Karella smiled and gasped when she saw some of the acts. She considered using a cantrip to confused the performer, but stopped herself; after all they were working. When the second barker announced what they might see in the second area, she shouted. "You better deliver. I have yet to be impressed." The smile on Karella's lips hinted that she was joking...

Rynwyrd saw the carnival for the first time, and one eyebrow rose up. It was a sprawling mess to his untrained eyes, but he assumed that it was intentional and served it's own purpose. This was his first carnival so he hadn't known truly what to expect. There was a lot to see.

He listened to what the half-orc 'guide' had to say and nodded slightly, a bit absently. Being given the guided tour seemed to be the best idea to start with. Each barker seemed to be 'in on the scam', giving them a 'big discount' since they were with Torgan. He refrained rolling his eyes or shaking his head. He paid the copper, not too reluctantly...the silver...he hesitated to see if the rest of the group was going to pay and go through with it before handing his own over as well.

Some of the 'acts' thus far were mildly interesting though nothing crazy. If they were going to pay a silver, the next parts had better be much more grand.

Verna followed Rynwyrds example. A copper piece was no problem. They had to make a living too but when they asked for a silver piece for some unspecific horror or monster. This had better be not be a bull painted and dressed up as a gorgon.

"I'm not sure if I'm more insulted that they're passing a half-elf with a decent grasp of archery off as an elvish ranger, or if they think an elvish ranger belongs in a freak show."

Amara wasn't overly impressed, albeit considering some of the alley's she had hung out in she had seen most of this before. But she figured it was surprising to the average person, not many lived as long as her kind. Her eyes narrowed though at a Silver to 'see the good stuff'. She also knew this emphasis on because they where with Torgan was complete garbage.

"If I'm not actually impressed, I'll come back for my silver. And Let's be honest, we're not getting a discount because of our guide. We're getting a discount cause you set up in the backwater town with no traffic and want to make money so it's not a complete loss."

Despite her words though she did hold up a Silver coin to him with a raised eyebrow, her curiosity more powerful then her cheapness. For now.

"Deal?"

Torgan had figured it was just a matter of time before the marks started grumbling about price, but he'd been hoping they'd hold off until after taking their silver.  After this, he'd have to try and steer the group towards the zoo.  Free entrance, fewer fakes, and the barkers on that side of the show were much more furry and cute.

That is, if the party made it through the "dangerous" tent without rioting.  Torgan could only hope the choker was feeling energetic.

Coming back to the issue at hand, Torgan figured he should be the one to try and shut Amara down.  Offering refunds on a show like this was a can of worms not worth opening.  "This isn't really a 'refund' kinda show."  He replied lightly.  "You pay the price, and you see what's inside.  Think of it as a gamble; you're betting one silver you'll see something good.  If that's too much risk for you, or too much coin, that's perfectly fine.  No shame in being broke, and the Dangerous Tent isn't for everyone..."

Amara seemed to consider Torgan’s words carefully as she idly rolled the silver coin over her fingers, she normally would respect such a scheme especially in the middle of nowhere. She still blamed it on idiocy more then anything else. But here was a bit of a challenge almost bordering on an insult. And Amara well... she rather took pride in her intelligence.

And so she merely smiled with a wicked grin at Torgan as she spoke softly, but loudly enough for all with her to hear. As the silver coin dancing around her fingers seemed to vanish as it danced along her palm.

"See, I would normally cut you some slack but that emphasis of elves being freaks.... well what do humans say? put up or shut up? theres oh... eight of us here. Which means only one of us needs to pay and pass through to tell the rest if its worth it." She glanced over her shoulder to the group traveling with her with a playful wink. "So what say we gamble with a single silver rather then eight since our guide is so sure its worth while and our brave champion can tell the rest of us whether it’s worth our coin and time?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Mon 09 July 2018.

Rynwyrd was a little impressed. The arguably-pretty Elf woman had spotted the 'fakes' - not that they were THAT hard to spot - but had the backbone and logic to not only stand up for herself but also acquit herself eloquently. He found a slight smile tugging at his lips as he watched her and listened to what she said.

Finally, he stepped forward and gave Amara a slight bow of his head in respect. "I like your style and the cut of your logic. I will pay the silver and see if the show is worth it. If others wish to wait to see if it is or is not, I will let you all know...that is, unless anyone wants to accompany me."

He handed a silver over, eyeing Torgan with a tight smile and knowing look that said he could spot fakes a mile away.

Talla was standing back listening to the exchange. She tosses a silver up. "I'd rather go in than stay out here. Even if it isn't worth it, it will at least pass the time." She looks back at the others, then at Rynwyrd. She has her hand on her hip and a smirk on her face, "Besides, if you die of fright in there, no one would know about it."

"Yeah see that happen. If Rynward feints and dies, it'll probably be from his own hodgepodge concoctions rather than anything from in there." Verna smirks at Rynwyrd with Talla.

Torgan couldn't help but smile as his attempt to needle Amara into paying backfired. Bad analogy there, he thought, comparing the show to gambling.  Elves always try to figure the odds.  This one probably counts cards, too.

Deciding not to cry about spilt milk, the half orc turned his attention to the customers who weren't cheaping out on the entry fee.  "Concoctions or no concoctions, if Rynwyrd goes down, we're taking credit for it.  I can see the signs now: 'Frightening enough to kill!  All elves must sign a waiver!'"  He moved to enter the Dangerous Wing, with a motion for the willing to follow.

Moving through the curtain the party moves into a darkened space. First up the group sees a cage where a large corpulant woman with a flattened nose stands underneath a sign that reads "SAVAGE ORC"

The woman's cage is littered with bones and when she sees the group she lets out a fearsome bellow and bangs a pair of hand axes together.


Next is a tall cage with thick iron bars. The sign proclaims it is home to the FIRE GIANT FROM THE NORTH. Sure enough inside is a massive man with fiery red hair. He bellows and tosses around a giant stone weight like it was nothing and then beats his chest. While the giant seems rather short, barely topping 7', it seems entirely plausible that it could be a runt or maybe some kind of half-giant although nobody in the party had ever heard of such a thing.

Passing through a series of low hanging curtains the groups sees a smaller cage lit with dim blue lighting. The sign proclaims it a CHOKER FROM THE DARKLANDS. Inside is a small hunched over figure with way too long of arms that seem pliable, almost like they don't have any bones inside but are instead more like tentacles. The ends are five wide spiny claws that it swipes at the bars as it looks up and hisses and shivers at the party.

Finally the group rounds to the last exhibit. Several signs proclaim warnings that the following monster is incredibly dangerous and caution should be taken not to rouse its anger. The final sign proclaims it to be the infamous Varisian monster the SAGGY MAN. Inside is a hunched over humanoid figure whose face and body are covered with giant folds of skin that make it look almost like a wax figure melting from the heat. It looks up at the group and raises its arms letting loose a haunting wail. Another sign details the popular varisian nursery rhyme about the monster:



After that chilling exhibit the group is quickly ushered out to the freakshow exit to be put back out on the main grounds again.

"This was worth the silver for the comic value." Verna says as they are all but shoved out of the freakshow. "The savage 'orc' was the best 'attraction'" she commented and held back the girly giggle and just smiled instead.

Amara had left the tent as she didn't bother paying the silver and waited at the entrance, lazily spinning a silver coin over her fingers as she awaited the others to join her. She smirked at Torgan as the party that paid followed him through the tent, one brow playfully raised.

"So was it horrifying? Fearsome? Did Rynwyrd die? Or was it a bunch of humans playing dress up like in the first tent."

"Yeah, the orc is sure...something."  Torg responded to Verna as they were hustled out of the tent to make room for the next visitors.  His 'enthusiastic guide' persona slipped a bit, letting his own amused bafflement shine through. "My people aren't even that exotic!  Our homeland is just over the mountains.  I don't know why they don't make her, like, a swine-folk.  You can say whatever you want about the swine-folk and nobody will contradict you.  There's no proof they don't exist."

At the elf's needling, the mask went back on.  "I guess you'll never know for sure." He responded cheerfully, before turning back to the group.  "Where to next?  I recommend the zoo, myself.  Open air, real animals, and- you'll love this, Amara- free entry."

"Think I'd like to see the market. Maybe they have something sweet." Verna replied to the Torgan.

"I'm having fun being together as a group." Karella offered another suggestion. "We should go to the Sphinx Cage."

Heading towards the sphinx cage the group quickly realizes that they are easily the most heavily armed and armored group of visitors. Almost everyone else looks to be more like farmers and traveling merchants but none appear armed with more than a dagger or perhaps a bow and some leathers for a hunter. As Torgan leads the party across to the midway it is clear that the group is getting uneasy stares. They are adventurers and all commonfolk know that adventurers means trouble.

Approaching the Sphinx cage the group sees a row of carnival guards blocking the entrance. A thin, bald humanoid man approaches with giant ears that hang down to his toes.

"Ummm...excuse me. I...I mean Mistress Delisen would like a moment of your time. She has a job offer for you. A lotta coin if you can help clear up a bit of...unpleasantness..."

"Mistress Delisen?" Karella shook her head. "Exactly who is she, and what does she want with us? I'm not going to dress up like one of your acts, no matter how much gold is offered." She was disturbed that a job offer was being presented to her.

Rynwyrd wasn't impressed by the 'savage orc' and let out a small sigh. He was starting to wonder if this carnival was going to be a complete disappointment and waste of both time and money. The 'fire giant'...was unlikely to be a true giant but at least it wasn't a complete lie like most of the exhibits thus far. The choker could be real. He wasn't sure about that one. He stayed and stared for a long moment before being pulled along to the next exhibit. He frowned at the 'saggy man'. That sounded both utterly ridiculous and at the same time exactly the sort of thing that would be told in Varisia. He made a mental note to investigate later on and see if there were actually any tales of a 'saggy man' creature outside of the carnival.

He smirked at Amara. "Rynwyrd is most definitely still alive as he is standing right here talking to you." He shook his head. "It was better than the first stream of lies they showed us at the very least, but that bar is exceedingly low."

The Sphinx Cage. Could be interesting. He didn't dare to hope it was a real sphinx though. Maybe he'd be pleasantly surprised but he doubted it. However, they were accosted on the way. One eyebrow rose. "Unpleasantness? Something of interest? I think we can spare a moment, yes?"

The strange looking man shook his head rapidly causing his giant elephantine ears to flap a little.

"No no...nothing like that. A job for money. I mean...for your services. No...not like that."

He paused and gave himself a hard smack. It left a slight red mark on his mouth but it also seemed to reset both his mouth and his mind.

"<ahem>. Mistress Delisen is the owner of the Umbra Carnival. She has a delicate situation that could use the seasoned skills of a band of adventurers such as yourself. She is willing to pay you. A lot of gold. Just...I'm not the person who should be telling you this. Come...come."

He waved at the group to follow him around the Big Top towards the hidden encampment where the carnival workers had set up their wagons and tents like their own private little village.

Talla had been following the group, not saying much. She hadn't been too impressed with the 'savage orc' or any of the other oddities of the carnival, but at least she standing around bored (or sitting on a wagon traveling through bug infested swampland).

She glances at Rynwyrd, "I must admit, I'm glad you didn't die. My opinion of you may have lessened."

At the mention of a job, she nods. "Sounds interesting. I wouldn't mind making a bit of coin. And honestly, whatever the job, it is bound to be better than this." She gestures back towards the tents. She turns and starts to follow the long-eared man.

"Very well. Lead the way." Karella stood tall and waited for the man to lead. She turned to the others. "This is an interesting turn of events." She cast a suspicious eye at Torgan. "You'll be coming along as well?"

The half-orc nodded, his face semi-serious. "A delicate situation and a big sack of gold?  You couldn't keep me away."

As the party followed the Panotti, Torgan added in a low voice:  "Far as I know, this isn't a grift.  And if it was one, Phardaen probably wouldn't be the one to pitch it."

"Certainly, and if it takes us out of this swamp, even better."she replied to Talla.


Garrick snapped at the ass of Torgan as he walked behind the big half orc.. Trying to quicken his step. "Patience.... Garrick..." Verna soothed the wolf.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:29, Fri 27 July 2018.