As Mr. Absent’s Circus was travelling east from the coast, the Carnies were first sent out to capture a cockatrice. Albert, the head clown, had heard of its existence from one of his many “friends”.
‘The party had a small encounter with a group of kobolds, but it was non-lethal and they were able to capture a pair of cockatrice after befriending the kobolds. Queen Isabel and her Kobold Klowns are now a featured act of the circus. The party had a small encounter with a group of kobolds, but it was non-lethal and they were able to capture a pair of cockatrice after befriending the kobolds. Queen Isabel and her Kobold Klowns are now a featured act of the circus.
The next location that Mr. Absent sent them was to a ruined laboratory. Inside a tumbled-down tower they found an injured Skittering Horror hiding in the dark. The Carnies stuck to the light and used Bowie’s tempting leg to entice the creature within range of their attacks. Their ploy worked, and they were able to kill a CR 15 creature at second level.
When the circus caravan was still a few days from the town of Triboar, Mr. Absent asked the Carnies to ride ahead and seek out a friend of his – an innkeeper called Kincade. Absent had not seen him in 5 years, and was a little worried about him.
The party found the Loose Goose inn, and spoke with a human who claimed that he was Kincade. When told that Mr. Absent and his circus were on their way to town, the innkeeper seemed surprised and worried. “Absent? He’s coming here? Why now?”
The innkeeper told the party that a local druid had disappeared recently, a human woman named Naxtori. She was the townsfolk’s primary healer and spiritualist, and everyone was worried for her. She was last seen heading to Jaegermeister’s Manor, a hunting lodge 2 hours north of town. The Carnies set off to investigate.