| While the culmination of events leading up to the current situation spans a much longer time in history, it is best to first lead with recent fact. This is where our tale begins, in the small, faraway Varisian town of Sandpoint. |
サンドポイント
(SANDPOINT)
Sandpoint is a beautiful and diverse town, resting in a natural cove along the cliff-lined Lost Coast region approximately thirty miles northeast of Magnimar. Every year on Rova, during the autumnal equinox, the citizens of Sandpoint commemorate a legend regarding Desna
(デスナ、北星の女神) with the Swallowtail Festival. Although of late, something has gone wrong…
The sun rises lazily over a clear sky on this mid-autumn morning, one week from the festival. Preparations are being made just about everywhere across town, mostly by the cathedral's priests and volunteers, as well as Mayor Deverin's staff. The local businesses too have been ramping up to accommodate for the festivities, as trade for foodstuffs and other goods is paving the way for the celebrations next week.
As though with perfect timing, Sandru Vhiski
's caravan has rolled lazily into town through the North Gate this morning, bringing with them fresh fruits and many other goods from other nearby towns, just in time to park their wagon carts and join the local merchants setting up their stalls and fairly loosely delineated floor vending spaces at the Sandpoint Market.
Most of the patrons of the Rusty Dragon (ラスティドラゴン宿) are still stirring dreamily in their sleep. The Rusty Dragon is one of Sandpoint's two local inns, and a favorite eatery and watering hole for much of the town's locals and travelers alike. Its owner, Ameiko Kaino
(海埜 雨慰子) is already awake and working diligently in the kitchen, from which a host of chopping, bubbling and sizzling sounds can be heard, and delicious smells are beginning to waft into the air.
On today's breakfast menu is a trusty Lost Coast omelette (a safe option for those who don't care for Ameiko's experimentations), and a weird soupy concoction of noodles that she calls "ramen" for those with a little bit more adventure in their taste buds. And of course, there's always plenty of ale and raspberry mead being served...
(( While these are just some select details about Sandpoint and some of the happenings at the moment, you are free to place your character anywhere within the town to begin with. ))