Extinction Curse- The Show Must Go On!

[DeVermis]

Pip gamely tags along behind Tessara, eye's flitting too and fro as they walk between the wagons. Nothing initially catches his attention, but as they draw closer to Bardolph's wagon, the bear's unrest becomes more and more apparent. Remembering the snakes in the ring, Pip wastes no time dashing over to the wagon and hoisting his small frame high enough to peep in through one of the barred windows.

Spoiler: OOC

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If there are no windows I can edit this accordingly

[Farmerbink]

As Pip weasels his head against the bars, he glimpses a few narrow openings in the curtains. Inside, he can see Bardolph rocking on his feet in agitation. Periodically, he paws at the door, the sound grating if familiar. When Bardolph catches a glimpse of Pip through the same opening, the bear lunges. The glass pane holds, however, and other than a sudden shriek of surprise, Pip is left unhurt by the shock.

Bardolph has never attacked a member of the circus. Or anyone else, that any of you can remember. He sure looks like he's ready for a fight now, though- and may not be too picky who it's with.

[MuffinMan]

"Oh no, Bardolph! Something's wrong - quick, someone go get Keshkaru! Easy there boy, easy..." Tessara does her best to try and calm the riled-up creature, though she doesn't have much confidence. "First the rats and snakes, now Bardolph - what is going on with the animals around here tonight?!"

Spoiler: Handle Animal

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Does PF2E have an equivalent of the "Handle Animal" skill? I haven't found one...
Nature +0, Diplomacy +4 if either are relevant.

[JWallyR]

Vorgrok's obvious irritation eases significantly as Keshkaru's ministrations ease the minor pains of the plants' assault; his typical, rather impassive expression returns as he eyes the wagon's contents.

When the suggestion is made to fan out and search the circus, his first destination is to retrieve a few items from his own pack, particularly his traveling leathers and a rather large sledge, frequently used for all manner of con- and de-struction as required for the building up and tearing down of the tent and equipment. Hefting it appraisingly in both hands, he sets out to walk the perimeter, eyes keen for any sign of something out of sorts.

Spoiler: Actions

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Perception is +7, Nature mod is +2, Survival is +5. Looking for tracks or any other evidence of value.

At Pip's sudden shriek, the dwarf spins on his heels, considers the angle of arrival, and lumbers off to investigate.

[Gwynfrid]

Hearing Tessara calling out for her, Keshkaru rushes towards Bardolph's wagon. "What's going on?" She doesn't wait for an answer and immediately goes to look through the bars, trying to assess the bear's condition. She then engages in a series of bear-like grunts, accompanied by soothing gestures, hoping to get the animal to quiet down.

Spoiler

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Either Perception (+7) or Nature (+7) to assess if the bear is uncomfortable due to some external irritant factor.

If I understand correctly, Bardolph is not friendly right now, so Command an Animal will fail. Keshkaru needs 1 minute to Make an Impression to try to improve his attitude. Thanks to Wild Empathy, she can do that with Diplomacy (1d20+5)[14] (if she needs to get inside the wagon for that, she will do so).

[DarkOne-Rob]

Upon hearing the cries of surprise and concern from Pip, Giggles starts to run in that direction before stopping as an idea comes to him. "The cape! We may need the cape from Myron's wagon!" he yells as he turns in midair to dash back towards the wagon and tries to get someone to open the locks he has had placed on the door...

[Farmerbink]

For several tense moments, Keshkaru attempts to communicate through the bars and window. For a time, it seems like she is making progress, as Bardolph's agitated thrashing lessens and he seems to be actively giving the Iruxi his attention.

Apparently, Keshkaru said something wrong, though. Without warning the bear suddenly lunges at the bars once more. This time, he manages to crack the glass and continues to savagely tear at the obstructions to try and reach you. As Giggles runs to Myron's wagon and back, Bardolph's anger only seems to mount. In point of fact, before the Gnome returns in earnest, Bardolph has turned his attention to the door. Perhaps unfortunately, he knows full well how to get in and out of the wagon (the handles were long-since replaced with heavy, knotted ropes that Bardolph himself usually uses to pull the door (open from the outside and closed from the inside)). Fortunately, a simple wooden latch serves to keep the door closed during travel.

If nothing changes, and Bardolph's animalistic rage holds up, it's only a matter of time before he breaks through the latch. Then, there's no telling what he'll do.

[DarkOne-Rob]

As the noise from the wagon gets more worrisome Gigglespit tries his best to hurry, calling out, "I've got Fortunato's cape - it might help calm him down! I'm coming!" as he runs in the direction of the bear and the party as fast as he can.

[MuffinMan]

"Hurry!" Tessara calls to Giggles across the field. "Keshkaru - it isn't working! Here, I'll try to distract him..." She furrows her brow in concentration as she traces her fingers through the lines of a spell. Suddenly the air within Bardolph's cage erupts with the snarls and roars of even more bears, although their source is nowhere to be seen.

Spoiler: Spellcasting

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Cast ghost sound to create the sounds of additional bears around Bardolph, trying to distract him from battering down the door.

[Farmerbink]

Bardolph stops short for a moment, pulling a swing that would have been yet another terrible impact on the wooden beam that feels, to you, narrower and narrower by the moment. He snarls, looking to both sides and spends a moment sniffing the air. After a long 3 or 4 seconds, he resumes tearing into the door, having dismissed the sounds in favor of more tangible goals.

Spoiler: OOC

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Mechanically, I'll say he spent a round interacting with the illusion.
This will allow the party an extra round to prepare before he beats the door open.
I am tracking rounds, though not overtly. Everyone will have roughly the same amount of time to do whatever you want to prepare.

[Gwynfrid]

"Good idea! Here! Let me try it!" Keshkaru grabs the long, flowing cape out of the gnome's hands, and drapes herself in it, in the faint hope that a little bit of the old master's commanding presence rubs onto her. Just as she does, the wooden door burst open in a shower of splinters! Now if there ever was a time to show any performance talent...

"L'esprit des forêts calmes
Appelle de sa voix tendre!
Loin de tout ce ramdam
Raison il fait entendre!

She steps forward, boldly erect, weaving the cape in a broad, deliberate flourish. "Come on, Bardolph dear! You are among friends, let's sit, grab some food and be happy together shall we?" A calming gesture of both hands, cape extended, tries to underscore her appeal to peace.

Spoiler

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Casting guidance. Then, Diplomacy / Wild Empathy (1d20+6)[24] including the bonus from the cantrip.

[JWallyR]

Vorgrok looks at the others, alternating between bear-like growls, flinging the cape around, and otherwise... stewing. The dwarf looks from those assembled to... the wagon (and its hidden inhabitant), with his typically impassive face looking distinctly drawn. He looks from the wagon to the heavy sledge in his hands, and up toward the rapidly weakening door. Gritting his teeth, and with a deep sadness in his eyes, he raises the sledge, holding it readied across his chest.

[MuffinMan]

She steps forward, boldly erect, weaving the cape in a broad, deliberate flourish. "Come on, Bardolph dear! You are among friends, let's sit, grab some food and be happy together shall we?" A calming gesture of both hands, cape extended, tries to underscore her appeal to peace.

"Food! Good idea!" Tessara dashes off as Keshkaru's words inspire a sudden idea. She goes to the wagon used for hauling the animals' feed and rummages about for a couple of dried fish, a steak, anything that Bardolph might eat! When she finds something suitable she rushes back to the others and presents it to Keshkaru. "Here, maybe this'll help!"

[DarkOne-Rob]

"I really don't want to have to fight Bardolph - if he has gone wild, do we try to let him go without hurting anyone?" asks Gigglespit as he looks about the area. Seeing the onlookers he begins shepherding them away from the wagon, warning them to get clear so no one gets hurt who can avoid it.

[DeVermis]

Pip's surprise causes his grip on the window ledge to lapse and he topples backward onto the waiting ground. Luckily, strong bones run in his family and, dusting himself off he confirms that he hasn't suffered any real injury. The others are starting to arrive, a flurry of activity aimed at avoiding the furry mayhem which is about to ensue. While Pip is optimistic that his compatriot's efforts will calm Bardolph, he begins to prepare for the worst.

Pip eyes up the wagon assessing the easiest way to scale it. Probably getting his feet to the window sill then hauling himself onto the roof... Putting his theory into practice, he carefully clambers up the wall, pausing and holding on tightly each time Bardolph's violent impact with the door shakes the wagon. Once on the roof he retrieves a coil of rope from his bag and fashions a large loop with a slipknot. Stationing himself above the door, he makes eye contact with Vorgrok on the ground below as they silently wait for the door's inevitable collapse.

Spoiler: OOC

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Climb check (athletics) rolled in OOC thread (1d20+3)[20]. If that's not good enough to get on the roof let me know and I'll edit the post.

[Farmerbink]

For a long, tense minute, Keshkaru continues to try and calm Bardolph. It's not an effort of speech, exactly, as the Iruxi's druidic wiles and primal influence are channeled through calming gestures, subtle tones and gentle cascades of spoken rhythm. Almost like clockwork, every few seconds her words are interrupted by another bang as the enraged grizzly bear continues to try and batter through the wooden door. His efforts don't seem to lessen, as the moments pass, and the wooden beam begins to fail.

The heroes stand ready, poised in various states, with Pip atop the wagon, Vorgrok nearby ready to interpose, Tessara having just returned with some dried fish and Giggles trying to get the curious circus-goers further from danger.

Finally, it seems Bardolph must be tiring. The blows come a little further spread, and less loudly. With one final, shuddering effort, the wooden beam strains and snaps, the sound of failing supports piercing in the evening air. With a growl, Bardolph leaps to the ground (about 2 feet beneath the floor of his wagon), and pants. His glare is crazed, agitated- almost like the docile creature you've all scratched around the shoulders has become possessed by another being. After a tense moment, his eyes settle on Keshkaru, and he tenses to attack.

Begin Encounter

Spoiler: OOC

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So Bardolph succeeded at his athletics check to break down the door on the final check before a minute lapses. He has acted for this round, and you are all free to act. He still seems hostile, and possibly hurt or fatigued. At the very least, he just tore down a wooden door by main strength, over the course of a full minute.

[MuffinMan]

"Oh no!" Tessara cries out in dismay as the door finally gives way. "Try not to hurt him!" Following her own advice, she looks around for an inanimate object she can fling at the bear without causing too much damage. As he tenses to pounce against Keshkaru, she begins casting a spell...

Spoiler: Actions

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If there is a loose bit of fabric lying around, like a spare tent canvas or a performer's dress, Tessara will cast mage hand and try to levitate it over Bardolph's face (hopefully blinding him for a round - maybe he would get a Dex save to avoid it?).

If there aren't any suitable targets for that, she'll cast telekinetic projectile to fling one of broken support beams at him. She'll take a -2 attack penalty to attempt nonlethal damage:
atk (1d20+5)[22], dmg (1d6+4)[8]

[DeVermis]

Seeing his chance, Pip brandishes his makeshift lasso and prepares to pounce, quickly trying to gauge the best angle. There is no time for hesitation and he leaps from the roof his small fists spread, holding the loop as wide open as he can. He plummets downward, much more gracefully than one would have expected from looking at him, landing squarely on the back of the unsuspecting Bardolph's neck. He has no trouble clamping his knees tight to hold himself in place while he attempts to collar the massive creature.

Spoiler: OOC

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Acrobatics to land the jump successfully, rolled in OOC (1d20+7)[24]
Athletics check to try to get the loop over Bardolph's head (1d20+3)[20]

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Gigglespit's Status, Round 1

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Gigglespit Baderiggo Humbleback
Chaotic Good Gnome Bard, Level 1, HP 16/18, Speed 25 ft.
Small Humanoid (Fey Touched Gnome), Circus Born
AC 17, Fort 5, Ref 6, Will 5, Perception 5
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 18
Conditions: None

"Whoa! Alright, no more kidding - get away from the bear!" directs Gigglespit to any remaining onlookers before he turns and encourages those in the thick of it with his magic. "You can do it, guys! Hold him!"

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Final action to try and get onlookers out of the way of danger - Diplomacy (or +3 more with Performance if allowed) (1d20+4)[7]
Move close enough to support the party in the fight
Cast Inspire Courage to give everyone +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects.

[JWallyR]

Teeth gritted and bared against the crazed friend, Vorgrok steps up, swinging his mallet in comparatively measured strikes, aiming for the bear's softer spots in hopes of stunning more than smashing.

Spoiler: Actions

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Taking -2 on all attacks in hopes of dealing nonlethal damage.
Edit: Obviously ceasing if/when the bear is unconscious or otherwise stops fighting.

Move if required to get into melee range. Otherwise, as many as 3 attacks:
Attack: (1d20+6)[26] for (1d10+5)[13] nonlethal damage
Attack: (1d20+1)[12] for (1d10+5)[11] nonlethal damage
Attack: (1d20-4)[0] for (1d10+5)[9] nonlethal damage

[Gwynfrid]

Unflinching, Keshkaru faces the angry bear, still trying to soothe him as best she can.

Spoiler

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I don't know what else to roll, so I'll let Bink adjudicate the outcome.

If and only if Bardolph attacks somebody, then Keshkaru will resort to non-lethal attacks with her tail:
#1 (1d20+5)[17] non-lethal bludgeoning (1d6+4)[5] (includes +1 for Inspire Courage and -2 for non-lethal)
#2 if applicable, (1d20)[19] non-lethal bludgeoning (1d6+4)[6]

[Farmerbink]

As Bardolph crouches, picking his target, the heroes burst into activity. Given the circumstances, they had plenty of time to prepare.

Pip leaps onto Bardolph's shoulders, prompting a grunt of impact and a confused glance upwards as the bear tries to figure out what's happening. The gestures makes it easy for Pip to attach his makeshift lariat, adding a reliable handle to his encumbering presence.

In the next moment, Tessara uses her magic to fling a cloak over Bardolph's face. He reacts predictably, lunging forward and snapping at the empty space from which the obstruction appeared.

Finally, as Vorgrok steps up to bear the brunt of any violence and Giggles lends encouraging magic to the scene, Keshkaru raises her voice. With a sharp word carrying the unmistakable tones of command, she insists that Bardolph pay her attention. Restricted primarily to scent and sound, and weighed down by the combined efforts of Pip, his injuries, and fatigue, the the bear turns towards her and lumbers forward, with caution in his steps instead of intensity. For a wary heartbeat, Vorgrok stands by, allowing Bardolph to pass.

Finally, Keshkaru presses her hand to his muzzle- still separated by the thick fabric of the cloak. With a heavy sigh, Bardolph settles to the ground. Within moments, Keshkaru can feel something leave him, and heavy, whimpering sighs herald the onset of sleep so deep the bear almost immediately begins to dream.

[Gwynfrid]

Outwardly, the iruxi woman doesn't display a great deal of emotion. Her companions, those who have known her for a while, aren't surprised, this being something her kind is known for. But she turns to them, and says simply:

"Thank you, all. I have to say... I was frightened to death, right here. But there was something in your voice, Gigglespit, that told me to carry on. Genius idea, the cape, too. And you all, Tessara, Vorgork, Pip, you bought me the time I needed to get through to him. Still... It was close."

She pats the sleeping bear's shoulder. "Sleep, friend, you need to... I think we shouldn't try to get him back into the cage until he's well rested and fed."

She looks again at her friends. "This was not natural. Something... Some force... Took him over for a minute. I think we have an enemy who's trying to kill us, the circus. Not just poor Myron."

A heavy silence follows her words.

[JWallyR]

Staying his weapon mid-swing as the others' efforts seem to take effect, Vorgrok thumps the business end of the heavy sledge to the ground, and steadies himself with one thick hand about its haft as he slides heavily down to one knee. The typically impassive dwarf looks up at the outwardly expressionless iruxi with tears of relief cutting through the grime and sweat of the evening's unexpected exertions on his earthy cheeks. After several seconds, he stumps over beside the collapsed bear, reaching out to scratch gently between its furry shoulders.

[MuffinMan]

Tessara puts a hand to her chest, breathing heavily as she waits for her heartbeat to slow down. "Thank the gods! Good work, Keshkaru. Whatever foul magics did this, they seem to be gone. None of this makes any sense, though - how would something - or someone - be manipulating all of the animals around the circus? And why did it - or they - stop just when Bardolph had broken through the cage?" She paces fretfully back and forth as she walks, shooting relieved glances at the now-slumbering bear.

"Now, what were we- oh! Right - looking for clues! Wait, you don't suppose it's connected, do you? Pip and I walk over here to investigate and it's that exact moment that Bardolph decides to go crazy?"

[DarkOne-Rob]

Gigglespit takes a deep breath before turning away from the scene and continuing his effort to clear the area. "Alright, everyone, go on, go on...Yes, we will make sure Bardolph gets medical attention...No, I don't think he's badly hurt...Yes, if you see anything weird, speak up, especially tonight! Too much has happened to be coincidence, but there's no point in panicking. Hey! I said no panicking - calm it down, breathe...that's right..."

Every so often he looks towards the other PCs, his face a mask behind which they can see a very stressed performer doing his best to keep everyone moving forward...

[Farmerbink]

For a long moment, nobody dares move. After several seconds pass, it seems probable that Bardolph has been freed from whatever influence compelled his hostility. Now he rests- not silently, but heavily, and the party is free to act.

For now, the questions seem to be piling up, but they're painting a clear image. But who fits the mold?

[DeVermis]

Pip breathes a sigh of relief as he feels Bardolph's muscles gradually relax. Gingerly he slides down to the ground, leaving the makeshift rope collar where it is, just in case. Whoever did this may do it again. He brushes off his torn shirt and glances around unsure what to say. He hasn't been at the circus as long as many of the others and thus doesn't known Myron, or Bardolph for that matter, as well. What he does know however, is that the night is probably far from over. As Tessara had pointed out, there was a good chance that Bardolph's... affliction, had been timed and that the perpetrator is still close by.

At this point Pip is reasonably confident in the group now standing around the bear. They had proven their trustworthiness several times now. The rest of the workers, well, that was hard to say. He didn't want one of them to be behind all this, but he couldn't rule it out either.

[MuffinMan]

"Well, it's more important than ever to get to the bottom of this! But we should stay within earshot and nobody wanders off alone - what if this happens again? Somebody should probably also stay with Bardolph, to make sure he isn't disturbed."

Tessara frowns and pushes her fingers into her forehead, trying to think. "Just who, or what, could be behind this? Nobody in the circus that I know of, unless one of the rustabouts is secretly a powerful wizard!" She chuckles weakly at the thought. "This all started tonight, with our debut performance in Abberton - someone in the audience, perhaps? But who would attack the circus? Who would want it to fai-..." The blood suddenly drains from her cheeks, an odd effect against her purple-gray skin. "Madame Dusklight! She's hated this troupe from the moment it started luring performers away from the Celestial Menagerie. If anyone wants us to fail, it would be her - and on our opening night, no less! You don't think she could be behind this, do you???"

[DarkOne-Rob]

Gigglespit, looking exhausted and wide-eyed from his efforts to keep the crowd of other circus-folk away from the worst of things sits down with a deliberate plop on the ground beside Tessara. Looking up he says, "Aren't there three things needed in most courts to build a case against a person accused of a crime? Means, motive, and opportunity, right?" Ticking off each on his fingers, he continues, "For 'means' they would need magic of some kind - while Dusklight may not be so inclined herself, she has the money to get such help if the old circus doesn't have someone already on staff who could do it... 'Motive' is obvious - she hates that we got out from under her thumb... 'Opportunity' is also pretty clear. Our first performance as an independent circus is critical. If we had flopped tonight - and it came close - we'd be bleeding performers back to her already.

I think it could be her, yeah. But how do we prove it? And how do we protect ourselves until we can prove it?"