"I'm glad you like the masks I chose for you, gentlemen... Hmmm... if we want to scout the freakshow during daylight and seem inconspicuous, then perhaps we should split up and do without our heavier weapons?"Alton grins and takes his mask from Keildrithe "Always liked badgers.".
More serious he says "This time I think we should just scout the place out; it'll probably be busier tonight, which means it'll be easier to create a distraction for us while we rescue Lumbie. I doubt they'll give him up without a fight; in fact it'd probably for the best if we didn't even ask them, that way they won't know to expect something."
Laithe nods at the wisdom of both men's words. "Perhaps we should all head into town and see the devil box stowed safely at the hotel. From there we can stash what gear we don't need and head over to the show to scout things out. Now might be a good time to get rid of the horses however? And we should probably still stagger our entry into town?
[ooc]Laithe volunteers to take the horses out to a likely spot to set them free and then make his way into town separately, meeting at the designated spot. It still might be a bit of a problem getting the kobolds past the guards - possibly they should go in the wagon with Stonty and Alton. Alton can do the talking and reveal himself as a halfling while they can keep their masks on and let the guard assume that they are halflings as well? Keildrithe and Pharris can head in together again a little way behind, and perhaps Kajetan make his way in by himself? Using different gates still might not be a bad idea.[ooc]
Pharris happily goes along with the rest.
"Would it not be best to just go to the Freakshow now. Until we know what the situation is there we shouldn't plan too far ahead. This Lumbie may have gone or been sold on or whatever, we just don't know."
"I'll go with whoever you all decide, but perhaps we should stay together until we know more? The dwarf can go to his inn anyway."
Pharris body weight shifts from one foot to the other, slightly uncomfortably, listening to the ideas batting back and forth and the lack of action this entails.
Kajetan speaks up; “I take no issue with staying with the Box – I have little desire to see a freak show at any rate.” He lowers his voice, “and with Chupo in his current wounded state, I think I would be more than his match should he prove to be hostile – if you take Raspit with you. Yes, if you wish to continue to the show now, we can find a pleasant spot – say by that tree over there – and await your return.” He waves towards the town’s walls several hundred yards distant. “We should be in little danger this close to the town.”
For his part, Stonty is keen to get going, what with the body of his dead friend in the cart. He intends to head into town and speak to Erasmus’ widow and have the body seen to, but if you wish it, he is happy to meet you back here at midday, if you have further need of the cart. “Sides,” he says, “Aye still ‘ave yer ‘orse, an’ aye’l ‘ave t’ return ‘er – an’ introdooce ye t’ Hawthorn, if’n ye wish it.”
Kajetan speaks up; “I take no issue with staying with the Box – I have little desire to see a freak show at any rate.” He lowers his voice, “and with Chupo in his current wounded state, I think I would be more than his match should he prove to be hostile – if you take Raspit with you. Yes, if you wish to continue to the show now, we can find a pleasant spot – say by that tree over there – and await your return.” He waves towards the town’s walls several hundred yards distant. “We should be in little danger this close to the town.”
For his part, Stonty is keen to get going, what with the body of his dead friend in the cart. He intends to head into town and speak to Erasmus’ widow and have the body seen to, but if you wish it, he is happy to meet you back here at midday, if you have further need of the cart. “Sides,” he says, “Aye still ‘ave yer ‘orse, an’ aye’l ‘ave t’ return ‘er – an’ introdooce ye t’ Hawthorn, if’n ye wish it.”
Laithe shrugs and says "I guess either way could work, so we may as well hold off heading into town. Kajetan, we'll take you up on your offer to guard the box - try and stay out of sight. Stonty, if you can meet us at midday that would be appreciated."
He moves over to Chupo and asks the kobold to lend his mask. "You shouldn't need this while you wait, and we may have need of it for Lumbie if we get a chance to spring him. I will return it to you when we get back." He then turns to the others and says, "Well, we may as well get going."
"Well, we may as well get going."
Alton nods. "I suppose we should. We'll see you later Stonty."
Raspit translates Laithe’s request to Chupo (who doesn’t seem to understand Atuscan), who seems happy enough to hand over his mask, although Kajetan looks a little worried, no doubt realising that he will have to work harder to stay hidden now that the kobold is unmasked.
Kajetan, Chupo and the box are transferred to within a small grove of trees a short distant off the road, then Stonty says his farewells and begins guiding the cart back to town.
The now smaller group heads along the path towards Horatio Quigley’s Festal Freakshow.
The path meanders along between two fields. Several peasants work in one, hard at work harvesting grain and sparing little notice for the adventurers. From the other field, the group are watched by several slow chewing cows and an equally slow chewing farmer.
Several hundred yards further along, the path ends at a low wooden gate, closed, with a field beyond it. In the middle of the field is a large tent of faded red and green fabric, with a small timber booth at its entrance. Arranged beside the large tent are a wooden caravan and two covered wagons, painted in similar colours, and another smaller tent. Several carthorses graze at the far end of the field. Closer to hand, a masked, burly, blonde bearded young man dozes against a tree stump just inside the field, and a young boy throws and catches a wooden hoop nearby.
Also, it’s up to you whether or not you let the horses go – if you are, it made more sense to let them go last night, further away from the town, than here and now a stone’s throw away from the walls during the daylight.
Pharris calls to the dozing young man as she gracefully leaps over the fence into the field.
"Hallooo!"
Alton enjoys the walk through the fields, smiling at the familiarity "Just like home." he comments as they walk.
Pharris calls to the dozing young man as she gracefully leaps over the fence into the field.
"Hallooo!"
Scrambling somewhat less gracefully over the gate, Alton can be heard muttering "Except back home things were sized for people of a reasonable height."
As Pharris calls out and vaults the low gate, the young boy – who has light brown hair and looks to be about ten years of age – stops throwing his hoop and runs over, but stops shyly about twenty feet away from the woman.
The blond young man looks up groggily, then hastily climbs to his feet, clutching an oaken cudgel that was lying beside him. His eyes scan over the party, lingering for longer on Pharris, as he sucks at his lower lip. After a moment he half turns and says something sharply to the boy in Thuringian, who nods and then runs off towards the caravan.
The man then addresses the group, quickly switching to Atuscan when no one seems to respond to his initial Thuringian greeting.
“Here to see the show?” he asks in a rather slow voice. “Don’t normally run until later in the day,” he continues, glancing up at the morning sun and stifling a yawn (it being about the eight hour currently), “with more folk, but I’ve sent for the boss. Shouldn’t be long.” He stops speaking and continues to stare rather unsubtly at Pharris. “Oh, the entry is three marks each,” he adds as an afterthought.
"A mark is what?" asks Pharris pulling out a gold piece.
"That's ten of these, right? It must be a good show. What is there to see today?"
"Golly gosh I am soooo excited!" giggles Pharris. She briefly lifts her mask to smile down at the young man.
The young man looks startled for a moment, then looks quickly at the others in the group, back at the gold coin, then down at Pharris’ long legs.
“That would cover it,” he says slowly, carefully. “Well, there’s lots of things to see … the frog girl, the reptile boy… there’s a new exhibit too. But … old Quigley can tell it better. He should be here soon.” He glances again at the caravan.
The young man looks startled for a moment, then looks quickly at the others in the group, back at the gold coin, then down at Pharris’ long legs.
“That would cover it,” he says slowly, carefully. “Well, there’s lots of things to see … the frog girl, the reptile boy… there’s a new exhibit too. But … old Quigley can tell it better. He should be here soon.” He glances again at the caravan.
While Pharris and the guard discuss entry, Laithe stands back and scans the area, looking for any sign of trouble or anthing of interest.
Laithe, another man of similar size and build to the one Pharris is talking to is over the other side of the field, apparently grooming the horses, although he is gazing over in your direction.
The boy heads over to the caravan, climbs a short flight of wooden steps up to a door, knocks and enters, but the interior of the caravan is not visible from here.
There are some faint noises seeming to come from the interior of the large tent, but you can’t really make out what they are.
After a few moments, the caravan door squeals open again, and a man emerges, followed by the boy, and strides over to where Pharris and Alton stand (with Laithe, Keildrithe and Raspit nearby, on the other side of the gate).
The man is large, broad shouldered and with a round belly that overhangs his belt. He is balding, with stringy brown hair combed over the top of his head and sticking out messily at the back. He wears a neatly trimmed beard and a truly impressive handlebar moustache.
He wears a red velvet coat with a frilled blue shirt beneath, and his eyes and part of his florid face are hidden behind a blue, sequined mask. Around his neck is a silver necklace adorned with rubies, and he wears a whip and a large bunch of keys at his belt.
He asses the group silently for a brief moment, and then greets them in flawless Atuscan. “Welcome to the Festal Freakshow! I am Horatio Quigley, proprioter. I am afraid that you have caught us a little early in the morning, we are not quite ready for the first show as yet. But if you will give us a mere hour, I will take you through the show myself, and I assure you that you will not find disappointment with the wonders and oddities within.”
His eyes scan over the group once again, lingering briefly on details such as weapons and other oddities. He seems particularly interested in Pharris and Raspit (who of course is wearing his gnome mask and disguise).
Pharris smiles through her harlequin mask.
"Thanks for opening early but I get bored easy. Look we could wait or maybe come back another time after we have spent our gold on the rest of the festival. An hour is ages."
"What does everyone else think? I heard this is good, like he says but an hour!"
"Could you hurry them up a bit, Mister...Quigley?"
She assumes a pouting pose for a moment, realises it is wasted.
He asses the group silently for a brief moment, and then greets them in flawless Atuscan. “Welcome to the Festal Freakshow! I am Horatio Quigley, proprioter. I am afraid that you have caught us a little early in the morning, we are not quite ready for the first show as yet. But if you will give us a mere hour, I will take you through the show myself, and I assure you that you will not find disappointment with the wonders and oddities within.”
Restraining a smirk at the human's absurd appearance, Alton gives a slight bow of greeting "I am sure that what you possessin those tents is worthy of the wonder of all but the most experienced traveler, and perhaps him too."
"Thanks for opening early but I get bored easy. Look we could wait or maybe come back another time after we have spent our gold on the rest of the festival. An hour is ages."
"What does everyone else think? I heard this is good, like he says but an hour!"
"Could you hurry them up a bit, Mister...Quigley?"
"Indeed. When I heard that you would be in the fiar city of Lichford at the same time as us, my excitement was ill-contained. I have heard so many say, in tones of wonder, what a fine, wonderous, and even, at times, disturbing show Horatio Quigely runs. However, an hour is a long time to wait, especially when there is so much to see and do. Perhaps our coin would be better spent elsewhere?" Alton says, looking back to his companions at the last part.
Quigley smiles slightly. “Ah, you must be busy people, forgive me. Is it just the two of you who are so eager to see the show,” indicating Pharris and Alton, “or do your friends wish to see the wonders as well?”
He waits a moment for an answer, then appears to think for a moment more. “Well, perhaps I can try to hurry things a long a little, but there is a limit – any more and you will not experience the full wonder and horror of the show, and my reputation would be damaged when your friends asked ‘how was it?’ and your reply was not an enthusiastic as it should be!
“No, if your hurry is so great that you could not wait, say, forty minutes whilst I set up, then it would be best for all concerned if you were to go about your day’s pressing business and try to return later in this day or one of the next. Does that sound reasonable? The sun is glorious this morning for waiting, and there are apples to be picked from yonder tree,” he points to a tree in a neighbouring field who’s fruit laden branches overhang the fence of this field, “if you have not yet broken fast. The time will fly, you shall see!
“Now, should I begin setting up early … or catch a few more minute’s rest…?”
Pretending to think on it for a moment, Alton turns and asks "What do you think? Should we wait for Mr. Quigley and enjoy the morning or go back to Lichford? He is right I suppose, great performances cannot be rushed."
"Shall we spar then Alton. You promised me a bout!"
Pharris unleashes the greatsword and prepares for battle. She carefully twists the blade to the flat.
The man and his questions seem forgotten as Pharris prepares. Then she remembers he wanted an answer. "Oh, Mr Quigley, you owe me a good show and make it snappy!"
"Me and this halfling are going to work up a sweat!"
"Shall we spar then Alton. You promised me a bout!"
Pharris unleashes the greatsword and prepares for battle. She carefully twists the blade to the flat.
The man and his questions seem forgotten as Pharris prepares. Then she remembers he wanted an answer. "Oh, Mr Quigley, you owe me a good show and make it snappy!"
"Me and this halfling are going to work up a sweat!"
Alton gives a slight bow and draw his rapier and the new dagger. Facing Pharris he grins "Shall we then?" and begins circling, looking for an opening.
On her turn, Pharris moves in towards Alton and delivers a series of high and low cuts, none of which will find their mark.
Feint in combat as a standard action. Opposed by Sense Motive (1d20+8=15)
"To the third hit? or when one of us collapses?" adds the bloodthirsty warrior maiden.
"To the third hit, I think. I don't know what healing magic Laithe has and it would be a shame if one of us missed the show."
Sense Motive 21
"A nice trick, shame it didn't work." Alton steps to the left, parrying one of the mock-blows with his sickle. He darts in under the taller woman's guard and tap's the flat of his blade against her side and then takes two quick steps back, so as to be just out of reach. "Tag, you're it."
Pharris pauses, nods at the deadly sickle twister, and explodes into action again, cutting at the halfling's left leg.
Techinically, that was a +10 with my rapier, the sickle was added to the description for 'cinematic effect'.
Dmg 3 (1+2)
I may hit a lot, but I don't do much damage.
Alton winces as the flat of Pharris' sword smacks against his leg. Gritting his teeth and ignoring the stinging of his leg, he launches into a whirling counter attack.
Avoiding Pharris' parry, Alton darts under her defenses and brings the flat of the sickle's blade to Pharris' knee and the rapier to her stomach.
Pharris stares down at the second hit in shock. he just needs one more to take me down Focus Pharris! Focus!
The tall warrior maiden spins across and down, bringing the greatsword over Alton's head, then she changes balance in a trice and flicks the sword backhanded at him.
Backhand attack with flat of sword still (1d20+2=21, 2d6+1=9)
Probable Critical (1d20+2=8 Not Confirmed!)
At the last second, she slows the blow to avoid the halfling's neck.
Pharris stares down at the second hit in shock. he just needs one more to take me down Focus Pharris! Focus!
The tall warrior maiden spins across and down, bringing the greatsword over Alton's head, then she changes balance in a trice and flicks the sword backhanded at him.
Backhand attack with flat of sword still (1d20+2=21, 2d6+1=9)
Probable Critical (1d20+2=8 Not Confirmed!)
At the last second, she slows the blow to avoid the halfling's neck.
"Ha! I knew it! You ARE good. Thanks my friend." She adds, her chest heaving at the brief exertion.
"Ha! I knew it! You ARE good. Thanks my friend." She adds, her chest heaving at the brief exertion.
Breathing hard, Alton steps back and salutes Pharris with his rapier "Thank you. It was an honor and a pleasure to duel an equal."
Sitting down he examines his leg "I'm glad that was just the flat; I wouldn't want to face you when you weren't holding back!"
Laithe is happy to let Pharris and Alton do the negotiating with the Show Owner. He nods in assent when asked if he will join them in watching the performance.
He then watches in amusement and admiration at the skill and enthusiasm displayed in the bout between Alton and Pharris. As they finish up he wanders over to the apple tree and picks a handful of ripe apples, bringing them back and handing them around to his companions.
With a half hour or so still to wait, he sits and pulls out the wolf figurine he started working on the night before and continues whittling away at it.
Laithe is happy to let Pharris and Alton do the negotiating with the Show Owner. He nods in assent when asked if he will join them in watching the performance.
He then watches in amusement and admiration at the skill and enthusiasm displayed in the bout between Alton and Pharris. As they finish up he wanders over to the apple tree and picks a handful of ripe apples, bringing them back and handing them around to his companions.
With a half hour or so still to wait, he sits and pulls out the wolf figurine he started working on the night before and continues whittling away at it.
Alton takes an apple with a nod of thanks and sits down, asking "What do you have there Laithe? I didn't know you were a sculptor of sorts."
Quigely and the boys hurry off to prepare the show, although Laithe notices that the lad from the other end of the field continues to watch the group.
After the group has been waiting for close to half an hour, a couple wander down the lane, apparently also here to see the freakshow. The young pair walk arm in arm, whispering to each other behind their masks (he a horse, she a rabbit), and wait a short distance away, not talking to those already waiting.
Ten minutes later, another person makes his way down the lane towards the site of the show; a well dressed man of unexceptional height and build in rich looking Atuscan style attire, wearing a full face mask that depicts a man’s face. He wears a crossbow strapped to his back, and a wooden star of Arton is visible at his shirt collar.
If he is here for the show, he is just in time – almost at exactly the same moment, Quigley hurries back over from the tent, beaming under his glittering mask. “Ladies and Gentlemen! Horatio Quigley’s Festal Freakshow is open for business! This way, if you please…” He gestures everyone towards the main tent.
Alton takes an apple with a nod of thanks and sits down, asking "What do you have there Laithe? I didn't know you were a sculptor of sorts."
Laithe looks up from his work at Alton's question. "This? It's nothing really. Just something I took up as a boy, while sitting around the campfire. I'd carve animal figures under a clear night sky, while listening to the stories and songs and laughter of my people. Some I'd sell when we visited town or passed a caravan on the road. Others I gave as gifts". His eyes had taken on a far-away look as he spoke, and he refocuses them on his work once more. "Those times and people are all gone now, but I still find some comfort and peace in the carving."
If he is here for the show, he is just in time – almost at exactly the same moment, Quigley hurries back over from the tent, beaming under his glittering mask. “Ladies and Gentlemen! Horatio Quigley’s Festal Freakshow is open for business! This way, if you please…” He gestures everyone towards the main tent.
Laithe tries to take stock of the new comers without blatantly staring at them, but he is interupted by the return of Quigley. He re-sheathes his knife, puts the carving in his pack and stands, ready to move towards the tent. He keeps one hand on his belt pouch, and his eyes peeled for anything of note.
“This way, this way,” Quigley gestures to the group, including the four adventurers, the masked Raspit, the young couple and the well dressed man, leading them towards the tent.
At the tent entrance, Quigley throws aside the curtain, revealing a shadowed interior of dim yellow and red light. However, the group is blocked from following him by a small man who emerges from a wooden booth at the entrance, holding up his hands.
The man is short and exceedingly thin - no taller than Alton, but probably two thirds the halfling’s weight at best. He has skin so pale that it almost appears transluscent, and long, greasy black hair that hangs down in front of his face. He has a very long, pointed nose and a stringy beard made up of only a few dozen very long hairs.
The odd little man holds out his hands and growls, “Three marks a piece entry sirs and ladies if you please.”
"OOOhhhh! He IS ugly. What else is there?" Pharris looks at the odd man curiously.
She ignores the welts and wounds covering her legs and arms, and sheathes the greatsword. Every time the woman looks at the halfling, it is filled with new respect, perhaps even awe for his fighting ability.
Alton looks at the strange man and wordlessly fishes in a pouch at his belt and hands over enough coins for everyone in the group.
"OOOhhhh! He IS ugly. What else is there?"
As they move away from the pale creature Alton mutters "Indeed he is; however it is not entirely polite to comment on that in his presence. I expect the poor fellow gets quite enough that from the crowds that see this 'show'." he's having a hard time concealing his dislike for the Freakshow.
Alton looks at the strange man and wordlessly fishes in a pouch at his belt and hands over enough coins for everyone in the group.
"OOOhhhh! He IS ugly. What else is there?"As they move away from the pale creature Alton mutters "Indeed he is; however it is not entirely polite to comment on that in his presence. I expect the poor fellow gets quite enough that from the crowds that see this 'show'." he's having a hard time concealing his dislike for the Freakshow.
Laithe follows wordlessly and nods to thanks in Alton when the halfling pays on his behalf. He too looks on the man with a measure of pity and disgust at the apparent way he has been treated. He also does his best to read the body language of both the performers of the show and the other audience members (the couple and the crossbow/arton symbol wearer) and how they are reacting to the show.