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Post by ShadowKin on May 22, 2008 15:52:31 GMT -5
For five years, the faithful of Sandpoint have attended church in smaller wooden structures rebuilt after fire destroyed the previous temple, and while their new pastor Abstalar was helpful, kind, and wise, church wasn’t the same. Now, the new cathedral is finally done. All that remains is for the Swallowtail Festival to renew the site’s blessings from the gods and it will be as if the Sandpoint Fire that burned down the other cathedral had never occurred. The 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 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 but Larz’s amusement. Sheriff 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 five years ago. 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. 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 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 underway! At noon, Father Zantus and his acolytes wheel a large covered wagon into the square, and after recounting the short parable of how the goddess Desna first fell to earth and was nursed back to health by a blind child who she transformed into an immortal butterfly as a reward for her aid, 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 to a great cheer from the crowd. Throughout the rest of the day, children futilely chase butterflies, never quite quick enough to catch them. Lunch is provided free, at the expense of Sandpoint’s taverns. Each brings its best dishes—this event is a marketing push by the taverns as much 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 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. A man with long black hair and golden eyes walks into the square, his hide armor, wooden staff strapped to his back, and rough appearance causing some of the commoners crowded around him to realize that he is of the druidic order. He walks over to a bench and sits down leisurely, waiting for the Father’s ending speech. The crowd parts as a woman in a metal breastplate and greaves stalks into the center of the milling peasants, her long red hair and black cross eyes causing most to shy away nervously. Putting a hand on her hip, the bold looking woman looks around impatiently with a smile on her face, ready for the next part of the celebration. A loud but high-pitched laugh causes some heads to turn as a very short figure wades its way through the crowd’s legs. As the shape makes its way into the clearing, the setting sun’s rays reveal a silver haired gnome, a wooden staff belted to his back and his blue eyes shining brightly with curiosity. He ends up next to the red-haired woman, looking up curiously at the bold looking fighter. Yet another figure that is quite uncommon looking makes his way around the large group of commoners, edging around the sides of the congregation to end up next to the wild looking man. Looking down with bright blue eyes, the elf smiles in salutation at the man, sun shining brightly off his long, braided, blonde hair. A group of men swoon as a beautiful looking woman pushes past them, a look of pure annoyance splayed across her features. Her green-blue eyes flash as she makes her way forward, pushing past the red-haired woman and silver-haired gnome to end up right before the podium. She crosses her arms in front of her chest, and looks upwards, rolling her eyes. Finally, as the sun begins to set, Father Zantus takes the central podium, uses a thunderstone to attract everyone’s attention, and clears his throat as he prepares to recite the Prayer of First Dreaming, a rarely spoken prayer from the Church of Desna.
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simba580
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Post by simba580 on May 22, 2008 16:57:31 GMT -5
The druid looks up at the elf and put his hand out to shake the elf's hand and with a smile "hey there i'm kain who and what may you be?"
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havoc
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Post by havoc on May 22, 2008 17:02:23 GMT -5
Saya looks around at all the people around her. Looking down she sees a gnome, and after snickering at it walks away. Knowing that this is some stupid religious meeting, she still decides to look for anybody interesting to either fight or talk to. Seeing a druid and an elf she walks towards them, thinking that they looked more interesting then the fools staring at that stupid priest. "Hey druid, move over. I want to stand here." She laughs as she glares at the druid.
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simba580
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Look Into My Eyes And Fear Me!
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Post by simba580 on May 22, 2008 17:13:27 GMT -5
Kain looks at the strange girl with a nice fake smile and replays calmly. "I'm sorry rude stranger but i was here first and I'm trying to walk the path of peace so please don't tempt me maybe if you ask nicely I'll move by the way may I get your name?"
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havoc
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Post by havoc on May 22, 2008 17:17:23 GMT -5
Saya, suprised at the mans response laughs loudly, despite the religious meeting around her. "Hahahaa, I was just kidding. You don't really have to move." Moving to stand next to the druid, she puts out her hand. "Saya Lucia. I am a mercenary, so even if i tempted you, you'd be dead in a second. Who are you?"
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simba580
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Look Into My Eyes And Fear Me!
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Post by simba580 on May 22, 2008 17:23:29 GMT -5
Kain looks at her as if shes gone crazy then shakes her hand " I'm Kain but you are to confident in your powers it can kill you some day you know."
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havoc
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Post by havoc on May 22, 2008 17:26:09 GMT -5
Smiling Saya replies, " I'll worry about that when the day comes. Do you know whats with all these religious fools?" she asks Kain.
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simba580
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Look Into My Eyes And Fear Me!
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Post by simba580 on May 22, 2008 17:33:02 GMT -5
Kain replies back to Saya "not any clue at all really just came here to see what all this was about .. its kinda boring don't you think?"
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havoc
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Post by havoc on May 22, 2008 17:37:14 GMT -5
"Yes...fools like these are always boring." Saya looks at the elf, wondering why he doesnt do anything. Then she looks at the druid. "If only something interesting would happen."
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simba580
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Look Into My Eyes And Fear Me!
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Post by simba580 on May 22, 2008 17:41:01 GMT -5
"yeah if only..... maybe we can test out your combat skills while waitng"
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Post by isleeponpie on May 22, 2008 19:03:32 GMT -5
Aislinn let out a scoff. "You want something interesting? Try the presence of the Gods here to welcome the opening of our new grand cathedral."
She looked up at the stained glass of the marvelous building to admire the artwork before turning back to Father Zantus for when the prayer began. "Rumor has it you know," she whispered, "that we about to hear one of the most amazing prayers. I wouldn't miss something like this for a childish spar."
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Zach
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Post by Zach on May 22, 2008 19:45:06 GMT -5
Elikin recovers himself from a deep daydream of the beautiful woman who pushed him aside.
As he looks up at Father Zantus standing patiently at the podium, he wonders to himself, "When will this depressing genocide of an event start?" Elkin was no where near a dedicated member of the previous petite church before it burned down. However, after getting a glimpse of the grand cathedral, he thought it would be interesting to be a part of the congregation.
Elkin turns around and speaks to the stunning human woman in front of him, whom is staring blankly in the direction of the podium. "Good day. My name is Elkin, how do you do?"
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Post by isleeponpie on May 22, 2008 19:58:07 GMT -5
The sorceress glanced back, "Who said... that?" She looked with an emptiness in her eyes for a few seconds when she saw about two feet below, the gnome talking to her.
Embarrassed for this mistake, her cheeks turned a soft pink. "Ah... sorry, I'm Aislinn by the way." She extended a gentle hand to greet him, "Pleased to meet you. Do you like the festival so far?"
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havoc
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Post by havoc on May 22, 2008 20:14:12 GMT -5
Saya, walking away from the druid, for she decided he was annoying, returned where she was before. Seeing the gnome and a woman talking, she decides to join in. "Festival? I disagree...this is some stupid religious bogus." Looking at the woman, Saya decides shed be fun to bait. "Of course a little pretty girl like you would love this kind of crap."
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Zach
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Post by Zach on May 22, 2008 20:15:15 GMT -5
"If I was lying, I would say this was extravagant. Sadly, I am truthful and I have to say so far, the festival has been extremely dull." Elkin, embracing Aislinn's beauty, exchanges a blank look with her, before scratching his head, thinking of something to say to engage in meaningful conversation.
"Do you happen to have knowledge of what the new cathedral has to offer?"
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havoc
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Post by havoc on May 22, 2008 20:20:29 GMT -5
"Heh. The gnome knows what he is saying. This is a dull 'festival'. As for what this cathedral has to offer, i'd like to know myself." Saya says looking at the cathedral.
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Post by isleeponpie on May 22, 2008 20:20:38 GMT -5
Aislinn shook her head 'no' and replied with wit, "Nope, that's why I'm here to find out. It's extremely interesting I'm sure, they have been working on this cathedral for a long time since the fire."
Then as she turned to Saya, "But I guess someone of your low standards wouldn't understand, hmm?"
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havoc
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Post by havoc on May 22, 2008 20:26:27 GMT -5
Saya, decided to let that comment slide, looks at Aislinn,"Na. I dont understand or care for this religious crap. I just want a fight and some gold. Of course you cant do any of that cause you'll break a nail and make yourself ugly so little gnomes can't daydream about you." Giving Aislinn an evil smile Saya looks away.
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Post by isleeponpie on May 22, 2008 20:35:10 GMT -5
Aislinn smirked, concluding for herself this half-elf was just jealous. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I wouldn't expect any fights in this bunch. No one wants to upset the favor of the Gods at this point or.. let's just say bad things could happen to said person. Now, if you don't mind.." she quietly redirected her attention to the podium.
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havoc
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Post by havoc on May 22, 2008 20:38:22 GMT -5
Saya laughs to herself, deciding she won this fight. She too now directs her attention to the podium.
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