The Circus Tent is a tent structure that is located in the Waukeen's Promenade district of Athkatla. Two side quests take place inside the tent:
Under the Illusion Spell[]
When the party enters the tent they will discover an area that is affected by a very powerful illusion spell. Further exploration of this area will reveal that it contains four large areas that vastly surpass the volume of the real tent as seen from its exterior.
Illusion Exterior Area[]
This is the area the party enters into first. It contains a large, blue-hued, ornately patterned, domed tent-looking structure that's surrounded by water, with a wide bridge leading to its horseshoe-arched entrance. When walking over the bridge, a Genie will greet the party. He will allow passage over the bridge if given the correct answer to his first or second riddle, or the party will have to kill him. Answering the first riddle gives the most experience points while killing the genie gives the least.
If the party chooses to explore the wide, exterior walkway that circles the outside of the domed structure, they will encounter several Shadow and Werewolf creatures. The werewolves are illusions while the shadows are real undead that will deal real damage and can drain strength with a successful hit. Killing each shadow gives the party 420 XP.
As for the illusionary werewolves, as long as the party does not attack or cause damage to them by a hostile action, the werewolves cannot do any damage when they strike (they can still disrupt the casting of a spell though). However, if they receive any damage, their illusionary attacks change to real attacks and then they can hurt the party. Killing the werewolves gives no XP.
First floor[]
Upon entering this large circular area, the party is first greeted by the winged elf Aerie who has been transformed by an illusion spell into an Ogre. She will ask to be freed from the illusion with the help of a key which can be obtained from some Peasants who are located nearby.
A woman named Hannah is also in this area, appearing as a Giant Spider, again by the illusions of this odd place. As part of the Find the boy's mother inside the circus tent side quest, Gorion's Ward can inform her that her son is safe and is waiting for her outside the tent.
After dealing with Aerie one way or another, the party will encounter the Pleasure Slave who is standing in front of another large horseshoe-arched doorway, and who has some bizarre announcements and warnings to offer up to the party during conversation. Afterwards, the party can proceed to the next area through the doorway.
Second floor[]
This area is another large circular room that contains more illusionary werewolves and real shadows and the party will be instantly attacked by the creatures upon entry. Upon approaching the entrance to the third floor, the genie from the bridge will re-appear on the stairs to congratulate the party on their progress and question them on their willingness to proceed with the "little game". Regardless of the party's answer, he'll eventually leave via a dimension door and the party is free to proceed up the stairs to the next doorway - alternatively, the party might have a chance to attack and kill the genie before speaking to them and leaving, gaining 5,000 XP without reputation loss.
Third floor[]
This last doorway leads to yet another circular room in which the gnome illusionist Kalah, in the guise of an Ogre Mage, awaits the party. The gnome Quayle, a former companion from Baldur's Gate, is also here, having been transformed into a Mustard Jelly. Kalah will taunt the party while two shadows and another werewolf attack. Only Kalah needs to be killed to break his illusion spell.
After the Spell is Broken[]
With Kalah's illusion broken, the inside of the circus tent reverts back to its normal appearance. A dying Kalah, having changed back to his regular gnome appearance, is found lying on the floor of the tent. After some brief banter he'll die for good.
Kalah's Loot[]
Kalah's body will lie on the ground for some time, allowing the party the chance to search it for the following items:
- Ring of Human Influence
- Elves' Bane
- Wizard Spell Scrolls (×5)
- other minor loot (for a complete list of items see Kalah's page)
Characters[]
Aerie will be here if she didn't join the group during the investigation quest. Hannah will also appear here as her normal self and upon being spoken to, she'll thank the party for helping her before leaving the tent to rejoin her son. Quayle is also here looking like his normal self.
Related Quests[]
- Free Haer'Dalis from Imprisonment by Mekrath - Quayle can initiate this quest if Aerie has been in Gorion's Ward's party for about a week.
Mod content[]
This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Mods:[]
Installing the Unfinished Business (Baldur's Gate II) Mod and the component called Kalah & What He Was Promised is a new quest that follows up on the Circus Tent quest. How did Kalah get such amazing Illusionary Powers? Why did he create a realm inside the Circus Tent? The mod sends the party to find out, leading to a potentially challenging and satisfying conclusion.
The Sword Coast Stratagems mod slightly revises Kalah's mage spell casting prowess and spell choices - the little bugger is a bit more of a challenge now.
Gallery:[]
- Portraits from Portraits Portraits Everywhere
Screenshots:[]
| Waukeen's Promenade |
Waukeen's Promenade •' Circus Tent • Adventurer Mart • Temple of Ilmater (Waukeen's Promenade) • Mithrest Inn • Armorer/Fletcher • Enge's Shop • Cernd's Former Home • Den of the Seven Vales • Fennecia's Home • Weaponsmith (Waukeen's Promenade) |