Session 1: The Swallowtail Festival Report

General Summary

23rd Rova, 4707 AR
People came for the festival, stayed for the goblin fighting.

The Swallowtail Festival

Travelers arrived early to attend the Swallowtail Festival on the autumnal equinox. The event brought people far and wide to honor Desna, and consecrate the new cathedral that was built to replace the one that burned down in a fire several years ago.
After some welcoming remarks from Mayor Deverin, Sheriff Hemlock Cyrdak Drokkus, and Father Zantus the morning was spent partaking in many games and contests.

• The Devil Hunt, an archery range to "defeat the Sandpoint Devil" run by Jodar Provolost . Satashi managed to hit the target, drawing encouragement from Baldur. Theordore quickly showed him up with a bullseye, winning a butterfly lemon cake from Risa's Place. Both participants earned a blue swallowtail ribbon.

• The Goblin Toss, where the aim is to toss a bean-bag with the name of a goblin through the "fireplace" on a board, run by Daverin Hosk. Baldur barely managed to score, but Theodore took home a red ribbon and two portions of jerky by nailing all three shots! Baldur was distracted investigating a rumor that the jerky was goblin, but turned out to have been most likely venison, provided by Chod Bevuk of the Sandpoint Meat Market.

• The Dragon Races, where participants coax their painted lizards down a track. Run by Gressel Tenniwar. Theodore lured his blue dragon lizard to victory with jerky, winning a white ribbon. Espa thought the betting seemed fishy, but no one cared to investigate.

• The Ogre Stomp, a test of strength to hit a mallet and lift a weight to a bell, run by the taunting Das Korvut. Satashi didn't manage to ring it, but Theodore struck the bell and won a black ribbon, and a small plush owl supplied by Rynshinn Povalli.

• The Pie Relay Race, a notorious annual tradition that combines a pie eating contest with a race around the block. Run by the Avertin family - Alma, Aneka, and Arika - out of their bakery Sandpoint Savories. Everyone participated, though Naeric was merely interested in cheap pie. It was a close race, with Satashi coming in first place with a yellow ribbon and a coupon for future treats. Theodore and Baldur a respectable second, Espa in third, and Naeric wandering off most of the way through to avoid ruining his lunch.

Throughout the day, the group ran into each other. Baldur noticed Satashi at the archery range, and neither realized when Espa began to follow them through the crowds. Naeric and Theodore wandered throughout the festival separately as well. They all ended up competing in the same pie relay.
At high noon, Father Zantus gathered everyone to share the story of Desna falling to earth and being nursed to health by a child, who she turned into an immortal swallowtail butterfly as thanks, before she ascended back to her rightful place in the night sky. The Thousand Children of Desna -- a swarm of swallowtail butterflies -- was released. In the swirling torrent of colorful insects, Espa spied a brilliant light. This turned out to be a glint from Baldur's steel shield.
Lunch was generously catered buffet style from various food stalls supplied by the local taverns. The group managed to share the same picnic table to chat over their meals.

• The Rusty Dragon served curry-spiced salmon and early winterdrop mead (Naeric chose the mead here, but rambled at length about elven wine later on).
• The White Deer served peppercorn venison with stewed turnips and a traditional Shoanti spiced currant wine.
• The Hagfish served lobster chowder in bread bowl and red wine (Baldur's main choice, though he sampled a bit of everything).
• Risa's Place served slices of walnut cinnamon bread with butter and a glass of pear cider (Naeric enjoyed the bread).
• Cracktooth's Tavern served mutton chop with rosemary with mashed potatoes and small glasses of young elven wine (popular with Theodore and Espa).
• Fatman's Feedbag served slices of pungent aged cheese and sausage with mixed salted nuts and a dark stout (Satashi's choice, despite the innuendo).

At dusk, everyone gathered again in the square, and awaited Father Zantus giving the Prayer of First Dreaming to consecrate the cathedral. Unfortunately, chaos struck as some goblins invaded the town!
Our heroes stuck together to take down a goblin dog-killer and his friends. Naeric determined that the goblins seemed to have come from the square itself somehow and spread out into the city, but they didn't have more time to investigate before another goblin squad blew up a cart and came after them!

Rewards Granted

90 EXP for 3 goblin warriors.

Campaign

Zii's Rise of the Runelords 2E

Protagonists

Report Date

17 Apr 2021