Session 14: On the Road Again

After escaping the circus, the Players found an isolated spot just off the road where they managed to free Mario and send him towards Peaches. They thought that perhaps they could convert the circus wagon to something closer to a normal cart, but unfortunately, this proved beyond their skills at the moment. Despite the late hour, the group decided to head off towards the Proud Home. They had heard rumors in Tervel that the slime lord Equanimious Slurp was now acting in the open, and Remi wanted to return and defend his erstwhile home.

Unfortunately for the party, the road proved to be more dangerous at night than it had during the day. At a turn in the path, just after forest trees began to cover the dim moon, a pack of vampire spawn ambushed them! Half of the rogues swept down the path towards Bart, while the other half climbed nimbly over some large boulders on the side of the road to flank the group. The battle proved difficult, with Gnick in particular taking the brunt of the blood-suckers attacks. However, they were able to lie one of the fiends low, and after that the other members of the group started to withdraw, especially those who had already fed. Two more fell, but two escaped. The Players managed to drag Gnick to the Proud Home, where they spent a week recuperating.

Session 13: Welcome to the Funhouse

As the sun set over Tervel, the party continued to investigate the circus. Guy focused on the funhouse, believing that there children being held inside based on the rumors he had heard at the Proud Home. However, an obstinate gnome manned (gnomed?) the entrance, and refused to let Guy in, insisting it was being remodeled. Bart tried to see if there was somewhere in the back that could be crowbarred, but the fun house was surprisingly sturdy, and with the tight construction, there was no where to place the tool. Ash insisted that they couldn't just punch out a guard without more evidence, and so Guy made a note to return to the circus at a later date when they knew more about whether there were in fact missing children.

Bart had been exploring the east side of the circus before investigating the funhouse. In the center of the campus, he found a calliope. The organist, a human named Grimaldi, was happy to play a little tune for Bart on his instrument. Remi meanwhile continued to explore the sideshow tents before they met up near the cages to try and come up with a plan.

Clooney finally managed to pick the lock of his cage, but found the lock of Mario's cage too difficult, and with the prying eyes of the animal's overseer, they didn't want to tempt fate by trying too many times. Guy came over to try his hand, but likewise found it beyond his abilities. Together with Ash, they decided they should steal the wagon imprisoning Mario. Ash would distract the circus people by driving away their horses with fire, and Clooney, Guy, and Remi would hook the wagon cage to their own horses and drive off. Meanwhile, Gnick explained the plan to Mario. Surprisingly, the plan went off without a hitch! (Well, technically, one hitch). Once they were away from the circus, they had the time to free Mario, and give him directions as to where to find Peaches.

Session 12: Slavering Beast (Courtesy of Ash)

 

As Captain Rapacion turned into a slavering beast, again nude, I couldn't help but wonder if cornering us was his way of asking to be killed. As he was one wolfman versus a now moderately oiled force, the fight was mercifully short. Bart absorbed the majority of the blows as is his wont, while most of us took turns igniting the erstwhile Captain's fur on fire.

We rested once more, and there were some interesting rumors, but after some discussion, we decided that for now, the circus in Tervel was the most important destination to free Mario.

Happy to turn my back on Leene, we headed to the circus. I was reminded of my early years in Lyonia, making a living traveling from town to town, telling fortunes and warming beds. How many bastards are out there, and how many will inherit my curse? My only solace is hoping my little trouser eggs are poached by that self-same curse and the flames that surround me at times, so the answer is none.

Awaking from my reverie, we pulled up to Tervel and found that this circus that had employed Gnick was far larger and less transient than I had been picturing. Given that no performances were scheduled for the day, I began reconnoitering. I did not see the need for guile or disguise, as a person like myself would be a natural fit and this might be one of the few places where I didn't raise an eyebrow or two. I wasn't able to find the unicorns, but did talk to some of the workmen about the owners. I will meet up with the others around sundown to compare notes and decide what to do next.