You make your way into the Big Top via the side entrance. Illuminated by floating lanterns, you see ropes strung across the ceiling and between the three large poles that hold the canopy of the Big Top. Thanks to your airborne transport, you have managed to jump the queue, and while folk are rapidly streaming into the place, it is still relatively empty, with plenty of available seating in the stands around the centre ring. At this moment, most of the seating is still available, but not for long.
Please see the Big Top map on the campaign page. There are seven stands of seating (A-G). Each stand has eight tiered rows (numbered 1-8, row 1 being the closest to the ring). If you choose to sit in the stands please let me know your location.
Balliol has suggested a back seat, Halei is on the fence, leaning to the back and Stalker has opted for row 8 stand D aisle seat. Is that the closest seat to the Main Entrance, Stalker?
"Sure thing, I'll do that. You're right, I'll go look around and see if I can find the staff area. Could one of you staying here save me a seat just in case?" Halei stands up and moves to the outskirts to snoop around. She scans over the faces around the tent, and tries to find anything that may be useful as well as the location of the Staff Area.
Wildred agreeing with the Dwarf sits down next to him....it was all a bit off fun but after being cursed into laughing,threatened to possibly drown,stared at by a mystical gnome and then whisked into the Air he has certainly taken a cautious approach to anything and everything that mint be happening in this wild merry go round and intently views the entire event suspiciously now...wanting nothing more but to move on and away from this Fair of oddities.
"Please be Careful Halei!!if one thing I have learnt is expect the unexpected in this place!!"
Balliol nods at Stalker. I'm going to take a back seat over by the side entrance. That way we can cover as much space as possible. I'll wave when I get there so that you know where I am." At that he paused for a moment. "Actually, just look for the tall ears and the red cap. But you two better wave to me so that I can still see you." He grinned at the littler people as he hopped down and over to the spot he had selected. Once he got there he looked to make sure he could still identify where Stalker and Wildred were sitting. And he tried to keep his eye on Halei if he could see where she was going. Beyond that it was eyes and ears open.
Wildred & Stalker You take a seat close to the main entrance at the back of Stand D, row 8. The platform you are seated on is about 10 feet above the ground. Here is an excellent view of the centre stage and folk entering the Big Top, which is filling up fast. You can see Balliol waving to you from over in Stand G. You can't see Halei.
Balliol You take a seat close to the side entrance where you entered the Big Top. You are seated at the back of Stand G, row 8. The platform you are seated on is about 10 feet above the ground. You can see Stalker and Wildred waving to you from over in Stand D. You can't see Halei. Ears and eyes at the ready.
For Balliol's eyes only
There is a lot of activity in the smaller, stage tent facing the centre stage. It looks like tonight's performers and hands are preparing for the show.
You hear from the tent a person call out, "Five minutes until showtime, people! Five minutes."
Halei You wander around the outskirts of the Big Top. The masses of folk are streaming in, and the tent and its seating are quickly filling.
For Halei's eyes only
A lot is going on. Strange, wonderful, beautiful and weird carnival-goers are everywhere. Weaving in and out of all the people, you make your way behind Stand A, toward the backstage tent, a smaller tent inside the big top. You notice many of the carnival employees coming and going via this tent. Some are wrangling creatures great and small. Others stand around seemingly practising some skill, juggling, running lines, etcetera. They all appear to be frantically preparing for the big show. A grumpy-looking portly chap dressed as a colourful clown puffing on a pipe keeps watch around the stage tent door. You hear from the tent a person call out, "Five minutes until showtime, people! Five minutes."
Halei waits in the shadows for now, just watching until the show starts. She hopes that once the show has started there will be less traffic in and out of the small tent in the back, and to see if the clown will move from his watch once the performance begins. Otherwise, she just might have to approach him to try and gain access.
There really wasn't much for Bugs to do. He continued to sit, listen and watch. From where he was he had a good view and listen to both the side door and the smaller stage tent. He focused his attention on those. As much as he wanted to see the show, that really wasn't what he was here for.
Stalker, you can't see or talk to Halei. The stands have filled and the crowd is now filling the isles and perimeter. Moving around is out of the question.
The lights dim, and a hush falls over the crowd. A second later, a spotlight illuminates a lithe, elven figure sitting in a silver hoop, suspended high above the centre ring by silk ropes. The elf wears a dazzling suit of diamond-pane mirrors and a pair of butterfly wings. His sceptre is topped with a spinning vane.
"Welcome, one and all, to this evening's extravaganza! I am Mister Light. Prepare to be delighted!"
The silver hoop slowly descends to the ground, and Mr Light steps into the centre ring. "Tonight's first act of magnificence will amaze and delight you with his unfathomable feats of strength. Put your hands together for the one, the only... Burly the Bugbear!"
A larger than average Bugbear with a gentle face wanders into the centre ring. Taking in the audience's applause as he saunters in. He wears blue dungaree overalls and large iron cuffs. He circles the perimeter of the centre stage, flexing his muscles and showing off his solid biceps, which are the size of an average man's thighs. A little pec flicker here and there, just to show off to the audience, and he takes the centre of the stage.
Mr Light walks toward Burly and hands him a packet of playing cards. Burly holds them above his head, grasping the cards firmly with both hands. He starts to bend the cards. He pulls hard, leans forward, and tears the entire set of cards in two with a grunt of exertion. Standing tall, he holds his hands out to show the audience the two half piles of torn cards, then throws them above his head, scattering them like confetti. The audience cheers and applause. Burly bows appreciatively around the stands.
Two goblins run onto the stage, one with a long chain in hand and the other with a huge padlock. Burly stands to attention, arms by his side, as the goblins circle him, wrapping the chain around him several times, binding his arms to his body, and securing it with the lock. The goblins hastily exit the stage, and Burly begins to wriggle. He strains, shaking and moving, expanding his body, and the chain cracks under pressure with a burst of force, clanking and crashing to the ground. The crowd cheers him on. A proud smile begins to show on his face.
The same two goblins run onto the stage, carrying a thick iron bar, about six feet long. They hand the bar to Burly. He positions it over his head and rests it on the back of his neck. Using a hand on either side, he strains and slowly bends the bar forward. Unhooking the U-shaped bar from his neck, he twists it with his hands, slowly but surely knotting the iron bar. He holds the bar above his head and turns when he is done, revealing it to the crowd. Proudly taking a bow in four directions and leaving the stage. The crowd enthusiastically claps and cheers. Burly holds the bar high and walks around the ring, accepting the applause.
"Wow!, Wasn't that something to behold, folks. Let's hear one more big round of applause for Burly, the Bugbear!" calls Mr Light.
He waits patiently, gesturing toward Burly while the applause dies down.
For Wildred's eyes only...
When you see the all familiar Burly come on stage, you remember what he said to you when you parted...
"Meet me at the back of the Big Top after the Extravaganze..."
Mr Light introduces the next act. "Please give a warm reception to no ordinary songstress, an impossibility in an impossible universe. The beautiful star attraction of The Witchlight Carnival. Palasha, the elegant, operatic mermaid!"
A big glass bowl is wheeled out into the centre ring. In it is a beautiful mermaid, her long fins billowing in the swishing water. A soul-moving tone reverberates throughout the entire Big Top as she starts to sing a beautiful soprano piece reminiscent of Diva's Dance. The water in her bowl dances and forms hypnotic shapes and patterns as she sings the sad, stirring and emotional melody. Many in the audience are brought to tears of joy by the beautiful masterpiece earning Palasha a standing ovation. She soaks up the admiration before being wheeled offstage.
Mr Light takes centre stage again. "And now, a spectacle you've never seen before, and will never, see, again. Let's give them a big round of applause. The wonderful, the Talented, Illusionists, Zephixo and Aros!"
A bright, fiery FLASH! A scream! The chest-rumbling roar of an enormous beast!
Inky blackness descends upon the bigtop. You hear a distant, urgent nocturne playing from some invisible organ and a quiet voice seems to whisper from right behind you.
“Plunge now, into depths where even demons fear to dwell.”
The cry of a steam whistle! The piercing light of a bullet lantern cuts through the blackness, descending from the ceiling in a winding loop, shining over the audience.
“Experience the stygian secrets entombed for millenia!”
The clatter of wheels on iron tracks crescendoing and fading again in time with the music.
“Share in the marvelous mysteries that could only be uncovered by the daring…”
The invisible train reaches ground level. Sparks fly in wide orange arcs around the perimeter as it screeches to a halt at the center of the ring!
“The fearless…”
The bullet lantern’s light points straight up, seeming to suck the magical darkness into its eye. Enormous shadows fly out from in four directions, outlining a man in a tall wizard’s hat, holding the lantern high in a dramatic, heroic pose. The nocturne reaches its climax as the voice shouts!
"THE STUPENDOUS ZEPHIXO!!!"
Sparks fly! The tent is immersed in warm firelight as disembodied shadows of enormous capering monsters dance around the tent’s walls. As the audience explodes in cheers and applause, Zephixo holds his lantern high, smiling and waving and laughing heartily. In his other hand he holds an ebony walking stick, the silver handle of which is sculpted to resemble a pickaxe.
Zephixo is a rather handsome dwarf with jet black hair and an ostentatiously braided beard. He’s dressed all in black robes save a pure white silk ascot, white silk gloves, and a white silk ribbon around the base of his pointed hat.
“Good evening folks!” Zephixo calls out with a surprisingly high pitched, sophisticated accent. “Good evening, one and all!”
When the audience has settled down a bit, he hooks the handle of his lantern over his cane, slinging it over his shoulder like a bindle. He strolls casually around the ring, addressing the whole audience, saying:
“I almost didn’t make it in time tonight! You see, I’ve only just returned today from an expedition into the darkest reaches of the great underground, where my ancestors once did dwell. I escaped perils, thwarted wicked machinations of the squatters who now claim the halls of my forefathers, saw wonders that beggar belief, and learned dark secrets, long forgotten.”
“And what thought buoyed me as I did battle with the forces of darkness, alone and unaided? What truth brought me strength when all seemed hopeless in those acrid, nameless halls?”
"It was the calming knowledge that Mr. Witch and Mr. Light would flay me alive if I missed curtain call."
Zephixo pauses for laughter.
“Now, who here has seen my show before? Ah! A few of you, I see! Marvelous! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patronage, and don’t worry, with all my new adventures, I’ve learned a few tricks that will surprise and astound even my most loyal of patrons! But I cannot do them alone!”
“Now, those of you who’ve seen my show before may be sad to learn that my lovely assistant Bronwyn won’t be joining us this evening as she remains lost in the astral plane after an unfortunate incident during last week’s performance. But, Mr. Light has blessedly chosen for me a new assistant!” The most perceptive among you may notice Zephixo’s smile grows a bit strained at this proclamation. “Filling in tonight for the very first time, and I’m sure she’ll do a wonderful job, please give a big Witchlight hand to the incomparable AROS!!!”
The magician flourishes his cane, the bullet lantern shining a spotlight into the darkness at the tip of the tent, where a glittering silver rope begins to slowly descend from nowhere down to the floor of the ring. One hand grasping the rope, one hoof stirruped in a loop at the end, hangs a beautiful satyr in a copper colored evening dress. A long, shimmering, gossamer-light cloak embroidered with the patterning of a monarch butterfly’s wings billows behind her as she slowly rotates, her free arm extended out grandly. Two basket hilted sabers hang from a white, satin sash at her waist, the guards plated in polished copper to match her dress. She is tall and muscular, with windswept blonde hair, as if she really had been standing atop the highest tent pole a moment before beginning her descent. She waves to the crowd, smiling and laughing and blowing kisses. The rope disappears in a flash as she steps casually to the floor.
Zephixo takes Aros’s hand and the two of them trot a quick circle as the audience’s applauds. He looks her up and down and says with genuine surprise “Aros, I see you’ve come armed!”
“A lady’s always prepared, Zephixo!” She replies, projecting out to the crowd. “In case you trap me in Avernus tonight rather than the Astral Plane.”
The tent erupts in laughter. Zephixo stammers a bit.
“Well,” Zephixo continues through the audience’s laughter, “I do appreciate you stepping in on such short notice! Especially since we’ve had no time to rehearse!”
“Who needs rehearsal, when I’m in the hands of such a consummate professional sorcerer! Folks, if this is your first time, let me be the first to say this man is a WONDER!”
The audience cheers and Zephixo bows gratefully to his assistant. She takes his tall hat from off his lowered head, placing it atop her own. It hangs bizarrely from her left horn as she continues:
“What would you like, folks? Would you like to see Zephixo cut me in half? Teleport me across the room? Transform me into a beautiful swan? Convince me to agree to a second date? Say the word, Zephixo the Stupendous can perform almost any one of those incredible feats of wizardry!”
“Aros…” Zephixo mutters through a bright smile as the audience cackles, “What did I say about improvising?”
“That’s showbiz, Zeph!” Aros replies, twirling around for the crowd, her dress and cloak floating around her. “If you wanted demure you should’ve stuffed Burly in the dress. Or maybe you shouldn’t have stood me up last week."
Incredulous, Zephixo whispers, forgetting for a moment that his voice is magically amplified for the whole big top to hear "Aros! I stood you up last week because I was searching for Bronwyn on the astral plane!"
With a wicked grin, Aros gasps and exclaims"For another woman, no less! For SHAME!"
Aros tosses Oscar’s hat to Halei with a wink before turning back to her partner. She leans down to his level, requiring her to bend at the waist a full 90 degrees. She looks at him with half-lidded eyes and says in an amplified stage whisper "Now I got ‘em warmed up for ya, Zephy. Let’s make some magic!”
---------------------
Zephixo’s performance is as stupendous as advertised, but one can’t help but notice that he grows more and more flustered as the act goes on. For every astounding feat of wizardry, Aros has a cutting jab. For every astonishing story, Aros reduces it to buffoonery with an offhand comment, the audience falling into raucous laughter at Zephixo’s expense.
Dashing as Zephixo is, he can’t seem to stand out next to Aros; statuesque, shining, and about two feet taller than him, not counting the horns. By halfway through the performance it is apparent that Aros, not Zephixo, is the star of the show! Each time she magically appears at the end of a trick the audience’s applause grows longer and more audacious, Aros egging them on with peals of wild laughter. By the end of the night she has begun punctuating her ovations by breaking into improvised, twirling dances with both sabers in hand. Even the disembodied organ apparently takes her side, accompanying her with a spirited bolero.
At the end of the performance, Zephixo and Aros take a bow and Zephixo hustles out of the ring, but the audience continues to cheer. Zephixo doesn’t return for the second curtain call, or the third, or the encore during which Aros engages in a thrilling, baudy, and dangerous swords dance, the audience clapping along in time with the music. With a final twirl and blown kiss, she exits the ring, the crowd chanting “AROS! AROS!” having apparently forgotten entirely whose name was actually on the bill this evening.
By reflex Halei catches the hat. She looks around in surprise and slight embarrassment (she thought she had been doing a good job at staying in the shadows, and wasn't expecting to be notice from the stage), but is a little grateful for the hat. The touch of the hat might make her disguise that much more believable. Once the attention is no longer on her, she puts on the hat and removes her face paint to put on jester makeup the best she can without a mirror. When she's done she makes her way over to the tent entrance.
"Ladies and Gentle Folk. Please share your great applause with the most death-defying act for tonight's Extravaganza. Uszany the Gladiator!" Mr Light slinks back into the darkness at the stage edge and out steps a small faun woman.
She is barely four feet tall. Two long horns curl back from her forehead and behind her head. She wears a leather vest, pants, and cuffs with a rolled whip on her hip. As she saunters into the centre of the ring, the light illuminates the grimaced face of a fearsome warrior.
There is the sound of hissing and clicking from above the centre stage. The audience gasps in horror to see two giant, black, hairy funnel-web spiders creep out of the darkness above, down the centre pole onto the stage from either side of Uszany. The arachnids take a threatening stance. Spreading their four rear legs, leaning back, raising their front legs high, and parading their fangs, spitting and jostling toward the tiny faun.
A stunned silence fills the Big Top. The two spiders stalk their way toward Uzsany. Turning and crouching, she holds her hands out in front of the oncoming creatures, preparing to defend against any strike. One of the creatures lunges forward, striking at the faun with its fangs, causing the audience to gasp. Uzsany ducks and rolls under the spider's legs, side-kicking it in the head with her hoof as she repositions herself. She quickly whips out the whip on her hip and flicks her wrist, extending the weapon to its entire length. Cautiously, the faun eyes her two foes as she gently lifts the whip above her head and swings the tail behind her. The same spider strikes at her again, and as it does, she quickly flicks the whip forward. A loud crack echoes through the Big Top as the whip wraps around the spider's front three legs, causing it to faceplant into the dust with a thud, fangs clapping together. The fallen spider stumbles to find its feet but cannot properly stand. The second strikes from behind Uzsany. She drops the whip and hurls herself onto the back of the untethered beast. It jerks and flicks its hairy legs, trying to knock off its rider but cannot reach her. The spider races around the centre stage while the gladiator hangs on for dear life.
With Uzsany appearing to have the upper hand, the audience starts to cheer and shout, motivating the little half-goat with rousing applause and encouragement. Uzsany plays to the crowds' affections, standing on the back of the flailing giant spider and riding it as though it were a rodeo bull. Suddenly, the faun loses her footing and tumbles sideways onto the ground, right before her previously disabled foe, who has since managed to free all but one of its legs. The monster makes no hesitation in fiercely thrusting its venom drenched fangs into the tiny faun. Almost instantly, she is paralysed by the poisonous venom. The spider starts to curl her up, spindling a web from its abdomen and wrapping her into a silken cocoon. Horrified, members of the audience begin to scream as an exhilarating performance turns into panicked commotion.
Several carnival hands appear from the wings, ropes in hand to subdue the spider encasing the performer. The other spider, on the defensive, starts to back away, intent on escape. Backing itself onto Stand F, which falls to the back of the tents it fails and breaks under the weight of the audience and spider. The spider encroaches on the folk in the stands as the crowd begins to panic and tries to run. But, the crowd is too many, and before long, the entire tent is a hysteria of frightened people trying to escape the Big Top. The crowd is panicked! The spider is panicked!
You spy a flicker of something out of the corner of your eye. And again! Unable to make out this fleeting thing bounding in and out of your visible spectrum, it seems to be confusing the giant spider. A short, agile harengon bounds toward the spider, swinging a lasso above her head. She flings the rope at the spider with skill and grace, where it lands and tightens right over its head. The beast lunges back, pulling the little rabbit girl as she digs her heels into the dirt.
Balliol, the spider is now about 15 feet to your right.
“Woooo Weeee!!!” the small harengon shouts as the lasso lands right where she wants it to. Tightening her grip, leaning back and digging in her heels she uses all her might to hold onto the beast. “C’mon Bessy, don’t do me like that! You know I’ll have a giant fly for you if you play nice. Your favorite kind to..”and her voice is cut off short as the giant spider tugs the rabbit from her stance. “Ugh, Sammy! Going to need your help with this one!”
As she yells out, the flicker in the corner seems to almost brighten a bit and then disappear right when you are about to figure out what it is. She continues to struggle with the spider, but luckily the other one has been backed away from Uzsany by the other hands. “Gol darn it Sammy, where are you when I need you! That faun won’t last long with all that venom!!” She tries to regain the upper hand with the spider but continues to fail and it is obvious her focus is split between her combatant and the paralyzed victim in the center of the ring.
“Gah!! This won’t, this won’t do!” she looks around in a panic and sees that all the other Witchlight Hands have their hands full keeping the other spider away from the audience, and decides to try for the crowd. Seeing another harengon with a bright red hat, Holy bejesus this one is tall!! She attempts to enlist some help, “Sir? Giant rabbit sir? Could you please? I - I need some HELP!!”
Wildred could hardly believe what he was seeing...after his unwelcome accent and all the other countless events that had already unfolded,despite feeling overly anxious at the start of the show,he had really enjoyed the great act from Aros and whatever the other one was called,Zephixo was it!?Finding himself clapping,cheering and laughing with the best of them,but all of that now seemed a faint memory as the Giant spider closed in and he watched the rather impressive Heranagon try to bridle her what seemed wild and unpredictable Eight legged friend.He looks over at Balliol....
"should we try and help,she seems to be in a bit of a pickle!"
Jumping up frantically from his seat Wildred casts Mage armor on himself,draws his staff pointing it towards the Giant arachnid,knees shaking uncontrollably then looks to Resmae shouting.
"sorry,I only have destructive spells prepared,and wouldn't want to hurt your hairy friend without your say so!!
wildred frantically looks around to see if there is anything anyone to help what seemed to be a rather exciting act spiraling out of control.
(All of this Assuming im correct that wildred is seated behind or infront of Balliol,Wildred would like to check to see if he can read the intentions of Resmae as to whether help means attack the spider (INSIGHT) at the same time looking around to see if there is any rope or device or anything that could help resmae restrain the Giant spider.(PERCEPTION).
By reflex Halei catches the hat. She looks around in surprise and slight embarrassment (she thought she had been doing a good job at staying in the shadows, and wasn't expecting to be notice from the stage), but is a little grateful for the hat. The touch of the hat might make her disguise that much more believable. Once the attention is no longer on her, she puts on the hat and removes her face paint to put on jester makeup the best she can without a mirror. When she's done she makes her way over to the tent entrance.
Halei dons her new hat and disguise and attempts to enter the stage tent.
Halei, you are stopped by the portly clown. "Can I help you there?" he says brazenly. Please make a DC 17 Charisma (Deception) check.
wildred frantically looks around to see if there is anything anyone to help what seemed to be a rather exciting act spiraling out of control.
(All of this Assuming im correct that wildred is seated behind or infront of Balliol,Wildred would like to check to see if he can read the intentions of Resmae as to whether help means attack the spider (INSIGHT) at the same time looking around to see if there is any rope or device or anything that could help resmae restrain the Giant spider.(PERCEPTION).
Wildred, the Harengon doesn't look like she is attacking the spider, instead it appears she is trying to wrangle it. You can see all manner of rope, ladders, crates and other props over by the back of the stage tent next to stand G about 20 feet to your left.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
You make your way into the Big Top via the side entrance. Illuminated by floating lanterns, you see ropes strung across the ceiling and between the three large poles that hold the canopy of the Big Top. Thanks to your airborne transport, you have managed to jump the queue, and while folk are rapidly streaming into the place, it is still relatively empty, with plenty of available seating in the stands around the centre ring. At this moment, most of the seating is still available, but not for long.
Please see the Big Top map on the campaign page. There are seven stands of seating (A-G). Each stand has eight tiered rows (numbered 1-8, row 1 being the closest to the ring). If you choose to sit in the stands please let me know your location.
Balliol has suggested a back seat, Halei is on the fence, leaning to the back and Stalker has opted for row 8 stand D aisle seat. Is that the closest seat to the Main Entrance, Stalker?
"Sure thing, I'll do that. You're right, I'll go look around and see if I can find the staff area. Could one of you staying here save me a seat just in case?" Halei stands up and moves to the outskirts to snoop around. She scans over the faces around the tent, and tries to find anything that may be useful as well as the location of the Staff Area.
Wildred agreeing with the Dwarf sits down next to him....it was all a bit off fun but after being cursed into laughing,threatened to possibly drown,stared at by a mystical gnome and then whisked into the Air he has certainly taken a cautious approach to anything and everything that mint be happening in this wild merry go round and intently views the entire event suspiciously now...wanting nothing more but to move on and away from this Fair of oddities.
"Please be Careful Halei!!if one thing I have learnt is expect the unexpected in this place!!"
Balliol nods at Stalker. I'm going to take a back seat over by the side entrance. That way we can cover as much space as possible. I'll wave when I get there so that you know where I am." At that he paused for a moment. "Actually, just look for the tall ears and the red cap. But you two better wave to me so that I can still see you." He grinned at the littler people as he hopped down and over to the spot he had selected. Once he got there he looked to make sure he could still identify where Stalker and Wildred were sitting. And he tried to keep his eye on Halei if he could see where she was going. Beyond that it was eyes and ears open.
Wildred & Stalker
You take a seat close to the main entrance at the back of Stand D, row 8. The platform you are seated on is about 10 feet above the ground. Here is an excellent view of the centre stage and folk entering the Big Top, which is filling up fast. You can see Balliol waving to you from over in Stand G. You can't see Halei.
Balliol
You take a seat close to the side entrance where you entered the Big Top. You are seated at the back of Stand G, row 8. The platform you are seated on is about 10 feet above the ground. You can see Stalker and Wildred waving to you from over in Stand D. You can't see Halei. Ears and eyes at the ready.
For Balliol's eyes only
There is a lot of activity in the smaller, stage tent facing the centre stage. It looks like tonight's performers and hands are preparing for the show.
You hear from the tent a person call out, "Five minutes until showtime, people! Five minutes."
Halei
You wander around the outskirts of the Big Top. The masses of folk are streaming in, and the tent and its seating are quickly filling.
For Halei's eyes only
A lot is going on. Strange, wonderful, beautiful and weird carnival-goers are everywhere. Weaving in and out of all the people, you make your way behind Stand A, toward the backstage tent, a smaller tent inside the big top. You notice many of the carnival employees coming and going via this tent. Some are wrangling creatures great and small. Others stand around seemingly practising some skill, juggling, running lines, etcetera. They all appear to be frantically preparing for the big show. A grumpy-looking portly chap dressed as a colourful clown puffing on a pipe keeps watch around the stage tent door. You hear from the tent a person call out, "Five minutes until showtime, people! Five minutes."
Halei waits in the shadows for now, just watching until the show starts. She hopes that once the show has started there will be less traffic in and out of the small tent in the back, and to see if the clown will move from his watch once the performance begins. Otherwise, she just might have to approach him to try and gain access.
There really wasn't much for Bugs to do. He continued to sit, listen and watch. From where he was he had a good view and listen to both the side door and the smaller stage tent. He focused his attention on those. As much as he wanted to see the show, that really wasn't what he was here for.
Halei, you're more stealthy than me. But I'm going to try to sneak back stage. We've been playing their game for too long.
Stalker, you can't see or talk to Halei. The stands have filled and the crowd is now filling the isles and perimeter. Moving around is out of the question.
The Big Top is now quite crowded. There is barely even standing room left, let alone seating in the Stands.
The Lights dim. The show is about to begin...
"Welcome, one and all, to this evening's extravaganza! I am Mister Light. Prepare to be delighted!"
The silver hoop slowly descends to the ground, and Mr Light steps into the centre ring. "Tonight's first act of magnificence will amaze and delight you with his unfathomable feats of strength. Put your hands together for the one, the only... Burly the Bugbear!"
A larger than average Bugbear with a gentle face wanders into the centre ring. Taking in the audience's applause as he saunters in. He wears blue dungaree overalls and large iron cuffs. He circles the perimeter of the centre stage, flexing his muscles and showing off his solid biceps, which are the size of an average man's thighs. A little pec flicker here and there, just to show off to the audience, and he takes the centre of the stage.
Mr Light walks toward Burly and hands him a packet of playing cards. Burly holds them above his head, grasping the cards firmly with both hands. He starts to bend the cards. He pulls hard, leans forward, and tears the entire set of cards in two with a grunt of exertion. Standing tall, he holds his hands out to show the audience the two half piles of torn cards, then throws them above his head, scattering them like confetti. The audience cheers and applause. Burly bows appreciatively around the stands.
Two goblins run onto the stage, one with a long chain in hand and the other with a huge padlock. Burly stands to attention, arms by his side, as the goblins circle him, wrapping the chain around him several times, binding his arms to his body, and securing it with the lock. The goblins hastily exit the stage, and Burly begins to wriggle. He strains, shaking and moving, expanding his body, and the chain cracks under pressure with a burst of force, clanking and crashing to the ground. The crowd cheers him on. A proud smile begins to show on his face.
The same two goblins run onto the stage, carrying a thick iron bar, about six feet long. They hand the bar to Burly. He positions it over his head and rests it on the back of his neck. Using a hand on either side, he strains and slowly bends the bar forward. Unhooking the U-shaped bar from his neck, he twists it with his hands, slowly but surely knotting the iron bar. He holds the bar above his head and turns when he is done, revealing it to the crowd. Proudly taking a bow in four directions and leaving the stage. The crowd enthusiastically claps and cheers. Burly holds the bar high and walks around the ring, accepting the applause.
"Wow!, Wasn't that something to behold, folks. Let's hear one more big round of applause for Burly, the Bugbear!" calls Mr Light.
He waits patiently, gesturing toward Burly while the applause dies down.
For Wildred's eyes only...
When you see the all familiar Burly come on stage, you remember what he said to you when you parted...
"Meet me at the back of the Big Top after the Extravaganze..."
...
A big glass bowl is wheeled out into the centre ring. In it is a beautiful mermaid, her long fins billowing in the swishing water. A soul-moving tone reverberates throughout the entire Big Top as she starts to sing a beautiful soprano piece reminiscent of Diva's Dance. The water in her bowl dances and forms hypnotic shapes and patterns as she sings the sad, stirring and emotional melody. Many in the audience are brought to tears of joy by the beautiful masterpiece earning Palasha a standing ovation. She soaks up the admiration before being wheeled offstage.
Mr Light takes centre stage again. "And now, a spectacle you've never seen before, and will never, see, again. Let's give them a big round of applause. The wonderful, the Talented, Illusionists, Zephixo and Aros!"
A bright, fiery FLASH! A scream! The chest-rumbling roar of an enormous beast!
Inky blackness descends upon the bigtop. You hear a distant, urgent nocturne playing from some invisible organ and a quiet voice seems to whisper from right behind you.
“Plunge now, into depths where even demons fear to dwell.”
The cry of a steam whistle! The piercing light of a bullet lantern cuts through the blackness, descending from the ceiling in a winding loop, shining over the audience.
“Experience the stygian secrets entombed for millenia!”
The clatter of wheels on iron tracks crescendoing and fading again in time with the music.
“Share in the marvelous mysteries that could only be uncovered by the daring…”
The invisible train reaches ground level. Sparks fly in wide orange arcs around the perimeter as it screeches to a halt at the center of the ring!
“The fearless…”
The bullet lantern’s light points straight up, seeming to suck the magical darkness into its eye. Enormous shadows fly out from in four directions, outlining a man in a tall wizard’s hat, holding the lantern high in a dramatic, heroic pose. The nocturne reaches its climax as the voice shouts!
"THE STUPENDOUS ZEPHIXO!!!"
Sparks fly! The tent is immersed in warm firelight as disembodied shadows of enormous capering monsters dance around the tent’s walls. As the audience explodes in cheers and applause, Zephixo holds his lantern high, smiling and waving and laughing heartily. In his other hand he holds an ebony walking stick, the silver handle of which is sculpted to resemble a pickaxe.
Zephixo is a rather handsome dwarf with jet black hair and an ostentatiously braided beard. He’s dressed all in black robes save a pure white silk ascot, white silk gloves, and a white silk ribbon around the base of his pointed hat.
“Good evening folks!” Zephixo calls out with a surprisingly high pitched, sophisticated accent. “Good evening, one and all!”
When the audience has settled down a bit, he hooks the handle of his lantern over his cane, slinging it over his shoulder like a bindle. He strolls casually around the ring, addressing the whole audience, saying:
“I almost didn’t make it in time tonight! You see, I’ve only just returned today from an expedition into the darkest reaches of the great underground, where my ancestors once did dwell. I escaped perils, thwarted wicked machinations of the squatters who now claim the halls of my forefathers, saw wonders that beggar belief, and learned dark secrets, long forgotten.”
“And what thought buoyed me as I did battle with the forces of darkness, alone and unaided? What truth brought me strength when all seemed hopeless in those acrid, nameless halls?”
"It was the calming knowledge that Mr. Witch and Mr. Light would flay me alive if I missed curtain call."
Zephixo pauses for laughter.
“Now, who here has seen my show before? Ah! A few of you, I see! Marvelous! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patronage, and don’t worry, with all my new adventures, I’ve learned a few tricks that will surprise and astound even my most loyal of patrons! But I cannot do them alone!”
“Now, those of you who’ve seen my show before may be sad to learn that my lovely assistant Bronwyn won’t be joining us this evening as she remains lost in the astral plane after an unfortunate incident during last week’s performance. But, Mr. Light has blessedly chosen for me a new assistant!” The most perceptive among you may notice Zephixo’s smile grows a bit strained at this proclamation. “Filling in tonight for the very first time, and I’m sure she’ll do a wonderful job, please give a big Witchlight hand to the incomparable AROS!!!”
The magician flourishes his cane, the bullet lantern shining a spotlight into the darkness at the tip of the tent, where a glittering silver rope begins to slowly descend from nowhere down to the floor of the ring. One hand grasping the rope, one hoof stirruped in a loop at the end, hangs a beautiful satyr in a copper colored evening dress. A long, shimmering, gossamer-light cloak embroidered with the patterning of a monarch butterfly’s wings billows behind her as she slowly rotates, her free arm extended out grandly. Two basket hilted sabers hang from a white, satin sash at her waist, the guards plated in polished copper to match her dress. She is tall and muscular, with windswept blonde hair, as if she really had been standing atop the highest tent pole a moment before beginning her descent. She waves to the crowd, smiling and laughing and blowing kisses. The rope disappears in a flash as she steps casually to the floor.
Zephixo takes Aros’s hand and the two of them trot a quick circle as the audience’s applauds. He looks her up and down and says with genuine surprise “Aros, I see you’ve come armed!”
“A lady’s always prepared, Zephixo!” She replies, projecting out to the crowd. “In case you trap me in Avernus tonight rather than the Astral Plane.”
The tent erupts in laughter. Zephixo stammers a bit.
“Well,” Zephixo continues through the audience’s laughter, “I do appreciate you stepping in on such short notice! Especially since we’ve had no time to rehearse!”
“Who needs rehearsal, when I’m in the hands of such a consummate professional sorcerer! Folks, if this is your first time, let me be the first to say this man is a WONDER!”
The audience cheers and Zephixo bows gratefully to his assistant. She takes his tall hat from off his lowered head, placing it atop her own. It hangs bizarrely from her left horn as she continues:
“What would you like, folks? Would you like to see Zephixo cut me in half? Teleport me across the room? Transform me into a beautiful swan? Convince me to agree to a second date? Say the word, Zephixo the Stupendous can perform almost any one of those incredible feats of wizardry!”
“Aros…” Zephixo mutters through a bright smile as the audience cackles, “What did I say about improvising?”
“That’s showbiz, Zeph!” Aros replies, twirling around for the crowd, her dress and cloak floating around her. “If you wanted demure you should’ve stuffed Burly in the dress. Or maybe you shouldn’t have stood me up last week."
Incredulous, Zephixo whispers, forgetting for a moment that his voice is magically amplified for the whole big top to hear "Aros! I stood you up last week because I was searching for Bronwyn on the astral plane!"
With a wicked grin, Aros gasps and exclaims "For another woman, no less! For SHAME!"
Aros tosses Oscar’s hat to Halei with a wink before turning back to her partner. She leans down to his level, requiring her to bend at the waist a full 90 degrees. She looks at him with half-lidded eyes and says in an amplified stage whisper "Now I got ‘em warmed up for ya, Zephy. Let’s make some magic!”
---------------------
Zephixo’s performance is as stupendous as advertised, but one can’t help but notice that he grows more and more flustered as the act goes on. For every astounding feat of wizardry, Aros has a cutting jab. For every astonishing story, Aros reduces it to buffoonery with an offhand comment, the audience falling into raucous laughter at Zephixo’s expense.
Dashing as Zephixo is, he can’t seem to stand out next to Aros; statuesque, shining, and about two feet taller than him, not counting the horns. By halfway through the performance it is apparent that Aros, not Zephixo, is the star of the show! Each time she magically appears at the end of a trick the audience’s applause grows longer and more audacious, Aros egging them on with peals of wild laughter. By the end of the night she has begun punctuating her ovations by breaking into improvised, twirling dances with both sabers in hand. Even the disembodied organ apparently takes her side, accompanying her with a spirited bolero.
At the end of the performance, Zephixo and Aros take a bow and Zephixo hustles out of the ring, but the audience continues to cheer. Zephixo doesn’t return for the second curtain call, or the third, or the encore during which Aros engages in a thrilling, baudy, and dangerous swords dance, the audience clapping along in time with the music. With a final twirl and blown kiss, she exits the ring, the crowd chanting “AROS! AROS!” having apparently forgotten entirely whose name was actually on the bill this evening.
By reflex Halei catches the hat. She looks around in surprise and slight embarrassment (she thought she had been doing a good job at staying in the shadows, and wasn't expecting to be notice from the stage), but is a little grateful for the hat. The touch of the hat might make her disguise that much more believable. Once the attention is no longer on her, she puts on the hat and removes her face paint to put on jester makeup the best she can without a mirror. When she's done she makes her way over to the tent entrance.
Stalker tries to find an meet up with the rest of the group.
"Well that was something. Is it time for our appointment backstage, do you think?"
"Ladies and Gentle Folk. Please share your great applause with the most death-defying act for tonight's Extravaganza. Uszany the Gladiator!" Mr Light slinks back into the darkness at the stage edge and out steps a small faun woman.
She is barely four feet tall. Two long horns curl back from her forehead and behind her head. She wears a leather vest, pants, and cuffs with a rolled whip on her hip. As she saunters into the centre of the ring, the light illuminates the grimaced face of a fearsome warrior.
There is the sound of hissing and clicking from above the centre stage. The audience gasps in horror to see two giant, black, hairy funnel-web spiders creep out of the darkness above, down the centre pole onto the stage from either side of Uszany. The arachnids take a threatening stance. Spreading their four rear legs, leaning back, raising their front legs high, and parading their fangs, spitting and jostling toward the tiny faun.
A stunned silence fills the Big Top. The two spiders stalk their way toward Uzsany. Turning and crouching, she holds her hands out in front of the oncoming creatures, preparing to defend against any strike. One of the creatures lunges forward, striking at the faun with its fangs, causing the audience to gasp. Uzsany ducks and rolls under the spider's legs, side-kicking it in the head with her hoof as she repositions herself. She quickly whips out the whip on her hip and flicks her wrist, extending the weapon to its entire length. Cautiously, the faun eyes her two foes as she gently lifts the whip above her head and swings the tail behind her. The same spider strikes at her again, and as it does, she quickly flicks the whip forward. A loud crack echoes through the Big Top as the whip wraps around the spider's front three legs, causing it to faceplant into the dust with a thud, fangs clapping together. The fallen spider stumbles to find its feet but cannot properly stand. The second strikes from behind Uzsany. She drops the whip and hurls herself onto the back of the untethered beast. It jerks and flicks its hairy legs, trying to knock off its rider but cannot reach her. The spider races around the centre stage while the gladiator hangs on for dear life.
With Uzsany appearing to have the upper hand, the audience starts to cheer and shout, motivating the little half-goat with rousing applause and encouragement. Uzsany plays to the crowds' affections, standing on the back of the flailing giant spider and riding it as though it were a rodeo bull. Suddenly, the faun loses her footing and tumbles sideways onto the ground, right before her previously disabled foe, who has since managed to free all but one of its legs. The monster makes no hesitation in fiercely thrusting its venom drenched fangs into the tiny faun. Almost instantly, she is paralysed by the poisonous venom. The spider starts to curl her up, spindling a web from its abdomen and wrapping her into a silken cocoon. Horrified, members of the audience begin to scream as an exhilarating performance turns into panicked commotion.
Several carnival hands appear from the wings, ropes in hand to subdue the spider encasing the performer. The other spider, on the defensive, starts to back away, intent on escape. Backing itself onto Stand F, which falls to the back of the tents it fails and breaks under the weight of the audience and spider. The spider encroaches on the folk in the stands as the crowd begins to panic and tries to run. But, the crowd is too many, and before long, the entire tent is a hysteria of frightened people trying to escape the Big Top. The crowd is panicked! The spider is panicked!
You spy a flicker of something out of the corner of your eye. And again! Unable to make out this fleeting thing bounding in and out of your visible spectrum, it seems to be confusing the giant spider. A short, agile harengon bounds toward the spider, swinging a lasso above her head. She flings the rope at the spider with skill and grace, where it lands and tightens right over its head. The beast lunges back, pulling the little rabbit girl as she digs her heels into the dirt.
Balliol, the spider is now about 15 feet to your right.
“Woooo Weeee!!!” the small harengon shouts as the lasso lands right where she wants it to. Tightening her grip, leaning back and digging in her heels she uses all her might to hold onto the beast. “C’mon Bessy, don’t do me like that! You know I’ll have a giant fly for you if you play nice. Your favorite kind to..”and her voice is cut off short as the giant spider tugs the rabbit from her stance. “Ugh, Sammy! Going to need your help with this one!”
As she yells out, the flicker in the corner seems to almost brighten a bit and then disappear right when you are about to figure out what it is. She continues to struggle with the spider, but luckily the other one has been backed away from Uzsany by the other hands. “Gol darn it Sammy, where are you when I need you! That faun won’t last long with all that venom!!” She tries to regain the upper hand with the spider but continues to fail and it is obvious her focus is split between her combatant and the paralyzed victim in the center of the ring.
“Gah!! This won’t, this won’t do!” she looks around in a panic and sees that all the other Witchlight Hands have their hands full keeping the other spider away from the audience, and decides to try for the crowd. Seeing another harengon with a bright red hat, Holy bejesus this one is tall!! She attempts to enlist some help, “Sir? Giant rabbit sir? Could you please? I - I need some HELP!!”
Wildred could hardly believe what he was seeing...after his unwelcome accent and all the other countless events that had already unfolded,despite feeling overly anxious at the start of the show,he had really enjoyed the great act from Aros and whatever the other one was called,Zephixo was it!?Finding himself clapping,cheering and laughing with the best of them,but all of that now seemed a faint memory as the Giant spider closed in and he watched the rather impressive Heranagon try to bridle her what seemed wild and unpredictable Eight legged friend.He looks over at Balliol....
"should we try and help,she seems to be in a bit of a pickle!"
Jumping up frantically from his seat Wildred casts Mage armor on himself,draws his staff pointing it towards the Giant arachnid,knees shaking uncontrollably then looks to Resmae shouting.
"sorry,I only have destructive spells prepared,and wouldn't want to hurt your hairy friend without your say so!!
wildred frantically looks around to see if there is anything anyone to help what seemed to be a rather exciting act spiraling out of control.
(All of this Assuming im correct that wildred is seated behind or infront of Balliol,Wildred would like to check to see if he can read the intentions of Resmae as to whether help means attack the spider (INSIGHT) at the same time looking around to see if there is any rope or device or anything that could help resmae restrain the Giant spider.(PERCEPTION).
Halei dons her new hat and disguise and attempts to enter the stage tent.
Halei, you are stopped by the portly clown. "Can I help you there?" he says brazenly. Please make a DC 17 Charisma (Deception) check.
Wildred, the Harengon doesn't look like she is attacking the spider, instead it appears she is trying to wrangle it. You can see all manner of rope, ladders, crates and other props over by the back of the stage tent next to stand G about 20 feet to your left.