Book 2: The Carnival; Session 9

General Summary

Carnival Session 2: The House of Mirrors

As the guests leave and the Carnival closes down for the evening, the group assists with the cleanup. Amoiety asks Professor Pacali if he can see the Hall of Horrors. The Professor agreed to show him while it was closed, but the rest of the group convinced Amoiety it was not a necessity.
The group grabbed their portions for dinner and spotted the wizard, Quantarius, sitting by himself reading a book while he dined. They sat down at his table, much to Quantarius’s annoyance, but he was more than willing to answer their questions, showing a touch of curiosity at their reading from Madam Fortuna.

Quantarius’s Knowledge

When the group recounted their reading, Quantarius was able to tell them the following:
The Beast - “Howling wolves hide behind merriment and song. Where the wind howls as fiercely as any wolf lies a piece of what you seek.” - Quantarius believes this refers to the land of Kartakass. He says it is a mostly forested realm overpopulated by wolves, werewolves, and wolfweres. Wolfweres, according to Quantarius, are wolves that can take on human form. When asked why they would do that Quantarius simply asked “Why does a vampire live among humans?”
The Innocent, “The cold wind blows on a desolate land where logic and reason cloud judgement and understanding. Seek out the innocent’s heart and you shall have your prize.” Quantarius does not know who the “innocent” is referring to but says the land sounds like Lamorida.
The Broken One, “I see a dry, scorched land where a King with a broken soul seeks his salvation. That salvation is yours as well.” Quantarius only knows this is likely referring to a desert land, but since there are more than one, he is unable to narrow down which.
The Wizard, “Magic can create, but it can also destroy. I see a land riddled with magics that were best left unexplored. There, the sleepless one locks themselves in solitude. They have what you seek.” Quanatarius agrees with Kass that this could be referring to Darkon, but believes it is more likely referring to Hazlan, a land that has let magic destroy its very essence.
The Transmuter. “A land fallen in an endless darkness, streaks of lightning the only relief from its gloom. Here everyone is of a single mind. Seek out she who would be Queen and you will find your prey.” Quantarius had nothing to offer here as many of the lands are cloaked in darkness.
The Necromancer. “One lost of mind and spirit wanders the Mists. The land is as lost as they are. You shall encounter them in many times and in many forms. Only they can complete the forging of the Artifact. But beware, they may have other plans for it.” Quantarius believes this is either someone they have met or will meet in the future. Divination magic is never clear and often one does not realize the meaning until it is unfolding before them. Amoiety wondered if Sempronia was this “Necromancer”. When asked about Sempronia, Quantarius said she never heard of her, but seemed to be concealing something as he spoke.
Quantarius informed them that to perform the ritual to open a portal into the mirror realm, he needs a mirrored orb that Tindal has in his House of Mirrors. Once obtained, the spell should be ready in the morning.

The House of Mirrors

Tindal leads them to the House of Mirrors but refuses to go in himself, telling them that the orb is at the center and there are oozes within and blend in with the mirrors. He tells them “good luck” and scampers off.
The House of Mirrors was a strange experience for the group. Everything seemed to move within and after fighting their own shadows, both Kass and Norikami appeared to be missing theirs. Victor experienced a vision of his greatest desire in one of the mirrors, and oozes and humanoids that appeared to be made of ooze attacked the group after stepping out of the mirror’s themselves. They were able to obtain the required mirrored orb, however, though Tindal took the credit when the group brought it to Quantarius.
Amoeity notices that Tindal does not have a shadow as he walks away from the group.

A Long Rest

Group settles in Pellarin’s vardo for the evening. It’s clearly the missing snake charmers wagon given the costumes and terrariums contacting snakes within.
The group discusses why they seem to be chosen for this divine quest as none of them feel particularly important. Norikami points out that not only did they travel through the Mists, but seem to have traveled through time as well. How will they ever get back to where they belong? Kass says they may never get back.
When discussing why they would save these lands where everything seems so horrible, Kass points out that people live there and the group is passing through so they do not see the goodness as well. The people living out their lives and the beauty contained within the Mists.
Amoeity summons a spider and names it Shadow. He then sends Shadow to spy on the Carnival. Within the vardo at the center of the carnival where the “Mistress of the Carnival” is said to spend most of her time, he sees a map of of the realms with marks dotting certain locations. One of these marks is on Barovia, but there does not appear to be one in Kartakass, which Amoeity notes is southwest of Barovia.
He also sees the Mistress herself. A tall, woman with pointed ears pacing the vardo, holding a glowing red sword in her hand and muttering to herself.

Report Date

22 Jan 2022