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 Muskrat » Wed Jun 29, 2022 5:00 pm

Gorrick walks behind Gorrick, with Ozo padding alongside him.

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

Post by ManWithDoor » Sat Jul 02, 2022 2:51 am

The trio of gamblers have different reactions to be addressed directly by the showrunners. One of them immediately is up for a free drink to shut up, a real fair-weather heckler. The leader is more ornery, pushing back against Grong. "You're a little rinky-dink operation, barely more professional than a group of peddlers or a dancing drunk. Clearly, why else would they have a wild rabid gobbo like you with them?" The last of the group recoils at that racist remark, although that may be more pragmatic than enlightened, as he urgently points at Ozo with strangled whispers to the others.
Grong: Diplomacy check = 12. Modified by a bear being behind him as backup. ;)
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 » Sun Jul 03, 2022 7:20 pm

Gorrick gestures to Ozo, who stands upright and roars menacingly at the leader.
Ozo: Intimidation

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

Post by Grimbold » Mon Jul 04, 2022 6:55 pm

I'm just thinking: If they make a lot of bets for, say, Grong to lose control, or someone to fall and get hurt, maybe that will net us more spectators, because they will want to see someone fall and whether they will win their bet. We could even make the performances more spectacular by pretending to "lose control". So the only problem might be people being scared. AND the gamblers trying to make sure their bad predictions come true. Just betting might be not that bad at all. What do you think?
If no one objects to the ideas above, Grong will do this:
Grong offers a drink to all of them and smiles, ignoring the insult. "No worries. If you do not interfere with our show, a little betting is no problem. Just don't scare people away, they still are your (and our) customers. In fact, I am up for a little betting: So who will bet me two silver that in my performance I will not burn any spectators?"
If you guys think it's a bad idea, Grong will do this:
Grong frowns at the insult: "Ok, so now we would ask you to leave the premises of our rinky-dink operation. Ozo here does not like saboteurs or interlopers who endanger our staff. He might want to do some drunk dancing with you if he finds you here in the future. And I really might lose control and blast someone." Grong grins a wicked smile, his eyes gleaming at the mention of fire.

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

Post by Muskrat » Mon Jul 04, 2022 7:13 pm

I think they are doing more harm than good. And that we want to question them to see if anyone sent them to sabotage our performance. So I vote we intimidate them rather than playing along.

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

Post by ManWithDoor » Wed Jul 06, 2022 11:04 pm

Grong builds a mental image of absolute terror in the minds of the mean-minded gamblers, and then Ozo steps forward. Besides being just a young bear, that matters when the animal in question is a safe distance away. When they feel the bear breath upon their faces and see the claws and sharp teeth, they lose all composure and scramble to flee. The leader pratfalls and his coin purse goes flying, which the circus-goers quickly nab and gleefully distribute amongst themselves. The fools have neither the presence of mind nor the willpower to try to reclaim their coin, mocking laughter chasing them as they run out into the wild yonder.
Ozo - Intimidate Check = ... Nat 20. Hot damn!
At about this time the latest act finishes up, leaving the crowd happily gabbing and ordering more food and drink. In the short time before they need to make leadership choices again, the trio (plus bear) get a good look around the stands, and a fruitful look it is. In a quiet space under the bleachers are resting three snakes, vipers from the look of them.

They appear to be enjoying the warmth, and noise doesn't bother snakes. With the protection of the stands there is little chance of being stepped on, but if agitated they can respond with lethal ire.
Gorrik can instantly tell that none of these belong to Elizia the Snake Charmer, as he knows the menagerie very well. These don't belong to the Circus.
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 » Thu Jul 07, 2022 7:38 pm

"No stealing please," says Gorrick as the circus-goers grab for the gamblers' coins--except his voice is barely above a whisper and no one hears him. He rubs Ozo on the head and says, "Well done." He turns to Grong, "Well, it's good that they're gone, but I wish we could have questioned them."

When he spots the vipers, he says to Grong, "Those are not Elizia's. And they could poison someone else." He wonders in the back of his head if they came on their own or someone seeking to sabotage the circus had sent them. But for them moment, he is focused on how to neutralize them. Biting his lip, he tries to think of a food that might attract them--and how to trap them once attracted.
Nature: Trained: 6

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

Post by ManWithDoor » Sun Jul 17, 2022 2:06 am

The circus-goers back away a few feet, not enough to actually be safe as they are here for entertainment and find this interesting. Most don't seem to think this is anything odd, just part of the act.

Gorrick is an expert on anything animal, putting his hand in an empty brown leather pouch and mimicking the movement of large mice. The lethargic vipers perk up with interest and slither along. The animal trainer leads them safety outside with no incident, and the crowd erupts in clapping and cheers. Gorrick keeps insisting he isn't a performer, but the public disagrees!
Gorrick Nature Check = Nat 20 (+6) = 26, Success!
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 Jul 18, 2022 8:08 pm

Gorrick is grateful to get away from the attention of the crowd--he was blushing and sweating profusely with all the attention focused on him. Once away, he carefully puts the vipers in separate cages. He turns to Grong and says, "Well, these are a clue, but I'm not sure what they tell us."

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

Post by ManWithDoor » Sun Jul 24, 2022 3:31 am

The Side Rings performers finish with a flourish, then return to the backstage. The crowd settles in for the intermission between acts, buying snacks and chatting. The vipers go off into the tall grass peacefully thanks to Gorrick's skills, although again these are quite suspicious. Besides not be any of Elizia's snakes, they might be the murderers of the Ringmaster. Although they didn't seem magical or intelligent, so at most they are instead the weapon wielded by the hand behind it.

You are all summoned backstage to set up the Main Act. It was in the air whether or not this would be done by Mordaine the Magician, or Grong the Great. Or perhaps a surprise joint performance? Regardless, the staff can't wait any longer for a decision, they need one now.
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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