A magical amusement park, rides and all, has been built. Wraithvine and friends are asked to evaluate it for safety before opening to the public. -- Anon Guest
This was much more than a merry-go-round, a ferris wheel, and a pitch-a-ring stall. Some were entertainments that hadn't been seen since the last gilded age of high magic. A giant steam engine was prepared to run a band of bardic automatons and a mechanical giraffe, for some reason.
Wraithvine was here for the rides. Specifically, to ensure they were safe for all comers. The ancients of the last gilded age weren't keen on making things safe for anyone else but the dominant species. It was regrettable that that gilded age was the age of Elves.
Thusly, most of the seating was for middling-sized intelligent creatures.
Wraithvine demonstrated the inadequacy of the safety harnesses with Gikka, and the inadequacy of the seating with Harga, the part-giant barbarian who had recently joined their adventures. She served the part of larger creatures in the area.
"My ass is only three quarters of an Ogre's," said Harga. "Some are going to want to ride something. None are going to fit."
Wraithvine's next concern was the Downdrift Tower. Hooks hoisted carousels up to the top, and released them, automatically invoking a rune of slowed fall so that it would drift harmlessly to the ground after fifteen feet of freefall. "What happens if some idiot invokes a null magic field while that's operating?"
"This is why we have an aerial team on the safety staff. Only two carousels in operation at any time, and if the rune fails, they have the strength and dexterity to glide the carriage to safety." The manager gestured towards the perch that held four winged people on each side. A mixture of Aviads, winged Hellkin, and Hallobloods roosted there.
"Would you ride it to demonstrate?" asked Harga.
"I've tested it a number of times," said the manager, "and I'll do it again." He stepped into a carriage and gestured for a staffer to set the carriage into motion.
Even before it reached the top, four winged staffers were watching it. Ready to spring into action in a moment. Wings up, body coiled, ready to dive at the slightest hint that something was awry.
The carriage dropped. Wraithvine set off the spell to cancel the rune, and watched with another ready to save a fool if need be.
Four pairs of wings spread. Four bodies dove for the handles. Four clung for dear life as they angled themselves to take the carriage for a rough but survivable landing on the trampled ground.
"Shaken," announced the manager, "but not injured. Or in peril of my life. My heroes are excellent at their work, and well compensated for their trouble."
"The massages are phenominal," said a Hellkin. "Worth it and then some."
"Also the pay is more than fair," added the Aviad. "Lives are at stake. It's in everyone's best interest to do what we do well."
Gikka turned up with smouldering clothes. "We need to talk about the flame spells in the dark ride."
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