Catessa Fallowfield - While traveling along, you spent the night in Sandpoint.  The town was all abuzz about the festival on the morrow.  Curious, you decide to check it out before leaving.

Garth Oakenshield - You arrived home a few days ago to find your girlfriend married to another man, and have spent the last few days in a bottle.  Today you woke up after sleeping the day away and found everyone was gathered at the festival.  Out of habit you put on your armor and strap on your sword.  All the drinks and food are at the festival.

Glum - You have been sent from your monastary to attend this festival as your last step for them and the first step on your lifes journey away from them.  You have spent a couple of days hanging around and helping out.

Naomi Armastance - After you left home, you had a dream.  A glorious temple made of sand, a swallowtail butterfly flies out of the door.  The next morning you overhear some travelers talking about a Swallowtail Festival, to celebrate the opening of the Sandpoint Cathedral.  A sign, You arrive on the day of the festival.  Due to everyone being busy at the festival, you are still dressed for travel at the end of the day.

Talis Revain and  Zer-wedula- You are on a ship (the Flying Cloud) from Riddleport.  Due to unexpected problems the ship is late and arrives on the day of the festival.  Due to everyone being busy at the festival, you are still dressed for travel at the end of the day.

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The first day of autumn dawns in the town of Sandpoint, and although a chill is in the air from the winds sweeping off the Varisian Gulf, the day promises to be a pleasant one as summer at last fades.The trees along the Lost Coast have begun to put forth their brilliant displays of red, Blue and yellow leaves and in a few weeks the nearby hills and forests will be aflame with bright autumnal colors. The air is crisp and refreshing and a light mist begins to lift from the streets of town. Though the sun has just peaked over the horizon, many of Sandpoint's residents have been awake for a few hours now.

As the rays of the morning sun lazily creep over the wood-shingles of the rooftops, visitors begin to fill the streets leading into town. Many are farmers and their families from outlying homesteads. Others are travelers from nearby towns and villages while some have come from as far away as Magnimar. The streets quickly become crowded as the residents and visitors make their way toward the illuminated stained-glass windows of a large, stone building: the new Sandpoint Cathedral.

The square before the church fills with the travelers and locals. Several merchant tents have already been set up ready to sell their wares of food, clothing, crafts, and souvenirs. The air is filled with excitement, for today is the Swallowtail Festival. On this day, the high priest Father Zantus will ask the gods to renew their blessing upon this holy site and consecrate the new cathedral. For five years the faithful of Sandpoint have attended church in small wooden buildings since their church had been burned down, claiming the life of their beloved priest Ezakien Tobyn and his adopted daughter Nualia. Today, the townsfolk look to the future, and with the new cathedral, it will be as if the Sandpoint Fire had never occurred.

A hush comes over the crowd as four people emerge from the cathedral to stand at the top of the steps: Mayor Kendra Deverin, Father Abstalar Zantus, Sheriff Hemlock and Cyrdak Drokkus.

Mayor Devrin waits for the cheers to subside, then addresses the crowd.

"People of Sandpoint, it is with great honor and jubilation that I, Mayor Kendra Deverin, welcome you to the Swallowtail festival and the consecration of our new cathedral. It is also with great honor that I welcome the visitors to Sandpoint. Even Larz Rovanky has managed to tear himself away from his tannery to attend."

Many people chuckle warmly at this last remark, except Larz. The mayor continues:

"Today marks a turning point in our town's history. The opening of the new cathedral will bring many new days of peace and longevity to our town. Through perseverance and patience, you have waited five years for the day when you would have a permanent place of worship. For five years you have waited for the day when the blessing of the goddess would be completed. Rejoice, people of Sandpoint! The day is come!"

Shouts, cheers, and whistles erupt from the people. The clapping of hands and stamping of feet rumbles through the square as the mayor bows and descends the stairs. The applause continues as the Sheriff, Belor Hemlock, stoically moves to the center of the stairs as he waits for the cheers to subside.

The cheers continue, and the sheriff calls for attention with authority. When the gleeful throng quiets, Sheriff Hemlock solemnly addresses the crowd. "I must remind all, to be safe this evening around the bonfire. And now, a moment of silence for those who perished on this site five years ago." The sheriff lowers his head as a lull comes over the people and visitors of Sandpoint. After a moment, the sheriff leaves the steps and Cyrdak flamboyantly takes his place.

"Greetings, greetings! People of Sandpoint, and people not from Sandpoint. Greetings to all. I cannot tell you how absolutely excited I am to be standing upon the steps of this grand edifice!" Cydak turns and holds his arms out, gesturing to the cathedral. With a grin, and a flourish of his cape, he quickly turns back to the crowd. "For five years we have secured funding to give back what was lost. For five years, we have erected it stone by stone. It was no easy task, to be sure, but here it is! Look upon your new, marvelous cathedral, people of Sandpoint! Your hard work and faith has brought this magnificent structure to life and made dreams and hopes a reality!"

The crowd cheers thunderously, and Cydak holds out his arms, basking in the noisome din. After a moment, he holds up a hand for silence.

"And now, we have a festival. We have a new church. And to top it all off, tomorrow night we have a special production over at the Sandpoint Theater, The Harpy's Curse! And the lead role will be played by none other than the famous Magnimarian diva Allishanda!!!"

Another cheer, and Cydak takes a lavish bow and bids the townsfolk a happy festival.

Finally, Father Zantus steps foward. Smiling, the jubilant priest passes his kind eyes over the assembly. "Blessed of Desna! Thank you one and all for coming to this joyous and momentous occasion. May the grace of the goddess favor us this day. At noon we will release the Swallowtails here in the square. At sunset, we will consecrate the new cathedral and ask for the blessing of Desna. Until then, eat and drink! Make merry in the streets! Let the Swallowtail Festival begin!" He throws up his arms as he declares this and the townsfolk roar with applause, many throwing their arms up into the air, mirroring Father Zentus's excitement and happiness.

The square slowly thins out as the people gravitate toward merchants and the various inns and taverns. Musicians bring out their instruments, and dancers and jugglers begin impromptu performances. Children run through the streets laughing and playing.

OoC<bump into each other and make some introductions>
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:00, Tue 06 Jan 2009.