Corsario's Murder's Mark

Game Master Corsario

Orlin Stormborn Sawyer with All-Seeing Hajeck

He heads unerringly towards a specific tent in the distance. If/When the Carnival Guards stop him...

"Peace be on you this day, and the Blessings of Desna guide your feet on your journey's. I seek the All-Seeing Hajeck, to offer her my aid if she'll have it, and ask for a reading, as I have done every year for the last 20."

Even being a Chelaxian many of the Varisians smile and nods at Orlin. As he said, he IS a permanent fixture in the Ilsurian visit for them.

Aliana, Orne, and Nala with Clerk Atepmo

"Mama's not said anything about setting up in the Market this year, so I don't know if we'd have time to set up anything. Would we? I'll set myself up there if there's still time. But if there's anything that anyone needs, I'll be glad to arrange any trades necessary through the shop in town. I can accompany anyone who wants to pick up anything - no one in town should give them a bad time if I'm with them. Or I can deliver any necessary goods here. And certainly I'll speak with Mama about being prepared for next year!"

Aliana speaks with the Clerk a while longer, creating a list of the alchemical supplies the Carnival is still in need of.

I prefer Aliana free and roaming the Carnival grounds instead of working at a booth, so no, your mother never rents a space (she says is too expensive to sell the people they can sell to anyway).

Ready for the Carnival opening!

To fix my wine botch... Let's say Orne's family were enterprising and used their pay and his money to start a small and discreet wine business they haven't told him about. Waiting until it gets some traction. They may be considering purchasing a tract of fertile land good for a small vineyard or continue to import or both. Nala has been told not to speak of it. It can come out, whenever.

Ready.

As everyone begins to disperse, Alexite nods to all and makes his way into the carnival. He wanders around the grounds watching the workers erecting tents and booths. Ever so slowly he winds his way to Almara's wagon/tent, giving the sheriff time to have her say and begone before arriving to meet with her himself.

Alexite Ilsurian with Almara Delisen

Ever so slowly he winds his way to Almara's wagon/tent, giving the sheriff time to have her say and begone before arriving to meet with her himself.

The guards let Alexite pass, just nodding at him when they see him.

I forgot to mention it, but Robella Moncello goes to see Clerk Atepmo to secure a place in the Winding Market for her wares.
-----
Sorry, I wanted to start with the carnival today, but got hit by work, I'll do it tomorrow.

Alexite Ilsurian with Almara Delisen

Alexite Ilsurian wrote:

Ever so slowly he winds his way to Almara's wagon/tent, giving the sheriff time to have her say and begone before arriving to meet with her himself.

The guards let Alexite pass, just nodding at him when they see him.

Almara Delisen nods at him.
"Mister Ilsurian! A pleasure. I have your parcel here."
She hands you a magical sack, protected against divination spells, that you use for moving secret letters from Korvosa to Ilsurian.
"I guess you brought the payment with you?"
You hand to her a pouch with 100 gp, the normal payment you make for the "courier" service the Carnival provides.
The Varisian woman stores the pouch, not bothering in counting them.
"As always, before we go, you can look for me and give me the sack to be delivered at Korvosa. Please enjoy the fair, I am sure you will find it very exiting. And if you want some company or anything else, just let me know."

Alexite nods to the carnival proprietress, "Thank you, always nice to see you. I will keep an eye out for such a package and drop it by."

Turning to leave, he snaps his fingers as he remembers, "Ah! I almost forgot. I understand you have some new attraction this year. Any chance of getting an early viewing?"

An hour before sundown the carnival folk hold a parade that marches through Ilsurian in a spectacle of sights, music, and drumming. Banners and streamers herald a procession of clowns, stilt walkers, and tumbling acrobats, all of whom wave to the townspeople. Carnival barkers call out to people on the streets, promising thrills, chills, and delights for people of all ages (at the modest price of a few copper coins). The entire procession is a formal declaration of the carnival's opening, and seeks to draw out the curious and idle to follow along to the procession's end, the carnival grounds.
----------
Map of the Umbra Carnival
1. The Parade Grounds
A vast, open field always serves as the carnival's heart. By day, this space offers dozens of free shows and events to lure in the cheap and idle, and by night crowds gather to watch displays of magic and fireworks imported from distant Vudra and Tian Xia. Vendors wander the area constantly selling food, streamers, and flowers, though the carnival's guards aggressively repel outside peddlers.
Nala leads a small troupe of half a dozen varisian children that close to people and ask for "coopers".
"Can you give us a cooper to buy candy! Look, my friend can tumble for you!"
When she sees Aliana she go and greets her.
"Hi nice lady! I hope you have a great time in the carnival!"
2. Big Top
The Umbra Carnival's big top houses an astonishing assortment of shows, from traditional clowns and acrobats to music recitals and dramatic plays-whatever Almara believes will draw a crowd or the crew has taken a recent interest in.
The cost is 1 sp, and a visitor may stay in the big top as long as she likes, but reentry requires payment should she leave.
Normally the star attraction is Jherizhana, the "ferocious performing sphinx only barely held under the ringmaster's magical control", announced at for two hours after sundown (so you have time if you want to see her). It is implied in the flyers that she is very beautiful, very immodest, and a show not adequate for children (but it is also mentioned that unaccompanied children can enter if they pay the price).
But here, in Ilsurian, the big act is at nightfall, when the travelling Shoanti Champion will face any townfolk willing to face her, for the small entry fee of 1 gp. And all expect a huge crowd to gather to see Fish tackle the challenge.
3. Midway
On the caravan's previous trip through Varisia, Almara coaxed a small crew of Janderhoff's dwarven engineers
to join them, crafting several mechanical amusements powered by beasts of burden.
The midway's games of chance charge a single copper.
Prizes are cheap but memorable: paper dolls, dried flowers, ribbons, and sweets from distant lands.
You can participate and win in some of them if you want...
The proprietor of the Umbra Carnival, Almara Delisen, is observing the crowd at the midway. If the PCs ask around, carnival crew won't hesitate to identify her, but they also add that Almara often watches the midway in her spare time.
4. Travelling Zoo
The Taldan noble Berthold Flavion runs the zoo. He personally grew the zoo's collection, starting with only the trained lapdogs owned by his own family. While most of the zoo's cages feature mundane creatures from across Avistan, a few genuine monsters never fail to wow locals, including three animated skeletons, a manticore, and a "baby dragon" caged at the entrance of the zoo. Admittance to the animal tent and zoo is always free, but the animals' handlers beg aggressively, often with smaller animals in hand to accept donations.
Yaghed Stonebow, Orne's father, works here, guarding the entrance and the "baby dragon", looking imposing and fearsome in some "orc" clothes. Orne knows he will would never wear "at home".
5· Crew Wagons
Regardless of their position, the carnival refers to all its permanent residents as crew, and affords them wagon space behind the big top. While Almara Delisen cares little for who joins her travels and for how long, her studious Osirian accountant and paymaster, Clerk Atepmo, demands some level of reliability, otherwise he confines travelers to the Winding Market and its throngs of unofficial hangers-on. Six fulltime cooks work constantly to provide meals (including Orne's mother), while a crew of a dozen carpenters constantly maintain the carnival's wagons, tents, and equipment. No "guests" are welcome here. Crew are encouraged to deal with trespassers as they see fit, so long as they leave no marks.
6. Sideshow
This eccentric collection of trinkets and biological oddities serves as the carnival's true foundation. Part museum and part freak show, the sideshow boasts ancient artifacts, foreign costumes and jewelry, and a variety of magical artifacts and technological innovations. The objects include a colorful blend of genuine valuables, creative fakes, and dangerously mislabeled oddities . Like the museum, the Umbra Carnival's freakshow includes both genuine geeks and creative fakes. A swordswallower, a fat lady, and a tattooed man headline most locations, but the carnival's "troll" (an obese Gaitan woman with a deformed nose), "fire giant" (an extraordinarily tall, redheaded Ulfen), and "choker" (whatever he is) draw thrill-seekers and young men looking to prove their courage. By far the biggest draw is the elusive "Saggy Man," a Varisian boogeyman played by a farmer's son with an unusual skin condition.
Sideshow admission is 1 sp, but individual exhibits and performers frequently move out to separate tents for a day or two at a time, with individual prices of only 1 or 2 cp a peek.
Today, and for a 2 cp admission, one can enter to see Phardaen the Panotti, the "elephant man" that can fly!
7· Winding Market
In every town, large or small, local merchants pour out of their shop s to set up stalls in this snaggled, disorganized knot of tents and walkways adjacent to the festival to take advantage of the crowds it draws. Other merchants, performers, diviners, and prostitutes travel alongside the show longer-term for the same reason, journeying to the next town or the next continent. While the Winding Market is not officially a part of the Umbra Carnival, Almara's guards collect a healthy tax from its residents, or else wisely coax them into traveling elsewhere. Venlok the Scourge, chief of the carnival's enforcers, ensures that members of the market pay promptly and that the criminal element among them preys on the various settlements visited, rather than on the rest of the carnival.
All-Seeing Hajeck has her wagon here, inviting everyone for a "Harrow Reading" for the cheap price of 2 cp.
Robella Moncello together with two Ilsurian women have a trinkets stand here, trading in antique or strange goods, mostly.
------------
While you walk among the many people gathered here
An ilsurian woman tells his husband: "I don't like the look of those men..."
You also hear a man talking to another: "When you go in there, keep your pouch close, you know how this Varisians are."
Within the familiar faces you see Arhaneem Braeton (maybe the most prosperous merchant of Ilsurian, without his wife), Vea Semere (the best weaponsmith of Ilsurian, member of the council), and Borvious Monchello, another very prosperous Ilsurian Merchant (and husband to Robella Moncello).
---
In the Midway there is an interesting game. "The King of the Carnival". This is a classic high-striker game with a twist. The game is run by Narthi Vangkot, an Ulfen strongman with a talent for calling out and challenging passersby. Narthi invites carnival-goers to demonstrate their "power and passion" to him by "taming the savage beast on yonder pole." Players grasp a heavy mallet and strike the lever to send the puck to the top of the pole with a Strength check. Instead of a bell ringing, the lion head animates and responds to how high the puck reaches . Success against a DC of 13 makes the lion roar, winning the game. If the result of the Strength check is 18 or higher, the lion's thundering roar can be heard across the entire carnival.
---
Also in the Midway there are three raised runways meeting at a point like an arrow beneath a brightly colored pavilion tent. Where the runways meet sits a tall , rectangular box covered in mirrors. Off to one side is a raised speaker's podium . Posters on makeshift signs depict an attractive woman in a provocative gown and silver mask, with the words "The Lovely Madame Masque" in bold print.
This game of chance challenges the skill of Perception. Unlike most midway games, multiple people play this one together, forming a betting pool of 1 cp each. The winner takes half of the proceeds (an average of 1 sp) and the circus keeps the other half. A carnival barker recruits passersby until a minimum number of players are gathered. He then introduces Madame Masque, who emerges from the tent to wave silently at the crowd. Madame Masque is a shapely woman in a provocative Varisian costume gown of red and black silk held together by ribbons. She is adorned with all manner of scarves, necklaces, earrings, and other decorative costume pieces, but her face is concealed by a finely crafted silver mask showing only her playful brown eyes. She remains mute, but nods and waves to the crowd. The game is simple but challenging, calling on the power of observation. Madame Masque struts down the center runway and poses for 1 minute, flirting silently with the crowd. She then saunters to the mirrored cabinet, steps inside, and closes it behind her. After a flourish from the barker, the cabinet is opened to reveal three different Madame Masques. Each figure walks down a different runway, while four guards prevent anyone from grasping at them. Each Madame Masque wears an entirely different costume from the original, but one wears a single piece of jewelry, item of clothing, or flower only the original wore.
The crowd has 1 minute to call out the matching item, and the first to correctly guess wins - or the players run out of time and the house keeps the pot. successful DC 13 Perception check permits the PCs to spot the item, with the highest result indicating the first PC to guess correctly. After guesses are made and a winner (if any) declared, two of the illusions vanish. The remaining image walks back to the mirrored cabinet where the real Madame Masque reemerges. Both compare the item in question, demonstrating the game is not rigged.
---
So, what do you want to do before Fish's big fight?
BTW: Elric Huntington is off duty, and assisting to the carnival.

Fish just has to get a Harrow Reading from All-Seeing Hajeck, and he has to try his luck at the King of the Carnival. Other than that he would mostly mingle, pass out coopers to the children and basically just hype the competition. He's more interested in the culture itself, foods and clothing, than he is the attractions. He would probably hang about for the Lovely Madame Masque game of chance. Any money he may win he would donate to less fortunate souls. He will, however, see if he can bet 5 gp on himself to win the fight.

As Nala greets her, Aliana flashes a grin in return and deftly flips a few copper coins toward the half-orc girl and her companions. "Don't spend it all in one place, sweetheart!" she shouts as the children dance and skip away.

Aliana stops at the nearest food stall and buys a snack for each hand, savoring the complex flavors of the Varisian street food. Giddily inhaling the scent of her meal, she wanders through the sideshow for several minutes, greeting the crew warmly as she goes along. Some of the more genuine exhibits catch her eye, but having attended the carnival for so many years, her sharp eyes and quick mind readily deduce the secrets behind many of the shows. Hmm...the sideshow's not quite as much fun when you know all the tricks, she muses to herself. I wonder what those contraptions were over on the other side of the parade grounds? Let's go have a look.

She makes her way over to the Midway, and arrives just as a round of Madame Masque's game is finishing up. She asks one of the attendants the purpose of the game, and decides to play in the next round. "I'll try my luck," she tells the attendant, handing him a copper coin. When you need it: Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Orne Stonebow tags among with Aliana, somewhat reserved.

He always gets this way when the carnival is in town as he feels he takes on more responsibility when his family is near. By no means does he begrudge their presence, however.

He chuckles at the games, having grown up with them.

As with Aliana, if you want to participate in the King of the Carnival or the Madame Masque games, roll your dice!
And don't forget taking "off" the coins you use...
About Fish Harrow reading, roll 1d54 9 times... lets see what you get!

Harrow: 1d54 ⇒ 19
Harrow: 1d54 ⇒ 26
Harrow: 1d54 ⇒ 20
Harrow: 1d54 ⇒ 24
Harrow: 1d54 ⇒ 37
Harrow: 1d54 ⇒ 39
Harrow: 1d54 ⇒ 41
Harrow: 1d54 ⇒ 40
Harrow: 1d54 ⇒ 3

King of the Carnival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

What's the cost for the King of the Carnival?

Narthi Vangkot, attending the King of the Carnival game, says that for the Champion of Ilsurian is for free! All the rest, 2 cp.
Pavo's strike lacks "punch", and the lion head makes a sweet "meowww" after his hit, to the laughter of the two dozen people around looking at him.
Narthi laughs!
"You will need to do better against our champion! Care to try again?"

With an audible "Hrumph", Fish spits in his hands and rubs them together vigorously. Yes, yes, of course. That was just a warm up. Stand back now, give me some room. He grabs the mallet tightly, takes a deep breath to focus himself, and brings it down hard.

Attempt 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Almost an 18!
Now the puck rises all the way up, hitting the lion head which roars, to the applause and hollering of everyone around!
Working on your reading.
If anyone else wants to try the Lion, an 18 Strength check hasn't been done yet!

Aliana, standing near the Madam Masque stage, hears the lion's roar. Seeing Fish holding the hammer, she joins in the cheering.

Ever the competitor and still not satisfied, Fish maintains his grip on the mallet. He holds it up in front of his face, closes his eyes, and takes another deep breath. His eyes flash open and lock on the target. He unleashes an almost guttural roar "RROOOAAAARRR" and brings the mallet down with as much strength as he can muster.

One last time: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

The puck flies up, at terrible speed, and hits the lion hard, making the head make a thunderous roar that can be hear around all the Carnival Grounds.
Narthi (who takes the game quite seriously) presents Pavo with an additional prize, a paper crown identifying the victor as a "King of the Carnival", putting it in his head, and kneeling before him, which most of the spectators (which number grow thanks to the roar) imitate.
"All hail king Pavo!!"
"Hail!"
Pavo won't need to pay for anything else in the carnival, at least for tonight!

Pavo blushes a little and chuckles a bit. "Yes, well, uh...thank you." He rubs his hand on his pant leg before extending it to shake Narthi's hand. "Fine game you have here, quite the challenge." He turns toward the crowd with an acknowledging wave and shouts "You won't want to miss the main event tonight!"

Pavo arrives at All-Seeing Hajeck wagon, with no one around and no other customers present. From inside the woman's voice is heard:
"Please come, I knew you were coming, an I am ready for your reading."
Once Pavo enters, she looks very surprised.
"So you are the new king?"
She quickly composes herself.
"Of course, I have foretold it! Come on, and shuffle the deck of the destiny, so we can peek into this night fight! And as you are the king, I will do it free of charge!"
After Pavo shuffles the cards, she lays them out in from of him.
Pavo Harrow Reading
"Ummm, oh yes, of course! Can you see it? It is very plain! The king is in alignment, crowned and ready! The Champion has come, your rival, ready to face you! But the watcher has set the things against you, the order of things demands you lose this match!"
She inclines towards you, and whispers.
"But look there! Doom in opposition! That means you can win even with the dice stacked against you! All revolves around the monster! You need to know when to strike, and when not to! Against you the queen! The one that knows the truth!"
She looks somewhat confused about that last "The Queen Mother" card.
"So in the future... if your persevere, even with the losses you will prevail! What will decide your fate is the fellowship of your companions? But you fight alone... ok, maybe is the foresight what will decide the fight! And if you lose... freedom? Opposed? Freedom to destroy? No, I think... If you lose, well, you will be free... of the expectation, I guess."
You get the notion this is not the best reading she has done.
She stands and stats rummaging in a box she has in the floor.
"I know! You need foresight for the fight! Look, I got this dragon talisman, made of Coatl bone, and in the middle harrow card. I bet this is what you need to win the fight! And I can give it out to you... I would only ask for a token... how about 1 gold coin, for an invaluable magic talisman to help you win the fight?"
She gives you a small figurine made of bone, in the shape, more or less, of a winged serpent.
Your choice if you bite (sorry) buy the talisman.
"Well, thank you for coming, your majesty! And tell your friends to come have a reading, that as you can see is very valuable to help your decisions!"

Waiting for the others to participate in Madame Masque (or not). Aliana roll was REALLY good!

Orne humors Madame Masque.

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Elric can't help but smile to himself as he walks through the carnival. It reminds him of his childhood, back when other carnivals would visit the city.

He meanders around, looking at the different attractions and ignoring most of the beggars, but still gives out a copper or two to some of the animal attractions. (-2 cp)

Noticing Fish, he decides to follow and proceed to watch him win the King of the Carnival game. He joins in the chant when the lion roars above the crowd. Hail!, he yells out with the crowd, raising a fist up in the air.

Afterwards, he finds himself watching a beautiful woman step into a mirrored closet. He places a bet on the Madame Masque game. (-1 cp)

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

And finally, he decides to take up a Harrow Reading. (-2 cp)

Harrow Reading: 9d54 ⇒ (32, 28, 26, 13, 32, 27, 9, 32, 26) = 225

"I know! You need foresight for the fight! Look, I got this dragon talisman, made of Coatl bone, and in the middle harrow card. I bet this is what you need to win the fight! And I can give it out to you... I would only ask for a token...... how about 1 gold coin, for an invaluable magic talisman to help you win the fight?"
She gives you a small figurine made of bone, in the shape, more or less, of a winged serpent.
Your choice if you bite (sorry) buy the talisman.

'Thank you ma'am. Yes, I think I will take the talisman. I could use all the luck I can get against the Carnival Champion."

Fish will buy the "talisman" knowing he's probably being suckered, but he's had a good time so far, so why not. He will examine it to see just how badly he's getting ripped off though.

Appraise: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Orne approach the Madame Masque tent, and Nala, his kid sister, appears next to him.
"She is the best! She is the one that is teaching me to read and write!"
When a sufficient crowd has gathered around the Madame Masque tent, the carnival barker introduces Madame Masque, who emerges from the tent to wave silently at the crowd.
Madame Masque is a shapely woman in a provocative Varisian costume gown of red and black silk held together only by ribbons. She is adorned with all manner of scarves, necklaces, earrings, and other decorative costume pieces, but her face is concealed by a finely crafted silver mask showing only her playful brown eyes. She remains mute, but nods and waves to the crowd.
Madame Masque struts down the center runway and poses for 1 minute, flirting silently with the crowd.
She looks at Nala, and approaches her and Orne, and lets an almost transparent scarf drop from her shoulders to the half orcs face.
Orne gets paralyzed at the exquisite texture of the tanned woman skin, and the shade of her brown eyes, looking at him from behind the mask, while the crown cheer and howls.
Nala hits him in the ribs.
"You are drooling, brother!"
A laugh emerges from the crowd.
She then moves back and saunters to the mirrored cabinet, steps inside, and closes it behind her. After a flourish from the barker, the cabinet is opened to reveal three different Madame Masques. Each figure walks down a different runway, while four guards prevent anyone from grasping at them. Each Madame Masque wears an entirely different costume from the original.
Orne feels lightheaded and incapable of distinguish between them.
Aliana quickly recognize the bracelet the "real" madame masque is wearing, but knowing it would be best if an Ilsurian male "enjoys" the victory she keeps silent, a smile in her lips. She looks around, at the other participants. Yes many of the Ilsurians are drooling. Including Arhaneem Braeton and Borvious Moncello. She thinks she sees Madame Masque looking at her for a second, winking in complicity, Varisian-to-Varisian.
"The bracelet!" - everybody turns to see Constable Huntington signaling the arm of the "real" Madame Masque.
Just a second after the two "false" Madame Masques disappear, and the "real" one walks back into the mirrored cabinet where a second after she reemerges, dressed as she was at the beginning. She walks towards Aliana first, and slowly takes a scarf covering her midriff, letting a beautiful belly show, and drops it in her hands. Many of the males in the crowd cheer at the sexy movements, and now half naked body, of Madame Masque.
The she approaches Elric Huntington, and takes a long ribbon from her hair, and uses it to "capture" the constable head, and pulls him close to her, their lips almost touching, her beautiful sparkling brown eyes fixed in his.
After a couple seconds of complete silence only broken for Elric's pounding heart, she moves back a little and ties the ribbon around his neck.
She turns and moves towards the tent. And one second before disappearing for the rest of the night, she glances back, over her shoulder, his brown eyes looking for somebody.
Orne shivers when her eyes stop at him.
Nala has a huge toothy smile.
"Didn't I told you she is the best! I want to be like her when I grow up!"
The barker goes to Elric and pays him 1 sp for winning the game.
Anything else you want to do before the big fight?
I am preparing Elric's reading... Does he keeps wearing the ribbon?

With a smile at the performer's antics, and a faint hint of appreciation for the view, Aliana watches Madame Masque recede into the tent. Not really any significant history, or any current desire for distraction from her work, but she can enjoy fine scenery masculine or feminine. She takes a moment to admire the smooth, gauzy silk and beautiful colors of the scarf, then wraps it over her forehead and knots it behind her head, imitating the style many of the Varisian women wear. Why not? It's the one time of the year I actually look like anyone else besides Mama. I'm tired of having to try and blend in just to avoid being stared at.

Emboldened by the small rebellion, Aliana wanders around the stalls for several more minutes, admiring the Varisians' wares. She purchases a few bracelets and a large, flashy pair of earrings to join the scarf in accessorizing the plain work clothes she left her lab in, and even enjoys a mug or two of of strong spiced red wine. The wine loosens her up even further, and soon she is standing with a loose knot of crew members, chattering loudly with them in Varisian and laughing uproariously. "A round for all my friends!" she shouts to the stall vendor. Includes anyone else who wants to be wandering with me. :)

4cp to Nala and company, 6cp on my own food and drink, 1sp for a round for friends, 9cp on various jewelry, 1cp on the game, 1sp on admission to the sideshow should put me at 4sp spent total.

Orne can appreciate the attention. His body responds subconsciously, while he retreats into reason trying to ward off any enchantment, mundane or magical. The way of Desna.

Nala liked her, that was something.

It was easy to act dumbfounded, hellz... it came naturally, enough. He pays for his sister to play some games and treats her to whatever she is in the mood for. He doesn't see her often and likes the chance to dote on her.

It's your life, Nala. You can grow up to be whatever you wish. Whatever you choose, be good at it, sister.

Elric watches the beautiful women trying not to pay attention to what is different. He yells out, The bracelet! while pointing at one of the women - a bit surprised and proud that he was the first.

As she leans in to nearly kiss him, he takes in the scent of her perfume. After she wraps the ribbon around his neck and walks away, he holds the ribbon up for the crowd, a smile of genuine joy across his face. (+1 sp)

She takes a moment to admire the smooth, gauzy silk and beautiful colors of the scarf, then wraps it over her forehead and knots it behind her head, imitating the style many of the Varisian women wear. Why not? It's the one time of the year I actually look like anyone else besides Mama. I'm tired of having to try and blend in just to avoid being stared at.

I have a confession to make... If Elric wouldn't have rolled a natural 20 Aliana would have won, and Madame Masque would have become "bi-curious" with Aliana... as it was, I return to the original plan for her...

Orne can appreciate the attention. His body responds subconsciously, while he retreats into reason trying to ward off any enchantment, mundane or magical. The way of Desna.

No magic used (or needed) for Madame Masque performance... she can do it well enough without extra help...

He pays for his sister to play some games and treats her to whatever she is in the mood for. He doesn't see her often and likes the chance to dote on her.

Elric watches the beautiful women trying not to pay attention to what is different. He yells out, The bracelet! while pointing at one of the women - a bit surprised and proud that he was the first.

As she leans in to nearly kiss him, he takes in the scent of her perfume. After she wraps the ribbon around his neck and walks away, he holds the ribbon up for the crowd, a smile of genuine joy across his face. (+1 sp)

I had to fight the urge to have a couple birds go and take the ribbon from you :D

Well, you know, bi-curiosity happens, and it's how I'd imagined Aliana from the start for some reason, although she's too focused on work for any real commitment at the moment. I bet it'd have dropped even more jaws than Madame's already dropped. :)

Aliana gladly helps the girl tie her scarf and arrange her hair around it. She can't help but smirk internally. Bet Mother and Father Cheliax will be thrilled when she's still wearing this a month after the carnival's gone. It does make her genuinely smile, too, though. Maybe there's SOME chance.

Elric Huntington's Harrow Reading
I forgot to ask... Does Elric wears the Madame Masque's ribbon openly?
When Eric arrives to the All-Seeing Hajeck's wagon he peeks inside and sees the woman eating some kind of varisian bread.
When he calls she quickly hides her snack, composes herself, and ask him to come in.
"Fate had written you were to come see me, and I am ready for your reading."
She invite him to sit, and extends her hand.
"It will be 2 cp, if you are so kind. A very cheap price for me to pierce the curtain of destiny."
After he pays she asks him to shuffle the harrow cards, and she vary solemnly lays them out in from of him.
Elric Harrow Reading
"Very interesting... you are in grave danger, but I think I can help you!"
She inclines towards you, and whispers.
"First we look at the past... the merchant, the one with eyes and ears everywhere... you see his monkeys, exploring, looking, informing him? Below we have keymaster, an item, now lost, a key... stolen, as you can see down there, by the wickedness of an evil force! The whirlwind, those who prosper in chaos."
She feigns a faint spell (not very good), and grab some breath...
"I feel weak, and there are big risks in the cards! I am scared! Maybe if I buy myself some spirits... but I am so poor! Could you maybe give me another copper?"
Let's say Elric does...
"I'll do my best! Let me brace myself! There. right now! There, in the middle, the discovery! You will find something that will, if you are able to face it, help you find the truth, the secret! But if not, you will become a slave of that secret! Oh Desna! help us! But there is a way to salvation! But it is hidden even for me! Unless..."
She goes to a box next in a corner of the room.
"Yes, here!"
She returns to the table with an incense ball.
"This is an ancient Osirian incense, I could use it and save you from the perils that besiege you, but I would need 1 cp more for it..."
Well we are here already, aren't we? In total discount Elric 4 cp for the reading.
She burns the incense (which smell just like the normal cheap garden variety) and she breathes it.
"Yes! Yes! YES!!! I see it now! They are in opposition... your future! Harm on the positive, and Travel in the negative! If you prevent the sickness from spreading, you will save the travelers! And everything will be decided in there!"
She points at the Waxworks card.
"The place where the prisoner is! That is the place where everything will be decided! But be careful! There is a creature without shape ready to eat you!"
She lays back, feigning she is very tired.
"This has been so hard for me... but I remember, I think I have something you can use... something that can help... a small charm, made of the mummified remains of a Nex necromancer, which can attract evil and prevents it from poison you! Would you be interested in buying it? I can save your life, and would only cost you 5 coppers!"

Here, here! Pavo shouts as Elric wins the attention of Madame Masque. He claps loudly for the Constable. Now that man has some good eyes he thinks to himself.

I forgot to ask... Does Elric wears the Madame Masque's ribbon openly?

For the night, yes; after tonight, no.

---------------------------------

At the Harrow Reading...

sense motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Elric is a big fan of bad acting; he can spot it a mile away. And this bad acting is at the top of the list. It's why he goes to "fortune tellers" like this; they're full of delightful lies combined with overconfident performances.

perform: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Joining in on the performance, he ooh's and ah's at the appropriate places, gives a fearful look at the hint of danger, and a concerned look of sympathy as he passes his copper pieces over.

What the heck, he thinks, its only a few coppers.

Elric eyes the little fetish as she presents it.

Do you really think it will help? Elric asks, voice dripping with concern, Is it really going to be that bad? He's buying himself a bit more time to analyze the mummified necromancer.

appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Is it really from Nex? Is it really a Mummified necromancer or at least mummified anything?

Regardless of whether it's real, Elric buys the "protective" fetish from the woman.

Total spent: -2 cp entrance fee already paid, -2 cp during the performance, -5 cp for the fetish.

No, it doesn't look like mummified anything... maybe a piece of old leather...
All-Seeing Hajeck thank you for everything, and recommends you come back on the last day of the carnival "to check if there is more danger ahead".
"And I will make you a discount on the reading!"
Tomorrow I start with the big fight...

Alexite Ilsurian and Almara Delisen

Turning to leave, he snaps his fingers as he remembers, "Ah! I almost forgot. I understand you have some new attraction this year. Any chance of getting an early viewing?"

The Varisian woman smiles.

As the sun begins to draw closer to the horizon, Aliana makes her way toward the big top for Fish's big fight, her dinner-on-a-stick still in hand. She hands a silver coin to the barker (-1sp) at the entrance and picks her way through the crowded aisles, settling into a seat with a good view of the arena floor. Her mind still buzzes pleasantly, both from the wine and from the crackling energy of the gathering crowd.

Zarana and Padel, her mother and step-father, join the crowd for the big attraction, and Aliana waves them over as they enter and hugs them before they sit together. "Sorry if I left a mess at the shop, Mama. I heard the carnival arriving, and I wanted to get down here and make sure they had everything they needed to set up, and then I was speaking with the crew and with Constable Huntington and with some of the visitors coming for the show and with Clerk Atepmo to arrange last minutes supplies, and then the parade grounds were set up and - "

She grins sheepishly. "Sorry, I'm talking your ears off. But I PROMISE I'll have the lab cleaned up and the ledger balanced tomorrow before I come down." Zarana seems blissfully unconvinced that this will happen; she knows her daughter, after all.

Aliana greets Constable Huntington warmly as he walks in, and even nods politely toward Alexite (perhaps attempting to mend bridges a bit), but she seems to reserve special enthusiasm for Orne and Orlin as they enter the large pavilion, waving enthusiastically and calling out to them. "I've found a great spot here, if you'd like to join us!"

Orlin headed back into town and spends a couple hours with the folks, and then returns to the Carnival and arrives just after the opening Parade.

He first unerringly heads back to the All Seeing Eye's tent, but arrives just as a customer enters her tent, so meanders around the carnival for a bit, knowing that most of it would be the same as prior years, he briefly stops and watches Pavo's performance and Kingmaking, and then catches the Madame Masque where Elric and Alaina participated.

Drifting back around, he see's Pavo enter the All Seeing Eye's tent for a reading, so he heads off an buys a few hings to eat. (-4 cp on a variety)

Arriving back at the All Seeing Eye's area of the Winding Market to see Elric enter, he blinks slights. I don't think I've ever had this much trouble getting a reading, tonight she's very busy!

Trying to kill some more time he goes up and makes a wager on the fight, not really concerned as to WHO wins, he places 1 gp on each champion. (-2 gp)

Finally seeing The All Seeing Eye free, he steps up.

"I see, a very busy night ahead and behind you Mistress Hajeck, but please, tell me what you see this night? What shall come to pass in the near future?" (-1gp)

___

After the reading, he visits a few of the animal shows, and spends some time looking at the "Baby Dragon" before it's time for the big show. (-1sp, -1sp)

Upon arrival, seeing the overly excited salutations by Aliana, Orlin smiles and climbs up to join her, asking for an edge seat to better lean up his staff. (Not an aisle, but one where he can lean the staff up against the edge, if it were bleachers)

(Total spent: 3gp, 2sp, 4cp)

About the betting on the fight...
The odds are like this...
Pavo: 1 and 1/3
Umbra Champion: 1 and 1/2
That means that if you bet 1 gp to Pavo, and he wins, you get 1.33 gp back. If you bet 1 gp to the Umbra Champion, and she wins, you get 1.5 gp back.
Orlin, you can change your bets. Betting 1 gp each puts you in a lose-or-lose more situation.

The odds were about what I expected. Supporting both the town, and the Carnival is more important than making money atm. I'm ok with the wagers as is.

Well, the booky will smile at your bet...

I'm sure at this point he's used to it.

Pavo will bet 5 gp on himself.

After the reading, Elric will head over to the ring to watch the fight. He places 1 gp on Pavo.

Aliana Merali
Her mother and stepfather are in good spirits, more worried about the fight than in the shop, and tell her not to worry.
The big fight...
Well, at the entrance there is a lot of angry shouting and complaining because, and only for tonight, the price of the big tent is 2 sp, because of the "special championship re-match between Ilsurian Champion, Pavo "Fish" Krupt, against the Umbra Carnival "Champion of all Varisia".
Even with the complaining the people pays and enters.
More to come tomorrow...

Alexite Ilsurian and Almara Delisen

The Varisian woman smiles.
"I see somebody spoke more than he should... No, sorry Don Ilsurian, the creature must be under strict control, to insure everybody's safety. Even hers. But you will be able to see her in the big tent, after the fights."

Alexite shrugs as if it is no concern, "Ah, well, it is no matter. Today, tomorrow, it's just a delayed gratification."

He leaves the tent and makes his way home, not making any stops unless someone approaches him. Upon arrival, he drops off the packet to whomsoever was expecting it. The only interest he expresses in the whole affair is that Almara had asked after a return packet. Once his 'business' is concluded, he wanders off to change out of the simple clothes into something respectable.

As a rule, I don't really read posts that do not concern my character. I don't know if the readings are happening that same afternoon or not. If not, let me know and I will have Alexite return for some reason so as to be present.

Pavo leaves the Carnival and heads home to change his attire. He slips back into his armor and grabs every weapon he has. Best to be prepared he thinks to himself. As a finishing touch, be places the paper "King of the Carnival" crown back on his head, and smiles.

Win or lose, today was a good day.

He heads back to the Carnival with a smile on his face. It isn't until he's back near the Carnival festivities with his weapons and armor on, the paper crown on his head, the smells filling his nose...when he begins to think about her.

It is almost time my lovely, almost time for our annual dance. I hope you are ready. I hope you are happy.

Orlin reading with All-Seeing Hajeck
All-Seeing Hajeck welcomes Orlin inside her wagon, and start doind small talk with him. She has known him for many years, and she asks him about how has he been, how has his leg healed, how her mother is, and tells him about her own dopes, travels and news. She tells him she plans to go and visit his mother during her stay on Ilsurian, and that she expects him to visit her once before they depart, just to say goodby for another year or so.
"But well, let get to business."
She asks for the gold coin and lets Orne shuffle the Harrow Deck, with the skill she has teach him over the years, and after Orlin finally cuts the cards and Hajeck proceeds to deal them in the familiar 3x3 spread, reading them, from positive to negative, and from past to future, as she does every year.
Orlin Spread
"Remember than in the origin your problems are your an act, unreal, and you will beat them. And old treason is now revealed. The poison that was used now makes its damage. The Carnival is your friend, even if it scares. The monsters are at the middle of it all. Your enemies are organized, looking for profit, disguised. If you discover the secret you will prevail. Those who are the same are ready to kill each other, you will decide their fate. If you fail their fate will be blood and murder."
She stops and remains looking at the cards.
"Yes, is very clear..."
She stands and goes to a small chest she has near. She retrieves a small wooden box.
"The monster is your damaged leg. The poison was your fall. But in reality your leg problem is an illusion. You need to realize that and you will be able to heal it. And I have what you need."
She open the box and a pungent odor inundates the wagon.
"This salve will help you make your leg feel better, and in time it maybe help you let your mind realize your leg is fine, and you will be able to walk normally again. I got this for you on Ustalav, and I will only ask for you to cover my costs, 2 gp."
After Orlin pays her, she will go to the chest and get a small pouch.
"Also please give your mother these. They are some medicinal plants for her lungs. She only need to make a hot infusion of them and breath the vapors, she will feel much better after that. No, no need to pay me for those."
She stands and takes Orlin to the wagon entrance, and kiss him on the cheek.
"The fight is about to start! Let's go see it. And no, I can't tell you who will win, that would be cheating!"