"If we are giving this place a once over, I would like for it to be quick. Personally, I've been here far longer than I would like. It's time to move on."
”Sounds like a plan. Quick once over, then home.”
Go through any desks or areas we might have missed, detecting magic as well. Mostly looking for Aeon Stone stuff but anything of use would be nice.
"Let's get s..some fresh air." Charlie nudges Goliath out the door as he is looking forward to quite a bit of rest.
Haldan makes a quick once over of the desk in the woman's room. He finds nothing else but a journal. He flips through and it's mostly the bored ramblings of a depraved woman, but he does catch the name Cavnakash in one entry:
Cavnakash and the other disgusting xulgath's from Moonstone Hall continue to try my patience.. Still, if their leader is a priest of Zevgavizeb, it's worth the indignity.
Upon your return, you are greeted solemnly by Harlock Hamdeel who remains both deeply troubled and ashamed. He is heartened by the role you played in cleansing the hermitage, though, and he vows to make it "a sacred place once again." The people of Abberton are grateful for everything you have done. In a ceremony a few days after you return from the Erran Tower, the mayor pronounces you “Abbertonians in perpetuity.”
Perhaps most personally, the Circus of Wayward Wonders now sees you as their leaders. Abberton isn’t large enough or wealthy enough to support the circus for much longer. They look to you to answer the question, where to next?
As they pack up the tent Charlie has a few days after putting his things away. He grabs his new bow and sets off into the woods to practice a bit more with Goliath.
Charlie looks over a map of the area posted to the board in town. "Looks like Escadar is n..n..nearby, we can try and set up there?" His eyes drift down to the Tyrant's Grasp near the Cairnlands. This causes his hand to shake in fear.
The evening after returning, there is a lot of shouting coming from the trailer where Haldan said he was going. Hermann was being his usual self and bullying or manipulating Haldan into doing what he wanted him to do but tonight was different. Tonight, Haldan had had enough. Shortly after the arguing, an eerie silence fell over the wagon, and then a magical force rattled it, shot out and then all that remained was the silence. Haldan had had enough of the constant abuse and, with a prayer to Chaldira, Hermann was gone. In his place was a silent raggedy rabbit doll. But not just any raggedy doll, this was a gift from Chaldira, who had turned Hermann into one of her button fellows.
A smile came to Haldan then. A mischievous smile that turned into a bit of a cackle. This ended fairly quickly as Haldan had work to do. Preparations were needed before the next circus and there wasn’t a moment to waste. He went to sleep dreaming about what was about to happen next.
Waking up the next morning with a jump, Haldan rustled through his backpack to recover his face paint. He had always wanted to wear it before but Hermann made fun of him for it. But he will wear it proudly now. This will be a symbol of how he has changed. A new leaf has turned and Haldan was smiling on the inside as well as the outside, instead of just the latter. Haldan burst out of the wagon and leaped down to head over for breakfast.
”I need a new act…”
Tiny spends more time bonding with Þóðᛞrekkr, getting lots of tips from Charlie on how to train.
[b]"Escadar seems liek a next good location, What are the odds we can just preform in peace for a change?[/ooc]
Chark nods at the observations of Charlie and Tiny. Escadar seems logical, she muses. No need to try and cross the strait just yet, I think. Escadar offers the Absalom naval base, after all.
Dendillion tries to think if there's a daughter's father in Escadar that he might have angered, and shrugs. "I can't think why not. Let's make for Escadar."
The circus packs up and prepares to move. Before leaving Harlock Hamdeel remains both deeply troubled and ashamed. He is heartened by the role you played in cleansing the hermitage, though, and he "vows to make it a sacred place once again."
And with that, the party prepares for Escadar!
Book II: Legacy of the Lost God
09 Pharast 4720
The Story Thus Far
The circus’s four day overland journey to Escadar is largely uneventful, beyond a growing restlessness among the circus performers and hands. Word spreads quickly, Escadar is the home of the Celestial Menagerie after all. Many performers and hands are anxious
about Mistress Dusklight, the cruel circus master who manages the rival circus Celestial Menagerie in Escadar. Performers whisper stories about her kidnappings, mistreatment of animals, and use of magic and drugs to force performers into compliance. Some of you also have some strong feelings...
On the morning of the fourth day, you arrive at the city. The sharp tang of salt permeates the air, and the gulls that swoop and cry overhead mark the city’s proximity to the sea. Grandiose buildings at the city’s center rise above sprawling markets and squalid tenements. Proud ships sail in and out of the harbor with the wind as laborers and travelers mill about the docks and quays.
The tide of humanity ebbs and flows throughout the port city. Hawkers pace the crooked streets and shout various offers to passersby. Fishmongers sing out the daily catch, traipsing in meandering paths through crowded markets. Armed guards in navy‑blue uniforms with bronze badges patrol the busy intersections, their eyes scanning the crowds. Dirty‑faced urchins dart underfoot, seeking dropped coins or untended purses.
Walking through the streets of Escadar is similar to peering through the pages of history, as newer projects are built practically on top of older buildings. Foundations millennia old support brand-new structures, the city growing proudly higher and higher.
While your new-found adventuring sides likely want to find the source of the xulgath press, you are also leaders. The circus require a plot of unused land to house the wagons and the big top, and every circus owner knows that good relations with the local law helps prevent trouble. Mistress Elizia suggest that you speak with the head of Escadar’s city guard at Conclave Square.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chark gently puts her hand on Dendillion's sleeve. Let's make our way to the guardhouse, she says. Let them know we don't plan to cause them any trouble.
"Should we f..f..find a place to house he animals?" Charlie looks over, not sure the city want's wild beasts walking through their city.
Escadar’s civic functions are based in the massive structure known as Conclave Square. Once a collection of closely constructed buildings where Aroden’s priests handled the island’s civic matters, the buildings were expanded and connected generations ago. Now a single sprawling structure with several blended architectural styles, Conclave Square is the home of Escadar’s Lesser Council, city guard, and licensing offices. Those of you from the Menagerie know where it is. Dendillion asks a few locals, and it turns out you want Andera Paldreen, Escadar’s sternly efficient chief constable.
Escadar has always been known as a city of vices, with more than its share of smugglers’ warehouses, illicit brothels, and gladiatorial pits. Chief Constable Paldreen has been working hard to legitimize the city’s entertainment businesses. When you arrive you are told as such and that the wait could be a while.
Indeed, you find that you need to wait nearly a whole day....
A talkative senior constable named Darricus Stallit comes to fetch you eventually. Darricus accompanies you into Andera’s office after giving her door a quick knock. A moment later, you are bid to enter.
This circular office, paneled with rich brown wood, contains a writing desk, shelves stacked with records, and a row of chairs positioned near the door for visitors. A framed painting of a kestrel in flight hangs in a place of prominence behind the desk. A metal stand to the west displays an ornate falchion and a battle‑worn breastplate polished to a brilliant shine.
A small, muscular human woman sits behind the desk, dressed in a dark‑blue uniform with a golden badge of office pinned to the left shoulder. The shield‑shaped badge bears an engraving of an osprey with a fish clutched in its talons. The woman listens intently to the individual sitting across from her, a smarmy human man in a striking, royal‑purple suit only a few buttons and ruffles shy of garish.
The woman’s hawklike gaze darts to the opened door, and she holds up a hand apologetically to the man in purple. "Thank you, Delamar, for bringing this issue to my attention. If that’s all, though, it appears that I have another appointment. Can I help you?”
Delamar, Chark says coldly. It's always a pleasure. Her words are polite, but her tone makes it apparent that it is anything but a pleasure to see him.
Greetings, Chief Constable Paldreen. I am Chark Torrefi, and this is Ringmaster Dendillion. We are from the Circus of Wayward Wanderers, seeking a permit to hold a circus that will amaze and amuse your citizens. She bows slightly, her eyes moving back to Delamar with a glare. Might we secure a private audience for no more than a few moments of your precious time?
"Indeed. Delamar here has convinced me that he has a stake in this matter and that there is reason to deny your request. So, I guess he stays."
The man gives a wry grin.
Andera invites everyone into her office and insists that Delamar stay. Darricus smoothly moves behind Andera and stands at attention, observing the conversation to ensue.
"So," Andera says with interest, "Why should we let a second circus into town?"
(Deception)
(Diplomacy)
(Diplomacy)
(Deception)
(Diplomacy)
Round 1:
Dendillion: Go
Chark: Go
Tiny: Go
Haldan: Go
Charlie: Go
Delamar: TBD
Chark takes a deep breath and seeks the guidance of her patron before speaking.
Chief Constable Paldreen, she says smoothly, I would have you know whose guidance you seek. You surely know that Delamar here is affiliated with the Celestial Menagerie. What you may not know, however, is what goes on with the Menagerie behind the scenes. Their leader, Mistress Dusklight, is a cruel sort indeed. She kidnaps her performers, mistreats the animals in her care, and uses dark magic and even illicit drugs to force performers into compliance.
She pauses to gauge Delemar's reaction before adding, Besides which, when last these charlatans challenged the Circus of Wayward Wanderers to a circus duel in Abberton, they lost to us convincingly.
"You saw this .... personally?" She asks with genuine interest.
Chark pauses a moment, then: I have substantial first-hand knowledge of Mistress Darklight, Chief Constable Paldreen, she says, her face hard as stone. I wish I had not. Some memories do not fade with time.
"Interesting.... very interesting." She gives Delamar some side eye...
Round 1:
Dendillion: Go
Chark: Success
Tiny: Go
Haldan: Go
Charlie: Go
Delamar: TBD
Tiny cracks his knuckles and interlocks his fingers, flips his hands around and stretches out his arms "Anyway, their misbehavior aside, they can't possibly compete with..." Tiny rolls into a ball and tumbles forward jumping to his feet. "The world's tiniest Storm Giant!"
You're an incredible acrobat, evoking wonder and enrapturing audiences with your prowess. It's almost a performance! You can roll an Acrobatics check instead of a Performance check when using the Perform action.
"Huh... I don't think I've seen that act before... nor anything like it!"
Resistance: 3
Round 1:
Dendillion: Go
Chark: Success
Tiny: Crit
Haldan: Go
Charlie: Go
Delamar: TBD
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Hero point, pls.
Dendillion practically preens when Chark refers to him as the ringmaster, a title he had never dared give himself. A moment of self doubt fills him, but it’s quickly squashed by an enthusiastic embracing of the title. ”You should know that my companions here are all very experienced performers who could, and probably should, warn you of the conduct of the Celestial Menagerie. As I understand it, there’s nothing heavenly about it. But I digress. What you should be looking for as entertainment is a troupe who will raise the spirits of the lowest born souls. Whose artistry fills their audiences with the purest emotions. And who’s music is a balm for even the most wounded heart.”
The great bard bows, head dipping low. He holds this position for longer than rank warrants, then rises. ”Plus, quite frankly, we’re most assuredly more affordable.”
Dendillion's approach nearly fails before it starts, but in the end he makes enough of a case that she starts doing some mental math...
Resistance: 2
Round 1:
Dendillion: Success
Chark: Success
Tiny: Crit
Haldan: Go
Charlie: Go
Delamar: TBD
Charlie sites back, folds his arms as he is unsure where to start. He had joined late in the game and didn't come from the Celestial Menagerie like some of the others. He had merely falling in with them after stealing Goliath from their pens. Charlie would speak up if he had to, though he understood if he hit a hard point in his stutter that it may hurt their argument slightly or merely distract from it.
Haldan steps forward, in full makeup, and glares at Delamar.
"I'm not normally one to disparage others, but I will do my best to make an exception in the case of Delamar and Mistress' Menagerie. There is a reason we had left her show. Like Chark has stated, there were many instances of cruelty, drug use and dark magic. But none of these things gave them any talent or edge. We had simply wanted nothing to do with her moving forward.
They do seem a little obsessed with us though. Coming in here and talking about us behind our backs. Tsk tsk. I suppose there some sour grapes whenever all of you major talent walks out the door because they're tired of your antics."
Charlie stays mum as Haldan goes on the offensive. Both of Ander'as eyebrows go up. "Is that so?" she asks with obvious sharpness in her voice.
Delamar doesn't let up. "Of course they'd say that. They'd say anything to slander us! Just I like I told you I would. Remember? I mean just LOOK at that halfling. You're going to take HIS word? They're THE WORST."
Resistance: 4
Round 2:
Dendillion: Go
Chark: Go
Tiny: Go
Haldan: Go
Charlie: Go
Delamar: TBD
Slander implies that the allegations are not true, Chark says, which you cannot claim without lying, Delamar. Do you deny that Daring Danika uses a barbed whip on her poor lion Leandrus? Or that the fire-breather Viktor Volkano has, shall we say, left his impression on more than one person who tried to leave the Menagerie? At this she presents her left forearm and unfastens a bracer, revealing a scarred patch of skin. Or the abuse Mistress Dusklight herself has heaped upon her riggers, treating them as chattel slaves?
Emboldened by his previous success Tiny decides to speak up but stumbles a bit "Tell us Delamar... about those promises to the last 3 towns, did you not fulfill them as well?"
Chark's words sting. He begins to stutter as his defense crumbles. When Tiny steps in though, he finds his voice. "Bah! Look high and low my former coworker and you will see that we honored those contracts!
Resistance: 3
Round 2:
[b]Dendillion: Go
Chark: Success
Tiny: Fail
Haldan: Go
Charlie: Go
Delamar: TBD
Charlie grows angry, "Y..you are going to bring rr..race into this?" Charlie points to Delamar. "They tried to beat and m..m..murder us." Though Charlie is sure that Andera is ready to kick all of them out of her Office by this point as several unfounded accusation begin to fly.
”How dare you, sir. I have a very honest face. I should know, I’m the one who painted it on this morning.” *winks at Delamar. ”Ah thank you.”
Haldan brings his attention back to the head constable.
”I’ve gotta say, I do feel bad for Delladonna here. A really good salesman, and he is, with a subpar product is just a really good way to get the word out faster about the lack of quality of the product. This isn’t the case with the most recent town we just left. Abberton loved our show and loved how much we helped the town. We’re good for business on multiple levels, and the same can simply not be said for the Menagerie. But, they get work, because Delbert is good at his job. So good, in fact, that he got here and immediately started talking about us, didn’t you Delamina? And we appreciate the free advertisement but for next time, and we all know there will be a next time, maybe Dendillion can give you some talking points to work with because talking about us just makes you look small. And when a halfling calls you small, Deleanor, we know a thing or two about it.”
Andera's mouth opens as Haldan drops an alchemist's bomb on the conversation. For a solid 5 seconds, no one speaks...
Resistance: 1
Round 2:
Dendillion: Go
Chark: Success
Tiny: Fail
Haldan: Crit
Charlie: Go
Delamar: TBD
Dendillion says something fancy.
Andera taps her index finger to her , "Delamar, please excuse us. I need to discuss a potential site for their circus." The agitator departs with a final, unpleasant sneer.
.
Charlie smirks a bit, but he isn't one to gloat a victory. Especially against the Celestial Menagerie. "Th..this won't end well. They will want b..b.bood for this."
Andera doesn't deny Charlie's prediction, nor does she acknowledge it with words. Her expression, however, shows agreement. She then sighs as she clears her mind to negotiate.
"Unfortunately, the only large plot of land available for the circus is on Escadar’s outskirts. The area is easily accessible from the city, but it’s badly overgrown and rumored to hold treacherous terrain and dangerous creatures. If I'm being honoest, I see two advantages in leasing the site to you: I don’t risk my guards in the difficult task of clearing the area, and the city can put the site to productive use once your circus has moved on. I can show it to you on this map..."
She goes on, "The plot is a bramble‑filled valley along dirt roads about a mile north of Escadar. The mouth of the valley is mostly flat and screened by several old‑growth trees; when cleared of thorns and large stones, it would be an ideal place to set up the Circus of Wayward Wonders. The hills that bound the valley to the east contain a sprawling cave system, and the river that flows along the valley’s south side drains into a swath of swampland. Both the caves and the swamp contain dangers you should confront. I'll give you a couple of weeks to clear it.
Once cleared, it's all yours."
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Tiny nods at this given task.
Still better than being fired out of a cannon...
She waits to see if there are questions, though she obviously has other things to take care of. She writes on a calendar "Deadline to clear for Circus" next to the date 23 Pharast 4720.
Thank you, Chief Constable Paldreen, Chark says. We will keep you updated as to our progress in clearing the land of threats.
As they head out Tiny looks to hic companions "Why do they never start with the horrible monsters?"
With a nod, Andera picks up stack of papers and returns to her duties. The party then takes the dirt road to the edge of town to find their new plot.
The dirt road from Escadar ends abruptly at the bramble‑choked mouth of a forested valley. Granite hills rise to the east and south, providing a sheltered area where the trees have grown thick and wild. Two rough trails lead into the forest, one blocked by an enormous fallen oak, rotted and sprouting with mushrooms.
Zarlian snorts, "This... is going to take a while."
We could always go back to Abberton, I suppose, if you'd rather not make any coin, Chark says with a playful smile, teasing the elder statesman of the Circus. It will take time, yes. But it also won't do itself. Let's get to work.
The old barker gives a laugh, "True enough. It's still early in the day, I'll get the crew moving."
Charlie stands looking over the area. "We can check out the forest here to m..m..make sure there are no dangerous wildlife." He looks to the others. "Or should we just quickly continue on to the next town? Can we even b..b..break even with two circuses in town?"