Balliol looks at the spider as it slumps into the stands tangled by the rope that had slipped through his hands. His mouth drops open slightly in surprise. "I meant to do that. It was a great plan." He then looked towards the center of the ring and stalker. "Now we need another one."
He ran towards the other spider hoping he could restrain it before Stalker finished it off. Or maybe to allow Stalker to finish it off. But the other harengon had wanted them subdued. The other harengon . . . his mind started to wander towards the dog carrying her away but he needed to stay focused. He thought the carnival hands had had it partially held down before so there should be ropes already attached to it . . . he looked around hopefully.
*If there are ropes still trailing from the spider from where the others had already entangled it he will attempt to grab one and tie it down. If no such rope presents itself he will either pick up a rope from the ground if one is there or grab one from his pack. In either case he would then attempt to ensnare the creature.
Stalker stands his ground after the wounded spider rears up and readies for another strike at the dwarf. Balliol runs toward the current battle and picks up a straggled rope lying at the edge of the ring. Wildred hurries back, rope in hand and just as the spider is fairing down to strike Stalker, Wildred lassos the spider's rear. The creature, taken by surprise, turns toward Wildred, giving Stalker a chance to skewer the beast's labium with a two-handed plunge of his shortswords. The giant funnel-web spider squeals a high-pitched scream of pain as it pounds into the ground, thrashing about for a few seconds before its legs curl under its sternum and it stops dead.
Stalker has delivered the final blow to the spider in the centre ring. It has curled up dead. Balliol and Wildreds' skill with twine has entangled the spider on Stand F. It is unclear if it is still alive. There is no movement from the subdued animal. Several growning and restrained witchlight hands are burrowed and stuck in the spider web in the centre ring.
Just as the three of you try to come to grips with what just happened, a portly clown walks through the stage tent from the back of the Big Top (Wildred, the same rotund clown that earlier trod on your fingers).
He walks over to one of the hands entwined in the spider's web,
He pulls out a dagger (pause for dramatic effect) and hands it to the stuck hand. "Cut yourselves out of this mess", he demands of the hand.
Turning to Balliol, Wildred and Stalker. "Herangon, Half-elf, Dwarf. The Misters would like to see you." he turns and walks back toward the way he came. He looks back at the three of you, "This way, please".
Wildred brushes himself off heart still racing....eyes the clown suspiciously...he was sure he had something else to do but couldn't quite put his finger on it....after the extravaganza...!!that was it meet me at the back of the tent...he thought..he'd follow the clown first see where it lead not wanting to be separated.. not even an apologie for stepping on my fingers he thought.
"Time to see the owners of this mess," Stalker rumbles. He cleans the blood off his swords on the spider's hairy carcass and follows the dubious clown.
Fists full of steel, he doesn't put them away. He is not pleased. Putting wild animals in a show is one thing...not a good thing. Having them endanger people...not acceptable.
Wild animals should be free. And those who use them for money or nefarious purposes are not likely to avoid his purview. Stalker has walked with royalty and found it lacking...he prefers the woods and animals to most people. And people who use animals to make money...he has been simmering, but the pot could boil.
The clown picks up the entwined gladiator, Uzsany and walks off.
You follow him into an area surrounded by dense bushes and foliage. Inside are wagons, tents, piles of crates and barrels set up around the perimeter and a smouldering fire in the centre of the area with some makeshift seating around it.
Halei, peeking out of the tent, you see the clown walk past. You duck for cover so as not to be noticed. He is carrying a rolled up ball of what looks like a spider-web. Wildred, Stalker and Balliol follow him shortly after.
Wildred, Stalker & Balliol, You are led into a round tent at the rear of the area. The clown places the spider-web bound Uszany on one of two beds at the back-right of the tent and announces your entrance to some folk already present.
You are surprised to see the little herangon lass that, when last you saw was unconscious, now sitting on the other bed at the rear right of the tent with the comparable large Blink Dog that floored one of the spiders beside her. At the table nearer the tent door is the "Amazing Aros", and another surprise to Wildred and Balliol is the bugbear Burly. Also sitting at the table is Mr Witch, a large shadar-kai (in the chair closest to 12 o'clock at the table), and to his left, the shadar-kai, Mr Light.
Mr Witch stands as you enter. "Welcome, friends! Please come in and sit down. I am Mr Witch, and this is Mr Light," he gestures to Mr Light. "the proprietors of the Witchlight Carnival."
He also introduces you to Aros, Resmae, Burly and Thaco, who is now standing by the entrance to the tent.
"I have word you have been looking for us." queries Mr Witch.
At the sight of her friends she hops out of the fence and hurries after them. Maybe it would've been smarter to keep hidden in case things turned hostile, but she'd never been good and staying still.
"Aw hell, Thaco, give a girl some warning..." Aros mutters as Thaco ushers the gaggle of strangers into the tent.
She quickly brushes her hair over the side of her face to hide her tear-smudged makeup and turns away from the group in a devil-may-care posture on the couch to hide the rabbit blood staining the front of her beautiful dress. She drapes an arm protectively over the sofa's backrest above Resmae. She nods her head at the group without looking at them in a way that she hopes looks very cool and very casual.
"What's up,"she says in a very cool and casual tone.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance,I am Proffesor Wildred Wardel of the Renowned Academy of Water deep and these are my friends and associates Sir balliol bugglesworth IV of the Great Buggles worth Estate and manor ,Mr Stalker Redbone Proven warrior and Qualified Ranger (assuming Halei merged with the group) and last but not least Miss Hallei Calloniel lady of Charisma and esteemed Bard"
Wildred gives a slight bow and pauses....and says as he pulls a chair out.
"Firstly can I Commend you all on the wild carnival you have arranged,it has been a one of a kind experience to say the least,with a mixture of delights,excitement and some moments of sheer Fear...in the thrilling sense of the word,its great to finally meet you and put a face to the names!"
Wildred smiles a hearty smile and then the smile turns to a more formal expression and continues.....
"Through my studies and wonderings of this Great continent of Faerun I truly have never seen more remarkable examples of splendor of the magic arts than those of the Wilds,I have explored my entire life in search of this profound Knowledge seen and studied many of the Arts common place to the Fairy folk..and my long road has led me to this Great and awe inspiring carnival and it is an honour to meet the proprietors of such extravagance...I wonder do you know of a way to the realm of prismeer?"
[Wildred stops to watch the reactions of Mister witch and mister light looking for any sign of reluctance or lack of at the word of the realm of prismeer].....as he reaches the gaze of Sammy the blink dog he shifts nervously.
“Uzsany!!” Resmae exclaims as she sees Thaco set her on the other bed. She hopes the little faun is ok, but she doesn’t want to upset what is going on as several others join the tent. Though it doesn’t take long for the little harengon to recognize a few that follow Thaco. “Wait! That harengon and the elf, they helped me! At least I think they tried… glad to see you’re ok. How’s Bessy and Frieda?”She is starting to feel back to her normal self and stands up on the bed as she gets excited about the newcomers. “Thank you for your help, I know I shouldn’t have asked, but I was worried about Uzsany. Welcome to our tent!” and she spreads her arms wide with a big smile.
Balliol listened to Wildred speak for the group. He was impressed. The professor sometimes seemed bumbling and foolish, but somehow in this situation he stood upright and proud. Balliol nodded his approval. He had seen more than one individual crumple under the pressure of a the stare of someone in authority at his father's estate. Even small meetings such as this one caused many unused to pressure to wilt. But apparently not his bespectacled friend. Bumbling, it seemed, was only a physical disability.
Along with the carnival bigwigs he saw several of the performers and the jack-o-bugbear. That was unexpected. The other harengon sees them and stands on her bad and asks after . . . he had to assume that Bessy and Freida were the spiders. She had been concerned about their welfare earlier even while trying to wrangle them. He nodded at her. "We did try to help. I left one of the spiders tied up - the dog that rescued you injured it, but I believe it was alive. The other . . . " he didn't wish to tell her the bad news but lying was rarely a good choice. " . . .I do not believe the news is good."
He wanted to offer sympathy, but had no idea what to say about a dead giant arachnid. Besides, the Misters were in the tent and really needed his attention. He removed his red hat and held it in his hands, but stood tall and watched the reactions of those around them, willing to let Wildred do the talking for now.
Resmae listens to the two speak and nods when Balliol explains the situation with the spiders. Still standing, "Thank you again for your help, it is truly appreciated" she glances over at Uzsany for a second. "My name is Resmae and this here old pal of mine is Sammy!" she reaches over to pat him, and he feigns biting her paw instead of letting her. "Sammy!" she exclaims as she quickly retreats her paw and looks at him with exasperation. She turns back to the new comers, "He is an old sweetie, he's just showing off now cause you all are here."
"Pleasure to meet you Resmae..and personally applaud you for your part in the show..impressive and entertaining...."
He looks at Sammy nervously....he'd never really had much dealings with let us say the 4 legged friends of the realm.trying to raise a smile he greets the dog...
"What an impressive one you are old chap,,,"turning to reasmae he continues...
"I've always been more inclined to the feline persuasion myself...hounds never really had much place in the university or candlekeep for that matter...it wasn't unheard of mind...I once new a flumph called Bob...he lingered about the halls of candle keep freezing everyone with his wild gaze...if one didn't know he was a permanent resident it would have been easy to come to the conclusion..he was an intruder of the library,but I digress we are really hear to see if you can help in locating this prismeer?"
Greetings are exchanged between all in the tent. Those of you meeting the Misters for the first time are surprised at how friendly they are. Perhaps you were expecting something else. But you feel welcomed.
Wildred speaks up with a surprising new confidence not before witnessed by his friends, but impressive nonetheless. His forward request about Prismeer reveals an interest by the two shadar-kai and Mr Light looks to Mr Witch as if for approval, who responds nodding yes.
"Primseer?" Mr Light questions.
Balliol's mention of the spiders invites a glance from the Misters toward Thaco, who shakes his head in the negative. Mr Witch lowers his gaze looking saddened, and the two Misters look toward each other as if for approval.
Mr Light waves the ornate rod adorned by a pair of butterfly wings he carries across the table. Several delicious sweets and hors d'oeuvres, teacups and teapots appear before your eyes. "Well, it seems you want something we can offer, and you have something we could use." standing, he says, "To business then!" and proceeds clockwise around the table, serving tea to you all.
Mr Witch continues, "We will show you the way to Prismeer, but, we ask of something of you in return." Mr Light nods back at Mr Witch, who continues. "Bessy and Frieda were not just performing animals. They were more a part of the carnival than we can explain. Their behaviour at tonight's Extravaganza is well, out of character, to say the least. We can only assume foul magics as the cause of their misadventure, and their deaths will not bring favour upon us or the carnival. We will not be able to replace Bessy and Frieda. But, Isolde will return one day for her spiders, and we would like to be able to provide her with some sort of replacement."
Mr Light steps back up to talk. "Aros is one of our most longstanding and trusted hands, and Resmae is our most skilled and capable animal handler. Let us propose that we give you passage to Prismeer. You will accompany Aros and Resmae and return with them and another two giant funnel-web spiders in exchange. Then the task of training them will be upon you, Resmae. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Aros and Resmae, this comes as a big surprise.
Balliol, Halei, Stalker and Wildred, you have an offer on the table to discuss and decide.
Wildred, upon greeting the Blink Dog, he returned a look of confusion, indicated by the sideways tilt of his head. However at your mention of your feline affection, you receive an unmistakable growl of disapproval.
Sammy does not understand the common tongue but those of you that speak Sylvan recognise that Resmae and Aros speak to him in Sylvan.
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Balliol looks at the spider as it slumps into the stands tangled by the rope that had slipped through his hands. His mouth drops open slightly in surprise. "I meant to do that. It was a great plan." He then looked towards the center of the ring and stalker. "Now we need another one."
He ran towards the other spider hoping he could restrain it before Stalker finished it off. Or maybe to allow Stalker to finish it off. But the other harengon had wanted them subdued. The other harengon . . . his mind started to wander towards the dog carrying her away but he needed to stay focused. He thought the carnival hands had had it partially held down before so there should be ropes already attached to it . . . he looked around hopefully.
*If there are ropes still trailing from the spider from where the others had already entangled it he will attempt to grab one and tie it down. If no such rope presents itself he will either pick up a rope from the ground if one is there or grab one from his pack. In either case he would then attempt to ensnare the creature.
Halei recognizes the people from the performance. She decides to stay hidden for just a bit longer. She feels it'd be kind of awkward to jump out now.
Stalker stands his ground after the wounded spider rears up and readies for another strike at the dwarf. Balliol runs toward the current battle and picks up a straggled rope lying at the edge of the ring. Wildred hurries back, rope in hand and just as the spider is fairing down to strike Stalker, Wildred lassos the spider's rear. The creature, taken by surprise, turns toward Wildred, giving Stalker a chance to skewer the beast's labium with a two-handed plunge of his shortswords. The giant funnel-web spider squeals a high-pitched scream of pain as it pounds into the ground, thrashing about for a few seconds before its legs curl under its sternum and it stops dead.
Stalker has delivered the final blow to the spider in the centre ring. It has curled up dead. Balliol and Wildreds' skill with twine has entangled the spider on Stand F. It is unclear if it is still alive. There is no movement from the subdued animal. Several growning and restrained witchlight hands are burrowed and stuck in the spider web in the centre ring.
Just as the three of you try to come to grips with what just happened, a portly clown walks through the stage tent from the back of the Big Top (Wildred, the same rotund clown that earlier trod on your fingers).
He walks over to one of the hands entwined in the spider's web,
He pulls out a dagger (pause for dramatic effect) and hands it to the stuck hand. "Cut yourselves out of this mess", he demands of the hand.
Turning to Balliol, Wildred and Stalker. "Herangon, Half-elf, Dwarf. The Misters would like to see you." he turns and walks back toward the way he came. He looks back at the three of you, "This way, please".
Wildred brushes himself off heart still racing....eyes the clown suspiciously...he was sure he had something else to do but couldn't quite put his finger on it....after the extravaganza...!!that was it meet me at the back of the tent...he thought..he'd follow the clown first see where it lead not wanting to be separated.. not even an apologie for stepping on my fingers he thought.
"Time to see the owners of this mess," Stalker rumbles. He cleans the blood off his swords on the spider's hairy carcass and follows the dubious clown.
Fists full of steel, he doesn't put them away. He is not pleased. Putting wild animals in a show is one thing...not a good thing. Having them endanger people...not acceptable.
Wild animals should be free. And those who use them for money or nefarious purposes are not likely to avoid his purview. Stalker has walked with royalty and found it lacking...he prefers the woods and animals to most people. And people who use animals to make money...he has been simmering, but the pot could boil.
You follow him into an area surrounded by dense bushes and foliage. Inside are wagons, tents, piles of crates and barrels set up around the perimeter and a smouldering fire in the centre of the area with some makeshift seating around it.
Halei, peeking out of the tent, you see the clown walk past. You duck for cover so as not to be noticed. He is carrying a rolled up ball of what looks like a spider-web. Wildred, Stalker and Balliol follow him shortly after.
You are led into a round tent at the rear of the area. The clown places the spider-web bound Uszany on one of two beds at the back-right of the tent and announces your entrance to some folk already present.
You are surprised to see the little herangon lass that, when last you saw was unconscious, now sitting on the other bed at the rear right of the tent with the comparable large Blink Dog that floored one of the spiders beside her. At the table nearer the tent door is the "Amazing Aros", and another surprise to Wildred and Balliol is the bugbear Burly. Also sitting at the table is Mr Witch, a large shadar-kai (in the chair closest to 12 o'clock at the table), and to his left, the shadar-kai, Mr Light.
Mr Witch stands as you enter. "Welcome, friends! Please come in and sit down. I am Mr Witch, and this is Mr Light," he gestures to Mr Light. "the proprietors of the Witchlight Carnival."
He also introduces you to Aros, Resmae, Burly and Thaco, who is now standing by the entrance to the tent.
"I have word you have been looking for us." queries Mr Witch.
Mr Witch
Mr Light
Burly
Thaco
Sammy the Blink Dog
At the sight of her friends she hops out of the fence and hurries after them. Maybe it would've been smarter to keep hidden in case things turned hostile, but she'd never been good and staying still.
While grumpy, Stalker smiles when Haliea appears. "Let's see what these bumbs have to say."
"Aw hell, Thaco, give a girl some warning..." Aros mutters as Thaco ushers the gaggle of strangers into the tent.
She quickly brushes her hair over the side of her face to hide her tear-smudged makeup and turns away from the group in a devil-may-care posture on the couch to hide the rabbit blood staining the front of her beautiful dress. She drapes an arm protectively over the sofa's backrest above Resmae. She nods her head at the group without looking at them in a way that she hopes looks very cool and very casual.
"What's up," she says in a very cool and casual tone.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance,I am Proffesor Wildred Wardel of the Renowned Academy of Water deep and these are my friends and associates Sir balliol bugglesworth IV of the Great Buggles worth Estate and manor ,Mr Stalker Redbone Proven warrior and Qualified Ranger (assuming Halei merged with the group) and last but not least Miss Hallei Calloniel lady of Charisma and esteemed Bard"
Wildred gives a slight bow and pauses....and says as he pulls a chair out.
"Firstly can I Commend you all on the wild carnival you have arranged,it has been a one of a kind experience to say the least,with a mixture of delights,excitement and some moments of sheer Fear...in the thrilling sense of the word,its great to finally meet you and put a face to the names!"
Wildred smiles a hearty smile and then the smile turns to a more formal expression and continues.....
"Through my studies and wonderings of this Great continent of Faerun I truly have never seen more remarkable examples of splendor of the magic arts than those of the Wilds,I have explored my entire life in search of this profound Knowledge seen and studied many of the Arts common place to the Fairy folk..and my long road has led me to this Great and awe inspiring carnival and it is an honour to meet the proprietors of such extravagance...I wonder do you know of a way to the realm of prismeer?"
[Wildred stops to watch the reactions of Mister witch and mister light looking for any sign of reluctance or lack of at the word of the realm of prismeer].....as he reaches the gaze of Sammy the blink dog he shifts nervously.
“Uzsany!!” Resmae exclaims as she sees Thaco set her on the other bed. She hopes the little faun is ok, but she doesn’t want to upset what is going on as several others join the tent. Though it doesn’t take long for the little harengon to recognize a few that follow Thaco. “Wait! That harengon and the elf, they helped me! At least I think they tried… glad to see you’re ok. How’s Bessy and Frieda?” She is starting to feel back to her normal self and stands up on the bed as she gets excited about the newcomers. “Thank you for your help, I know I shouldn’t have asked, but I was worried about Uzsany. Welcome to our tent!” and she spreads her arms wide with a big smile.
I'm confused...are you female KRSalamander?
Yeah, Aros is a woman. Why is that confusing? I've been describing her as a woman since my first post.
My mistake.I apologise.
Just trying to figure it all out.
No offence meant and I apologise if I offended you.
No sweat, glad things are cleared up.
Balliol listened to Wildred speak for the group. He was impressed. The professor sometimes seemed bumbling and foolish, but somehow in this situation he stood upright and proud. Balliol nodded his approval. He had seen more than one individual crumple under the pressure of a the stare of someone in authority at his father's estate. Even small meetings such as this one caused many unused to pressure to wilt. But apparently not his bespectacled friend. Bumbling, it seemed, was only a physical disability.
Along with the carnival bigwigs he saw several of the performers and the jack-o-bugbear. That was unexpected. The other harengon sees them and stands on her bad and asks after . . . he had to assume that Bessy and Freida were the spiders. She had been concerned about their welfare earlier even while trying to wrangle them. He nodded at her. "We did try to help. I left one of the spiders tied up - the dog that rescued you injured it, but I believe it was alive. The other . . . " he didn't wish to tell her the bad news but lying was rarely a good choice. " . . .I do not believe the news is good."
He wanted to offer sympathy, but had no idea what to say about a dead giant arachnid. Besides, the Misters were in the tent and really needed his attention. He removed his red hat and held it in his hands, but stood tall and watched the reactions of those around them, willing to let Wildred do the talking for now.
Resmae listens to the two speak and nods when Balliol explains the situation with the spiders. Still standing, "Thank you again for your help, it is truly appreciated" she glances over at Uzsany for a second. "My name is Resmae and this here old pal of mine is Sammy!" she reaches over to pat him, and he feigns biting her paw instead of letting her. "Sammy!" she exclaims as she quickly retreats her paw and looks at him with exasperation. She turns back to the new comers, "He is an old sweetie, he's just showing off now cause you all are here."
"Pleasure to meet you Resmae..and personally applaud you for your part in the show..impressive and entertaining...."
He looks at Sammy nervously....he'd never really had much dealings with let us say the 4 legged friends of the realm.trying to raise a smile he greets the dog...
"What an impressive one you are old chap,,,"turning to reasmae he continues...
"I've always been more inclined to the feline persuasion myself...hounds never really had much place in the university or candlekeep for that matter...it wasn't unheard of mind...I once new a flumph called Bob...he lingered about the halls of candle keep freezing everyone with his wild gaze...if one didn't know he was a permanent resident it would have been easy to come to the conclusion..he was an intruder of the library,but I digress we are really hear to see if you can help in locating this prismeer?"
Greetings are exchanged between all in the tent. Those of you meeting the Misters for the first time are surprised at how friendly they are. Perhaps you were expecting something else. But you feel welcomed.
Wildred speaks up with a surprising new confidence not before witnessed by his friends, but impressive nonetheless. His forward request about Prismeer reveals an interest by the two shadar-kai and Mr Light looks to Mr Witch as if for approval, who responds nodding yes.
"Primseer?" Mr Light questions.
Balliol's mention of the spiders invites a glance from the Misters toward Thaco, who shakes his head in the negative. Mr Witch lowers his gaze looking saddened, and the two Misters look toward each other as if for approval.
Mr Light waves the ornate rod adorned by a pair of butterfly wings he carries across the table. Several delicious sweets and hors d'oeuvres, teacups and teapots appear before your eyes. "Well, it seems you want something we can offer, and you have something we could use." standing, he says, "To business then!" and proceeds clockwise around the table, serving tea to you all.
Mr Witch continues, "We will show you the way to Prismeer, but, we ask of something of you in return." Mr Light nods back at Mr Witch, who continues. "Bessy and Frieda were not just performing animals. They were more a part of the carnival than we can explain. Their behaviour at tonight's Extravaganza is well, out of character, to say the least. We can only assume foul magics as the cause of their misadventure, and their deaths will not bring favour upon us or the carnival. We will not be able to replace Bessy and Frieda. But, Isolde will return one day for her spiders, and we would like to be able to provide her with some sort of replacement."
Mr Light steps back up to talk. "Aros is one of our most longstanding and trusted hands, and Resmae is our most skilled and capable animal handler. Let us propose that we give you passage to Prismeer. You will accompany Aros and Resmae and return with them and another two giant funnel-web spiders in exchange. Then the task of training them will be upon you, Resmae. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Aros and Resmae, this comes as a big surprise.
Balliol, Halei, Stalker and Wildred, you have an offer on the table to discuss and decide.
Wildred, upon greeting the Blink Dog, he returned a look of confusion, indicated by the sideways tilt of his head. However at your mention of your feline affection, you receive an unmistakable growl of disapproval.
Sammy does not understand the common tongue but those of you that speak Sylvan recognise that Resmae and Aros speak to him in Sylvan.