For 5 years the faithful of Sandpoint have attended services in a temporary structure erected after fire destroyed the previous temple, and while their new religious leader was helpful, kind, and wise, services weren't the same. Now, the new cathedral is finally done. All that remains is for the Swallowtail Festive to renew the site's blessings from the gods and it will be as if the Sandpoint fire had never occurred.
It begins promptly as scheduled on the Autumn Equinox. The piazza in front of the cathedral quickly becomes crowded as locals and travelers arrive and several merchant tents featuring good, clothes, local crafts, and games and soveenirs are there to meet the attendees.
Talathel arrives in Sandpoint on the morning of the autumn equinox; he's been out in the wilds for three weeks and is looking forward to a few nights in town to rest and resupply. He's been in and out of this area for a couple of months, this is his third trip to town.
"I see you're back. Just in time for the festival. a guard says
"Just need to resupply and enjoy a few days of rest... What's this about a festival?" Talathel responds.
A few minutes pass in polite discussion.
Talathel strikes out for the Rusty Dragon to see if a room and a bath are available before heading into the festival, curious to see what this human festival, honoring the tenets of multiple deities will look like.
The ring of steel on steel sounds out, followed by the sizzling sound of hot metal meeting water. A deep, booming voice says "There you go, lad. Make sure that you take care when swinging that sword so that you don't nick the blade again."
The speaker, a large dwarf with red hair and a beard that is streaked with multiple dark shades, reaches out and flips the 'open' sign outside his stall to 'closed'. Shoving his warhammer in his belt and his shield on his back, the dwarf goes to his brewing tank and checks on the ale he's brewing for the festival.
Deciding that it's good enough for humans, he pours the contents into a keg, which he rolls down the street to the festival.
While not too religious, Malkavik did see this as an opportunity to make some coin. A week and a day ago he drank a crafters fortune extract and began making ale. Every day he worked on this ale he consumed a crafters fortune. (rolling a week of crafting)
[dice=Craft Alchemy Check For Ale]1d20+13
Are you keeping track of how much all of this is costing?
Since it looks like we have a few crafters here are you keeping track of the costs associated with what you are trying to make as well as the time it will take?
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a barrel is 2 gp and it contains 36 imperial gallons (im going with imperial because the US isn't around, probably) the cost of the item is 2 sp per gallon making the market value of the ale plus the barrel 9.2 gp or 92 sp. For the purposes of crafting, (ale only) 24sp is the cost for the raw materials and the barrel is 20sp. So the cost of crafting a barrel of ale is 44 sp.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrel_(unit)#Fluid_barrel_in_the_US_and_UK
Calin moved through the growing crowd only slightly annoyed. Thankfully his hangover was gone, but he had unfortunately mentioned his interest in that girl who worked down at the Pixie's Kitten. The other mill workers immediately gave him nothing but grief for it. Still he strolled through area with the merchant tents looking for a pretty bauble perhaps to give to her.
He slightly nodding to the dwarf trundling by with a keg heading deeper into crowd. He recognized the dwarf, he kept the town guards gear as a blacksmith. Tor.... He couldnt recall the dwarf's last name. He frowned as he entered one of the tents, carefully avoiding being trundled into by a couple of kids. Calin was wearing his gear. He had been one of the unlucky militia members half on duty during the festival. Not that it would change his enjoyment of things.
Tor returns the nod that he receives from Calin with a wave and calls out "oi, you wanna gimme a hand with this?"
Amara sighed as she wandered through the crowd. She had just arrived, and so far she didn't seem to be doing so well in finding people to pair up with her. Finally, frustrated, she stopped by what looked like a dwarf and a half-elf talking.
"Hello. Could you direct me to where people looking to go on adventures regularly meet?"
Looking Amara up and down, Tor chuckles and says "Well, The Rusty Dragon is a good place to start. I'm actually headed that way myself to drop this off. You're welcome to follow me."
Calin glanced at the tents then at the dwarf and the newcomer. "lunch does sound like a much better idea than milling about for a bauble. And I can certainly help with your keg as well." He offered glancing again at the young woman. "Adventurer's? Do you have a problem that you need help with? I wouldn't call myself an adventurer by any stretch but if the sheriff couldnt handle the problem I would like to help if im able... beats a double shift at the mill i bet." He began with a broad smile straightening to provide a more heroic visage to the woman.
Tor chuckles, leers at Calin, then shakes his head.
Talathel is heading out of the Rusty Dragon after doing his best to get cleaned up and put on his "best" clothes. Clean, but well worn and rather out of style. His armor is stuffed into his backpack, not willing to leave it in the room unattended, but wanting to dress the part for the festival.
He sees the human and half-elf helping a dwarf roll a barrel down the street towards the inn, and calls out: "I thought the festival was at the new cathedral? Was just heading there myself..."
Wonder if I trust that half-elf... need to see which side he takes after
Amara shook her head.
"Not a problem. I'm looking to help solve problems. And maybe gain some knowledge I can use along the way."
She smiled to the pair, shifting the backpack a bit to make it more comfortable.
"May I accompany you? I might get lucky and find excitement. Or not lucky and find boredom. Either way. it would be a change of pace."
She blinked as a passing elf mentioned a festival.
"Could you also tell me about this festival? I'm afraid I'm new to these lands, and my purpose in coming here didn't account for it."
"I'm new here too. The guards at the gate mentioned the festival when I arrived this morning. Something about dedicating the new cathedral. Sounds like there should be games and food and music near the cathedral now! "
"You have never heard of the swallowtail festival? Calin said half incredulous Its a festival honoring Desna, we have food and games, they release so many butterflys into the air the sky dances with color. But the elf has the right of it, Im Calin by the way." He said offering a smile to them. He kept his eyes peeled for the sight of the Raven haired beauty who work at the kitten, If there was ever a day to catch away from her workplace this might be it.
As you approach the piazza the sounds of merriment greet you. The smells of food waft through the air. Barkers bark to see different exhibits. Entertaiment and games abound.
What kind of ale is it, Halfling? the barkeep asks with a raised eyebrow as he washes down the bar with a damp rag.
He is going to take a mug of it. You can tell that he knows his ale as he goes through the ritual of tasting it, smelling it, before swishing it around in his mouth. It seems to be okay. I will give you a gp for the barrel, since it is a Halfling size barrel.
Okay bee
Amara blushed.
"My parents were not big on anything related to religion, and my studies didn't focus on it a lot. I may have missed some important details when preparing for this trip."
How did I miss that there's a religious festival of all things? That should have been the most obvious! Gah!
"Tell me more about it and Desna?"
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Malkavik takes a couple minutes to mix up a shield and cure light wounds extracts since those are his standard adventuring extracts. Since I won't make it as a brewer maybe I'll make my money adventuring instead. He puts them in his belt with his catalysts and his mutagen. He then buys a common meal and a drink.
Calin blinked unsure how to answer. He was certainly no priest. Still He knew a little bit about her, it was hard not to having lived in Sandpoint the last few years. "Desna is the goddess of dreams and stars and travelers... The local Varisians love her. I think the ceremony is led by a follower of her, you could ask him more about it to be honest im not as pious as I should be." He ended weakly. He decided to change the subject. They have festival games sometimes, archery or strength challenges. I remember well loosely that is a drinking challenge once. . . I dont recall much after that contest so I've avoided it ever since." He said with a smile His eyes continued to glance about the crowd.
At noon Father Zantus and his acolytes wheel a large covered wagon into the square, and after recounting the short parable of how Desna first fell to Golarion and was nursed back to health by a blind child whom she transformed into an immortal butterfly as a reward for her aid, they pull aside the wagon's cover, releasing thousands of children of Desna, a furious storm of swallowtail butterflies that swarm into the air in a spiraling riot of color to a great cheer from the crowd. Through out the rest of the day children futilely chase butterflies, never quite quick enough to catch them.
After the swallowtails have been released, Father Zantus announces that it is now time for lunch. He provides a blessing over the food. The food that arrives is free of charge. It is provided by Sandpoint's taverns. Each brings its best dishes. this event is as much a marketing push by the tavern to win new customers as it is to feed a hungry crowd. It soon becomes apparent that the darling of the lunch is once again, Ameiko Jaijitus, whose remarkable curry-spiced salmon and early winterdrop mean easily overshadow the other offerings. such as the Hagfish's lobster chowder or the White Deer's venison served with peppercorn and a mustard sauce.
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Mal finishes his meal just in time to see the butterflies released. He watches the children play with them remembering his childhood. While the food smells good he's too full to partake. He's not about to miss witnessing the different contests though. So he stops observing and heads to the next event.
Talathel samples all the dishes brought out, glad to have his choice of the Rusty Dragon for his lodging confirmed as the best in town for food, at least in his eyes and the eyes of the crowd.
Turning towards Calin: "Nice to meet a local. I'm Talathel, Tal for short. When the festival is over, where's the best place for me to restock general wilderness and exploring supplies? I've been doing to the Red Dog Smithy when I need my armor repaired, but such a crude individual... Is there anyone else to deal with in this place?"
"If you are looking for weapons and armor, You could try Savah's. Its right off the town hall, Leather goods you'll probably want Ol' Larz Rovanky's tannery. His work is amazing though he's a bit of a perfectionist.Its right on the mill pond head east keep your nose open and you cant miss it. If you are just looking for general goods, Mr. Vinder has a general store across from the academy. Are you staying at one of the inn's tonight? After the festival i have a few things to take care of but i will gladly guide you about in the morning if you would like."
Calin offered glad to be of some use. He kept looking for Riessa, that pretty working girl from the kitten. He couldnt imagine she wouldnt be at the festival... he also couldnt imagine what he would say to her if he did run across her.
Calin
Amara nodded to the talk about Desna. And then frowned; she would have to ask a priest. She didn't want to ask priests. She wanted to just hunt down an easy book and...
Suddenly, an idea struck the girl.
"Would they also have a guidebook in this? I may not have enough time to pop in and ask the guy all I need to know. A book on it would help immensely. Plus, if I ever need that information out in the wilderness, a book is a lot lighter than a priest and doesn't complain as much about you disrupting their life."
Mal sees various people (the party) dressed in the way that he is looking for in various places throughout Sandpoint.
"Well miss... miss. the young looking half elf frowned. I dont think i have your name. How rude of me not to ask a pretty lass her name even, I am sorry I am distracted by the festival so many people around and excited, you sometimes miss things." He began with the light bit of flirtiing. "Their is a book store in town, if you can imagine such things. Its called the 'Curious Goblin.' Its right beside the academy. I can show you where to find it too if you would like. He paused as the halfling approached them. He had honestly been about to tell the little man that he didnt need what he was selling, instead he had to chuckle out loud.
"Adventurer's? He stopped laughing and gave a little shrug. I live her in Sandpoint, work at the mill and the Goblin Squash stables. Fine mounts there I might add, The other's here were looking to adventure. I suppose i could be your guide of sorts, hopefully it doesnt interfere with work too much Im trying to... He paused as a few beautiful and well dressed women walking by in a small cotterie. he blushed a little and nodded his head politely as they passed and giggled.
He certainly let his eyes follow them for a moment and it was apparent he might be looking for someone in the group, whoever it was he obviously didnt see.
"I'm sorry, where was I?" He began running his hand through his hair. "Theirs uh... gold in adventuring sometimes right? And the chance to make a name for yourself?" He asked.
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That's what I hear. You get gold and fame. You also get to try out your skills. You see I'd like to try making extracts so I can heal others and I've also been working on making bombs so that the blast only goes off in a certain way so that only enemies in close combat get hurt. Until then I have my crossbow. I'll only use them when no one is in close combat with the enemy. Discretion is key with bombs.
"Honored to meet you, Mal. I'm Tal. I've been wondering these lands recently, looking for signs of ancient ruins or other sites of historic interest. So far I haven't found any, but I'd be happy to journey with another. Always useful to have someone around around who's handing with healing. Myself, I like to mix the sword and magic. I haven't met many halfings, but from the stories you always seem to have more fun when they're around; I look forward to seeing if that's true."
Amara watched the halfling with amusement as he approached, though looked to Calin first.
"I'm Amara. And I would love to see it. Take me there in a bit?"
She then grinned to Mal and Tal. "I am hoping to discover the magic of those places as well. It seems we all have similar interests, and perhaps we could work well together. And with three of us who have some knowledge of magic, I'm certain our fields of study will allow us to make a lot of discoveries."
Zrax'ir hurries through the crowds, wary of the bigger men who might kick him accidentally. Earlier this day, he had gone out to take a look at markings on a tree, supposedly left by the Sandpoint Devil. After follwing his vague description for the better part of two hours, all he had found was a tree marked by a bear. His way back was accompanied by lots of curses and recitings of all grim and horrible deaths he could remember from tha tales of Apsu.
When the voices increase and the smell of cooked food spreads on the plaza, Zrax'ir climbs on top of an unused table to get a better view of what's going on. He watches how father Zantus announced lunch, and smiles a small feral smile at the sight of children chasing some of the butterflies. Good instincts, but they always seem to lose them when getting bigger....
It is then that he notices an unusual group gathering in front of him, conducting a small meeting within this big meeting. One of them, Calin, he had asked about the Devil a few days back, and he his posture indicated that he knew how to fight. Zrax'ir jumps off the table and walks to the group, avoiding body contact with passersby.
"Bright day, sirs. Sorry to bother you like this, but you haven't seen a farmer named Grump around by chance? He gave me directions to the latest sighting of the Sandpoint Devil, and I want to return... the favor." The kobold looks to the side, cursing quietly. "Ky idiot i mallkuar të korrupsionit në hijen e krimit"