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The Circus of Wayward Wonders arrived Abbertn earlier that morning. Myron "Thunder" Stendhal, the ringmaster, spent the morning in the town, posting fliers and pitching the folk on the marvels and wonders they'd see that evening, just outside of town. Known for his powerful baritone and his gift of the gab, his advertising did not disappoint. It seems like everyone in town is packed into the bleachers in the big top, and those that couldn't buy a seat are wandering outside, spending too much to play games of questionable fairness and eat food of questionable nutritional value.
Backstage at the bigtop, the performers and crew start trickling in. Mordaine the Magician does langourous stretches, smirking at the attention from some of the male crew. The Professor, an aging circus veteran, nervously looking about. The Dwarven tumblers are leaping and tumbling about, while D-Day, their leader, is readying himself for his performance by smacking himself in the face with a wooden board a few times before affixing his goggles and leather helmet.
Axel, the untested teenager that's been following the Circus for awhile is carefully feeding and petting the birds that form the base of his act--or at least, would, if Myron would let him perform. He's persistent, if nothing else, and he's sat patiently backstage for several performances, waiting for one Myron to finally break down and let him out in front of the crowd.
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BumBum’s big Story!
BumBum just tiny tailed whelp when Mistress Dusklight of Celestial Menagerie traded handful of tickets and access to circus trash to goblin tribe for BumBum. BumBum so young he not even have name yet. Then BumBum have to go with mean Mistress Dusklight. She bad gaffer! She want BumBum to clean donnikers and eat trash, but BumBum hate that. BumBum watch clowns instead. They so funny! Mistress always yell “Get back to work you bummer!”, but BumBum always sneak away to watch clowns again. One day BumBum find old finked drum and fix it up. Then BumBum follow clowns around with drum and play what they call “rimshots”. Clowns so nice they give BumBum name!
When friends tell BumBum they scarper off Celestial Menagerie for new circus, BumBum jump at chance (out of moving gilly wagon)! Now BumBum artist with the Circus of Wayward Wonders. Not just clown knockabout act either. Now BumBum do Sway Pole as Aerial Imp, and fly through air! BumBum good at other circus stuff too. Mend fink in backyard, do slap, climb up and set rigging, and super good advance. Put up all the paper and only eat a little paste. BumBum so happy to be in Circus of Wayward Wonders. Someday we be playing for straw houses!
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BumBum description
At 2’8” and 33 lbs BumBum is a small goblin. Due to his Monkey Goblin ancestry he is hairier than most goblins and his skin tone is a dark orange. He is very friendly, outgoing, and always eager to please. While he does not share most goblin’s obsession with fire, he does love pickles. Specifically the fried ones sold in the midway.
While BumBum has many jobs at the Circus of Wayward Wanderers, he has two acts. As BumBum the Clown he wanders the lot before the show entertaining the early arrivals, often trading jokes for pickles. He does this to pick up local gossip, which he uses to spice up his jokes. His clown costume pants have loops on the inside of the waistline, in which he threads his tail. He uses this to roll, wiggle, shake, and quake his “belly” for a variety of comic effects. Especially to get pickles! When the show is ready to start he uses his drum to direct the crowd into the big top. Then he rushes off to change costumes into the Aerial Imp.
As the Aerial Imp he wears a red, winged, spangled costume that makes him look like an Imp of course. With his tail out he does his signature trick, the Sway Pole (Perform:Comedy, Aerial [Acrobatics]). Atop the 4 inch wide, 15 foot tall pole he sways precariously about, often dangling from just one hand-like foot and his long tail. Whilst doing so he delivers a good natured roast of famous folks in general, and hopefully the foibles local high muckety mucks he learned about earlier. At the end the Ringmaster will call him out for going to far, he will beg the crowds forgiveness, remind them that he is but an imp damned to hell, and they had best not follow his example. Then the ringmaster will “banish” him, in what I hope will be an alchemical or magical flash as the Aerial Imp drops and sneaks away in the now dimmed lights.
Afterwards he changes back into BumBum the Clown, does run-in knock about acts between other artists, plays his drum in the Final Promenade, and helps see the jossers off the pitch.
Then he has a long nap and takes the pre dawn watch as he can see in the dark (and has to unload all those pickles).
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As the lights go down and the audience settles in, the remaining performers take their places backstage, waiting for their cues. Suddenly, several performers next to the curtain that separates the three rings from the rest of the tent leave their assignments, gathering in a small crowd to exchange frightened whispers and hushed gasps.
Amid the group, his body contorted as if caught forever in the throes of some terrible pain, is the corpse of Ringmaster Myron "Thunder" Stendahl.
Noatuk was hatched into a small sect of Osirian Iruxi. Feeling the need to change his surroundings he signed on with a traveling circus. He, being good with swinging a hammer, was hired on as a rigger. It didnt take long for him to realize Mistress Dusklight and he would never see eye to eye, and if he stayed much longer conflict would be inevitable. He followed his fellows who chafed under the lash of Mistress Dusklight and never looked back. He continues to do his best as a rigger, enjoying building, tearing down, and rebuilding somewhere else, never staying in one place too long.
He stands almost 7' tall, like most of his kin. He has scales of a grayish-green hue, and large frills on the top and sides of his head that flare on occasion. When he's not working as a rigger, he patrols the midway and crowded tents in his chainmail with his meteor hammer, ready to protect his newfound family.
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Kvothe was born into the circus life. His parents were traveling actors, minstrels, storytellers, riggers and whatever else the troupe required. Music and storytelling always came easy to him and the lute was never far from his hands as a child. Performing to a crowd gives him such a rush that he has chased that feeling all his short life.
Always knowing that he would never get out from his father's shadow, Kvothe set out to make a name for himself two years ago and found his way to Mistress Dusklight's Celestial Menagerie. After a short time there, he knew that this is not what he was looking for and was excited when there were others that were talking about leaving. Utilizing his many skills and experience he hopes this group will fare better than the last.
Didymus the Great, as he's come to identify himself, is typical in appearance for his race, though he has no idea himself, as he's never met another of his race to his recollection. His stocky frame stands just under 3 and a half feet tall, and just under a hundred pounds. He takes great pride in keeping his clothing and golden furry hide neat and groomed, which can often be a struggle as he spends so much of his time in the pens, working with the animals of the circus that he adores. He's developed a particular attachment to one of the circus's other unique creatures, a small bird-like reptilian creature, he calls Ambrosius.
"Dead!?" Didymus pushes his way through the crowd to rush to the body. He quickly drops to all fours, and sniffs rapidly around the body, while looking for injuries and unusual scents.
Let me have a look at him. Nuatok says gruffly and pushes his way past the gawkers.
From a small side tent emblazoned with embroidery touting "Lady Alhambra, Fey Oracle," Al slips through the crowd and into the circle surrounding the fallen ringmaster. She is content to remain silent, and watches with the crowd, having long learned under Mistress Dusklight that a tragedy is no time for a seer to interject herself.
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Nuatok can confirm that the ringmaster is dead. He can see that the ringmasters legs are badly swollen. There are several bite marks on his calves--probably from a snake. It is likely that snake venom killed him.
As the other performers stare at the corpse, whisper to each other, and
anxiously peer around the curtain, the Professor—a thin and frail veteran of the circus—looks up.
"You are correct, Bum-Bum. The show must go on--if we don't perform, we don't eat. So, finish your make up, get into costume, and send in the clowns!"
Pagliacci, Madame Eugenia, Dupin, and Pym the Rambler--the Circus of Wayward Wonder's contingent of clowns--leap into action, rushing out to entertain the crowd as the bewildered performers begin pulling themselves together and preparing to go on stage.
The professor calls Bum-Bum, Noatuk, Didymus, Lady Alhambra, and Kvothe to him.
"You lot seem to have kept your cool better than the others. Myron hadn't told me the order of the acts tonight--has he told you?"
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The other circus members seem distraught, but at the professors urging they focus on their craft, and their professionalism seems to be winning out over their grief--for now.
So far the suggestions are:
OPENER: BumBum
BUILD UP: Kvothe and the Dwaren Throwers
*BIG ACT*: Mordaine
FINISHER: Flamboni Sisters, Feather Fall Five, and Axel's Aviary/Another PC.
That would leave Eliza as the only NPC performer not performing. Is this acceptable to everyone?
Nuatok examines the bite wounds and tries to recall knowledge of venomous snakes in the region or if any of the acts, or prospective acts, make use of venomous snakes.
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The crowd roars with laughter at the clowns antics, successfully distracting them long enough for the performers to get over their shock and prepare to get out there.
As the opener, BumBum heads out to perform his act!
His antics delight and amuse the crowd.
As BumBum returns to backstage, the Build-Up begins. Kvothe takes the right ring, and the Dwarven Throwers take the left.
Kvothe flubs a few notes in his manic virtuoso performance, but plays well enough that the crowd doesn't mind.
The Dwarven Throwers don't perform to their usual degree either, but the determined team tries again, this time launching D-Day through the air, where he kicks off one of the big tops support poles, neatly back flipping and landing on his feet before the adoring crowd.
Finally, the eager D-Day performs a gauntlet of tumbling, with the standing dwarves boosting his each flip and leap even higher by tossing him in the air. After an impressive triple backflip, he lands to uproarious applause.
Finally, Mordaine smirks at the other performers as she steps out for the Big Act. Her assistant Hod applies the shackles, calling someone down from the crowd to ensure they are well secured. Submerged into her tank...
...she holds her breath, and struggles mightily against her restraints. The seconds tick by, with the crowd on the edge of its seat, before she shimmies out of the chains and kicks powerfully to the surface. The crowd explodes in applause!
Not content with one escape, Mordaine tries a second. Dangling from a rope suspended from above, she is slowly lowered into a bear-trap like device.
Her escape here is not quite so neat, although she isn't injured. Still, the crowd is impressed by her former success, and applauds politely.
As the magician returns back stage, the Professor finds the lot of you.
"Oh dear, trouble is simply piling up. There are a few ruffians in the crowd, taking bets on calamities befalling the performers! They were causing quite a stir, especially when Mordaine was performing.
"As the riggers are setting up the nets for the Kanbali's, they discovered the nets have been damaged in some way, and are useless. I'm not sure if the Kanbali's will be willing to perform without them.
"Also, Eliza's snake Mr. Tickles is lethargic. Eliza has been trying to get him to perform, but she isn't sure he will."
"Further, that Axel boy is white as a sheet, and hasn't budged since being told he's performing tonight. I think someone had better go and talk to him."
The shoony's ears perk up and his small curly tail starts wagging excitedly. Realizing this, he quickly grabs his tail to hold it steady, while looking around nervously to see if anyone noticed.
"I can help!" he announces as he rushes off to find Mr. Tickles.
He gives the snake a thorough examination.
Nuatok tells the Professor, "Keep an eye out for snakes. I think that's what did in the Ringmaster, poor soul. Viper poison, bad business. I'll see to these hecklers."
As he makes his way through the crowd, Nuatok keeps an eye out for any vipers, with his weapon at the ready.
Once he spots the hecklers, Nuatok approaches and asks, "Is there a problem with the show?"
’Oh no’s, these nets all finked. Hope I can mend ‘em” "There that should do. Somebody messing with show big time! I bets it Mistress Dusklight.”
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Didymus thinks the snake is suffering from goblin pox. The disease isn't lethal, and will usually pass on its own after a few days time which relieves Eliza.
"Oh, thank Gozreh and Shelyn." she says, petting the snake gingerly.
"Is there anything we can do besides wait it out?"
Didymus thinks it is possible to treat goblin pox
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BumBum sees the nets are an absolute mess. He doesn't think he'd have time to repair them before the act can go on.
"It's no use, BumBum." Kavitero "Papa" Kanbali says mournfully.
"Do you think its Mistress Dusklight?" Little Odva Kanbali, the youngest of the troupe, asks fearfully. "She always made us perform without the nets--she said it was more exciting."
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Nuatok doesn't spot any vipers, besides the ones bilking the crowd.
The gamblers smirk as he approaches.
"Just a bit of honest business, thats all, gents." The lead gambler says, toothpick bouncing in his mouth as he speaks.
"Some folks out 'ere just looking to play th' odds, is all." his companion says, hands splayed out before him in a manner to suggest, "we are all men of the world, are we not?"
"We don't need to get too excited about it, love." the third says, resting his hands on a cosh tucked into his belt.
Noatuk, already holding his meteor hammer, stands up straight and puffs out his chest displaying his massive armored frame. He levels an unblinking stare at the not so subtle threat and hefts the large, two handed flail.
If YOU wish to conduct business in OUR place of business, you'll need to come with me to make an arrangement with management. Or you can leave.
"Hmm, best check with the doc. This is beyond my skill level to treat."
"By the way, I know you know snakes pretty well, thanks to working so closely with Mr. Tickles--Who's a good snake? Yes, you are!--" Didymus can't help but get a little distracted as he looks to the snake and gently pets the top of his head. He quickly clears his throat and resumes his thought, "but it seems that somebody sicked vipers on poor Myron! If you can take a look after the show tonight, maybe you can recognize some tell-tale signs we've overlooked. I suspect that old Mistress Dusklight is behind this. She can't have taken our mass exodus well. Vengeance and sabotage are her favorite tools as I recall. Do you recall what other performers she used that may have had the skill to train vipers to attack on command? I can't imagine our ringmaster provoking such an attack. He was such a softy with Mr. Tickles here--such a good boy!"
I put the word out amongst the rest of the circus crew to fetch Noatuk or one of the other doctors to take a look at Mr. Tickles malady.
”Yup, these nets is finked” "Rat finked! Who we know train rats? I go see if I can cheer up Avery. Remind him birds gotta fly." "Maybe that help Axel feel better about act."
So many animals in bad place right now! Bitey snakes, Sick snake, Gnawy rats. We piss off druid somewhere?
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THe crowd watches the back and forth almost as if its a part of the show. The ruffians finally back down.
"Whatever. This circus is boring anyway."
The three make their way to the Big Tops entrance and leave.
As Nuatuk and Kvothe leave the stands, Kvothe spots a trio of vipers huddled together under the bleachers.
Didymus’s tail was wagging a mile-a-minute as he watched Mr Tickles slowly emerging from his funk. ”Attaboy! There’s the Mr Tickles I know!”
”Alright, Miss Eliza, your little—well, not so little—guy is ready for the spotlight! Now get back there and prepare for your moment! We all chose you for this, we know you’ll make us proud! In the meantime I’m gonna go check on everyone else. Dusk light went all out with this sabotage.”
Didymus will hustle off to check in with all the other acts to make sure there are no more emergencies.
Oy! Didymus! Could use ya expertise! Noatuk calls out.
Assuming Didymus hears the call and comes to help.
See dem vipers o'er dere? Noatuk points out the snakes. I tink dems what did in Tunder... whatcha tink we should do, eh?
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Once BumBum is done with the Kanbalis he will try to track down Axel and his birds.
Hey axel how you doi...ooh! You not looks so hot. You got the butterflies in your stomach? Don’t birds eat butterflies? Someday I’m gonna fly. Fly, fly through the air!” BumBum’s eyes glaze over momentarily lost in his dreams of flight.” Ohs right. You ok Axel? Today the day your birds get to fly in show. So exciting! Don’t forget Sir Didymus be there to help you. What can your friend BumBum do to help?”
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The young man is indeed white as a sheet, and standing rigidly, staring at the curtain. His birds are poking their heads from the pockets of his vest, chirping confusedly.
I can't do it. Axel says quietly, eyes wide, staring at the curtain.
Try as he might, BumBum is not quite successful at persuading Axel, who turns to flee the big top, his bird-filled cloak trailing behind him.