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Brin lags behind the group as they leave the strongman's booth, and he fishes out a copper, seeming to be goodnatured about the contest.
"I think I will give it a try after all. Thank you good sir!"
He takes the mallet in both hands, and makes a show of it being very heavy, but he smiles throughout the challenge, win or loose.
"Well, it wasn't my best I'm sure, but thank you for the fun!" he says after his attempt.
Quickly catching up to the others, and hearing the challenge involved he readily offers up a silver.
"A silver it is! Here you go friend." Brin says with enthusiasm as he passes over his silver piece.
"I'm glad you asked, my little friend. 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 to 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. 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 to describer her..."
4 more men from the crowd hustle forward and put in their silver, and the barker jingles the coins in 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 glimpse of rare beauty?"
A well-dressed local man steps forward and offers a sneer to the other contestants as he drops in his silver coin. He's a fit, middle-aged Chelish man sporting a pony tail.
And before his coin can even clink with the others in the hat, the barker sweeps it closed with a bow, and gestures the contestants to step a little closer to the runways. The four guards quickly close the tent flaps. Wisp and Myth wait outside as Patros, Jerbrick, Leppin & Brin join the other 8 contestants disappear behind folds of colorful canvas.
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Brin's eyes barely widen, but widen they do when he sees the newcomer's weapons and armor. Fine quality items. Interesting.
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As most of the townsmen begin to hoot and leer, the guards step forward and make certain everyone keeps back. The well-dressed man 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 Patros 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 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. If nobody gets it right, or answers 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.
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Surprised at the effect the beauties have on him, Brin just smiles and enjoys the show, thinking it well worth the price of admission.
"Good luck friends. I'm afraid my coin belongs to the house"
"Simply splendid." he says to no one in particular.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"It's the scarf that's colored just like this," as Leppin holds out a tuft of his hair and points to the various scarves on the 3 Madame Masques.
All 3 images smile at the gnome, offer him a sweeping dancer's bow, then turn and walk back to the cabinet. The real Madame Masque steps out and removes from her throat the Leppin-hair-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.
Madame Masque & friend
The original Madame Masque takes the hat from the barker and saunters ever so slowly toward Leppin, 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 scarf that matches Leppin's hair and wraps it around Leppin's waist and ties it off at a jaunty angle.
She stands, blows Leppin 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.
Wisp and Myth listen to the crowd inside reacting in ways both loud and lascivious. Suddenly the tent opens, and they catch a glimpse of a stunningly beautiful Varisian woman wearing silks of red and black standing inside a large cabinet lined with mirrors that slams shut before any true details can be gleaned. Three of your four fellow pathfinders, Patros, Brin and Jerbrick have looks on their flushed faces ranging from bemused to stunned. The grin on Leppin's face stretches from ear to ear as the Barker shouts to the crowd, "Behold a rare treat! The imcomparable Madame Masque has graced this gnome with a token of her esteem."
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 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 creature flying in clumsy circles, capering about to the amusement of the crowd.
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Jerb thinks he has spotted a difference but just before he can speak up, his gnome friend beats him to it, with a much better solution anyway. Jerb tugs his ear in disappointment.
"Brothers, you missed quite a performance indeed! Quite a becoming lass that one, especially when there are 4 of her! Like some kind of wonderful dream."
Jerbrick continues to stroll along through the midway, oblivious to anything else which might be occurring.
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No longer stunned by an ephemeral female beauty, Brin's faculties seem to have returned.
He quickly notices the woman following his group and instantly identifies the flying creature above them. He whispers short details to his group, so they can all be in the know.
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As the group discusses the woman's presence, they know all 3 definitely looked to be part of the Carnival crew. While the woman was curious about Leppin sporting one of Madame Masque's scarves, 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 update .
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.
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The tiny wayang licks his left thumb before holding his arm out to take aim. He then pushes his palms together. As he pulls them apart others notice a small swirling globe. as it spins, it gathers dirt and other loose items in the area. Wisp crouches slightly as he pulls his hands to his right hip. With a twist of his body and a thrust of his arms, a torrent of wind swirls beam like at the lizard.
for
Slightly confused, "Oh...are you sure Patrosrandalios? It looks like all the stories."
Patros rushes forward to protect the fallen woman while Wisp and Mythryndyr lash out with air and arrow. The monitor lizard reels in anger and confusion, nearly staggering under the assault.
Brin launches a tanglefoot bag and the creature is entangled in gooey glue, but it manages to advance, hissing in anger. It lurches towards Brin, intent to attack the one who last struck it. Due to its entangled condition it takes 2 moves just to get to him.
The panotti comes flapping over the tent toward you, plaintively crying out, "Don't hurt Lizzie--I mean our baby dragon. It's, uh, just a baby!"
He has no weapons out, and he seems relieved to see the tanglefoot goo, i.e. seems to recognize some nonlethal measures are being used.
The woman who fell crawls behind Patros, keeping him between her and the "dragon."
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Brin withdraws to safety, not wanting to hurt the creature, nor be drawn into its terrible grasp. He hopes the creature will still try and go after him with its slower movement, giving the team more time to bring it down.
He takes a zigzag path, hoping to confuse the creature if it follows and keep it from running directly at a friend.
Mythryndyr's shot renders it unconscious.
A couple of townsfolk lookie-loos give out a cheer at Mythryndyr's deadeye skills. "Of course, it was the Chellish fellow that brought it down..."
The woman lying at Patros feet gropes herself upright, working her hands along Patros strong body. She begins speaking in a sultry voice. "My, such a brave, strong--" Her voice cuts off as she gets a better look at her rescuer. She quickly tries to recover her composure. "THank you so much for protecting me." She offers a polite bow and slips away into the gathering crowd.
The panotti swoops down and checks on the beastie, then lets out a sigh of relief, examining blunt tips of Myth's broken arrows. "Thank you so much for your restraint. 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 Mythryndyr, then the rest of the party. "Thank you for going easy on my beastie." 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 , even as a couple of carnies show up with a hand cart. They carefully transfer the lizard onto it, taking it back to the tent in the zoo area to the East/NE.
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You're welcome ma'am. Happy to be of service. Patros sats as she gathers herself and walks away. He ponders what changed her demeanour as he turns to tge alleged "Beastmaster.
I would have words with you, sir. he growls as he points his gnarled finger at the man's chest.
I understand that thus is a circus, but this lizard is poisonous. Did you not know or even care? Well, what say you, o great tamers of beasts?
He replies in an overloud voice. "Of course we take precautions! And our little baby never hurt anyone. He just wanted to look around. Dragons are such curious creatures. Now if you'll excuse me, we must attend to its wounds. The show must go on!" With a nervous chuckle, he hustles his men away with the cart.
The panotti Phardaen says, "Don't mind Flavion. He's more comfortable tending his animals than talking with people. He rarely leaves that menagerie. Flavion and his crew are very good at their jobs. That's the first time I've ever seen Lizzie loose."
He takes a second look at the interesting collection of beings standing before him. "So, I'm guessing you're not from around here...except maybe you?" He nods at Myth. "You have some relatives around here? I'm betting on your mom's side..."
Phardaen notices the scarf tied around Leppin's waist and offers a wide grin. "Ah, so you're the 'little fella' that won Madame Masque's token. Folks are chatting about that. Well done! As for Panotti, while we're not known as the most agile of flyers, it is no more difficult than using your legs to walk. As for Jherizhana, your first chance to see her will be tonight's show under the Big Top. She will be doing appearances for smaller crowds a few times a day after things kick off tonight. We're still in previews, if you know what I mean. Things officially start with tonight's opening show under the Big Top."
You notice Phardaen looking at the carnies minding the various booths and games in the Midway and he says "I'm not really supposed to be performing over here, drawing attention away from the games. 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 Leppin a flower with a bow, it ends up behind the ear of Mythryndyr. Even Leppin 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.
She imperiously looks down at the crowd and her voice echoes throughout the Big Top. "Which of you mortals would know the secrets of the Sphinx? Who would dare face her riddles?" With a haughty chuckle she launches herself airborne circles the tent one last time and flies off 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 costs extra to have Jherizhana eat them...). And that concludes our show." With a bow, the spotlights cut off, and the house lights come up, as the crowd offers a smattering of applause. Then the ushers are there to guide folks out with polite words and gestures.
As you head back to 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 whack-a-lion booth) walks in.
He walks up to your table, doffs his cap and starts wringing it. He looks directly at Leppin 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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Leppin claps and hops in his seat throughout the circus performances. He is just as entertained by the animals whose disguises he sees through as he is by the actual magical beasts they present, appreciating the artistic effort the circus has put forth. He chatters about the performances and parade of beasts all the way back to the inn, talking his companions' ears off.
"Well sure!" Leppin says to the strong man. "I don't know what we have to offer--it's such a magnificent circus--but I'm happy to help. Do you think she'll let us have a private audience with the sphinx in exchange?" The gnome stares at the Ulfen with big, hopeful eyes.
At mention of the sphinx, Narthi starts shifting from foot-to-foot, and you notice a few locals in the main room turn their heads and give a dirty look at the Ulfen man once recognition dawns on their faces.
"Um, you'll have to take that up with Almara. I'll let her know you're coming."
With that he offers a quick bow, pulls his cap down low covering the upper part of his face and heads out the door as the dirty looks follow him.