"That could be interesting. And would let you check in on how the people there are recovering from a demon infestation."
"Leaf! Glad you're feeling better," Clover waves, happy to see their friend up and about once more. "These are new family and new performers - for however long they'd like to be, of course. Fidget, Calim, and Lish. They seem to know a lot about, uh...explosives? Er no, pyrotechnics, that's it. I'm pretty sure they're different things...I think."
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"I seem to remember there being those in the Celestial Menagerie..." Leaf-On-Wind begins, then shakes his head vigorously.
"Hopefully our new friends are better with them than Dusklight was. I didn't like having my tail-feathers burnt off in a stupid stunt to draw crowds."
"Can we afford to take time away from prepping the site for our show to go back by Abberton?" Leaf-On-Wind inquires with a tone of concern. "It'd be horrible to go through all this work only to not be ready in time."
“If a couple of us wanted to go back to the tower to show it to Chani, that would probably be fine. I don’t think it would take more than one or two to accompany him. The rest would stay and work on clearing the area.”
“I’m not sure it would be worthwhile to visit the abbey or Abberton. We only left them a short time ago and I imagine they haven’t gotten very far with recovery.”
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"It's alright, Master Rulean," Axel the magician says. "We're nearly finished and have a week to spare. We'll spend that time practicing our acts!"
It is true, the valley is nearly clear, now, and you have nearly a week left before you need to start bringing in an income thanks to Chief Constable Paldreen or rather your adept negotiations with the bureaucrat. You gather your exploring gear and those that wish head back toward the Tower of Eran.
The road across the small isle does not look any different than a week ago. Nor does it appear that the land is recovering despite your slaying of the xulgath who was attempting to destroy the aeon orb above the tower.
When you arrive at the tower, the strange weather within the halls has not ceased. A fierce wind blows erratically through the tunnels, which whips your capes and clothes about and makes it hard to walk through the halls. However, with the xulgaths gone--and having managed to walk into every natural predator lairing within the first time you were here--nothing threatens you.
At the top of the tower, the aeon orb slowly circles closer until it hovers in front of you. Those of you who were here before feel a presence in your mind that seems familiar but does not speak or convey any other thoughts or emotions.
Chani on the other hand...
You find yourself standing paralyzed in a lush jungle. Birds, frogs, and insects vocalize in a wild cacophony that is pleasant despite the chaos. The leaves rustle as something large moves toward you, but you cannot escape or blink.
What emerges is a version of yourself but far more primal and physically strong. The primal amurrun places his hand upon your heart. You feel a powerful surge of vital energy flowing into you. However, something in the vision falters. The scene flickers rapidly and jarringly between the lush jungle and a dark, barren cave with ceiling and walls farther away than you can make out.
Right before you return to your senses, the scene transitions for a fraction of a second to an empty void where a faceless human with long black hair and archaic clothes stands.
...seems to stare into the orb for a heartbeat and then is back to himself.
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Chani looks curiously at the tower as they approach it. "That is a rather interesting structure." He is even more intrigued by the random weather that happens inside it.
When they reach the top, Chani is absolutely enthralled by the orb floating around the tower. He pulls a card to see what he can determine about it. But even the first card is blank. "Mrr. Most interesting."
And then the orb crosses the point where it is closest to where he is standing.
After the vision passes, Chani continues to stand there in silence for a while. Eventually, he says simply, "I... really have no words to describe this."
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Leaf-On-Wind goes with to the tower for a stretch of the legs and to verify that nothing has gone further wrong at it.
That, and the fact that some of the ascent is downright dangerous for the non-acrobatic and him being there will help a great deal.
"If it's any consolation, Chani, that was kind of my reaction too."
“Really makes you wonder about some of the history.”
“Well, shall we head back? Still have a circus to run.”
“Well, shall we head back? Still have a circus to run.”
Chani still says nothing, just nods in agreement.
Song hugs her brother hard when he comes to greet them. "I'm glad you're feeling more yourself. Your presence is a large part of what makes this circus home for me."
Then she turns back to Chani. "That orb is ancient, and dates back to Aroden. For a moment, when first visited it, I thought I glimpsed him for a moment. I kind of think there is a trace of the god still there, you know? Like an echo."
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“Might be an echo of what caused him to become a god. He was born a mortal.”
"I suppose that could be true, too. Myself, I would not want to ascend. I rather like mortal life: hanging with friends, making circus shows, discovering new challenges. I'm not that thrilled about the whole fighting demons thing that we've been doing of late," Song admits, "but the shows and making new friends like Chani? Totally worth it."
With a chuckle, Rulean notes “I suspect that Shelyn, Desna and Cayden also like hanging out with friends. Kurgess certainly likes to hang out after a competition, talk about how it went.”
As the group leaves the top of the tower discussing other things, Chani eventually finds his way back into the present.
Hearing discussion about becoming one of the gods, Chani speaks up. "I also would rather not ascend. I have no desire to take on that much responsibility. Or to have followers."
Looking to Chani, Rulean asks “Does that mean you never want anyone to look to you for inspiration or advice? Perhaps you should think about what it means for a person to be a follower before putting your paw further in your mouth.”
Although he says it with humor in his tone, it is clear that Rulean takes his position as a cleric seriously.
"Well, if people want to take my advice, that is one thing. But my ideas don't always work. I just can't imagine being confident enough to have entire communities doing what I say."
Leaf-On-Wind will return the hug of his sister and nod.
"We just need to remember that the most important part of the circus is not the things that allow us to perform, but the people who are family. Not sure what would have happened for us if we'd not managed to get away from Dusklight."
"There are other deities that have a *lot* of confidence... and little wisdom to go along with. Probably better to not name names -- some of them get a bit irritated at being called out about such things."
"I don't know...I kind of like the fact that at least some of the gods started out as mortal," Clover chimes in. "It makes them more relatable, right? And it's easier to send your prayers to someone that seems like they might know what you're going through! But I don't know that I'd want to ascend, either. It's a big responsibility!"
When is the next show? Ephie tinkers on some new pyrotechnics with Fidget, ready to get moving again.
You hike back to camp. When you return, everything has been set up, and the crews are practicing their acts. You have four more days before you need to open to the public to stay in line with your lease.
Once they return from the trip to the tower, Chani is both pleased and mildly uncomfortable that the work of setting up the circus tents has been completed already. "I feel like I should have done more to help."
He spends the time practicing with his cards and trying to assist anyone else who asks for it.
Rulean goes into town, bringing along some metal to bend, and starts advertising the circus. As he is doing this, he also tries to keep an ear out for any potential trouble. Mistress Dusklight and her circus seem intent on interfering and he doubts that they are done doing so yet.
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Ephie works at night, tinkering in his wagon on more penny arcade machines.
Mr. Splinters constantly ambushes him with little knives and undermines his self-confidence with nasty remarks like YOU ARE A HORRIBLE MONSTER!; seems the doll is still furious at being tossed into an enemy fort.
Thus Ephie's latest arcade machine is a little unkind. It's a maroon box painted with the words
SEE HORRIBLE MONSTER! A TERRIFYING VISION!
You put in a coin and a warped mirror floats into view, rotating on an axle and reflecting your own face!
Though they're only a short walk from town, Clover is nothing if not practical. Each morning she rises early and heads out into the nearby swamplands and forests, foraging for nuts, berries, and other things to help top off their food supplies and to also add a bit of natural variety to the daily meals. She's also not above doing a little hunting, should the opportunity present itself.
While Rulean tries to drum up excitement for the approaching opening of the circus, he chats with the citizens of Escadar. He does not hear much about the Celestial Menagerie other than overhearing one man complaining that Mistress Dusklight had been hiring bounces this past week, but he showed up to late and all the openings were filled. He also hears some random chatter about city guards guarding the sewer entrances lately.
When the day of the grand opening arrives, citizens begin to arrive in small family groups, curious individuals, and couples looking for an entertaining evening to spend together. The Sideshow of Everyday Marvels and Ephie's penny arcade keeps the growing crowd entertained.
While you are helping to organize the evening's show and make sure everything is in order, Eliza approaches you. "Um. I just wanted to tell you," she says, looking slightly troubled. "Someone offered to recruit me to start their own show. I'd never do it. They offered me twice what I make here, but I'd never leave. Especially not after you saved Mr. Tickles."
Not long after that, the Flamboni twins come to you, occasionally glancing over their shoulders. "So, bosses, there's this guy who offered to hire us for his own private performance tonight. He was going to pay us a lot of money. Like a lot of gold. Whole gold coins," they tell you. "We'd never leave you. Family, you know? But when we refused, he kind of suggested that if we didn't we might have terrible luck during our performance tonight. It was really creepy."
Rulean tells the circus members of what he heard, about Mistress Dusklight hiring muscle in town.
When approached by the people being offered money to work elsewhere, he says “If an offer sounds too good, you should be wary. Can you describe this person so we can try to find out more about them?”
"Terrible luck? That's a threat if I've ever heard one," Clover scowls. "Unless they've hired someone to, I don't know, curse us or something, it sounds like we should be on the lookout for sabotage tonight. It's happened before, after all."
There's a slight pause; no need for most of the group to guess at what Clover's referring to or thinking about.
"Back when we were performing in Abberton, our ringmaster Myron was murdered and our equipment sabotaged - safety nets cut and the like," she does explain for Chani's benefit. "I don't know about anyone else but at first I thought it was Mistress Dusklight's doing - turns out it wasn't. But that doesn't mean that she's not out to try something similar this time."
" 'Terrible luck' like how a certain Menagerie used to view safety nets as 'optional' items that 'scared away the townies' who wanted to see 'real derring-do'?" Leaf-On-Wind inquires of the Flamboni twins.
"Would it make you feel better if I stayed up in the top of the tent to swoop down and catch you if there is a problem? I could dress in darker clothing to blend in or just remain not as flashy?" Logistics aside, the acrobatic Tengu archer is trying to figure out ways to re-assure the performers.
"Luck has little to do with a successful performance," Chani murmurs softly to the Flamboni Sisters. "We can check the equipment before the performances. And keep watch over it - and you. It would help if you could describe who was talking to you."
With some time and effort, you are able to calm the performers. You discover that these are not the only performers approached with the lure of more money and veiled threats of harm when they decline. You piece together a description that sounds a lot like Delamar, the go-between that tried to foil your negotiations with High Constable Andera. However, with the many things you still need to organize before the performance and the growing crowds, try as you might, you cannot spot him.
By the time that the crowd is really growing in size, one of your riggers walks up to you with a silver ticket in your hand. "Um, bosses," he says. "Some of the people have these tickets they say were sold to them here. Dirt cheap, from what they said." The silver ticket is ornately monogramed with "CM." Most of you immediately recognize the tickets to the Celestial Menagerie. "Seems to be kind of tampin' down the crowds enthusiasm."
On hearing of the tickets, Rulean says “I really wouldn’t have minded being wrong about s that cat interfering.”
Ephie has a witty aphorism about cheapjack shows…
… but suddenly his face goes wooden and his eyes glaze over. He speaks in Mr. Splinter's voice:
THEY WILL REGRET ATTENDING THAT SHOW. ALL OF THEM. HA HA HA HA.
Rulean walks through the crowd assuring them that todays performance is well worth the fee. He talks up a number of the acts including Chani’s new harrow reading. To those with the Celestial Menagerie tickets, he points out “Nothing wrong with attending both shows. It would give you a chance to see which show is better.” He also congratulates them on getting such a low price for those tickets, telling them how much he recalls them costing at other locations.
On hearing of the tickets, Rulean says “I really wouldn’t have minded being wrong about s that cat interfering.”
"There are several things I wish I was wrong about regarding that cat. And many more that I wish weren't wrong with that cat." Chani glowers in silence for a few seconds, lost in thought.
-----
Chani follows Rulean into the crowd trying to look suitably mysterious and exotic. Or at least showing that the crew of this circus are friendly and welcoming to all.
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Clover takes Rulean's line of reasoning and attempts to put her own twist on it as she also mingles with the gathering crowds, doing what she can to talk up their upcoming show.
"Right, there's nothing wrong with seeing both shows," she smiles. "And at those prices, now you can! Although...price sometimes reflects quality...or perceived quality. They really should have more confidence in their work."
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Song does a few backflips, some high kicks and then a couple snazzy dance moves with her fan. "We know what our show is worth! Feel free though to visit both shows and decide for yourselves which is the better experience!"
While excitement about the circus seems to be fading a bit, Song-of-Air is able to find a patron who was recently sold a silver ticket. The man is able to point out a man and woman as the ones who sold him the discounted ticket. Delamar is the man. The woman has partially elfin features and short, spikey red hair. She is not familiar to you.
Song's feathers huff up as she looks the intruders. She turns to Mordaine the Magician. "Mordaine, can you keep everyone practicing, and stand in for me for a moment? I have some ticket sellers to meet."
Song smiles as she looks at Delamar in his spangly purple suit. "Delamar, how lovely to see you again, and so soon from the last time we met!" Song looks over the silver tickets. "Why are you selling tickets at our show? Can you not get customers of your own? I did not realize that the Celestial Menagerie had fallen on such hard times." Song clucks her beak, shaking her head.
Then she turns brightly to Delamar's companion. "Also..." she glances at the elf. "I'm afraid that we were never introduced. I'm Song-of-Air, dancer and Mistress of Ceremonies here. May I know who you are?"
Her voice is light, and friendly, unless you're Delamar and can feel the poisoned daggers behind the sweet tone.
Rulean follows Song, staying just a few steps behind. He allows Song to do all the talking, just standing ready should she need any reinforcements.
Not entirely sure who it is that has Song's feathers in a ruffle, Chani follows along anyway. He isn't going to let his new friends confront someone alone.
"Indeed, it is bad form to sell tickets to a competing event like this," he mentions. Though it may be too quietly for anyone to hear.
As much as Clover would love to see this, there's still work to do and not much time left to do it. "I'll let you guys handle this one but holler if things get ugly, okay? I'll try to stay close by," she whispers as Song, Rulean, and Chani all move to confront Delamar and his friend.
______________
"Of course," Mordaine says to Song-of-Air and turns to take charge in the tent with a flip of her hair.
Song-of-Air and the others go to confront Delamar. "Oh, yes, lovely," Delamar says drolly and then continues loud enough for passers by to hear. "And worry not, Mistress Dusklight and the Celestial Menagerie are better than ever after ejecting some dead weight. Talentless hacks who were bringing the quality of the experience down."
The spikey haired half-elf claps back, also loud enough for any passers by to hear, "There's no law preventing us from selling these tickets. No reason these poor souls shouldn't get to see a real show. Seeing as how they're already wasting money on this show, Mistress Dusklight felt we should show some charity and offer these folks entrance to the Celestial Menagerie at a discounted price." She spins around and shouts, "That's right! Tickets to the Celestial Menagerie--the best standing circus you'll find--at a discount!"
She spins back and sneers at Song-of-Air, "The name's Ruanna, and as you can see, I'm a better barker than any you've got."
Meanwhile, while Clover is helping to prepare the animal acts, she catches sight of someone slinking around in the shadows near the pens.
???
"Hey...I think there's someone sneaking around over by the pens," Clover casually whispers to whichever of her friends and fellow performers happen to be nearby. "Keep doing what you're doing, I'm going to see if I can get the drop on them."
Clover acts as though she's heading off to a different part of the grounds and then ducks behind a nearby tent before doubling back and attempting to blend into the shadows near the animal pens. She considers siccing Snowy on whoever it is but thinks better of it, at least for now.
It could just be some kid wanting a closer look at the animals. Not like that hasn't happened before.
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Mr. Splinters stares at Ruanna and laughs and laughs.
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Rulean says to Ruanna “Mistress Dusklight tends to hire people more for their bite than their bark. Still, it seems you have no shortage of pride to make such a claim.”
Gesturing towards the tickets they are trying to sell, he says “I must say, her circus must be going through some hard times if this is all she thinks she can get for a show. Does she plan to make up the difference with her rigged games?”
"The only rigged games in Esadar are those penny arcade games right over there," Ruanna says with a pointed look toward Ephie's arcade, though she flits a disconcerted glance at Mr. Splinters a couple of times.
Delamar adds, "Mistress Dusklight is doing so well that she can afford to be charitable to those fleeced by your so-called circus of amateurs. Hopefully, none in the audience get bitten by snakes this time."
----
Clover tries to creep over to the skulking figure. She can see that it is no child, but an adult tiefling with extensive tattoos that give him the appearance of a scaled creature. He catches sight of Clover and slinks away as fast as he can.
"Hopefully, none in the audience get bitten by snakes this time."
Chani growls a low throaty growl. "Anyone who has spent any amount of money on these Celestial Menagerie tickets already has. Mistress Dusklight is a disgrace to the entire Amurrun race. A snake would be a better description."
Chani calms himself down a bit and asks Song, "Perhaps we could alleviate the pain our loyal customers may be feeling. Could we accept unused Celestial Menagerie tickets as tokens for some of our side events and booths? I would certainly be willing to accept them at my station."
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"The only rigged games in Esadar are those penny arcade games right over there," Ruanna says with a pointed look toward Ephie's arcade, though she flits a disconcerted glance at Mr. Splinters a couple of times.
“Really? Please provide proof that any of our games are rigged. If they are, I assure you that as a faithful follower of Kurgess I will end any such shenanigans.”
“If you have no proof, then leave. I have no interest in allowing such slander to continue.”