The barker in the tent with the runways calls out, "It couldn't be more simple, my friends. The Lovely Madame Masque will emerge. Resist the lure of her exotic beauty and make careful note of her attire, for she will then enter the mystical cabinet of mirrors. She will re-emerge in an entirely new costume, except for one item, whether it be a piece of jewelry or perhaps a small flower behind her ear. The first contestant to spot the twice-adorned item and shout it out wins. What could be simpler than that?"
He then offers the crowd a mischievous grin.
"Oh, did I mention we'll be closing the flaps of the tent before she comes out? Only those who've entered the contest will be afforded a glimpse of her beauty. The rest will have only the meager inadequate words of the lucky few who paid for the privilege of witnessing her beauty..."
4 men from the crowd hustle forward and put in their silver, followed by a well-dressed gentleman with a ponytail, attired in local style but also wearing studded leather armor, with a sword on either hip. He offers a sneer at his competitors as he drops a silver into the hat. The barker gives him a respectful bow.
The barker stands up straight and makes a show of jingling the hat. "Almost enough weight. Perhaps the Lady will soon emerge. Prepare yourselves for the kind of beauty that can normally only be found in the harems of the richest sheiks! Who else wants a chance to win more than just a few silver? Who wants a glimpse of rare beauty? Your opportunity will soon pass..." He looks back over the crowd before settling his gaze on Eroil and Ankird.
With Jaretti's coin, the barker smiles and ushers the participants closer to the runways and mirrored cabinet. The tent flaps are dropped, leaving Eroil, Ankird, Centimere and a bunch of onlookers to offer up a disappointed "Awww..." when left outside.
As soon as everyone is settled inside the tent, an extremely attractive Varisian woman comes strutting down the middle runway. Madame Masque is aptly named, for she wears a finely crafted gold & silver mask over her playful brown eyes. She also wears a beautiful Varisian costume gown made of silk held together by ribbons. She is adorned with all manner of scarves, necklaces, earrings, and other decorative costume pieces. She remains mute, but nods and waves to the crowd.
As most of the townsmen begin to hoot and leer, the guards step forward and make certain everyone keeps back. The well-dressed man with the ponytail stoically watches as she approaches and begins to silently flirt with him. After a few moments while he stands impassively staring at her with his arms folded, she shrugs and turns to Simiel and gives him a smile that promises a lot more than a few silver. She then turns on her heel and languidly strolls back up the runway, stepping inside the mirrored cabinet. She turns, blows the crowd a kiss, and with a wink the cabinet slams shut.
After a very brief pause and a flourish from the barker, the cabinet is opened to reveal three different Madame Masques. Each figure walks down a different runway, while the four guards prevent anyone from grasping at them. Each Madame Masque wears an entirely different costume from the original.
The barker calls out, "Each lady is wearing one item that was also worn by the original Madame Masque. You each have one guess, and one minute to identify that item--whoever correcrly identifies the item wins. If nobody gets it right within the minute, the house takes the entire kitty. Good luck!" And with that he holds aloft a minute-glass and turns it over. The sand begins flowing downward...
There are numerous items common to 2 and even all 3 women, and you try to ignore their flirtations in order to recall what the original Madame Masque was wearing. Some of the most enticing frustration you've ever felt.
While focusing on whether there may actually be some belly hair around her navel, Aurk spots the item that's on all 3 images of Madame Masque...and had been worn by the original. He leaps to his feet , and the rest of the crowd tries to shout him down to keep the ladies on stage just a bit longer, but the irrepressible dwarf will not be silenced.
"It's the scarf that's colored just like this," Aurk bellows as he points to an odd bit of green moss that clings to his cloak while pointing to the scarf of the same color on each Madame Masque.
All 3 images smile at the dwarf, offer him a sweeping dancer's bow, then turn and walk back to the cabinet. Then the real Madame Masque steps out and removes from her throat the swamp-moss-colored scarf and holds it out to an exact replica of the scarf wrapped around the head of the Madame Masque on the left, who curtsies and disappears. The original Masque then holds it to the identical scarf wrapped around the waist of the middle Masque, who then curtsies and disappears. The real Madame Masque then holds the scarf to an identical scarf wrapped around the thigh at a height well-above scandalous on the remaining replica, much to the delight of the crowd. The replica offers a coppertone baby look of innocence over her shoulder before winking at the crowd and winking out of existence.
The original Madame Masque takes the hat from the barker and saunters ever so slowly toward Aurk, each sway of the hip mesmerizing and tantalizing. She plucks six silver out of the hat and places them one at a time in his palm, her smile somehow growing more seductive with each clink. She then turns and begins to walk away to the complaints of the crowd but then pauses. She takes the swampmoss scarf and wraps it around Aurk's wrist and ties it off.
She stands, blows Aurk one last kiss and saunters into the cabinet of mirrors, which slams shut just a second after the tent flap opens, giving the crowd outside a bare glimpse of Madame Masque.
The Barker shouts to the crowd, "Behold a rare treat! The incomparable Madame Masque has graced this dwarf with a token of her esteem."
The townsfolk contestants are flush with excitement as they rejoin the friends who remained, chattering about the exotic beauty known as Madame Masque. The well-dressed man with the ponytail is flush as well...with barely contained anger. He storms off, shoving his way through the crowd. Several other contestants offer polite congratulations to Aurk and the crowd begins to disperse. Further attractions are just a few steps further in...
The next tent along the midway is rather ragtag and shabby, with a sign that reads
All-Seeing Hajeck
Unfortunately, the attraction does not appear to be open.
PFS Module: The Harrowing
As the party strolls along, the overpowering smell of a menagerie begins to waft by, and you notice a strange humanoid creature flying in clumsy circles, capering about to the amusement of the crowd. Apparently its oversized ears grant it a primitive ability to fly!
Jaretti informs Rumple that most Panotti do indeed naturally have overlarge ears that allow them to fly, albeit rather poorly, but he was more intrigued by the woman's presence. Certainly all 3 people looked to be part of the Carnival crew. While the woman seemed curious about Aurk sporting one of Madame Masque's scarves, and even more surprised when she spotted Ankird the halfling sporting the paper crown, the carnie roadies called her away on what must have been more pressing business.
Of more immediate attention is the capering Panotti, whose antics have the crowd greatly amused, a juggling bit while he swoops about, with each ball striking his head before he catches it and tossing it back up, seemingly perplexed each time a ball strikes his head.
As you stroll closer, suddenly shouts of alarm and dismay ring in the air from the northeast.
see map
You see panicked townfolk running away (toward the southwest), and one woman shrieks, "The dragon is loose!" before tripping and falling to the ground.
A medium sized reptilian creature scrabbles forward on four legs.
Jaretti moves forward with alacrity, giving the panicked crowd a wide berth before reaching the woman's side. Aurk moves forward and begins trying to calm the beast.
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The odd, little dwarf's eyes go wide when he sees the dragon approaching. But when hears that it is just a lizard, the disappointment is clear on his face. Glumly, he glances around and realizes that the people distracted by the flying-ear-guy may not see the rampaging lizard. Hoping to get their attention, he casts Haunted Fey Aspect and rushes forward. He hopes to get between them and the lizard. He is also waving to the flying dude and pointing at the lizard.
As if on Rumple's cue, the Panotti swoops over toward the lizard. He seems reluctant to get too close to the creature, swooping in about 15' above it's head. "Please, please don't harm him, he's only a liz--a baby dragon, after all. He's just frightened and confused."
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Upon hearing the flying creature's words, the odd little dwarf's steps slow down and his expression changes to one of sympathy... What that looks like while under the guise of Haunted Fey Aspect, I cannot imagine. He nods to himself and then begins digging through his pack.
Unless anything drastically changes or they get the creature under control, Rumple will pull out a scroll of sleep and attempt to cast it on the lizard.
Aurk manages to catch the panicked lizard's eye and draw its attention. Ankird moves up and commands it to "Halt." Lucky for him, it seems the beast has been trained and responds to his command, which allows Aurk the time he needs to approach the beast and calm it down
The townsfolk that were originally fleeing the beast continue to do so, but the ones to the south watch, and you overhear snippets of them discussing whether it was part of some show.
Meanwhile the woman lying at Jaretti's feet gropes herself upright, eventually pushing herself all the way using the top of his head as a brace. She offers a polite curtsy in thanks before trotting off away from the lizard.
Aurk walks forward slowly, speaking softly, while Ankird holds out his hand in firm command, and between the two of you, the beast is calmed after about half a minute.
The panotti swoops down and checks on the beastie, then lets out a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much for your help. I am Phardaen--" even as he's speaking, a large Varisian man in a lion tamer's outfit comes running up. "and this is our Master of Beasts, Berthold Flavion."
"How in the name of Desna's arse did he get loose?" Flavion bellows. After a rushed but thorough inspection of the beast, he stands and offers his hand to Ankird and Aurk, and quietly says, "Both of you seem to have a way with beasts. Let me know if you need work." He raises his voice so the crowd can hear. "It's not easy capturing such a rare dragon, even one as young as this. You are certainly brave and daring. Here, as a token of our appreciation. And be sure to come to the show tonight." He hands over half a dozen VIP passes for tonight's show in the Big Top, as well as a small pouch of gold A couple of carnies show up with a with a muzzle and leash, and Flavion places them over the lizard's head then leads him away to the tent in the zoo area to the East/NE.
The panotti Phardaen says, "Thanks again for helping us with Lizzie. Flavion and his crew are very good at their jobs. That's the first time I've ever seen Lizzie loose. By the way, those passes mean you'll have front row seats for tonight's official grand opening under the Big Top. Enjoy." Even as he speaks, you see the Panotti looking around at the other carnies staffing nearby booths on the Midway. He leans in and speaks a bit more quietly. "I'm not really supposed to be performing over here, drawing attention away from the games and the menagerie. But that gold piece was just too much of a tip to pass up. I best head back to my area over on the other side of the menagerie." He spreads his ears and makes ready to fly off.
The sights and sounds of the Carnival wash over you. You have your fill of games, deep-fried foods, and bizarre and cheesy entertainment. The mood is somewhat more subdued than before the "baby dragon" got on the loose, but folks still seem to enjoy themselves. You do hear an occasional sourpuss mumble the occasional epithet about the "dirty Varisians endangering honest hardworking folk," but the rest of the evening is uneventful.
Then it's time for the "really big shoe." The usher--dressed up as a clown--escorts you to front row seats under the Big Top. As he hands Ankird a flower with a bow, it ends up behind the ear of Aurk. Even Jaretti appreciates the smooth professionalism of his sleight of hand.
The ringmaster is none other than the woman you spotted ordering the carnies around earlier. She's dressed in a bright, sparkly jacket with top hat, but there is no doubt. She narrates the show as acrobats and jugglers do their routines amid a panoply of strange animals--some naturally odd minor magical beasts, others more mundane animals done up to seem even more strange, until finally, Almara Delisen announces "Laaaadies and Gentlemen! It's time for the main event. What you have all been waiting for. It is my honor, my privilege, to present to you, Jherizhana the sphinx."
Spotlight lanterns shine up toward the roof some 30+ feet above. A panel drops open, and in swoops Jherizhana the sphinx. She is a large, magical beast with the wings of a falcon, the body of a lion and the head and torso of a beautiful woman. The crowd gasps when she first swoops down and does a single pass over their heads before landing high above the the large acrobat's platform near the roof. While her entrance was dramatic, you seasoned adventurers notice she never even gets within 10' of the crowd during her flyover, taking care to not endanger anyone, including herself. Some of the audience offer up secondary gasps when they realize her torso is uncovered.
pride themselves on their cold logic and impartiality. Sphinxes love riddles and complicated dilemmas, and treasure strange facts and arcane trivia far more than gold or gems.
While not great scholars in any traditional sense, sphinxes' great appreciation of puzzles leads them to research shallowly in a wide variety of subjects, and they can often be invaluable sources of information, especially when making use of their magical abilities. They are usually happy to barter with other races, and regularly trade material goods for information or new and interesting quandaries. Sphinxes place great value on politeness, but can be dangerously temperamental—while they may decide to share their latest riddles with travelers out of altruism, they think little of devouring those who don't give their dilemmas adequate attention or provide useful insight.
Sphinxes are typically 10 feet long and about 800 pounds. While their
wings are capable of holding them aloft for long periods of time, they are poor fliers, and prefer to land before engaging foes, lashing out with their powerful claws. Though fiercely territorial, they tend to give intruders plenty of warning before attacking.
She imperiously looks down at the crowd and her voice echoes throughout the Big Top. With a haughty chuckle she launches herself airborne and circles the tent one last time and flies off through the large flap in thr roof to the disappointed "Awwws" of the crowd.
Almara Delisen holds her hands up to the crowd as the spotlights converge on her. "Have no fear, gentlefolk of Ilsurian. Jherizhana will be making appearances in her own private viewing tent 3 times a day for the entire run of the Carnival. So tell your friends. Tell your family. Desna's Bells, tell your enemies...though it does cost extra to have Jherizhana eat them," she adds with a wink. She then doffs her tophat and offers a deep bow. "And that concludes our show for tonight." The spotlights cut off at the precise moment she dons her tophat and the house lights come up, as the crowd offers a round of applause. Then the ushers are there to guide folks out with polite words and gestures.
As you head back to the Crossroads Inn, you pass by the Locked Box, which still has the "Closed for the Carnival" sign on the door.
You spend an uneventful night in your rooms and are just finishing a simple but hearty breakfast in the mainroom of the inn when Narthi Vangkot (the Ulfen man who was running the lion-bell booth--though he's now dressed in simple Varisian garb) walks in.
He walks up to your table, doffs his cap and starts wringing it. He looks directly at Ankird and says, "Miss Almara Delisen respectfully requests your presence at her office. She has a potential job opportunity to discuss. Her office is the small blue tent behind the Big Top. You all will come, ya? Perhaps after you finish eating?"
He waits expectantly for your reply.
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While everyone is finishing their food, Rumple's mind wanders but he forgot to disengage his mouth, so you get to hear his musings. "They sure do have a wide range of interesting things there. I wonder if they have any animated skeletons or corpses. If they got a sphinx to join them, they might even have a vampire. Oh, I'd so love to meet one... and survive, of course. I wonder if that sphinx is real or not, like the lizard. Her top half sure seemed real enough. And that other guy's ears are huge! I wonder if he can hear anything other than the wind when he is flying. I don't know if I'd pay a gold piece to see him flap around in the air, but I surely part with one to see a ghost walk through a wall. I wonder if the dragon would have gotten loose if he hadn't been flapping around, making people laugh."
"I'll let her know you'll be coming soon." He nods his farewell and quickly departs.