DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy RRL: Rise of the Rune Lords - Burnt Offerings RRL: Arrival

The next morning arose with the breaking of dawn. It was cool but would soon warm. If the past couple of days on the road were an indicator, the group could expect it to be warm by the afternoon. Not hot by any stretch of the imagination. After all, they were not far from the great waters to their east.

The various members of the caravan broke camp quickly and most would break their fasts on the road with bread and hard tack. The caravan master was eager to get the last few miles completed, it would seem.

Zak was already up and watching the sunrise early, having arisen and packed slightly before the rest of the caravan.

Coral

Refreshed, Coral rose early and had a small fire going to boil some water before the others rose. It would be sufficient to give the four of them a warm drink to start the day.

she greated each of the others with a warm cup of herbal brew to start their day.

Then she made sure her horse had had a drink before re-equipping it with all its tack, and loading up the rest of her equipment.

Selaim

Selaim got up early and strapped on her weapons. No need to hide them now she thought. Then tracked down the caravan master to get a mount. Leading the horse next to Aedell's war horse she tacked it aand had it ready. While coral was making the morning brew she broke down the tent and packed it. Adding it to the equipment already on the donkey.

"Thank you." she told Coral when she was handed a cup of the herbal brew. She broke out a biscuit leftover from the meal the night before and ate it as they waited for the caravan to move.

Aendell

Having spent the night in vigil, he rises to greet the Dawn bowing to the rising sun and offering a final prayer for guidance. He is only slightly tired from his vigil, having learned how to rest while in a meditative state. He wraps and gathers up the body carefully, bringing it to the camp and tying it atop the mule for transport before indulging in some breakfast. He thanks those who prepared it, and hands Zak back the coins he had laid out as part of the ritual yesterday.

He then brushes his mount and makes sure it is watered and has some feed before saddling it.

Turning to see Selaim equipping a horse nearby he says to her, "Glad you found a mount. That will make is easier for you to keep up while we chat." He smiles slightly, thinking, **And one less excuse for falling behind and out of hearing distance.**

"Also, as you seem to have weapons now, perhaps we should begin weapons practice each day? I'd like to see how well you know to use them."

The caravan was soon pulling out onto the road from where they had circled the night before. The road was a little less dusty, morning dew still touching things here and there.

The ride is easy, and in just a couple of hours, the first wagon pulls up to the gate. The caravan leader waves hello as he approaches the town, and crosses the bridge over the quay.

"Well Met," he calls when close enough.

Catalena

It had been an interesting morning. Catalena Teodorescu awoke in the Copper Dragon room of the Rusty Dragon and stretched and yawned in the fantastically comfortable bed. It was a luxury, she knew, but she adored the soft down quilt, the clean fresh sheets, and the carved washbasin, plus enough of a western view over the top of the meat market to see the sunset over the Lost Coast. Her first week in Sandpoint she'd been offered a place in the Garrison barracks but too many late night returns, songs and spiced wine still on her lips, had earned her an invitation to find bedding elsewhere while she worked off her "community service."

She washed her face and cleaned her teeth with a powdered mixture of crushed shells that Nisk Tander had insisted would do wonders. Gagging a bit, she spit out the stuff, convincing herself that the salty grit would at least cover up the smell of the previous night's ale.

She got dressed, strapping the Sandpoint Watch cloak over her own leathers, refusing the heavy chainmail Sheriff Belor Hemlock had tried to issue her. While it was her agreed-upon punishment to take up the duties of the two young men who'd quit the Guard after she'd read their fortunes, and while it was better than a month in jail, she certainly couldn't be expected to wear a drab uniform? She'd convinced the Sheriff that if there was any sort of danger to respond to, which seemed unlikely in this lovely but sleepy port, she would be at her best to meet it unencumbered.

So, she wore enough to identify her as holding enough authority to represent "the law" while still maintaining her panache of bright Varisian colors, including her kapenia, violet and orange swirling patterns up and down the long scarf. She kept her left arm bare, the tattoos of vibrant butterflies adding to the variegated presentation. Vaguely, she wondered how much longer her sentence would be. "Until I tell you," was Hemlock's usual blunt reply. She laughed at that, for truly, she found Sandpoint charming and while she had never stayed in one place for longer than a season, she wondered if she would mind wintering here. Certainly she would not leave before the Swallowtail Festival. After that, who knew, besides the Harrows?

As she sipped her strong, black Chelish tea, she consulted the deck for her own reading. After weeks of little to interest her besides suggestions of where might be the most interesting to patrol or sup for the day, or various gossipy town dramas, she was a bit struck by reading not one, but four True matches.

Two from the past she saw: The Forge, the dwarf bringing together disparate elements to survive a trial by fire hammered his anvil above The Tangled Briar, the sins of the past that will affect the future. On the right, she saw that future and it was dire. The Cyclone, a directed force tearing through and destroying everything in its path. But for the present: The Midwife. For good or ill, today would see a new arrival, and an important one to this Harrowing.

And so it was that she'd traded a favor at the duty board to get gate patrol today, watching where the Lost Coast Road crossed the Sandpoint Bridge onto Market Street.

"Hail and well met, Mr. Pont," she replied with a grin, recognizing the caravanner. "Here for the Festival? What goods have you brought?"

Mr Pont

He gave her a wide merchantman's smile. "This time, I bring fine bolts from faraway lands, silks from the big city, and even some fine elvish leather that I acquired in a well-played hand of hearts. How are you Catalena? I wasn't sure you would still be here."

One of the other guards said, "Teodorescu, the mayor wanted help cleaning up the square in front of the new church. Why don't you show this caravan where to set up and take care of it?" She knew it wasn't a request.

Hearing the 'suggestion,' Mr. Pont offers his hand "Ride with me. You can tell me all about the goings on in this wonderful little port. Oh and make sure I get to sample sweetmeats from the Rusty Dragon's cart."

Coral

She'd had a good night's sleep, so as she rode along in the caravan, she watched the world go by and engaged in a little small-talk.

At the town, she waited patiently, happy to be with the caravan and avoid the prying eyes and paperwork that a solo traveller might have to endure.

Zak just walks up a bit frontward, taking in the new town, reveling in the ‘new’. It might be ‘quaint’in comparison to Magnimar, but it was NEW.

Selaim

Having her own horse was not going the way she expected. She'd expected to be able to ride and mingle with the other people in the caravan or at the very least ride with Coral. She'd tried just that but the princeling's tone when she started to move off was horrid.

The whole day had been horrid. She'd barely finished breakfast before Aendell dragged her out and forced her to spar with him. Him and his patronizingly smug look when she grew tired. What did he say? "The more you work the more you'll be used to them." These were just heavier than the long knives she was used to. Then holier than thou said he wanted to spar every day. Every day! Sheesh!

"Who does he think he is? My master?" she thought as they approached the town and the caravan stopped. Good a new town time enough to get away she thought eyeing the paladin. She kicked the horse forward a little. Maybe he wouldn't glower too much if she were staying close to Zak.

Aendell

He sighed visibly when Selaim tried to, seemingly innocently, allow her horse to drift back and out of his view, giving her a loud throat clearing and narrowing of his eyes, and then continuing with the talk about helping the needy. Again during weapons practice, she started with the looks of exasperation, and in frustration he did not hold back on their next 'pass', putting her solidly on her rump with his sword at her neck.

He immediately felt ashamed and mortified, noting his own lack of patience as something to pray penance for in his Sunset meditations. He offered her a hand up, with an embarrassed look on his face. "I am sorry Selaim, but you need to take this seriously. If you bear weapons you must know how to use them or they will cause you more trouble than they will help. Only practice will let you improve. You know I practice every single day, alone or sparring if I can find a partner. I practice until I am too exhausted to go on. But I should not be pushing you beyond your limits. I tend to expect others to have the same endurance I have, and that is not a reasonable expectation. So how about this? Whenever you tell me you've had enough we will stop. As long as I can see you trying, and hopefully improving, that will be enough."

He holds out his waterskin in a peace offering.

Later in the day they reach the town. Aendell pulls his mount to a halt and leans down to pat its neck as he sees Mr Pont talk to one of the gate guards. He is close enough to hear the conversation, and his hand stops in mid-pat, eyes narrowing. Sitting up straight, his hand falls onto the pommel of his sword and he focuses closely on what is being said. Reaching across his chest he takes hold of the Sun symbol he wears and closes his eyes in concentration.

**My thanks, Iomedae, for leading me to my goal. I am unworthy of your favor.** He thinks.

(OOC - Detect Evil on the guard - Catalena.)

Catalena

Catalena's eyes widened with excitement hearing of Pont's textiles. She suppressed an urge to shriek in delight. "Oh, Mr. Pont, I simply must see them! I can only imagine what Rynshinn could make of them. You might just take all this poor girl's gold."

She beamed at him and added, coyly, "Sounds like you've had more luck at cards than last we played, it seems?"

When Daigle Wedger ordered her to move on with the cart, she understood the intent of the younger man, but responded with a smile, "How thoughtful of you, Daigle, to give me this chance to catch up with Mr. Pont and to help prepare the Cathedral Square for the Festival." She trailed her hand along his shoulder and upper arm affectionately, enjoying his blush and consternation before accepting Pont's hand to pull herself up beside him.

She tossed her long black locks and relaxed into the seat. "I'll be here for as long as the Sheriff can stand, I suppose," she laughed. "And speaking of Ms Kaijitsu's culinary exploits, she has something surprised for the Festival but neither she nor Bethana will breathe a hint of it, as hard as I've tried."

She chatted amiably as they headed through town, "You've had a pleasant journey from Magnimar?" The cart rumbled past Two Knights Brewery and the Rusty Dragon and through the Market Square on the dockfront, mostly empty as the fishing boats were out early. She directed him down the Festival and High streets, giving a wave to the Sandpoint Theater as they passed, to eventually arrive at the Cathedral square.

Coral

The town looked pleasant enough she thought as she rode in. The inn "The Rusty Dragon" caught her eye as they passed. 'At least there is somewhere to stay,' she mused, and the thought made her wonder on her next course of action. Coral knew that she had been drifting since her master had left, but so far, nothing had given her purpose.

She watched the interaction between Selaim and Aendell and smiled. It was a very strange master / apprenticeship relationship. Neither seemed to fit their apparent role very well. Perhaps idle curiosity would guide her own next course...

Iomedae grants her servant the comforting knowledge that the woman is not evil.

The town is abustle with activity. It is clear that people are preparing for the festival tomorrow, which coincides with the Autumnal Equinox.

Several wagons pull around, and others go off down side streets to make deliveries of their own now that they have safely arrived at the town of Sandpoint.

Several children are playing in the square and have to be persuaded to move out of the way. Hide and go-seek isn't an acceptable reason to block a horse-drawn wagon.

The cathedral square actually looks pretty clean at the moment, though with horses, that could change momentarily.

Zak looks at the guard, looks twice, then blinks.

“…it couldn’t be.”

He says, looking her way.

Selaim

The offered waterskin gave her pause. Taking it she mumbled a thanks.

"So we made it town. What now? I mean do I have to stay with you and just not go back?"

She didn't know the agreement made between Aendell and the Magistrate. Only one moment her hands were on the chopping block and tge next he was telling her to get provisions.

[Vyrx found this love picture of Sandpoint which I have posted to our gallery.
https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/746/full/19412.jpg ]

Is Sandpoint on the map in the rulebook?

OOC: Map of Sandpoint

Catalena

Catalena hopped down from the wagon and paused to take in the state of the Cathedral Square. "Well," she thought, "No rush here. Looks like Gorvi's boys have done a decent job so far." As she turned back to the caravan, her eyes met the gaze of Zachergillan the gnome. She had not seen the merry fellow for some time, not since her last ramblings had led her through Magnimar.

"Why, Mr. Pont," she spoke aloud, grinning with her hands on her hips, "You failed to mention you'd brought a yard's length of precious gems."

She strode toward the cleric of Cayden Cailean, a delighted laugh echoing across the square.

Zak

As she approaches a wide grin splits his face.

“Hey Cat, you do remember you owe me a drink from that last bet, right? You may be bigger, but never challenge a Caylieanite to a drinking contest.”


He looks her up and down, his eye fixating on her ‘badge of office’, and his eyes widen in mock surprise.

“Why Catalina Teodorescu - you, a representative of the local constabulary? Now that makes a list of things I never expected to see!”

Catalena

"Oh, la!" she chuckled, "You may be right but I'm never one to learn a lesson. We have five taverns here in Sandpoint. Tonight, we have a rematch, eh?"

At his look at her cobbled together uniform, she asked, "Oh this old thing?" She gave a twirl of the cloak with a laugh. "Yes, I've run a bit afoul of our Sheriff and am working off my offense with my skill as a swordswoman."

She tapped the long katana at her side. "So," she added, in mock severity, "You'd better keep your nose clean here in Sandpoint or I'll be forced to run you in!"

She laughed again. "Are you here for the Swallowtail Festival? It's going to be magnificent!"

Zak:

“My nose.”

He said with mock pomposity,

“Is ever and always clean. Any dirt that appears from time to time is purely your imagination.”

“I decided to expand my horizons, and the festival and new Cathedral seemed just the right thing. And then.”

He pauses and smiles even wider.

“I find that I am traveling with others from, if you would believe it, from the same start I had. Cat, may I introduce… Coral, Aendel and Selaim. Quite the coincidence, if one believes in coincidence.”

Selaim

Selaim was already wary of the woman. She was wearing a badge. Then come to find out she was friends with the gnome. She definitely was suspect. Selaim stayed close to Aendell and Coral though. Coral because it was Coral. Aendell because she had no idea if she was allowed to leave yet.

Coral

She gave a nod of acknowledgement to Catalena, with an accompanying, "Hi, I'm Coral." But she stood with Selaim, as clearly Selaim was uncomfortable in the presence of the woman.

She whispered to Aendell, "Shouldn't we ask her for permission to bury the body?"

Aendell

He's been eyeing Catalena carefully, a bit put off by the Badge. At Coral's nudge, he jumps but nods. "Yes." Looking at Catalena he asks first, "We have the body of a follower of Desna who was killed by foul play some time ago. We'd like permission to bury him properly. Who should we speak to?"

After a short pause, he adds, "Are you lately come from Magnimar?"

Catalena

"Same start?" Catalena asked Zachergillan, her eyebrow quirked as she searched her memory. "You mean the orphanage?" Her eyes took in the red-haired human, the elven woman, and the armored human and a discerning look came over her face.

"Ah, the Forge," she said to herself before smiling again at Zak.

"I never believe in coincidence of any kind," she offered by way of introduction. If she were aware of any reticence from Selaim or Coral, she did not show it. She curtseyed in a trained and graceful manner. "Charmed to meet any friends of Zachergillan."

At Aendell's words, however, her smile faded. "Oh, how sad. Of course, you should see Abstalar Zantus. He is the high-priest of the Cathedral here." She gestured behind her. "Many faiths worship here but Father Zantus himself is also a cleric of The Great Dreamer. He would certainly take care of this poor soul. Had the person carried a symbol like this?" She pulled out her own token to Desna on a leather cord. from under her clothes.

"And, yes," she smiled at Aendell, "I travel through Magnimar on occasion. The last, though, was a few months ago and was the last time I'd seen Zak."

Aendell

"Many thanks. We will look up Father Zantus." He turns to Zak at the follow-on question with a curious look. After all, Zak had been the one who had first examined the body and indicated it was a follower of Desna.

“His spirit was restless, and called out to Desna.”

Here he recounts the actions of the apparition.

https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1056255#Post1056255

Selaim

Selaim backs away from the woman. Something about her didn't seem right. And it was no longer the badge. Secretive. That is what it is. And she knew the lech.

she mutters to herself "I'd rather be sparring with him than deal with her."

Catalena

Catalena listened with intent to Zak's recanting of the spirit in the woods. She shuddered, saying, "by the seven bells of Mercy," and made a Varisian warding gesture, crossing her face across her eyes with her forefinger and pinkie extended. When he was done, she seemed somewhat troubled, but then shook it away. "A tale well told, Zachergillan," she said. "We shall put him to rest to take his place within the Song of the Spheres."

To Aendell, she said, with a smile, "Why, no need to go on your own. I'll be happy to introduce you. I need to fetch a broom anyway. All part of the community service here in Sandpoint."

She laughed again, mellifluously, echoing across the square in the bright fall morning.

Coral

She whispered to Selaim, "What don't you like about her?"

Coral looked at the newcomer, but was sure she did not recognise her.

Selaim

"She's wearing a badge and is friends with Zak. Two things I don't like already. And did you hear Aendell? I don't think he trusts her either." Selaim whispered back.

Coral

"Are badges bad?" she asked Selaim, incredulously.

"I can try to make her nice to us, if that would help."

Selaim

"Means they work as guards. Guards tried to cutoff my hands over a misunderstanding. They accused me of stealing a coin purse and always harassed me after I left the orphange. Don't trust them. They are bad people." She continued to whisper but loud enough possibly Aendell overheard.

"You could do that?" she said looking at Coral with her eyes wide.

Coral


"I can try."

She tried to cast her spell ...


coral Make Catalena nice
Angrboða rolled d10,d6 and got 2, 2

"I don't think it worked. Maybe the badge gives some sort of protection ..."

Aendell

He nods mentally as she puts the timeline together. Still, her being a member of the Town Guard is going to potentially be a problem. He doesn't think his Superiors would be pleased with him starting a Diplomatic incident. So for now, he will wait and evaluate.

He hears Selaim's comments and sighs. She is right, of course, but from her own point of view. He's been trying to get her to see things from other points of view. "There are good Guards and bad Guards. Just like all other sorts of people", he says quietly back. "Most are just trying to protect others and go home to their families in one piece at the end of the day. I know you will think this is amusing, coming from me, but overzealousness is usually a bad thing."

He tips his head slightly towards Catalena. "I don't know whether she is good or bad. She is not Evil, I do know that for certain."

Selaim

She raised her eyebrows at his comment on overzealousness and bit back a reply. She knew he meant well but there were only so many times she could hear the same tripe.

"I guess I just always met bad Guards," Selaim snipes back. "Or maybe most of the guards in Magnimar were jerks."

The wagons and their crews began to set up. Flip up a side here, and lay out a board to offer a way to display their wares. Open the back of another so that makeshift stairs are in place and a mobile kitchen is being set up. A quick glance would inform anyone that this harvest festival will have many different kinds of wares.

Coral

"Hey, Aendell?" she asked, " Do you need a hand dealing with the body? Or can Selaim and I go and look around the fair?"

( I'm sort of presuming that Zack is churchward with the body and am waiting for the disposition of the rest)

Zak:

”I think that I had best see to the body …”

He looks over to the Paladin, curiously. It was his impression that alone time out on the town was probably not on the menu.

[OOC: Coral is clearly not into temples and burials. She's assuming that Aendell is going to help Zak and is looking for confirmation that she does not need to help too.]

Selaim

When Coral asked if she and Coral could walk through the fair. Selaim turned to Aendell murmuring. "I'll be good. I promise." Then took the other girls hand looking out at the rest of the caravan opening up to sell their wares. She really didn't want to go to the temple either.

Aendell

He nods. "I will go to the church with Zak." He turns to Selaim at her comment. "I will hold you to that. Have a good time."

Selaim

Blinks at that. She was expecting him to say no or admonish her. Smiling she looked over to Coral. "Where to?" As she started walking to the wagons away from Aendell and the corpse.

Coral

"Let's see what exotic food they have been hiding," Coral replied to Selaim, "and then see if there are nice things to buy."

Selaim

She quickly saw that she was out of her element in leading the two of them through the busy market so she gave up and let Coral lead them where she wanted to go. Selaim was just surprised that Aendell was agreeable to this. A couple of times she saw people who she was certain were up to things she used to do and she made sure Coral steered clear of them. But she was mindful of her promise even when one stallkeeper left valuables on the table as they checked other stock. Something that normally she would just grab and run away with. She felt her hand about to let go of Coral's when she came to her senses and stepped back.

Coral

She wandered through the market, just seeing what there was. She knew she could not possibly afford anything exotic - or magical, but it was niice to look, to dream.

She felt Selaim's hand start to slip from hers and instinctively, without thinking, she grabbed it tighter, flexing her nails as she did so ...


"Sorry! Sorry! sorry!" she exclaimed, realising what she had done...

She stopped to examine Selaim's hand and the five puncture marks, each now oozing a little blood.

Catalena, Sandpoint Cathedral

After completing another warding gesture upon seeing the cloth-wrapped bundle, Catalena led Zak and Aendell across the cobbled square to the stone building that was easily the largest in Sandpoint. The stone construction and stained glass windows surrounding the entrance stair were clearly newly built.

"It's impressive, no?" she asked with a smile as they took the short stairs to the heavy wooden door to the entrance foyer. Inside she described the torus-shaped interior with transepts to the west, south, and east.

"Here," she gestured to two shrines on the north and south walls, "in the western portion where the windows look out on the Old Light and the sea, are the shrines to Shelyn of the arts and Gozreh of the sea." Gesturing to their right, before leading them to the left, she said, "There is another wing to the south where the windows look over the rest of the town, with shrines to Abadar of the cities and Erastil of the homes."

She led them, clockwise through the northern area which held no shrines but general functional facilities for sermons and ceremonies. She pointed out that the center of the Cathedral, accessible through a door, was an open air courtyard with seven standing stones and an ancient altar from even before the previous Cathedral was built. This one, replacing the previous that had tragically burned down, killing the high priest.

When they arrived in the eastern transept, she said, "And here, overlooking the Boneyard and greeting the rising sun through these windows, are the shrines to Saranrae of the sun and Desna, The Great Dreamer." She bowed, a bit overly theatrically, to the simple shrine of stone covered in carved and painted messages in various languages, and adorned with offerings of flowers and wine among the candles. The stained glass window above it was elegantly comprised of butterflies and stars.

A middle-aged man with a brown neatly-trimmed beard, in a blue collared robe was here.

"Father Abstalar," Catelena offered, "These gentlemen come bearing a tragic burden."

Wandering the stalls

Though everything is in set-up mode, it is apparent that the sellers are happy to offer a free sample here or there or even sell items. They are generating interest for when the festival is in full swing. From the discussions with the travelers, they know the bulk of the festivities are aimed for the day of the Swallow Tail festival and the consecration of the new church, which was built to replace one that burnt down a few years earlier. Many merchants plan on staying around for at least a couple of more days, selling and purchasing supplies for their return trip to Maginmar.

First, the pair come to a wagon that is selling sweet breads. A local baker has put up a selection of wares straight from the oven. Still, warm bread smells waft and tantalize their noses.

Near, they see a sweet meat stand, both savory and sweet concoctions are on display.

Sandpoint Cathedral
Father Abstalar
Father Zantus Abstalar

The older gentleman's kind blue eyes rove across the assembled people. They land upon Catalena and his ever-present smile broadens ever so slightly. He offers with a soft lilting tone, "Good Morrow, My dear Catalena! What brings you and your friends to our humble little church?"

Catalena, Sandpoint Cathedral

Catalena stepped back with a nod to let Zachergillan and Aendall take the floor.

"My friend from Magnimar, Zachergillan of the church of Cayden Cailean, has just arrived with his comrade Aendall," she said by way of introduction. "They can explain firsthand."

zak

“… we met a ghost along the way, a distress3d spirit, replaying being attacked, killed.”

And again he goes into describing in detail the actions and words of the spirit.

“I attempted some small ritual to Desna invoking her constellation to try to guide her attention to his soul, but I am alas unsure exactly how successful it may have been. Yet he invoked the name of Desna, so we deemed it appropriate to deliver his remains to her clergy.”

Selaim

"OW!!" she exclaims letting Corals hand go and looking at the welling blood on her hand. Forgotten were the items she was thinking about grabbing and running with. "Just a subtle reminder that I made Aendell a promise to be good. Nothing to be too worked up over."

"Let's see if the baker has any napkins and maybe we can get some bread to munch on while we browse." she said as she approached the baker's wagon.

Looking over the wares she spies a bag of rolls and asks for a price then turns to Coral, "See anything special?

Coral

Coral, looked contrite. "Sorry," she re-emphasised.

"What have you got that spicy?" she asked the baker- "really spicy?"

Aendell

He holds the wrapped body as Zak speaks, nodding in respect to the Priest of Desna.

Alma Avertin

The portly woman looks down from where she is organizing the trays and smiles. "Spicy, you say? I do have a bell ringer of a tart over here," she points to a tray with only four pastries. The tray is lined in red crepe paper to warn the patrons what might be contained in the small little pies. "Careful though, even though they are smaller, they pack quite a punch."

In the Church Father Zantus

He nodded in understanding. "Come, let us set your burden down," he indicates a small table off to the side of the pews.

"You can leave the body with me, and we will hold a service after the church is consecrated tomorrow. Then we can properly bury the poor soul in our cemetery here in Sandpoint."

Coral

"I'll have one please," Coral replied, taking out some money to pay the woman the requested cost.

She picked it up, and said to Selaim, "would you like half?"

Selaim

She'd never really tried anything spicy before. In the guild, they wouldn't let her go with too much spice even salt. "I'll try a small bite and see how that goes." she told coral breaking a small bite sized piece of and nearly burning the roof of her mouth. and gasping for water.

Aendell

He nods and lays the body on the table carefully. "If you can find anything identifying who he was I am sure his family would like to know what happened to him."

Coral

"It's delicious, isn't it?" Coral quipped as she chewed the rest of the pastry, savoring it's spicy flavors.

Selaim

"Too... spicy!" She gasps out. Still looking around for something to drink.

Coral

She looked around and rushed over to purchase a mug of whatever it was that was being sold from a keg, and brought it back to Selaim.

Shopping and burning

The spiciness sneaks up on a person eating the little tart but has wonderful flavors regardless.

The cellar cool amber beer is worth its taste. Not only is it wonderful, it has a few citrus notes, which cut the spiciness immediately.

Father Zantus

He nodded in understanding.

His bearded face deepens into a scowl as he looks over the unwrapped body.

He is silent for a moment before he turns back to the Paladin.

One might think he was saying a silent prayer if it weren't for the man's visage.

"Please tell me precisely where you found this body," he says firmly but softly.

Zak:

“A couple hours out of sandpoint, a bit off the road, over at the woods”

Catalena, Sandpoint Cathedral

When the body was revealed, Catalena gave a soft gasp and her hand went to Zak's shoulder, giving it a slight, but firm squeeze.

Selaim

Gratefully takes the mug and drinks the contents not caring about the taste. In fact barely tasting it due to the heat of the pastry. Gasping out, "Tha... Thannk.. you, Coral." This side trip was not even remotely going as she had expected. But it was nice.

"I didn't know they made food that hot. Glad it was only a small bite."

Aendell

He nods agreement with Zak's description.

Coral

She looked slightly puzzled at her companion. "Didn't you like the pastry?" she asked Selaim.

Miales

Her mouth still burning Selaim bit off an angry reply to mask her embarrassment and pain. Instead she composed herself before responding.

"No, Coral, just not used to spicy things like that. I... well... I wasn't expecting that. The guild kept me sheltered. They said it was for my safety. I am beginning to think it was more that I was their slave.

Selaim stood again, "Or maybe I should have taken a bigger bite of the pastry part. Because that part was really good until the filling hit my tongue." She smiled. "I mean seriously good. Should we get some for Aendell and... well the guys?" She bit back calling the little pervert by name.

Coral

"Oh," she responded, trying in her mind to navigate the nuances of what was being said.

"So ... should I get spicy ones for them or not?"

Selaim

"Yes WE should, " Selaim said reaching for her pouch for some coins.

"Maybe a mix of spicy and non spicy. The pastry was quite good. I'm fairly certain the non spicy ones are delicious. Well to me anyway." she said. "And if they don't like the spicy ones that mean you have more for yourself."

She indicates which of the other pastries they should try making sure there was a mix and that several were the spicy ones that Coral liked and also got a a dozen fresh rolls.

Coral

She smiled, "Thanks!"

She purchased the pastries that Selain had pointed out, along with some more spicy ones, and waited for Selaim to purchase her rolls.

"Shall we continue to look around, or should we take breakfast back to the others?" she asked.

Alma

"You liked them! Wonderful!" the jolly woman exclaimed. Seeing the coins being touched, Alma went over to a cart and pulled out a couple of fresh trays. They were in some kind of wooden box, but when they were exposed to the air, they were obviously steaming. Some sort of magic must be on that box to keep the tarts fresh like that.

"How many would you like? 2 coppers each or a dozen for a silver."

Father Zantus

"Thank you," he says to the complete description of the location. "I am afraid I do recognize the body. Though for the family's sake, I am going to keep the name to myself till I can inform them." The way he said that indicated he would have to explain with a heavy heart. Clearly, a job he recognizes he has but maybe doesn't want to have to do.

Coral

Coral indicated the ones she wanted out of the freshly presented offerings. "Five of those," she said, indicating one style. "Five of those ..." indicating another. "Five of those." And pointing at the really spicy ones, "Three of those."

She counted out two silver coins, and handed them over.

Alma

The baker wraps up the choices so that they can be maintained as they are being carried away.

"Thank you," she accepts payment with a smile. "We should have a couple of sweet ones for Festival day tomorrow too. Don't miss out!" She turned back to her work, humming a happy little tune.

Zak:

“I tried for what comfort I could give. I am no expert in the rites of Desna, but I like to think that I could offer some small aid on his journey. If anything else is needed, let me know. A friend of Cayden will always do what they can.”

He offers a somber nod.

“I am sorry we brought you bad news right on the eve of your festival.”

OOC: Does Coral get change? Or is this when the fight breaks out?

Selaim

She reaches into her pouch and fishes out a couple of silver pieces. But notices that Coral had already paid. But she pays for the rolls with one of the silver coins and offers Coral the other silver for her half in the pastries.

"It was my idea, Coral, only right I should pay for half." she said to the girl.

Catalena, Sandpoint Cathedral

Catalena stepped away from the men, subconsciously brushing the back of her left hand against the long, colorfully patterned scarf she wears, similar in style but not detail as the corpse's, to kneel down before the Desnan shrine silently, head bowed.

Coral

"It's okay," Coral replied to Selaim, declining her silver. "You can get them next time."

She holds her package close and then said to Selaim, "Let's walk around and see what else there is in the fair."

Father Zantus

He nods "I appreciate your kindness. Not everyone would be so forthgiving. The dead are often forgotten, which is a mistake, as they can still cause harm.

"Check with me after the festival tomorrow and the consecration. I am sure the family would appreciate your company at the service for him."

Catalena, Sandpoint Cathedral

Catalena completed her brief prayer with a gesture of closed hands in her lap, then raising her arms to open the hands above her head.

After a moment, she rose, and said, "Father Zantus, I'll be sweeping the courtyard should you need any assistance."

To Zak and Aendell she said, "Well, duty calls. I'll be off come eventide, Zachergillan." With a grin, she added, "I wonder if we'll be able to tempt you to challenge a tankard of Norah's tank water for a pouch of silver? Perhaps you'll ascend to godhood too."

With a laugh and a wave, and a wink toward Aendell, she flounced off to the cobbled courtyard.

"I'll drink, but I doubt it to be a challenge "

He grins back. He’d always liked the impetuous woman.