Wandering back, I'll have a lick or two of my own lollipop. After all, I am exhilarated by everything here.

Quote from punkrocker1991 >>

7 Perception check

 Phaalisse steps out into the pathway and takes a look around but sees nobody blue and familiar. 

As she steps back into the clearing in front of the wagon, she sees Zephram and Viro entering from another direction, both licking little cloud-like lollipops.

Zephram takes a lick of his lollipop and laughs as the tiny lightning bolts hit his tongue, fizzing like Popping Candy might do in another world. He gains one temporary hit point which will last until his next long rest. 

As he rejoins Dirla and the rest of the group who have been poking around the Lost Property wagon area, Dirla jumps up and gives Viro a big smoochy cat lick, wrapping one of his tentacles gently around the boy's shoulders and purring loudly. They sit down again with Allowin, and the two boys start playing again. 

Dirla looks up at Zephram and indicates Torkalyn. "Your friend here tried to talk to me while you were gone, but I did not know what he was saying. You might interpret for me?"

He continues, "You may wonder at my anxiety earlier. I too have lost a small one, my very own kitten, Star. It was their ball that Viro was playing with, which is why I reacted so strongly. One day , years ago, Star was playing and just... was not there anymore. I looked everywhere, and could not find even a hair. Star even left this ball behind, which was their favourite possession."

He sighs deeply. "There are other things amiss here, too. Mister Witch and Mister Light, the shadar-kai who run this carnival... there is something wrong. They are anxious too. On edge. I do not know what is wrong, but the whole carnival feels... strange."

As I hand Allowin his lollipop, I begin translating for everyone else. "I am sorry you have had to suffer such a loss, my friend. I admire your efforts to protect other children all the more because of it. Where was Star playing when they vanished? And I have no doubt you have turned this over in your mind endlessly since that day, but do you remember anything out of the ordinary leading up to it?"

Dirla nods. "That day is etched into my memory. Star was playing with their mirrored ball here -- they loved to see how their face changed shape with the curve of the mirror as it got closer and further away from them. I took them to the Hall of Illusions one day, and we were playing with the mirrors there. I could hear their giggles and purring, and then, nothing. They had disappeared. I looked everywhere -- nothing. And they never came back." 

Tears are dripping down Dirla's face as he tells the story. He stops talking and sniffs. 

"Now I try my best to keep other children safe. I can't lose another one."

Translating again for everyone, I say, "If I understand correctly, each of us is also looking for something at this carnival. I would be happy to look for Star as I pursue my own investigations. Would it be a good idea for us to take their ball with us, so they would know you sent us?"

Dirla looks gravely at Zephram. Holding eye contact, he holds the ball out with one tentacle. "This is all I have left of my baby. If it helps my kitten return to me, I give it willingly."

In Zephram's hands the ball looks smaller than it did when Viro held it, and it will fit easily inside a backpack. 

[Does any other visitor want to do anything more at the Lost Property wagon, or are you wanting to move on to another part of the carnival?]

"Thank you," I say. "I will return it to you with your child, I hope. I shall see you again soon."

And I'll take a look in the Lost Property wagon. I'm looking for books or scrolls or similar repositories of knowledge.

Quote from Pete_Kempshall >>

"Thank you," I say. "I will return it to you with your child, I hope. I shall see you again soon."

And I'll take a look in the Lost Property wagon. I'm looking for books or scrolls or similar repositories of knowledge.

 Roll an investigation check, please.

9

Nice roll!

Zephram rummages through the piles of trinkets in the Lost Property wagon . Hearing a rustle of paper, he digs deeper. He eventually pulls out a Spell Scroll for Charm Person.

As I came to the Lost Property seeking what I had lost, I would also like to have a good look around. While doing so, I say to Zephram, "Perhaps you can ask our friend about the Hall of Mirrors, if that's where Star went missing? Sounds like that could be a good starting point."

 "Of course," I reply, before saying to Dirla, "My friend is going to help search for your kitten and would like to know more about the Hall of Mirrors. Who runs the attraction? Did they help you look when Star went missing?"

Quote from MartyYoung >>

As I came to the Lost Property seeking what I had lost, I would also like to have a good look around. While doing so, I say to Zephram, "Perhaps you can ask our friend about the Hall of Mirrors, if that's where Star went missing? Sounds like that could be a good starting point."

 Please make an investigation roll if you're having a fossick through the wagon. 

"Candlefoot is the Witchlight Hand associated with the Hall of Illusions. He doesn't really like working there though. I'm not sure why but he doesn't like going inside the Hall if he can help it. We all looked for Star but there was no sign of them, in the Hall or anywhere else in the carnival."

"I care not to be too thin, too wide, too short, or too otherwise. I much prefer mirrors that only show the true me, for I know the beauty I possess inside. However, I believe that kittens are our future, so I bid thee farewell. Who shall lead the way?"

I look at the map and wait.

I too rummage through Lost Property, a little aimlessly - my loss is not something that will fit in a box, but nevertheless it seems wrong not to try...

Quote from MagnusBlunthorn >>

I too rummage through Lost Property, a little aimlessly - my loss is not something that will fit in a box, but nevertheless it seems wrong not to try...

 Please roll an investigation check to see what you unearth. 

I look at Phaalisse, clearly impressed. "You have a way with words that indeed reflects the beauty you possess inside. It must give you a sense of pride. And if you'll permit me, I know the way to the Hall of Illusions."

Consulting my map of the carnival, I say, "There, you see? Left past the Calliope, and it's a direct walk. Should take no more than a few minutes, if we aren't distracted."

But to look at my artificially gleeful expression, it's clear that's by no means guaranteed... 

Investigation check: 10

Hahah! I find nothing!