AGE OF THE LOST OMENS - BOOK 1

RISE OF THE RUNELORDS

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Chapter 1 - The Light of the Lost Coast

Year 4707 Absalom Reckoning. Ten thousand years after the fall of Thassilon.

"Hmmmm! Gotta admit, it sure feels strange, to come back here after such a long time! How long has it been... five years, now?" A chestnut-haired young man in his early twenties, his face surprisingly clean despite a couple of scars - one on his right cheek and one on his chin - stated to himself as he boldly walked up to one of the two wooden bridges across the great river that separated Sandpoint from the rest of the mainland. Shortly past the bridge, began a colorful procession of stalls, decorations and attractions, hinting at the joyful occasion that was being celebrated. Already from such a distance, cheers of celebration could be heard, adding to the festive mood.
Yan Gudril stretched his shoulders, a little fatigued from the long journey back to his hometown. How much had changed in all of five years? His last memories of Sandpoint had been of sadness and anger, the tension that had ruled the small town on the west coast of Varisia back then.

Five years ago, Sandpoint had been hit hard by a period of ill luck that was now known among the locals as "The Late Unpleasantness". Several horrific events had taken place within a few days, starting with the death – as of yet unexplained – of a Tian woman who had lost her life falling from a great height, on the cliffs near the Kaijitsu household. Since that night, Sandpoint had been plagued by a series of terrible murders, culminating in a terrible fire that had burned down the local shrine to Desna, the goddess of dreams. The elderly priest, Father Ezakien Tobyn, had perished in the flames, plunging the small town of just over a thousand souls into an atmosphere of fear and suspicion.

Of course, Yan noted with an hint of nostalgia, the mood was much more relaxed now. The news had spread pretty far throughout Varisia. The shrine to Desna had been rebuilt in record time, and while it certainly wouldn't have been the same, it was still an important symbol for the community to come back to, a place that, to the people of Sandpoint, meant a lot more than just a place of worship. It was a comforting presence, as if Desna herself had come to protect the town from the horrors of the world around it. Besides, it would not be just a place of worship for Desna: all of the commonly accepted deities of the Inner Sea pantheon - Erastil, Iomedae, Sarenrae, Abadar and so many others - would have their own dedicated wing inside the new sanctuary.
Not that much had happened around Sandpoint, lately. Apart from a few disorganized raids from the goblins living in the nearby wilderness, no major problems had befallen the town after the shock of the Late Unpleasantness had worn off.

"Yan? Are you daydreaming or something, now?" his companion asked. Right behind him, a girl about four or five years his junior, of clear Tian ethnicity - her pale complexion, black hair and slightly squinted eyes being a dead giveaway - walked up to him, looking enthusiastic and eager to get to their destination. The young man sighed happily and turned to his companion, who smiled in a gesture of companionship. "You've been daydreaming, right? Well, can't blame you. Returning to your hometown after so long is such a... nostalgic experience."
Yan chuckled in amusement, albeit with a hint of melancholy. His equipment, which consisted of a steel breastplate over a dark blue shirt, with matching trousers and black traveling boots, was further complemented by a pair of greaves and two bronze cuffs that protected his forearms, and a well-made longsword was hanging by his side, placed in its sheath.

By contrast, his female partner was dressed in a way that favored freedom of movement, with a bright white shirt, tight black trousers, and a pair of reinforced boots. Her long black hair was tied in an elegant ponytail behind her back, and even though her clothes didn't show much of her body, it was clear that the young girl was well trained. A long and sturdy bo staff was tied to her back.

"I can't help but agree, Reji. Desna weeps, it's been five years now... and I still remember this town as if it were yesterday. Many things have changed... but the feeling is just the same as I remember." he commented as they walked into Sandpoint. From where he and his partner were, he could see the main square, where the celebration was taking place - the Swallowtail Festival, they had called it, a full day of games, celebrations, good food and happiness.

Yan sighed. Truth be told, there was one person with whom he would have loved to see the festival. Unfortunately, life can sure get in the way of what people have planned. She was gone now, and all Yan could do was look to the future and keep memories of her in his heart.
"Hm? Are you okay, Yan? You looked so gloomy, all of a sudden..." Reji stated, noticing her traveling companion's darkened expression. The messy-haired young man jumped up a little, then ran his hand over his face in an hasty attempt to hide his emotions. He didn't want to burden his friend with his own problems... and besides which, he did not want to pick at old scars.
"Oh... no, it's nothing... I was just thinking about what happened five years ago... when the shrine to Desna burned down in that damned fire." he reassured her. "But... it's all in the past now. Now... Sandpoint is a new city, and we're here to enjoy the Swallowtail Festival, right?"
The brunette smiled and spun nimbly around herself. Even such a jaunty gesture, managed to show off her agility and coordination. "That's right! And I, for one, can't wait to try out Sandpoint's specialties! I've heard that the Rusty Dragon Inn is known for some truly delicious dishes!"

"Hahahaa! That's always been the case! And it still is, if the Kaijitsu daughter is as good a cook as they say!" the young man laughed, then ran after his traveling companion as she headed towards the main square...

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"And as mayor of Sandpoint, I wish to extend to all of you a warm welcome in our pretty town, and wish all of you a pleasant stay and lots of fun at the Swallowtail Festival!" A jovial voice exclaimed, belonging to a middle-aged woman dressed in green, with shortly-cropped copper-colored hair, as she stood tall on a stage in the small town's central square. The mayor, Kendra Deverin, had started the festivities with a short but heartfelt speech, and her friendly demeanor had quickly proven contagious. "We all expert this one to be a day of celebration and happiness. Suffice to say, even gool ol' Larz went as far as to leave his job at the tannery to enjoy the day in our company!"

The people chuckled at the mayor's joke, even as a young half-elven woman with long dark red hair stood aside, sighing while leaning with her back to a nearby wall. These opening speeches were always the worst part of any official celebration. Were it not for the fact that she had to accompany her best friends, she would never have bothered to walk into this utter chaos.

"As far as I'm concerned, I would have been happy to stay in Magnimar and continue my studies…" she murmured to herself as she adjusted the large-brimmed hat on top of her head, and then pushing her glasses back on the bridge of her nose. She looked like a stereotypical female wizard, witha dark green cape on dark robes and travelling boots with a slightly raised heel, and in one hand, she was holding a slender iron staff ending in a crescent moon-shaped knob. "Well, since I'm here now, I might as well try and make the most of my time, even though I'm afraid there won't be much to see in this quiet little town."

Sandpoint's mayor had just ended her brief speech and was stepping off the stage among applause from her citizens, leaving her placet o someone else: a tall, bronze-skinned man with a shrewd expression and a bald head, featuring several telltale signs of being on Shoanti ethnicity.

"Our esteemed mayor… has just spoken quite well. And I wish you to have a pleasant day as well." The dark-skinned man started. Unfortunately, for all of his efforts to sound light-hearted and affable, his severe demeanor did not help put the audience at ease. "Still, as your sheriff, I feel it is my duty to remind you that some safety rules need to be followed even during celebrations. If you are scrupulous in following them, this will remain a joyous occasion for everyone. Also, please do not get too close to tonight's bonfire, and take the utmost care about cutting objects and any sort of sharp point. Also…"

"Ah, don't let it get to you. Good ol' Belor is always like that." The half-elven woman was startled by a somewhat high-pitched male voice, and the young wizard looked around in surprise, not seeing anyone who might have called her.

"No, no, I'm just right below you!" the voice went on after a short laugh. Glancing down, the bespectacled half-elf saw that the one talking was a young, dark-haired halfling who looked quite fit and athletic for the standards of his race, wearing a dusty white shirt and a pair of dark brown pants held up by a pair of suspenders. Contrary to most halflings, this one actually did wear shoes – namely, a pair of knee-high leather boots, who seemed to be somewhat less worn out than the rest of his clothes. "Greetings, miss! My name is Jolan, and I'm a local guide! I hope you've been enjoying Sandpoint and its people's treatment of their guests!"

The half-elf woman blinked in surprise at how at-ease the young halfling seemed to be, then aduste her own glasses and answered. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Jolan. My name is Eli Clerks, apprentice mage from Magnimar's very own Stone of the Seers." She answered, not bothering to hide some clear pride at her accomplishment. I'm here to accompany an associate of mine who wished to take part in the festivities at all costs."

"You don't look all that thrilled. Ms. Clerks." The halfling noted sagely. Eli was keeping her glance on the stage, from where the sheriff was still giving out reccomendations to avoid dangers and staying safe during celebrations. "Are these celebrations not to your liking?"

"It's not that I don't like them… It's just that I was planning to stay in Magnimar for my own research." Eli answered, not paying too much attention to Jolan, and in fact staying mute right after that, hoping for the young guide to catch on and leave her alone.

To her chagrin, Jolan was not the kind of person who gave up easily. "Well, that's because the celebration still hasn't gotten to the best part, I suppose. Just be patient, as soon as good ol' Belor has finished preaching about security like we're a bunch of kids… i twill be Mr. Kaijitsu's turn to speak, and then the party begins for real. I'm pretty confident you'll find something you like! Perhaps something tasty to snack on, or some cheap knick-knack at some stand."

Eli sighed. "If it's not a manuscript about ancient Thassilon, then thanks, I'm not buying." She stated. "Still, thank you for the advice."

This time, Jolan seemed to get the hint. "Okay, my bad. I'm going to leave it to your thoughts. But... if you do want to take part in some competition, you're still in time to do so." he replied. "I'll see you around, okay?"
"Okay..." the half-elf answered, still looking quite disinterested. Jolan waved and hurriedly disappeared among the crowd, blending in with the inhabitants of Sandpoint, which were human for the most part, thanks to his small stature.
"Having said that, I don't think I have any other recommendations for you." the sheriff had come to the end of his speech, which many Sandpoint residents were grateful for. It seemed like it would never end... "Remember to take your safety into account, and let it be a joyous day for everyone. Thank you. Now I'll let our esteemed fellow citizen, Lonjiku Kaijitsu, take the stage."

The Sandpoint townfolk cheered as the sheriff nodded and walked off the stage. Even Eli, as unenthusiastic as she was, found herself giving a short round of applause before she went back to looking for her friend. The audience was now waiting for Lonjiku to take to the stage and give his speech... but the wait was getting longer than expected. "Hm? So, is this guy coming or not?" Eli wondered.

A movement beside her drew her attention, and the half-elf turned to see the very person she had been waiting for - a pretty female gnome clad in elegant white robes edged with blue, wearing a cylindrical headdress over her long blond hair and a pair of blue ankle-high boots. She walked briskly, though with some circumspection, as if she was afraid of dropping something. As soon as she reached Eli, she looked up to reveal a pair of intense blue eyes, which seemed to subtly change hue, going from the clear blue of a sunny day to the dark blue of deep water. Her large eyebrows, trademark of the gnomes, only made her eyes stand out all the more. "Misia? Well, that was quick! Did you find what you were looking for?"

The female gnome nodded vigorously and showed her friend a pretty glass sculpture, representing a brightly colored butterfly. "Of course! Just look how pretty this one is, Eli! This glass sculpture would certainly look great in my collection!" she exclaimed, almost gleeful. Eli couldn't help but laugh briefly - just like Misia to pick up such a weird knick-knack.
"Glad you found something nice. Then again, glassworking is one of Sandpoint's trademarks." Eli answered, before turning her attention back to the stage. "Now... this Kaijitsu guy should be here to speak, but he's sure taking his sweet time."
"Oh, yeah, about that... I've heard that Mr. Kaijitsu is indisposed somehow, so he won't be attending the festival." Misia answered, getting a little more serious. She carefully placed her glass sculpture in her saddlebag, and put her hat back in place. "I don't know the details, but... honestly, it sounds like an excuse coming from him. I heard that Lonjiku Kaijitsu has always been the... unsociable type, for lack of a better word. It's more likely that he just doesn't like these celebrations."

"I can kinda relate to that..." Eli snarked. "Oh well, since we're here, we might as well make the most out of it. By any chance, have you seen magical stuff for sale around here?"
"Hmm... I think I have seen some interesting stalls. We might as well take a look at them, since there is no one here to listen to..." the blonde gnome answered, checking the stage with a quick look, just in case someone had arrived just then. No dice - the stage was still empty, save for Mayor Deverin who stood on the elevated platform, her expression a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance.

"Um..." Kendra Deverin sighed and looked around, hoping to see old man Kaijitsu somewhere. But the old grump was nowhere to be found. A pity, she thought to herself - she had sorto f hoped to see him join the festivities, for once. Lonjiku had never been a friendly person, but since his wife had mysteriously died long ago, he had become even more withdrawn and unsociable. Perhaps those malicious rumors accusing him of having murdered his wife were to blame too... but Kendra Deverin always had a nagging feeling that they might not have just been rumors, after all.

"Won't Lonjiku Kaijitsu step up and address our fellow citizens?" Kendra asked. The crowd had become silent again out of respect for whoever was about to speak, but now they were whispering again in a mixture of confusion and annoyance. Some had expected old man Lonjiku not to show up... while others expressed their disappointment, calling the old man a misanthrope and a weirdo. Finally, Kendra gave up and shook her head in frustration. "Okay... ladies and gentlemen, I regret to say that our esteemed citizen Lonjiku Kaijitsu has decided not to attend the opening ceremony of the Swallowtail Festival. Too bad. I was hoping the festive atmosphere would do good to his mood. But we can't force anyone to have fun."

"In the end, that's all his loss. Stubborn old fool." Eli heard someone say among the crowd. A female voice, belonging to a young woman in her late teens, of clear Tian ethnicity and dressed in stained kitchen clothes. Eli turned to her, but the young woman began walking away and weaving her way amongst the crowd. The half-elven woman noticed a striking detail about the young woman's appearance - a pair of wisps of white hair falling across her forehead in two elegant bangs, in contrast to the rest of her black hair.

"Well, it looks like some people don't exactly love this festival. Other than me, of course." Eli thought to herself. "Too bad for that Lonjiku guy, though. Well, his funeral."

"Eli? Hey, Eli, are you even listening?" Misia asked. The female gnome checked her clothes and saddlebag once more, and her friend managed a smile, genuinely glad that at least her best friend was enjoying the day. Eli thought she might as well loosen up a bit as well... After all, there was still time for her research.
The half-elf adjusted her hat and looked around as the citizens of Sandpoint began to disperse through the streets and begin the celebrations. "It's okay, Misia, I was just pondering." she stated. "You know how it's like for me. Having said that, I think we could take a look around as well. Can you show me those stalls you were talking about?"
"My pleasure!" the blonde gnome jokingly answered. "Now, Eli... follow me! I'll be your guide for today! Special occasion!"

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"Hello there, gentlemen! Who's up for a little competition? A tug-of-war battle with my champion!" A man of clear Varisian descent, dressed in garish and colorful clothes, was urging onlookers to compete in his challenge... which consisted of a muscular, square-jawed half-orc who was showing off his mighty biceps and pecs. "No tricks here! No deception! Anyone wants to put themselves to the test?"

"Daaamn, that half-orc is a beast!" a bystander commented on the half-orc's over 6 foot tall, muscular frame. "Who'd be crazy enough to try their luck against him?"

"Well, it does look like a fun challenge." the auburn-haired young man commented jauntily as he turned his gaze to the hardwood stand on which the half-orc was waiting for his challengers, a younger black-haired girl trailing behind him. "Reji, mind if I try this? I'd like to see how well I can do!"

"Show him who's boss, Yan!" the Tian girl cheered, giving a thumbs-up to her traveling companion. Yan nodded confidently and stepped forward, raising a hand to the half-orc, who was cracking his knuckles already.
"Alright! We have a competitor here, ladies and gentlemen!" the man exclaimed, throwing a rope to his champion. With a grin, the half-orc passed one end of the rope to Yan as soon as the latter was on the stage, and the young man caught it and stood on the opposite side of the square. "Both competitors are ready! Both are warmed up, determined and willing to do their best! Therefore, let us begin our competition! Ready... set... GO!"

"Go, Yan! Go!" Reji exclaimed, standing on her tiptoes to cheer for her companion.

Both contenders immediately began pulling, staring at each other in defiance. Yan immediately found himself having to plant his feet on the floor in order to stop the pull, and he grit his teeth in defiance. His opponent's pull was truly formidable... in order to come out the winner, he would have to put all of his skill to good use and counter his opponent's raw power with a mixture of skill and strength.
Yan gave a brief yank, putting all his strength into it and keeping the opponent from pulling him in. Surprised, the half-orc seemed to let go of his grip for just a brief moment, but he quickly grabbed it back and tried to drag Yan to his side once again. This time, the young man was prepared and managed to keep his grip on the rope... then, with a series of short but intense tugs, he tried to tire out the half-orc.

"Amazing, ladies and gents!" the stand owner exclaimed as the people began cheering louder and louder. "This is the first time ever since we got to Sandpoint that my champion is actually struggling! But he isn't going to be beaten that easily! Will he find a way to get out of this pinch?"
After a brief moment of amazement, the burly half-orc grinned confidently and resumed pulling with all of his might, trying to cause Yan to lose his balance. The young man grit his teeth and tried once again to anchor himself to the floor, then pulled inwards and managed to slow down his pull. Sensing the half-orc starting to tire, Yan increased his efforts and was able to catch up.
"You can do it, Yan!" Reji exclaimed.

Both contenders were now completely immersed in their struggle. The only thing on their mind about was the stalemate they were both in, and after a few moments, Yan managed to drag his opponent a few inches towards him! The half-orc widened his eyes in surprise and tried to regain the advantage, but the prolonged confrontation had tired him out, and though he managed to hold out for several seconds, he was finally pulled over to Yan's side, spelling victory for the young man.

"Superb! Truly, an hard-fought and exciting match!" the stand owner exclaimed. "And I honestly don't remember the last time my champion was cornered like this! A big round of applause to our challenger! What's your name, young man?"
Yan blinked in amazement as the flamboyant Varisian suddenly approached him. "Er... my name is Yan. Yan Gudril. I was... born here in Sandpoint, but I've been away for a few years now..."
"Well then, a round of applause to Sandpoint's newfound son! Hahahaaa!" the half-orc exclaimed, giving a friendly pat on Yan's back - which was still strong enough to almost topple the young man! Yan thought to himself that it was lucky that the massive half-orc was such a graceful loser. "You're a tough one, kid! My name is Kodon! Nice to meet you!"
"My... my pleasure!" Yan stated with a hint of embarrassment. Reji chuckled to herself, before turning her attention to a food stand displaying some of Sandpoint's specialities.

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Misia pulled back her hair, intently listening as Sandpoint's new spiritual leader, the Desnan priest Father Abstalar Zantus, narrated one of his favorite parables. In this one, the goddess Desna had one day descended to Golarion in the guise of a mortal woman, and had been helped by a seemingly ordinary human child.

"You should know, little ones, that this child had the misfortune of never being blessed with sight, which many of us rightly consider to be the most useful of our senses. Yet... that humble blind child was the first to realize Our Lady In Dreams' true nature, even as she stood before him as an ordinary woman. It is therefore true that sometimes sight, the most useful of our senses, is no longer a useful tool, but an obstacle to knowledge." Father Zantus was explaining. Sandpoint's spiritual leader was a man in his fifties, or at least his late forties, with a peaceful expression and a thick greying moustache and beard, and it seemed that his gentle manners and down-to-earth personality had already endeared him to many.
Misia nodded quickly, while Eli sighed and shrugged beside her. The half-elf wasn't exactly religious, apart from a few invocations to Nethys, the god of magic, from time to time. And truth be told, Eli had always found matters of religion to be boring. However, she was still more than willing to indulge her friend and companion.

"And then... what happened, Father Zantus?" a child eagerly asked.
The priest chuckled gently. "Be patient, little ones. I will tell you everything. You see, this child helped Our Lady In Dreams as she regained her strength, without expecting anything in return. When, some days later, our lady Desna resumed her divine form, she rewarded this little hero by transforming him into her herald - a wonderful butterfly gleaming in all the hues of the rainbow, forever watching over us mortals along with her, so that the cruel hordes of the Abyss and the merciless legions of the Nine Hells won't make slaves of us."
"That's such a great story, father!" a little girl exclaimed in admiration. As for Misia, she had lost count of all the times she had heard that story... but as a devotee of Desna herself, she never got sick of it. She especially enjoyed hearing how different devotees reinterpreted the story or added details, embellishments or episodes. She had always found it fascinating...

"Glad you agree, dear. It perfectly reflects our lady Desna's mercy and compassion." Zantus answered with a warm smile, while some altar boys dressed in white silk robes carried a cart covered in an elegant cloth, embroidered as to resemble a starry night sky. "And now, my little friends... to celebrate our protector! Young ones, go ahead and take the cloth off!"

"Right away, father!" one of the altar boys answered, and then pulled the cloth off with a quick gesture. A sound not unlike the fluttering of wings was heard... and the cargo turned out to be a wooden cage filled with countless colorful dovetail butterflies, some of them as large as a human hand, which took flight in a kaleidoscope of bright colors! The children cried out in delight and began to applaud, with their parents and Misia following suit. Even Eli found herself standing up and cheering, in spite of her own misgivings on religious topics.

"Hey, Eli! What happened to your high-and-mighty act?" Misia turned to her in a friendly ribbing.
Eli closed her eyes and turned her head in embarassment. "Well... I can't help but appreciate it when something is done right!" she replied. "Besides, I heard that there will be a fireworks show tonight... fireworks brought directly from Tian Xia, to boot! It's something I'm looking forward to.""Yep! These Sandpoint folks are pretty big on Tian Xia traditions!" the diminutive blonde gnome answered. "So try and stay awake until then! You don't wanna miss the show!"

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"Hmmm! Wonderful! I did hear good things about Sandpoint's curry salmon, but to actually taste it is a whole other matter!" Reji spoke with her mouth still partially full as she and Yan enjoyed Sandpoint's food at the stand belonging to the Rusty Dragon, the most popular inn around town. The black-haired girl tossed a couple gold pieces to the stand owner, who caught them and smiled in gratitude.

"Thank you! And I must say, I'm glad to see a fellow Tian around here!" the young woman owning the stand answered cheerfully. Ameiko Kaijitsu, the famed owner of the Rusty Dragon - as well as the daughter of the infamous Lonjiku Kaijitsu - has similar lineaments to Reji, but her dual-colored hair made her stand out all the more: they were mostly dark brown, but a pair of white bangs fell on her forehead. "As rumors about Sandpoint's rebuilt cathedral to Desna began spreading throughout Varisia, visitors have greatly increased in number, which also means more business for my inn! But to be honest, I have never seen that many Tian people around here."

"Well, Varisia is known to be a melting pot of cultures..." Yan stated, his attention drifting away from the lobster-flavored crackers placed on the stand before him. "Anyway, the important thing is, that the festival is going well,and that the new cathedral has a better fate."
The young man looked at the newly-built cathedral once again and sighed, his melancholy never quite going away. He still remembered those afternoons he spent playing far from the old church, chatting and joking with that sad-looking white-haired little girl. It was amazing to think that so much time had gone by... at times, he felt like he could still hear Father Ezakien's harsh voice harshly calling out to them...

"Enough, you two! Get away from her, foolish child! And you, Nualia! You have your duties to attend to! Stop wasting your time! Desna disapproves of you straying from the path of virtue!"

Yan sighed again. For being a cleric devoted to Desna, Father Ezakien was so unbearably strict and harsh at times...
The young swordsman willed himself back to reality and turned his attention to Reji, who was still busy enjoying the Rusty Dragon's specialities. "Hmmmm! This is amazing! All of this!" the brunette girl gushed. "You're such a great cook, Miss Kaijitsu!"

Ameiko chuckled in amusement "Now, now, just Ameiko is fine!" she answered cheerfully. "To be honest, while I don't much care for it... I'm still the daughter of one of Sandpoint's most prominent men. For what it may be worth..." Her joking tone turned grim towards the end. It was no secret in Sandpoint that the relationship between Ameiko and her father was quite frosty, to say the least. "But let's not think about it now. There's a celebration going on, and it's the best time for everyone to be happy and have fun! And I will do my part to make sure it's an unforgettable day for everyone!"

"Great! Thanks, Ameiko! If that's the case, then I'll be helping myself!" Yan stated, and then headed straight for a piece of curry salmon he had spotted earlier...

ooooooooo

Through celebrations, performances, parades, and all kinds of entertainment and curiosities, time went by in a flash for the people of Sandpoint. Now that the evening was descending on the quaint seaside town, many had gathered in the main square, not far from the recently-rebuilt sanctuary. Although many were tired from the celebrations going on the whole day, joy and hope could be read all over their faces. It was clear that most of them regarded the Swallowtail Festival as a new start for everyone.

Jolan sighed, exhausted but satisfied. Between all the attractions he had attended, and all those tourists he'd offered a guided tour of Sandpoint to (for the modest sum of three silver pieces per person - hey, a halfling needs to eat, after all!), he could safely say he was quite satisfied with. And now, as he rested on a pile of straw in a corner of the main square, the easygoing halfling relaxed, confidently awaiting the moment in which Father Zantus would take the stage and start the ritual prayer - The Prayer of the First Dream.

"Well, one thing's for sure. Father Zantus sounds like he will be a lot more popular than Father Ezakien, Desna have mercy on his soul." Jolan thought to himself. He looked around, imagining that many of the people of Sandpoint would agree. Father Ezakien, the priest who had died in the fire that had destroyed the Desnan cathedral during the Late Unpleasantness, was not exactly popular, due to his rigid, self-righteous and inflexible personality. Jolan had known him personally, back when the aging priest was alive... and truth be told, Jolan had always thought him a bigot who cared more about the letter of Desna's teachings than their intent. Always criticizing someone for drinking a pint of beer, indulging in a little more food than he should, or sleeping with someone. If one were to listen to Ezakien, one would think that the goddess of dreams would smite anyone who wanted to enjoy life a little.

The halfling grew somber as he thought back about that dusky-skinned, white-haired little girl Father Ezakien had adopted. All traces of her had been lost after the fire that had destroyed the previous sanctuary. It was likely that she had perished along with her "father" in the fire, even though her body had never been found.
Truly a sad story. That white-haired girl... Nualia, if her memory served... had always been so lonely and sad. The idea that her adopted daughter could decide for herself what to do with her life must have been abhorrent to Father Ezakien, who wanted her to be a priestess of Desna, not caring about what she truly wanted...

"Ugh, what am I thinking..." the nimble halfling thought to himself. "Man, Father Ezakien sure wasn't the virtuous man he thought he was. Well, let's hope his successor does a better job of it. He already seems nicer, at least."
Jolan put his hands behind his head and absent-mindedly stared at a stray dog that was greedily devouring some pieces of meat left on the ground next to a hay cart. Finally, as Father Zantus finished up the First Dream ritual, he cleared his voice and drew attention to himself, holding a small glistening pebble in one hand – a thunderstone, clearly. A minor magic item that exploded in a loud but harmless bang when it was struck or throw.

"I thank all those present at this important event, and once again, I offer prayers to Desna that she will allow our city to overcome all the adversities that it undoubtedly still has to face." the kindly priest stated. "Now, people of Sandpoint... I officially declare the new sanctuary to be open for public use!"
With a firm movement of his arm, Father Zantus threw the thunderstone onto the wooden platform, upon which it crumbled and emitted a violent, rumbling sound, like distant thunder. Officially, that was the signal that the celebrations could resume...

The scream that tore through the air a moment later, however, had nothing festive about it.
It all happened in a split second.
There was a scream of terror from a woman close to Jolan, and the halfling jumped to his feet with a choked-off gasp, completely blindsided by what was happening! A second later, another frightened scream was heard... then another, and another... as the crowd dispersed in panic, and numerous green figures just over three feet tall popped out of the most unexpected places and proceeded to attack amidst mad shrieking and insane laughter! From under the benches, from under the straw mounds on the roadsides, from the gutter, from sacks... like a raging river, those beings launched an onslaught on the town, plunging everything into chaos!

Horrified, Jolan widened his eyes, finally focusing on the creatures: small, ungainly green-skinned humanoids, with exaggeratedly large heads, clad in rags and armed with rusty knives and strange improvised glaive-like pole weapons, throwing themselves into the crowd, on the stalls, on the people and on everything that happened to be within range! Their screams of evil glee were deafening, and as they lashed out, many of them began singing catchy but disquieting little songs!

Jolan saw the stray dog near him collapse to the ground in a pool of blood, his throat slashed open from ear to ear... and from behind him, one of those creatures emerged, holding a curved and rusty knife, still dripping with warm blood! The creature screeched and burst into insane laughter as two others approached Jolan, still laughing madly and wielding their rudimentary but lethal weapons!

"Oh, shit..." the halfling whispered. With hesitant movements, he reached for a small scabbard hanging at his side and drew a dagger. Then, he slid into a fighting pose, pointing his weapon at his unimpressed opponents who kept approaching and giggling in cruel de light. "Goblins..."

Within seconds, all joy and levity was gone as the people of Sandpoint found themselves having to fight for their lives against a horde of murderous goblins!

oooooooooo

TO BE CONTINUED…