The Traveling Circus

“There's no such thing as bad publicity." - P. T. Barnum

Look anywhere - the spheres will always have room for a traveling circus. Come one, come all, to the magnificent sights and wonders that only a pack of fools can procure! This short document contains 6 backgrounds for Troika! that will astound you!

The Were-child

The Circus tends to pick up (or perhaps attract) a number of those with lycanthropy-strained blood. Audiences never fail to react with surprise to the latest Miraculous Duck Girl, or the wondrous Shrimp Kid!

The Strongperson

If nothing else, there’d always be a circus looking for a hulking figure to lift some acrobats for cash, you thought. But Kurbald the Mighty set ringleaders’ sights too high with his “Raising the Neutron Star” act six months ago, and you’re running out of excuses for your inflated resume. Better hit the protein.

Knife-Throwee

No, no, that name’s correct. Just as every hero needs a villain, so too does every knife-thrower need one of you. Weekly you get up on your cross of wood and clay, and lie stoically as your thrower – hopefully – misses you with pinpoint accuracy.

Nesting Doll

Which came first? The chicken or the egg? – well, you’re both. Inside you is another little you, and another, and another, and it never ceases to amaze. It does make you wonder where your vitals are, though…

Presto

Let’s face it. A wizard in a circus is a dime a dozen, and any fool can pick up a book and cast Prestidigitation. Your selling point? You have incredible stage fright, and during a performance can only muster an impressively large plume of smoke. You were hired on the spot out of pity.

Friend to Beasts

You have always had a way with animals. Not the squirrels, nor the sparrows, or even the deer. No, your forte has always been with the flesh-rending, person-eating variety. You have many friends with sharp teeth. Many say it’s a wonder you haven’t become dinner yet, but once you get to know one, a Zannian Arm-Ripper is quite playful.

The Traveling Circus is an independent production by Bone Mouse Productions and is not affiliated with the Melsonian Arts Council.