Episode 13: Everyone Dies at the Circus

Our heroes must infiltrate a sinister circus. Will their performances allow them to escape the big top alive?
No.

I believe it was Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky who said,
“To live without hope is to cease to live.”

DM, Leopold the Chihuahua, Hemlock Harper (Dracolich) - Kailey Bray
Ferret Farreach (Goliath Warlock) - Charlie Rehor
Emra Emerald (Rock Gnome Ranger) - Allison Haislip
Theodoric Claarwine (Half-Elf Bard) - Ross Bryant
Garnoll Mountainheart (Dwarf Cleric) - Paul Shapiro

It’s an idyllic day here in the lush Umbral Valley. You all have been summoned by Lord McGuffin. He is an odd duck and very worries as his guards usher you into his keep. Looking upon all of you with some stress and a little bit of hesitation. He has summoned you here out of concern for his twin children, who are noticeably absent. Normally they would be here in the halls.
“…but the twins, they’ve appeared to have run away to join the circus. I don’t trust the circus people. Not one bit. Actually, it is some sort of macabre something going on and I need a team of charming and brave adventurers to go rescue my children.
One small caveat. Sorry to sneak this in there, but the only way really to obtain access without gaining any suspicion would be to infiltrate the circus, and they are holding auditions rather shortly.”

Highlights

  • 03:43 The Ladder of Entertainment:
    • Theater
    • Choir
    • Ventriloquism
    • Improv
    • Mime
    • Circus
  • 07:45 Meta moment about posing as inferior performers.
  • 10:02 “This group of bizarre and twisted harlequins, this insane clown posse, if you will?”
  • 11:31 “I may not understand it, but my kids are gonna love it.” (BttF ref)
  • 14:00 “The circus?! I was trained at Julliard.” - Leopold
  • 30:28 Scott’s Epic Circus Music
  • 37:40 The Bard falls with great dramatic effect.