Extinction Curse - Chapter 1: Murder in the Center Ring

Come one, come all! Humble performers become leaders of the Circus of Wayward Wonders when tragedy strikes. But as these heroes lead their motley band of performers and roustabouts around the Isle of Kortos, they uncover a sinister plot to exterminate life from the Starstone Isle. The dead god Aroden may be gone, but his legacy lives on, as do his old enemies who would destroy the wonders he raised from the sea. Spectacle meets savagery as the heroes strive to stop the Extinction Curse!
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Re: Extinction Curse - Chapter 1: Murder in the Center Ring

Post by Grimbold » Sun Apr 24, 2022 5:20 pm

Grong takes out a sheet of paper and starts scribbling. Then he looks up and suggests a sequence of performances.

"How about:
1) Opener: Axel's Aviary - to interest the kids and something nice for everyone
2) Side rings: Some action: Feather Fall Five and Dwarven Throwers
3) Main act: A magician, either Grong or Mordaine (Grong prefers Grong)
4) Finale: Main Ring: Leclerc; Side Rings: Mordaine and Flamboni (or if Gorrik has some tricks with animals, he will perform)
What do you think?"
Snake bites? We should definitely investigate the snake lady Elizia!

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Re: Extinction Curse - Chapter 1: Murder in the Center Ring

Post by ManWithDoor » Tue May 03, 2022 4:58 am

As the Clowns finish up their showy distraction, Grong approaches Axel to take the Opener. His big shot!

Axel has been following the Circus of Wayward Wonders for about a week, begging Myron to give him a chance to audition. Myron always turned him down in public but, among the other circus performers such as yourselves, he acknowledged that he was testing Axel's commitment to circus life. It's hard, and not for everyone. Best to weed him out early if that was the case. ... Myron never got the opportunity to give Axel that chance. Hearing that they're offering him the Opener, a number of the other entertainers express overt skepticism about his abilities. Not in front of the audience of course, but here backstage they don't hide their feelings.

Axel insists that he's ready and begs to be included in the show. However, as he gathers his things and approaches the Curtain, he freezes with stage fright and practically cements himself a few steps from the light.
Oh no, a case of Stage Fright! Request, Coerce, or perhaps even Give Up on him? Up to you how to handle it.
-----

Ozo can be scary to some (he's a freaking bear!), but to Gorrik the ursine companion is a friend and help. He's no beast coerced to perform with chains and whips. Not that he would have part in any Circus that treated its animals like that in the first place. They're a good team.

After closer examination, the marks look unlikely to be from large insects, unless they're of some strange magical variety. More likely a snake, such as a viper. Such vicious and repeated attacks are uncharacteristic of normal vipers, which might strike once to ward off a large being such as a person, but not strike again and again. Unless it was controlled or coerced somehow.

Elizia is an obvious suspect, as she has a large and varied collection of venomous serpents. Publicly at least Elizia and Myron have known each others for years and were good friends, with no obvious fallings-out. But we often suspect those close to us last of all, so is the worst suspect in fact the perfect culprit?

For the crime scene itself, the last clue that is found is that the area immediately around Myron's body bears strange tracks. Gorrik can tell they are tiny prints of countless rats. Which doesn't make a lot of sense. Rats are afraid of snakes, so why would a whole colony of them be running around an area while serpents strike?

A physical examination of the area nets nothing else. Time to either go farther afield in the search, or question people. Which could get touchy since you're simultaneously trying to keep a Performance going. Good luck!
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."

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Re: Extinction Curse - Chapter 1: Murder in the Center Ring

Post by Muskrat » Tue May 03, 2022 5:27 pm

Gorrick is not about to question anyone if he doesn't have. He'll leave them to someone more comfortable with other people. Instead, he tells Ozo, "Let's see if you can find the scent of the rats and vipers--especially the two mixed together."

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Re: Extinction Curse - Chapter 1: Murder in the Center Ring

Post by silverfoxdmt73 » Fri May 06, 2022 1:01 pm

Leclerc nods in agreement to the plan of action, all too happy to take the main ring for the finale.

In the meanwhile, he has time to help with enquiries and is very keen to get to the bottom of Myron's untimely demise.

Although Elizia may have been ruled out as an immediate suspect, the escapologist decides to take a few minutes to track her down and see what she can tell him about her view of the crime scene.
Leclerc will seek out the snake lady and ask what she saw.

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Re: Extinction Curse - Chapter 1: Murder in the Center Ring

Post by ManWithDoor » Mon May 09, 2022 5:28 pm

Elizia the Snake Charmer is easy to find. She's backstage handling Mister Tickles, her 25-foot anaconda. It's a real beast, but has never caused trouble in the past. Gorrick and Ozo don't find any rat tracks or scent anywhere near where she is. Anacondas are also non-venomous constrictors, so Mister Tickles would have had to wear some novelty vampire fangs to try to pretend to have done the crime. If the Ringleader had been squeezed to death that would be another story.

Also, the poor thing has a green-tinted irritating rash covering it in splotches. She is trying to get it to eat or drink, but it doesn't seem interested. Elizia looks distraught at Mister Tickles' condition, and doesn't seem to be paying attention to much else.
Leclerc = Nature Roll of 19 (Pass). Mister Tickles has Goblin Pox. Non-lethal, just very irritating and uncomfortable. Sickens/Slows those afflicted. It is possible to treat with Medicine.
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."

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Re: Extinction Curse - Chapter 1: Murder in the Center Ring

Post by Muskrat » Mon May 09, 2022 5:50 pm

Gorrick and Ozo continue to search for the scent of rats and vipers.
I wasn't intending to focus on Elizia at all, but to let Ozo follow his nose.

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Re: Extinction Curse - Chapter 1: Murder in the Center Ring

Post by Grimbold » Mon May 09, 2022 8:17 pm

Grong sighs. It was up to him then to get Axel to perform. "I am sure you can do it, Axel! Your birds will be a great opener! Just smile for a minute, then your brain will function again and you will give them the performance of a lifetime!"
Use Diplomacy on Axel. If it does not work he will get the Flamboni Sisters to go first and include Gorrik and his bear in the side ring finale.
He then gets ready to announce the acts to the public. He takes on his wizard persona and presents the first act.

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Re: Extinction Curse - Chapter 1: Murder in the Center Ring

Post by Muskrat » Tue May 10, 2022 5:03 pm

Gorrick and Ozo are not performers--and Gorrick is quite shy and would be terrified of appearing on stage.

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Re: Extinction Curse - Chapter 1: Murder in the Center Ring

Post by ManWithDoor » Sun May 15, 2022 4:14 pm

Circus Camp ...

Gorrick and Ozo leave the hustle and noise of the performance, following their noses and instincts outside. A few of the non-performing staff are also outside, cleaning up trash, keeping an eye out of non-payers trying to sneak in, that sort of thing. But it is certainly the most empty it ever is outside of a performance. With the recent influx of attendees the area outside the Tent is devoid of any snake or rat tracks (too many footprints), but there is hope that lesser-traveled areas might still have something preserved to examine.

Right outside is the small river going through the countryside, and a pond that they set the camp around specifically. On the near side of the river are a few wagons, the most notable of which is Bardolph's Wagon. Bardolph is the circus's bear (well, the original at least now that Ozo is here too), and has been something of a beloved mascot ever since his previous owner and caretaker, the Great Fortunato, was robbed and killed in an alleyway in Escadar. Myron couldn't stand leaving the bear behind in Mistress Dusklight's clutches, and so he took the bear and the Great Fortunato's wagon. Bardolph continues to live in Fortunato's old wagon and still knows all the tricks that make up his act, and the circus folk treat him as part of the family, and akin to a giant pet.

The wagon is large and decorated with faded paintings that depict Bardolph dancing, balancing on a ball, and menacing the Great Fortunato, who is armed with a whip. There is a large door in the rear of the wagon - if has no lock, each side of the doar boasting a thick and well-chewed length of rope that Bardolph can use with his mouth to pull the door open and shut. The inside of the wagon is empty of furniture now that there is only one occupant, and smells as one would expect a bear den to smell.

Just on the other side of the river is the Ringmaster's Wagon. Myron's personal wagon is parked very near the pond, right in front of the meeting fire. A colorful banner on each side of the wagon advertises the Circus of Wayward Wonders in large capital letters, surrounded by images that depict some of the most famous acts in the show (including the Feather-Fall Five, Elizia and Mister Tickles, and Grong the Great). Three steps affixed to the wagon's rear lead up to a red door with a golden knob. The door has a lock, but you don't know where the key is, or at least Myron didn't have it on him for the performance.
The Roll20 Map is now showing the Circus Camp, with some labeled locations so far. Feel free to go to those, or point to an area on the map you'd like to explore.
- A1 (Pond)
- A2 (The Ringmaster's Wagon)
- A3 (Bardolph's Wagon)

Gorrick - I don't think I have you signed in to Roll20, and have your character sheet inputted. Could you please sign up for the Roll20 Campaign so I can put in a Character for you to fill in your stats? I want to do rolls for you and the bear.

Leclerc - could you upload a Portrait into Roll20 so I have a visual token of your PC? If you have trouble, just send me the .jpg or whatnot and I can upload it for you.
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."

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Re: Extinction Curse - Chapter 1: Murder in the Center Ring

Post by Muskrat » Wed May 18, 2022 6:49 pm

Gorrick decides to make a methodical search of the camp from west to east, starting with Bardolph's Wagon.

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