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Circus of the Last Days
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| Rivington | ||||
| Open Hand Temple | ||||
| ↑ | ||||
| Circus of the Last Days | → | Rivington General | ||
“We once angered the Faerie Queen's court during a misjudged performance in the Feywild. Your city scares me more than she did.„
Overview[edit | edit source]
The Circus of the Last Days occupies the northwest corner of Rivington adjacent to the Open Hand Temple. The circus is extraplanar, moving from plane to plane, and "thrilling all" who stop by. Currently it is visiting Rivington, and offers its patrons many forms of entertainment, including stage stand-ups, music, and various curios to purchase. The player character can also test their relationship with a romantic partner. Locals are familiar with the circus and its starring performer 
Dribbles and have likely seen it before.
The circus personnel is an eclectic assortment of individuals, run by the flamboyant and commanding necromancer ringmaster, 
Lucretious. Some members of the circus are performing as part of a "time debt" for their transgressions against the ringmaster, some were rescued, while others simply joined the crew and never left.[1]
Behind the scenes, the circus is rife with drama and gossip. One of the bards, 
Medrash, warns newcomers to “expect backstabbing, broken instruments and more” if he believes they have been hired. Lucretious herself describes her employees as “ragtags and ruffians”, while the gate guard 
Klaus defines his fellows as “a motley crew of misfits and morons.”
The circus grounds resemble a rough U-formed alley, with a row of traders and performers lined along the one side and beasts' cages and the stage on the other. In the farmost corner is the ringmaster's tent.
Access[edit | edit source]
The main entrance into this area is the iron fence at X: 22 Y: -75. Prior to arriving in Rivington, the circus staff were oblivious to the looming threat of the Absolute on the city. But with the way the things went, the entrance is now guarded by "assistant sniffer" Klaus and the "principle sniffer" 
Benji. The latter is a ghoul who examines potential patrons to prevent murderers from entering the circus.
There are also several other points of entry:
- A gap in the fence north of the main gate, at X: 22 Y: -34
- An iron gate leading from a courtyard in the Open Hand Temple, at X: -74 Y: -13 (requires
DC 15 Sleight of Hand check to lockpick) - An iron fence leading from the temple's graveyard, at X: -101 Y: -41 (requires DC 10 Sleight of Hand check to lockpick)
- The party can jump up the rocky cliff near the temple's graveyard fence to approach the ringmaster's tent from behind
- An
Invisible character can simply open the gates to the circus without consequence or breaking invisibility, allowing the party entrance.
Dealing with Klaus and Benji[edit | edit source]
Klaus, the elven guard, allows entry on the basis of Benji's reaction on sniffing the clients. 
Karlach and the 
Sentient Amulet are particularly enthusiastic about visiting the circus.[2] The party can also ask Klaus a few questions, but if they want to enter, eventually they must pass Benji's olfactory inspection.
- Benji
- BLOOD. TASTY BLOOD. SO DELICIOUS. AHAHAHA. (If Dark Urge)
- Klaus
- That's a first. Usually I'd allow you in, but in these times I can take no chances. Move along - no circus for you.
- Benji
- BLOOD. TASTY BLOOD. SO DELICIOUS. AHAHAHA. (If Bloodied)
- Klaus
- Speak, Benjamin! Are they[3] safe?
- Klaus
- Killed before. But doesn't smell like a cultist. *Sigh.* Wanted to eat murderer...
- Klaus
- Well, murderer or not, I can take no chances. I'm afraid you'll have to move along - no circus for you.
- Benji
- Urgh. Smells like a MUD FART. (If Dirty)
- Klaus
- So, doesn't know the meaning of the word soap? Hmm. I don't fancy subjecting our patrons to such a stink.
- Klaus
- I'm afraid you'll have to move along - no circus for you.
- Benji
- Brain juice smells like PISS and IRON. NO. LIKE. (If Tadpoled)
- Klaus
- That's a first. Usually I'd allow you in, but in these times I can take no chances. Move along - no circus for you.
- Benji
- Urgh. Smells like a MUD FART.
- Klaus
- I'm afraid you'll have to move along - no circus for you.
Regardless of Benji's reaction, Klaus denies the party to enter the circus. However, the party can change his mind using any of the following dialog options and passing the relevant ability check, or bribing him.
- Unless you seek the wrath of the Seelie Court, you will let me pass. (DC 18
) - You can smell the blood of my enemies, that is all. Want to join my scent? (DC 18 )
- Let me in, or I snap you in two. (DC 18)
- I’ve actually just been hired. Meet your new bard! (DC 10)
- I'm a friend of Lord Gortash. I wonder what he'll say if I tell him about this... (DC 18)
- I'LL MAKE YOU SMELL OF DEAD MEAT. MOVE. (DC 18 )
- I used to be a killer, but I've reformed my ways. (DC 10 )
- I used to be a killer, but I've reformed my ways. (DC 10
) (if Slayer Form gained) - I've just been hired as a firebreather. Let's hope nothing catches light. (DC 10)
- I've actually just been hired. I do martial arts. (DC 10)
- I'm not a threat to you or anyone else in the circus - I swear it. (DC 15)
- I've actually just been hired. I juggle knives. (DC 10)
- It can probably smell the Weave within me. Just magical potential, that's all (DC 10 )
- I've actually just been hired to do a magic show. Fingers crossed no one blows up this time! (DC 10)
- I've actually just been hired. I do a magic show. (DC 10)
- Surely we can come to an agreement? (200)
Gaining access to the circus grounds may earn either or both of the following inspirations:
The Right Oil for Any Situation (
Noble backgrounds) - gaining access by any means- Seams of Lavender and Thyme (
Charlatan backgrounds) - gaining access via 
Deception
If the party have previously entered the circus' grounds through any alternative route (f.e., from the Open Hand Temple), Klaus behaves as if they have already convinced him. Thus, none of these inspirations can be gained.
Circus layout[edit | edit source]
Traders' alley[edit | edit source]
- At X: -52 Y: -74
Zara the Mummy sells clown face-paints, clothing dyes, and disguise kits. Her speech limited to basic sounds, and trading with her requires the character first pass a DC 10 Insight or Intimidation check, or successfully 
read her mind.
- Across Zara's tent and further along the alley several bards are entertaining the circus patrons, playing music, juggling and breathing out fire. Two Redcaps,
Fred and 
Paramidious, wander the circus grounds.
- At X: -68 Y: -74
Akabi the djinni hosts a game of "Spin the Wheel". One round costs 500 
gold. However, the regular prizes "for participating" are junk, as well as items on his stand, though some look like useful things (for example the imitation of 
Potion of Speed). From the wardrobe in djinni's tent random Camp Clothing of Rich and / or Patriar grade can be stolen.
- To win, the character must catch Akabi in rigging the wheel. Winning the jackpot enrages him, and he transports the player character to a distant
Jungle, where the legendary trident 
Nyrulna and the 
Band of the Mystic Scoundrel can be found. If the participating character accuses him of fraud openly, Akabi transforms the interacting character into an odorous 
Cheese Wheel for 20 turns and denies them further participation.[4] - Victory in Akabi's game may grant one or both of the following inspirations:
- A Grand Prize! (
Sage background) - Cheating the Cheater ( Charlatan background)
- For full details on a winning strategy, see Akabi's page.
- At X: -60 Y: -56
Zethino the dryad offers a "Test Your Love" experience, which may help the player character earn approval with their romantic interest for a fee of 100 gold. If they agree, Zethino transports both to a woodsy area and asks the interacting character questions about their partner. They can choose answers as they wish, but some are considered 'correct' for the test, while others are not. In some cases, an answer brings minor disapproval from the counterpart, but for the purposes of the dryad's test is still considered correct.
- Passing Zethino's test may grant either or both of the following inspirations, both to the participants and other party members:
- A Test of Faithfulness (
Acolyte background) - for initiating the test - Knowledge of the Heart ( Sage background) - for scoring the best possible result
- Zethino is one of characters who might be chosen by
Orin the Red as a disguise to threaten the party.[5] In this case, the corpse of real Zethino can be later found in the Bhaal Temple in Lower City. Orin conducts the Love Test as usual, but then reveals herself to poison the pleasure.
- At X: -90 Y: -70 is Stoney and Boney's Bespoke Creations, a shop run by
Boney and his spouse 
Stoney. Boney sells various goods of crystal origin, including alchemical ingredients, as well as "thematic" spell scrolls, and is taking commissions for a sculpture of the True Hero of Baldur's Gate, which is delivered to the party's camp and, if activated, grants a permanent buff to whomever it depicts. The sculpture costs 5000 gold.
- Ordering the sculpture earns one of the following inspirations:
- Encouraging Local Artists (
Guild Artisan background) - First of Many (
Haunted One background)
- At X: -89 Y: -55
Popper the kobold merchant sells a variety of "rescued" goods and 'treatoes'. One of his featured offers is the 
Clown's Severed Hand, which is the part of the 
Find Dribbles the Clown quest. If the party takes it openly, the interacting character must then convince Popper to surrender it to them, using various ability checks depending on the character Race and Class. A full list of options can be seen at his page.
- The shelves at Popper's tent, as well as Traveller's chest and Heavy chest nearby, can be looted for random alchemical ingredients.
Performers' alley[edit | edit source]
- At X: -84 Y: -32 is the ringmaster’s tent. Upon first approaching it, the party sees Lucretious training a troupe of dancing skeletons:
Boris, 
Jacob and 
Lucille. The locked opulent chest in her tent contains 
The Pointy Hat and a 
Potion of Angelic Reprieve. The chest can be opened with a DC 18 Sleight of Hand check or the 
Ringmaster's Key, pickpocketed from Lucretious. A cupboard nearby may contain random spell scrolls, from common to Very rare grade.
- Upon first time approaching the ringmaster's tent, the party can see
Korrilla behind it, spying on them. She teleports away if the party tarry around. Otherwise, it is possible to trigger a brief and ultimately inconsequential dialogue. When she is gone, they comment on the sulphur odour left after her in the air.
- At X: -58 Y: -37 are the beast cages, displaying two exotic creatures:
Shadow-Whiskers the displacer beast and 
Crimson the dilophosaurus. Both can be spoken to via 
Speak with Animals, and have their own problems, which the party can help solve. Both cages are red-outlined; they require DC 15 Sleight of Hand check to lockpick, or can be opened with a Beast Cage Key stolen from any of beast tamers.
- Dealing with the caged beasts may earn one of following mutually exclusive inspirations:
- Primary Needs (
Outlander background) - for taming Crimson with a gift of meat - Running Wild ( Outlander background) - for freeing all the caged animals[6]
- At X: -50 Y: -39 is a stage where Dribbles the Clown is performing his new comedy routine, accompanied by
Bitey Buddy the blink dog. Upon coming close to the stage, a cutscene starts automatically, and Dribbles calls out to the party to become volunteers. The player character can come to the stage themselves, or persuade any of party members to go instead.[7] If the player character has the 
Entertainer background, participating in Dribbles' show themselves grants them the Taking the Spotlight inspiration.
- Dribbles' stand-up show inevitably overflows into a fight. The clown and his pet, as well as beast tamers
Ryland and 
Keren nearby reveal themselves as doppelgangers and attack the party and the civilian patrons around. On their first turn, Ryland and Keren set the caged beasts loose, and both animals side with the attackers.[8] Some members of the circus' staff, if they are close enough, may join the fight as neutral combatants and attack the doppelgangers. - After resolving the fight, the party can interrogate the corpse of the
false Dribbles via 
Speak with Dead. Also, the party may speak to Lucretious to take up the Find Dribbles the Clown quest. After completing it, they are rewarded with 
Spellmight Gloves.[9] - Returning all parts of Dribbles' body to Lucretious grants one or more of following inspirations:
- Macabre Enigma ( Guild Artisan background)
- Macabre Hunt ( Outlander background)
- The Dismemberment of Dribbles ( Acolyte background)
- Trail of Blood ( Haunted One background)
- At X: -30 Y: -45 is a makeshift dress storage, where
Elyna and 
Roustabout Vix loiter. In several backpacks here, as well as in the wooden chest in the blue tent nearby several unique pieces of Camp Clothing can be taken or stolen (see the Loot section below).
- Behind Dribbles' stage at X: -28 Y: -31 a DC 15 Survival check highlights a buried chest. Inside, a
Popper's note can be used to locate a body part of the ill-fated Dribbles.
Other encounters around[edit | edit source]
Emmet and his son 
Gable stand in front of the circus gate when the party first approach it. Gable wants to visit the circus, but is afraid of the ghoul. His father tries to calm and cheer him. 
Montgomery is a citizen being examined (and insulted) by Benji within the same cutscene where the party try to get access inside. Later he can be seen among the circus patrons listening to Medrash, while Emmet and Gable disappear.- Two children,
Mavus and 
Izzy, stand near the breach in the circus fence, arguing on whether they should sneak in. Izzy is more brave and intent to seep inside whatever it takes, while Mavus does not share her confidence in the idea. 
Sarafin, 
Quinara, 
Yonks and 
Zog are neither locals nor refugees. They are a gang of adventurers who were headed to Neverwinter and stopped by Rivington to have some rest and resupply. However, they are now in rush to leave, reviewing if they have everything they need and argue on whether they should stay one more day.
Edmundis Magarus is a halfling member of the circus staff. He can be found outside the circus grounds with 
Fist Patrick. When the circus arrived, several Redcap workers fled, and Patrick was dispatched to investigate. He is interrogating Edmundis on the case, but the halfling's answers are more than evasive, even about the number of creatures lost.[10]
Related locations[edit | edit source]
Related quests[edit | edit source]
Characters[edit | edit source]
Game Runners and Perfomers[edit | edit source]
Non-performer personnel[edit | edit source]
Lucretious, the ringmaster
Edmundis Magarus
Elyna
Fred
Fyodor
Klaus
Keren[12]
Paramidious
Ryland[12]
Stoney
Roustabout Vix
Beasts and creatures[edit | edit source]
Patrons[edit | edit source]
Traders[edit | edit source]
Flaming Fists[edit | edit source]
Other[edit | edit source]
Fumm - after revealing himself
Korrilla
Orin the Red
Outside, near the area[edit | edit source]
Loot[edit | edit source]
Unique garbs[edit | edit source]
The Circus of the Last Days allows the party to obtain several unique pieces of Camp Clothing and Headwear which (with the rare exception) cannot be found or purchased elsewhere. They can be worn like any other gown, and dyed as usual.
Related literature[edit | edit source]
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
- ↑ From the
Circus of the Last Days: Employees, a ledger written by Lucretious.
- ↑ If a party member has the amulet equipped, upon entering the circus the Monk's Manifestation remarks, "Ho ho, a circus! How I love the raucous revelry, the goofs and the guffaws." Also, Archfey Warlocks have a unique line to demand entrance, and using it is approved by all current party members.
- ↑ Pronoun substituted based on character tag
- ↑ After the party gained access to the circus, Klaus gives them a free piece of advice to "never piss off the djinni".
- ↑ This can be determined with right-click on the character, choosing to 'Examine' her. If Zethino is actually disguised Orin, the character has level 12 and Orin's passive features replace those filled in the infobox on her page.
- ↑ If Crimson has been fed before unlocking his cage, he refuses to leave the cage, and the inspiration is not gained.
- ↑ Hirelings cannot be chosen. Most companions react negatively to the idea of taking part themselves. For example, Astarion says aloud: "Of course, what fun!", then adds in whisper, "I'm going to fucking kill you." However, they approve if the choice turns to another party member.
- ↑ There are several options to prevent the beasts participation in the fight: taming the dilophosaurus by feeding him, breaking the lock on the displacer beast's cage, or releasing both animals before the fight using any means of invisibility.
- ↑ These gloves can be pickpocketed from Lucretious; in this case she rewards the party with gold.
- ↑ After the party deals with the hag in the Lower City, Edmundis's answer lines change to more consistent ones. It then becomes clear that it was the hag who lured the circus Redcaps into her service.
- ↑ Other parts of Dribbles' body can be found in the basements of Peartree House, Lavernica's Home, Rainforest's Home, and in a small bathhouse near the Basilisk Gate Barracks.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Unlike most doppelgangers who may be encountered in a walkthrough, Keren and Ryland do not have signature four-letter "doppelganger" names. The only other is Olfaith Olumssdottir, who can be encountered in Lower City.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Only appears in the game if the party left the battle with the doppelgangers during the circus act after it resulted in the death of both the false Dribbles and Lucretious, and took a Long Rest afterwards.