Viniana looked at the animals with interest though the sight of the manticore made her a bit sad. She might have been angry if she actually knew what any of the creature's were or what had been done to them.
There is only one event left at the Midway.
This enormous tent is dwarfed only by the big top itself. The southern side has no wall, just a tall curtain pulled across its front which has now been pulled back. A sign posted outside advertises that this area has been set aside for meeting the sphinx at limited times throughout the day (the next of which is about to start). Just inside is 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.
Kassam follows the group as it trudges round the rather downbeat carnival.Not much to see here; occasional broken monsters, then what?
He turns to the others.
"I'm sure you want to take a look at this so-called sphinx, so let's just get it out of the way. I'm getting thirsty and could do with a drink."
Why would they use manticore spikes? Nelda mused to herself. She had noted the removal but had decided not to mention it, Viniana was already feisty. She wished to avoid fighting the animal keepers.
"It could be interesting. And won'take much time. The show is about to start, after all."
She positioned herself in the front of the party to better see the cage.
An unusual creature wanders out into the middle of the cage. She has the body of a lion, the wings of a falcon, and the head and torso of a beautiful human woman. She is unclothed except for a few necklaces and hair jewelry. She seems completely unaware that her state of undress is against human taboos. Her smile seems mysterious, gentle, and wise. There are several guards from the carnival nearby, but they are just watching you and the other observers right now.
Kassam hasn't seen a sphinx before, but he thinks this creature fits the description. He looks round to see if he can spot anything unusual.
Kassam, you notice that the guards are very alert. You have the impression you are being very carefully supervised.
Viniana observed the creature in the cage and found herself stunned. The being was very lovely and regal though she had no clue what it was. She curtsied to the creature in the cage and said, "You are one of the most beautiful creatures I've ever seen. I bring you greetings in the name of Shelyn, I'm Viniana."
The sphynx smiles at Viniana and say in a deep, sultry voice, "Greetings to you, Viniana. You are welcome here."
Belgor averts his eyes from the creature before seeing something that he ought not see.
Seeing the sphinx, Geoff steps forward towards it and asks of it,
"What happened that a creature such as you has been captured like this?"
Geoff remains in a non-threatening posture with his arms crossed over his chest, it is a mere question at this point and he does not want the guards to think anything of it.
Jherizhana chuckles at Belgor's obvious attempt not to look at her. It is a gentle, amused sort of sound.
Then she turns to Geoff. "I am here of my own free will. I wanted to see more of humans. However, many humans and halflings fear me. This way, I can see what I wish without scaring anyone. You need not be concerned for me."
Kassam emerges from the shadows. "So, why are the guards looking so nervy? Are they expecting something? And if so, from you or from us?"
Nelda was overwhelmed at the beautiful sight of the sphinx, she didn't initially notice how strange the guards were acting. As she waited for the sphinx to answer she twisted to adjust her clothing and get a better look at the guards and see their number should anything happen...
Jherizhana looks at Kassam and replies, "The guards are very careful to protect me. I have in the past had people attempt to harrass me, and the guards now are careful to prevent this."
The guards begin to try to escort everyone out of the tent.
As they were lead away she glanced back at the sphinx to ensure there were no signs of physical abuse on the beautiful creature.
How could anyone harass her? She's even more beautiful than our Viniana! Unless that's why... jealousy or lust?
Nelda continued out of the tent with the guards, ashamed she didn't ask any questions to the creature. Or even try to test of the creature was a sphinx or just a woman in costume. It would be a very convincing costume, though...
Geoff heads out of the tent at the guards request. ON his way out he asks of a guard,
"Is there anything else interesting in the area? Anything worth seeing or visiting?"
Malachai followed the others out of the tent remaining silent as he did so. The creatures where awe inspiring and he found himself robbed of his usual flippant attitude. Something had seemed odd about the place but he couldn't put his finger on it. He shrugged to himself and kept moving.
You all exit the tent as the guards request. As one guard opens his mouth to answer Geoff, you hear screams start. You trace the source by going upstream in the rushing people. When you arrive, you see that the 'baby dragon' has gotten loose. Now the beast scurries around the midway, hissing at the fleeing carnival-goers and snapping its jaws at anyone who gets too close. There is a man with huge ears (a Panotti) who begs you to not hurt the creature.
Kassam unsheathes his rapier.
"Unless you magic types have something that can help, here," he hisses, "I'm going in. This idiot be damned." He nods in the direction of the Panotti.
Viviane gave the sphinx a sad smile and said, "I'm glad you're alright with your situation,I wish you good fortune in your travels." They were escorted out and trying to decide their next destination when the man asks them to help stop the "dragon" that got loose. "I'm afraid I have little of use against creatures when it comes to prayers. Still we at least need to protect the innocent from harm." She unsung her glaive and began to head towards where the creature had gotten free, "If I get close enough I can leave it dazed for a few seconds but it will only work once so be ready to make use of the opportunity."
Kassam nods. "We can try to make our hits non-lethal, but be warned we'll be fighting at a disadvantage."
Malachai thought for a moment "I could try and colour spray it, it's been known to knock things unconscious sometimes" Malachai shrugged "otherwise it's make with the blasty blasty i'm afraid"
Knowledge Arcana:
Malachai, you know it's not actually a dragon, but that's it.
Kassam nods at Malachai. "Malachai, your spell sounds like our best bet to avoid a fight, go for it."
"Geoff, you're one of those rangery types, aren't you supposed to be good with animals? Why don't you take a crack at...whatever the hell that thing REALLY is" Malachai suggested.
"Aye I guess I could try, never been much for speaking with animals though"
Geoff walks closer to the creature and tries to calm it down.
The 'baby dragon' looks carefully at Geoff and lays down on the ground, lowering its head. Several members of the carnival come towards the creature and carry it back to its cage. Berthold Flavion, the circus’s Master of Beasts arrives, winded and flushed. Some other members of the crew help calm the Panotti down and take him back to the sideshow. Berthold gives Geoff a small bag of gold coins as thanks for keeping his animal safe while protecting people.
The carnival returns to normal quickly. The big show of the evening happens as planned, and the visitors all leave the carnival soon after. You return to your homes and rest.
Midmorning, one of the guards from the Sphinx's tent comes to you with a message. Mistress Almara Delisen requests you return to the circus in order to discuss a potential job opportunity.
When you arrive at the circus, the carnival has not opened for the day’s business yet. Almara waits beside a large private wagon with an adjoining canopy, and chairs are arranged around a nearby campfire. She greets you kindly but with a businesslike air, and after a brief introduction gets to the reason for her invitation.
“I appreciate your efforts yesterday in the regrettable incident
with our dragon. I fear I could also use your help with another
matter. You may have heard there was a murder in town last
night. The circumstances, I am told, implicate people from my
circus—something I find very hard to accept. I’d like to contract
you to represent the Umbra Carnival to determine who is really
responsible and preserve our reputation.”
Malachai took one of the seats by the campfire, crossed his legs and folded his arms, he listened carefully to what Almara had to say chuckling to himself quietly when she mentioned the "Dragon". When she had finished he leaned forward in his chair resting his elbows on his knees.
"In the message we received you mentioned this was a job opportunity, jobs are generally paid so... what's in it for us?"
Geoff saunters over to the fire, standing beside it. Through out Almara's statement he appraises her and gets the feeling that she means business.
Framing a Carnival for murder would be the easiest way to get away with it, who gives a crap about them, they're just strangers and an easy target to turn people against
Hearing Malachai's demand for a reward, Geoff decides to take the measure of the man as well,
"Malachai, what would we need to do such a deed other than the knowledge of helping bring a criminal to justice, seems a lofty reward to I"
Malachai grimaced as he turned to Geoff.
well there goes my bargaining position
"I'm glad you have coin enough to turn away pay, I, however, do not, a moral code is fine but i'm not willing to starve for it"
Almara smiles at Geoff, then turns to Malachai. "I can offer you 600 gold in return for resolving the situation for us."
Viniana considered the task at hand and the offered money. With a nod of her head she said, "I'm willing to help, and the payment is more than adequate in my mind. What can you tell us of this murder and how your people are implicated in it?"
Malachai shrugged and leaned back in his chair.
"looks like we have a deal" he sighed crossing his arms and settling back to listen to what Almara had to say.
Sheriff Feldane has not revealed most of the details to me. Someone from the town was murdered last night, and there are signs that implicate Jahazirah. You will need to go speak to the sheriff for the details. She is in town right now, I believe. Take this to her. It will inform her that you are acting for me in this matter, and request her to provide you with any information you need, as well as access to the murder scene.
Almara hands Geoff a sealed letter, addressed to the sheriff.
She also makes clear that she has told all the carnival staff to help with your investigation.
"In which attraction may we find Jahazirah?" Nelda inquired.
Geoff pockets the letter, curious as to its nature.
"What are the contents of this missive you have given me for the sheriff Almara?"
Jherizhana is our sphinx. As I said, the letter tells the sheriff that you are acting as the carnival's representatives in this matter.
Kassam pulls back his mask. "Surely there are some details you can pass on. Who was actually murdered? And what implicates your sphinx?"
The victim lived in the town. There was something about footprints, but the sheriff was very vague. You will have to ask her for details. She can probably be found at her office in the town jail.
"OK," says Kassam. "But this already strikes me as strange. We don't know the name of the victim, unless someone heard something I didn't. At any rate, I suppose we should go see the sheriff."
"Aye let us depart"
Malachai got to his feet "Alright on we go"
As he passed Almara he paused, leant in close and whispered " One more question before I leave, and think carefully about your answer my trust in your word depends on it, What exactly IS your so called dragon?
Almara gives Malachai a hard look, then smiles. "Our dragon is entertainment, of course. We are a carnival, after all."