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

Post by Grimbold » Thu May 19, 2022 7:51 am

Grong will focus on getting the show going and lets his companions investigate the murder. When (or if) he has a few minutes free, he goes to look for them.

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

Post by silverfoxdmt73 » Thu May 19, 2022 1:10 pm

Leclerc tells the snake charmer of his diagnosis of Mr Tickles before heading back to the side of the main ring, hoping he can remain calm enough to carry out his act without recent events affecting his performance.

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

Post by ManWithDoor » Sun May 22, 2022 2:29 am

Grong the Great is a performer, not a negotiator. But he isn't about to give up this early in the performance, so he tries to reassure Axel that he can do it. The Show Must Go On! His words seem to get the man going, making him take a couple deep breaths, and then stride forcefully out onto the Stage. The crowd has been primed by the Clowns, and responds positively to his big opener, especially when the birds he pulls out from his cloak fly into the crowd to deliver candies to the children!

Next up in line are the Feather Fall Five & the Dwarven Throwers ...
Diplomacy Check = 13, Success.
-----

Leclerc relays the Goblin Pox diagnosis, and casually lays out a treatment that will suppress the snake's illness long enough for it to perform. It will take the rest of the week to get Mr. Tickles back to normal, but at least the symptoms can be reduced enough for tonight. Disaster averted!
Medicine Check = 19, Success.
-----

When Gorrik and Ozo come up to Bardolph's Wagon, the bear bursts from the Wagon, roaring in anger. One of his feet was injured in another town so he is moving a little lamely, but his eyes are wild and he slashes at the air with his massive claws! He has never acted like this before, he's the cuddly mascot, not a guard animal. He's never so much as snapped at someone, yet here he is trying to rip off your face.
Bardolph is clearly Hostile, although the cause is not obvious.
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 23, 2022 6:29 pm

Gorrick pauses in alarm. Then, carefully keeping his distance, he studies Bardolph; he also tries to peer into the bear's wagon. He hopes he can identify the cause of the animal's distress. If he can do that, perhaps he can calm him. He also wonders if this is connected to the ring master's murder.
Nature or Perception as appropriate

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

Post by ManWithDoor » Tue May 31, 2022 10:13 pm

Gorrick sees nothing that could have obviously upset the big grizzly bear. The injured leg is healing normally, no infection or pain to aggravate the animal. His eyes are clear, nose wet, and saliva clear. With his excellent eyesight he can even see fresh food remaining in the wagon, so it isn't hunger or deprivation driving the aggression. Whatever the cause is, he can't find a natural reason.

But while Gorrick does try to back away Bardolph doesn't give him much time to withdraw. One paw the size of a large platter slashes from right to left, deeply wounding the carnival animal handler. Bears are unfairly big and strong, and Bardolph is proving the point right now.
Gorrick: Nature (+6) = 20, Perception (+8) = 22.

Bardolph: Chases, then 1 Claw attack: 30, Hit for 11 Damage.
- Gorrick HP: 10/21
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 Grimbold » Mon Jun 06, 2022 8:36 am

Grong, while inspecting backstage, hears the commotion and hurries to the place, he arrives, looking at the situation and getting ready to cast a spell.
I guess he needed this round to arrive. Next round planning on casting grease or color spray.

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

Post by Muskrat » Wed Jun 08, 2022 7:59 pm

Gorrick shouts to Ozo, "Ozo, duck and dodge!" He then proceeds to do the same himself, ducking in and out and under among the wagons, wading across the stream to the fire, hoping to keep it between himself and Bardolph, until help arrived or the bear calmed down. He grimaces as he runs, putting his hand on the fresh claw scratches Bardolph has given him.

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

Post by ManWithDoor » Fri Jun 10, 2022 1:39 am

Bardolph ignores his fellow bear and chases after Gorrick. The dwarf is able to outmaneuver the animal, ducking under wagons and then charging across the stream. The aggressive animal tosses aside the nearest wagon and then jumps in the pond after Gorrick. Halfway across the water his movements get slower and he looks around in seeming confusion. He spends a moment looking at the property damage and the bloodied Gorrick, bellows, and then slinks back to his wagon.

Whatever was enraging him, and specifically towards the dwarf rather than the nearest living being, has worn off.
The aggression lasted 2 rounds, then wore off.
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 » Fri Jun 10, 2022 9:09 pm

Seeing Grong, Gorrick walks towards him, still clenching his wounded side. "Bardolph was acting strange--he attacked me for no reason that I could see, then suddenly lost interest and acted as though he was bewildered about why he had even done so. It's possible someone put a spell on him to stop me for searching for the killer. Can you tell if someone used magic?" He looks at Bardolph's wagon. "I'm going to see if I can safely lock him so no one else gets attacked."

With that, he carefully maneuvers, trying to keep out of sight of Bardolph while moving towards the door of the wagon, shutting and locking it when he gets close enough.
Stealth 6

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

Post by ManWithDoor » Mon Jun 13, 2022 3:59 am

Gorrick limps over to the wagon and gets in carefully and quietly. Outside of huge bowls of water and food to the bear to snack on, there isn't much really unusual. Looks pretty comfy even. But since the dwarf is really searching the place rather than just casually perusing, he sees something odd hanging from a dreamcatcher on the ceiling. Dangling from it is what looks to be an owlbear claw. Outside, Grong can visually and magically inspect the confused Bardolph. Being the magician he is, he finds traces of enchantment magic lingering on the animal. The spell is gone and fading fast, but he caught the aura just in time. Could have been as simple as a charm spell, or perhaps something more complicated.

-----

Inside, Leclerc is left alone trying to manage the Circus. The Dwarven Throwers are setting up their launchers, but the Feather-Fall Five have a big problem. As the ring was being prepared for the Kanbali family, the tight-rope walkers discover their nets have been sabotaged!
Perception 19, Pass!
The man has a keen eye, and can tell that the nets have been chewed through by rats, but targeting nets specifically is unusual behavior for rodents. It's not like it was a cloth sack containing oats inside or something, they're just rope.

There isn't time to repair the nets (at least by any mundane means), and the Kanbalis are reluctant to perform without them.
Diplomacy would be needed to convince them to perform without a net (DC variable depending on your explanation and such). Performing without a net is dangerous. The Trick would gain the "Injury" Trait (if they critically fail their attempt, they could be injured and not be able to perform for a while). However, perfomring without a net would thrill the crowd, generating an additional 2 Excitement (a metric of your success as a show).
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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