Clown Nose Dot
“Never underestimate the importance of carnivals, my boy. People need
entertainment—some reward for their daily toil. The circus brings its own rules and order, and for a coin you catch a glimpse of the larger world. Then it departs, taking its wonders and strangeness with it, and your average soul returns to the fields content. You see? For just a week everything changes, but then everything returns to exactly the way it was, and no one expects or demands otherwise. They see the width and breadth of creation, but remain unburdened by how small they are in comparison.”
—Paracount Marcellus Thurvian of Belde, to his eldest son
After a successful mission, you are traveling back through the southern part of Varisia and stop to rest for a couple of days in the town of Ilsurian. The town is populated mostly by descendants of its Cheliax founders, who for the most part are reluctant to trust outsiders.
In midmorning a great commotion starts up on one side of town. Going outside to investigate, your are met by an odd sight in this small town. A trio of elephants head the procession. The man in the center calls out about the wonders and excitement that his carnival has brought to town. Things this town can not even imagine. Sights to see and even a real live Sphinx! Flanking him are two men juggling flaming torches while riding the elephants. In the following parade are dancers, music, clowns, stilt walkers, mysterious and beautiful creatures, and a knife thrower. It winds it’s way through town and back toward where the carnival has set up outside of town.
An old man pushes past you in the crowd that has gathered. Bah! Thieving Varisians! Watch your coin purses while they're in town. Boys and girls trail after the parade, laughing and skipping. Many of the townsfolk move to make the best of the time the carnival is open.
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"An elephant? My, it's been decades since I've seen one of those..." a Mwangi (Bekyar, to be exact) thinks to himself as the group passes by the first wave of carneys. His face shows signs of age, but not grievously so, such as his balding, his half-closed eyes, and a few wrinkles. He adjusts his gloves of his semi-formal travel-ware (which hide his unholy tattoo) as he redirects his voice back to the group.
"As I was saying, Lord Timothy, I'm sure your father would be proud of the zeal you've put forth in your studies. On such a note, I want to remind you yet again that holding a torch near your buttocks and releasing gas is not the spell, Produce Flame. While an amusing parlor trick, I'm sure, but nothing magical of the sort."
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Tim laughs heartily at the Mwangi man and responds in a booming voice.
"It magic from the soul you wee little man. I do not need any studyin from nobody else. I make magic more powerful than any have seen. You forget, you here to learn from Lord Tim."
He then brings a large stone tome up to eye level with one muscular arm and begins to trace the symbols on the cover out with his other hand. The book has a small hole in the middle matching up with the pupil of a large eye on the underside of the tome. Otherwise, the book is decorated with various symbols and writing in broken draconic.
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"A real live Sphinx? Not likely at this traveling sideshow." Rhydderch considers Tim as he examines his stone spellbook. If anyone is likely to take a torch to his backside its that one. With any luck he'll do so in private.
"Since we're here we may as well take in some of the show.. Might be a pleasant distraction before our next mission."
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"Ha! Mebbe you can use that trick in your own sideshow. Light the juggler's torches, hmm? That'd be worth a copper or three to watch." Playfully, the tall young woman punches Tim on the arm before half-skipping out to join in with the throng following the performers.
Natashenka calls out over her shoulder. "You boys coming? It'll be fun!"
The parade disperses once it reaches the main fairgrounds of the Umbra Carnival. The performers mill about with the towns folk performing tricks and entertaining the carnival guests.
In the middle is a big tent with preparations being made for the grand show this evening. To the right, merchants call out their wares, both the mundane and the unusual. Farther to the right is a smaller tent with the words "Fantastical Menagerie" emblazoned on its sign. To the left, the Midway hosts many varied carnival games, and farther on you can make out cadges with exotic animals for show.
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"Prestidigitation, sir. As I've undoubtedly explained before, my primary goal is to oversee your growth into the wizard you were bred to be, not 'learn the magicks' myself. My purpose has been codified since the day your ancestors brought mine back from the Mwangi during Sixth Army of Exploration's time there."
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"Prithee, my young Lord, try not mock the local entertainment. Perhaps by observing them, you can try to expand your spell repertoire. If they mock you, do not give in to banal instincts; just remember they're far below your station." The Mwangi man, carrying two wooden cases and guiding a mule whom carries more travelling gear, keeps behind Tim.
You all arrive at the carnival grounds as per the description above. Where do you go? What do you do?
Games of chance, skill, and otherwise are being played by many visitors to the carnival. Near the entrance is the head of a lion on a tall pole. Besides it stands a strong looking Ulfen man who immediately spots Lord Timmy. Come, my lord, come. Show us your strength and you passion by taming the beast on yonder pole. For just a couple coppers you can show us all your strength of arm and mind. He holds a mallet and there is a lever that, when hit, sends a metal puck up towards the lion's head.
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Tim looks to the man, then the mallet, then to the lion head.
"Tim DaVoker great wizard of society. I tame many beast, give mallet and I will smash the beast on pole easily."
After reaching back and sliding his spellbook between a few large hooks on his pack, he extends a meaty hand to take the mallet.
The large man hands Tim the mallet and steps back to give him room.
Yes! Tame the Lion and win! Win Pride and the respect of your peers!
The mallet thuds into the lion's head and then falls to the ground. Some of the onlookers chuckle. The Ulfen is set aback for a moment, Excuse me, my lord, but you misunderstand the challenge. See, you are to strike the lever here with the mallet to send the metal puck to strike the Lion's head. That is how the game works. Now please, try again.
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A good opportunity for a lesson.
"Lord Timothy, such creatures exist in actual combat. For example, a knife is harder to cut living set of bones, as they have no meat. A hammer in the same situation would be far more effective with the same amount of effort. Wadsworth continues his lesson as Tim swings. "Some creatures are more resistant to some kind of metals, as well some requiring magic to even be damaged. All good things to prepare for, my Lord."
The lion roars loud enough to be heard across the carnival. Many of those near by jump at the strength of the sound. My lord. The Ulfen makes a deep bow to Tim and offers up his prize. A colorful paper crown with the words "King of the Carnival" wrapping around its circumference.
You pass by an enormous tent is dwarfed only by the big top itself. The southern side has no wall, just a tall curtain pulled across its front. A sign posted outside advertises that this area has been set aside for meeting the sphinx at limited times throughout the day. As you peak inside, you see a large metal cage with no floor and bars running across the top. A single large door is set on the north corner of the west face, secured by a heavy lock. Strewn about the grass beneath the cage are silk sheets and piles of cushions and satin pillows. After a moment, a couple guards appear, ushering you on to other entertainment.
Moving on you come upon three raised runways that meet 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. A small group is gathering for the show.
Once enough people gather, the carnival barker introduces Madame Masque. A shapely woman emerges from the tent wearing 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 says not a word, but nods and waves to the crowd.
Madame Masque struts down the center runway and poses for a bit, walking back and forth flirting silently with the crowd. Then she retreats from the crowd into the mirrored box and closes it behind her. With a flourish from the barker, the box opens to show not one, but three Madame Masques! Each one flows down a ramp to pose in front of the crowd. Dressed in the same costume, but each one now has a different set of decorative adornments.
Now ladies and gentlemen, we will see which part of Madame Masque you were studying! *chuckle* There is one, and only one, piece of jewelry one of these women is wearing that matches the first Madame Masque. Who can tell me what it is!