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A team of pathfinders stand in the cool autumn air at the top of a small mound. This is their first meeting, and they survey their teammates to get an idea of who they had been paired with. Their memories flash back to their Venture Captain, welcoming them back after a hard mission.
You have done great! The captain had said. I know you've been working hard, so... He flashed them a thumbs off. Your taking the day off for the fall festival! that's an order! I heard the circus is in town... you should go see it! That's an order to!
So here they are, elite warriors, dungeon delvers, masters of their respective crafts, sitting and standing on top of a small mound as the circus glows brightly in the morning sun, the smell of carnival food wafting to the air all the way out here. A parade that marches past on the main road, followed by a choir of screaming children and shouting adults, marks the official opening of the Circus. It is a spectacle of sights, music, and drumming. Banners and streamers herald a procession of clowns, stilt walkers, and tumbling acrobats, all of whom wave to the
townspeople. Carnival barkers call out to people on the streets, promising thrills, chills, and delights for people of all ages (at the modest price of a few copper coins).
The pathfinders can rest easy for the moment... a fun day of happiness, sights, and sounds has been promised to them for all their hard work, and all they have to do is pass through the happy arch that declares the border of the Umbra Carnival.
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Jamiroquai practically bounces in excitement at the prospects of enjoying a day at the circus. "THis should be fun, I've never been to a circus before!"
Jamiroquai is small. Oh, not halfling or gnome small, just short and slight for a humanoid, standing just 4'10" and weighing in at 97 lbs. He is covered in a thick layer of soft, golden-brown fur, with a white streak, almost like a moehawk, in his hair. He is equipped with typical adventuring gear... a pack, a few weapons.
"Oh, hi everyone... I'm Jamiroquai... friends mostly call me Kwai for short. Who are you and let's go!"
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Even while stood on this small mound with other Pathfinders around her, Volara still isn't sure what she is doing here.
Volara is a Half-orc, clearly favoring the looks of her Orcish side. She's tall like most of her race and has long dark straggly hair that she tries to tie down to keep it under control, which only seems to make her hair more unruly. Volara seems to lack the muscle mass that most half orcs have, but it's clear from her bulk and abundant scars that she is as resilient as one of her full blooded orc ancestors.
"A... circus?" she almost spits out the word as she puts her pack on the ground, taking care not to damage her bow.
"Well if they insist on us taking a break from missions then i will do so, though this is not really my idea of fun."
She looks over the others and her gaze lands on the rather excitable monkey-man who seems the polar opposite when it comes to excitement.
"My name is Volara. You may call me Volara. I guess i'm ready to go. Do you think there will be some tests of skill at this 'circus' like they have at a traveling fair? I like winning at competitions!" for a moment Volara almost seems interested, but she quickly goes back to her look of boredom that seems a little too good to be natural.
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Willem as his surname would indicate is white as snow, and when out of doors he generally prefers to wear a hat to shield himself from even more sun. "Orders to see a circus? Oh nine hells, this can only end in tears." He shakes his head, already sure that something woeful will befall the group.
The magus, light of armor (read:none) and swift of sword, carries only the necessities with him, almost an ascetic in fact were it not for the several wands and potions he keeps near at hand. There are warning labels on the potions in a few different languages stating they are dangerous to life, including the classic pictogram of skull and crossed bones. "As ever, I remain Squire Willem of the house Alabster, and I remind you not to drink anything I drink, nor touch any of my possessions should you not wish to die a horrible and untimely death."
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Earlier that day: a strange figure is slumped in the corner of the Venture Captain's office, snoring loudly. He is covered in tattoos, all of them displaying words in a variety of scripts and languages, so many of them that it's a bit difficult to make out whether he is human or perhaps an elf or perhaps something in between. He is wearing leather armor over a set of tie-died pajamas and the pajamas appear to have a variety of notes pinned to them.
He startles violently, stretches lazily, yawns, spits, and looks around the room with bleary eyes. "Oh. Hello. I'm - I'm - I'm..." He trails off in confusion. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm..." He looks around the room, as if perhaps he might find some clue or indication, something to get his bearings. He rubs his eyes to be sure that he is actually awake, and gives himself a good strong pinch. "Ow! Hmm, well I'm awake, no doubt about that, but that doesn't help much to know that, if I don't know who it is that is awake, now does it? I don't suppose any of you know? Frightfully embarrassing, I must say, I'm sure that it will come to me in just a moment, but for just now, I have to admit that I don't have the faintest idea who I am or what I might be doing here. Perhaps you can assist me?"
Pinned to his pajama shirt is a note with large, bold writing: "Birseko Naam - if found, return to nearest Pathfinder Lodge."
Staring down at the note, the figure reads it, and then softly whispers, "Birseko Naam, birseko naam... I wonder if that could be me? I feel so unsure of everything just now, it's as if you wake from a dream and you can't decide if you are awake or still asleep..." He pauses, and then exclaims, "Dreams! Yes, that is one thing I DO remember, in my dream, though it was REAL, not a dream at all, mi'lord appeared to me, assuring me that his time is coming, and that I should go forth to herald him. Lord Ranginori returns! Let all know and tremble!" A look of consternation and confusion crosses swiftly over his brow. "That was real, wasn't it? I saw it in my dream but I'm quite sure it was real, as sure as I am of my own..." He trails off, uncertain, eyes aglow with a mixture of fervent devotion and the straining for memories that seem to dance just out of reach.
He looks around at the assembled pathfinders. "So, my friends, here I am, whoever that is, and I am at your service. You may call me Birseko Naam."
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A moderate sized, slender person, in a dark green cloak with a longbow slung over his shoulder, steps out from behind a tree on the mound. He surveys his fellow Pathfinders, reaches up and flips back his hood, revealing sharp Elven facial features, and gives a curt bow...
"Daedîn at your service. So, did I hear correctly? Are we off to the carnival?" He shakes his head. "Though something tells me it won't be quite the holiday as that...should be interesting, though..."
As the team enter the Carnival, they step into the parade grounds, a vast, open field always serves as the carnival’s heart. By day, this space offers dozens of free shows and events to lure in the cheap and idle. You know at night it will be filled with displays of magic and fireworks imported from distant Vudra and Tian Xia. Vendors wander the area constantly selling food, streamers, and flowers, a few guards wearing the Umbra Carnival's symbol, a black big top tent, keeping order and a watchful eye on the crowd.
Straight ahead is the Big Top itself, which houses an astonishing assortment of shows, from traditional clowns and acrobats to music recitals and dramatic plays. The big draw recently has been rumors of a ferocious performing sphinx only barely held under the ringmaster’s magical control. No one has been hurt yet, but the danger of such of an attraction captivates all the storytellers who speak of it.
Directly to your left in the east section of the Carnival is the Carnival's midway. You can already hear the barkers challenging people to tests of skill and might, of challenges for mind and body. Occasional shrieks of jubilation and curses of failure echo out from the midway as people try their hardest to win small trinkets and baubles that they can use as proof of their own abilities around the campfires later on.
North of the Midway, to the left of the tents, sits an area filled with exotic animals and covered cages, a sign proudly proclaiming the "Zoo of Wonders!" to be held here. It even proclaims "COME SEE A DRAGON!". Animal noises and shrieks both foreign and exotic echo forth from this area, filled with howls and growls and shrieks of children, and a few grown folks to, as they view the exotic creatures in their pens.
To the right and west of the Bigtop lies a smaller tent, this one with signs and a barker proclaiming it "The Umbra Freakshow!". Signs show a sword swallower mid-gulp, a man tattooed from head to toe, even claims of a Fire Giant, and Orc, and a Choker! There is also a sign proclaiming the "Sagging Man" that looks like a man in the middle of melting away as if by acid. Occasionally shrieks of fear come from the tent as the freak ply their trade.
Finally, directly to the west is the winding market, a tag-along of sorts. Not officially part of the carnival, and thus kept at arm's length by its guards, all the shopkeeps who can have set up small stands full of their wares from town to see if they can lure some of the crowds away from the Carnival to spend some money on more local goods. Undoubtedly, they paid a pretty copper to be allowed to set up close to the carnival, and are hoping the increased sale and foot traffic will be worth it.
A portable fence of wooden posts and rope cordon off this section of the circus. Several wagons constructed to serve as animal cages line the perimeter, with an occasional haystack piled between them. In the center of the area is a large tent whose wall flaps have been lifted up and tied off to allow easy viewing.
The array of animals here is astounding to be fair. Dogs of all shapes and sizes are kept in a pen where children can play with them. Another cage holds two undead skeletons who rattle their bones trying to get out, unable to squeeze through the solid bars that hold them back. But the main attraction is clearly the cage marked "Baby Dragon". A rope keeps people back ten feet as the barker shouts...
See this aaaaamaaazing creature! For a coppa, You can get close enough to smell it's breath! That stench is brimstone that makes the fire in it's belly when it grows older.
The creature is a VERY large lizard to be sure, though it has no wings. It's eyes scans the crowd as it's mouth opens to reveal horrid teeth that look like it could rip an arm off!
Nearby, the oddest thing starts to happen. A man with ears as large as himself is dancing a merry jib in the middle of the zoo area! He dances around, his ears flapping almost like great wings.
OOoooooOOOh, My name is Phardaen
comin out from my den,
It's wonderful to meet you all at the Carnival!
Won't you come and dance a merry jig with me?
It's easy to keep step just a dance one two three!
It's wonderful to meet you all at the Carnival!
Just a copper to touch my ear,
a silver is all it takes to see the freak show my dear!
It's wonderful to meet you all at the Carnival!
It is... a most strange sight indeed.
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"My goodness, what a strange fellow. I wonder if I have a silver piece...?" Birseko fishes around in his bag, clearly a bit unfamiliar with his belongings, before finding a pouch with a bit less than 2 gold pieces. "Here, my good man, a silver piece to see the freak show. Come, my friends, let's go have a look."
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Volara is dumbstruck as she sees the large reptile creature, even if she isn't completely sure it's a dragon. When the strange, large eared humanoid comes over she almost goes for her weapon.
"I don't wish to touch your ears, but here is a silver for this 'freak show'. If i am not adequately amused i will be asking for my money back though!"
Phardaen shouts for joy and yells in excitement. He starts to lead the pathfinders away, talking to them about money well spent, when suddenly screams echo behind them! The crew turns to see the giant lizard stepping out of his cage, the door swinging wide open. Phardaen's eyes go almost as big as his ears.
OH NO! BABY NO!
People run screaming as the giant lizard snaps and bites at the people fleeing.
Please, stop! Oh no! Somebody go get Berthold!
One of the trainers rushes off as the dragon keeps biting and snapping.
Oh no oh no oh no!
COMBAT ENGAGED! PATHFINDERS, FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Volara
Kwai
Maanyatha
Birseko
Daedin
Willem
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Panotti
Dragon
Generally speaking, PBP does int a lot more loosely because of time restrictions and us not all sitting at a table. So long as your in the same "Grouping" you can post your action whenever you want. But, I also go off of positions and things as of the order you posted in (Since that's what you could see). Basically, turn order over all is a lot more loose in PBP just due to the requirements of the medium.
The other newb question is basically, decide what works for your character. You can metagame, but as you pointed out, you don't know it's an animal. I won't stop you, but it makes sense for your character to not realize that's necessary. Another character might be able to say "Well, in a previous adventure I faced a dragon, so I know that's not a dragon, even if I don't know what it is..." buuuut your an amnesiac, so that's not as likely. Again, you can totally do it anyways, I'm not gonna say you can't, but that's up to how you want to play.
Finally, you can look at the GMscreen if you want, I mostly use it to clean up rolls and try to keep the screen visually less cluttered, like putting this big long thing in a spoiler block for you. :)
Maanyatha tries to establish a moment with the reptile, scaled person to scaled animal. The great beast halts for a moment, still agitated as can be, but not diving after any of the bystanders for the moment.
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Birseko moves 30’ in the opposite direction from the dragon, shouting out, ”Stay away Dragon! Surely this portent is a sign of the wrath of Ranginori - may we all be forgiven our transgressions! Stay away beast, or I will smash you!”
** spoiler omitted **
[/ooc]
Daedin's arrow bops the dragon upside the head, but Maanyatha manages to hold it's attention. Birseko starts making strange proclamations, which do nothing to calm the crowd but do help convince it to move back and not breath down the pathfinders neck.
PATHFINDERS, FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Volara
Kwai
Maanyatha
Birseko
Daedin
Willem
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Panotti
Dragon 10NL
Volara hears Maanyatha's cry and tilts her weapon at the last second, her arrow going wide and bouncing off the ground next to it.
That was totally and completely intentional and nobody can prove otherwise.
Panotti stands there, continuing his whimpering.
Oh goodness oh no poor thing just go back into your cage baby it'll be alright...
The lizard stares at Maanyatha, silted eye to silted eye, as if challenging the two legged lizard person to demonstrate who the person in charge is....
PATHFINDERS, FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Volara
Kwai
Maanyatha
Birseko
Daedin
Willem [Delay]
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Panotti
Dragon 10NL
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Willem uses his first turn to draw a wand from his belt, which is Mage Armor. He attempts to use it...
and does!
He takes the time afterward to put away his wand and draw out the estoc he carries. "We must put an end to this..." he says, with more than a little of a foreboding pall. Certainly one to kill the mood was Willem.
Maanyatha hesitates just a bit to long, and the dragon gets antsy... and more antsy when it gets a bucket worth of water dropped on him. As he snaps forward to bite, Daedin and Birseko both take shots, Birseko's scrap of wood being a little less areodymic than intended and flying off to the side as Daedin bops him in the nose again. It whimpers, burying it's head in it's claws and staying still.
ENEMY SURRENDER! THE PATHFINDERS WIN! VICTORY!
As the thing stays still, a pudgy man dressed in leathers runs up, a few of the handlers running behind him. He pants as he walks right up to the lizard and kneels down next to it.
Ogh, Baby, Whatcha go'n scare all dem folks for? Come on now, let's get ya back in your cage where ya bonnie well belong ya silly thing.
He coaxes and soothes the big lizard as the handlers guide him into the cage, petting the lizards snout. The place is quiet until the moment when he snaps the lock shut, and the assembled crowd roars in appreciation and cheers the pathfinders. The man walks up and holds out a hand to each in turn.
I canna't thank ya enough for making sure Baby didn't hurt no one. Wee lass doesn't mean to hurt a fly doncha know, but when ya made of teeth and hard leather and people be screaming, it's easy to forget...
He turns and pulls out money pouch and quickly counts out a sum before offering it to the pathfinders.
Here... it's the least I can do, both for protectin folks and for not hurtin' Baby to do it.
He passes the sack over and a quick inspection reveals it contains 50 gold pieces!
The man scratches his head in confusion and stares at "Baby's" cage.
I can't for da life o me figure out how she got out though... notin's wrong with da cage atal!
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Daedîn nods at the man. "No worries...'preciate it..."
He narrows his eyes though as he sees the Panotti's nonverbal response when the man mentions the cage...
He approaches the Panotti and gives a curt bow. "Daedîn at your service...Phardaen, is it? Any idea how the dragon might've escaped the cage?"
Phardaen hangs his head, his ears drooping on the ground.
I-I'm sorry... I thought it was s-strange but... a man came up to me over at the sideshow tent...
He points to the tent, clear on the opposite side of the circus.
Said he'd give me a whole gold piece if I came over and did a dance and jig for him. I've had weirder requests, so I didn't think nothing of it... but...
He hangs his head lower.
But what if I was just a distraction? Then the man with the big red beard was trying to steal Baby, or who knows what, and I helped him like the big eared ijit I am.
Berthold shakes his head.
Gah, happens someplaces... folks try to make off with the animals, or cause a fuss... usually cause they don't like the Varisians.
He spits on the ground with a growl.
Damn bigots. Those Varisians gave me, the folks at the sideshow, everybody here a home, and they spread a bunch of filthy lies about them.
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Daedîn shakes his head. "Know what you mean...I've seen bigoted folk like that as well...they tend to judge people as a group as opposed to taking a man, or a woman, one at a time. Thank you for your time..."
Daedîn bows as he leaves...and heads over to the sideshow tent, looking for man matching Phardaen's description...
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Birseko approaches the cage with curiosity, careful to keep away from the dragon, lest it rouse to anger once again.
Birseko appears not to notice anything untoward about the gentleman.
"Who are 'they', my friend? And who is spreading what sorts of lies about whom? And why would someone pay you to dance so they could let the dragon escape? Do you remember what they looked like? It's all very mysterious..."
The pudgy man shakes his head.
This Circus is run by Varisians, a good folk if a might strange. Folks don't tend to like the Varisians much though... treat them like a buncha thieves and beggers, blame 'em for everything that goes wrong.
Phardaen nods. The Varisians are nice, especially to people who don't look the same... but people are always trying to stir up trouble... as for what they looked like... his beard was REALLY bushy, and he was tall... but other than that, not much.
Despite Daedin's super keen eye, he sees no sign of the red bearded man.