Haldan tries to figure out a way to safely disable the trap, but after his first look he doesn't have it figured out yet.
Haldan finds a way to snip the line without setting the trap off!
The party ascends the stairs to the top. An ancient keep stands atop the hill, its crumbled stones blending with the natural granite. The south side of the keep bears a weathered wooden door beneath a squat tower of gray stone. The door’s lock is long gone, and it’s now held closed by a loop of leather.
"Doesn't look like anyone h.h..has been through this way." Charlie unloops the leather cord to open the door.
Charlie quickly discovers that he's wrong. Inside the small building is a trio of wererats. They yelp at the intrusion.
"AH! You forgot to set the trap Calim!"
"No I didn't!"
"Well how'd this happen?"
The third wererat turns to Charlie, "Are... are you here to kill us? Are you with the Bloodbiter Gang?"
"I can assure you that cold-blooded murder is not our tension," Dendillion says, holding a hand up to sue for peace. "What we have been asked was to make this fine area safe. So... who are you, and what can you tell us of the Bloodbiter gang?"
One named Calim answers,"They're your typical ruffian street gang in Escadar. They wanted us to join because of our skills in alchemy, but we wouldn't!"
The other, Lish, adds, "We had nothing to our names, so we took some of their stuff and ran!"
The third, one named Fidget, and the sharpest of the three says, "Please, we mean you no harm, and now that we're free, we don't need the gear, we can make it on our own." He lives up to his name as he effortlessly juggles some alchemical gear, apparently to calm himself down. "Wait... clear out this area? Why? It's dangerous."
"Right you are. But we are performers looking to put on a show, and the area we intend to setup is nearby. So we are making sure our audience won't have anything spring out at them," Dendillion explains, his tone amicable and calm. It's fairly obvious to the group that he's unconcerned about gangs and has moved on. "We've already encountered a warg and a wolf pack, as well as some vile ooze that came out of the water. What dangers do you know of?"
"...What do you mean a show?" Fidget stops juggling and listens intently.
The other two explain that they've seen the wolf-man, but he's not like them. He's different, sinister. The only other thing they've noticed is some kind of living pond scum at the bottom of the stairs.
Charlie leans down. "A c..circus." He explains that they entertain for coin. A group of outcasts and misfits that have no one but yet each other as a family.
"Wait... A CIRCUS? Do you think I could join? I have always wanted to show off my firework juggling act! ...please?"
"It seems we're of a like mind, as I was curious about what an alchemist could do. Can you perhaps give us a demonstration? A mini audition, if you will?"
"Omigoodness yes!" The plucky Fidget pulls elaborate fireworks from her bag, lighting and juggling them in a spectacle certain to amaze! It's definitely show worthy.
"So do I get the job?"
Dendillion smiles. "I think there's a spot for you in the circus. Stick with us while we finish securing the area, and we'll get you introduced to the others."
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"WOOHOO!"
When it becomes clear that they've done all they can, Dendillion suggests a return to the group. "I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to putting on a show!"
Tiny shrugs As long as they don't want to light me on fire, I don't see why not.
the stars of the circus return to raucous applause. It only took a single day! Everyone gets extremely excited. It's time to get back to business and put on a show!
”Ah, new recruits! Excellent! Lovely to have you join the show that never ends.”
The party takes some time to relax after a job well done. Eager to to make some money and ply their trade, the Circus of Wayward Wonders gets planning the Escadar show!
On the morning of 11 Pharast 4720 AR, work gets underway! Indeed putting on a show is a LOT of work! There's promotion to handle, acts to plan, and more!
"I would like to be in the show and have been planning out an act that would be better than my previous one. But, in the meantime, I will need to promote the circus. Anyone else planning on doing this?"
Fidget takes quickly to life in the Circus of Wayward Wonders.
The party has 6 days of preparation for the next big show! The only time sensitive circus work for the show is promoting it. Otherwise do what thou wilt!
Charlie: 6 Days Remaining
Chark: 6 Days Remaining
Dendillion: 6 Days Remaining
Haldan: 6 Days Remaining
Tiny: 6 Days Remaining
Charlie heads off at once as the group gets back to town. He works on getting Goliath some light protective barding as the bear seems to get injured quite often.
After fitting the barding over Goliath and adjusting the straps he finds some work around town, traveling with Goliath, charging the locals to pet him and showing off a few sample tricks to draw them into the circus.
Charlie works his side hussle for some extra cash and finds Escadar a generous place!
Chark: 6 Days Remaining
Dendillion: 6 Days Remaining
Haldan: 6 Days Remaining
Tiny: 6 Days Remaining
”Come one, come all! This week, the circus is in town! You will see all kinds acts and pyrotechnics and many wonders. This grand travelling caravan of magic and wonder must be seen by ladies and gents of all ages! This is your chance, fair city, to come to the recently cleared out area, made safer for you by The Circus of Wayward Wonders!!”
Tiny spends his time with the circus laborers putting in the hard work, and collecting an honest week's pay.
Promotion: 24
Advertisements: 0
Total: 0
Chark: 6 Days Remaining
Dendillion: 6 Days Remaining
At the end of each performance, Chark hands out leaflets for the Circus of Wayward Wonders (using her own funds, most likely).
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When the group arrives back at the circus, Dendillion sets to the task of earning the title of ringmaster. He gets all the performers together and begins his speech.
"My wonders! my fellow performers! And most importantly, my friends," he begins, beaming a smile at the collected ensemble. "I bring you the best of news: the area is cleared of any dangers, allowing us to have a show!"
He doesn't wait to see if any of them cheer, but fully expects them to feel a degree of elation. After all, this is what they live for. "And what a show we will give. I've been giving it some careful thought, and have decided how we should line up for the main event. It's going to be a delight worthy of our name. And, perhaps more importantly, will make the menagerie look small and lame."
"Our opener will be Tiny and his impressive Thunderstomp! Something loud and percussive to really get their attention."
"To do the build-up we'll have Charlie on the left stage, and Eliza & Mister Tickles on the right stage. Chark, we're going to want you helping with handling the animals, as I think this will be an animal-centric show. The kids love animals!"
"The big number will be performed by yours truly. After all, I'm long overdue to put my act to the main stage, and I can assure you the audience will be in stitches when they hear the musical tale I'll be telling. Also, it'll be something a bit more for the adults, but no worries, it'll be swear-free."
"And of course, the finale," Dendillion smiles beatifically, his body moving with excitement. He's like a man who, in his mind, has just seen the show in question. "We'll have Mordaine the Magician on the left, Haldan in the centre, and our newest act! Fidget will show off his fireworks. Imagine, two dangerous acts happening simultaneously! One fire and explosions, the other the threat of watery death!"
"Alright, let's get to it! I'm looking forward to our best show yet!"
================================================================
Once the crowd begins to disperse the great bard calls over Chark. Knowing that she'll be taking care of the advertisements, he takes out several coins from his belt pouch and hands them to her.
================================================================
Dendillion then heads over to see Mordaine in her tent, intent on talking to her about her act. "Mordaine! My sun and stars! May the goddess forgive me, but I must say that Shelyn herself cannot hope to hold a candle to your beauty!"
He spends several minutes talking to her about her act, asking questions about herself, and genuinely fawning over her. If she didn't realize that Dendillion finds her enchanting before, she knows it now. But he does bring up the idea of letting Haldan help in her performance. "As a second fiddle, no more. Think of him as your assistant, even! He's a rogue and rapscallion who knows his way around locks though, so he could be of use to you."
Afterwards, the great bard and ringleader boldly asks Mordaine out. "Would you be so kind as to join me for dinner? I think both you and I deserve a bit of downtime to enjoy the best that Escadar has to offer."
================================================================
Five full days yet remain, and though he hopes to be able to spend some free time with Mordaine he is also unable to resist the call of his musical muse: the great Countess de Tulia, a Lyrakien Azata of some fame in the Hold of Belkzen. And so he takes his lute and leads by her example, performing for those who will listen to the busker as he busks.
Promotion: 24
Advertisements: 2
Total: 26
Chark works the week as the party prepares for the show. The ringleader does an amazing job preparing the acts, leaving everyone pumped up and excited!
It's time for the show!
The morning of Pharast 17 is clear and cool for the season. There's a hustle and bustle about the grounds.
The flurry of activity continues throughout the day, and the show is now scheduled to go on in minutes! It feels good to be back
The trained ears of the heroes note that it's not all happy. Just before the show is about to go on, Axel the Unproven comes to you and reports that Delamar Gianvin is offering higher payments for the performers to come work for Mistress Dusklight, "delivering these employment offers with vague threats about consequences of refusal!" None of us want to leave, but the sly agitator’s offers have many of us rattled!"
Murmurs roll through the circus as eyes turn to the party.
"Den, you want me to back up Mordaine? And she went for that? I'll see what I can do to slow things down for her to make her look good."
Haldan walks away chuckling to himself, flipping cards in the air.
Dendillion sighs. "I should have anticipated that those scoundrels will cause mischief. But honestly, I admit that I had expected the stories to be enough of a deterrent. Still, I will speak to the others."
Dendillion flips over a small wooden box and steps up onto it, making himself visible to the others. Raising his voice, the ringmaster speaks. "My wonderful friends! A moment, if you will? Though we don't have one amongst us, I would like to address the elephant in the room."
Once he has everyone's attention, he resumes his speech. "I have no doubt that you may have heard of the threat-riddled overtures coming from that scoundrel Delamar Gianvin. Some of you may feel enticed by that, and some of you are likely nervous about the threats. Were I alone, I might feel the same too."
"That's why I want to remind everyone that you are not alone," he says, stomping his foot on the wood box for emphasis. "I know that each and every one of you cares for this circus, and for your fellows in the circus. We are no mere misfits. We are a family! And I can tell you now that, when we work together, the wonders we can make manifest know no bounds!"
"So let's have a great show tonight! And when our run here is complete I can say with confidence that we are going to celebrate in style!"
Dendillion's words are soothing, and the performers seem to be at ease.
Chark's face darkens at the mere mention of the Celestial Menagerie, and she is quietly relieved that she doesn't have to address the entire Circus when she is already angry. Dendillion's soothing words make her confident that the trust placed in him to assume the leadership role has been well-placed.
She catches the ringmaster's eye and gives a smiling nod. Well done, Den. Well done indeed.
"We ain't outa the woods yet!" The Professor hands Chark a silvery ticket marked with the ornate “CM” logo of the Celestial Menagerie.
Dendillion curses. "If they put even half this sabotage effort into their actual show then they might actually be decent competitors. As it stands, we can sort this mess out..."
Hero Point reroll, please
Dendillion rallies a few of the crew to toss the competitors out, and the show can finally go on!
Charlie sighs in relief as Dendillion rapidly quashes the competition before too many of the locals realize what was even happening. "I..I..I swear they are following us on purpose." He curses in anger, as he has difficulty concentrating on the show now.
"I'm starting to think so too, Charlie. And why not? We're all clearly more talented, successful, and happier than they are," Dendillion says, shaking his head. "Jealousy is a sad, yet dangerous, state of being."
15 Calistril 4720
Escadar, Isle of Erran
Show Date: 17 Pharast 4720
Purchase Temporary Upgrades: Advertisement
Total Cost: 0 (Paid for with Personal Funds)
Determine Non-Performer Roles:
Animal Handler: TBD
Back Up Clown: TBD
Carnival Barker: TBD
Clown Coordinator: TBD
Costumer: TBD
Medic: TBD
Pyrotechnic: TBD
Security Guard: TBD
Random Event: :
Starting Anticipation: 20 (MAXed out)
The weather turns sour in the afternoon, and it's going to be a stormy one. That just means those who brave it will be looking for entertainment!
"Just throwing this out there but, what if, you know, when. we're ready to head out of town, we sabotage some of their wagons and delay them from following us? I'm just saying, they're not exactly playing fair with us..."
Tiny responds sarcastically "But wherever we go we'll heave to deal with their local monster infestation just long enough that they can catch up.... That said, it would likely make me feel better."
"I'm not against a bit of reprisal, but first we have to take care of our own. Let's see this show through, then we can scheme."
Dendillion then heads over to Charlie. He puts a hand on the man's shoulder. "I want you to know that, of all the people performing tonight, yours is the show I'm most looking forward to seeing. And so will the children," he smiles, oozing his usual irrepressible confidence. "Your show has humour, skill, excitement, and of course a delightful animal. I could only wish my tricks were as well rounded. So knock em dead, my friend."
Charlie smiles, his morale lifted a bit as he doesn't wish to let the children down. He just only hopes his heart is in it as much as he wishes it to be. "I'll do my b..b..best Den."
”Well, I suppose, in the meantime, we could still have a little fun.”
And with this, he winks at the crew as he takes his button fellow Hermann off his belt to let the poppet walk beside him and he casts a spell to change his clothing to look like the notorious ringmaster outfit of Mistress Dusklight.
Trick 1:
Action 1: Go!
Action 2: Go!
Action 3: Go!
Current totals:
Completed Stage(s): None
Anticipation: 20
Excitement: 0