4 - A Carousel of Choices

Session 1	Session 3	Session 4	Session 5
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Ashira Brolin Frostbite	Ashira Brolin Frostbite	Ashira Brolin Frostbite	Ashira Brolin Frostbite

Is there a good choice?

Played on 08-12-2024

Day 10
by Frostbite

Leaving the Hall of Illusions Behind

After the unsettling encounter in the Hall of Illusions, the group emerged into the lively but chaotic carnival. Frostbite, still unsettled by the strange events and moral ambiguities within the party, found himself wrestling with conflicting emotions. The girl with the pig mask had vanished, trying to lure the halfling into the mirror world, while talk of trickery and deceit from Ashira and Dhanell about stealing the pocket watch or vane from Mister Witch and Mister Light grated on Frostbite's sense of fairness.

As the group debated their next move, Frostbite growled his disapproval, his icy breath misting the cool air. “You want to resort to blackmail? What makes that of us?”

Zephyr and Brolin chimed in, voicing shared concerns, though someone offered a compromise. “We need answers, but let’s find another way—perhaps through the Kenku, not thievery.”

The tension settled somewhat, and the party decided to cool their tempers with some carnival games. They ducked into a nearby tent to play a ring-toss game, aiming to land rings on the horn of a peculiar creature - a rabbit with a single, unicorn-like horn.

Frostbite stayed to the side, not much interested in the frivolity. Watching his new companions laugh and cheer, he felt a mix of confusion and detachment. Were these the same people scheming moments ago?

A Mysterious Figure

As they exited the tent, Dhanell caught sight of a girl cloaked in black floating through the crowd. Without hesitation, she darted off, weaving nimbly between carnival-goers. The rest of the group scrambled to keep up. Frostbite and Brolin, however, chose to hang back, watching from afar.

When the others returned with unsettling news from Candlefoot - about the regular appearances of the floating girl, the pig-masked figure, and a lornling - it stirred an old memory in Frostbite. Sixteen years ago, during his last visit to the carnival, a lornling had been present when his artistic abilities were stolen.

Frostbite’s claws twitched, and his anger simmered dangerously close to the surface. He stalked back to Candlefoot, Brolin close behind, demanding answers. Candlefoot, visibly frightened, stammered his responses, unwilling to step into the Hall of Illusions to confront the shadowy truths within.

Frostbite’s icy rage began to spiral, but Brolin’s calm presence grounded him. Reluctantly, he turned away from Candlefoot, vowing to seek the truth elsewhere.

Beauty in the Lake

Their next stop brought the group to Silversong Lake, where the mermaid Palasha performed her ethereal show. Frostbite, prepared for more tension, instead found himself captivated by the sheer beauty of the performance. The graceful movements and haunting melody seemed to thaw the ice within him, his anger melting away.

As Palasha finished her performance, she shared what little she knew: Mister Witch and Mister Light were under some form of duress, possibly blackmail. She suggested consulting the unicorns of the carousel or the talkative swans at the gondola for further insights.

The Carousel’s Secret

The group opted for the carousel, drawn by its vibrant colors and the promise of a magical connection with the unicorns. Frostbite’s mood soured again at the sight of four uncolored wooden unicorns standing apart from the painted ones. He felt a pang of sorrow for the lifeless creatures, wondering if they had once been alive.

The centaur attendant surprised the group by offering them golden paint to name the wooden unicorns. Dhanell led the charge, and with each name painted, the wooden unicorns sprang to life, joining their kin on the carousel.

When the ride began, Frostbite was reluctant to join but was persuaded by the unicorn he had named. As he rode, a profound connection to the creature filled him with warmth and peace. The group conversed with the unicorns, learning more about the feywild crossing and the Hourglass Coven.

The revelation struck Frostbite like a thunderclap. Bavlorna Blightstraw, one of the three witches, was responsible for the lornling that had stolen his artistic talent. Sixteen years of bitterness crystallized into determination.

Frostbite Takes to the Skies

As the group planned their next move, the others discussed obtaining the pocket watch or vane. Though Frostbite disapproved of the underhanded tactic, he was focused on the larger picture. He took to the skies on a dragonfly, searching for a vantage point that might provide further clues or insight into the carnival’s layout.

The wind rushing past his scales brought clarity. His anger, though justified, had to be tempered with wisdom and patience. Below, his companions moved towards their chosen course of action, and Frostbite realized that, for better or worse, they were his allies in this quest.

Session 1	Session 3	Session 4	Session 5
◀◀	◀	▲	▶	▶▶
Ashira Brolin Frostbite	Ashira Brolin Frostbite	Ashira Brolin Frostbite	Ashira Brolin Frostbite

Updated on: 20:18