Rowan comes through the portal, positively beaming with energy.
”That was incredible. Did you see all the colours? It was like we were inside a rainbow. I could almost taste the green. That’s my favourite. Though I think a lot of people like it. Though more may like blue. The violet was intense. And then the musical note. It’s like we were being welcomed.”
Then Rowan watches the lightning for a moment, mesmerized busy it as it hops from tower to tower.
”You don’t suppose someone in that castle is calling the lightning to them do you? That would be an incredible trick.” Rowan says. Then he looks up at the nearest tower. “Maybe we can just stay in there.”
Barria looks around at their new environment and wonders how they are going to get back.. they never did ask that question, stupidly. Hopefully it'll become very apparent once their tasks have been complete.
She stares at the lightning and the castle in the distance. "Talk about a bait and switch." She looks at the gnome a little surprised; she wasn't sure what was wrong with the little guy, she felt great, energized even. Seeing that he was indeed in need of some help, she stuffs her hand in her pocket and then magically reveals a handfull of small berries. Plucking two out for herself, she hands over 8 of them to the little gnome. "Here, these outta help. I would rather check out this area a bit if you don't mind before securing a cave."
g'Reg takes the berries in hand and gives them a sniff. Then recognising them he eats four of the eight, nodding to Barria "you are very appreciated, though these are filling and I did lose a custardy cupcake competition just recently... Still appreciated. I also wanted to find a cave so that we could maybe discuss some things, have some proper introductions, I didn't account for being thrown on a quest with three strangers when I arrived at the carnival this day and, well... Well now we're a little stuck with eachother, right? Come I can make us a safe space for an hour if only I can find the right page..." Greg hefts an old and well worn tome out and begins leafing through the pages. "I'll need a rope, I don't want to find out right now whether the occupants of the tower are the ones calling lightning nor do I want to find the possibility that they have a bad temperament towards us, mister wood elf."
As the group are contemplating their next course of action, a sound is heard above the rumbling of the thunder - a rhythmic squeaking noise. It grows louder and louder until from around a bend in the path ahead, a wagon appears, rolling on squeaking wooden wheels. It is not entirely unlike many of wagons seen at the carnival, but rather than being decorated in bright colours, it is painted with stormy, windswept landscapes, and draped in black, velvet curtains. No beasts of burden pull the wagon, although a tall figure swathed in long robes rides at the rear of the wagon, its face hidden in a dark cowl.
The wagon draws alongside the new arrivals and stops. The figure continues to look directly ahead, its face still obscured. Suddenly, the side curtains part revealing a stage with a painted backdrop identical to the environment in which the group stands. Small marionette puppets appear on the stage, each a clear representation of Mulligan, Barria, Rowan, and Greginald.
The puppets begins to dance, their strings disappearing into the dark recess above the stage. The impromptu puppet show depicts a startingly familiar series of events: the four characters arrive at a fey carnival, and engage in various interactions with the carnival attractions and patrons, including a slapstick version of the encounter with Mister Witch and Mister Light in their wagon. The miniature play culminates in the puppets jumping through a tiny mirror, arriving in the stormy mountains of Yon, and concludes with the arrival of a miniature replica of the black-draped pageant wagon. Just before the curtains close on this finale, a small banner drops from the ceiling emblazoned with the words: "To be continued!"
The astonished puppet show now over, the hooded figure draws four small envelopes from the folds of its robes and offers them to the group...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
”That was brilliant, do you do that for everyone who arrives here or just those who come through the mirrors?”
He happily takes the envelops and looks to see if they have their names on them, dolling them out to each member of the group if they are marked that way.
At the same time he pulls a coil of rope from his pack and shows it to gReg.
Greg takes the rope but not the envelope he is offered by Rowan. During the entire performance the gnomes arms are folded, a scowl across his face. When it is done he speaks out accusingly. "Divination is a craft that few appreciate when it is directed at them.... Why are you interested in our activities, and... are you perchance, Isolde?"
The four envelopes are indeed printed with each person's name, and inside of each is what appears to be a ticket. The ticket is painted with the image of the puppet from the show, each corresponding to the name on the envelope. Written in Common under this effigy are the words:
-----------------------------
ADMIT ONE
GRAND THEATER OF MOTHERHORN
ONE SHOW ONLY
-----------------------------
Greginald gives a piece of his mind to the figure on the wagon, but it apparently takes no notice. The wagon wheels start to creak, the wagon pulls away, but only makes it a few dozen feet before the whole thing collapses! The wagon turns to a pile of rotten wood and tattered black cloth, and the figure crumples into a lifeless stack of bones and rags.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Greg sighs and rubs his brow. Throwing the rope Rowan gave him up in the air where it appears to latch onto nothing at all and then he chants a spell, reading from his book open at his feet, a hole opens in thin air above. "Ok, we should plan, I'm gonna take 5. You're all welcome inside..." And he gathers his things and climbs up.
Barria smiles as Greg mentions their predicament, four strangers all in a strange land. He was right, things had just been moving so quickly she hadn't paused to think about it.
The puppet theater was another matter all together and didn't sit well in her stomach. How? How? How had people in this realm known what had happened back at the carnival? Did they have eyes everywhere? What kind of magic - divination sure, but man, this was powerful stuff. As it falls apart, Barria digs through looking for the puppets and if she finds hers, she'll hold onto it.
She opens the envelope from Rowan, "Think the Motherhorn is at that castle up there? I guess it is as good a place as any to search." Turning to Greg, "planning sure, that is a good idea."and she follows him up the rope.
Mulligan does nothing. Mostly. He watches speculatively as the wagon approaches, then he finds a comfortable rock and rolls himself a smoke to enjoy as the puppetry pageant proceeds. He does take the envelope when it is handed to him but more observes the others when they open and examine theirs than does so himself. He does sniff at his curiously but then just places it in one of the many pockets on his coat as he watched the wagon ramble on down the road... before crumbling into a wreck of mishap and old boards and chipped paint. So... that all happened.
He does raise an eyebrow when the little one tosses the rope up to the sky and... it stays there? Odd. Odder still, they climb up it and disappear into a hole in the sky. Mulligan cannot help but note that this is going to be one weird little travel montage and he feels a bit lost without a map or brochure or anything of the sort.
But as it is... The short one seemed to want a powwow up in his little magical hidey-hole. Why? Mulligan isn't sure. It's not like they've encountered dangers preventing them from just talking on the road. And if the puppets proved one thing it is that the witch ruling this domain can see into other places. Still, no point in not climbing up and joining the discussion. So after finishing his smoke and tossing it aside, Mulligan creakily gets up to his feet, goes to the rope, grasps it with both hands and attempts to climb...
And after a foot of climbing, perhaps, he loses his grip and falls back to ground. Butt first, somehow.
A soundless harumph later, Mulligan climbs back to his feet, takes off his hat to scratch his head for a moment, then reaches around himself to try to dust off his back side. This time at the rope he first spits into his hands and rubs them together before grabbing on and once more attempting to pull himself up...
After getting himself a bit off the ground, Mulligan this time uses his feet as well and has a much better go of it. He hesitates before sticking his head up into G'reginald's magic hole, first shoving his hat up there and swirling it around a bit first to make sure it is safe... Once his hat comes back unharmed Mulligan then climbs up and in. Reluctantly.
Rowan's smile fades a little as the wagon crumbles to pieces. He nods at gReg and pockets his envelope for later, looking quickly at his own and also pocketing that.
"Motherhorn. The Prismeer Motherhorn," Rowan says. "Sounds like a mountain to me. So yes, maybe the castle on the mountain is the Motherhorn. But one show only? Do you think they have more than one show? Would we want to see more than one show? I wonder how much they cost? I hope there are more puppets."
He notices the others climbing the rope so he doesn't wait for a response and follows them up.
With everyone inside Greg pulls the rope up and sits down, the extra dimensional pocket is a simple barren room with enough space for everyone and more to sit, but not do much else. "Well then! My name is Reginald Rainback." The gnome begins, though the pronunciation of his first name seems off somehow, not like someone would normally enunciate Reg-inald with the reg in this case rhyming with leg, instead of the more colloquial 'ledge'... "The Rainback's are a long line of farmers. Though I am myself more of a mage of sorts instead of a labourer, but we harvest the Rain once it has Rown in the Round..." He puts his hand on his chest as he introduced himself and gestures towards the others to do so as well, once that is all done he continues.
"I got a lot of information whilst at the carnival, and for us to work and share a goal I think it's most effective that we lay all our cards on the table so to speak." And Reg takes his time going over the things people already know whilst filling the lecture out with new info. The summary of that is as follows.
- Witch and Light are originally from the Shadowfell
- There is another darker carnival (WitchLight's original) which will swap hands if it ever crosses paths with the (current) WitchLight. Shadow carnival currently operated by one Isolde. Witch and Light do not want their old carnival back.
- Selenelion twins, was one acrobatic double act involving Gleam and Glister;
Gleam's shadow turns up at the WitchLight ,Glister, reportedly vanished
Mention of this act to Witch and Light makes them nervous, possibly responsible for disappearance? A deal gone bad? Either way the result of which is that the younger of the hourglass coven has gleam and Glister is gone.
Hourglass coven.
- "Skabatha Nightshade, eldest sister of the Hourglass Coven, mistress of Thither, the land of remember-whens. She adores the taste of regrets, like bitter black licorice. She’s got servants bound tighter than a rainbow braid, and her dear little Sowpig trots off to the carnival on a pilfering spree." (Pig faced mask girl?)
- "Bavlorna Blightstraw, the middle sister of the Hourglass Coven, ruler of Hither, the land of the here-and-now. She gobbles up the troubles of those who come to her with urgent pleas. She crafts creepy critters in her own uncanny image, and one she sends to pinch goodies from the carnival."
- "Endelyn Moongrave, youngest sister of the Hourglass Coven, the doom-gazing diva of Yon, land of what’s-to-come. She snatches the hopes of those who seek her for their destiny. Her minions are stitched from darkness itself, and she sends the shadow of poor Gleam to snatch from the carnival’s guests."
The best way to defeat the sisters is to have them trying to defeat eachother, their specific interests may be key to manipulating them.
The Hourglass Coven… three sisters, daughters of Baba Yaga herself, and thus half-sisters to that most infamous of witches, Iggwilv. For as long as Prismeer has existed, the Coven has whispered counsel at Queen Zybilna’s side. What has transpired in that realm to grant them such power and freedom is not known.
Iggwilv, also known as Tasha. Powerful female human mage, raised by Baba Yaga. Famous demonologist. Wrote the Demonomicon of Iggwilv, the seminal tome on demonic lore. Generally accepted as being a beautiful human woman with raven hair. Spent some time in the Abyss as a consort of the Demon Lord Grazzt. Known to have possessed a powerful cauldron with properties including the ability to freeze time. Also known as Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. Invented several popular spells, including Tasha's Hideous Laughter.
"The information I am missing is basically anything on Prismeer, which will be applicable as we are now here." He concludes offering anyone to share their notes. As they do he rummages in his pack and brings out the three vials gifted by Mister Witch.
Rowan slips into the flying pocket room, then sticks his head out the entrance and then brings himself all the way back in.
"This is very clever," Rowan says.
Then he sits quietly listening to gReg. Well, as quietly as Rowan can. He fidgets pretty much constantly, his weapons jungling a little each time he adjusts his position. And he recites some of what gReg says, but just under his breath.
"Oh. That's so cool. How do you harvest rain? Do you use big buckets? A trough? A hole in the ground. That's why you miss the hoe isn't it. You need it to build the troughs to collect the rain. But what do you do with it afterwards."
He takes a deep breath and introduces himself.
"I'm Rowan. Rowan Birch. At least that's what my parents called me. I don't know if that means that's who I am or if I should just say that's my name. Do you ever wander why we answer with our name when someone asks who you are?" Rowan begins. "You should really come to my village, gReg. It's called Rainhaven. It would make sense for you to harvest rain in Rainhaven. I'm going to be a traveling musician some day."
Rowan eventually catches on that they're sharing information and he does his best to share what he learned since he arrived at the carnival. This includes singing a song, only slightly off key.
What Rowan knows:
Mr Nikolas Midnight, the goblin, or was it niblog, doesn't bite. So who does?
The old fairy tales about Iggwilv might be true. A League of Malevolence protected Iggwilv from Strongheard and Ringlerun. The league included a nefarious sorcerer Kelek, who covets Ringlerun's magical staff, and his fearsome bodyguard, Warduke, Zargash the cleric of evil, Zarak the orc assassin, and a witch named Skylla.
Ellywick Tumblestrum, the gnome musician, has seen me before but I’d never met her. She did sing a wonderful song to me though and it has all sorts of information about Prismeer and the Queen:
In a palace of glass where the dream-silver flows, Where the stars kiss the vines and the moonflower grows, Lives a queen crowned in frost, with a laugh like a chime, Zybilna the wondrous, the weaver of time.
Zybilna, bright Zybilna, with crown of woven light, You bless the brave and kind of heart who walk in truth and right. Through thicket, glade, and rillet, your magic never tires You grant the worthy wandering soul their deepest heart’s desire.
She walks in disguise through the faerie parade, A dancer, a whisper, a shadow in shade. In Prismeer she rules, though the hourglass turn, Brave mortals importune her justice to earn.
Zybilna, bold Zybilna, enchantress of the stars, Your laughter echoes through the land in chimes of crystal spars. Though covens scheme and time stands still, your spirit never tires— You grant the worthy wandering soul their deepest heart’s desire.
And if a soul should venture to brightest orchards thither, To yon eternal towers, and fields of flowers hither— Each path winds strange and perilous, yet hope will still appear, For those who brave the faerie ways to find Zybilna dear.
Zybilna, lost Zybilna, the star in slumber’s keep, Awaken now, and bless again the dreams that dare to leap. Let mortals walk with courage bright through thorn and darkest mire— To find the queen, and in her grace, their truest heart’s desire.
Rowan stops, looks around at the others and laughs. He goes back to fidgeting as he waits for Mullet the Hobo or Barria to tell more about themselves.
Mulligan renews the Group Chat, it having expired sometime around their stepping through the looking glass, so to speak. This time he connects to Barria and G'reg. He figures one of the two he can connect to will sometimes need to tell the unconnected what was said. Rowan is the least reliable to accurately retell what they heard... This Group Chat will last 6hours. (Nice.)
My name is Mulligan O'Menihan. Who I am depends on who you ask, I suppose.
I snuck into the carnival many a year ago. It cost me my voice. I had forgotten about that. At least until the carnival returned. I paid entry this time. I hoped, perhaps foolishly, that I could somehow find my voice again. Honestly that is still my priority. I don't care who runs the carnival. Not at all. If I can find and save the halfling suitor I mentioned before, great. But I'd probably have to stumble over the opportunity. I am not looking to become a hero or savior or anything. Just want my voice back. Same for stopping the thieves who are the ones taking things and people... If a golden opportunity to stop them presents itself, fine. But revenge doesn't fill the belly so if it's too much trouble to stop them, I won't be troubled by not.
I think most of what I learned has already been covered by these two.
Trying to recall anything he learned that may not have been mentioned yet, Mulligan retraces his steps from the moment of entering the carnival on. And thinking of entering the carnival immediately reminds him... And so he suddenly jerks around in a twist, arm reach as far across his back as possible, and he grabs and pulls off the dragonfly wings he had been wearing since first entering the carnival, tossing them down into the hole in the floor wanting to be rid of them.
Things, and persons, often go missing from the carnival these days. But I suppose we all know that now. It's only been since after Isolde swapped carnivals with the Misters. The Owlin and six legged panther thing there told me this. Things didn't change immediately, it was only after a few years.
That one you mentioned, G'reg, that Tasha - It was a cabinet dedicated to her that somehow whammied the halfling intended and caused her to laugh hideously when her suitor proposed. Rubin was the make halfling's name, I believe. I do not think I caught the female's name. Rubin was led away by the girl in a pig mask. He wasn't being dragged. I think he agreed to go, maybe? But... He regretted it.
There are three thieves who practice their craft in the carnival - the girl in the pig mask, the shadow and the frog. I believe Barria saw the frog. I am not sure how literal the shadow being a shadow is. Though not everything or one that disappears is stolen. Some make a deal. Like, I suspect, Rubin. This Candlefoot the mime told me. He lost his colors when he snuck into the carnival but he too, coincidentally, lost his voice. But that was a deal with out Kenku friend Kettlewhistle.
From there on out most of us were together and I do not think I have learned anything that wasn't already mentioned. Truth be I didn't fully realize I needed to be learning about all this, I just wanted to find my voice...
Then, with a shrug, Mulligan rests and looks around to the others. Barria in particular to see what she has to add.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Rowan comes through the portal, positively beaming with energy.
”That was incredible. Did you see all the colours? It was like we were inside a rainbow. I could almost taste the green. That’s my favourite. Though I think a lot of people like it. Though more may like blue. The violet was intense. And then the musical note. It’s like we were being welcomed.”
Then Rowan watches the lightning for a moment, mesmerized busy it as it hops from tower to tower.
”You don’t suppose someone in that castle is calling the lightning to them do you? That would be an incredible trick.” Rowan says. Then he looks up at the nearest tower. “Maybe we can just stay in there.”
Rowan looks for an entrance to the nearest tower.
Barria looks around at their new environment and wonders how they are going to get back.. they never did ask that question, stupidly. Hopefully it'll become very apparent once their tasks have been complete.
She stares at the lightning and the castle in the distance. "Talk about a bait and switch." She looks at the gnome a little surprised; she wasn't sure what was wrong with the little guy, she felt great, energized even. Seeing that he was indeed in need of some help, she stuffs her hand in her pocket and then magically reveals a handfull of small berries. Plucking two out for herself, she hands over 8 of them to the little gnome. "Here, these outta help. I would rather check out this area a bit if you don't mind before securing a cave."
g'Reg takes the berries in hand and gives them a sniff. Then recognising them he eats four of the eight, nodding to Barria "you are very appreciated, though these are filling and I did lose a custardy cupcake competition just recently... Still appreciated. I also wanted to find a cave so that we could maybe discuss some things, have some proper introductions, I didn't account for being thrown on a quest with three strangers when I arrived at the carnival this day and, well... Well now we're a little stuck with eachother, right? Come I can make us a safe space for an hour if only I can find the right page..." Greg hefts an old and well worn tome out and begins leafing through the pages. "I'll need a rope, I don't want to find out right now whether the occupants of the tower are the ones calling lightning nor do I want to find the possibility that they have a bad temperament towards us, mister wood elf."
As the group are contemplating their next course of action, a sound is heard above the rumbling of the thunder - a rhythmic squeaking noise. It grows louder and louder until from around a bend in the path ahead, a wagon appears, rolling on squeaking wooden wheels. It is not entirely unlike many of wagons seen at the carnival, but rather than being decorated in bright colours, it is painted with stormy, windswept landscapes, and draped in black, velvet curtains. No beasts of burden pull the wagon, although a tall figure swathed in long robes rides at the rear of the wagon, its face hidden in a dark cowl.
The wagon draws alongside the new arrivals and stops. The figure continues to look directly ahead, its face still obscured. Suddenly, the side curtains part revealing a stage with a painted backdrop identical to the environment in which the group stands. Small marionette puppets appear on the stage, each a clear representation of Mulligan, Barria, Rowan, and Greginald.
The puppets begins to dance, their strings disappearing into the dark recess above the stage. The impromptu puppet show depicts a startingly familiar series of events: the four characters arrive at a fey carnival, and engage in various interactions with the carnival attractions and patrons, including a slapstick version of the encounter with Mister Witch and Mister Light in their wagon. The miniature play culminates in the puppets jumping through a tiny mirror, arriving in the stormy mountains of Yon, and concludes with the arrival of a miniature replica of the black-draped pageant wagon. Just before the curtains close on this finale, a small banner drops from the ceiling emblazoned with the words: "To be continued!"
The astonished puppet show now over, the hooded figure draws four small envelopes from the folds of its robes and offers them to the group...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Rowan claps at the end of the performance.
”That was brilliant, do you do that for everyone who arrives here or just those who come through the mirrors?”
He happily takes the envelops and looks to see if they have their names on them, dolling them out to each member of the group if they are marked that way.
At the same time he pulls a coil of rope from his pack and shows it to gReg.
Greg takes the rope but not the envelope he is offered by Rowan. During the entire performance the gnomes arms are folded, a scowl across his face. When it is done he speaks out accusingly. "Divination is a craft that few appreciate when it is directed at them.... Why are you interested in our activities, and... are you perchance, Isolde?"
The four envelopes are indeed printed with each person's name, and inside of each is what appears to be a ticket. The ticket is painted with the image of the puppet from the show, each corresponding to the name on the envelope. Written in Common under this effigy are the words:
-----------------------------
ADMIT ONE
GRAND THEATER OF MOTHERHORN
ONE SHOW ONLY
-----------------------------
Greginald gives a piece of his mind to the figure on the wagon, but it apparently takes no notice. The wagon wheels start to creak, the wagon pulls away, but only makes it a few dozen feet before the whole thing collapses! The wagon turns to a pile of rotten wood and tattered black cloth, and the figure crumples into a lifeless stack of bones and rags.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Greg sighs and rubs his brow. Throwing the rope Rowan gave him up in the air where it appears to latch onto nothing at all and then he chants a spell, reading from his book open at his feet, a hole opens in thin air above. "Ok, we should plan, I'm gonna take 5. You're all welcome inside..." And he gathers his things and climbs up.
Barria smiles as Greg mentions their predicament, four strangers all in a strange land. He was right, things had just been moving so quickly she hadn't paused to think about it.
The puppet theater was another matter all together and didn't sit well in her stomach. How? How? How had people in this realm known what had happened back at the carnival? Did they have eyes everywhere? What kind of magic - divination sure, but man, this was powerful stuff. As it falls apart, Barria digs through looking for the puppets and if she finds hers, she'll hold onto it.
She opens the envelope from Rowan, "Think the Motherhorn is at that castle up there? I guess it is as good a place as any to search." Turning to Greg, "planning sure, that is a good idea." and she follows him up the rope.
Mulligan does nothing. Mostly. He watches speculatively as the wagon approaches, then he finds a comfortable rock and rolls himself a smoke to enjoy as the puppetry pageant proceeds. He does take the envelope when it is handed to him but more observes the others when they open and examine theirs than does so himself. He does sniff at his curiously but then just places it in one of the many pockets on his coat as he watched the wagon ramble on down the road... before crumbling into a wreck of mishap and old boards and chipped paint. So... that all happened.
He does raise an eyebrow when the little one tosses the rope up to the sky and... it stays there? Odd. Odder still, they climb up it and disappear into a hole in the sky. Mulligan cannot help but note that this is going to be one weird little travel montage and he feels a bit lost without a map or brochure or anything of the sort.
But as it is... The short one seemed to want a powwow up in his little magical hidey-hole. Why? Mulligan isn't sure. It's not like they've encountered dangers preventing them from just talking on the road. And if the puppets proved one thing it is that the witch ruling this domain can see into other places. Still, no point in not climbing up and joining the discussion. So after finishing his smoke and tossing it aside, Mulligan creakily gets up to his feet, goes to the rope, grasps it with both hands and attempts to climb...
And after a foot of climbing, perhaps, he loses his grip and falls back to ground. Butt first, somehow.
A soundless harumph later, Mulligan climbs back to his feet, takes off his hat to scratch his head for a moment, then reaches around himself to try to dust off his back side. This time at the rope he first spits into his hands and rubs them together before grabbing on and once more attempting to pull himself up...
After getting himself a bit off the ground, Mulligan this time uses his feet as well and has a much better go of it. He hesitates before sticking his head up into G'reginald's magic hole, first shoving his hat up there and swirling it around a bit first to make sure it is safe... Once his hat comes back unharmed Mulligan then climbs up and in. Reluctantly.
Rowan's smile fades a little as the wagon crumbles to pieces. He nods at gReg and pockets his envelope for later, looking quickly at his own and also pocketing that.
"Motherhorn. The Prismeer Motherhorn," Rowan says. "Sounds like a mountain to me. So yes, maybe the castle on the mountain is the Motherhorn. But one show only? Do you think they have more than one show? Would we want to see more than one show? I wonder how much they cost? I hope there are more puppets."
He notices the others climbing the rope so he doesn't wait for a response and follows them up.
Athletics (6+8) = 14
With everyone inside Greg pulls the rope up and sits down, the extra dimensional pocket is a simple barren room with enough space for everyone and more to sit, but not do much else. "Well then! My name is Reginald Rainback." The gnome begins, though the pronunciation of his first name seems off somehow, not like someone would normally enunciate Reg-inald with the reg in this case rhyming with leg, instead of the more colloquial 'ledge'... "The Rainback's are a long line of farmers. Though I am myself more of a mage of sorts instead of a labourer, but we harvest the Rain once it has Rown in the Round..." He puts his hand on his chest as he introduced himself and gestures towards the others to do so as well, once that is all done he continues.
"I got a lot of information whilst at the carnival, and for us to work and share a goal I think it's most effective that we lay all our cards on the table so to speak." And Reg takes his time going over the things people already know whilst filling the lecture out with new info. The summary of that is as follows.
- Witch and Light are originally from the Shadowfell
- There is another darker carnival (WitchLight's original) which will swap hands if it ever crosses paths with the (current) WitchLight. Shadow carnival currently operated by one Isolde. Witch and Light do not want their old carnival back.
- Selenelion twins, was one acrobatic double act involving Gleam and Glister;
Gleam's shadow turns up at the WitchLight ,Glister, reportedly vanished
Mention of this act to Witch and Light makes them nervous, possibly responsible for disappearance? A deal gone bad? Either way the result of which is that the younger of the hourglass coven has gleam and Glister is gone.
Hourglass coven.
- "Skabatha Nightshade, eldest sister of the Hourglass Coven, mistress of Thither, the land of remember-whens. She adores the taste of regrets, like bitter black licorice. She’s got servants bound tighter than a rainbow braid, and her dear little Sowpig trots off to the carnival on a pilfering spree." (Pig faced mask girl?)
- "Bavlorna Blightstraw, the middle sister of the Hourglass Coven, ruler of Hither, the land of the here-and-now. She gobbles up the troubles of those who come to her with urgent pleas. She crafts creepy critters in her own uncanny image, and one she sends to pinch goodies from the carnival."
- "Endelyn Moongrave, youngest sister of the Hourglass Coven, the doom-gazing diva of Yon, land of what’s-to-come. She snatches the hopes of those who seek her for their destiny. Her minions are stitched from darkness itself, and she sends the shadow of poor Gleam to snatch from the carnival’s guests."
The best way to defeat the sisters is to have them trying to defeat eachother, their specific interests may be key to manipulating them.
The Hourglass Coven… three sisters, daughters of Baba Yaga herself, and thus half-sisters to that most infamous of witches, Iggwilv. For as long as Prismeer has existed, the Coven has whispered counsel at Queen Zybilna’s side. What has transpired in that realm to grant them such power and freedom is not known.
Iggwilv, also known as Tasha. Powerful female human mage, raised by Baba Yaga. Famous demonologist. Wrote the Demonomicon of Iggwilv, the seminal tome on demonic lore. Generally accepted as being a beautiful human woman with raven hair. Spent some time in the Abyss as a consort of the Demon Lord Grazzt. Known to have possessed a powerful cauldron with properties including the ability to freeze time. Also known as Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. Invented several popular spells, including Tasha's Hideous Laughter.
"The information I am missing is basically anything on Prismeer, which will be applicable as we are now here." He concludes offering anyone to share their notes. As they do he rummages in his pack and brings out the three vials gifted by Mister Witch.
Rowan slips into the flying pocket room, then sticks his head out the entrance and then brings himself all the way back in.
"This is very clever," Rowan says.
Then he sits quietly listening to gReg. Well, as quietly as Rowan can. He fidgets pretty much constantly, his weapons jungling a little each time he adjusts his position. And he recites some of what gReg says, but just under his breath.
"Oh. That's so cool. How do you harvest rain? Do you use big buckets? A trough? A hole in the ground. That's why you miss the hoe isn't it. You need it to build the troughs to collect the rain. But what do you do with it afterwards."
He takes a deep breath and introduces himself.
"I'm Rowan. Rowan Birch. At least that's what my parents called me. I don't know if that means that's who I am or if I should just say that's my name. Do you ever wander why we answer with our name when someone asks who you are?" Rowan begins. "You should really come to my village, gReg. It's called Rainhaven. It would make sense for you to harvest rain in Rainhaven. I'm going to be a traveling musician some day."
Rowan eventually catches on that they're sharing information and he does his best to share what he learned since he arrived at the carnival. This includes singing a song, only slightly off key.
What Rowan knows:
Mr Nikolas Midnight, the goblin, or was it niblog, doesn't bite. So who does?
The old fairy tales about Iggwilv might be true. A League of Malevolence protected Iggwilv from Strongheard and Ringlerun. The league included a nefarious sorcerer Kelek, who covets Ringlerun's magical staff, and his fearsome bodyguard, Warduke, Zargash the cleric of evil, Zarak the orc assassin, and a witch named Skylla.
Ellywick Tumblestrum, the gnome musician, has seen me before but I’d never met her. She did sing a wonderful song to me though and it has all sorts of information about Prismeer and the Queen:
In a palace of glass where the dream-silver flows,
Where the stars kiss the vines and the moonflower grows,
Lives a queen crowned in frost, with a laugh like a chime,
Zybilna the wondrous, the weaver of time.
Zybilna, bright Zybilna, with crown of woven light,
You bless the brave and kind of heart who walk in truth and right.
Through thicket, glade, and rillet, your magic never tires
You grant the worthy wandering soul their deepest heart’s desire.
She walks in disguise through the faerie parade,
A dancer, a whisper, a shadow in shade.
In Prismeer she rules, though the hourglass turn,
Brave mortals importune her justice to earn.
Zybilna, bold Zybilna, enchantress of the stars,
Your laughter echoes through the land in chimes of crystal spars.
Though covens scheme and time stands still, your spirit never tires—
You grant the worthy wandering soul their deepest heart’s desire.
And if a soul should venture to brightest orchards thither,
To yon eternal towers, and fields of flowers hither—
Each path winds strange and perilous, yet hope will still appear,
For those who brave the faerie ways to find Zybilna dear.
Zybilna, lost Zybilna, the star in slumber’s keep,
Awaken now, and bless again the dreams that dare to leap.
Let mortals walk with courage bright through thorn and darkest mire—
To find the queen, and in her grace, their truest heart’s desire.
Rowan stops, looks around at the others and laughs. He goes back to fidgeting as he waits for Mullet the Hobo or Barria to tell more about themselves.
Mulligan renews the Group Chat, it having expired sometime around their stepping through the looking glass, so to speak. This time he connects to Barria and G'reg. He figures one of the two he can connect to will sometimes need to tell the unconnected what was said. Rowan is the least reliable to accurately retell what they heard... This Group Chat will last 6 hours. (Nice.)
My name is Mulligan O'Menihan. Who I am depends on who you ask, I suppose.
I snuck into the carnival many a year ago. It cost me my voice. I had forgotten about that. At least until the carnival returned. I paid entry this time. I hoped, perhaps foolishly, that I could somehow find my voice again. Honestly that is still my priority. I don't care who runs the carnival. Not at all. If I can find and save the halfling suitor I mentioned before, great. But I'd probably have to stumble over the opportunity. I am not looking to become a hero or savior or anything. Just want my voice back. Same for stopping the thieves who are the ones taking things and people... If a golden opportunity to stop them presents itself, fine. But revenge doesn't fill the belly so if it's too much trouble to stop them, I won't be troubled by not.
I think most of what I learned has already been covered by these two.
Trying to recall anything he learned that may not have been mentioned yet, Mulligan retraces his steps from the moment of entering the carnival on. And thinking of entering the carnival immediately reminds him... And so he suddenly jerks around in a twist, arm reach as far across his back as possible, and he grabs and pulls off the dragonfly wings he had been wearing since first entering the carnival, tossing them down into the hole in the floor wanting to be rid of them.
Things, and persons, often go missing from the carnival these days. But I suppose we all know that now. It's only been since after Isolde swapped carnivals with the Misters. The Owlin and six legged panther thing there told me this. Things didn't change immediately, it was only after a few years.
That one you mentioned, G'reg, that Tasha - It was a cabinet dedicated to her that somehow whammied the halfling intended and caused her to laugh hideously when her suitor proposed. Rubin was the make halfling's name, I believe. I do not think I caught the female's name. Rubin was led away by the girl in a pig mask. He wasn't being dragged. I think he agreed to go, maybe? But... He regretted it.
There are three thieves who practice their craft in the carnival - the girl in the pig mask, the shadow and the frog. I believe Barria saw the frog. I am not sure how literal the shadow being a shadow is. Though not everything or one that disappears is stolen. Some make a deal. Like, I suspect, Rubin. This Candlefoot the mime told me. He lost his colors when he snuck into the carnival but he too, coincidentally, lost his voice. But that was a deal with out Kenku friend Kettlewhistle.
From there on out most of us were together and I do not think I have learned anything that wasn't already mentioned. Truth be I didn't fully realize I needed to be learning about all this, I just wanted to find my voice...
Then, with a shrug, Mulligan rests and looks around to the others. Barria in particular to see what she has to add.