The meeting with Magali Delroya was short, and anticlimactic, as she thanks you for a job well done and sends you on your way back home. The trip back to Absalom is uneventful, and it isn't until you head back to Kauril's shop that the success of your mission is acknowledged. "Welcome back my friends. You have done a great service both for the society, and for me. Not only did you disrupt the drug operations in Diobel before they could try to expand distribution to Absalom, you have gained me an ally...one that I am sure will prove quite useful in the future. You have proven yourselves resourceful and competent, using ruthlessness when called for, but showing a lighter touch when it's needed. These skills will prove to be very necessary, as I have one final task for you..."
He twists his mustache as he pauses a few moments before continuing. "Our line of work takes us all over the world. There are many dangers everywhere, and without eyes and ears to keep us informed, we can't prepare ourselves for those dangers. What I need from you is and investigation, and potentially a recruitment. There is a woman named Almara Delisen who has come to my attention. I'd like you to vet her as an ally, and if she would prove valuable, I want you to get her support. She is in a unique position that could make her very valuable to us, as the head of the Umbra Carvival, a group of Varisian entertainers who travel from town to town. If she proves to be a potential ally, she would be able to collect information about regions that others would not be in a position to collect. I'm sure you can see the obvious value she could have to me."
"I happen to know that the carnival is scheduled to arrive in Ilsurian, a city northwest of Korvosa. I would like you to head to Ilsurian, keep a low profile, and look into Almara Delisen. If you believe her to be a potential ally to us, then see if you can get her to agree to speak with me further. As simple task in some ways, but seldom do things go as simple as they might seem."
Female Human Empiricist Investigator / Swashbuckler (Inspired Blade) 2/1 | HP 28/28 | AC 18 (22), T 14, FF 14 CMD 17 | Fort +3, Ref +10, Will +2 | Init +4 | Perc +9(10) | Sense Motive +10 | Panache 3/4 | Inspiration 2/4
Does this Umbra Carnival have any sort of seedy side business that we should be aware of? I'd be stunned if there weren't one, but do you know if it is relevant?
Guaril gives a crooked smile. "What, you think all varisians have a side business? What she is into is part of what I need investigated. From everything I've heard, she runs a very successful entertainment business. The carnival employs clowns, stilt walkers, acrobats, and other people of skills that could be useful for other less upstanding purposes. I have nothing other than suspicions that she might be involved with something more."
Male Ifrit Slayer 2 | AC 15/12/13 | HP 20/20 | F+4,R+5,W+1 | CMD 15 | Init.+2, Perc.+6 | Darkvision 60'
"Investigating a bunch of carney-folk, eh? Well, shouldn't be boring, should it," Urah smiles as he thinks of his next mission. He joins Gillii, heading to look for some shopping opportunities.
Apologies, it's been a big rough spot. I don't live in a hurricane zone. However 3/4 of my sales group does, as do 2 of my partners. As a result, I got a lot of other people's workloads as I now have many coworkers more worried about things like basic living things. For local games, one of my VL's moved away this summer, and another of our area VL's who was one of my biggest GM's for local cons and game days just passed away due to kidney failure. As a result, I've been trying to keep up on all committed games, but haven't relaunched the two that are between parts. I am launching. Just taking longer than I hoped so that as I get them going, I don't have a bunch of pauses again.
Sorry for your loss, and everything that has landed on your plate. Seriously, take your time. Don't forget to take care of yourself somewhere in there.
The boat ride to Ilsurian is uneventful letting you bringing you in view of the city. At the city's edge, you can see that many colorful tents have been unpacked and pitched in a nearby field, although they still seem to be in the process of setting up. Posters now are scattered about the city walls advertising the Umbra Carnival. A number of onlookers from the city seem to watch from nearby, looking to get a first peak at what attractions await this year.
Female Human Empiricist Investigator / Swashbuckler (Inspired Blade) 2/1 | HP 28/28 | AC 18 (22), T 14, FF 14 CMD 17 | Fort +3, Ref +10, Will +2 | Init +4 | Perc +9(10) | Sense Motive +10 | Panache 3/4 | Inspiration 2/4
Ella examines the posters, trying to get a good sense of what the Carnival is pushing hardest, but also keeps an eye out for anyone who seems concerned or disgruntled about the performers' presence.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24If Diplomacy to Gather Information is more appropriate, it's the same bonus
The posters seem to push things such as:
-Acrobats straight from Magnimar - The Flying Sala's!
-Vangkot the Strongman!
-The amazing Madame Masque!
-Play games at the carnival!
-Learn your future from the All-Seeing Hajeck!
-Visit the baby dragon!
- Constantin - master of insults
-Straight from Osirion...see Jherizhana the Sphinx !
-Mihaela the knife thrower and her assistant Gheorghe!
It's also obvious they have attractions such as stilt walkers, jugglers, and clowns.
There is obvious excitement to have entertainment in town. However, Ella catches more than one side comment about hiding valuables because the Varisians are in town, showing obvious racism and distrust under the surface.
Male Ifrit Slayer 2 | AC 15/12/13 | HP 20/20 | F+4,R+5,W+1 | CMD 15 | Init.+2, Perc.+6 | Darkvision 60'
The ifrit examines the posters as well, looking for a sign that one of the performers might be of his own particular heritage. He made plans to visit the Orsirions and the knife thrower.
There doesn't seem to be any outsiders in the carnival. Jherizhana actually seems to be one of the most anticipated attractions and biggest draws, being an actual sphinx as part of the menagerie. The sphinx seems to have it's own wagon, it's own guards, and lots of privacy when it's not on display in a cage in the menagerie.
As you peruse the exhibits being constructed, Urah sees where several varisian men are setting up a tent, while a varisian woman is putting together a preconstructed spinning wheel device with a body painted on it. There are many holes around the painted body that look like they were made by daggers. She is attaching restraints that look like they are made to attach a humanoid to the wheel.
Hajeck's tent is one of the first that was constructed (right next to the zoo being set up), and his sign promoting her skills with fortunes is already posted. As Ella approaches, two teenage girls leave the tent giggling about something, leaving the Varisian woman waiting for more customers.
Male Ifrit Slayer 2 | AC 15/12/13 | HP 20/20 | F+4,R+5,W+1 | CMD 15 | Init.+2, Perc.+6 | Darkvision 60'
Urah approaches the varisians. "Is that some weird Punishment device? Catch someone thieving and stick them on the wheel for a couple spins while other throw a knife or two?". It probably was t the smoothest entry, but they'd remember him, no doubt.
The woman looks at Urah curiously. "This is all part of the show. My brother is attached to the wheel, and I spin him. Then I show my skill with the dagger by not hitting him as I throw daggers all around him. It's quite the sight. You should come see I when we open he main show tonight."
Gillii examines the list of attractions via their posters, and smiles as he sees the option of visiting a Harrower, and the chance to see a real sphinx, if she is indeed that. Illusions can be tricky... their dragon and sphinx could be real or not.. will have to be very observant to not be taken for a fool. I hope it's all real though, that would truly be something special.
Male Ifrit Slayer 2 | AC 15/12/13 | HP 20/20 | F+4,R+5,W+1 | CMD 15 | Init.+2, Perc.+6 | Darkvision 60'
”your brother is either really brave or really dumb. I’d never let family throw knives at me, if I could help it. I’m Urah, by the way. You been with the circus long?”
"We've been doing this act for just over three years now, and your family likely is not as skilled as I am. Years of practice before ever throwing at a target with him on it."
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Hajeck is ready for more customers. And the talk is that the zoo (including the Sphinx) will be opening in under an hour.
Male Ifrit Slayer 2 | AC 15/12/13 | HP 20/20 | F+4,R+5,W+1 | CMD 15 | Init.+2, Perc.+6 | Darkvision 60'
"How is the circus life? If you've been doing this a while, you must enjoy it. How is the boss to work for? He tough on you? I've heard stories about traveling bands, and it sound pa like a tough life..."
I know the boss is a woman, but I don't want to give away that Urah has that knowledge yet.
"Ah, you seek the sight of the All-Seeing Hajeck!. The varisian woman looks over the undine before continuing. "And what would you like to know about your future? And what color is your coin to attract the spirits to tell us?"
-----------------------------
At the knife throwers...
"It is a wonderous life, always on the road, seeing many places. Our boss is like family. She is always looking out for each and every one of us. Are you interested? One such as you may find success in this kind of life. There are many in small villages who would pay good coin to see you."
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At the carnival...
The carnival is a mix of games of chance, games of skill, and likely games of cheats... Madam Masque's tent is a game of perception that seems to have attracted a lot of attention with much cheering and shouting coming from inside.. Other games include a shell game, various card games, a competition of strength, and many other assorted entertainments. A very boastful bragging man who has just used a mallet to show his strength, issues a challenge for anyone to better him. Nobody ever seems to win the shell game.
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With the zoo nearby...there is some buzz that the sphinx and the dragon will be going on display soon, as their cages have been assembled.
"I have good gold to attract your spirits... and hopefully garner their goodwill as well." He puts 10 gold on the table in a small stack. If she seems disappointed, he'll add more to the pile, though in truth, he expects 10 gold is far more than she's used to getting for a reading at a traveling carnival. "I'd like to know a bit about love... So far it's eluded me. Every love in my life has ended in disappointment. I would know if that trend will change in the future."
Male Ifrit Slayer 2 | AC 15/12/13 | HP 20/20 | F+4,R+5,W+1 | CMD 15 | Init.+2, Perc.+6 | Darkvision 60'
”I’ve never really thought about it, to be honest. I think I’ll stay around and watch the show today, and think more about things. So nice to meet you,” Urah says as he waves good bye and heads back to find the others and tell what he found.
All-Seeing Hajeck begins dealing Harrow cards out, spinning a fantastic tale of Gilli finding love in the future. Although it's dubious there is much truth or predictive magic in the story, it is quite entertaining and delivered well, and you could see why even non-believers would pay for the storytelling.
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The knife thrower and her brother go back to getting things set up so they will have everything ready for the show.
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Ella finds the half-elf running the shell game has very quick hands, and neither she or the others, are able to find the ball under the shells after several attempts. Everyone seems amazed at how quickly he manages to move the shells around the table and confuse everyone.
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Fate catches a glimpse of the dragon being loaded into it's cage. It looks to be more of a six foot long lizard than an actual dragon.
nature dc 12:
It's a monitor lizard, which is not native to this area, making it a rare attraction on it's own, but far less fantastic than an actual dragon.
Gillii smiles during the reading, nodding now and then in understanding... "Thank you so much Madame Hajeck... Your wisdom gives me hope." He leaves after the reading and wanders about, looking for something else to do... He heads toward the area where the sphinx will be shown.
The sphinx's cage is much more elaborate, and much more well guarded than the other animal enclosures which in addition to the "dragon" which is now in it's cage, also includes a zebra, a camel, some various deer supposedly from the "Savannahs of Garund", and a black and white bear "from Tien". The sphinx seems to be the only creature not yet in it's cage. Guards still stand by the private wagon, which is a pretty good size, as might be expected of a large creature.
Gillii will marvel at all the various animals, especially the cute rolly-polly black and white bear. He'll turn to the guards and ask, "When can we see the sphinx? I've never seen one before... I've seen pictures, but not a real one."
"The sphinx is a very dangerous and rare creature! We don't want to expose the crowd to too much danger, so the sphinx doesn't come onto display until right at it's official viewing time. It's the last creature loaded in the cage."
One of the other guards snickers a bit. "You didn't hear it from us, but the sphinx really isn't all that dangerous. It's here by it's own choice, due to a deal with the boss. Jherizhana doesn't really like the cage, so she stays in the comfort of her wagon until show time. She's got the most luxurious wagon in the whole troupe. She does the cage for the showmanship of it, but she doesn't spend more time there than she has to. You didn't hear it from me though. A lot of people want to see the fierce monster."
Female Human Empiricist Investigator / Swashbuckler (Inspired Blade) 2/1 | HP 28/28 | AC 18 (22), T 14, FF 14 CMD 17 | Fort +3, Ref +10, Will +2 | Init +4 | Perc +9(10) | Sense Motive +10 | Panache 3/4 | Inspiration 2/4
Ella's enjoyed looking around, but now she decides to do more than just take in the show. Nothing like a carnival for moving around contraband, but it's more likely to be the teamsters and stagehands who'll be dealing in it.
Ella heads a bit "backstage," to look around for any symbols, tags or other cant signs of shady goings on. She's not heading into any overtly restricted areas, but certainly where things aren't quite set up for visitors.
