"Hmm. So Balink's very clever, at that. I don't suppose any one of us is particularly clever?" Halis looks over at Thokk. "Perhaps you should engage him directly in verbal negotiations," he suggests.
Drifting a little away from the repugnant little man that had run the attraction, Delanra looks over to the tents he had pointed out. "I don't know that I'd trust someone who uses a pseudonym to be the most forthcoming of negotiators. Thokk's particular style might be more appropriate, though I'd rather have at least a couple of us in a position to cover the possibility that he flees before we've got any answers."
Thokk smiles, steeples his fingers, and replies, "I are wily." The little cardboard hat, and the, now-mangled, funnel-cake in his hands only enhancing the statement.
You wrap up your conversation with Whatshisface the Gnome and the group heads off toward the row of tents indicated along the northern end of the Carnival grounds. Some of you duck and dodge the crowd. Others simply hang back and follow in Thokk's wake.
Each attraction seems to be self-contained in its own 15-20' square, striped tent with a crudely-painted wooden sign outside. In front of each tent is a gnomish "barker" calling out to passersby, trying to convince the passing crowds to step inside.
You do a quick lap to survey the offerings and read each sign and see that you have choices:
The Giant Gorilla
The World's Ugliest Boy
The Mermaid
The Will-o'-Wisp
The Chain Devil
The possibilities are endless in a world full of such wonders...so what do you do?
Always one to set her own course, Hayle weaves her way through the crowd off to one side of Thokk. The northern end of the carnival grounds had never really held much interest for her. It was the mechanical wonders that she was in awe of. There were more than enough oddities on the boat she sailed on, she didn't need to see more here. Still, this is where the tide had brought them, so this is where Hayle would search.
"Halis, Delanra, shall we go check out the chain devil? The other two can go see one of the other attractions. If you find Balink, let's regroup before we talk to him. I would hate for him to slip away before the rest of us get there to help." She paused for a moment, thinking. "Maybe we should have a story to tell him. Maybe a new exhibit that we have to offer. Any ideas?"
Making her way through the crowd, partly following Thokk, though making no effort to sway from here path if one the the rabble was in her way Delanra took in the 'sights'. The selection of attraction was decidedly lacking in Delanra's opinion. Giant Gorillas were entirely dependant on your perspective, and considering the gnomes running most of the shows, the giant seemed very likely to be an entirely normally sized gorilla. The World's Ugliest Boy was certainly a title that several of the unfortunates working this carnival could have had a fair shot at claiming, and indded they probably drew straws at night for which one of them manned the attraction and which was the attraction... No those two were definitely not of any interest.
"They all sound like the suitable shams that you would expect from somewhere like this, so why not the Chain Devil... I'll come even if it is to see what poor mockery they are trying to pass off. Judging by the rest of them, our fake attraction could be 'The World's Cleverest Ogre." Delanra suggests in a completely sincere tone as she looks at Thokk with his smudged cake and slightly bent hat. "I think there would be less deception in that than anything else I expect we'll see."
"I cannot let this poor boy suffer your gentle humor alone, my dear Syl,"Halis says righteously. "I shall come with you and ensure that you do not further damage his self-esteem with your observations. Know that I am watching your tongue, bard! ... Well, perhaps not your tongue expressly. But I am looking very closely at the noises it shall make!" Halis nods, seemingly satisfied with this further non-sequitur, and takes off after Syl to find the World's Ugliest Child.
(I'll wait for Thokk's plan and try not to make you all wait as long for the next post. XD)
(Also, you guys are gonna make this challenging to have two groups going at once! I'll try to keep both going while keeping them well-defined in the thread to avoid confusion.)
(You don’t have to go into a lot of detail for the ones that don’t progress this game. Plenty of ways for us to come back together. We are already talking about only taking 1/2 hour and regrouping.)
Thokk can insert himself into whichever scene he wants.
The Chain Devil
(Hayle & Delanra)
You approach the farthest tent and, after proffering the necessary two coppers each, the barker ushers you inside and enters behind you, closing the flap.
It takes a few moments for your eyes to adjust to the low light. Even though it's night outside, the light of the Carnival (arcane, mundane, and some kind you've heard that's powered by energy generated by clockwork mechanisms) keeps the grounds well-lit almost to the point of daylight so the drastic drop in illumination takes you aback. As the room comes into focus, you see that the low lighting is provided by five candles, burning with narrow green flames that occasionally flare and sparkle. Each candle stands at a separate point of a large pentagram drawn on the floor within a white chalk circle.
Standing in the midst of the pentagram is a tall, muscular figure wrapped with chains. The face is hidden by a veil of delicate chains, but large inhuman eyes are occasionally visible. A number of loose chains terminating in wicked hooks are attached to the creature’s hands.
The gnome barker walks out from behind you and sidesteps around the perimeter of the room as he begins his performance.
"Behold the chain devil, one of the most dangerous and awe-inspiring creatures in the multiverse! Known as the kytor in their native tongue, they are loathed and feared by all in the Nine Hells! This particular specimen is ancient beyond the reckoning of mortals. It was present at the infamous Blood War, that fearsome conflict which is only mentioned in whispers in the natural world. In its own universe, this creature is a powerful lord with numberless infernal servants. But a wizard has summoned and bound it here this evening for your viewing pleasure! I must warn you – do not cross the chalk circle or rub any of it out. Doing so will free the devil, who will then wreak terrible havoc on our fair city! Behold the devil as it performs its battle dance!"
The creature begins to sway, chains rattling and clanging. Back and forth as the longer chains begin to pick up momentum. Then it starts to twirl. Slowly at first as the chains barely graze the floor. It begins to pick up speed and the chains swing higher and higher until it begins to swing its arms. Between the spinning and twisting and swinging, it launches into a truly impressive display of acrobatics and coordination as various chains orbit its body at different angles and intertwine with one another only to untangle after another carefully executed move or two. The dance is actually quite captivating!
As the dance continues to grow in intensity, the candles begin to flare and sparkle in time with the creature's movements. It's actually sort of off-putting as you can't discern any magical source of the variations. At least, it's not using any arcane means that you're familiar with.
You stand, watching intently until the fantastical display begins to wind down. As the chains begin to come to rest, the barker begins moving to usher you out.
Do you leave or engage in some way?
The World's Ugliest Boy
(Syl & Halis)
You make your way to the second tent in the line. The barker shouts his spiel as you approach.
"Step right up, ladies, gents, and any others who may believe they're ready to take in such wonders as you could never imagine! The Clockwork Carnival dazzles and amazes without fail but tonight you're in for a special treat! Step inside and take in the horror of the most malevolently malformed mishmash malaise of features to ever mark one poor soul's visage. Right here, right now you can feast your eyes on the one and only, undisputed champion of hideousness: The World's Ugliest Boy! Two coppers is a mere pittance to pay for the upkeep this kid requires to keep his face from sloughing clean off his head! It's well worth it at twice the price! Step right up!"
You toss the coins to the barker as he pulls back the tent flap. Once you enter, he drops the flap and remains outside.
The room is surprisingly well lit for a tent. No harsh spot lights or dark corners. Just a comfortable, even illumination. In the center is a small wooden stool with a very hideous looking young boy seated upon it, dressed neatly in school clothes. His face is heavily blemished and pockmarked, his eyes are uneven, his nose is long and hooked. His ears are large and malformed and his complexion seems a little greenish. He says:
"Good evening, kind sirs. My name is Shath Goodfellow and I, as you have no doubt already guessed, am the ugliest boy in the world! My life has not been an easy one, I must admit. At my birth, my father took one look at me and fled in terror, never to be heard from again. When my mother saw me she instantly died of fright. And so I was raised an orphan. The cruel and avaricious matron who ran the orphanage soon found a way to use my misfortune to line her purse – she hired me to a local dairy, who used my hideous countenance to speed up the curdling of milk, and hence increase their production of butter…"
He continues with his tale for some time, telling more and more bewildering and perplexing stories about the troubles and scrapes his ugliness has gotten him into. After several minutes of holding your rapt, awestruck attention, he winds down and smiles awkwardly at you.
Halis studies the boy carefully, trying to determine if his story is as heart-rending as he made it out to be. Regardless of the truth, he begins to speak loudly, for the benefit of all those who had come to gawk at the apparent misfortune of the small boy.
"My good Goodfellow," he begins, pacing before the boy. "I wish for you, and everyone here, to simply stop. Do you not know that appearance is not a competition? Beauty lies within the soul, not on the surface of the skin. Perhaps this sounds like a cliché, but it is an absolute truth! No circus tent or avaricious matron can define who you are as a person, and it is your own actions and mannerisms which should matter in the counting of your handsomeness as a person. In fact, the rest of us have all been made a bit uglier by our presence here.
But no matter! The reason why I say this is because I, too, struggle with my appearance! There are times when the heritage of my spiritual ancestry is more a burden than a boon! Does having a 'pretty' face make me feel good? No! There too, are days when I feel terrible! When I have to remind myself, for what reason was I given such an appearance? What does it matter? Did I treat others with respect? Did I work hard? Am I beautiful on the inside? These, my dear boy, these are the questions you should be asking yourself!
So you see, we all struggle with our perceptions of ourselves and our bodies. Perhaps we cannot help it. Everyone feels judged in some way, shape, or form from time to time. And I am not saying that you will not continue to feel judged for the surface of your appearance. But know that this is not your true worth! Instead of looking into the mirror and picking apart every perceived flaw you see, rather, compliment the good in yourself. You are beautiful in your own way! You must simply start believing in it!"
He turns and looks to Shath for his reaction to the well-meaning pep-talk.
Syl can't help but roll his eyes a bit at the most unbelievable moments of the boy's story. Clearly he's been fed these lines, although he's sure the kid hasn't had an easy life.
As Halis begins his long-winded talk, Syl mouths "I'm sorry" to the boy. When the conversation seems to be wrapping up, Syl digs around in one of his pockets and approaches Shath.
"And hey, if all that stuff doesn't work, you can at least enjoy this," Syl hands him a piece of wrapped candy he had been saving to snack on. He looks around the tent. "These people treat you okay? Anything strange go on behind the curtain flaps, as it were?"
Halis looks with a disapproving eye at Syl. "And you should also be aware that sugar can rot one's teeth if consumed in too great quantities,"he adds to Shath righteously.
Delanra stares at the 'kytor', highly dubious of the truth in any of the gnome's claims. Though she is more than impressed with the acrobatics and movements of the dance, and the attempted showmanship to create some dark and foreboding atmosphere was almost admirable. The attraction would have been entrely more enjoyable if the acrobat had simply performed the skillful routine without the charade.
As the gnome starts to usher them out, she whispers to Hayle "Up for some fun?" and winks as she turns to the gnome. Delanra extends a hand flexes each of her fingers in turn, rolling it up into her palm before opening the hand and clicking her tongue. She calls out to the gnome in an imperious tone, drawing herself up and presenting herslef as every inch the noble lady she used to be.
Delanra casts Mage Hand creating the appendage at the back of the circle behind the chain devil. As she talks to the gnome, she will have the hand wipe at the chalkmarks on the floor, breaking the lines and then dousing the candle. She will dismiss the spell when she directs the gnome's attention that way.
"A truly intriguing dance, but mayhap you can explain why such a fearsome creature is compelled to perform such an acrobatic display rather than sink those chains into the audience? After all, if you were correct and the beast would break free and terrorize this fair city were the circle to be broken, like where those lines don't meet over there..." She points to the rear of teh circle where a gap has 'appeared' in the chalk marks, "We would probably have been in trouble during the dance. No?"
As the gnome turns to look, Delanra purses her helps and imitates a small puff of air from her lips as the fallen candle winks out. A few moments later another, then another cease to burn, as an acrid smell wafts through the attraction, "Are you sure this attraction is all that safe?"
Delanra uses Prestidigitation to snuff the candles one at a time. Followed by creating the smell of sulphur in the air.
Turning to look for the break in the circle Delanra indicated, the gnomish barker screams "No!" and turns to flee the tent. The flap opens and closes in a blur and he's gone.
Your eyes immediately return to the spotlighted creature as it turns its wide eyes from the smeared circle back to you. It pauses for only a split second before waving a hand as an explosion of smoke and green flames erupt from the snuffed candles, obscuring the entire room. The smoke irritates your eyes and throat causing you to cough and wheeze as you begin to tear up. A few moments later the smoke begins to clear and you look around to figure out what happened. The creature is gone.
You're left standing in an empty tent with nothing but an itchy throat and burning eyes to show for your antics.
Now what?
The World's Ugliest Boy
(Syl & Halis)
Halis can fairly easily tell that the boy is not telling the truth as far as his life story goes, although he happily takes the candy, unwraps it, and pops it in his mouth.
"To be sure, sirs, I am treated quite well. It was here in Sideshow Alley where I first discovered the true worth of my condition. The laughs and occasional jeers are a kindness compared to the treatment I received in my early life and the allowance given for my cooperation is quite nice. A copper a week! Can you image? For an unfortunate ugly boy such as myself to be able to make such a handsome bounty is a blessing!"
You know he's lying about this as well. But there's some measure of truth mixed in although you're unable to tell where one ends and the other begins.
After pausing to think for a moment he continues.
"I'm not entirely certain what you would qualify as 'strange' in Sideshow Alley as strange for you would likely seem perfectly normal to me. But ask what you like! It's rare anyone wants to stick around after hearing my sad story."
He sits on the stool, looking at you expectantly. Feet together, back straight, and hands in his lap with a large and unfortunately misshapen smile plastered on his ugly little face.
"Ugh, I think that one may have been real. Either that or it was a really good illusion." Hayle looks around at the tent, now empty, trying to decide what to do next."Well, there isn't exactly anyone left here to talk to. Next time, let's go a little easier on the exhibits." Hayle heads outside and makes her way toward the mermaid exhibit.
"We're actually quite interested in the whereabouts and interests of the person who runs this Sideshow," Halis asks, unfailingly polite and proper even to the lying boy. "A gnome, I believe, named Balink Sparkneedle. Barring that, I wonder if you've seen anything unusual around the Alley? I mean, any mass gatherings of rats, for example, or stray cats wandering about the place..."
Apologies: Forgot to ask for an arcana check from both of you.
The World's Ugliest Boy
(Syl & Halis)
Shath chuckles.
"Unusual? Around Sideshow Alley?? You've looked around haven't you, sirs? There is nothing usual about this place. Cats and rats are no strangers to the Carnival, although I can't recall seeing and 'mass gatherings' of either." He seems to think for a moment, face subtly shifting from his innocent, wide-eyed expression to a more confident smirk.
"Mr. Sparkneedle, you say? What in the world could a pair of fine, upstanding citizens such as yourselves want with Mr. Sparkneedle? Sure, I know where he is. I can even tell you where he lives! He has had me over for dinner on several occasions. I'd be happy to tell you what I know..." He pauses for effect. "For a gold piece." An eyebrow cocks momentarily before his youthful, lopsided smile turns back on full blast.
"Hmm. So Balink's very clever, at that. I don't suppose any one of us is particularly clever?" Halis looks over at Thokk. "Perhaps you should engage him directly in verbal negotiations," he suggests.
Drifting a little away from the repugnant little man that had run the attraction, Delanra looks over to the tents he had pointed out. "I don't know that I'd trust someone who uses a pseudonym to be the most forthcoming of negotiators. Thokk's particular style might be more appropriate, though I'd rather have at least a couple of us in a position to cover the possibility that he flees before we've got any answers."
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
Thokk smiles, steeples his fingers, and replies, "I are wily." The little cardboard hat, and the, now-mangled, funnel-cake in his hands only enhancing the statement.
You wrap up your conversation with Whatshisface the Gnome and the group heads off toward the row of tents indicated along the northern end of the Carnival grounds. Some of you duck and dodge the crowd. Others simply hang back and follow in Thokk's wake.
Each attraction seems to be self-contained in its own 15-20' square, striped tent with a crudely-painted wooden sign outside. In front of each tent is a gnomish "barker" calling out to passersby, trying to convince the passing crowds to step inside.
You do a quick lap to survey the offerings and read each sign and see that you have choices:
The possibilities are endless in a world full of such wonders...so what do you do?
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Always one to set her own course, Hayle weaves her way through the crowd off to one side of Thokk. The northern end of the carnival grounds had never really held much interest for her. It was the mechanical wonders that she was in awe of. There were more than enough oddities on the boat she sailed on, she didn't need to see more here. Still, this is where the tide had brought them, so this is where Hayle would search.
"Halis, Delanra, shall we go check out the chain devil? The other two can go see one of the other attractions. If you find Balink, let's regroup before we talk to him. I would hate for him to slip away before the rest of us get there to help." She paused for a moment, thinking. "Maybe we should have a story to tell him. Maybe a new exhibit that we have to offer. Any ideas?"
Making her way through the crowd, partly following Thokk, though making no effort to sway from here path if one the the rabble was in her way Delanra took in the 'sights'. The selection of attraction was decidedly lacking in Delanra's opinion. Giant Gorillas were entirely dependant on your perspective, and considering the gnomes running most of the shows, the giant seemed very likely to be an entirely normally sized gorilla. The World's Ugliest Boy was certainly a title that several of the unfortunates working this carnival could have had a fair shot at claiming, and indded they probably drew straws at night for which one of them manned the attraction and which was the attraction... No those two were definitely not of any interest.
"They all sound like the suitable shams that you would expect from somewhere like this, so why not the Chain Devil... I'll come even if it is to see what poor mockery they are trying to pass off. Judging by the rest of them, our fake attraction could be 'The World's Cleverest Ogre." Delanra suggests in a completely sincere tone as she looks at Thokk with his smudged cake and slightly bent hat. "I think there would be less deception in that than anything else I expect we'll see."
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
"If we want to cover more ground, I'll go check out the ugly kid," Syl offers. "Regroup here in half an hour?"
DM - Above & Below
"I cannot let this poor boy suffer your gentle humor alone, my dear Syl," Halis says righteously. "I shall come with you and ensure that you do not further damage his self-esteem with your observations. Know that I am watching your tongue, bard! ... Well, perhaps not your tongue expressly. But I am looking very closely at the noises it shall make!" Halis nods, seemingly satisfied with this further non-sequitur, and takes off after Syl to find the World's Ugliest Child.
(I'll wait for Thokk's plan and try not to make you all wait as long for the next post. XD)
(Also, you guys are gonna make this challenging to have two groups going at once! I'll try to keep both going while keeping them well-defined in the thread to avoid confusion.)
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
(You don’t have to go into a lot of detail for the ones that don’t progress this game. Plenty of ways for us to come back together. We are already talking about only taking 1/2 hour and regrouping.)
(Oh, I really don't see Thokk as planning ahead, unless he's specifically told to. He's much more inclined to just roll with whatever comes along.)
Thokk can insert himself into whichever scene he wants.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Halis Insight: 19
Halis studies the boy carefully, trying to determine if his story is as heart-rending as he made it out to be. Regardless of the truth, he begins to speak loudly, for the benefit of all those who had come to gawk at the apparent misfortune of the small boy.
"My good Goodfellow," he begins, pacing before the boy. "I wish for you, and everyone here, to simply stop. Do you not know that appearance is not a competition? Beauty lies within the soul, not on the surface of the skin. Perhaps this sounds like a cliché, but it is an absolute truth! No circus tent or avaricious matron can define who you are as a person, and it is your own actions and mannerisms which should matter in the counting of your handsomeness as a person. In fact, the rest of us have all been made a bit uglier by our presence here.
But no matter! The reason why I say this is because I, too, struggle with my appearance! There are times when the heritage of my spiritual ancestry is more a burden than a boon! Does having a 'pretty' face make me feel good? No! There too, are days when I feel terrible! When I have to remind myself, for what reason was I given such an appearance? What does it matter? Did I treat others with respect? Did I work hard? Am I beautiful on the inside? These, my dear boy, these are the questions you should be asking yourself!
So you see, we all struggle with our perceptions of ourselves and our bodies. Perhaps we cannot help it. Everyone feels judged in some way, shape, or form from time to time. And I am not saying that you will not continue to feel judged for the surface of your appearance. But know that this is not your true worth! Instead of looking into the mirror and picking apart every perceived flaw you see, rather, compliment the good in yourself. You are beautiful in your own way! You must simply start believing in it!"
He turns and looks to Shath for his reaction to the well-meaning pep-talk.
Syl can't help but roll his eyes a bit at the most unbelievable moments of the boy's story. Clearly he's been fed these lines, although he's sure the kid hasn't had an easy life.
As Halis begins his long-winded talk, Syl mouths "I'm sorry" to the boy. When the conversation seems to be wrapping up, Syl digs around in one of his pockets and approaches Shath.
"And hey, if all that stuff doesn't work, you can at least enjoy this," Syl hands him a piece of wrapped candy he had been saving to snack on. He looks around the tent. "These people treat you okay? Anything strange go on behind the curtain flaps, as it were?"
DM - Above & Below
Halis looks with a disapproving eye at Syl. "And you should also be aware that sugar can rot one's teeth if consumed in too great quantities," he adds to Shath righteously.
Delanra stares at the 'kytor', highly dubious of the truth in any of the gnome's claims. Though she is more than impressed with the acrobatics and movements of the dance, and the attempted showmanship to create some dark and foreboding atmosphere was almost admirable. The attraction would have been entrely more enjoyable if the acrobat had simply performed the skillful routine without the charade.
As the gnome starts to usher them out, she whispers to Hayle "Up for some fun?" and winks as she turns to the gnome. Delanra extends a hand flexes each of her fingers in turn, rolling it up into her palm before opening the hand and clicking her tongue. She calls out to the gnome in an imperious tone, drawing herself up and presenting herslef as every inch the noble lady she used to be.
Delanra casts Mage Hand creating the appendage at the back of the circle behind the chain devil. As she talks to the gnome, she will have the hand wipe at the chalkmarks on the floor, breaking the lines and then dousing the candle. She will dismiss the spell when she directs the gnome's attention that way.
"A truly intriguing dance, but mayhap you can explain why such a fearsome creature is compelled to perform such an acrobatic display rather than sink those chains into the audience? After all, if you were correct and the beast would break free and terrorize this fair city were the circle to be broken, like where those lines don't meet over there..." She points to the rear of teh circle where a gap has 'appeared' in the chalk marks, "We would probably have been in trouble during the dance. No?"
As the gnome turns to look, Delanra purses her helps and imitates a small puff of air from her lips as the fallen candle winks out. A few moments later another, then another cease to burn, as an acrid smell wafts through the attraction, "Are you sure this attraction is all that safe?"
Delanra uses Prestidigitation to snuff the candles one at a time. Followed by creating the smell of sulphur in the air.
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
"Ugh, I think that one may have been real. Either that or it was a really good illusion." Hayle looks around at the tent, now empty, trying to decide what to do next. "Well, there isn't exactly anyone left here to talk to. Next time, let's go a little easier on the exhibits." Hayle heads outside and makes her way toward the mermaid exhibit.
"We're actually quite interested in the whereabouts and interests of the person who runs this Sideshow," Halis asks, unfailingly polite and proper even to the lying boy. "A gnome, I believe, named Balink Sparkneedle. Barring that, I wonder if you've seen anything unusual around the Alley? I mean, any mass gatherings of rats, for example, or stray cats wandering about the place..."
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age