner Sea, or just trying to find a home, Varisia is a place where you can find anything you want. But have a care: not all things are meant to be found.

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Sandpoint Sandpoint   Population: Demographics: 1116 Humans, 37 Halflings, 25 Elves, 24 Dwarves, 13 Gnomes, 13 Half-Elves, 12 Half-Orcs1240 Government: Dependent Autocracy (Mayorship) Leader: Mayor Kendra Deverin (Human (Chelaxian) Aristocrat/Expert) 37.) The Rusty Dragon-This large structure is Sandpoint’s oldest inn, notable for the impressive (and quite rusty) iron dragon that looms on the building’s roof, doubling as a lightning rod and decoration. Owned and operated for the past 6 years by the lovely and popular Ameiko Kaijitsu, the Rusty Dragon is not only one of the town’s most popular eateries (made so, in large part, by the spicy and exotic food served here), but also a great place to meet visitors from out of town, since most newcomers to Sandpoint come upon this inn first, as the northern stretch of the Lost Coast Road is less traveled. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Ameiko’s beauty is more than matched by her skill at music, and few are the evenings that pass without at least two or three songs being performed by the talented woman.[/CENTER]

Stats and History Called the Light of the Lost Coast, Sandpoint is a small town on the southern coast of Varisia, on the northern-most part of Avistan. A holding of nearby Magnimar, it was founded some fifty years ago and has become quite a place of note, becoming quite a bastion of local art and budding would-be adventures, though they might be better spent by the Pathfinders of Magnimar or the intrigue of Korvosa. Because of its reputation as a place where heroes are made, if not born, many come here looking for adventure on the Lost Coast if the magnificent of Magnimar does not suit them, though few find anything but old wives' tales told about the outlying region. Founded by four powerful merchant families from the Lost Coast, Sandpoint has flourished as a merchant point of interest as well as a beacon of protection for the farmer communities on the edge of the town. Famous for its glassworks and its almost magnetic attraction to romantics and troubadours looking for a good tale, and an audience to indulge them, famous acts across the Lost Coast come here from time to time, both to explore and perform in its Theater. While no one can doubt the bright future that lays before the former hamlet-turned-city, only the ignorant would deny the turbulent history of the place, and even with so short a history. While few know what it fully entails, the "Late Unpleasantness" from 4702 is marked with a serial killer, a mysterious death, and a likewise mysterious fire that destroyed the local cathedral (now rebuilt). When a new "Unpleasantness" reared its ugly head, a group of do-gooders thereby named the "Saviors of Sandpoint" rose up to protect Sandpoint, and ultimately, all of Varisia, against a grave and evil threat. Ever since, Sandpoint has been a beacon for all would-be adventurers.

Inhabitants of Note Sandpoint Nobility The Kaijitsu Family Ameiko Kaijitsu (Human (Tian-Min) Aristocrat/Bard/Rake)-Ameiko is a beautiful but somewhat irreverent woman of Tian descent who runs Sandpoint’s Rusty Dragon tavern and happens to be a member of one of Sandpoint’s founding families. The lone daughter of Lonjiku and Atsuii Kaijitsu, she has a poor relationship with both: her father, because he is a prat, and her mother, because she is dead, committing suicide in 4702 AR. Her lone half-brother, a creature of rumor and gossip named Tsuto, left town some years ago after striking his sister; he remains a sore subject for the former adventurer. Ameiko may be among the town’s nobility, but she’s never really cared for the aristocracy—she’s always had an urge to explore, and loves hearing stories of adventures and daring deeds. She even spent a year or so as an adventurer herself, along with her friend Sandru Vhiski. Her short adventuring career earned her enough money to buy the Rusty Dragon outright, and she now serves as its sole proprietor in her “retirement.” One gets the feeling, though, that abandoning the adventuring life wasn’t entirely her choice—certainly she doesn’t talk much about what happened on her last adventure, or what happened to the others in her group. And although she has a lot of friends and admirers in town, Ameiko has never accepted anyone as anything more than a friend; she dodges personal questions and diplomatically avoids proposals of romance, much to the frustration of several eager suitors here in Sandpoint. She’s a talented singer and samisen player, and if she wanted to, Ameiko could certainly lead a comfortable life here in Sandpoint. Everyone who knows her fairly well, however, knows full well that she is growing increasingly bored and impatient with having nothing more to look forward to than a “safe life” in a “safe town.” If the chance to go on an epic voyage or other grand adventure ever presents itself, they're convinced that Ameiko would sell the Rusty Dragon and set out once more to seek her fortune in a heartbeat. Sandpoint Garrison Belor Hemlock (Human (Shoanti) Fighter)-Belor Hemlock isn't from Sandpoint; quite the contrary, he and his brother wandered to the Lost Coast from the Shoanti steppes two decades ago. The two have not openly discussed why they left the steppes, but both are open that they descend from the Shriikirri-Quah tribe, or the Hawk tribe. From there, though, the two brothers differed greatly as to their personality and life choices. Both worked hard, but while Garridan chose a more traditional Shoanti path of hard labor and working off of the land, Belor, who translated his last name into the Taldane "Hemlock," chose to work for the better of their new town and joined the Sandpoint Garrison. Proud, devil-may-care, and a downright grumpy young man, he was willing to cut corners to get things done and had a hate of red tape. It made him popular with some of the more cut and dry conservatives in town and the more progressive people who disliked tradition, but if anything, it drove a wedge between him and his brother, whom he barely speaks to. Belor learned, through trial and error, that if something needs to be done, it needs to be done right, the first time, and with a thought for collateral damage. And in this, he has made a lot of fans, and an ally of Mayor Kendra Deverin. When the Chopper got the better of Sheriff Casp Avertin, it was Belor Hemlock who brought tried to bring him in and when that proved futile, put the monster down. It was then that the Mayor appointed him to replace his mentor and friend, something Belor is not entirely comfortable with. Now having to deal with the bureaucracy he hates so much, he has to make sure his underlings delivers his brand of justice. Not only that, but certain details about his life have come to life that have pushed away his more conservative fans; you can't win them all. Benel Gandethus (Half-Elf Oracle)-Benel Gandethus is a product of Sandpoint, through and through. Left on the doorstep of the Turandarok Academy, he was raised by former adventurer and professional teacher Ilsoari Gandethus, who took the child in and decided to raise him. He did, after all, single-handedly run and teach many of the classes at the Academy, where many of the town's families sent their sons and daughters to learn a thing or two. Benel, a Half-Elf, was never a stranger to the boys who stayed in the dorms, and it was here he made friends with one Tsuto Kaijitsu, who, by proxy of his close relationship with his sister, introduced Benel to his childhood crush, Ameiko Kaijitsu. Quite the tomboy and troublemaker herself, she got him in trouble more times than either could count, she was the rash action to his slow, methodical thought. At a young age he suffered a leg injury that kept him homebound; when Tsuto and Ameiko abruptly, and separately, left town several times, he was left alone and melancholy, though his adoptive father and the stories of adventure around him kept him at bay and made him feel not quite so lonely. When Ameiko came back (Tsuto never did), he kept his distance, and the two have had a cold friendship since then. Good-hearted, he was convinced by local Sheriff and proverbial grouch Belor Hemlock to act as a Deputy Sheriff, and he gladly accepted; he does well, as a local keeper of the peace. Sandpoint Cathedral Koya Mvashti (old Human (Varisian) Cleric of Desna)-Koya Mvashti is the daughter of the recently departed Madame Niska Mvashti of Sandpoint, Varisia. She is an elderly Varisian woman who has worked most of her life as a healer and fortune-teller, as well as having adopted two of the three Vhiski boys, though Jubrayl escaped her custody and promptly became something of a town cad. She is proud, well-versed, well-liked, and respected throughout, though she is quick to anger and prone to thoughts of whimsy. Not as skilled a seer as her mother, she is none the less respected for her skills as a wise woman and healer. She has assisted the Saviors before, particularly in regards to matters of the Cathedral, where she helps out Zantus when she is not helping her mother. Sandpoint Merchants Jubaryl Vhiski (middle-aged Human (Varisian) Rogue)-Jubrayl Vhiski is the leader of the Sczarni in Sandpoint. Part businessman and part criminal, Jubrayl is rumored to covertly own the Fatman's Feedbag, and has designs on Sandpoint's brothel business. Despite his coordination of a gang of nearly two dozen, Jubrayl has managed to evade capture by Belor Hemlock despite strong suspicions on the sheriff's part. Jubrayl briefly met and formed a rivalry with Algol, the Elf who made quite a bit of trouble for the Saviors of Sandpoint. Other Inhabitants Sandru Vhiski- Shalelu Andosana-