Faelan tries to make to the wagon's door, waits for Flynn the raven to land on his shoulders, and with a powerful kick from his hind legs, he jumps as far as possible. He goes for the exit of the circle.
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Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
The harengon scurries to the door as the raven-formerly-known-as-Flynn lands on his shoulder. With a mighty push from his hind legs Faelan bounds from the wagon, with the raven flapping desperately, struggling to maintain a grip as his talons dig into the harengon's fur. The effect almost looks to the nearby Navi as though a raven has just captured an unusually large coney for it's supper. Burly the bugbear turns and lumbers after the pair as fast as his stocky build allows...
Back in the wagon, the air continues to remain thick as treacle, while Witch and Light gather their wits. Zeg listens on as Mr Witch barks an order to the onlooking clown, who has just woken from his brief nap but otherwise seems unperturbed by the disturbance, almost like he enjoyed it. Thaco! Watch those two! he commands, brushing the dust off his top hat. I don't want them going anywhere near the Hall of Illusions! Thaco nods with a vicious smirk, then turns and slinks off in a direction askew to that of the fleeing pair. Mr Light pats his costume down, smoothing out any wrinkles, and says to his companion: You needn't bother with that. It's not like they know the password anyway, or which mirror open the portal. Mr Witch responds: Clearly, we don't know what they know. Did you hear what Cottontail said about the unicorns? He looks thoughtfully at his pocket watch, rubbing it absently. I'm of a mind to wrap things up early and move on. Light replies: Perhaps. We'll discuss it after the show. Come, it's time for the Big Top Extravaganza. Let's get our game faces back on, shall we? The two nod to each other as Mr Light takes up his weather-vane wand and Mr Witch lifts the hat box from the table. Both descend the stairs of the wagon, closing the door behind them and leaving Zeg in the dark...
Navi hovers unseen and unheard behind the wagon, aware of the voices within, but not making out all the words. She looks back and sees Windsong huddling under the neighbouring wagon but looking away sadly. The sounds of joy and laughter continue to drift over the hedge, but to the innocent fairy they seem now a little discordant, like a splash of colour sprayed across an otherwise dark and gloomy painting. The music of the calliope wafts like a breeze through the night, but once again its tone seems to have taken to a minor key, and lost its jaunty and upbeat tone...
Burly the bugbear catches up not long after Faelan bursts back through the hedge, with Flynn-raven still perched on his shoulder with ruffled feathers. His jack-o-lantern helmet has been discarded somewhere along the way, and with a pant of exertion, he bends over briefly to catch his breath, before talking to the harengon in a rushed and wheezy voice: I'm terribly sorry... sorry you had to witness that... and sorry for your friend too... he should be okay in a while... But that just proves... what I've been saying for a long time now... Bad things are happening at the carnival... People and things going missing... like your bard friend said... Burly stops briefly again to catch his breath some more, then continues with a more calm and confident tone. The bosses know more than they’re telling, but their hands are tied somehow. You’re the first ones I’ve seen ever challenge 'em about it - the first I've met who... who might be able to set things right. Witch and Light are good guys, they are. But they're scared. You’ll need leverage to make them spill the beans.
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Faelan cleans up the leaves off of him, he then turns to Burly the Bugbear. "Heya Pal, it ain't yer fault. I havah never seen the big bosses like dat, and yer right that somethin's definitely going on." Faelan thinks for a moment. "Ya know, y'all not the first one talkin' about leverage. A Kenku lady/girl said the same thing, and she said that we gotta make it painful for them, otherwise they ain't gonna spill the beans." He paces back and forth thinking out loud. "What could be VERY painful for them? I recon losing business woulda hurt em' big time right...?" He turn to Raven Flynn. "Heya Flynn. Can ya fly around lookin' for the others? I might hava an idea..." He turn to Burly. "Ah might need yer help too buddy."
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Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Burly gulps but nods his head at Faelan's summary. As the harengon paces and thinks, Burly speaks his mind out loud... I don't wish to cause them pain... but my brother Hurly has been missing now for so long, and the bosses have shown no inclination to assist, despite knowing something of his fate... Yes, losing business would cause them discomfort, although it is less about the coin for them than the joy of their patrons... I suspect that was the plan of that kenku - to disrupt the Carnival enough to create discord. She has been only a minor nuisance however... Perhaps a greater disruption would be required.
Flynn flies up and begins to scan the area, searching for Zeg and Navi. However the first person to catch his perceptive eye is actually Thaco the Clown, whose rotund figure bursts from the hedge further to the left, and then skulks along the perimeter toward where Faelan and Burly are standing...
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Navi's heart sinks when she sees Windsong looking away sadly. She flutters, looking back and forth between her and her friends. There was that tummy turning feeling again. Guilt. Chewing on her lip she feels like she could have done more, or offered so much more. Without another thought, the little fairy zips her way back over to Windsong. She throws herself at the mare, and mimicking a fly, she 'splats' herself against her. She clings onto her in a hug using all her limbs. "Come with me?" Her little wings flutter. Could she come with them, even if she wanted too? Blue hues look for Windsong's reigns and if there's something she'd need to do to separate her from the chariot.
Windsong is startled by the sudden rush from the little fairy, and quickly stands up, moving out from under the wagon. As Navi now realises, the mare is not harnessed to the wagon, or even tethered or bridled, but was simply reclining in the cool night grass. But sensing the intensity in Navi's plea, Windsong now quivers with anticipation and replies: I shall, little one. Where would you lead me?
-----------------------------------
Thaco the Clown swats ineffectually at the raven, and is only partially successful at avoiding the little nuggets of disrespect that the bird deposits on the clown from above. Sensing that the commotion will alert his quarry to his presence, the clown hurries away in the opposite direction, heading west from the staff area's hedge and toward the Hall of Illusions.
-----------------------------------
Burly waits impatiently with Faelan, too polite to ask pre-emptively about the harengon's plans, but eager to advance the agenda against the bosses that has now gained fresh momentum, and which he nervously has found himself embroiled in. From their current secretive position at the border of the hedge, both observe Mister Witch and Mr Light exiting the hedge a little further anti-clockwise from them, and making their way into the Big Top, where Faelan knows his little friend Luz will be preparing to shine her light onto the arena floor for the Big Top Extravaganza. Patrons from around the Carnival can be seen flocking toward the main door of the Big Top, eager to take their seats and watch the show...
------------------------------------
With the departure of the bosses, Zeg the spider finds himself alone in the wagon, with only the familiar sound of Navi the fairy outside speaking to someone...
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zeg waits for everyone to leave. He then sighs and returns back to his normal shape. Once that is done he figures he has some time, bot not sure how much and doesn't want to chance it so he casts Detect Magic and starts nosing around the wagon. He especially take a close look at the small panel of wood on the bench that has the name "Isolde" on it.
Navi is almost vibrating with excitement that Windsong was willing to go with her. Yay! But where? That indeedy was the question. The little fairy would pause, stunned a moment when she realizes she hadn’t quite thought that far ahead. Though deep down her fairy senses were tingling. She felt like she knew where she should be going. “Hall of mirrors!” Navi blurts. “Or at least a place with mirrors where we can look in our reflection?” (Hall of Illusions?) She starts trying really hard to pick apart the mental notes she made for herself, and tries her best to put them together coherently for Windsong. “We need to get to the other side to find these Hags that are responsible for what’s going on.” Then she adds, still clinging to the mare. ”And I’d like to find this missing unicorn horn.”
(Apologies, a little losey goosey with the directions cause I don’t have my notes and haven’t the brain power to search back :3 But I tried my best via memory.)
(Sorry, I was thinking in going to the Big Tent with the gang, but I guess that might not be an option.)
Seen Burly losing his patience, Faelan looks around to see if Flynn, the Raven, is returning with the others. With no sign of his friends, he explains himself to his Bugbear friend. "Ya, right. This is what we're gonna do. The Big Top is the grand finale, right. What if we manage to turn off all the spotlights? Ah'm sure if we can explain it to Luz, she can definitely help us. Ah also know the other fellas that man the other spotlights, with ya help, it might just work!" He checks if the coast is clear, and he starts moving to the Big Top.
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Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Zeg senses minor residual traces all around, but there is one unmistakable signal from behind the panel labeled as Isolde. It seems particularly small now from the perspective of a normal-sized owlin, whereas it seemed so large from the spider's eyes. But with the advantage of the previous close-up look, Zeg is easily able to figure out the mechanism to unlock and slide the panel and see within. Inside a small compartment there is a miniature gold treasure chest. It is studded with tiny jewels, and the glow of conjuration magic surrounds it.
Navi
Windsong shakes her mane and replies You must mean The Hall of Illusions. There are many mirrors there, although I have never seen them. It is a short distance. Hold on! And with that the mare rears up, whinnies loudly, and then gallops directly toward the western edge of the hedge that surrounds the wagons. Charging directly for the green wall, Navi clings on tightly as Windsong leaps forward and bursts right through the hedge in an explosion of foliage. Landing softly, she continues galloping on behind a few small stalls and alongside the riverbank, then behind a larger pavilion at which she stops at the southwestern end.
The large pavilion is painted with a mural of shifting images that show grinning faeries diving into pools of color. The helical stripes of the tent’s pointed canopies rotate in spirals, and the whole display seems designed to befuddle onlookers. A young carnival hand dressed in unusually muted garb stands at the tent’s entrance, blinking in surprise at the sudden arrival of the horse and her fairy rider.
Suddenly from nearby there is a horrible sound of raucous laughter, closely followed by distressed sobbing. Two halflings in festive clothes and fake wings stand beside a nearby cabinet - one wears a ridiculous-looking hate and has dropped to the ground in uncontrollable laughter, while the sobbing halfling has his face painted like a butterfly and is running into the pavilion.
The colorless worker doesn't seem surprised by the commotion with the halflings, but is observing the incident quietly with a sad face.
Faelan
Faelan and Burly join the last stragglers of the crowd as they head into the Big Top. The harengon's keen eyes scan the area, but there doesn't appear to be anyone who would prevent them from entering. Faelan does notice something however... something he has seen before but never really paid attention to: there are several animated posters of former star performers on display in the entrance. One of the pictures shows two elven acrobats, who according to the label were known as "Glister and Gleam". Each wears a mask as part of their costume: one mask is in the shape of a sun with long rays, and the other is shaped like a crescent moon... The crescent moon! The outline of the acrobat with the moon mask is strikingly similar to the shadowy silhouette that Faelan saw just inside the Carnival entrance. (see post #26)
Dragging his mind away from this thought, Faelan returns to the present, looking around inside the Big Top to the high scaffold where the main spotlight rests, and where his friend Luz is even now magnifying and diffusing her light to fill the tent. The last of the seats are just being filled as the light dims and a hush falls over the crowd. A second later, the spotlight again goes bright but this time focusing its illumination on the lithe, elven figure of Mister Light sitting in a silver hoop, suspended above the center ring by silk ropes. He wears a dazzling suit of diamond-pane mirrors and a pair of butterfly wings, and holds his scepter topped with the spinning vane.
Welcome, one and all, to this evening’s extravaganza! I am Mister Light. Prepare to be delighted! he cries. Faelan knows the routine well, although he has never seen it from this vantage point since his first time at the Carnival. Knowing the acts that will follow (which sometimes include Burly's feats of strength, Candlefoot's mime show, or Palasha's singing) Faelan instead scans the crowd and considers his next move. Just then he spots something else unusual: a single member of the crowd who isn't watching the show, but who stares directly at Faelan and Burly - a tiefling with bright orange horns...
Flynn
Flynn the raven looks around the nearby area. Zeg is nowhere to be seen, and even Faelan and Burly have disappeared. He can't spot any limping figures either. Then suddenly he hears a crashing noise and sees a white horse bursting out of the western side of the hedge, then galloping around the outside edge of the Carnival, with the delicate figure of Navi the Fairy clinging to its mane. The horse is lost from view as it disappears behind a large colorful tent. Thaco the Clown is also now visible, his fat figure waddling hurriedly in the direction of the galloping horse.
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Zeg reaches in and takes the small gold chest out. Unsure what it does he studies it for a moment, perhaps in his limited instruction at Stixhaven, he might have heard of such a thing.
Arcana 22
If he can't figure it out that way then he does thank some of the limited instruction he received at Strixhaven and casts Identify to determine what the magical item is.
Thinking it must have some sort of value, perhaps to Mister Light and Mister Witch, he slips the small chest into his backpack. He recalls the words he overheard and also what the Kenku said. Maybe whatever this is is enough to force the hands of Mister Witch and Light since they won't willingly tell them what they wanted.
He then goes to the door and looks out and listens to see if anyone is around. If no one is close he'll exit the wagon and then fly into the air to find the others.
Perception 20
If someone is around, he'll turn himself into a bat and fly out the window and up into the air
Zeg doesn't recall anything relevant from his arcane education, but the spell reveals all that he needs to know. This miniature receptacle is in fact a replica of another chest, a full-size treasure chest, that has been magically hidden away using a spell known as Leomund’s secret chest. No doubt the bosses' most valuable possessions are kept inside, and this token is the key to retrieving them.
Armed with this information, Zeg prepares to depart the wagon. Hearing nothing other than the background sounds of the Carnival, the owlin spreads his wings and flies up above the wagons and the hedge. The stars of the night sky glitter overhead, while the sparkling lights of the Carnival mirror this scene below, the walkways and canopies forming constellations never seen in any sky before. Looking down on the Carnival, it occurs to the mathematically-minded owlin that the layout of the Carnival is two adjacent circles... just like the numeral 8.
People walk to and fro - carnival-goers of all size and description - and Zeg has trouble locating anyone familiar. Faelan, Flynn, Navi... Burly and Thaco... Witch and Light... none are within view. To the east are the familiar locations already visited: the mermaid lake, the unicorn carousel, the dragonfly pond, the lost property tent... The branches of Northwind the treant sapling can be seen above the crowd, and Zeg can also make out the reclining figure of Dirlagraun the displacer beast. To the west lies areas yet unexplored, but Zeg can see a large teapot emitting bubbles, a small racing arena with giant snails, and a small track with minecarts. Another bird flies nearby - a raven - moving away from Zeg toward the west.
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
As the show commences. "Burly, buddy. To really get the bosses' attention, we gotta disrupt the grand finale! So, this is what we're gonna do. Do ya see that spotlight?" Faelan points to the one to the north. "That's Eddie, do ya know him? OK, tell him to look at mah spotlight for the final act. When ah give the signal, he's to turn off his spotlight. Tell him, it's a special order from da bosses. After ya tell Eddie, ya go to that one over there." Faelan points to the one to the west. "Tell Sunny the same thing. Ya gottit? Alright, off ya go!"
He's about to make his way to tell the person manning the southern spotlight when he notices the Tiefling with bright orange horns. With a powerful kick from his hind legs, he jumps to the empty seat next to the stranger. He takes out a carrot from his jacket, and calmly sits down. "Ehhh... What's up doc? Can ya make it in a jiffy? Cause I am ina hurry."
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Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Zeg immediately banks and turns towards the raven. Flynn was turned into a Raven. He hopes this was him and not some other raven. He'll just have to chance it. When he catches up to it he calls out to the raven. "Flynn! Hey Flynn, is that you?"
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"Not the time for eating" Flynn think. "NEVERMORE" he croaks he flies up and alights on Faelans shoulder staring intently at Mr light
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Faelan tries to make to the wagon's door, waits for Flynn the raven to land on his shoulders, and with a powerful kick from his hind legs, he jumps as far as possible. He goes for the exit of the circle.
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
The harengon scurries to the door as the raven-formerly-known-as-Flynn lands on his shoulder. With a mighty push from his hind legs Faelan bounds from the wagon, with the raven flapping desperately, struggling to maintain a grip as his talons dig into the harengon's fur. The effect almost looks to the nearby Navi as though a raven has just captured an unusually large coney for it's supper. Burly the bugbear turns and lumbers after the pair as fast as his stocky build allows...
Back in the wagon, the air continues to remain thick as treacle, while Witch and Light gather their wits. Zeg listens on as Mr Witch barks an order to the onlooking clown, who has just woken from his brief nap but otherwise seems unperturbed by the disturbance, almost like he enjoyed it. Thaco! Watch those two! he commands, brushing the dust off his top hat. I don't want them going anywhere near the Hall of Illusions! Thaco nods with a vicious smirk, then turns and slinks off in a direction askew to that of the fleeing pair. Mr Light pats his costume down, smoothing out any wrinkles, and says to his companion: You needn't bother with that. It's not like they know the password anyway, or which mirror open the portal. Mr Witch responds: Clearly, we don't know what they know. Did you hear what Cottontail said about the unicorns? He looks thoughtfully at his pocket watch, rubbing it absently. I'm of a mind to wrap things up early and move on. Light replies: Perhaps. We'll discuss it after the show. Come, it's time for the Big Top Extravaganza. Let's get our game faces back on, shall we? The two nod to each other as Mr Light takes up his weather-vane wand and Mr Witch lifts the hat box from the table. Both descend the stairs of the wagon, closing the door behind them and leaving Zeg in the dark...
Navi hovers unseen and unheard behind the wagon, aware of the voices within, but not making out all the words. She looks back and sees Windsong huddling under the neighbouring wagon but looking away sadly. The sounds of joy and laughter continue to drift over the hedge, but to the innocent fairy they seem now a little discordant, like a splash of colour sprayed across an otherwise dark and gloomy painting. The music of the calliope wafts like a breeze through the night, but once again its tone seems to have taken to a minor key, and lost its jaunty and upbeat tone...
Burly the bugbear catches up not long after Faelan bursts back through the hedge, with Flynn-raven still perched on his shoulder with ruffled feathers. His jack-o-lantern helmet has been discarded somewhere along the way, and with a pant of exertion, he bends over briefly to catch his breath, before talking to the harengon in a rushed and wheezy voice: I'm terribly sorry... sorry you had to witness that... and sorry for your friend too... he should be okay in a while... But that just proves... what I've been saying for a long time now... Bad things are happening at the carnival... People and things going missing... like your bard friend said... Burly stops briefly again to catch his breath some more, then continues with a more calm and confident tone. The bosses know more than they’re telling, but their hands are tied somehow. You’re the first ones I’ve seen ever challenge 'em about it - the first I've met who... who might be able to set things right. Witch and Light are good guys, they are. But they're scared. You’ll need leverage to make them spill the beans.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Raven Flynn caws at the bugbear
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Faelan cleans up the leaves off of him, he then turns to Burly the Bugbear. "Heya Pal, it ain't yer fault. I havah never seen the big bosses like dat, and yer right that somethin's definitely going on." Faelan thinks for a moment. "Ya know, y'all not the first one talkin' about leverage. A Kenku lady/girl said the same thing, and she said that we gotta make it painful for them, otherwise they ain't gonna spill the beans." He paces back and forth thinking out loud. "What could be VERY painful for them? I recon losing business woulda hurt em' big time right...?" He turn to Raven Flynn. "Heya Flynn. Can ya fly around lookin' for the others? I might hava an idea..." He turn to Burly. "Ah might need yer help too buddy."
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Flynn cocks.his head and caws taking flight. Looking for Navi, Zeg and someone with a limp
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Burly gulps but nods his head at Faelan's summary. As the harengon paces and thinks, Burly speaks his mind out loud... I don't wish to cause them pain... but my brother Hurly has been missing now for so long, and the bosses have shown no inclination to assist, despite knowing something of his fate... Yes, losing business would cause them discomfort, although it is less about the coin for them than the joy of their patrons... I suspect that was the plan of that kenku - to disrupt the Carnival enough to create discord. She has been only a minor nuisance however... Perhaps a greater disruption would be required.
Flynn flies up and begins to scan the area, searching for Zeg and Navi. However the first person to catch his perceptive eye is actually Thaco the Clown, whose rotund figure bursts from the hedge further to the left, and then skulks along the perimeter toward where Faelan and Burly are standing...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Navi's heart sinks when she sees Windsong looking away sadly. She flutters, looking back and forth between her and her friends. There was that tummy turning feeling again. Guilt. Chewing on her lip she feels like she could have done more, or offered so much more. Without another thought, the little fairy zips her way back over to Windsong. She throws herself at the mare, and mimicking a fly, she 'splats' herself against her. She clings onto her in a hug using all her limbs. "Come with me?" Her little wings flutter. Could she come with them, even if she wanted too? Blue hues look for Windsong's reigns and if there's something she'd need to do to separate her from the chariot.
just an unstable unicorn.
Veering from his intended path with loud cars and squaks to attempt to warn Faelan. Flynn dive bombs Thac0 repeatedly (literally and figuratively)
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Windsong is startled by the sudden rush from the little fairy, and quickly stands up, moving out from under the wagon. As Navi now realises, the mare is not harnessed to the wagon, or even tethered or bridled, but was simply reclining in the cool night grass. But sensing the intensity in Navi's plea, Windsong now quivers with anticipation and replies: I shall, little one. Where would you lead me?
-----------------------------------
Thaco the Clown swats ineffectually at the raven, and is only partially successful at avoiding the little nuggets of disrespect that the bird deposits on the clown from above. Sensing that the commotion will alert his quarry to his presence, the clown hurries away in the opposite direction, heading west from the staff area's hedge and toward the Hall of Illusions.
-----------------------------------
Burly waits impatiently with Faelan, too polite to ask pre-emptively about the harengon's plans, but eager to advance the agenda against the bosses that has now gained fresh momentum, and which he nervously has found himself embroiled in. From their current secretive position at the border of the hedge, both observe Mister Witch and Mr Light exiting the hedge a little further anti-clockwise from them, and making their way into the Big Top, where Faelan knows his little friend Luz will be preparing to shine her light onto the arena floor for the Big Top Extravaganza. Patrons from around the Carnival can be seen flocking toward the main door of the Big Top, eager to take their seats and watch the show...
------------------------------------
With the departure of the bosses, Zeg the spider finds himself alone in the wagon, with only the familiar sound of Navi the fairy outside speaking to someone...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Zeg waits for everyone to leave. He then sighs and returns back to his normal shape. Once that is done he figures he has some time, bot not sure how much and doesn't want to chance it so he casts Detect Magic and starts nosing around the wagon. He especially take a close look at the small panel of wood on the bench that has the name "Isolde" on it.
Perception 13
Investigation 5
Navi is almost vibrating with excitement that Windsong was willing to go with her. Yay! But where? That indeedy was the question. The little fairy would pause, stunned a moment when she realizes she hadn’t quite thought that far ahead. Though deep down her fairy senses were tingling. She felt like she knew where she should be going. “Hall of mirrors!” Navi blurts. “Or at least a place with mirrors where we can look in our reflection?” (Hall of Illusions?) She starts trying really hard to pick apart the mental notes she made for herself, and tries her best to put them together coherently for Windsong. “We need to get to the other side to find these Hags that are responsible for what’s going on.” Then she adds, still clinging to the mare. ”And I’d like to find this missing unicorn horn.”
(Apologies, a little losey goosey with the directions cause I don’t have my notes and haven’t the brain power to search back :3 But I tried my best via memory.)
just an unstable unicorn.
(Sorry, I was thinking in going to the Big Tent with the gang, but I guess that might not be an option.)
Seen Burly losing his patience, Faelan looks around to see if Flynn, the Raven, is returning with the others. With no sign of his friends, he explains himself to his Bugbear friend. "Ya, right. This is what we're gonna do. The Big Top is the grand finale, right. What if we manage to turn off all the spotlights? Ah'm sure if we can explain it to Luz, she can definitely help us. Ah also know the other fellas that man the other spotlights, with ya help, it might just work!" He checks if the coast is clear, and he starts moving to the Big Top.
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
After chasing off the clown Flynn resumes looking for his friends or the Kenku
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Zeg
Zeg senses minor residual traces all around, but there is one unmistakable signal from behind the panel labeled as Isolde. It seems particularly small now from the perspective of a normal-sized owlin, whereas it seemed so large from the spider's eyes. But with the advantage of the previous close-up look, Zeg is easily able to figure out the mechanism to unlock and slide the panel and see within. Inside a small compartment there is a miniature gold treasure chest. It is studded with tiny jewels, and the glow of conjuration magic surrounds it.
Navi
Windsong shakes her mane and replies You must mean The Hall of Illusions. There are many mirrors there, although I have never seen them. It is a short distance. Hold on! And with that the mare rears up, whinnies loudly, and then gallops directly toward the western edge of the hedge that surrounds the wagons. Charging directly for the green wall, Navi clings on tightly as Windsong leaps forward and bursts right through the hedge in an explosion of foliage. Landing softly, she continues galloping on behind a few small stalls and alongside the riverbank, then behind a larger pavilion at which she stops at the southwestern end.
The large pavilion is painted with a mural of shifting images that show grinning faeries diving into pools of color. The helical stripes of the tent’s pointed canopies rotate in spirals, and the whole display seems designed to befuddle onlookers. A young carnival hand dressed in unusually muted garb stands at the tent’s entrance, blinking in surprise at the sudden arrival of the horse and her fairy rider.
Suddenly from nearby there is a horrible sound of raucous laughter, closely followed by distressed sobbing. Two halflings in festive clothes and fake wings stand beside a nearby cabinet - one wears a ridiculous-looking hate and has dropped to the ground in uncontrollable laughter, while the sobbing halfling has his face painted like a butterfly and is running into the pavilion.
The colorless worker doesn't seem surprised by the commotion with the halflings, but is observing the incident quietly with a sad face.
Faelan
Faelan and Burly join the last stragglers of the crowd as they head into the Big Top. The harengon's keen eyes scan the area, but there doesn't appear to be anyone who would prevent them from entering. Faelan does notice something however... something he has seen before but never really paid attention to: there are several animated posters of former star performers on display in the entrance. One of the pictures shows two elven acrobats, who according to the label were known as "Glister and Gleam". Each wears a mask as part of their costume: one mask is in the shape of a sun with long rays, and the other is shaped like a crescent moon... The crescent moon! The outline of the acrobat with the moon mask is strikingly similar to the shadowy silhouette that Faelan saw just inside the Carnival entrance. (see post #26)
Dragging his mind away from this thought, Faelan returns to the present, looking around inside the Big Top to the high scaffold where the main spotlight rests, and where his friend Luz is even now magnifying and diffusing her light to fill the tent. The last of the seats are just being filled as the light dims and a hush falls over the crowd. A second later, the spotlight again goes bright but this time focusing its illumination on the lithe, elven figure of Mister Light sitting in a silver hoop, suspended above the center ring by silk ropes. He wears a dazzling suit of diamond-pane mirrors and a pair of butterfly wings, and holds his scepter topped with the spinning vane.
Welcome, one and all, to this evening’s extravaganza! I am Mister Light. Prepare to be delighted! he cries. Faelan knows the routine well, although he has never seen it from this vantage point since his first time at the Carnival. Knowing the acts that will follow (which sometimes include Burly's feats of strength, Candlefoot's mime show, or Palasha's singing) Faelan instead scans the crowd and considers his next move. Just then he spots something else unusual: a single member of the crowd who isn't watching the show, but who stares directly at Faelan and Burly - a tiefling with bright orange horns...
Flynn
Flynn the raven looks around the nearby area. Zeg is nowhere to be seen, and even Faelan and Burly have disappeared. He can't spot any limping figures either. Then suddenly he hears a crashing noise and sees a white horse bursting out of the western side of the hedge, then galloping around the outside edge of the Carnival, with the delicate figure of Navi the Fairy clinging to its mane. The horse is lost from view as it disappears behind a large colorful tent. Thaco the Clown is also now visible, his fat figure waddling hurriedly in the direction of the galloping horse.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Zeg reaches in and takes the small gold chest out. Unsure what it does he studies it for a moment, perhaps in his limited instruction at Stixhaven, he might have heard of such a thing.
Arcana 22
If he can't figure it out that way then he does thank some of the limited instruction he received at Strixhaven and casts Identify to determine what the magical item is.
Thinking it must have some sort of value, perhaps to Mister Light and Mister Witch, he slips the small chest into his backpack. He recalls the words he overheard and also what the Kenku said. Maybe whatever this is is enough to force the hands of Mister Witch and Light since they won't willingly tell them what they wanted.
He then goes to the door and looks out and listens to see if anyone is around. If no one is close he'll exit the wagon and then fly into the air to find the others.
Perception 20
If someone is around, he'll turn himself into a bat and fly out the window and up into the air
Zeg doesn't recall anything relevant from his arcane education, but the spell reveals all that he needs to know. This miniature receptacle is in fact a replica of another chest, a full-size treasure chest, that has been magically hidden away using a spell known as Leomund’s secret chest. No doubt the bosses' most valuable possessions are kept inside, and this token is the key to retrieving them.
Armed with this information, Zeg prepares to depart the wagon. Hearing nothing other than the background sounds of the Carnival, the owlin spreads his wings and flies up above the wagons and the hedge. The stars of the night sky glitter overhead, while the sparkling lights of the Carnival mirror this scene below, the walkways and canopies forming constellations never seen in any sky before. Looking down on the Carnival, it occurs to the mathematically-minded owlin that the layout of the Carnival is two adjacent circles... just like the numeral 8.
People walk to and fro - carnival-goers of all size and description - and Zeg has trouble locating anyone familiar. Faelan, Flynn, Navi... Burly and Thaco... Witch and Light... none are within view. To the east are the familiar locations already visited: the mermaid lake, the unicorn carousel, the dragonfly pond, the lost property tent... The branches of Northwind the treant sapling can be seen above the crowd, and Zeg can also make out the reclining figure of Dirlagraun the displacer beast. To the west lies areas yet unexplored, but Zeg can see a large teapot emitting bubbles, a small racing arena with giant snails, and a small track with minecarts. Another bird flies nearby - a raven - moving away from Zeg toward the west.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
For lack of finding anyone familiar Flynn is going to harass Thac0
Laissez les bons temps rouler
As the show commences. "Burly, buddy. To really get the bosses' attention, we gotta disrupt the grand finale! So, this is what we're gonna do. Do ya see that spotlight?" Faelan points to the one to the north. "That's Eddie, do ya know him? OK, tell him to look at mah spotlight for the final act. When ah give the signal, he's to turn off his spotlight. Tell him, it's a special order from da bosses. After ya tell Eddie, ya go to that one over there." Faelan points to the one to the west. "Tell Sunny the same thing. Ya gottit? Alright, off ya go!"
He's about to make his way to tell the person manning the southern spotlight when he notices the Tiefling with bright orange horns. With a powerful kick from his hind legs, he jumps to the empty seat next to the stranger. He takes out a carrot from his jacket, and calmly sits down. "Ehhh... What's up doc? Can ya make it in a jiffy? Cause I am ina hurry."
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Zeg immediately banks and turns towards the raven. Flynn was turned into a Raven. He hopes this was him and not some other raven. He'll just have to chance it. When he catches up to it he calls out to the raven. "Flynn! Hey Flynn, is that you?"