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Al is no longer interested in having a conversation with these things, and she makes sure to let them know that.
"What the!? Nope! Nope! Time to kill it, kill it with fire."
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Kvothe (-10)
Jano (Blue) (-16)
Lady Al
BumBum
Didymus
Ambrosius (-15)
Al's bolt of flame destroys some of the flesh around the Vermlek, showing its spiny form coiled inside the body of poor Jano.
With Didy gone, the creature focuses its attention on Ambrosius.
One of its swings lands, further damaging Ambros.
"You really should heed the warning about not harming the little feathered one. That adorable talking puppy over there is really quite mean when he's angry."
A series of emotions wash over Didy as he hears Al's threat to the creature. All that is apparent is his tail excitedly wagging, then slowing down rapidly, and finally wagging again.
Meanwhile he guides Ambrosius to distract the creature by racing around the nearby large graveyeard monument. While doing so he takes advantage of the clear line to his target to loose his arrows in rapd succession. As the arrows land and the creature turns back to the archer, the raptor finishes his race and attacks the now turned demon.
"Whew! Well I never thought we'd be demonslayers! Great job, everyone! Now let's try and figure out what the heck is going on around here."
Satisfied that there's nothing of value outside, Didy heads inside to take a closer look at those doors inside. Also searching the bodies of the demons for keys, and looking for any evidence of what happened to the priest.
Ambrosius cocks his head to the side skeptically as Didy points to teh door and nods. With a strange looking shrug, the raptor darts towards the door and throws its weight into the stone door.
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The heavy door slowly swings in, revealing hundreds of lockboxes, stacked on shelves lining the walls of this vault.
A human man lies here, badly beaten and scratched, wearing the white and gold vestments of a cleric of Abadar. He peers out at you from between swolen eyelids.
"W-who are you? Are you with them?"
"With who? The demons? No way! We're..." "The Circus of Wayward Wonders!"
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"I's BumBum, who is you?" BumBum will look quizzical for a moment as he thinks. "OHh's, you must be priest here, we's looking for you! someone tell's us you got monsters in you's graveyard. They was right. But all monsters is dead now and you's safe. I'm sorry monsters broke your window and ate your gravediggers. You's OK? Need some help? Maybe a pickle? Is there really a plague? Gut demon said there was plague, but I think's it was lying. Why this town so messed up? We been here like two days and fight's over a dozen monsters. You guys should move somewhere else. How do you move a church? Abadar magic? I bet it's heavy, all full's of gold. All that gold buy ALOT of pickles. Pickle's much lighter than gold too. Hey's maybe you should start a PICKLE church! Be much lighter and easier to move..."
BumBum will continue with his verbal barrage until interrupted, as he does when nervous, excited, or seen when sneaking.
Once interrupted "So I's BumBum. Who is you?"
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The man seems disoriented, and he peers at BumBum in confusion.
"Circus? Gravediggers?"
He shakily stands to his feet, nearly stumbling before catching himself on one of the shelves, knocking several of the neat lockboxes askew.
"Th-thank you, for killing those awful demons. I am Nellyn, the priest here. The larger demon, the Abrikandilu...I fled, here, to the heart of the church...I knew Abadar would never allow..." His eyes roll back as he graysout and nearly falls again before his feet return to him, a little stronger than before.
"Abadar would protect me, here, in the heart of the church. The demon didn't follow, but he did shut the door on me."
He sways on his feet, eyes closed.
"Whoa, whoa whoa! You take it easy. You look like one of the Feather Fall Five after a bad fall. Let me get you all fixed up."
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After a short break to care for the priests wounds, he seems a bit more clear headed.
"Thank you, strangers. I don't know what brought you here, today, but you have my sincere gratitude."
The priest leaves the vault, and is nearly overcome with emotion when he sees the destruction left on his temple. After a moment, he gathers himself.
"Very well. Order will prevail. This place will be set to rights once again."
He walks around the place, inspecting the broken windows, the damaged pews, and the damaged altar.
"Odd," he says, picking through the wreckage. "There are a pair of books missing. The Manual of City Building and The Order of Numbers. The two most holy texts to Abdar."
Shaking off his sadness, he smiles at you.
"But I am wasting your time. You have done a valiant thing, and that should be rewarded." He pulls a massive ring of keys from his robes and returns to the vault, opening two of the lockboxes. He hands the group a small statuette of a dog, made of onyx, and a brooch.
"So, I believe you were told there were monsters in the graveyard? That certainly seems to be the case. I was here, cleaning the nave when the arrived. The larger demon—called an Abrikandilu, I believe. Two smaller, winged creatures, like imps but fouler. And two men—locals I know well, although they attempted to mask themselves with kerchief and cloak. Jano and Bindo Lindell. When they attacked, I could tell they weren't really Jano and Bindo, but Vermlek had taken their form as a disguise. A sad thing—Jano and Bindo weren't of my flock, they followed Erastil. But good farmers, and good men."
Each time that the priest says Abrikandilu Didy helpfully corrects him to Alu-Demon with a squinty eyed glance at Kvothe.
"Oh, no! I am so sorry to hear about the missing holy texts. We haven't quite gotten to the bottom of this mystery, so we'll keep an eye out. So far it is looking like the druids at the Hermitage are responsible. We had one of them attack our camp, a halfling lady in a dire rat hooded cloak. She killed poor Mr. Thunder and tried to sabotage our show! Later she even attacked the whole camp, spouting off about how Abberton had been a blight on the land or somesuch. They seem to have also attacked the poor Hawfton's Mill, riled up some wild boars at Oldlin's Orchard, and we think they killed or kidnapped the sheriff too!"
After examining the rewards, his eyes go wide at the figurine, "By Aroden's twinkling eye, this is beautiful! Thank you, mister! Thank you! Huh, I'm not familiar with the brooch. What does it do?"
Finally looking at the daunting task ahead of the lone priest Didy offers, "Can we help clean up? Hmm, although maybe we should get a good meal in you first! Old Ponts should be about done with that boar feast by now..."
”Great! Ponts is gonna be so excited when he sees even more people coming to enjoy his big feast!”
"Mr. Nellyn priest man, that other door to you's room? You want's us to check it for monsters? Maybe look under the bed? BumBum grimaces. "Thanks for the dog thing and the shiny." He then mumbles "Would rather have the gold than another dog, but ok"
then
"Didy's right, we should head back to the pitch. I's tired and almost out of pickles."
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The remaining room is a storage area.
Night has fully set in by the time you return to the circus—still mostly set up, to your surprise.
The smell hits you quite a bit before you see it—roast pork, fried potatoes, fresh bread. Several of the locals are standing around, speaking to various members of the crew, as a scowling Pontypool plates more food on a long table set up for guests to help themselves.
Boy, the hulking, nearly silent cook's assistant, nods as you approach.
"Pontypool say you owe him 2 gold and apology." he says in his unplaceable accent. He lumbers off without waiting for a response.
"Well, you've got my thanks. This is delicious! All Ponty did was complain about how it was too tough and gamey to salvage, but it tastes alright to me." Swenja Flamboni says, hoisting a wooden tankard in a salute to you as she eats, her plate balanced precariously on her knees.
Sitting beside her on the log is Pagliacci. His nearly 7 foot frame folded up awkwardly, all knees and elbows, he eats with surprising delicateness.
"Indeed," he says in his rich baritone. "The townsfolk are quite pleased with the 'free meal'" he says, raising an eyebrow. "But, who is your friend? The town's priest of Abadar, I assume."
Nelly introduces himself to the other two. Pagliacci greets him warmly, but Swenja only gives a nod and looks away.
”An apology? Ohhhh! For being late to dinner, of course!”
He hurries over to Pontypool, and climbs on to the table to look over his shoulder as he plates up a meal. He inhales deeply taking in the delightful smells. ”Mmmmmmm! Man, Ponts, that smells amazing! I sure am sorry we’re a little late. Everyone is raving about your cooking just like I knew they would! You’re gonna be super famous! Pontypool’s perfect pulled pork!” he smiled widely at the cook with his long tongue hanging outside of his mouth.
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He scowls, and gestures to a mostly empty jar, containing one pickled cucumber, a small piece of pickled asparagus, and half a pickled egg.
"The marks, they clean me out!" he whispers furiously. "It will take me weeks to rebuild my stocks!"
He grabs a chunk of pork and chews it angrily.
"Ha! Free feast."
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Sidling up to the crew, Kvothe calls out. let's see if we can get some recompense for your labor Ponty
Jumping up on the table and strumming his lute to get everyone's attention
let's everyone give our wonderful cooks some appreciation for the hard work they did getting this all out together today! I think we need some music!
Train rolls in at ten am
Kill the lamb for the lions, find some water for the elephants
Monkey on his shoulder, is a monkey on his back
Could I bum a cigarette, I done smoked my last pack
Throw up the big tent, throw down some sawdust
We don't open till the 'morin, step right up
We got beer for the bearded lady
And the Siamese twins are into opium
The trapeze guys are all high on cocaine
That they bought from a guy that used to drive the train
We got water for the elephants
Everybody knows the greatest party on earth
Is the circus down on Ringling Road
”Oh. I didn’t think of that. Well shucks, Ponty, now I feel like a great big jerk. Let’s see if we can fix it!”
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Upon seeing the empty jars BuBum whirls towards Didymus, a snarl of rage twisting his normally smiling face into a bug eyed, spitting visage that none of the group has seen before.
@%#&*$!@% Didymus, you tail chaser, this all your fault! First you announce "free" feast without asking anybody's else, then you try to spoil my plan at the Mad Mug, you take that stupid dog toy instead of asking for good gold, and" he takes a deep breath
BumBum will then leap and climb to the nearest high point and address the crowd.
He will pause dramatically He drops his voice to a sotto whisper for the final hook "there might not be no Abberton no more."
Are you freaking kidding me? Why would you let the pickle junkie think you were out of pickles? Do you like poking bears, too?! Didy doesn't say any of that, but he makes damn sure to communicate it to Pontypool with a look of absolute incredulity. He then races to the wagon, and promptly places a pickle in BumBum's clenched fist as he shakes it at the crowd.
"The Aerial Imp ladies and gentlemen! What a kidder!" he smiles nervously as he steers the goblin back towards the wagon, still well-stocked with pickles.
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The crowd doesn't really seem to know how to take the goblins outburst, but most seem to return to their feasting and chatting. Some do look a bit more pensive, possibly thinking about the danger in the village, and the hermitage to the north.
"Hey, you still owe me money!" Pontypool says, following Didymus and BumBum.
The priest Nellyn seems to be in conversation with the Professor, and most of the rest of the circus crew is gathered around, chatting with the locals.
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After turning his back to Didy, BumBum will leap off his perch and hit the ground hard, remaining there with his eyes closed playing dead. After a moment he will jump up with tears in his eyes and say
Sobbing, he will then run to the professor and engulf him in a huge hug. "They's not gonna listen, and it's gonna go bad. This town in trouble and it's gonna get worse. Mistress Dusklight's people was here. We saw two today. Me and Al tell's them off but they's be back, I know's it! We got's to pack up the circus and go. After we's go to the Hermitage tomorrow we got's to pull up stakes." He turns towards Nellyn. "Can't you's convince them? You seen the demons, you gotta know something wrong here."
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The professor pats BumBum's head affectionately.
Nellyn nods.
"It's true. Agents of the Abyss, here in Abberton working evil.
He pauses. "I...hesitate, to mention this, because I don't want to create a panic. But the abrikandilu-"
Distantly, you can hear keen-eared Didymus shout "alu-demon!".
"Er, yes." the professor continues, quieter. "Anyway, he was wearing something around his neck. A symbol—a leaf, with a drop of water rolling off."
The professor closes his eyes.
"It's the holy symbol of Gozreh." Nellyn says with a sigh. "Could simply be misdirection—a demon would love nothing more than to turn us against each other, create chaos among us."
"It will have to be investigated." The professor says in his hoarse whisper.
"Agreed." Nellyn says quietly. Looking at BumBum, he says "Come to see me, before you go. I can provide you with some assistance, should things be...wrong. At the monastery."
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"Thank you Nellyn, I's will." "But Professor, what about's Mistress Dusklight? The fire breather, the lion tamer, and that hack clown was all here in Abberton. She gotta be not far behind. You think maybe she is demon too? I bet's she is! Even other demons would be scared of her." BumBum shudders. "I dont want's to be here when she gets here!"
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"No, BumBum. I don't think Mistress Dusklight is a demon. I may have called her a Rakshasha a time or, too, but she's as mortal as you or me."
Nellyn looks confused by the conversations turn.
"Who is Mistress Dusklight?"
"She runs the Celestial Menagerie. A rival carnival. Several of our troupe left her service due to poor treatment. A catfolk, charming and cunning and utterly ruthless."
Nellyn nods.
"I see. Do you think she's involved?"
The professor shrugs. "Perhaps. But I doubt it. Mistress Dusklight is only concerned with her own fame and wealth. You say the demons had no interest in ransacking the bank? That tells me she isn't involved."
"Oh? You were serious about that?" Didy replies to Pontypool, genuinely surprised. "Sure, okay. Here ya go!" he says cheerfully as he hands over 2 gold pieces to the cook. With a wave, he returns to the festivities and begins chatting up the locals.
"Hi there! Are you have a good time? Isn't that boar delicious? It's courtesy of Pontypool, the best chef that ever cheffed! I'm Sir Didymus the Great, and this is Ambrosius. We're adventurers!" he says proudly, shaking the hands of anyone willing.
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With uncertain smiles, the bemused locals shake hands with the strange shoony.
"OOH, YEAH, BROTHER. ONE OF THE TOWNIES HERE JUST TOLD ME YOU GUYS GOT INTO A CIRCUS-OFF WITH SOME OF THE CELESTIAL MENAGERIE. PROUD TO HEAR YOU SENT 'EM PACKING, THAT'S RIGHT."
Roach the Seamstress and the entire Kanbali clan blanch at the mention of the Celestial Menagerie.
"Is Mistress Dusklight here?" Little Odva asks, unconsciously rubbing the arm she broke in a fall a season back.
"OH YEAH!" Didy replies in Poffo's signature style. He always feels sef conscious after doing so, but just can't help himself whenever he talks to the boisterous strongman. "Lady Alhambra, sent those fools packing with vicious rhymes. CAN YOU DIG IT?"
Didy instinctively rushes to little Odva's side at the sound of her distress, and furiously licks her face until she is in a full blown giggle loop.
"Don't worry little one, you're safe now. Like I was just telling Mr. Poffo, Lady Al sent her goons packing. And her, me, BumBum, and Kvothe are super sleuths! We'll get to the bottom of this mystery and unmask the villain behind all of this in no time! Now why don't you show me the latest trick you're working on?"
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Kvothe quickly gathers a crowd, of both townies and carnies. Several join in, including Nellyn, who proves to have a clear, fine tenor, and sings harmony with Kvothe after requesting The Street Where She Walked Away.
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When Odva's giggles clear up, she does seem better at ease. She quickly snaps off a series of tumbles, leaps, and flips that draw applause from the gathered crowd.
Fatara exchanges a grateful look with Didymus.
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