Kiirnodel
Keeps Coming Back for More
Posts: 937
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Post by Kiirnodel on Nov 2, 2007 21:53:18 GMT -5
Chapter 1 of 6
Burnt Offerings
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Kiirnodel
Keeps Coming Back for More
Posts: 937
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Post by Kiirnodel on Nov 2, 2007 22:07:56 GMT -5
Part 1: Festival and FireThe Swallowtail Festival begins promptly, as scheduled, on the first day of autumn. 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. The turnout for the opening speeches is quite respectable, and many people gather in the square waiting to hear what each of the speakers have to say. The first speaker, Mayor Deverin, greets the crowd with a friendly attitude and her excitement proves contagious as she welcomes visitors to town. She even jokes about how even Larz Rovanky, managed to tear himself away from the tannery to attend, much to everyone but Larz’s amusement. Next, Sheriff Hemlock brings the crowd down a bit with his dour mood. He reminds everyone to be safe around the evening’s bonfire. Afterward, he makes a request for a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives in the fire that claimed the town’s previous church five years ago. The crowd goes silent. Fortunately, Cyrdak Drokkus is more than up to the challenge of bringing the crowd’s mood back up with his rousing anecdotes as he delivers a not-completely-irreverent recap of the long process the town went through to finance and construct the new cathedral. Afterwards he invites 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 Avisera the harpy queen will be played by none other than the famous Magnimarian diva Allishanda! Finally, Father Zantus steps up give a short speech thanking everyone for coming before declaring the Swallowtail Festival officially underway. The crowd disperses, and people begin to move about, talking with friends, bartering with merchants, and generally just enjoying the day.
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Post by Dave on Nov 5, 2007 13:25:13 GMT -5
I ask my escorted lady friend if she would like to see the play.
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Nov 5, 2007 20:34:49 GMT -5
I calmly walk around town, taking in the sites, smiling amiably, stopping to chat with anyone who strikes up a conversation with me. Followed faithfully, of course, by my pet wolf, Freohr.
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Kiirnodel
Keeps Coming Back for More
Posts: 937
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Post by Kiirnodel on Nov 8, 2007 1:05:27 GMT -5
Jubaul
When asked about the play, Zenovia replies with an enthusiastic nod. After the speeches finish she proceeds to wander around the area, looking at the wares of merchants who have come in specially for this occasion.
Malik
Many people seem perplexed by your wolf, but this is a festival and some things are better left as they are. A few of the bolder children, after seeing the canine follow you so faithfully find their way to you. "Can we pet the big doggy?"
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Post by Dave on Nov 8, 2007 1:22:43 GMT -5
I tail after her, looking around with her. If she seems particularly taken with something, I'll get it for her (if its not too expensive). When I see the large, shaggy dog (wolf), I point it out to Zenovia, and take her over, telling her I won't let it bite her.
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Nov 8, 2007 7:27:32 GMT -5
Smiling to the children he looks down at his wolf. "Of course, he won't hurt you. But don't be too rough with him." as I crouch down next to him and pet him as well, keeping him calm while the children pet him. (25 handle animal).
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Post by Dave on Nov 8, 2007 10:19:10 GMT -5
After she sees the children petting the wolf, Zenovia hesitantly moves over to try to pet it. [Assuming Malik doesn't object to her getting close] She tentatively strokes its head, asking the owner what its name is. I move close to stand next to her, looking at the owner, being interested in the answer myself.
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Nov 8, 2007 12:56:40 GMT -5
"His name is Freohr, my lady, and a wonderful companion he is." Looking up, he notices the man following the lady around, and apparently listening intently, and nods politely to him. "And don't worry, he won't harm anyone, just incase you were thinking that." He says this as if speaking to the lady, but looking directly at the man.
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Post by Dave on Nov 12, 2007 1:24:01 GMT -5
"I'm sure he makes a great pet," Jubaul says as he leans over to pat its head once or twice before he moves out of the way of any of the children that want to see the overgrown doggy. Zenovia continues to stroke the wolf as he speaks with its owner. "I take it by your choice of companion that you travel? I haven't seen many town-folk with this sort of pet, although I could be mistaken - I don't know this area too well."
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Nov 12, 2007 7:32:07 GMT -5
"Indeed I do." He replies, still sticking close to his wolf, just in case. "Actually I am of the tribes, specifically the one most people know as the Hawk Clan."
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Post by Dave on Nov 12, 2007 10:47:34 GMT -5
"Ah, I see. I travel quite a bit myself, with the blessings of the Lady of Spheres (DC 10 Knowledge: Religion to ID Desna). I've never been to the homelands of your people, though - I'd love to hear your stories..." Jubaul notices Zenovia looking at him, evidently wanting to get moving on. "...if you have time later, of course," he finishes with a smile slightly too wide. "I'm staying at the chapel for now, if you want to stop by and talk," is all he manages to get out before Zenovia starts wandering over to a merchant's wagon, and he quickly follows.
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Nov 12, 2007 17:17:59 GMT -5
Chuckling under his breath, he shakes his head and pats Freohr on the head, before standing and moving on through the crowds, taking in the sights, Freohr once again following faithfully.
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Nate
Senior Member
Posts: 487
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Post by Nate on Nov 12, 2007 18:47:55 GMT -5
Maldeth, bored to tears by the opening of the festival, walks around seeing what all there is. When he gets bored, he finds the supplies to make a simple sign out of and writes an ad for himself. He finds a crowded area where he can sit and sets the sign next to him. The sign reads:
For Hire Guide Tracker Guard Mercenary (with an arrow pointing to him)
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Kiirnodel
Keeps Coming Back for More
Posts: 937
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Post by Kiirnodel on Nov 14, 2007 2:51:46 GMT -5
At noon, Father Zantus and his acolytes wheel a large covered wagon into the square. He speaks in a clear voice and recounts a short parable of how Desna first fell to earth. She was nursed back to health by a blind child who she transformed into an immortal butterfly as a reward for her aid. Afterwards, they pull aside the wagon's cover, releasing the thousand children of Desna—a furious storm of a thousand swallowtail butterflies that swarm into the air in a spiraling riot of color. The gathered crowd lets out a great cheer.
Throughout the rest of the day, children futilely chase butterflies, never quite quick enough to catch them.
A short while after the Swallowtail Release is completed, and the wagon is removed, people start to set up tables. A wide array of food is set out as lunch is provided free of charge, at the expense of Sandpoint's taverns. Each brings its best dishes. It soon becomes apparent that the darling of the lunch is, once again, Ameiko Kaijitsu, whose remarkable curry-spiced salmon and early winterdrop mead easily overshadow the other offerings, such as the Hagfish's lobster chowder or the White Deer's peppercorn venison.
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