Rowan (and also G'Reginald through the eyes of the weasel)
Mister Light smiles politely and nods as Rowan starts talking about his experience at the carnival, without looking up. But as soon as Rowan mentions the kenku and Queen Zybilna, the smile falls away like an actor's mask slipping off mid-scene. He looks up at last, then does a double-take when 'witches' and 'stealing' are mentioned. A look of mild horror freezes to his painted face, mixed with confusion as the rapid verbal tirade turns to dwarves. Finally he comes to himself and looks around at Mister Witch, who at last detects an incident occurring and waddles over. A similar mixture of emotions paints his face upon hearing about witches and 'Prismeer', and he turns and beckons to someone in the shadows. By the time Rowan has finished, two figures have closed in on him: one is a very large, stocky, hairy creature in a pumpkin head helmet and dungarees. The other is a fat clown with a surly scowl on his face. The clown leans in to Rowan and sneers: Why don't we take a walk, sir. This way please... Rowan looks down to see Mister Witch and Mister Light disappearing through the curtain to backstage.
Mulligan and Barria
Watching from across the circus ring, Mulligan and Barria see Rowan leaning over the edge of the bleachers and getting Mister Light's attention. There is some movement from both the owners, like they are responding to a disturbance, and then they vanish through the backstage curtains. Rowan is joined on the bleachers by two figures who stand on either side of him - one of whom Mulligan has seen before: a large, stocky, hairy creature in a pumpkin head helmet and dungarees. The other is a fat clown.
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Rowan looks at Pumpkin Head and Stocky Fairy and smiles.
"Do you need to use a fresh pumpkin every day or do you let it get almost rotten then switch it out?" Rowan asks then he spits the Stocky Fairy's pipe. "Please tell me that blows bubbles. I've always wanted one of those."
Then when he sees Witch and Light disappear he smiles again at the two newcomers.
"That's okay. I've walked a lot today. It's a long walk from the village. Much longer than I thought. Though maybe it was less. I feel like it was days. But maybe it was only one day. There was so much to see on the way. That can really make time fly. I wonder what time does when it does fly or drag."
He then starts to follow after Witch and Light.
"I think they wanted me to follow them," Rowan says. With that he looks back to where the others are and waves to them and points in the direction Witch and Light went. He shouts loudly across the tent. "They want us to follow them."
Mulligan tries to keep an eye on Rowan but also take in the show at the same time. He absently offers Barria some popcorn, unsure of when he bought it but surely someone was walking around selling it? So all in all it takes him a moment before Pumpkin Head and the Round Clown.
Group Chat: Our friend has company.
Mulligan sends the words to Barria and Rowan first, since they are linked already, but then also to the g'Nome. Mulligan doesn't rush to help but he does get up and start repositioning himself down towards that general area. Not being stealthy, exactly, but trying not to be a disturbance either. He's about to ask Rowan if he saw which was the owners went but he notices them indicating that and trotting off that way before he can...
Group Chat: Guess we are on the move.
Mulligan aims to give Pumpkin and Round a wide berth and try not to give them a reason to engage... Unless Rowan really seems to be in trouble. But if they just stop him or such then he will try to ignore it and stay in pursuit of Light & Witch.
g'Reg's weasel runs alongside Rowan as he trots off, climbing into the wood elf's shoulder if permitted.
Meanwhile G'Reg returns to his senses back in his seat and listens to Mulligan. Not wanting this opportunity to slip by, the gnome follows along to see what will happen next, his chances for retrieving his item are seemingly higher with this group of similarly motivated individuals.
The pumpkin-headed bugbear looks like he is about to reply to Rowan, but only manages a friendly "Well actually, I..." before Rowan moves on to talking to the clown. The clown simply scowls in response and orders the bugbear to "Take him away!" before putting his pipe back in his mouth, and with an air of authority - and to Rowan's delight - blows a stream of bubbles from the pipe.
Rowan unloads his final verbal onsalught before waving and shouting across the ring, and then making to depart. As he attempts to hurdle over the edge of the bleachers, Rowan finds his arm in the firm but gentle grip of the pumpkin-headed bugbear. The hairy monster leans in close and whispers: Please sir, allow me to assist you... but Rowan is keen to pursue the owners, and tugs his arm easily out of the monster's grip - almost too easily, like the bugbear wasn't really trying. Pumpkin-Head makes no effort to give chase as Rowan runs off, much to the annoyance of the clown, who rants at the hairy bouncer about being useless.
Bursting through the curtains into the backstage area, Rowan glances around. There are a number of performers preparing to go onstage, including a halfling contortionist, some tiefling jugglers, and a number of elves on stilts... but Witch and Light are nowhere to be seen. They were just here!! How could they have gotten away so fast? Especially the fat one! Looking around Rowan can see that this backstage area is a smaller tent adjoining the Big Top, and at the far end there is another exit flap leading into the staff area. His two new 'acquaintances', the grumpy gnome and the shabby human, soon appear beside him...
Mulligan and G'Reginald
Mulligan and G'Reginald make their way rapidly around the ring, hardly noticed by the crowds who are still fixated on the performance. They step down from the bleachers at the stairs and scoot around the edge of the ring, noticed only at the last by the flustered and irate chubby clown who continues to shout even more vehemently (although the bugbear doesn't seem too much in a hurry to respond). Bursting through the curtains, they find themselves in a backstage area - a smaller tent adjoining the Big Top. Rowan the elf is there, as well as some rather startled performers preparing to go onstage, but Witch and Light are nowhere to be seen, despite having passed through the curtain only seconds before. At the far end of the long pavilion is an exit flap leading into the area housing the staff wagons...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Rowan waves when he sees the g’Reggie and the Hobo. Then he points to the weasel on his shoulder.
“Isn’t this place amazing? The friendliest animals imaginable. Anyway, I think Chunky Fairy out there is pretty upset but Pumpkinhead seems decent enough. I think he might actually want us to catch up with the ringmasters. Oh, yeah, that’s the word I’ve been trying to come up for ages now. That’s what Mister Witch is, a ringmaster. I’m guessing they went that way.”
Rowan starts running for the exit flap that leads to the wagons.
Mulligan quickly scans the area backstage and upon not seeing Light or Witch he continues running along and heads towards the Staff area. Having been there before, briefly, he doesn't really know the layout but he had heard their two targets there before so guesses they may have retreated there once again after having put in their appearance. This time Mulligan isn't worried about trespassing or the like - there is something hinky definitely going on with this carnival and Light and Witch seem to know what it is! That may or may not lead to him getting his voice back but it's his best bet...
So Mulligan waves for the others to lead the way and darts right for the housing area. If there are barriers or guards or such... well, he'll tackle those when they appear. Otherwise he will use his roguish skills and tactics to track down the pair as best he can. (In other words, if you want a stealth or survival or other kind of roll just let me know.)
g'Reg curses in gnomish at the disappearances of witch and light. Seeing Rowan dart off in a random direction he rolls his eyes, and instead thinks back to what witch and light were wearing, holding. His memory brings up the butterfly staff that witch was holding, inlaid with red gems, and without the time for a ritual he casts locate object. Hoping to find the direction of the carnival heads he gives Mulligans cloak a tug getting the quiet man's attention.
The backstage intruders are through the tent and out the back before anyone has time to respond to them - if they even care, which no-one has yet except the fat clown, who is still in the Big Top. Based on G'Reginald's magical internal compass, he senses the unusual staff is stationary some distance in a direction corresponding to a particularly fancy-looking wagon some fifty feet away. By the gnome's quick mental calculations, the two ringmasters must have teleported there, and couldn't have covered the distance on foot. Mulligan doesn't need much of a tug, as he is already making his way out the exit, as is Rowan, but Greginald's fixation on the wagon gives all of them a clear direction, rather than having to search for clues.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Barria is entranced with what is going on in the ring. She keeps darting her eyes over to where Rowan is, hoping the intense elf is alright. She is startled again as Mulligan and the gnome start following as Rowan disappears with the ringmasters.
She is about to follow as well, but the two bouncers make her pause. She doesn't need trouble with this carnival again, and she truly was enjoying herself. But that recipe tugged at her mind and her heart. She watches the act for a few more moments, then sighs and walks out the front of the tent. She didn't want to be tagged as a troublemaker again.
She walks around the big top, hoping to run into someone she recognizes.
Mulligan hurries along. He believes he knows where he is going but is more than happy to have that confirmed by the g'rumpy g'nome who seems certain somehow. At least they agree. Not seeing the dwarf along for the chase he mentally calls out to here. More to make sure she wasn't in any trouble really, he didn't mean to try to force her into things if she didn't wish... But he did not want to leave her cleaning up the other's mess. So a brief call out should at least remind her she could contact him if needed.
To the Chat Group: Barria - You coming?
That done, Mulligan looks around the area even as they dash for the wagon, checking for guards or the overly curious or such. Also that Kenku. They had said they would be a distraction... Upon coming in close to the wagon (assuming no problems before then) Mulligan mentally contacts the others and asks if they are all barging in or if some should wait outside in case the Misters try to make an escape.
Rowan takes the hint and heads towards the wagon in question and races to the front door.
"They sure did move quickly," Rowan says. "Wouldn't have though Mister Witch could move that fast. Maybe Mister Light. He was much lighter and looked more athletic. But I guess looks can be deceiving."
Rowan pulls open the door then pauses when he gets Mulligan's question about whether to barge in or wait outside in case Light and Witch escape.
"Why would they try to escape? Who's chasing them?" Rowan asks as he opens the door all the way and looks inside.
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Rowan (and also G'Reginald through the eyes of the weasel)
Mister Light smiles politely and nods as Rowan starts talking about his experience at the carnival, without looking up. But as soon as Rowan mentions the kenku and Queen Zybilna, the smile falls away like an actor's mask slipping off mid-scene. He looks up at last, then does a double-take when 'witches' and 'stealing' are mentioned. A look of mild horror freezes to his painted face, mixed with confusion as the rapid verbal tirade turns to dwarves. Finally he comes to himself and looks around at Mister Witch, who at last detects an incident occurring and waddles over. A similar mixture of emotions paints his face upon hearing about witches and 'Prismeer', and he turns and beckons to someone in the shadows. By the time Rowan has finished, two figures have closed in on him: one is a very large, stocky, hairy creature in a pumpkin head helmet and dungarees. The other is a fat clown with a surly scowl on his face. The clown leans in to Rowan and sneers: Why don't we take a walk, sir. This way please... Rowan looks down to see Mister Witch and Mister Light disappearing through the curtain to backstage.
Mulligan and Barria
Watching from across the circus ring, Mulligan and Barria see Rowan leaning over the edge of the bleachers and getting Mister Light's attention. There is some movement from both the owners, like they are responding to a disturbance, and then they vanish through the backstage curtains. Rowan is joined on the bleachers by two figures who stand on either side of him - one of whom Mulligan has seen before: a large, stocky, hairy creature in a pumpkin head helmet and dungarees. The other is a fat clown.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Rowan looks at Pumpkin Head and Stocky Fairy and smiles.
"Do you need to use a fresh pumpkin every day or do you let it get almost rotten then switch it out?" Rowan asks then he spits the Stocky Fairy's pipe. "Please tell me that blows bubbles. I've always wanted one of those."
Then when he sees Witch and Light disappear he smiles again at the two newcomers.
"That's okay. I've walked a lot today. It's a long walk from the village. Much longer than I thought. Though maybe it was less. I feel like it was days. But maybe it was only one day. There was so much to see on the way. That can really make time fly. I wonder what time does when it does fly or drag."
He then starts to follow after Witch and Light.
"I think they wanted me to follow them," Rowan says. With that he looks back to where the others are and waves to them and points in the direction Witch and Light went. He shouts loudly across the tent. "They want us to follow them."
Rowan then trots off.
Mulligan tries to keep an eye on Rowan but also take in the show at the same time. He absently offers Barria some popcorn, unsure of when he bought it but surely someone was walking around selling it? So all in all it takes him a moment before Pumpkin Head and the Round Clown.
Group Chat:
Our friend has company.
Mulligan sends the words to Barria and Rowan first, since they are linked already, but then also to the g'Nome. Mulligan doesn't rush to help but he does get up and start repositioning himself down towards that general area. Not being stealthy, exactly, but trying not to be a disturbance either. He's about to ask Rowan if he saw which was the owners went but he notices them indicating that and trotting off that way before he can...
Group Chat:
Guess we are on the move.
Mulligan aims to give Pumpkin and Round a wide berth and try not to give them a reason to engage... Unless Rowan really seems to be in trouble. But if they just stop him or such then he will try to ignore it and stay in pursuit of Light & Witch.
g'Reg's weasel runs alongside Rowan as he trots off, climbing into the wood elf's shoulder if permitted.
Meanwhile G'Reg returns to his senses back in his seat and listens to Mulligan. Not wanting this opportunity to slip by, the gnome follows along to see what will happen next, his chances for retrieving his item are seemingly higher with this group of similarly motivated individuals.
Rowan
The pumpkin-headed bugbear looks like he is about to reply to Rowan, but only manages a friendly "Well actually, I..." before Rowan moves on to talking to the clown. The clown simply scowls in response and orders the bugbear to "Take him away!" before putting his pipe back in his mouth, and with an air of authority - and to Rowan's delight - blows a stream of bubbles from the pipe.
Rowan unloads his final verbal onsalught before waving and shouting across the ring, and then making to depart. As he attempts to hurdle over the edge of the bleachers, Rowan finds his arm in the firm but gentle grip of the pumpkin-headed bugbear. The hairy monster leans in close and whispers: Please sir, allow me to assist you... but Rowan is keen to pursue the owners, and tugs his arm easily out of the monster's grip - almost too easily, like the bugbear wasn't really trying. Pumpkin-Head makes no effort to give chase as Rowan runs off, much to the annoyance of the clown, who rants at the hairy bouncer about being useless.
Bursting through the curtains into the backstage area, Rowan glances around. There are a number of performers preparing to go onstage, including a halfling contortionist, some tiefling jugglers, and a number of elves on stilts... but Witch and Light are nowhere to be seen. They were just here!! How could they have gotten away so fast? Especially the fat one! Looking around Rowan can see that this backstage area is a smaller tent adjoining the Big Top, and at the far end there is another exit flap leading into the staff area. His two new 'acquaintances', the grumpy gnome and the shabby human, soon appear beside him...
Mulligan and G'Reginald
Mulligan and G'Reginald make their way rapidly around the ring, hardly noticed by the crowds who are still fixated on the performance. They step down from the bleachers at the stairs and scoot around the edge of the ring, noticed only at the last by the flustered and irate chubby clown who continues to shout even more vehemently (although the bugbear doesn't seem too much in a hurry to respond). Bursting through the curtains, they find themselves in a backstage area - a smaller tent adjoining the Big Top. Rowan the elf is there, as well as some rather startled performers preparing to go onstage, but Witch and Light are nowhere to be seen, despite having passed through the curtain only seconds before. At the far end of the long pavilion is an exit flap leading into the area housing the staff wagons...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Rowan waves when he sees the g’Reggie and the Hobo. Then he points to the weasel on his shoulder.
“Isn’t this place amazing? The friendliest animals imaginable. Anyway, I think Chunky Fairy out there is pretty upset but Pumpkinhead seems decent enough. I think he might actually want us to catch up with the ringmasters. Oh, yeah, that’s the word I’ve been trying to come up for ages now. That’s what Mister Witch is, a ringmaster. I’m guessing they went that way.”
Rowan starts running for the exit flap that leads to the wagons.
Mulligan quickly scans the area backstage and upon not seeing Light or Witch he continues running along and heads towards the Staff area. Having been there before, briefly, he doesn't really know the layout but he had heard their two targets there before so guesses they may have retreated there once again after having put in their appearance. This time Mulligan isn't worried about trespassing or the like - there is something hinky definitely going on with this carnival and Light and Witch seem to know what it is! That may or may not lead to him getting his voice back but it's his best bet...
So Mulligan waves for the others to lead the way and darts right for the housing area. If there are barriers or guards or such... well, he'll tackle those when they appear. Otherwise he will use his roguish skills and tactics to track down the pair as best he can. (In other words, if you want a stealth or survival or other kind of roll just let me know.)
g'Reg curses in gnomish at the disappearances of witch and light. Seeing Rowan dart off in a random direction he rolls his eyes, and instead thinks back to what witch and light were wearing, holding. His memory brings up the butterfly staff that witch was holding, inlaid with red gems, and without the time for a ritual he casts locate object. Hoping to find the direction of the carnival heads he gives Mulligans cloak a tug getting the quiet man's attention.
The backstage intruders are through the tent and out the back before anyone has time to respond to them - if they even care, which no-one has yet except the fat clown, who is still in the Big Top. Based on G'Reginald's magical internal compass, he senses the unusual staff is stationary some distance in a direction corresponding to a particularly fancy-looking wagon some fifty feet away. By the gnome's quick mental calculations, the two ringmasters must have teleported there, and couldn't have covered the distance on foot. Mulligan doesn't need much of a tug, as he is already making his way out the exit, as is Rowan, but Greginald's fixation on the wagon gives all of them a clear direction, rather than having to search for clues.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Barria is entranced with what is going on in the ring. She keeps darting her eyes over to where Rowan is, hoping the intense elf is alright. She is startled again as Mulligan and the gnome start following as Rowan disappears with the ringmasters.
She is about to follow as well, but the two bouncers make her pause. She doesn't need trouble with this carnival again, and she truly was enjoying herself. But that recipe tugged at her mind and her heart. She watches the act for a few more moments, then sighs and walks out the front of the tent. She didn't want to be tagged as a troublemaker again.
She walks around the big top, hoping to run into someone she recognizes.
Mulligan hurries along. He believes he knows where he is going but is more than happy to have that confirmed by the g'rumpy g'nome who seems certain somehow. At least they agree. Not seeing the dwarf along for the chase he mentally calls out to here. More to make sure she wasn't in any trouble really, he didn't mean to try to force her into things if she didn't wish... But he did not want to leave her cleaning up the other's mess. So a brief call out should at least remind her she could contact him if needed.
To the Chat Group:
Barria - You coming?
That done, Mulligan looks around the area even as they dash for the wagon, checking for guards or the overly curious or such. Also that Kenku. They had said they would be a distraction... Upon coming in close to the wagon (assuming no problems before then) Mulligan mentally contacts the others and asks if they are all barging in or if some should wait outside in case the Misters try to make an escape.
Rowan takes the hint and heads towards the wagon in question and races to the front door.
"They sure did move quickly," Rowan says. "Wouldn't have though Mister Witch could move that fast. Maybe Mister Light. He was much lighter and looked more athletic. But I guess looks can be deceiving."
Rowan pulls open the door then pauses when he gets Mulligan's question about whether to barge in or wait outside in case Light and Witch escape.
"Why would they try to escape? Who's chasing them?" Rowan asks as he opens the door all the way and looks inside.