Nathaniel listened to the back and forth between the diminutive summoner and her hellish companion with equal parts confusion and amusement. He wasn't sure exactly what Evalee was talking about with all those big, fancy words, but he was pretty sure through context that she wasn't being very coherent. Which was exactly what they needed...from the opposition.

Nate addressed them all as they continued to walk away, determined and about as thoughtful as he got. "Maybe we should just let the drunks in town know there's free booze in the main tent in the evening, then wait for the ensuing chaos to slip in. I mean, honestly, with the perimeter and number of our opponents and the fact that they merely have to tag us the odds are severely stacked against us. They might frown upon it, but they're hobbling us with these rules...time to return the favor."

Nathaniel watched the approach of Ashak with dismay, seeing from the man's posture and lack of flag that the group had once again failed to secure the item. Perhaps they were going about things the wrong way. They had a fairly good idea of who was defending everything, right?

As Ashak got closer, Nathaniel started walking alongside him, glancing over his shoulder at the carnies. "You know, Ashak, carnies absolutely love alcohol. Maybe we should try to grease the wheel, if you get my drift. Let's find everyone else." The juggler grinned as the pair moved off to find the rest of the group, ready to begin planning again.

I'm still around, as well. Juggling in perpetuity. :p

Ummm, do all the ropes and whatnot lead to the platform on the way to the top? Perhaps Ashak could jump off the ladder and try to Tarzan his butt up there? Not very likely, but it's almost assured that the baboon will strike when he reaches the platform...

Go Team Misfit!

Being Pogug seems like the cooler option, though I don't know you IRL. :p

Nathaniel, more annoyed at the halfling's success, attempts to dazzle and distract by instantly going into a juggling routine. "Hey, you're pretty good with that little needle, there, but can you do this?" Three, four, then five daggers flip into the air, a pretty spectacular bit of showmanship in the strange, magical lighting.

Perform (Juggling): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

I agree, wtf Google? I mean, don't they pay people to make the search engine work better? If my daughters google rainbowdash, that's not the first list of suggestions I'd like to see. LOL

Nathaniel steps out of the tree line, motioning for Evalee to head north a bit and out of the way before doing so. Waving his dagger about, he grinned to the carnies he could see, yelling out, "Hey, ugly! Or uglies, as it were! Come and get me! He proceeded to hop from one foot to the other, making a general fool of himself in trying to taunt them.

Move, then total defense

Unaware of the goings on above them, Nathaniel patiently (or as patiently as he could, which meant lots of pacing) waited for Pogug to signal he was going into 'sneak' mode. That would be the juggler's cue to start making a ruckus.

Nathaniel shrugged at Erin's question. "Ready as I'll ever be, I suppose. Good luck!" Nathaniel kept a finely-crafted dagger at the ready, but thought he probably wouldn't use them this go around. Mobility and staying out of range were more important than squaring off with the carnies.

The plan seemed to start out simple enough, so Nathaniel went to hide with the rest of his companions in the treeline, hoping that Pogug's excellent plan would succeed. He might need to offer a more defensive front this time, as opposed to trying to be offensive. After all, the carnies only had to tap him, whereas he would have to incapacitate them.

When dusk came, he would look to the others who would actually be casting, waiting on their cues before he would start to move and act.

Nathaniel just snickered at Doc's reaction to both the curious Basil ARcto and the quality of his goods. After the door gets slammed on them, the juggler shrugged, looking back to his companions. "Well, thanks, and all that. On with the show? I'm ready for some payback!"

Nathaniel listened to the others talk, then shrugged. "I'm not really sneaky, and I don't do magic worth a flip. But if we put up a mist, I can sure as hell flip daggers at the would-be guardians and make them spend a few precious seconds chasing me down. Time enough to help exploit openings in their defenses."

Nate didn't have a Vween-Maker to tune in his boredom, so he paced about instead. He wasn't too sure trying to disguise someone as someone else would do much good, but then again, he had never been accused of being able to plan a breakfast, much less a successful infiltration against opponents who were ready for you. He just hoped they won, as the pressure would be on if they crapped out again.

Nathaniel hears Basil rattle off some nonsense the young man cared nothing about, the juggler resisting the urge to roll his eyes as the shopowner and the ladies of the party exchange information about the making of single-use wands. Yawn.

When the others are ready to leave, Nathaniel leans in excitedly, looking over their purchases before starting to speak. "So what's the plan, folks? Go in under cover of the fog, with our sneakiest folks even more sneaky and small? Evalee make a mad dash with the speedy wand? The wind spirit ride plan?" It's clear that Nate might not understand the mechanics behind a lot of these things, but he is excited at the prospect of finally beating the carnies at their game.

Nathaniel nodded grimly at Ashak's statement...that much silver could have gone a long way towards meals and whatnot should the whole carnival gig not work out. Still, the juggler felt better with the wands purchased, like the group had a more decent shot of pulling things off this evening. Once everyone is ready, he is eager to be back to the circus to finish planning and make a better second attempt.

Nathaniel only insists on purchasing the Obscuring Mist wand, even though he cannot use it, but otherwise is clearly long past ready to go. He paced back and forth like a caged beast, irrationally looking forward to the evening time. Perhaps they would make a better show of it this time around.

Yes, back to the circus.

Nathaniel looked at the handy labels on the wands, his interest piqued at the variety. A nice little plethora of options to choose from for tonight. He looked them over as thoroughly as his short attention span would allow him, then joined the others.

"I can't use any of them, but the one that can bring fog (obscuring mist), the one that can shrink (reduce person), and the one that can make you move faster (expeditious retreat) all seem good. There's one that can trap someone to their shadow (shadow trap), and a wand that even could make someone do something you tell it (command). What do you guys think?"

Nathaniel smirked at Ashak's comment, nodding his agreement. "And the town guard doesn't seem to be concerned, either. Maybe this city is more rife with magic than it first appeared. Still, if his magic can help us with the carnival tasks, then I'm willing to give it a go. It's tiresome always getting your ass kicked."

He looked at the proprietor, narrowing his eyes. "You're right, though...he has sleazy salesman written all over him. We better tag along with them to make sure we don't get bilked of our hard-earned coin."

I wouldn't mind trying to disguise myself anyway. Although I'm not sure they'd let Joe Everyman in there any more than any one of us. Maybe Nate could at least tie them up...you'd have to think the carnies would at least be wary of whopping a stranger. LOL

Nathaniel has to keep from yawning as the excited shopkeeper started to talk about business transactions and sales and whatnot. There was a reason he hadn't become an entrepreneur. But still, the young man's eyes lit up as Basil seemed to indicate he had all the required components they had been sent for, including the sunstone powder.

Seeing that the others were intrigued by the wands, Nathaniel tried to look at the offering sagely, as well, though he had no idea what any of them did. Perhaps they could grant an edge this evening when they went to try for the flag once again.

Nathaniel stopped suddenly as the wooden cutout decided to talk at them, more than happy to let Semsephiel lead the way inside. And prudent advice, as well. If the devil-blooded was destroyed, Nathaniel was not about to risk his life over some alchemist's leaves and extracts. The young man listened to Evalee's excitable banter with patience, her being easy on the eye making it a bit easier to do.

When Erin came to stand next to him and offered her theories, Nathaniel just shook his head. "Wizards and their sorcery. But if I had to pick one, I would say option 3." The juggler nodded in sympathy and understanding to Pogug, clapping him companionably on the shoulder as he waited for the devil to enter and see what might be in store for the group.

As they approached the strange tower that was a very recent addition to the city, Nathaniel looked at it dubiously. He smirked at Ashak's comment, shaking his head. "Nothing with wizards is perfectly normal. Let's get this dread business over with so we can finalize our plans for this evening."

The young man craned his neck to look up at the towering spire, then shook his head again. The world might be a better place if all the wizards would just go jump in a lake. Still, there was nothing for it but to just charge ahead. Unless anyone decided to offer caution, the knife-thrower continued forward to enter Basil Arcto's new digs.

Nathaniel shook his head at Evalee's suggestion of perhaps helping at the docks. In his mind, the group had done quite enough in running down the rampant, murderous chameleon. "Let's just go get Doc's stuff and get back. I don't want to know what might be in the other crates."

The young man spent a good deal of time retrieving his tossed daggers, but otherwise was ready to go to their next stop. Sweat beaded on his brow at the sudden burst of effort, but everyone (the poor sailor excluded, of course) had made it through, so Nathaniel was in more or less a good mood.

Nathaniel couldn't help but laugh as Pogug was finally revived and boasted of his slaying of the chameleon, clapping the goblin on the shoulder. "Just so, Pogug. Excellent work!" The young man gently guided the goblin over to Ashak, nodding to the hobgoblin before turning towards the tardy guards.

Nathaniel grinned at Evalee, tossing his dagger into the air before whipping his hand out and sheathing it in one smooth motion. The young man looked a little unfocused for a moment, wondering why exactly he had just done that, then remembered the lovely summoner still standing there. Showing off, right. Anyway, he regarded the guards with a friendly smile. "That big lizard there tore out of a crate and made off with our friend. Could have caused a lot more damage if we hadn't brought it down!"

Nathaniel ran forward to the fallen chameleon and stands ready to assist Ashak and Semsephiel. If the two of them can't manage to dig Pogug out of the lizard's mouth, Nate will slice the creature's belly open in an attempt to remove their goblin companion, hopefully not stabillating him in the process.

Finding the source of the chameleon by Erin's strike bringing forth a shower of blood, Nathaniel had another dagger in his hand and launching toward the fleeing reptile, moving closer as he did so to close the range.

Throwing Knife: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d4 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9
Miss Chance: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Nathaniel's head whipped around to where the poor goblin's screams were emanating. He still had trouble discerning exactly where, but he let a knife fly anyway, hoping for the best.

Thrown Dagger, PBS: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d4 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9
Miss Chance: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Oh, I'm sorry...I guess I wasn't sure exactly what I could see or not see or where we were at. Durrr.

Nathaniel continued to twist about and look for the lizard and/or goblin, panic starting to rise as he couldn't find them. He held his knife up in the ready position, ready to flick it forth as soon as he saw movement. IF he saw movement. He called out to the others, "Any sign???"

Panicking as he searched around for the creature and his goblin companion, the young man heard Pogug's screams.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Taking a chance, he just shrugged and let a dagger fly in the direction of the shrill cries, wondering if they had lost this friend so soon.

Dagger: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Miss Chance: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Not sure when I'd actually be in range...

Nathaniel continued up the stairs with his momentum, pounding up the stairs in his efforts to try to stop Pogug from becoming the chameleon's lunch. He sees Erin and Ashak giving chase along the rooftops, only to see the acrobat slip. The young man winced, but kept focused on the task at hand, getting a dagger ready.

If I can get an attack in

Thrown Dagger: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Miss Chance: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Nathaniel continued to sprint down the street, making it to the base of the stairs. He glanced up, hoping that his and Semsephiel's presence will be enough of a deterrent to keep the chameleon-like beast from clambering over the wall and out.

Seeing that the lizard is heading towards the wall (or at least being told that, hopefully), Nathaniel started to run in that direction, hoping he can access the stairs and get on the reptile's level before it arrived.

Nathaniel takes off in the direction that Semsephiel's voice came from, cursing as it seemed the goblin was not exactly on the ground. He came within sight of the huge eidolon, then looked about, hoping to see Pogug, the chameleon, or both.

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes and peered around, waiting for the creature to emerge from hiding. Perhaps it had run off, and that was unfortunate, but he would be ready if it sprung out at them.

With the beast now being back oriented toward land, or at least that's what Nathaniel is assuming when Semsephiel sliced through the air and was rewarded with a spray of blood, the young man moved forward and then let fly with the dagger in his hand, attempting to skewer the beast before it can cause any more injury/death/mayhem.

Thrown Dagger, PBS: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 1 = 29
Crit?: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Crit Damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Miss Chance: 1d2 ⇒ 1

With the group being near the water's edge, Nathaniel doesn't want to risk any of his precious knives, instead drawing a dagger and moving in closer to where the creature was, hoping they can pen it in and keep it from escaping or harming anyone else. The young man hmphed at Semsephiel's bet...he sure as hell wasn't betting against the eidolon. As he got closer, he swiped with his knife where they last saw the beast, out of desperation more than anything else.

Dagger: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Nathaniel smirked at Evalee's excited speech, but heeded her words and followed her into the city. They needed to pick up Doc's things, as she said, even though it seemed to be possibly a fool's task unless they could figure something out to get the flag.

A silly idea occurred to him as they walked. "Hey, what's a city got a ton of? Beggars, right? The downtrodden, the miscreants, the list goes on. For a few coppers each, we could probably bribe a horde of them to swarm the grounds and cause mischief. The sneakier of us could still be sneaky, and the rest of us can stir on our beggar army and provide distractions of our own."

Or possibly invest in some tower shields? They provide cover from missile attacks. The boots idea is pretty genius, actually. Great thinking!

Nathaniel thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Maybe we can just simply bribe some of them to look the other way. Or to take a bathroom break." He chuckled, then shook his head. "All those sound like good additions to a plan, Evalee. I can possibly hit them, but I'm not sure it would put them out. Might set the whole place on fire, actually."

Not really feeling in the mood for it after the disaster of the previous evening, the young man forced himself to go out and practice with the full-time entertainers in the carnival. Even though he is already well-practiced, he managed to pick up a couple tips from some of the other agile performers and put on a pretty amazing display!

Perform Knife Juggling: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Afterwords, as the group gathered together to go back into town for the remaining ingredients, the sullen Nathaniel spoke. "So that went pretty poorly. Perhaps the sneaky folks can wrap cloth around their feet or wear all black or something. I don't believe that big Halador fellow has a ranged weapon of any sort...maybe we can draw him away from the front if he's there again by flipping some knives at him. Didn't someone say something about a horse?"

Opportune Parry: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 Sheesh...lots of 1's flying around for the PC's.

Nathaniel attempted to swipe away the rapier strike of the Halfling, but is unprepared and takes a 'tag' against his armor. The young man snapped the dagger back into his belt, storming off before he let his irritation overcome him.

Nathaniel continued to curse, hearing the commotion near where Pogug had been. He scooted that way, pulling a dagger with each hand, as he saw the terrifying two-headed Simeon trying to get a bead on his goblin companion. The young man flipped a knife at the creature, tossing the other knife to his good hand as the weapon spun through the air.

Throwing Knife: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Hearing the talking and seeing the lights appear in the general direction of his companions, Nathaniel cursed under his breath. At least Pogug seemed to be hidden, for the moment. As Erin streaked across his field of vision back to the outskirts of the treeline, Nathaniel moved south and into the clear cut portion around the carnival, attempting to draw heat away from both of his shorter companions.

"Hey! Over here! Ya missed me!" The young man prepared to move, hoping he wasn't swarmed before he had the chance.

The young man nodded at Pogug, thinking that if Semsephiel's distraction doesn't work the knife-thrower can come forward quickly and perhaps help keep eyes off the goblin and Erin. Nathaniel will wait behind the tree line for now, thinking that causing a new distraction as a former distraction is tagged will allow for more time for his 'sneaky' companions than everyone just popping out at once. With how dangerous they had found the members of the carnival, he didn't like the odds of staying running for long before being 'tagged'.

Going to delay, for now. (unless someone has a better idea for me).

Nathaniel nodded his understanding to Ashak, his heart starting to pump as the adrenaline kicked in. He understood it was a tag-based endeavor, but one 'tag' from some of these carnies would pack a wallop! He skirted the treeline to the east, trying to get north so that when he provided the hobgoblin with a distraction the woman there would be pulled north so he could approach from the southeasterly direction.

Nathaniel listened to the others talk about physics and ropes and whatnot, pretty bored with the conversation. When it got back around to action, he jumped back in. "Ok, so Erin will try to scamper up the rope? How about we flit in and out near the entrance...if Evalee, Semsephiel and I keep moving and don't bother to try and fight, we can probably avoid being hit. Or even if we are, we can absorb enough of the heat that you guys can complete your task inside."

Once at the wagon, Nathaniel steps aside to allow Evalee and Semsephiel first entrance. They seemed to be able to follow what the strange man was saying better than the rest of them. And he also wished to avoid explaining their failure to get the sunstone. He figured if the summoner told Doc the tale in her normal, jovial fashion then he might take it better.

As they waited, he started to confer with his companions. "So what's the plan, folks? Do we need to go back into town for supplies?"

Nathaniel shrugged at Semsephiel's words, that seeming as good a plan as any. Some reagents was better than no reagents, after all, and it wasn't their fault that the sunstone was unable to be procured. He went with the others to deliver the portion of their cargo that was attainable to the strange healer of the Carnival, then discuss strategy.

Nathaniel thought to add that even if it was a bother, the things that needed to be fresh should be fresh. Otherwise this test would be a failure and they might as well not indulge in the capture the flag game that had been set up for them. However, the man in charge seemed to know the particulars and knew to get it 'fresh'.

Letting the others decide on how best to procure the goods, the young man set his thoughts to spinning on how best to gather the flag up. He liked the idea of serving as a distraction, but wondered how well-guarded the tent would be. Maybe if they could figure out a way to move in the dark...all the 'regulars' of the carnival seemed to have normal eyesight. If the party could manage to sneak in without a light source, it might go pretty well for them.