<div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/cUN0V3D.jpg)</div><br/>It is the year 4707, The Year of the Conquering Queen in the burgeoning autumnal month of Rova.   There are pockets of civilization along the Lost Coast. Though often not used, these traditional Varisian campsites can be found in nearly every gulch and hollow along the cliff-lined reaches. Lonely houses sit upon bluffs; domiciles for eccentrics or the rich, seeking a bit of peace far from the bustle of Magnimar’s streets. Roadside inns grace the Lost Coast road every twenty-five miles or so, placed by virtue of the distance most travelers can walk within a day’s travel. Low stone shrines to Desna give further opportunities for shelter should one of the all-too-common rainstorms catch travelers unaware.<br/><br/>Given time, any of these seeds of civilization could bloom into a full-grown town, or even a city. It’s happened once already, along the shores of a natural harbor nestled among the cliffs some fifty miles northeast of Magnimar. What was once a larger-than-normal Varisian campsite in the shadow of an ancient ruined tower has become the region’s largest town: Sandpoint, the Light of the Lost Coast.<br/><br/>Seven individuals find themselves in Magnimar; the self-proclaimed City of Monuments, This group is readying to leave for the two to three day journey to Sandpoint.  Some of them are returning home from personal business in Magnimar and some of them are heading to Sandpoint for reasons of their own but all of them are aware of the forthcoming Swallowtail Festival in three days' time.  A religious event to be certain but make no mistake; there will be no shortage of feasting, drinking, dancing, singing and games.  The population of Sandpoint increases by a sizable amount each year during the festival, bolstered by it’s proximity to the bustling port city of Magnimar and this year seems to be no exception.<br/><br/>Each of the seven has gathered at Fogwall Court, an impressive open space, paved with well-cared-for cobblestones and watched over by the large, imposing and altogether impressive House of Lords.  To the east of Fogwall Court where they have gathered is the affluent and well-guarded Alabaster district with the impressive edifice dubbed the House of Lords nearby.  What could be mistaken as a temple for one of the deities in the region due to it's size and architecture but in actuality is altogether secular.<br/><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/a6OZ5rf.jpg)</div><br/>It is the forum for which the seven major noble families in Magnimar hold court and allow access to their presence as well as their coffers to the public.  Interactions with representatives of the seven families allows the opportunity for grievances to be aired, favours to be requested and most importantly; debts to be paid.  The representatives present allow for the aristocracy of Magnimar to continue on with their daily pursuits and not bothered with anything but matters of truly great importance...or opportunity.<br/><br/>To the west of Fogwall Court is the far more bustling and far less affluent Capital District. A stark contrast to the manors and villas of the nobles in the Alabaster District but certainly not impoverished like some parts of the city.<br/><br/>The seven strangers have all gathered at a time that might be considered a little too late to be looking for a caravan that follows the meandering coast to Sandpoint but they are all making the attempt nevertheless.  Desna smiles upon each of them however as they happen to find a hapless dwarven metal smith by the name of Lutsag Shatterbark; with a wagon full of pots and pans that he hopes to sell at the festival in Sandpoint.  A wagon needs guards and an offer of 20 golden “sails” for each of the seven on assurances that Lutsag and his wares arrive not just safely but also in time for the Festival.  An opportunity to be taken advantage of;   for the journey to Sandpoint could be dangerous if one was unfortunate.  It was also an opportunity for some company during the journey as well as a chance to arrive in Sandpoint with their pockets a little heavier.<br/><br/>Lutsag appears busy at the moment as he seems to be in the middle of a discussion with one of the people that has agreed to act as a guard for the journey.  A human male of seemingly average dress with a longsword and shield slung upon his back.  He is smiling broadly as he speaks which elicits a vigorous shaking of the dwarf's head.<br/><br/>"Preposterous,  Master Mortwell.  It's twenty sails for the journey and I'll not be offering a share of my profits instead!" , proclaims the dwarf.<br/><br/>A disparate group to say the very least but certainly not the most unusual group to have made the journey along the Lost Coast Road with the final destination being Sandpoint.<br/><br/><br/><br/><div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/95xJW4E.png)</div>