Rory smiles at Viskalai, "Thank you, Mr. Viskalai. You are very kind. I am Aurora, these are my cousins, Isa and Ferak. We would be honored to perform at your establishment and greatly appreciate the room and hot meal. And since you are so kind I would be happy to give you a generous discount on our regular fee. Say, half of what we usually charge. Does that sound agreeable?"

Rory rolled 24 using 1d20+5 for Diplomacy to make some extra money

If he agrees they set up a time/day for her and her cousins to perform. If he does not she smooths things over and still agrees to perform, setting up when they should be there.

Turning to Brodert Quink she raises and eyebrow and gives him a smile, "Mr. Quink, pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Aurora. Thassilonian artifacts, you say? I don't know much about those.... Sure! Sounds like it could be interesting! Something new! Or, well, old. How does tomorrow morning sound?"

After deciding on a time with Quink, Rory packs up the performance area and takes her share of the earnings from the dance. (They split everything evenly.) Money divided, the cousins go their separate ways to have a look around the festival with plans to meet back at an inn/restaurant/food cart they found nearby for lunch at noon. Rory leads Aria through the crowd looking for a sign with the events of the festival written up or asking anyone official looking for these details.

Asur, Vano, and Droart walk Bait over to the edge of town, following a trickle of people slowly filling a small pavilion setup near a dirt track.  There's a cluster of riders getting their mounts ready, although nobody is lining for the race just yet.  A small wooden table is setup near the track with a dwarf seated behind it next to a stack of forms for entry.  "Right then, just sign your name here, initial here and here, and put your mount's name here, and we'll get you lined up when the time comes.  Best of luck to you and your horse."



With the welcoming speeches done, Xol's booth sees a few curious visitors as people make their way out of the square, but none of the initial visitors have the desire to part with any coin for his services.  One of the last people out of the square, however, is a nervous looking young man , his eyes darting all around the area.  "Master wizard, I was wondering what you could tell me about this?  I found it in the slag heap during my shift at the glass factory a few days ago."  Reaching into his picket, he pulls out a small metal amulet in the shape of a seven-pointed star.



Viskalai narrows his eyes at Rory's offer, then cracks a smile.  "How can I resist such an offer?  Consider it a deal, Aurora.  I'll expect the three of you in time for the dinner crowd."

Bodert reacts to Rory's agreement with a slight widening of his eyes.  "You actually want to go?"  He tries to cover his slip of the tongue, the words spilling out of his mouth almost faster than he can think.  "I mean, of course you want to!  Tomorrow morning would be great, I'll meet you at the inn after breakfast?"



The sheriff listens to Jensox's story and looks at the fragmented words on the poster.  "Scarnetti.  Of course it would be Scarnetti."  He frowns, then shakes his head.  "You were right to bring this to my attention, although with the festival happening I cannot look into it any more today.  Bring it by the guard post tomorrow and we'll take a look at the official registry."

In reply to The Man Behind The Curtain (msg # 27):

Xol looks at the amulet, and after casting detect magic on it, rolls for knowledge Arcana, local, religion, and perception on it.


5 + 7 = 12 Arcana
13+ 7 = 20 Local
8 + 3 = 11 Religion
16 + 7 = 23 Perception
This message was last edited by the player at 18:31, Mon 22 July 2019.

Vano strolls over to the registration table and nods at the dwarf before signing up both Bait and himself. After walking back out of the pavilion he hops back onto the saddle and takes Bait at a brisk trot through the race track to learn the course and warm up the horse. If anyone tries to stop him, he attempts to brush past saying, "I just don't want the locals to have too much of an advantage. I'll only be gone a minute."

Vano rolled 16 using 1d20.  Perception race course.

After he either gets a chance to check out the track, or is denied entry entirely, he rides back to Asur and Droart. "Would you two mind watching my stuff while I'm racing? Bait will have a better time of it without carrying so much." Vano spends a couple minutes making a pile of his possessions. He unhooks his saddlebags and places them on the ground. He sets his longbow and quivers next to them. His cloak and scimitar follow next. His pin gets removed from the cloak and moved to his shoulder. He checks his scarf to make sure it is tied securely around his waist.

Vano is basically willing to wait for the start of the race unless Droart or Asur have anything else to do. He takes any remaining time to size up the competition.

Vano rolled 4 using 1d20.  Perception fellow riders.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:23, Mon 22 July 2019.

Rory Agrees to both Viskalai and Bodert for the meeting times, shakes hands and watches them go. After the crowd has dispersed a bit she huddles with her cousins to split the earnings evenly between all four. They find a cafe/inn nearby and agree to meet back there at noon for lunch. After parting ways she wanders around the festival, leading Aria, looking for anything interesting, be it something to do, something worth stealing, or someone who looks like fun to talk with for a time.

Rory rolled 11 using 1d20+2.  Perception to look for trouble?

Xol looks over the amulet carefully.  His stores of knowledge are of no help in identifying the object, beyond simply telling him that it is old.  Very old.  Older than anything in that condition has any right to be without magical aid.    With his mundane avenues exhausted, he opens his magical sight and gazes on the amulet.  After a few seconds of careful focus, he smiles, having proven his suspicions correct. 



Vano trots Bait for a quick lap around the track.  It's a simple dirt oval, roughly a half mile in total, with no notable obstacles or challenging terrain.  The other riders, all locals based on their easy familiarity with each other, are dressed in rugged leathers and appear ready for a hard ride.  By the time the dwarf handling registration folds his table up there are a dozen horses and riders milling about the starting line.  Vano is placed on the outermost slot of the race, although whether due to his late entry or his outsider status is impossible to determine.  The same dwarf climbs a small wooden tower and grabs a small conical horn.  "Ladies and gentleman, welcome one and all to the first annual Sandpoint Challenge!  Our winner today will receive a full keg of the Hagfish's finest ale, courtesy of Jargie Quinn.  This is a friendly contest, so please, no pushing, striking, kicking or biting.  And keep the horses under control, too!"  The crowd, already in a good mood from the day's celebration, laughs at the joke as the dwarf pulls out a green flag.  Holding it high, he counts out the race's start.  "On your mark... get set... GO!"

The race is short, but while Vano and Bait make a valiant effort the horse's fatigue from the days of travel required to reach Sandpoint is simply too much and the pair end up finishing in the middle of the pack.  A black-and-white mottled stallion with a saddleblanket bearing the image of a purple bell-shaped flower ends up placing first to a polite smattering of applause.  The winner shortly receives a large wooden cask which is wheeled away, and then a pair of carts piled with casks roll up to the track.  The dwarf raises his megaphone again.  "Ladies and gentlemen, in honor of today's importance Jargie Quinn has gifted you all with a special surprise - a free mug of ale not just for the racers, but for all of you who have joined us today!"  That announcement draws considerably more interest, and soon the racetrack is swarmed with folks claiming their drink.  And perhaps a second, or third, if they think they can get away with it.


As lunchtime draws close, all the inns and taverns in the city setup large tables in the common square outside the new cathedral.  The innkeepers and their helpers start placing out their signature dishes, and soon the entire square is filled to the brim with a dizzying variety of food.  All is provided free of charge; with the large volume of foreigners in town the inkeeps know an opportunity for self-promotion when they see it.  Ameiko Kaijitsu easily wins the unofficial popularity contest with her curry-spiced salmon paired with a winterdrop mead, and the other cooks give her a good-natured ribbing.

After lunch the square comes alive with local merchants selling their wares, artists demonstrating their talents, even a traveling bard from down south in Magnimar makes a showing.  And then, finally, as the sun begins to set, the town gathers in the square to witness the consecration of the new cathedral and the closing of this ugly chapter in their town's history.


Everyone please leave a post detailing how you spend your afternoon.  If you want to try and buy something, let me know and we'll talk.  Please also indicate where you're standing for the consecration ceremony on the map below.



This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Wed 24 July 2019.

After the race Vano hops off his horse with a huge smile on his face. He gathers up his belongings and then enjoys a couple ales (while encouraging Asur and Droart to drink with him). Then he takes Bait back to the Rusty Dragon and checks in, making sure to mention he is from the Black Arrows. He spends some time properly taking care of Bait after so much time on the road and a hard race.

Eventually he heads back out to the celebration, wanders for a bit, samples the local food, and ends up relaxing where he can hear the bard perform.

In between performances he walks up the bard and tips them a couple silver. He starts to walk off, pauses, and then turns back to say hesitantly "If, in your travels, you ever come across a pair of Varisian bards by the name of Qrow and Lenna, could you let them know that their son is doing well." He then hurries off without waiting for an answer.


(I end up at F18 for the ceremony)

After the race, Asur gratefully accepts the mug of ale, and toasts Bait’s performance.  Following that bit of merriment, he returns the horse grooming items he borrowed, and starts wandering the festival.
    He stops briefly to taste all the different foods and offerings, enjoys the travelling troop of dancers for a performance, and generally marvels at how happy everyone in town seems at the moment.
    For the rest of the day, until the ceremony, Asur borrows a wooden bowl from one of the inns and begs for alms, any proceeds of which he returns to the church.

09:18, Today: Asur rolled 30 using 1d20+10. Diplomacy to beg for alms. He is apparently wildly successful.

Asur stands around N9 for the ceremony

Before lunch Rory goes to the White Deer to stable Aria give her food and generally pamper her so she can rest. After she meets up with her cousins for lunch, taking full advantage of all the free food. Through the afternoon they enjoy the festival together. She talks with many new people and invites them to come to the White Deer to see her dance that evening.

If dinner time happens before the consecration ceremony she and her cousins show up early to the White Deer to set up and perform. Knowing the owner is related to the sheriff and apparently a Shoanti, not a foreigner, she advises her cousins not to steal anything and just ask for tips.

Seeing a fellow Varisian she does not recognize (Vano) at the ceremony she goes over to him and smiles wide gives him the traditional greeting of clasping opposite arms and patting him on the back. In Varisian she introduces herself, "I'm Aurora Lesandre, you can call me Rory, it's so good to see a fellow Varisian here! Did you come for the festival?"

Rory ends up at F17 for the ceremony.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:41, Wed 24 July 2019.

Vano returns the greeting. "Well met, Rory, you can call me Vano. And yes, I'm here for the festival...free food, plentiful ale, and decent music. The horse race was great fun as well, though I'd like a rematch sometime."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:15, Wed 24 July 2019.

After the brief discussion with the Sheriff, Jensox returns the parchment to his cloak and leads Nova back through the crowd and to the small alcove between buildings.  After people watching for a moment, the two continue away from the gathering and find their way toward the beach along the town's northern edge.  The open air and calm water allow Jensox to release some of the tension he's been holding, and he encourages Nova to run along the sand.

The smells emanating from the square quickly attract Nova's nose, and the pair wander on back into the fray and search out food, Jensox asking the inn keepers if they mind his sharing with his companion.  Morsels in hand, they'll work their way back once more to the alcove on the north side and settle in under the tree/bush to enjoy.  With a full belly, Jensox doesn't feel much like moving and settles in to watch the artists, enjoy the bard's music, and be a part of a society (if on the periphery) for the first time in a while.

As the sun sets, Jensox ends up at L28, and Nova at M28.

In reply to The Man Behind The Curtain (msg # 31):

Xol is concerned about the nature of the amulet, and how it was found. He tells the young man I think it would be best if i did some additional investigation on this amulet. There are some things about it that make me uneasy, and i fear it could cause harm in the wrong hands. I'll need to consult with Abstalar at least before I can let you know for sure what it is. He takes the amulet before the young man can object, and heads toward the church to see if Ablaster can help to Identify it.

Likely being turned away due to the business of the day, he is ok to wait until later to speak with the priest if needed.

During the festival Xol meanders on the north side of the courtyard in front of the chapel. He will end up on the outskirts of the crowd during the ceremony, as he's not big on crowds, and prefers a more natural environment.

Xol settles in at M29 near Jensox for the ceremony

In reply to The Man Behind The Curtain (msg # 31):

Droart spends the afternoon following Vano around, looking around for anything concerning. All day he looks annoyed as Asur begs for alms, and tries all the food but he quietly enjoys all of it, especially watching how successful Asur is at begging. As Asur falls into N9, Droart stays in M9 right behind him.

Nova's ears perk up as Xol approaches, and he glanced up at his master with a question. Jensox reaches and scratches Nova's ears, and the dog's demeanor instantly relaxes. Nova will briefly sniff around the approaching wizard before settling back down.

Jensox recognizes maybe some of the same discomfort around crowds as he feels, and nods at Xol without saying anything before returning to his own thoughts.
This message was last updated by the player at 18:23, Sat 27 July 2019.

The afternoon passes without notable incident, the townsfolk and visitors enjoying the various displays of arts and crafts throughout the town square.  As the sun starts to set, everyone gathers once again in front of the cathedral.  Father Zantus steps back up to the podium, and gives the gathered throng a welcoming smile.  He raises his hands, and the acolytes behind him open the lid on cages containing thousands of swallow-tail butterflys, bathing the entire crowd in a rainbow of light reflecting off the multitude of wings.  A quiet murmer of amazement runs through the crowd.  The priest raises a small gray thunderstone above his head, and throws it down onto the ground to signal the start his speech. The stone hits the ground, and a sharp retort, like the crack of distant thunder, slices through the excited crowd as the sun’s setting rays paint the western sky. A stray dog that has crawled under a nearby wagon to sleep starts awake.  All eyes turn from the butterflys back to Father Zantus and he clears his throat and takes a breath to speak.

Suddenly a woman’s scream slices through the air. A few moments later, another scream rises, then another. Beyond them, a sudden surge of strange new voices rises—high-pitched, tittering shrieks that sound not quite human. The crowd parts and something low to the ground races by, giggling with disturbing glee as the stray dog gives a pained yelp and then collapses with a gurgle, its throat cut open from ear to ear. As blood pools around its head, the raucous sound of a strange song begins, chanted from shrill, scratchy voices.

The entire town appears to erupt into chaos almost immediately.  Within the square, a single goblin crawls from the tent nearest Xol and Jensox.  A pair of goblins emerge from the cart near Rory and Vano, and another pair emerge from the cart near Asur and Droart.


Alright, let's do this!  The Goblins took most of you by surprise, so there will be a Surprise round.    After the surprise round we'll start the normal combat.

Surprise round initiative:
Xol
Jensox
Goblins

Map:

This message was last edited by the player at 01:12, Wed 31 July 2019.

Jensox rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Nova's perception.

Chris let me know Nova's perception roll was high enough to notice the Gerblins, and Jensox/Nova's initiative is high enough that Nova gets a standard action in the surprise round before the enemy

Nova notices the nearest goblin (Q27) crawling from the tent. He immediately stands and alerts his master with a staccato bark and a quick look glance his shoulder. Even without a command, Nova's sheparding training takes over.


Nova takes a 5 foot step to N27 and stands guard, attempting to prevent any enemy from passing through or around him.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:17, Mon 29 July 2019.

In reply to Jensox (msg # 41):

Xol will start by casting reduce person on himself.

Quick on the draw, the wizard Xol reacts before anyone else, and after a brief wave of his hand and a muttered incantation finds himself reduced to a tiny fraction of his normal size.  It's obvious to any observing him that his normally lithe movements have become even more graceful, although his muscles have surely shrunk with his diminished stature.

Nova also manages to act just a hair faster than the goblins, and with a low growl in his throat positions himself between his master and the nearest threat.


With a dog encroaching on his position, the nearest goblin bolts directly south, screaming all the while.  "The longshanks have a dog!  Run, run, run!"

One of the goblins in the middle of the square moves towards the small shed near Rory and Vano, obviously trying (and failing) cto remain unnoticed.  The other goblin attempts to climb the small cart and gain the advantage of a higher position, but his foot slips on the wagon's axle and he falls prone in the dirt.

The two southernmost goblins near Droart and Asur split, one heading north and one hading south of the pair.  The southernmost goblin clearly has eyes on the loaded table of food past the pair, but it's anyone's guess what the northern creature has in mind.


Surprise round summary:

Xol Standard Action: Cast Reduce Person.

Nova 5 foot step - N27
Nova Standard Action: Guard Jensox

Goblin 1 Move Action: Move to Q21
Goblin 2 Move Action: Move to G21
Goblin 3 Move Action: Climb check on the wagon.  Fail!
-Goblin 3 falls prone
Goblin 4 Move Action: Move to N11
Goblin 5 Move Action: Move to M7.

Initiative order for Round 1:
-Xol, Droart, Asur, Rory, Jensox, Nova
-Goblins
-Vano


This message was last edited by the player at 01:29, Wed 31 July 2019.

After the surprise of the initial disruption caused by the goblins, Asur’s concern is for the crowd, and looks to see if there are any injured towns-people.  If there are none in immediate danger, he runs to the dog that was attacked and says a quick prayer to Sarenrae to heal its wounds and then shoos it away.

21:44, Today: Asur rolled 3 using 1d8+2.  Heal light wounds on doggo.

Jensox takes a startled glance at where full-sized Xol was standing just a moment ago, and then shakes his head in slight disbelief.

Motioning toward the fleeing goblin, Jensox barks, "'ova, attack!" He then settles into a defensive posture with his walking stick, alert for any dangers headed his way.

As a free action, Jensox commands Nova to attack the feeling goblin in square Q21.
Jensox rolled 13 using 1d20+7.  Handle Animal check, command attack.
Then as a full round action he enacts total defense, +4 Dodge bonus to AC.

The instant Nova hears the command, he's off like a bow shot across the courtyard, easily making up the distance to the fleeing goblin. Once within range behind the diminutive foe, Nova lunges at his target's legs, making a vicious bite attack and trip attempt.

Nova moves to Q22 and attacks the Goblin in Q21 with a bite attack. If the bite hits he attempts to trip the goblin (note, if the goblin is small it has a -4 to it's Dex or Str check to oppose the trip attempt):
Jensox rolled 15 using 1d20+3.  Nova bite attack against goblin.
Jensox rolled 6 using 1d6+3.  Nova bite attack damage (if hit).
Jensox rolled 5 using 1d20+1.  Nova trip check.

This message was last edited by the player at 02:19, Wed 31 July 2019.

Vano angrily waves an arm through the cloud of butterflies that descended on him after the start of the ceremony and have since been blocking his view of he action (clearly the reason for the bad rolls)
This message was last edited by the player at 06:44, Wed 31 July 2019.

Rory grins at Vano and says, "Hopefully this doesn't get too messy, I have a performance tonight!"

Rory moves to I19.

Her scarf unfurls in a blur of bright color, lashing out at the prone goblin.

Rory rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  To attack prone goblin. (With bladed scarf which crits on 19-20)
Rory rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  To confirm crit
Rory rolled 8 using 1d6+3.  Bladed scarf damage.
- or 16 if crit

Xol moves to M24, and cast Ray of frost on the Goblin in Q21.

Xol rolled 21 using 1d20+4 to attack gobling in Q21 (vs touch AC)
Xol Rolled 2 on 1d3 for damage
This message was last edited by the player at 13:10, Thu 01 Aug 2019.

In reply to The Man Behind The Curtain (msg # 43):

Seeing the commotion, and watching Asur rush to help the dog, Droart Moves to Q9 to prevent them from advancing on Asur. He attacks the one in R9 first.
Droart rolled 17 using 1d20+1 to attach goblin at R9. Rolled an 8 for damage.

Asur, stay behind me!

The party tears into the goblins like a well-coordinated machine.  Xol blasts the retreating goblin with a thin beam of magical cold, searing its green flesh.  Droart moves northward to protect Asur's flank, and runs the goblin completely through with his blade, dropping it in one blow.  Asur runs over to the injured dog and chants a few words of power, laying his glowing hands on its injured neck, and the dog's wounds magically close, staunching the flow of blood and bringing life back into its eyes.  Rory dances closer to the goblin lying on the ground near her and lashes out with her scarf.  The ribbon wraps around the tiny creature's neck, constricting with a handful of artfully concealed blades, and the with a (literally) strangled cry the goblin expires.  Jensox urges his dog to attack, and Nova charges forward, savaging the goblin attempting to flee from him.  The combination of Xol's magical blast and Nova's teeth proves to much for the goblin, and it collapses dead into the dirt.

Seeing its companion killed, the goblin nearest Rory steps in close, carefully timing its motion to avoid the reach of her scarf, and opens a cut on her arm with its folding knife.  Down southwards, the lone remaining goblin pulls its knife and attempts to flip it around in an intimidating manner.  The shoddy worksmanship fails to hold up, however, and the weapon falls apart completely, leaving the dissappointed goblin holding nothing but an empty handle.  Eyeing Droart up, he shrieks a defiant cry of "Have at you, Longshanks!" and charges with his tiny fists.  His attack is blunted by the heavy steel surrounding Droart, but Droart was clearly not expecting the charge and his return stroke misses.


Xol standard action: Ray of Frost vs. Q21 - HIT for 2 cold damage.

Droart Move Action: move to M10, draw Longsword.
Droart Standard Action: Attack N11 - HIT for 8 slashing damage.
-Goblin in M10 is dead!

Asur Move Action: move to R8
Asur Standard Action: cast Cure Light Wounds on the injured doggo
-Injured Doggo recovers 3 HP

Rory Move action: move to I21
Rory Standard Action: Attack prone goblin in I20 - HIT for 8 slashing damage.
-Goblin in I21 is dead!

Jensox standard action: Total defense, +4 AC until EONT.
Jensox free action: order Nova to Attack.

Nova move action: Move to Q22
Nova standard action: Attack goblin in Q21 - HIT for 6 damage.
-Goblin in Q21 is dead!

Monster turn

Goblin in G21 5-foot steps to H20
Goblin Standard action: Attack Rory - HIT for 2 damage

Goblin in M7 attempts to Bull Rush Droart.
-Droart makes an Attack of Opportunity - MISS!
Goblin's Bull Rush FAILS

It is the Player Turn.
Initiative order: Vano, Xol, Droart, Asur, Rory, Jensox, Nova



This message was last edited by the player at 03:20, Tue 06 Aug 2019.