Draxwile blinked at the child thrusting candy at his face, before blinking again at the tall elven woman buying her whole stock and placing her on her lap. This town was full of odd folks... nice ones, though.
Taking his seat, Draxwile sat quietly and waited the show to begin... until his fringes flapped up and he swiveled his head to this new sensation. It was the evil woman! And her companion... seems he was intent on keeping her out of trouble. Good. Hopefully, she might learn from his example.
The kobold sat down once again... but kept an eye on the woman. Who knows what she might be concocting.
Norme and Jezebeth are admitted without incident. That is, if you call Jezebeth’s features being mistaken for a terrific costume. In that case, then one small incident.
After being directed to their seats by a large gentleman, adjacent to a nice set of box seats, Norme and Jezebeth couldn’t help but notice they were seated next to the scaled paladin. They had a nice bench, and a pile of candy being handed out by the elven woman who won the dance competition. She had a little girl sitting on her lap.
Around five minutes later, the ringmaster walked out into the center of the large arena. He was a tall, slender man, dressed in red and black. He introduced the circus, and as the various performers streamed out, he introduced them as well. Obviously a charismatic fellow, he knew how to work a crowd. He told jokes, stories, and as the show began, started to weave a tale that united all the various acts into one coherent story.
First up was a group of acrobats. This portion of the show alone was worth the price of admission. After several minutes of tumbling and amazing feats of agility, the show began shifting into an exciting routine consisting of fire dancers, fire eaters, fire breathers, and an ancient drake flying near the top of the tent. As the old beast flew through the gouts of flame, his wings spiraled the flames into a whirlwind of heat. The transition was subtle, and it was hard to know where one act began and the other ended. Once the pavilion tent was reaching a near-unbearable level of heat, the drake flew outside. An elderly woman walked out, and began using ice magic to draw frozen patterns in the air. The air cooled rapidly, and soon the viewers were clutching themselves and shivering. The crowd’s attention was directed above, to a series of man-sized snowflakes that were dancing across the top of the pavilion.
When the snowflake’s dance was completed, the crowd looked down to find her replaced with the lion tamer, and his five lions. All were full-grown males, and one was the size of a bull elephant. This lion had bone armor plates on his shoulders, and wicked looking spikes grew down his back along his spine. The tamer ran them through amazing tricks, and at one point even had the large lion juggle his smaller brethren. The crowd roared with approval, and the lions roared back. It was deafening. Eventually, the lions filed out a side door, and were replaced by clowns. The clowns bounced around for a little, but were obviously just a distraction. Men were coming in to set up a high-wire, and lighting hoops on fire for them to swing through.
It was during this lull in the action that it happened.
A small bead of white light appeared, so bright it hurt to look at. It was right in the middle of the group, slightly to the left of center in the box seats. Almost as soon as it appeared, it exploded.
You are standing in a room. It is all white. The ceiling is white; the floor is white; the walls are all white. It is an empty room, full of nothing but bright white light. You can see yourself standing in the room, alongside the shades of a few of the other audience members. It is almost like you are watching from outside your body, watching yourself watch what is unfolding.
As the other trapped in the explosion fade into existence, the bright light begins to lessen in intensity. Once it reaches a more manageable level of brightness, more akin to a sunny day, the world around you begins to rush past. As you stand still, with the world rushing past, you see a distant castle. As it speeds toward you, you recognize the castle of the royal family. It isn’t as the castle appears printed on the currency of the realm, but rather much older, and newer. Parts of the castle are falling into disrepair, and other portions have been recently replaced with new, freshly-carved stone. It flys toward you, and you see the gates fly open at your approach.
When you enter the throne room, everything stops. The throne room is different than anything you’ve ever heard. It is filled wall-to-ceiling with gold plating, and there is a long table set perpendicular to you and your companions. It has nine seats all filled with shadows of people. Some the size of a grown man, a few the size of human children. Only the first, on the far left, is opaque. It is the figure of a Sea Elf, Sunny’s people. He has a noble bearing, and is dressed in a regal manner. He has the bearing of a warrior, and the muscles to match. He is clad in functional, worn, expensive breastplate, with a cloak thrown over one shoulder.
He stands, and takes off the cloak draped over his shoulders. He opens it, and it becomes apparent it is in fact a robe. A robe made entirely of blooming flowers. He motions as if to hand it to you. Instead, he walks behind the second chair, and drapes the robe over the shoulders of the shade in the second chair.
The vision begins to fade. As it does, you hear a sound, similar to wind chimes, but with a musical lilt to it.
The vision fades to black.
Back inside the tent, it was business as usual. No one had even noticed the white light, although the audience members around you did give you a few strange looks, as you spontaneously dove for cover from an invisible threat. Even the candy girl didn’t notice, she just stood up when Sunny jerked, and kept staring at the show. It appeared the trapeze act was winding down, and only a few minutes had passed. The announcer’s voice rang across the tent.
”I know we have a few returning customers here. Obviously this is a much better quality show than we usually put on. We have to leave town, so this is our last show. We don’t want to leave you all without a special send-off, so we’re giving this show our all! If you would be so kind as to file outside in an orderly fashion, our Grand Finale will be outside, so the whole town can watch!”
The pavilion’s doors were thrown open, and the crowd began filing out.
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Daven places his fists to his eyes and begins rubbing them in an attempt to clear the purple and black spots currently filling his vision.
Ok Daven calm down, I'm sure no one will think you are a loon after seeing that. Sure just tell them what you saw in a calm matter-of-factly manner
Daven now focusing his attention squarely on the ringmaster speaks to Drax and Meg as he rises and begins heading out
By any chance did either of you experience a vision of sorts? Daven says his voice cracking a bit on the word vision
Sunny blinks, having been seemingly mesmerized by the amazing, wonderful, fantasmagorical display that has been put on by the performers.
As every one begins to stand and file outside Sunny needs a bit of prompting, still dazed by the events that she's been witness too.
At Clara's tugging gently on one tanned arm Sunny's gaze slowly refocuses.
"That.. that were amazin'..." The blond Elf breathes, even as she blinks at Clara, "Huh whut? Oh? Every bods wanderin' is they?" She allows herself to be led along.
Daven's words lost to Sunny's ears in the tumult of the moving crowd.
Draxwile watched in amazement at the performance. He should move half as gracefully as some of these performers! He even briefly forgot he was supposed to be keeping an eye on the demon woman nearby...
But his trance is immediately snapped as his keen eyes suddenly pick up on a bright bead of light, before it promptly bursts into an explosion of light! Draxwile barely had time to leap back and out of it's range, before swiveling his gaze onto Jezebeth. "What did you just do, evil one!?" he growled, trying to refrain from drawing his sword. He didn't want to raise a fuss... a drawn weapon would just cause panic and hurt others.
One of Drax's fringes perk up at Daven's words, before blinking between him and the woman. "...what kind of vision? Was it evil?! Was it from that bead of light?!" It had to be the work of that woman, it had to be! She was pulling some sort of evil trick, she must!
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"...what kind of vision? Was it evil?! Was it from that bead of light?!"
Well at least i'm not losing my mind
I don't believe it evil Drax, though you would know that better than I and yes I did see a bead of light Daven says continuing to keep an eye on the ringmaster The ringmaster said something after I got back, something along the lines of "I know we have a few returning customers" perfectly in sync when I in fact returned. I think we should head outside...Hey maybe this is the beginning of some grand adventure
Sunny doesn't hear Meg's call over the motion of the crowd, nor does she notice the fellow Elf amongst the jostle and bustle of people moving out from the tent.
"Whoa, this is really neat! Isn't it, Jezebeth? I don't get the whole story connection though."
Norme seemed a bit miffed at that. Jezebeth cooed to reassure him, aware fully of Draxwile's presence, and seeking to irritate him further.
"Aww, but it's so simple~ You see, when the..."
She kept telling the whole thing in a muddied way so as to distract Norme further, even as he sighed. Then the small light appeared, and shortly thereafter exploded brilliantly.
First to respond to the oncoming explosion, Jezebeth pulled Norme's head into her chest (to his detriment?) as she averted her gaze. He didn't resist the motion, as his own arms went up momentarily to shield his eyes.
"My my, what a bright light. Perhaps not as bright as your view right now though, right Norme?"
Norme quickly pulled himself upright while blushing profusely as everyone else started getting up to follow the ringmaster's instructions. Glancing at Draxwile, he then glanced back at Jezebeth.
"Look, we can't afford more trouble, Jezebeth. Come on. I don't know what that was, or what you did if anything, but let's just stick with the crowd and pretend that nothing happened. We don't need to give that Paladin more reasons to want to kill you, since that would be bad for me too."
"Oh, fine. You're too stuffy Norme."
The crowd walks outside, all abuzz with excitement. They all agree, it is the best show they've ever seen. Even those who've seen the circus before say it was never that good.
It appears that the various performers who had been outside the pavilion had set up signs with arrows to lead the crowd. Many of the entertainers were shouting encouragement to the various townsfolk to get them to come and watch the finale, since it is outdoors and no ticket is required.
Eventually most, if not all, of the town has turned out, and all are walking toward a small hill outside of town. The ringmaster is standing atop the little hill, waving at the audience. He motions everyone toward him, and announces that the finale will be starting in five minutes.
Suny skips along with every one else, happily chatting to young Clara about the wonders that they've been witness to inside the tent and wondering about what is yet to come.
Wending and weaving through the crowd she happily nods, waves and says "Hello!" brightly to those she's passing.
While looking for the best place to be to watch what is about to unfold.
Draxwile follows along closely to the succubus as she moves with her friend outside. He keeps a close eye on her, more intent on proving she's up to something than whatever finale they have planned.
A shame too... he was looking forward to it.
The crowd moved forward, and began to fill the field around the little hill. Voices, raised in pitch with excitement, created a buzz in the air. Obviously this is something new, and new is always exciting.
It seems all of Dromtson is here now, clamoring for good vantage points, awaiting the finale with bated breath.
The little group finds an open spot, near the front. The retired paladin, Joram, waves you all over, and welcomes you with a smile.
"How are you lot doing? Did you catch the rest of the show?"
He turned back to the ringmaster, who was announcing that two minutes were left.
"Not much longer now, it appears."
He gives Meg a wink.
Sunny gives Clara a quick, excited hug as the tension mounts for the finally. She smiles and waves in greeting to those milling about her.
"Whut d'ye think t'is they be gon'a do?" She asks.
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Meg smiles at the paladin as she steers the kobold paladin to meet him.
"Joram, nice to meet you. Here is a noble kobold that also seems to be of your profession. I settled up and didn't stick you with the bar tab."
Meg looks around: "Sure is a big crowd. This should be quite the display."
Meg whispers to Joram, and tells him about the strange light earlier.
"Do not know what is going on. Do you paladins bring flashes of divine light at times??"
Clara laughs with joy.
"I don' know, but I hopes there ellyphants!"
She seems to be picking up traces of Sunny's accent.
.
.
.
.
Joram extends his hand to Draxwile.
"Always a pleasure to meet another paladin. How long since you took your vows?"
He turned to Meg, and whispered to her.
"Paladins only bring flashes of light when we are battling the Darkness. What did you see?"
His usually jovial eyes were very serious indeed.
Sunny's large blue eyes seem to grow even wider, "Oooo! What be a 'Elly-fant'?" She asks her excitement matching that of young Clara, even as she quickly tries the new word.
"There be so many critters I heard about but in't seen. Like 'Horse' an' 'Cow'." Sunny again looks to Randle to see his reaction to all the events.
Then, catching sight of (Or finally noticing) Megalarion Silverthistle, Sunny waves enthusiastically towards the other Elfven lass,
Draxwile continues to eye the evil female, but he is pulled away for a bit by the introduction of another paladin. Draxwile gladly and proudly takes Joram's hand, shaking it firmly. "The pleasure is mutual, milord. I'm afraid I've only been Sarenrae's loyal servant for... two months? When the man who saved my life left, I couldn't help, but follow in his footsteps. He was a patient and generous and compassionate man... I can only hope to be half the champion he was."
"Then I am the one who is fortunate. Never will you meet a more compassionate servant of good than a paladin of the Everlight."
He gives Draxwile a smile, and raises his head. It appears he is saying a quick prayer of thanks to the sun.
Draxwile continues to eye the evil female...
Jezebeth would hiss at the small lizard as she winked. Turning to Norme, who was now the one dragging her through the crowd to a good spot (passing most of the others at some point or another while doing so), she whispered to him.
"Shortstack, we have two lights on in the village."
She was somewhat worried. Two Paladins, normally trigger happy individuals around sources of evil, and a large crowd of bystanders. It wasn't going to be pretty if anything happened.
She stopped Norme once they were somewhat close to the others, but far enough away to not draw Draxwile's attention.
Norme sighed and kept a close eye on the two individuals Jezebeth pointed out. The same two Paladins from earlier. He immediately begun thinking of stories to tell.
"Geez, so many of them here. Having fun is difficult. At least this finale show should be worth it."
Recognizing Daven, Randle, and Sunny from those sitting near them and also diving for cover from something, he waved.
Joram glances back at Meg.
”My dear, that sounds peculiar. If nothing else, it bears investigating.”
His eyes belie his concern.
The ringmaster had just begun speaking, weaving another tale, this one a romanticized version of the history of the country.
“…and then, Althamar and his comrade-in-arms, Gornash, traveled south. They continued to explore this strange new world. I’m sure you all know the harrowing tale of their fight with the giant tentacle frog-monster. Or the time they fought off an entire pack of yeti. And I’m sure you are all even more familiar with the story of the founding of the capital city, yes?”
The crowd, clapping and cheering, erupted even further at the mention of the nation’s hero and founder.
”But I am here to tell you all a story that is after the story. What happened after Gornash left to found the kingdom to the East, Gornashka. This story takes place right here, on this very hill. You see, many long years ago, after the initial founding of your kingdom, the Great Althalus spat upon his adventuring companions, by giving them minor baronies.”
This is met with a lot of booing, and the attitude of the crowd is shifting toward a much more aggressive mood.
”These people fought alongside him, and he shipped them off to the various corners of the land, and then promptly sold off other noble titles to anyone who could afford it, thereby further disgracing his loyal companions. You see, my family is decended from one of those, Althalus’ own squire, Bofand the Brave. Bofand was loyal to his master, and what did he get? He got NOTHING! He got cast aside, and because of this, my family has suffered, SUFFERED! We’ve lived in squalor while Althalus’ decendants run this kingdom into the ground. Well, I say, enough!"
By the end of his little story, the crowd was actively booing him. Not a smiling face in the crowd. As he started yelling back at some of the people in the crowd, Joram turned to the group.
”This is going to end badly. They might attack this poor idiot. Wait here, eyes open.”
He walks up the little hill, turns around, and half-draws his sword. He stars down at the crowd, and no one is attempts to climb the hill.
Sunny watches the fellow and the crowd taking in every one's actions but simply standing as the roiling events take place around herself and Clara.
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Meg attempts to keep the people calm. She nods encouragingly as Daven seems to hit a nice tactic.
"This is part of the show!! Just an acting job!!" Meg speaks up, speaking something she truly believes: "We all understand we need not upset the current situation. One with a lawful society that administers to the needs of the people."
She moves toward the ringmaster, a cold edge to her voice. "Enough. Say no more!!"
Draxwile's dutiful watch over the evil woman is distracted by the shouting and prostrating of the ringmaster. Despite Meg and Daven insisting it was part of the show, Draxwile slowly unsheathed his sword.
"...I have a troubling feeling that this is no performance."
Norme listened carefully to the story, as if committing some portion of it to memory.
"The crowd seems to like it. I wonder what Althama-"
He was cutoff by the sudden booing however, quickly glancing around to see why.
"Uh... I thought this was supposed to be a happy event? Just our luck, we can't go anywhere without something going wrong."
Jezebeth seemed to be enjoying the whole act, perhaps a bit too much. The booing crowds were all set to rumble, something she wanted to see so dearly.
But this is fun, shrimp! Look at all the restless souls ready to march on each other over the names of some unimportant figures of their history. The chaos is so relaxing~"
Norme sighed again, but then noticed the other three, including one of the Paladins, standing up beside the ringmaster, as if to calm everyone.
"Well, hopefully they can get it under control. If they can't, and we need to fight our way to safety, then we will. Jezebeth, you may like it, but I don't. We're not harming anyone who does not hurt us first. We don't need to give those Paladins a reason to come after us too!"
Jezebeth pouted and cross her arms under chest, like a child or sibling would, likely an act to incense Norme further.
"Killjoy."
Norme deftly brushed it aside and readied his spellbook. Sure, he wasn't a classical Wizard the public knew of, but he looked the part, and he was going to play the part when it came down to it. He jutted his elbow into Jezebeth who, after an angry glare, got herself into a ready stance as well, using an empty book as a prop.
While she didn't like the thing, she needed to use it as part of the facade; just until she readied her claws anyways. Norme's idea was to hide her sharpened raking nails and naturally resilient skin as spells, and so far, it has saved them on two other occasions, so she was willing to play along.
"Norme, if they fight, the same as usual?"
"Yes, Jez. As we always do."
Norme cringed, and his thoughts suddenly raced.
"Jez... Jez?! Did I really use that name just right now? Ugh, at least there are others making lots of noise, so it wasn't heard."
He was distracted now, though there was not much he could do about it. He shook his head and gritted his teeth.
The ringmaster chuckled at the crowd's reaction.
"But not to worry, my "good citizens" of Althamar." He punctuated his speech with air quotation marks. "For the carnival's owner is here to make his peace with you. Calm down, and welcome Lord Calathas Drethel."
House Drethel is a famous family in Althamar, though no one has heard from them in several decades.
House Drethel is said to be a defunct, extinct noble house. They are thought to be all dead, and their holdings left vacant.
Drethel, one of the three adventuring companions of the country's founder, started a noble house when his friend founded the country. Drethel has always been a small house, in terms of family members, but has never lack for power or prestige.
House Drethel is known to be the source of some of the country's most vile villains, and is also the source of most of her greatest heroes. There is a largely-forgotten saying about Drethel: "House Drethel may not produce many heirs, but if you ever meet a Drethel, run away. You are looking at an angel or demon made flesh."
A wizened old man makes his way up to the hill. He is dressed in a plain wool robe, and walks with the aid of a cane. After he acends the hill, he raises his hand. The gesture is an obvious attempt to quiet the crowd.
After a few moments, most of the crowd does quiet down, largely out of curiosity.
The old man smiles.
He grabs the ringmaster, and they fly up about 60 feet into the air. When the reach the zenith of their flight, Lord Calathas Drethel snaps his fingers.
Flaming meteors fall from the sky, plummeting the town.
Dromston erupts in flame.
A wizened old man makes his way up to the hill. He is dressed in a plain wool robe, and walks with the aid of a cane. After he ascends the hill, he raises his hand. The gesture is an obvious attempt to quiet the crowd.
After a few moments, most of the crowd does quiet down, largely out of curiosity.
The old man smiles.
He grabs the ringmaster, and they fly up about 60 feet into the air. When the reach the zenith of their flight, Lord Calathas snaps his fingers.
Flaming meteors fall from the sky, plummeting into the town.
Dromston erupts in flame.
(O_o)
"GAH!" Sunny exclaims as chaos, confusion, damage and destruction suddenly befall the world.
Hugging young Clara tightly, Sunny looks for the best/safest/quickest way away from the impending DOOM.
"Quick! We go that'a way!"
One: You are all just outside of town, so not in active danger from the fire. Just from the trampling of a panicked crowd.
Two: Be sure to read all the Knowledge: Local spoilers you hit. If, like Sunny, you hit DC 16, read both the 10 and 15 spoilers.
Randle misses the treacherous noble, but the arrow sinks deep into the thigh of his companion, the ringmaster. He cries out in pain.
Frustrated, the noble releases the ringmaster, who falls to the ground. He hits the earth hard, twitches once, and doesn't move.
Sunny simply concentrates on getting herself, Clara and any nearby people 'Away' from the chaos and destruction which is happening behind (?) them.
The nobleman laughs hysterically, and weaves his hands in an obvious display of spellcasting.
The fire and destruction of Dromston ceases. It was all an illusion.
He chuckles.
"Now that you have seen my vengeance, I shall take my wrath to the Capital, and unleash what you've seen here upon the treacherous Royal Family!"
He flies over the crowd, and lands on the north side of town.
You can see that the carnival had already packed up once everyone was out of the tent, and are already well on their way out of town. They've left the giant pavilion tent behind.
Norme dragged Jezebeth with him quickly as the meteors fell, looking to get to safety, or at least to Randle's side. "Come on Jezebeth!" He fired no attacks at the nobleman, rather devoting himself to protecting Jezebeth instead, even if she didn't need it.
"Man, why'd he have to go an ruin all the fun? But I don't like what he said about the Royal Family... We need to go and see! I suppose if you guys want to start at the pavilion, then let's go. We'll tag along if you'll have us!"
Norme received a glare from Jezebeth, but she said nothing aside from returning to his side.
When the light show is suddenly turned off, Sunny stumbles to a halt, blinking first in confusion.... then when she realizes it was yet more magic she laughs and claps in appreciation. Though the look she receives from Clara gives the Elf pause.
"Whut? I dun't un'erstand....?" Sunny shakes her head then notices the group which was seated around/near her within the tent hustling back inside its folds.
"Here! Lets go ask them whut t'is they be thinkin' goin' on." Sunny suggests, once again taking Clara's hand and leading the girl back into the pavilion.
The pavilion tent is largely empty; not a soul moves within it. However, it is obvious that they cleaned out in a hurry. The ground is littered with all kinds of objects, some piled up, and some scattered about.