On your way to Kaer Maga to discuss the creation of a secondary Venture Lodge with the town's leaders you stop by the small town of Ilsurian. Told by Venture-Captain Heidmarch to "Get out there and avoid roughing it too much," you figure it's fine to stay an extra day or so once a travelling carnival rolls into the outskirts of town. With no definitive time table for getting to Kaer Maga you can easily make up the time spent here with a some forced marching or the purchase of pack and travelling animals.
The fleet of wagons parks nearby and that same day the sounds of construction, shouting, and roaring can be heard coming from that direction. The circus will spend all day setting up, then tomorrow the fun begins!
The man Anthys talks to is busy pounding stakes into the ground for the various tents to be set up, grunting out an answer between each swing of his mallet. "Traveled...hard...Wagon lost *hugh* a wheel...Luckily *ugh* Jherizhana...able...to...help!" With his final word he deems the stake in deep enough for the guide lines and gladly accepts offered bread and cheese.
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On the night the Pathfinders arrive in town, Berato checks in at the inn, eats, then takes a long walk on the main streets Ilsurian. He talks to people that seem willing to talk and does some window shopping. He returns to the inn before dark and orders a bath for his room later. He settles at a table and orders a pitcher of dwarven ale with 5 mugs. He starts drinking, offering ale to his fellow Pathfinders if present, and talking to the locals who wish to help him conquer this giant jug of beer.
Diplomacy +7 to Gather Information; taking 10 for 17.
Berato and Marcus quickly find that the townsfolk are excited about the Umbral Carnival coming into town. They talk eagerly of the games and the various shows to come, but most of their attention is on the unusual attraction that is Jherizhana, a sphinx that has been captured by the circus. The people also talk about keeping your wallets and valuables close, never knowing what 'those sneaky Varisians' will take next.
The following day, circus folk hold a parade that marches through town in 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 entire procession is a formal declaration of the carnival’s opening, and seeks to draw out the curious and idle to follow along to the procession’s end, the parade grounds.
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Berato suggests the group start at the Parade Grounds tomorrow morning, as soon as breakfast is over. Berato acquires a Pathfinder Pouch to secure all his valuables, and even then he keeps that securely sewn inside his cloak pocket. At his belt, he carries a regular decoy belt pouch, with handful of copper and 3 silver pieces in it.
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Marcus is not overly fond of traveling shows or shows in general, but he does enjoy the occasional game based on throwing darts or balls, so has his interest piqued by the Midway. He will travel with the group, keeping any opinions he might have about his surroundings mostly to himself and making polite conversation as the group makes its way through the sights. He brings a few silver coins tucked into his shirt pocket.
A vast, open field serves as the carnival’s heart, currently filled with many townspeople watching some of the free shows, buying food from wandering vendors, and occasionally muttering to themselves about "Crafty eyed Varisians". You do see several guards chase off outside merchants that are not part of the Umbral Carnival.
You are stopped outside the big top by the vendor, "One silver to enter Big Top. You can stay as long as you want, but if you leave you have to pay to re-enter."
The vendor smiles and waves you inside. "You are all in luck, the main attraction should be going on soon."
You find some seats as the acrobatics act is finishing up, the leaps death-defying and precarious with the lack of a safety net far below. The crowd oohs and aahs, and more than one scream comes from the crowd as an acrobat appears to miss the catch before lunging out and catching a silk ribbon plunging from the top of the tent, spinning to safety below.
After they exit the arena the lights dim leaving the crowd in near darkness. A spotlight flicks on to the middle of the center ring where a Varisian woman, covered in light blue tattoos and a bandanna bows to the crowd. Her voice appears to be magically amplified as she speaks, everyone clearly able to hear her. "Ladies and gentlemen thank you for coming to our little venture. I am Almara, owner of the Umbral Carnival and ring master here. I am also an accomplished mage and have a real treat for you here today, a sphinx we encountered during our travels. I have managed to make her magically submit to me, and now she travels with us. Here she is, the one you've been waiting to see: Jherizhana!"
A second spotlight highlights a platform high above the ground. Stalking proudly to the front of the platform a lion-bodied woman with wings and an intricate headdress smirks down at the crowd. "Jherizhana! To the center ring!" comes Almara's call. The sphinx's wings stretch outwards as she steps off the platform, flaring to do a lap around the big top over the top of the crowd, the spotlight finding it difficult to follow her. She lights in the center before Almara, a look of irritation floating across her face.
"Bow to the crowd and give them a ferocious roar!" Jherizhana stretches down, her haunches high in the air before throwing her face upward and shaking the entire tent with her roar. Even Almara stumbles back from the ferocity of it. Concern flashes and she raises her arms calling out a new command, "Stay there!" The sphinx takes an experimental step forward as concern grows on Almara's face. "Stop!" The sphinx smirks as it now prowls around Almara, before turning her face to the crowd, cries of surprise and consternation audible.
Almara begins chanting and making arcane gestures, each one leaving behind glowing lines. Jherizhana takes to the air and flexes her claws outwards, menacing the crowd, snarling and hissing, even laughing once as several in the crowd scream in fear. Runes begin to make themselves known on Jherizhana's coat as Almara regains control, bringing her back to the center ring.
The ringmaster grins once more, "Sorry about that folks, lost control, but we've got it back! Now on with the show!" Jherizhana performs tricks for the crowd who are all genuinely relieved the sphinx is back under control though they shrink back whenever a snarl comes their way. An hour later the ringmaster and the sphinx have left as more acts come on.
You make your way out of the big top and head into the Midway. You notice the ringmaster Almara watching the folks heading up and down the midway, but she doesn't look approachable at the moment. Could be the air of aloofness or the 10 foot high stilts she's walking around on.
You come to the first game in Midway. A heavy, long-handled mallet leans against a 3-foot-wide and 12-foot-high wooden tower crowned with a stuffed lion’s head. At the base is a lever attached to a puck that slides up and down a pole running the length of the tower up to the lion’s head. An Ulfen strongman leans against the tower, "Anyone interested in taming the savage beast on this pole?"
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Anthys does not look the part of a strongman. Short of stature and of average build, he is certain the Ulfen will regard him lightly.
"Well struck, Berato!"
Anthys will give the hammer a try as well.
His attempt probably confirms the strongman's first impression. Still, he is proud of his friend.
"You have bested me Berato! Well done. Although you did swing twice..."
He digs into his pouch for two more coppers.
"So shall I! Two attempts and no more!"
On his second swing, Anthys perhaps surprises the onlookers.
With Berato's first strike the lion head atop the tower mews meekly and licks its lips. His second strike however, brings the puck all the way to the lion's head which animates and this time roars, the sound travelling throughout the carnival. Many turn their heads and clap when they realize what has happened, as does the Ulfen man. "You my friend have truly tamed the beast. Any prize among these here is yours and!" He pulls a paper crown and places it on Berato's head, "And, you are now known to all as King of the Carnival!"
When Anthys repeats the feat the man clutches his chest as though shocked by this event. "Narthi has never seen such feats before, very rarely does the carnival have more than one king, but never one after the other! Wondrous day friends! You as well earn a prize, and" he reaches back once more, "a crown!"
Heading a little further down the way comes the next test of skill. Three raised runways 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 man with a large well-oiled mustache calls out the rules of the game. "Many people can play in this one, each betting what they feel its worth. The lovely and shapely Madame Masque will step out onto the runway and pose for one minute. She will then return to the box and three of her will appear, each wearing an entirely different outfit. One item will be the same, revealing the true Madame Masque! The first to call it in one minute is the winner and splits half the pot with the circus. If no one gets it, the house wins! Sound fair?"
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"Very nicely done." Marcus smiles as his friends become 'kings' of the carnival.
"Ah! Now this will be interesting. I was given rigorous schooling in detecting infiltrators into my mistress' abode. I suspect this will be quite similar." Marcus will wager a silver and prepare to make his observation.
The barker introduces, "Madame Masque!" Madame Masque is a shapely woman in 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 remains mute, but nods and waves to the crowd.
Madame Masque struts down the center runway and poses for 1 minute, flirting silently with the crowd. She then saunters to the mirrored cabinet, steps inside, and closes it behind her. After a flourish from the barker, the cabinet is opened to reveal three different Madame Masques. Each figure walks down a different runway, while four guards prevent anyone from grasping at them. Each Madame Masque wears an entirely different costume from the original.
Berato, Marcus, and Vindlér each spot the item in question, a silver armband cleverly hidden among the ruffles of the center Masque's dress, but it is Vindlér who calls it out first. He draws the attention of Madame Masque herself, who walks on her runway toward him and slowly pulls a single scarf from her costume, allowing it tumble into the Vindlér's grasp. Onlookers regard such a winner with envy, and Madame Masque gives the winner a final flirtatious over-the-shoulder glance before disappearing into the tent. The barker calls out your dwarf companion as the winner and hands him his winnings .
You are able to best other challenges in the carnival easily, including knife throwing, a maze of mirrors, and an obstacle course. Once you have seen all the Midway has to offer you move on to the traveling zoo.
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. Among the attractions are a baby dragon, a manticore whose tail spikes have been removed, and several animated skeletons.
The longer Anthys looks at the "dragon" the more he comes to realize that its nothing more than an overgrown monitor lizard. When the group is finished looking at the zoo you head over to one of the largest tents. 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. A sign posted outside advertises that this area has been set aside for meeting the sphinx at limited times throughout the day. 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.
You're in luck as Jherizhana's posted time is just arriving. The two guards let you and several others in the crowd pass through to find the sphinx lounging in the cage.