Totally forgetting about the lost boy for a moment when he sees the amazing dragonfly rides, Ben pipes up, "Yes, let's go on a ride! It looks quite fun! Come on, Bob!"
The usually stoic mason seems to be excited by just about everything this evening, and his usual pedantic attitude has lightened significantly. Strangely, the very tips of the dull moth-wings he selected on the way in are starting to flush with a hint of color.
Bob looks over at Primrose, almost asking for permission. "Migh' as well check the ride out. Y'know check it's workin' proper," he says in his cockney drawl. Bob had always loved going on the rides since he was a young hatchling; they still invoked feelings of excitement and thrill within the little kenku.
"Lets go! Oh boy!"Bob yells as he springs forward towards the ride. "Make sure y'choose a quick one!"he says to Ben, not managing to contain his excitement.
Ben's ticket is punched, and he and Bob are led by the squirrel down to a row of lily pads where the trained dragonflies await passengers. Ben carefully studies the animals and picks a particularly fit and agile beast. A small crowd is here, watching the action or waiting for returning riders. A middle-aged dwarven customer with a bright blue beard is debating with his wife whether to take a ride.
Ben and Bob are carefully strapped in, and the huge insects take off, initially hovering about twenty feet off the ground. But before they begin their circuit over the carnival, shouts of alarm erupt from a nearby lily pad. A giant dragonfly has just taken off prematurely with a patron on its back: the blue-bearded dwarf sits unfastened in his harness, and is now in danger of plummeting to the ground. He shouts and lurches unsteadily atop the massive dragonfly, which is itself startled and unsettled. (Ben and Bob may make a perception check to see how much else they take in right now.)
(If Ben or Bob wants to intervene, they must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check to steer their dragonfly off course. Ben may have advantage for choosing a particularly excellent mount.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Almost giddy with excitement Bob thanks the squirrel and follows her to the dragonflies. "Oh boy! You sure did choose a mighty-fine beast, Ben.Seems ta me like you've got some past experience with giant dragonflies! Either that or I'd say you're a natural."
The innate look of glee on Bob's face quickly changes to terror as events surrounding the blue-bearded dwarf unfold. Looking left and right, Bob struggles to see Primrose anywhere. "If there ain't only one thing for it," Bob whispers to Dunstable, as he proceeds to roll up his sleeves. Taking the little clockwork bird from his shoulder, he winds it up, his hands shaking as he goes. After the tiny mechanical bird is fully wound, Bob holds it towards the misbehaving giant dragonfly, his arms outstretched.
"Tha's it, Dunstable. Jus' as we practised,"Bob commands the clockwork bird. Dunstable's cogs and motors begin to click and turn, it makes a strange chittering, rustling sound that, if Bob has calculated correctly, should sound precisely like a friendly giant dragonfly.
((Using Magical Tinkering in an attempt to calm the giant dragonfly))
Pleased that his creation at least appears to be working as intended, Bob is overwhelmed almost to the point of tears. "Tha's it, Dunstable. I knew y' 'ad it in yer." Bob says to his creation through sniffles.
Upon returning to the lost property tent, Horatio approaches the cat-creature.
"This boy says his mother is buying something, so why was he here with you? Where is his mother? This carnival isn't that large, shouldn't they be reunited right away?"
Horatio would suggest the carnival security attendants assigned to him and his fellows instead go help the two children find their families.
Once the Viro is taken care of, he says to the cat-creature. "Look, I my reflection was taken in this place. If you don't have it here, where can I find it? You work here, you are in charge of lost things, you have to have some idea what's going on. Right?"
Both Ben (who easily redirects his dragonfly) and Bob (who barely manages to steer his, and only thanks to his mock-dragonfly noisemaking) successfully turn their mounts toward the floundering dwarf, who is in immediate danger of falling. Either or both may try to calm the dwarf's startled mount and guide it back to a lily pad with a successful DC 14 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check. (No advantage for Ben or tinkering bonus for Bob this time, unless they have something new up their sleeves.)
--
Just as Horatio makes his remarks, the boys' mother returns to the Lost Property Wagon. (She calls to them and they depart. She is clearly unaware of what just transpired with her eldest, and gives Dirla only the smallest of thanks for watching her boys for a few minutes. They soon vanish into the crowd.)
"I sometimes look after children. I fear any more going missing," explains Dirla. "I don't know where the missing things go." The cat is still quite agitated and triggered by the runaway incident. "Look, maybe you can sneak into the Staff Area behind the Big Top and spy on Witch and Light."
Horatio perks up considerably, "That's a great idea! Will you help us? it sounds like you've had to deal with a lot of missing people and are quite tired of it. If not, I understand. I once lost a job for telling my employer he was an idiot, and I almost starved that winter. It can be hard to stick your neck out sometimes."
A wave of emotions wash over Alyeira as she glances at the young girl. She knew firsthand that the carnival was a wild and dangerous place, full of malicious creatures. And to be lost in the hall of illusions of all places... she and many of her fellow workers did not like this place - it always seemed to be surrounded in an odd feeling that gave her the creeps. But that did not mean the boy was dead.
The Eladrin doea not quite know what to say to Matilda. In all her years of helping out around the carnival, she had never encountered a situation like this. On one hand, she wants to comfort her, make Matilda believe that her brother was alive.. but false hope can be a dangerous thing, and she did not want to lie.
Placing a rosy hand on the girl's head, she pets her hair in a comforting manner. "Right now he is simply lost. Come, lets continue looking."
A wave of emotions wash over Alyeira as she glances at the young girl. She knew firsthand that the carnival was a wild and dangerous place, full of malicious creatures. And to be lost in the hall of illusions of all places... she and many of her fellow workers did not like this place - it always seemed to be surrounded in an odd feeling that gave her the creeps. But that did not mean the boy was dead.
The Eladrin did not quite know what to say to Matilda. In all her years of helping out around the carnival, she had never encountered a situation like this. On one hand, she wants to comfort her, make Matilda believe that her brother was alive.. but false hope can be a dangerous thing, and she did not want to lie.
Placing a rosy hand on the girl's head, she pets her hair in a comforting manner. "Right now he is simply lost. Come, lets continue looking."
Matilda looked up at Alyeira, " Your a good person....especially for an adult."
She walked up to the end of the mirrored hallway, examining and forcing herself to touch each mirror in turn.
" Assuming I am missing memories where else is one likely to lose things here?"
"I sometimes look after children. I fear any more going missing," explains Dirla. "I don't know where the missing things go." The cat is still quite agitated and triggered by the runaway incident. "Look, maybe you can sneak into the Staff Area behind the Big Top and spy on Witch and Light."
Colin crosses his arms. "Those rascals. I'm almost surprised to hear you suggest that. But I hear you, Dirla. You may be onto something. I will follow up on this with these fine folk."
Matilda and Alyeira: Inside the Hall of Illusions, Matilda and Alyeira continue to examine the mirrors. Touching every mirror, Matilda finds that they are all identical in look and feel, even if the frames vary slightly. All are very cold, all vibrate very slightly, and all are quite solid. More carnival-goers enter the tent, awaiting their turn in the exhibit.
Colin, Cad, Horatio, and Edgardo: Dirla shakes its head. "I can't help you. I need to look after this stuff. I just want to find my own cub, my Star. But Light and Witch hole up in their wagon in the Staff Area behind the Big Top until midnight, until the Big Top Extravaganza. Something's up, but they're not going to talk openly to you." Colin knows that the Staff Area is surrounded by a wall of thorns, but will open for him, and other staff members. He also knows that the interior perimeter is guarded by a bugbear named Burly who won't take kindly to customers being there.
Ben and Bob: Having successfully redirected their giant dragonfly steeds to come to the dwarven customer's aid, either will need to roll another DC 14 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check to try to guide the bucking beast back to the safety of the ground.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Right yer are!" Bob exclaims as he moves to help the dwarven fellow's steed back to the lily pad with the assistance of Ben.
Working quickly, Bob retrieves a length of the rope he carried within his trusty satchel. He quickly ties a knot at the end to create a lasso... only... it doesn't work. Confused, Bob attempts to tie the knot again - that's right, over, under, through, like that, and pullll. Bob pulls the rope and the knot falls apart.
Beginning to panic, the tiny kenku stares at Ben, "I d-d-don't know how to do it?! I mean, I do. But I don't."Why won't it work!
In the end, Bob throws the other side of the rope to Ben and together they fashion a snare of sorts. "'ope this'll work else matey-boy 'ere will be in quite the pickle!" he yells to Ben.
"Whoa, hold on now! I just came to enjoy the Carnival. I'm happy to help you find your... reflection?" he says to Horatio with an incredulous shake of his head. "But trying to spy on the owners of a traveling Carnival, full of magical beings and objects from the Feywild... That's a bit much, don't you think? If Dirla here thinks it's so easy to eavesdrop on them, maybe she should go. I'll keep an eye on your stuff while you're away. No?"
He tries a calm, reasonable tone with Horatio, laying a hand on his shoulder. "Are you even certain your reflection was lost here? Maybe it had nothing to do with the Carnival. Could you have been turned into a vampire? I hear they don't have reflections either. Or maybe you have some unusual blood somewhere back in your lineage -- no judgement here! Lots of folks find out their family tree isn't so straightforward as they'd thought. Could be some trait that just happened to manifest at about the same time as your visit, or maybe being exposed to all of the magic here quickened it. I don't know; all I'm saying is that we should be sure the Carnival was the cause of your... condition... before we go to such drastic lengths."
"Look, we've got all night. Let's see where Ben and his kenku guardian have gotten off to. And I feel like we should check on the girl. I honestly don't know what I was thinking, letting her go off with some carnie -- no offense intended, of course! And then there's the matter of those... what do you call them? The fried doughy worms? With the sugar on top? Anyway, we should scout out some more of the Carnival before committing to breaking into the one area marked off limits."
Not wanting to lose the small amount of help he might be able to get from a friendly face, Horatio tries hard not to show his disappointment and welling frustration.
"Cad... I... I understand how you must feel. But I'm not confused about this, and I'm not wrong. Think on what has already happened. The things we have already heard from others - and what they had lost... whole children? In a place this small, with only one bridge in and out? Consistently? How are you not already horrified at this place? Like you said, this place is chalk full of magical whatsits. Our life - our town - isn't. I'll stick with you for a while longer, but one way or another I'm getting my reflection back tonight. I don't care how many rules I have to break to do it... and so help me, if I find children in danger I will burn this place to the ground."
Ben and Bob: With Ben's help, Bob manages to corral the wayward dragonfly and drive it safely down onto the lilypad. The crowd erupts in cheers even as the blue-bearded dwarven rider topples off his mount in a cold faint (only to be caught by the massive tree.) Fortunately, he comes to a moment later. "Thank you," he murmurs. His wife gives Bob a hug.
You can feel the mood of the crowd lifted. Indeed, the whole carnival feels a little livelier. The colors appear a little more vibrant, a few new flowers bloom, a pair of shooting stars sweeps across the clear night sky, and the distant music of the calliope becomes a little more upbeat.
The towering tree thanks Ben and Bob for their help. “I’m not really supposed to talk about this, but there’s nothing Mister Light likes more than a sea of smiling faces—if the carnival’s happy, he’s happy!”
Not seeing any sign of the Matildas brother in the the Hall of Illusions, Alyeira suggests a different plan.
“We don’t seem to be making much progress here. Would you like to go check out the lost property? Perhaps your brother was found and placed there until someone came to claim him. Though if you would like to continue investigating this tent we can stay.”
Not seeing any sign of the Matildas brother in the the Hall of Illusions, Alyeira suggests a different plan.
“We don’t seem to be making much progress here. Would you like to go check out the lost property? Perhaps your brother was found and placed there until someone came to claim him. Though if you would like to continue investigating this tent we can stay.”
" I suppose. Do they keep things in Lost and Found for many years?", looking a little lost and despondent she followed Alyeira.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“I’m not sure. I don’t often interact with that area of the carnival, but they might be able to help.” Alyeira casts her eyes around the hall, looking for any final clues before leading Matilda out of the tent and towards the lost property.
Investigation: 19
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Bob looks over at Primrose, almost asking for permission. "Migh' as well check the ride out. Y'know check it's workin' proper," he says in his cockney drawl. Bob had always loved going on the rides since he was a young hatchling; they still invoked feelings of excitement and thrill within the little kenku.
"Lets go! Oh boy!" Bob yells as he springs forward towards the ride. "Make sure y'choose a quick one!" he says to Ben, not managing to contain his excitement.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Ben:
Ben selects whichever one looks like it is spirited and strong, hoping to get an amazing ride:
Insight to pick the best ride: 15
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Ben and Bob:
Ben's ticket is punched, and he and Bob are led by the squirrel down to a row of lily pads where the trained dragonflies await passengers. Ben carefully studies the animals and picks a particularly fit and agile beast. A small crowd is here, watching the action or waiting for returning riders. A middle-aged dwarven customer with a bright blue beard is debating with his wife whether to take a ride.
Ben and Bob are carefully strapped in, and the huge insects take off, initially hovering about twenty feet off the ground. But before they begin their circuit over the carnival, shouts of alarm erupt from a nearby lily pad. A giant dragonfly has just taken off prematurely with a patron on its back: the blue-bearded dwarf sits unfastened in his harness, and is now in danger of plummeting to the ground. He shouts and lurches unsteadily atop the massive dragonfly, which is itself startled and unsettled. (Ben and Bob may make a perception check to see how much else they take in right now.)
(If Ben or Bob wants to intervene, they must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check to steer their dragonfly off course. Ben may have advantage for choosing a particularly excellent mount.)
Almost giddy with excitement Bob thanks the squirrel and follows her to the dragonflies. "Oh boy! You sure did choose a mighty-fine beast, Ben. Seems ta me like you've got some past experience with giant dragonflies! Either that or I'd say you're a natural."
The innate look of glee on Bob's face quickly changes to terror as events surrounding the blue-bearded dwarf unfold. Looking left and right, Bob struggles to see Primrose anywhere. "If there ain't only one thing for it," Bob whispers to Dunstable, as he proceeds to roll up his sleeves. Taking the little clockwork bird from his shoulder, he winds it up, his hands shaking as he goes. After the tiny mechanical bird is fully wound, Bob holds it towards the misbehaving giant dragonfly, his arms outstretched.
"Tha's it, Dunstable. Jus' as we practised," Bob commands the clockwork bird. Dunstable's cogs and motors begin to click and turn, it makes a strange chittering, rustling sound that, if Bob has calculated correctly, should sound precisely like a friendly giant dragonfly.
((Using Magical Tinkering in an attempt to calm the giant dragonfly))
Pleased that his creation at least appears to be working as intended, Bob is overwhelmed almost to the point of tears. "Tha's it, Dunstable. I knew y' 'ad it in yer." Bob says to his creation through sniffles.
((Animal Handling: 11))
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Upon returning to the lost property tent, Horatio approaches the cat-creature.
"This boy says his mother is buying something, so why was he here with you? Where is his mother? This carnival isn't that large, shouldn't they be reunited right away?"
Horatio would suggest the carnival security attendants assigned to him and his fellows instead go help the two children find their families.
Once the Viro is taken care of, he says to the cat-creature. "Look, I my reflection was taken in this place. If you don't have it here, where can I find it? You work here, you are in charge of lost things, you have to have some idea what's going on. Right?"
Ben:
“Oh no,” exclaims Ben, “That is not at all how you ride safely!”
He looks to see what help they may be, then tries to encourage his own dragonfly to go assist.
Perception: 16
Animal Handling w/advantage: 15
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Both Ben (who easily redirects his dragonfly) and Bob (who barely manages to steer his, and only thanks to his mock-dragonfly noisemaking) successfully turn their mounts toward the floundering dwarf, who is in immediate danger of falling. Either or both may try to calm the dwarf's startled mount and guide it back to a lily pad with a successful DC 14 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check. (No advantage for Ben or tinkering bonus for Bob this time, unless they have something new up their sleeves.)
--
Just as Horatio makes his remarks, the boys' mother returns to the Lost Property Wagon. (She calls to them and they depart. She is clearly unaware of what just transpired with her eldest, and gives Dirla only the smallest of thanks for watching her boys for a few minutes. They soon vanish into the crowd.)
"I sometimes look after children. I fear any more going missing," explains Dirla. "I don't know where the missing things go." The cat is still quite agitated and triggered by the runaway incident. "Look, maybe you can sneak into the Staff Area behind the Big Top and spy on Witch and Light."
Horatio perks up considerably, "That's a great idea! Will you help us? it sounds like you've had to deal with a lot of missing people and are quite tired of it. If not, I understand. I once lost a job for telling my employer he was an idiot, and I almost starved that winter. It can be hard to stick your neck out sometimes."
A wave of emotions wash over Alyeira as she glances at the young girl. She knew firsthand that the carnival was a wild and dangerous place, full of malicious creatures. And to be lost in the hall of illusions of all places... she and many of her fellow workers did not like this place - it always seemed to be surrounded in an odd feeling that gave her the creeps. But that did not mean the boy was dead.
The Eladrin doea not quite know what to say to Matilda. In all her years of helping out around the carnival, she had never encountered a situation like this. On one hand, she wants to comfort her, make Matilda believe that her brother was alive.. but false hope can be a dangerous thing, and she did not want to lie.
Placing a rosy hand on the girl's head, she pets her hair in a comforting manner. "Right now he is simply lost. Come, lets continue looking."
Matilda looked up at Alyeira, " Your a good person....especially for an adult."
She walked up to the end of the mirrored hallway, examining and forcing herself to touch each mirror in turn.
" Assuming I am missing memories where else is one likely to lose things here?"
Investigation: 6
Colin crosses his arms. "Those rascals. I'm almost surprised to hear you suggest that. But I hear you, Dirla. You may be onto something. I will follow up on this with these fine folk."
Paladin - warforged - orange
Matilda and Alyeira:
Inside the Hall of Illusions, Matilda and Alyeira continue to examine the mirrors. Touching every mirror, Matilda finds that they are all identical in look and feel, even if the frames vary slightly. All are very cold, all vibrate very slightly, and all are quite solid. More carnival-goers enter the tent, awaiting their turn in the exhibit.
Colin, Cad, Horatio, and Edgardo:
Dirla shakes its head. "I can't help you. I need to look after this stuff. I just want to find my own cub, my Star. But Light and Witch hole up in their wagon in the Staff Area behind the Big Top until midnight, until the Big Top Extravaganza. Something's up, but they're not going to talk openly to you." Colin knows that the Staff Area is surrounded by a wall of thorns, but will open for him, and other staff members. He also knows that the interior perimeter is guarded by a bugbear named Burly who won't take kindly to customers being there.
Ben and Bob:
Having successfully redirected their giant dragonfly steeds to come to the dwarven customer's aid, either will need to roll another DC 14 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check to try to guide the bucking beast back to the safety of the ground.
Ben:
”Come on Bob, let’s work together and do this!” says Ben, aware of the danger but excited by the thrill of an imminent rescue.
Using Help action to aid Bob with Animal Handling.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
"Right yer are!" Bob exclaims as he moves to help the dwarven fellow's steed back to the lily pad with the assistance of Ben.
Working quickly, Bob retrieves a length of the rope he carried within his trusty satchel. He quickly ties a knot at the end to create a lasso... only... it doesn't work. Confused, Bob attempts to tie the knot again - that's right, over, under, through, like that, and pullll. Bob pulls the rope and the knot falls apart.
Beginning to panic, the tiny kenku stares at Ben, "I d-d-don't know how to do it?! I mean, I do. But I don't." Why won't it work!
In the end, Bob throws the other side of the rope to Ben and together they fashion a snare of sorts. "'ope this'll work else matey-boy 'ere will be in quite the pickle!" he yells to Ben.
Animal Handling: 16
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Cadwallader:
"Whoa, hold on now! I just came to enjoy the Carnival. I'm happy to help you find your... reflection?" he says to Horatio with an incredulous shake of his head. "But trying to spy on the owners of a traveling Carnival, full of magical beings and objects from the Feywild... That's a bit much, don't you think? If Dirla here thinks it's so easy to eavesdrop on them, maybe she should go. I'll keep an eye on your stuff while you're away. No?"
He tries a calm, reasonable tone with Horatio, laying a hand on his shoulder. "Are you even certain your reflection was lost here? Maybe it had nothing to do with the Carnival. Could you have been turned into a vampire? I hear they don't have reflections either. Or maybe you have some unusual blood somewhere back in your lineage -- no judgement here! Lots of folks find out their family tree isn't so straightforward as they'd thought. Could be some trait that just happened to manifest at about the same time as your visit, or maybe being exposed to all of the magic here quickened it. I don't know; all I'm saying is that we should be sure the Carnival was the cause of your... condition... before we go to such drastic lengths."
"Look, we've got all night. Let's see where Ben and his kenku guardian have gotten off to. And I feel like we should check on the girl. I honestly don't know what I was thinking, letting her go off with some carnie -- no offense intended, of course! And then there's the matter of those... what do you call them? The fried doughy worms? With the sugar on top? Anyway, we should scout out some more of the Carnival before committing to breaking into the one area marked off limits."
Horatio:
Not wanting to lose the small amount of help he might be able to get from a friendly face, Horatio tries hard not to show his disappointment and welling frustration.
"Cad... I... I understand how you must feel. But I'm not confused about this, and I'm not wrong. Think on what has already happened. The things we have already heard from others - and what they had lost... whole children? In a place this small, with only one bridge in and out? Consistently? How are you not already horrified at this place? Like you said, this place is chalk full of magical whatsits. Our life - our town - isn't. I'll stick with you for a while longer, but one way or another I'm getting my reflection back tonight. I don't care how many rules I have to break to do it... and so help me, if I find children in danger I will burn this place to the ground."
Ben and Bob:
With Ben's help, Bob manages to corral the wayward dragonfly and drive it safely down onto the lilypad. The crowd erupts in cheers even as the blue-bearded dwarven rider topples off his mount in a cold faint (only to be caught by the massive tree.) Fortunately, he comes to a moment later. "Thank you," he murmurs. His wife gives Bob a hug.
You can feel the mood of the crowd lifted. Indeed, the whole carnival feels a little livelier. The colors appear a little more vibrant, a few new flowers bloom, a pair of shooting stars sweeps across the clear night sky, and the distant music of the calliope becomes a little more upbeat.
The towering tree thanks Ben and Bob for their help. “I’m not really supposed to talk about this, but there’s nothing Mister Light likes more than a sea of smiling faces—if the carnival’s happy, he’s happy!”
Not seeing any sign of the Matildas brother in the the Hall of Illusions, Alyeira suggests a different plan.
“We don’t seem to be making much progress here. Would you like to go check out the lost property? Perhaps your brother was found and placed there until someone came to claim him. Though if you would like to continue investigating this tent we can stay.”
" I suppose. Do they keep things in Lost and Found for many years?", looking a little lost and despondent she followed Alyeira.
“I’m not sure. I don’t often interact with that area of the carnival, but they might be able to help.”
Alyeira casts her eyes around the hall, looking for any final clues before leading Matilda out of the tent and towards the lost property.
Investigation: 19