Post by Juniper on Jun 21, 2011 18:54:06 GMT -4
Over the few days since arriving in Sandpoint, six very different individuals have more or less gathered together the rough outline of what the locals refer to only as "the Late Unpleasantness." Five years ago, a seemingly harmless eccentric named Jarvis Stoot snapped, embarking on a killing spree that would have been shocking and unsettling in Magnimar, and was catastrophic in sleepy Sandpoint. Nearly two dozen people were stalked and killed before 'Chopper' died resisting arrest. His body had barely cooled before the stricken townspeople had to deal with another tragedy: an accidental fire that destroyed the northernmost quarter of town - starting with the chapel, where their beloved high priest Ezakien Tobyn and his adopted aasimar daughter Nualia perished.
For five years, the faithful of Sandpoint have attended church in smaller wooden structures hastily rebuilt after the fire, and while their new pastor Abstalar Zantus was helpful, kind, and wise, it just wasn't the same. Now, the new stone cathedral is finally done. All that remains is for the Swallowtail Festival to renew the site's blessings from the gods, and it will surely be as if the Sandpoint Fire had never occurred.
It is now the first day of fall, and the entire population is gathered in front of the main doors on the western side of the building. Flanking those doors, tall stained glass windows honor Shelyn and Gozreh, whose worshippers share the western chapel. Several merchant tents feature food, clothes, local crafts, and souvenirs. Some of the detritus of construction still lies scattered about, but most of the old scaffolding and waste wood have been repurposed in the construction of the high dais in th southeastern corner of the open square in front of the church. Welcome speeches should begin soon, and in four chairs on the dais can be seen a slender middle-aged woman with short auburn hair, a burly, bald Shoanti man in the uniform of the town Guard, a flamboyant man whose bright clothing is at the height of Magnimar fashion, and, of course, a pleasant-looking cleric whose fine linen robes are elaborately and tastefully embroidered in a repeating pattern of blue butterflies. The first of these individuals stands at half-past eleven, and the crowd quiets.
"It is so delightful to see so many faces here today, both new and familiar," she begins. "To those of you from out of town, I am Kendra Deverin, mayor of Sandpoint, and you are most welcome!" She pauses as the crowd shouts its agreement.
"To those who already know me, I'm glad you could all spare a day to celebrate. I'm sure only Rovansky, our tanner, is too busy to - oh look! Friends, here in the first row, Larz is here!" Loud laughter ripples through the crowd, especially among those who sit close enough to the tanner to see his unamused expression.
"Anyway, I can smell the lunch our tavern keepers are cooking already. A round of applause to Ameiko, Garridan, Cracktooth, and Jargie! I'm sure Father Zantus can spare an extra prayer that they don't burn anything before we get to eat it." More cheering erupts: the aromas drifting over the crowd are glorious.
"Now, since you have three more of us to stand there through, I'm going to sit down. No business today! This is my favorite time of year!"
The remaining three speeches go just as quickly as the mayor's. Sheriff Hemlock is as usual far too serious, reminding everyone to be safe around the evening's bonfire and requesting a moment of silence to remember those who perished in the fire that destroyed the old church.
Cyrdak Drokkus brings the mood back up with a hilarious recap of the long process the town went through to finance and construct the new building. He throws in a bit of self-promotion at the end, inviting the townsfolk and visitors to attend his new production of "The Harpy's Curse" tomorrow night. The lead role of Avisera the harpy queen will be played by none other than the famous Magnimarian diva Allishanda, a definite coup for a theater so far from the city!
Father Zantus closes the opening ceremony with a prayer of thanksgiving, then shouts out cheerfully, "We are now underway! Enjoy the Festival!"
For five years, the faithful of Sandpoint have attended church in smaller wooden structures hastily rebuilt after the fire, and while their new pastor Abstalar Zantus was helpful, kind, and wise, it just wasn't the same. Now, the new stone cathedral is finally done. All that remains is for the Swallowtail Festival to renew the site's blessings from the gods, and it will surely be as if the Sandpoint Fire had never occurred.
It is now the first day of fall, and the entire population is gathered in front of the main doors on the western side of the building. Flanking those doors, tall stained glass windows honor Shelyn and Gozreh, whose worshippers share the western chapel. Several merchant tents feature food, clothes, local crafts, and souvenirs. Some of the detritus of construction still lies scattered about, but most of the old scaffolding and waste wood have been repurposed in the construction of the high dais in th southeastern corner of the open square in front of the church. Welcome speeches should begin soon, and in four chairs on the dais can be seen a slender middle-aged woman with short auburn hair, a burly, bald Shoanti man in the uniform of the town Guard, a flamboyant man whose bright clothing is at the height of Magnimar fashion, and, of course, a pleasant-looking cleric whose fine linen robes are elaborately and tastefully embroidered in a repeating pattern of blue butterflies. The first of these individuals stands at half-past eleven, and the crowd quiets.
"It is so delightful to see so many faces here today, both new and familiar," she begins. "To those of you from out of town, I am Kendra Deverin, mayor of Sandpoint, and you are most welcome!" She pauses as the crowd shouts its agreement.
"To those who already know me, I'm glad you could all spare a day to celebrate. I'm sure only Rovansky, our tanner, is too busy to - oh look! Friends, here in the first row, Larz is here!" Loud laughter ripples through the crowd, especially among those who sit close enough to the tanner to see his unamused expression.
"Anyway, I can smell the lunch our tavern keepers are cooking already. A round of applause to Ameiko, Garridan, Cracktooth, and Jargie! I'm sure Father Zantus can spare an extra prayer that they don't burn anything before we get to eat it." More cheering erupts: the aromas drifting over the crowd are glorious.
"Now, since you have three more of us to stand there through, I'm going to sit down. No business today! This is my favorite time of year!"
The remaining three speeches go just as quickly as the mayor's. Sheriff Hemlock is as usual far too serious, reminding everyone to be safe around the evening's bonfire and requesting a moment of silence to remember those who perished in the fire that destroyed the old church.
Cyrdak Drokkus brings the mood back up with a hilarious recap of the long process the town went through to finance and construct the new building. He throws in a bit of self-promotion at the end, inviting the townsfolk and visitors to attend his new production of "The Harpy's Curse" tomorrow night. The lead role of Avisera the harpy queen will be played by none other than the famous Magnimarian diva Allishanda, a definite coup for a theater so far from the city!
Father Zantus closes the opening ceremony with a prayer of thanksgiving, then shouts out cheerfully, "We are now underway! Enjoy the Festival!"
