<div class="floatleft">(http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/assets/208567/sandpoint-banner_1_.jpg)</div><strong>Location:</strong>Sandpoint (cathedral square)<br/><strong>Time / Date:</strong>11:00 AM, Rova 23<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Nadia, Tavah, Sulwyn, Gor'Ax, Pru<br/><hr/><br/>It's a brisk early autumn morning in Sandpoint; the air hangs damp and heavy even after the morning fog has burned off, and the unique fragrance of low tide is washing through the rather ramshackle town. Even so, spirits are high, for today is festival day! Most of the activity is centered around the open plaza of the cathedral square. Children race around underfoot, and the smell of fried and grilled foods is starting to overpower the fragrance of the beach. For such a small town, the place is alive and bustling, its colorful citizenry dressed in their country faire finest, full of conversation and speculations. Buskers ply their skills, and the occasional BANG of a firework can be heard.<br/><br/>• Several wagons and stalls have been set up in the square, bearing placards of the local taverns; all are serving free lunches, with ale! Though it's still early in the day, small throngs of people are still in attendance. The Rusty Dragon's stall seems to be doing the best, though whether due to the lovely proprietress manning the board, or the curried salmon she is serving, it's hard to say.<br/><br/>• Some of Kaye Tesarani's, erm,<em>employees</em>are putting on a bawdy mummer's show, both genders in drag, all comically painted. This is taking place furthest from the cathedral, probably for obvious reasons. The current subject seems to be a bad parody of the latest opera from Kintargo. Two of Tesarini's big burly Shoanti bouncers are acting as security; they look bored.<br/><br/>• In front of the cathedral, a hastily-constructed low stage has been set up. A few of the town's council are on it, talking with each other, aides, a few townsfolk. Beside the stage is a large covered wagon, a middle-aged Varisian woman in the garb of a Desnan priest occasionally using a switch to swat away people trying to peer under the cloth.<br/><br/>• All across the square are numerous games and contests, tests of strength, agility, and skill. Little stuffed dolls, tchotckes, coupons and the like are the sort of prizes one can expect. This is the source of the ugly little goblin masks and sparklers several children are running around with. Barkers are calling you over to toss a few coppers and try your luck at a shell game, or to impress the ladies with a whack at the high striker!<br/><br/>All seems to be going well! Whether you're visiting from abroad, or have been born and raised in Sandpoint, it's hard to  not feel the celebratory mood and playful atmosphere of the Swallowtail Festival.