[Game Thread] Bk 1, Ch 1: Burnt Offerings, Pt 1: Festival and Fire

[UncaJJ]

THE SWALLOWTAIL FESTIVAL The Swallowtail Festival begins promptly, as scheduled, on the Autumnal Equinox. 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. WELCOMING SPEECHES: 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 Avis era 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. FESTIVAL FUN AND GAMES: Numerous games and contests take place during the day, including sack races , games of hide-and- seek, weight-lifting challenges, balance beam contests, tug-of-war events, and the like.

OOC Please start off separately, but if you HAPPEN to end up in the same place, well… you can't help it if you talk to each other! Don't worry, if you have fun by yourself, I have a ay to get you all together when the time is right!

[Fon]

Unfortunately for Estella, the majority of the festival activities were either too uncouth, too unsophisticated, or too brutish for her taste. "Ew! Catch the greased pig? What could they possibly be thinking?" The dress maker remarked with a hint of disgust as she passed by the greased pig game stand. "No amount of prize could possibly be worth getting oneself covered in mud and pig grease." She said, before she turned to her cat familiar. "Now Onyx, I don't want you to... Onyx?" To Estella's dismay, the black cat wasn't following her anymore; instead Onyx was standing close to the fences of pig pan, while the cat observed the pig and the contestants quietly.

The prissy wizard almost screamed at that sight, before she rushed and grabbed her cat away from the muddy fence. "Oh, no no no no! Stay away from those dreadful mud, Onyx. Just because I'm capable of cleaning you doesn't mean that it's acceptable to dirty yourself." The wizard lectured her familiar, who replied only with a confused meow. "Now let us look for an activity that would be more befitting to someone of our taste."

The truth is Estella was never quite interested in the festival itself; the real reason she was there was to witness the beautiful Swallowtail Release. Even though Estella wasn't particularly religious, she would still never miss one of the most sensational, beautiful events of the year. But for now, she'll have to wait, as she thread through the market stands.

 

Stat Block Estella Porazio, the Level 1 Human Wizard HP: 6/6 Initiative: +2 Status: Normal AC: 12 Touch: 12 Flat: 10 CMD: 11 Fort: +0 Ref: +2 Will: +3 Cantrips: Prestidigitation, Read Magic, Mage Hand SP Abilities: Telekinetic Fist (8) Prepared Spells: Crafter's Fortune, Color Spray, Soapy Water (Grease), Identify Items: Potion of Cure Light Wounds (1)

[TheMystic]

Taika Taika (Nevin)   Cantrips Acid Splash Detect Magic Mage Hand Prestidigitation 1st Level Spells Mount Enlarge Person Summon Monster I Expeditious Retreat Taika walked through the market with Emmett after the dance. Nevin rode on her shoulder eating a meat pie. Emmett commented "He's so careful not to drop any on you... I can't tell if he's trying not to drop any on you, or if he just doesn't want to lose any pie. With most animals I'd say the latter. But Nevin..." "I know what you mean... Nevin always seems like a little monkey wise man, I think it's the beard" she whispers conspiratorially.

[DukeofTuring]

Wandering about the festival with a pleasant alcoholic buzz despite the time of day, Elenion couldn't help but smugly note that his first impressions of the town had been largely correct. Sack races, tugs-of-war, greased pigs... yes, these people were clearly country folk at heart, even if they had gone and piled up their houses next to and even on top of one another. That Drokkus fellow at least seemed like an interesting sort to talk to but, unfortunately, Elenion had never had any real interest in theater, outside of its utility as an occasional mechanism for facilitating a night out on the town with a female admirer of theater. He could probably do fairly well at some of the agility focused contests like the balancing game, the half-elf mused to himself, particularly at hide-and-go-seek, given what seemed to be the average age of the contestants.

Shaking his head as he smiled to himself, Elenion continued looking around the festival, looking for some way of entertaining himself where he wouldn't feel like he was making a fool out of himself around this many somber strangers. There seemed to be some sort of dancing going on he noted, watching some innocent looking, rosy faced pair of lovebirds wander away away from the dance and towards a food vendor with some sort of pet monkey in tow. But he was dirty and unshaven, wearing clothes that were unimpressive even before he had taken them for a few days of travel. No, no, that wouldn't do at all. The games is was, then, or perhaps some socializing if an opportunity presented itself.

Keeping an eye out for the gregarious theater owner or anyone else who looked like they would be interesting to talk to, Elenion made his way back to the games, trying to get some good idea how the games were entered and, more importantly, how the games were played. Although mostly interested in dexterity based games that would be best suited to him, he also made a point of keeping an eye on the tug-of-war contest, keeping an eye out for any groups that seemed to be short one member. Although not a burly man by any definition, Elenion had a reasonable amount of strength in his tight frame, and was well aware of the male bonding opportunities offered in a game of tug-of-war, particularly a successful one.

[jaredh]

Lanna wandered around town, surprised at the number of people who found such an event so "moved". She wondered if everyone hadn't been slipped some drug that had made them delusional.

Who has time to spend and entire day playing games Lanna thought. This type of frivolity was certainly a foreign thought to her, having come from the plains. Lanna was used to spending the entire day hunting, cooking and just living. The thing that struck Lanna the most was the clothing. Some of the fancy clothes that people were wearing just amazed Lanna. All the color, all the glitz. Even the local Sandpoint people were dressed up....something the every day Sandpoint person certainly didn't do.

She walked past some people jumping in sacks. She figured out eventually they were racing, and wondered why they didn't just run. Why get in a sack and fall over? That certainly wasn't any example of skill. When she got to the weight-lifting she thought that to be a true test of skill. Lanna stepped right to participate. She got quite the looks when she beat the lift winner's value from the previous year. But that didn't give her any leads on something to do with her life.

She asked around the festival for caravan work but nothing was to be found this early in the festivities.

[OllieNorth]

The chaos of the festival is rousing for some, terrifying for others, and mystifying to many. Some of the loudest excitement came from the tug-of-war pit. The rope, a three-inch hawser from one of the trading vessels in the harbor, stretched out between two gangs of people slipping and sliding in the mud as the tried to get the rag tied around the center over the line.

One side was anchored by a team of longshoremen from the docks. Huge, round-shouldered, and beetle-browed, they were lustily bellowing as they heaved in unison, the rhythmic pull they used to moor ships being used against their opponents. On the other side, there was far less coordination, but this was almost completely countered by the low, broad form of a metal-clad dwarf. Sinews straining and cheeks bright red under his helm, the dwarf seemed to be planted into the mud, despite his boots being sunk to the ankles. All the tugging and heaving of the longshoremen and their friends seemed to affect Urko, the dwarf, no more than one of the bollards down on the docks.

Eventually, after what seemed like eons of straining and grunting, the judges called a halt for a draw. It was obvious that the only changes likely to happen were the rope parting or everyone simply falling over of exhaustion. The crowd clamored for more, however, and as a compromise the judges picked out Urko and the longshoremen, officially declaring them 'Tug of War Champions' for their inspiring performance. As Champions, however, they were forbidden to compete further that day (much to the judges' relief) and the Tug of War restarted with new groups of contestants.

A few rounds of ale later, Urko waved goodbye to his newfound companions and, having wiped the mud from his armor, took some time wandering the festival. At the sight of a tall, imposing woman turning heads at the weightlifting competition, he grinned and headed over.

"Oi! Girlie! Where'd you learn to lift like that?! You'd be a prize back in the mines, let me tell you! Well, aside from the knocking your head in on the ceiling bit. Must've worked yourself up a mighty thirst, let a dwarf buy you one in congratulations!"

[jaredh]

Lanna had watched the tug-of-war earlier and noticed the dwarf in question. She also had noted that those currently involved didnt' look like they were going to stop anytime soon as they were pitted in a fairly epic battle. Too bad...had she come across them earlier, she probably would have been the tide that turned either side over the other.

Now the dwarf had found her in the midst of her own show of strength. Lanna looked at the dwarf and considered his words and measured her response to him, considering he probably had no knowledge of the tribesmen life. His specific suggestion of her being a prize was specifically noted...surely he didn't mean she would be a nice thing to own. That certainly didn't go along with what she knew of dwarfs....which wasn't much. Sandpoint simply didn't see too many of them. What she did know, however, was that they like to drink, its not a good idea to decline a free drink from a dwarf...as their personalities are notoriously strong, and they can make good allies and terrible enemifes.

"Your demonstration bests mine fine dwarf and I'll gladly sit with yah for a bit and drink to our success....but I'll not have yah callin' me 'girlie' unless ya want me to call yah 'little'. ...the ale out here ain't the best stuff in town though...the best local tavern is one street over. I can tell yah all about the life on the plains which must be a big difference from what'cha are used to."

[Disciple]

Kurdan was having similar troubles as Lanna - it was quite the culture shock to see so much frivolity among those who were not children. None of the events really appealed to him - he was not weak, by any means, none among the Shoanti quahs could afford to be - but tests of strength or agility were not his area of expertise. He found some merit in a dart throwing game, where he tried to burst some sheep bladders to win a prize - a stuffed toy he left for a more desiring urchin.

The thing that really piqued his interest, though, was the fortune teller. A Varisian woman had set up a stall, where she was earning coin with her Harrowing deck. Kurdan had never seen the process before. Oh, he had heard tales, and knew of the process by reputation. But the actual Harrowing was a mystery to him. Strange, considering he was a devotee of the goddess of fate. He sat down in front of the woman.

"How much for a reading?"

[Fon]

"Oooh, aren't they adorable, Onyx?" Estella squealed as she held on her cat.

Above her head was a sign with 'Dragon Races' poorly written on it. At first the chelaxian wizard was attracted to the stand due to the mention of dragon; a creature Estella never saw before. However it was soon apparent that there was no way that anyone could have brought dragons into the town, let alone race them. Instead the races were done by little lizards painted with different colors.

"Interested in a bet, young lady?" A Varisian man who has been collecting bets approached Estella with a tankard of copper pieces in his hand. "You could get a four times return if you bet on the blue dragon now!" He offered with a grin.

"Why, thank you for your offer! But I'm not at all interested in gambling; I'm quite content with simply observing!" The dress maker declined as politely as she could. "Hmm... Suit yourself. Come back if you changed your mind." The shady man shrugged, before he continued to propose bets to the other spectators.

"So which lizard do you think will win the race?" Estella asked her own cat, who yet again replied with a confused meow. "The red one? I think so too!" She exclaimed excitedly, though it was unknown if the tailor actually understood what the black cat was saying.

Though once the races started, it had became obvious that the races weren't as exciting as the wizard thought. The lizards didn't move most of the time, and the majority of the race were spent watching the contestants goading their lizards to move, which mostly resulted in failure. "That... wasn't quite as exciting as I thought, Onyx." Estella commented, but she did chuckle for a bit when the yellow lizard ended up running backward when its racer failed to encourage it to go forward. After a good amount of time, the race ended with the orange lizard reaching the finish line.

"Well, at least we were close enough!"

 

Stat Block Estella Porazio, the Level 1 Human Wizard HP: 6/6 Initiative: +2 Status: Normal AC: 12 Touch: 12 Flat: 10 CMD: 11 Fort: +0 Ref: +2 Will: +3 Cantrips: Prestidigitation, Read Magic, Mage Hand SP Abilities: Telekinetic Fist (8) Prepared Spells: Crafter's Fortune, Color Spray, Soapy Water (Grease), Identify Items: Potion of Cure Light Wounds (1)

[DukeofTuring]

Elenion Valdemar

Taking note of a particularly well dressed young woman near one of the carnival games, Elenion spontaneously altered his plans and his course, sliding into the lee of a food stall where he could take his bearings without being jostled about by the crowd. She was young, fairly good looking, and quite well dressed, carrying... a cat? Did every young woman around here carry some sort of damned pet around with them, as some sort of odd cultural tic? Scanning the crowds briefly and finding little evidence to support his theory, an alternative suddenly struck the half-elf: a wizard's familiar, perhaps? He furrowed his brow in thought, brought a hand up as if to stroke his chin, then just shook his head to himself. Gods alone knew everyone did what they did, why she was carrying around a cat or why in the hells he was worrying so much about it for that matter.

It was just a way of avoiding the real obstacle, he realized; that she was well dressed and apparently upper class, while he was grungy from days on the road and a stranger in this community, if perhaps not quite an impoverished or unconnected one. Still, he mused, he was a fairly well groomed traveler after washing up the night before at the inn, and with a bit of stubble and the sweat of half a day's brisk walk there was no reason he couldn't a charming one too, in a rugged sort of way. Smoothing out and then deliberately ruffling up his hair a bit with one of his hands, Elenion visually examined his appearance as best as he could while thinking back to his view of himself in the mirror outside of Sandpoint half an hour ago. He had left his bulky pack in the care of one of the guards outside of town in return for a few pence, and he had had a good rest the night before. He wasn't at peak performance, sure, but wasn't that just part of moving someplace new? He'd just have to stick his neck out there and hope that it came back with his head still attached, so to speak.

Adopting his most charming expression, outwardly friendly and confident with a hint of playfulness, Elenion sidled over to the strange woman, hiding his mild surprise that she actually seemed to be talking to her cat. It was a familiar, then, or perhaps she was just a bit on the nutty side. There was, of course, only one way to find out. Watching the goings on of the booth and the "race" for a few moments, Elenion politely forced his way up to the race track, taking advantage of the shifting in the crowd after the race concluded. "I hope you didn't have any money riding on that race," he observed, first looking out over the racetrack absentmindedly but then turning towards Estella with a casual friendliness. "I didn't quite see how things turned out, but I expect that the only lizard that really won that thing was the one collecting the bets." Giving a wide grin, he watched the wizard, waiting for her response.

[Fon]

Estella Porazio

"Oh ho ho, of course I didn't spend any money on the race. Gambling is usually a bad investment unless you knew the reaAAA!" The dress maker ended her sentence in recoil abruptly and almost dropped the black cat in her arms, when she saw the half-elf's dirty clothing. "Goodness! Look at your ensemble, covered in dirt and dust!" She cried out, as if she was looking at a tragedy. "Now, stand still, and let me tidy your clothes up." The wizard then held her right index finger out and pointed at the man's shoulder.

If Elenion allowed Estella to complete her spell An incorporeal mini-duster appeared on the rogue's shoulder, where the magic cleaner immediately began to dust and remove the dirty spots on his cloak. (Prestidigitation) "Go on, what were you saying about the race again?" She asked with a content smile, as her spell continued to remove the dirt from Elenion's gears.

 

Stat Block Estella - Wizard 1 Initiative: +2 HP: 6 / 6 AC: 12 (F10 / T12) Saves: Fort: +0 Refl: +2 Will: +3 Effects: N/A Movement: 30 ft Actions: Casts Prestidigitation to clean Elenion's outfit

Spells and Expendables Cantrips: Prestidigitation, Read Magic, Mage Hand SP Abilities: Telekinetic Fist (8) Prepared Spells: Crafter's Fortune, Color Spray, Soapy Water (Grease), Identify Items: Potion of Cure Light Wounds (1)

[OllieNorth]

Urko

"Ha! That's a fair point, lass, I'll no call ya girlie, you no call me little. The sound of a pint's still ringin' in my ear, so I'll let ya lead. I'm Urko Delvehammer, friends call me Kneecap though." With an expansive gesture, he waves for Lanna to lead the way.

 

Character Name: Urko "Kneecap" Delvehammer
Class: Fighter
Level: 1
Round: - Optional
Initiative: 1
HP: 17 / 17
AC: 19 (F19 / T10) Without Shield: 17
Saves: Fort: +6 Refl: +1 Will: +2
Effects:
+4 AC, +2 atk, +1 dam v Giants | +4 vs trip/bullrush | +2 save vs poison/spell/spell-like ability | +1 atk vs goblinoid | Darkvision 60 ft
Movement:
Actions:

[DukeofTuring]

Elenion Valdemar

Pleased that his joke was well received, Elenion was less enthusiastic about Estella's reaction to his appearance, although he did his best to maintain an indifferent facade. "I know, I know, I just got off the road..." he began with a self-depreciating laugh, holding out his hands in a gesture meant to ward off any primping but quickly giving up once the wizard's determination and supernatural abilities became clear. "Thank you, that's very thoughtful of you, but I'm afraid that's really something of a fruitless effort with those old coat and boots there. I had to come here from Magnimar on quite short notice, and I haven't had the chance to pick up a decent set of clothes since, certainly nothing like those lovely robes you have on. You're a wizard, then, or a sorceress or something? I saw you talking to your cat, but I had written that off as a bit of a offbeat affection for the little thing."

 

Character Name: Elenion Valdemar
Class: Rogue (Swashbuckler)
Level: 1
Round: N/A
Initiative: N/A (+4)
HP: 9 / 9
AC: 17 (F12 / T15)
Saves: Fort: +1 Rflx: +6 Will: +1
Effects: Low Light Vision, Immune to Sleep Effects, +2 on Saves vs Enchantments, Sneak Attack 1d6, Elven and Human Blooded
Movement: 30 feet
Actions: N/A

[Disciple]

Kurdan Among the Bones
"It'll be two coppers for your fate," said the Varisian fortune teller.
Kurdan took out the coins and sat down. The woman shuffled her Harrow deck and had the shaman cut it, then began dealing out the cards.

He watched as she told the meaning of each card, painting a tale of violence and death - but he expected that, given his past and reasons for coming to town. The woman grew nervous however, and suddenly stopped. "I can tell no more. Here, take back your coppers."

"What's the matter?" asked Kurdan, frowning.

"The road ahead is not a happy one for you, but I have seen I must not tell you what is upon it. I can do no more reading for you."

Sighing, Kurdan picked up his coins and walked away.

 

Kurdan - Cleric 1
Round: - Optional
Initiative:
HP: 10 / 10
AC: 17 (F15 / T12)
Saves: Fort: +4 Refl: +2 Will: +5
Effects:
Aura of Good; Giant Slayer (+1 attack/damage, +1 Bluff/Perception/Sense Motive against giants.)
Movement: 20ft.
Actions:

[Fon]

Estella Porazio

"Magnimar? Oh, I'm envious! Nothing against my hometown, but I've always wished to visit a larger city." The wizard remarked, when the half-elf mentioned that he came from Magnimar. "And yes, I suppose I'm a wizard... This is my familiar, Onyx. She's a quiet one!" She held up the black cat in her arms. "Say hello to the nice gentlemen, Onyx... Oh, pardon me, where are my manners?" Suddenly realized that she hasn't even introduced herself, she put her familiar down. "I'm Estella Porazio, dress maker and, ahem, wizard, at your service." The tailor finished her sentence with a curtsey.

 

Stat Block Estella - Wizard 1 Initiative: +2 HP: 6 / 6 AC: 12 (F10 / T12) Saves: Fort: +0 Refl: +2 Will: +3 Effects: N/A Movement: 30 ft Actions: N/A

Spells and Expendables Cantrips: Prestidigitation, Read Magic, Mage Hand SP Abilities: Telekinetic Fist (8) Prepared Spells: Crafter's Fortune, Color Spray, Soapy Water (Grease), Identify Items: Potion of Cure Light Wounds (1)