OOC:
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Names like George and Melanie are fine if you guys do not mind them. But if you want a little more immersion, most of the town's inhabitants are Varisian or Shoanti, though other human ethnicities are represented as well. The original Player's Guide for the RotR campaign (but not the Anniversary Ed.), which is a free download, as well as the Inner Sea World Guide has some examples of common Varisian and Shoanti names if you would like to use those for some of the average NPCs you encounter. I do tend to give bonus points for little things like that if you want them. Incidentally, I think you guys are taking advantage of the narrative style quite well otherwise. Absolutely brilliant.
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Jekyll
"Well Viorec doesn't have a shop in town per se," Piousa explains.
"But he's set up a cart in Cathedral Square to attract customers. We can stop by if you like. I'd really like to see that magician though...
Viousa nods in assent.
Nuko
"Wizards? Well I don't associate with their sort much. Just a woodsman myself. Thought I might try to see if I could make connections with the Carpenter's Guild while I'm here to sell my wares. But I admit I like to do a little readin' from time to time, and I hear that librarian at The Way North knows an illusion or two. A gnomish fellow. Veznutt is what I calls him," George explains.
(Knowledge: arcana and/or local)
Nuko finds a part-Shoanti woman named Ren who takes a liking to his brawny figure, commenting on how she likes men with muscles, and makes his way to the Cathedral Square to meet up with his new friends for the Swallowtail Release.
Jamir
Jamir does not seem to have heard of Brodert. On the other hand, he has heard all too much about the scandalous reputation of the Pixie's Kitten. Although prostitution is not illegal in the town, the Scarnetti family has lobbied for years to close the place, citing it as a den of corruption and vice. Many of Sandpoint's crasser locals have a much more colorful name for this establishment, but the madame, one Kaye Tesrani, runs the town brothel with class and distinguished grace. As for Tsuto, it is obvious due to his half-elf heritage that he is a bastard son of the Kaijitsu family, legitimized by the family patron Lonjiku, even though it is widely known in the noble circles that the child was the issue of Lonjiku's wife, not his mistress. The identity of the Tsuto's father is not publicly known and rumor is that his very existence causes some discord in the Kaijitsu family, but the Tienese are far too proud a people to allow this discord to disseminate into public displays. Ameiko is said to have a fairly amicable relationship with her half-brother, although they had a recent disagreement of some kind of which Jamir recalls no details.
Kelvyn
Kelvyn knows of Brodert. He is a local sage, historian and windbag who generally talks far too much about ancient Thassilon for anyone in the room to keep their attention. But he is widely respected for his scholarly knowledge, apparently having spent his youth studying many fascinating things abroad. He is now retired from professional scholarly pursuits. If there is sagely advice, wisdom, or knowledge you seek, chances are, he is the one in town to ask. He lives in a house near the Old Light.
Risa's Place is a fairly old local tavern. Known as much for Risa's tales of ancient legends and myths as for its spiced potatoes and cider, this tavern is a favorite of the locals if only because its out-of-he-way location ensures strangers rarely come by. Risa herself has gone blind and her teenage and young adult children help her run the place now.
[sblock=private information for Kelvyn]In addition to what Jamir knows of the Pixie's Kitten, Kelvyn knows Jubrayl has tried for the last several years to get in on the brothel business himself but Kaye's not-so-secret friendship (and romance) with the town's sheriff make this a delicate, long-term goal for the Sczarni at best. Jubrayl has been hinting he has a "job" planned for Kelvyn, which he suspects has something to do with this matter sometime in the near future. While Kelvyn is in the Cathedral Square, Jubrayl brushes past him, but stops just long enough to grab his arm and whisper in his ear,
"Tomorrow night. The Feedbag." After that Jubrayl quickly blends into the crowd, giving Kelvyn no time to respond. Being a "made man" among the Sczarni, he does not need to ask whether or not this is a request; it is an order.[/sblock]
The Cathedral Square
You have all gathered in the Cathedral Square for the Swallowtail Release. It seems the whole town has turned out for the event! At Three Bells, Father Zantus and his acolytes wheel a large covered wagon into the square, and after recounting the short parable of how Desna first fell to earth and was nursed back to health by a blind child whom 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 swallowtail butterfles 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 butterfles, never quite quick enough to catch them. The rest of the daylight hours are filled with fun and frivolity. Everyone mingles about the Cathedral square, taking part in more games and contests. Vendors have stalls set up along the sides of streets and alleyways to ply their wares. The priests prepare for ritual of Consecration, lighting candles around the Cathedral, burning incense, and offering sermons. Many of the locals join in the services.
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, and the buzz of two dozen conversations quickly hushes as all heads turn toward the central podium, where a beaming Father Zantus has taken the stage. He clears his throat, takes a breath to speak, and 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.