GM Kate's Extinction Curse [closed]

Game Master Kate Baker

The gamblers smirk at Prism and Mukluk, and start openly asking for bets on whether Prism will die in her big act, but when Niksi comes out, their eyes go wide. They look at each other nervously and make their way out of the crowd slowly, keeping an eye on her as they go.

Rova doesn't know snakes nearly as well as she knows pachyderms, but the snakes that were hiding in the bleachers do seem poisonous. Elizia has been looking carefully at the wounds and says, "Well, it was definitely vipers that killed him. I know this looks bad since I've got vipers, but I swear, they were in their cages all day! Besides, this isn't even normal viper behavior. They usually just bite once to get you to go away. To be bitten this many times? Either there were a hundred snakes or someone was controlling them, making them do this."

Around this time, the Flamboni Sisters and Mordaine finish their act.

A stagehand finds the gnome. "Prism, you're up!"

Time for Prism's big act! Yours will function a lot like Axel's in the opener. You get three actions, and each time you use the same skill, you take a -5 penalty. Unfortunately, at first level, you only get one available skill. Your trick might have a trait from the list that has an action associated with it, which gives a +1 to that trait. You're trying to hit a DC 15. If you totally mess up, you can always Send in the Clowns to save the act!

Mukluk goes and checks on his gear again, wishing he has some treats for the animals, but goes out empty handed. Checking on his stuff, he returns to see what happens with Prism.

”You got this, Lass, you magnificent walking oily rainbow. Go show them a color they haven’t seen since the last time their cat offered a hairball,” Mukluk offers his good wishes.

Rova -- though she wants to watch; that's why she joined the circus, after all -- is too distracted by the snakes to see what Prism is doing.

"Do you want to look at the ones I got out of the stands?" she asks Elizia. "Maybe they're responsible? It seems odd that they would be in the tent just when the Thunder died of snake bites. Maybe you can tell something?"

Assuming the woman agrees, Rova will lead her to the other reptiles.

Prism gulps deeply as she is nervous. She closes her eyes and fist-pumps the air one more time as she walks through the curtain.

You got this!

She walks out and all eyes are on her and her now dull red hair. She scans the crowd. She slows down her speech to not throw off any in the crowd. "For this I will need a few volunteers that wish to partake in a quest for the Starstone itself. There will be danger, there will be excitement and even the possibility of death itself!" Gasps go through the crowd as a few hands raise into the air.

Corkas tries to pick out some of the more able bodied in the crowd as the stage is set behind her, a thick cloying mist fills the entire floor of the stage so as to hide the safety nets. Tanks with flames along the edges, with nearly invisible rings from the side line the center followed by a thin tightrope and a platform near the end with entrance into a tower where a prismatic crystal hangs twirling in the air.

As the group gathers Prism explains. "This will be a contest of speed and agility to the starstone itself." The whole time a story is being told to the audience to add a bit of ambiance to the spectacle. Dark unseen shapes move about the mist as the forms of numerous clowns shift to help if in need. The buzzer goes off and Prism rushes across a shaky wooden platform as she leaps for a ring to swing across a 20 foot pit of flames. Grabbing ahold of the rings from the angle of the cloud gives the impression of her flying.

Acrobatics DC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

She easily flits across the flames, her feet skimming along the center of the cooled coals as the fire roars along the edges only. All that stands between her and the stone is is a tightrope to a platform.

Acrobatics DC 15: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 5 = 16

She misplaces a step or two but ends up making the platform. A few of the participants are coming close behind her. As another reaches the f=platform itself, she reaches out for the stone, her fingers inches away as the portion of the tower crumbles The prismatic stone falls below into the mist. Raising her arms out Prism dives down to the floor. Reaching the safety net prism concentrates on her features and every strand of hair on her body rapidly flashes a different color very quickly. This causes the fog below to also flash colors as if some unseen magical battle is being fought in the mist below.

Prism quickly leaps up from the net and back up onto the platform, her features every bit the color of the rainbow as it rapidly flows colors, as she transforms from the Starstone. Seeing others in trouble Prism leaps to their safety with much greater speed as she almost seems to disappear and reappear in areas, just in time to grab someone from falling, helping them across the flames and leaping back into the mist just in time to aid everyone across. As everyone reaches safety she gives a small bow.

Definitely going to have to work on this trick a bit more.

Acrobatics DC 15: 1d20 + 7 - 10 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 10 = 11

Do we want to send in the clowns for the final one?

You have 2 successes, right? I don’t think that’s a critical failure, so you got 2 wins and that’s pretty nice. I think. So no clowns, better to save those for Mukluk’s upcoming disaster.

”There you go, Prism. Not bad at all. Not bad at all,” Mukluk seems encouraged by the performance...and then, as if worried, about his own preparations, goes to check on his rig, his cannon, his Moose, and his boom powder, to make sure it’s all good.

Elizia comes along with Rova and examines the snakes. "Vipers. That's certainly consistent with the Thunder's bite marks. They seem to be acting pretty normal, though."

Meanwhile, the crowd cheers with delight at Prism's performance!

As Prism takes her bow, all four of you notice something happening in the second row. A man and woman, extremely intoxicated, have been heckling throughout the performance. The people next to them have looked increasingly uncomfortable, and now the two look like they're getting physically aggressive with the audience members around them.

There are a couple of minutes before the finale as Prism's equipment is taken down and everyone else's equipment is brought in.

Rova makes sure the others notice the disturbance as she heads over -- can't anything go right tonight? she thinks -- fists on her hips.

"Hey!" she yells at them, looking far more fierce than a painted halfling might be expected to. "Don't make me send the clowns to come get you! You're not letting anyone watch what's going on!"

Niksi pats Rova on the shoulder. "Allow me to handle this."

She strides right in front of the two aggressors. She does an extravagent bow, taking off her hat in the motion, but she chops up the motion with stilted starts and stops. She's wearing her "happy" faceplate this time. She speaks with an affected cheeriness, sounding out every syllable clearly. "Salutations. I was looking for a nice couple who have drunk themselves. Your minds will simmer just right. I am your guide to the Never-was and Yester-will. All you have to do is stay right here, and I will take you on the most diagonal journey into The Space Between. We shall see how you twist up and right and inside and into yesterday. You want to see The Unraveling, don't you?" It's all nonsense of course, but they don't know that. Through in an ominous vague reference, put in a word that sounds almost right but not quite, and play it completely straight...it's all just practice and study.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

She most certainly does not want them to stay, of course. Just hoping to make them freaked out enough about staying that they will immediately leave, especially since they are intoxicated

Oh bravo, Niksi.

Mukluk leaves tending to the drunks to the others. If he went, then it would just get ugly, and he was trying to avoid unnecessary fights.

He keeps his eyes on making sure there are no more issues.

”Alright now. Let’s pack that away good and get ready for the next. C’mon now. No lollygagging.”

While the gamblers slinked away in the face of Niksi’s terrifying presence, these two instead wind up to throw a punch!

They will start out demoralized because of the impressive Intimidate check! I’ll get the combat started this evening, but in the meantime, let me know if you would like to use a social skill for your initiative roll.

Oh s#%+! Sorry everyone :( was hoping to send them packing without combat

I am good with rolling any social skill for initiative that you think makes sense, as I have the same bonus in all of them anyways and I’m still having trouble visualizing init via them

Oof. Yeah, Niksi, I thought you nailed it. Never can tell what is going to work with them drunks.

If Mukluk sees the fists about to be thrown, he’s react accordingly. Mukluk, in general, will use Perception for initiative, -1 vs. auditory stuff.

While much of the crowd seems cowed by Niksi's impressively terrifying speech, these jerks seem like they won't leave without a fight.

Initiative!
Rova
Jaleen, jerk, frightened 1
Mukluk
Niksi
Rhovo, jerk, frightened 1
Corkas

The audience watches you all, unsure of what's happening. "Is this part of the show?""Nah, it's just a couple of drunk jerks.""Are they going to actually hurt them?""I hope they do, the jerks!""No, that would be awful! This is the circus, they shouldn't beat people up here."

Rova is up! I tried to sort of place people based on what you were doing.

She doesn't want to hurt them, but they need to stop this, Rova thinks. Maybe they can scare them away by ... well, being a different type of scary than Niksi.

"Thkrull!" Rova calls, "We need your help!"

She sizes up the two drunks.

"Leave now, or my elephant will make you leave!" she calls out.

Action 1: Command an Animal.
Action 2: Hunt Prey: Jerk J
Action 3: Demoralize Jerk J
Intimidation (untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Hearing his name, Thkrull comes trotting toward his halfling to see what it needs. He hears it shouting and decides to add his own voice to the tumult. After all, he's far louder than anything else!

The ensuing trumpet reverberates around circus, drawing stares as nearby conversations suddenly fall silent and children cover their ears.

Thkrull trumpets again, just for good measure.

Action 1: Move (already marked on Google Slides)
Action 2: Demoralize Jerk R
Intimidation: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Though impressive, Thkrull is unable to demoralize the drunken jerks.

One of them hops down from the bleachers, and comes at Niksi with a couple of punches! "I'm going to knock that mask off!"

punch, frightened: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 1 = 26
ouch!: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 B, nonlethal

punch, second, frightened: 1d20 + 8 - 4 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 - 4 - 1 = 8
ouch!: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 B, nonlethal

Looks like a crit and a miss?

Initiative!
Rova
Jaleen, jerk
Mukluk
Niksi, -12 hp
Rhovo, jerk, frightened 1
Corkas

Mukluk and Niksi are up!

Round 1

Action 1: Stride.
Action 2: Throw a jab.
Action 3: Trip a jerk.

"Ah nah! I don't want to fight, but I will protect my own," Mukluk grumps forward his hands clenching into fists rather than drawing his hammer or clan dagger.

Melee Strike:
Fist: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 to hit;
B: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 non lethal damage

"You don't attack my friends. You just don't," Mukluk tries to trip the drunk on his own feet.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Athletics to trip

Niksi carefully backs away, then rushes away out of the melee. She cannot take another hit like that, and she knows it. More than that, she doesn’t want someone forcing her to break character. She pushes through her pain and plays to the audience. Luckily(?), she finds she does not need to exaggerate her wounds for sympathy, feeling dizzy from that mighty hit.

”Kind audience members! Do you see how grateful these two are for our simple attempts to offer a glimpse of joy and the strange? I only offered them a journey and they struck me! We apologize for their rudeness, and we shall take care of them so you can continue to your fun. Your assistance is appreciated, but not necessary.”

She infuses her speech with her magical powers, inspiring her allies with her confidence and professed command of the situation, as well inspiring any audience members that take her invitation to assist.

Actions: step, stride, Inspire Courage

Mukluk punches the jerk in front and then knocks him down. "Hey, that's cheating!"

Trip does take the multiple attack penalty, but you still easily beat his Reflex DC.

Niksi backs away and the audience seems moved by her comments.

The other jerk gets very angry. "You can't just knock down my boyfriend like that!" She jumps down and tries to sucker punch Mukluk.

If Mukluk has an Attack of Opportunity, he can use it.

punch, frightened, vs flat-footed: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 1 = 24
angry ouch!: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

Initiative!
Rova
Jaleen, jerk, -5 hp, prone
Mukluk, -5 hp
Niksi, -12 hp
Rhovo, jerk
Prism

Mukluk takes a glancing blow and responds to it with a jab inspired by Niksi’s words.

Melee Strike:
Fist: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 = 30 to hit;
B: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8 non lethal damage

”You don’t attack my friends,” Mukluk shakes with anger. ”I warned you. I don’t want to fight. But if you make me fight. You won’t like it.”

Ah yeah, UPPERCUT! 16 nonlethal.

"Stop, there's not time for this!" Rova tells the drunks. "Thkrull, we need your help!"

She tries to knock the other jerk down, before backing up. She doesn't need to experience being punched in the face before she dies, especially if it's anything like the punch Mukluk just threw!

Athletics (trained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Action 1: Command Thkrull
Action 2: Attack (trip)
Action 3: Step south

Not sure this will actually happened if Mukky just KO'd her.

Thkrull -- realizing these were more lioness than hyena; not willing to back down when it was obvious they should -- moves in to make his point more clear. He wraps his trunk around the animals trying to hurt his halfling and weighs them down.

Action 1: Move (I moved him 5 ft. on the sheet, but might have to move farther to the other side if Jerk R is unconscious)
Action 2: Support (Your elephant uses its trunk to grab and hamper a foe. Until the start of your next turn, any creatures your elephant threatens is encumbered. (Note, this would make it Clumsy 1, so a -1 to Dex checks including AC, and a 10-ft. penalty to speed. That said, my reading of this would be that if it Stepped or Strided away from the elephant with its first action, it would lose that penalty.)

Mukluk strikes the rowdy jerk with a powerful blow as she jumps down!

Rova successfully trips her and Thkrull uses his trunk to stop her from getting up easily again.

Prism stands over the jerk. "Youreadytogo...peacefullynow?" She flits a small dagger from her side, in case she has to cut anything free and pops the jerk on the forehead with the pommel.

... ◆⃟ Move into Flank
... ◆⃟ Draw Dagger
... ◆⃟ Attack

Dagger; Inspire; Flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12
Damage (Non-lethal): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Sneak Attack Precision Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Prism bops Jaleen with the dagger! He seems particularly mad about it. "What! Even the gnome!"

He rises (provokes if Prism has an AoO, Mukluk has already used his reaction this round), pounds his fists together, and then lashes out at Prism!

punch!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
angry ouch!: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

He still seems to be seeing stars from falling down, as he misses entirely!

Initiative!
Rova
Jaleen, jerk, -11 hp, prone
Mukluk, -5 hp
Niksi, -12 hp
Rhovo, jerk, -16 prone
Prism

Round 1

Action 1: Strike.
Action 2: Strike.
Action 3: Strike.

"Still fighting, huh? Alright then..." Mukluk continues to thrash around.

Melee Strike @ Rhovo:
Fist: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 = 22 to hit; (+flank)
B: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7 non lethal damage

Melee Strike @ Jaleen:
Fist: 1d20 + 9 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 - 4 + 1 = 9 to hit;
B: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9 non lethal damage

Melee Strike @ Rhovo:
Fist: 1d20 + 9 - 4 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 4 - 4 + 1 = 11 to hit; (+flank)
B: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6 non lethal damage

Edited for inspire.

@Mukluk Don’t forget inspire courage!

Niksi sees the battle is still going, though thankfully in her friends’ favor, and decides it is time to start the real music.

She pulls out her travel instrument from her bag. Appropriately, it’s an odd device, something she picked up from a sound artist named Foley in her first circus: A waterphone. Rather than use the traditional bow, she draws her dagger and runs it along the tines. The song haunts and disquiets, but it also somehow emboldens her allies, as they perhaps realize that no matter what they are up against, there is always something scarier and stranger, and—as long as Niksi is on their side—that something will always have their back.

Draw instrument, draw dagger, inspire courage

Mukluk Strikes Rhovo twice! The Clumsy condition from the elephant just let that 11 hit.

Rhovo stands to her feet, eyeing the dangerous creature next to her as well as the elephant.Provokes from Mukluk! She seems like she's basically running on pure anger at this point.

She takes a swing at Mukluk and then moves to help Jaleen with Prism.

punch!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
angry punch: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

I might need to retcon that depending on the AoO. Otherwise Prism and Rova are up!

Initiative!
Rova
Jaleen, jerk, -11 hp,
Mukluk, -5 hp
Niksi, -12 hp
Rhovo, jerk, -29 hp
Prism

If that 11 hit, then that 22 was a crit and I’m not sure how Rhovo is still standing! Would prefer to save the AOO for the other foe, but if’s she’s still up...

”I warned you.”

Melee Strike @ Rhovo:
Fist: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 = 16 to hit; (+flank)
B: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9 non lethal damage

Oh, you’re right! So Rhovo is down after Mukluk’s turn. Someone can remove the ‘R’ token from the map if you’d like. We’ll also use that attack as pre-rolled if Jaleen provokes.

Rova winces as Mukluk knocks the one drunk unconscious with a vicious blow. She doesn't want to hurt the remaining drunk so steps back and tries to make sure the rest of the audience remains calm.

"Don't worry, it's OK. We're just going to let them sleep this off!" she calls out.

"Thkrull," she adds in a whisper, "keep helping!"

Action 1: Command Animal
Action 2: Seek (in the crowd, for any other trouble Perception (expert) (+2 circumstance bonus when using Seek action to find hidden or undetected creatures within 30 feet): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Action 3: None.

Thkrull, having dealt with one of the problems with a little help from the smelly one, goes to solve the problem with the other one.

Action 1: Stride
Action 2: Support: Your elephant uses its trunk to grab and hamper a foe. Until the start of your next turn, any creatures your elephant threatens is encumbered. (Note, this would make it Clumsy 1, so a -1 to Dex checks including AC, and a 10-ft. penalty to speed. That said, my reading of this would be that if it Stepped or Strided away from the elephant with its first action, it would lose that penalty.)

Rova doesn't notice any other troublemakers in the audience. The audience nearby is watching with wide eyes.

... ◆⃟ Attack 1
... ◆⃟ Attack 2
... ◆⃟ Attack 3

Prism continues to thump the thug with the pommel of her dagger until it nearly falls loose from her hand.

Dagger; Inspire; Flanking; Nonlethal: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 18
Damage (Non-lethal): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Sneak Attack Precision Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Dagger; Inspire; Flanking; Nonlethal: 1d20 + 7 - 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 4 + 1 - 2 = 5
Damage (Non-lethal): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Sneak Attack Precision Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Dagger; Inspire; Flanking; Nonlethal: 1d20 + 7 - 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 8 + 1 - 2 = -1
Damage (Non-lethal): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Sneak Attack Precision Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Prism gets in one good smack with her dagger, but then struggles to connect.

Jaleen stands, getting smacked on the way up by Mukluk, and tries to punch the elephant!

punch!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
angry ouch!: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

second punch!: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 4 = 21
angry ouch!: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Initiative!
Rova
Jaleen, jerk, -23 hp,
Mukluk, -5 hp
Niksi, -12 hp
Rhovo, jerk, -29 hp
Prism

Sorry, Thkrull. Everyone is up!

Round 3

Action 1: Strike.
Action 2: Strike.
Action 3: Strike.

Mukluk readies to take a few punches as the drunk gets up and is very surprised when the drunk starts punching the elephant.  "Punching an elephant? What is wrong with you!?"

Melee Strike:
Fist: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 to hit; (+flank)
B: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 non lethal damage

Melee Strike:
Fist: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 4 = 14 to hit;
B: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 non lethal damage

Melee Strike:
Fist: 1d20 + 9 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 4 - 4 = 13 to hit; (+flank)
B: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 non lethal damage

"Hey, what are you doing?!" Rova says as she sees her young elephant get hit a couple times in the head.

"Thkrull, get back!" she calls out, moving in herself to teach this jerk a lesson!

Action 1: Command an Animal (if I'm reading right, it looks like Thkrull's actions would take place immediately, which means Thkrull will vacate the space she needs to next two actions).
Action 2: Step closer
Action 3: Punch (since I didn't think I'd need to draw a weapon
Fist: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Bludgeoning damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Thkrull, trumpeting in pain, kicks out at the thing causing him pain before he hears what his halfling tells him and reluctantly retreats, shaking his head as he tries to clear it.

He won't forget this...

Foot: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Bludgeoning damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Mukluk's turn takes him down! I assume Rova didn't attack then?

Since you did not use any lethal methods against the two rabble-rousers, the audience doesn't seem too disturbed by the interaction.

The Dwarven Throwers run out and wave at Niksi and Mukluk. "If you're done handling that disturbance, they're ready for us to go on!"

"If you're done handling that disturbance, they're ready for us to go on!"

"If you're prone to hanging turbans, pare spaghetti for the salon?" Mukluk repeats. "What are you trying to say, man? That doesn't many any sense...and don't you have a show to do? Get it, man!" Mukluk doesn't have time for the foolish utterances.

Mukluk will filch through the drunk's pockets for loose change and jewelry as he drags them out of the tents. This will go towards some carrots for Moose's friend, Thkrull.

Niksi bows for the audience. ”All is handled. We shall continue with your show! As soon as she walks out of sight, she finally lets her facade drop, groaning and breathing heavy from that massive hit. She double checks to make sure none of the audience can see her before she heals herself.

Soothe: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Her breathing returns to normal as her wounds almost entirely close up. She adjusts her suit and checks her costume for any damages, then heads out.

@Kate So we are all sharing the stage at the same time? Or do we need to roll in a specific order?

Haha! Man getting jumped by a bunch of circus performers and he decides to take on the elephant of all things. :P.

Prism waves Niksi and Mukluk to the stage. "Goon...youareup. I'll get them out of here." She grants as the small gnome tubs on the pair, moving them inch by inch out of the tent.

Mukluk, these ne'er-do-wells either snuck in or spent their last coins on the entry fees. They each have the leather armor they're wearing and a flask about a third full of some foul-smelling liquid that might technically be whiskey. Niksi, the three of you will be on stage at the same time, so it's fine if each of you wants to roll all three of your own checks together. I interwove the two NPCs going at the same time, but that will be much tougher to coordinate among PCs!

The Dwarven Throwers, accustomed to Mukluk's interpretations of things, nod and head into their designated ring.

They set up in one of the rings, performing short jumps and lifts, and soon form into a three-dwarf pyramid. Unfortunately, they don't get a firm footing.

Athletics, to assist: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

The dwarf on top grips onto his friend tightly and tries to fling him up into the air! However, his foot slips and the dwarf who should be flying rises only about about three feet in the air...

Athletics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

With the unimpressive start, the top dwarf of the pyramid tries to grab his friend's wrists to relaunch him, but can't quite manage it.
Athletics, to assist: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 5 = 11

Luckily, the flying dwarf lands in a good spot and jumps up into the air from the backs of his friends!

Athletics: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 5 = 15

The dwarves on the ground do a series of quick somersaults to make it look like the flying dwarf is in the air for longer!

Acrobatics, to assist: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

And the flying dwarf manages to do several turns in the air before landing with a superhero pose.

Acrobatics, assisted: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 = 24

They nod at each other satisfied. Not the best start, but a good finish, and the crowds are cheering.

This act has the Team trait, which allows assists in this way.

If Niksi had taken the time to check in with herself, she would have realized that her whole body felt drained, like she had been wandering in the desert for a week without water. She has always excelled at keeping stress out of her head, but the problem is that all that stress has to go somewhere, and it always ends up in her muscles, tightening and twisting them into dull knots.

Deception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

As she takes the stage with her calliope, she begins her act with the usual verve and skill. She begins the build-up of her song, the cheery notes of the organ filling up the tent. She gets to her first "mistake" spot soon enough and pulls off her wooden "hand" and shakes it next to her ear, looking to the audience for a laugh as she shrugs.

Deception: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 5 = 12

The build up to her taking off her other hand falls apart as she makes a misstep on a false note, a different one than she intended, and all of her focus crumbles. Another day, one in which she was energized and engaged, she would have snapped back.

Deception: 1d20 + 7 - 10 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 10 = -2

Niksi tries to move her hands, but they stop. She can't do this. The stress of everything tonight comes crashing down on her all at once. The will to push through, normally so strong in her, is just nowhere to be seen. She spent so much time focusing on making sure everyone else is fine and carrying on, but she never stopped to allow herself a moment to breathe. The murder, every other act having some sabotage, worrying the others had sabotages she didn't even notice, Mordaine's selfishness, the gamblers taking bets on accidents, the drunks starting fights and almost knocking her out. She can't handle that much reality all at once.

She leans her head against her calliope and cries.

I'm going to humbly request some clowns getting sent in. Alternatively, I suppose I could use my hero point to try to turn that crit fail into a normal fail, but the chances don't sound great on that

I wasn't super clear on that rule, so a slight retcon is okay here, if you want it! Sending in the clowns takes an action, so you could use your third action to bring in the clowns to turn the second action into a success. That would mean the third check never happened.

Also, I want to give Niksi a hug!

Oh! Okay. That makes the backstage position that makes it a reaction make more sense. But yeah, I'm good with that. I doubt we want a crit fail. I just thought it was a good dramatic moment for her, so I'm glad it worked <3

So...did we just use the clowns? Or just use 1 hero point and have Niksi only make 2 checks (which is allowed, right? We don’t need to try thrice?).

Mukluk isn’t sure whether to cheer or bemoan Niksi’s performance, waiting to see how the crowd reacts to know.

Aw. :( I agree; let's use your third action to Send in the Clowns.

Also, I realized I didn't buy healer's tools. Can we assume the circus has a set so I can Treat Thkrull's Wounds?

Also, I thought I posted something about not kicking the jerk when they were done, but maybe I didn't? Or forums deleted it?

Once the two jerks are dealt with, Rova retreats to make sure Thkrull is OK. What kind of monster attacks an elephant instead of ... say Mukluk? She wonders if they were maybe sent by the Celestial Menagerie to sabotage the Circus of Wayward Wonders' show? They seemed all too willing to hit animals there.

I'll Treat Wounds if there are healer's tools I can use. That would take 10 minutes, though, so not sure I can do it right away if I'm needed elsewhere.

Not sure who is up or what I should be doing right now.

Mukluk scratches the back of his head.

I can’t believe they punched the elephant. Who does that?

I believe Niksi is retconning her third action to be Sending in the Clowns, which makes the total two successes. So Mukluk is up! Rova can definitely take care of Thkrull.