Either from birth, or later in life, you lived among the circus or carnival folk, traveling from place to place and entertaining the masses. Your act may have been one of flashy tricks and daring feats, or a more subtle performance of the mystic and mysterious, but either way, you learned what people wanted and how to give it to them... in a way that landed a few extra coins in your pockets, of course.
However, the life of a traveling circus or carnival member does not only provide one with the ability to entertain, but also the ability to see people and communities for what they really are, as you are always on the outside of all of them except for one: your family of freaks. Watching from the outside allows a certain perspective that not many get, and also means that sometimes the target of unjust treatment and cruelty is you. Because of this, and the sometimes unreliable occupation, you've likely picked up a few cons, however big or small they may be, to make you some extra copper or silver when not under the tent. Maybe you're a simple pickpocket, or your con is a more extensive one. Either way, it keeps the extra coin coming in.
- Skill Proficiencies: Performance, and either Deception, Insight, or Sleight of Hand
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, and either carpenter's tools, painter's supplies, or thieves' tools
- Languages: None
- Equipment: A costume, a set of common clothes, tools of the con of your choice (ten stoppered bottles filled with colored liquid, a set of weighted dice, a deck of marked cards, or a crystal ball), and a belt pouch containing 15 gp
Every performer has a specific act that they bring to the circus or carnival, either in front of the crowd, or on a one-on-one basis with the guests. Choose one routine or roll on the table below to define your specific gig, gimmick, or act.
| d10 | d10 Circus Routine |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acrobat |
| 2 | Animal Tamer |
| 3 | Bearded Lady |
| 4 | Clown |
| 5 | Fire Dancer |
| 6 | Fortune Teller |
| 7 | Magician |
| 8 | Ringleader |
| 9 | Snake Charmer |
| 10 | Strong Man |
You can always find a place to perform, be it at one of your official shows, at an inn or tavern, or even a street corner in the middle of the day. When you take at least 10 minutes to put on a performance for the citizens of any town, city, or otherwise populated location, you may make a Performance check to win them over. On a roll of 10 to 15 you earn roughly 1 cp for every 2 people watching you. On a roll of 16 or higher, you earn roughly 1 cp for every person watching you. Additionally, as long as you roll at least a 10 for your Performance check, any allies within 50 feet of you gain advantage on any Sleight of Hand and Stealth checks they make while your performance is occurring.
Suggested Characteristics
Performers must be able to capture and hold an audience's attention, so they often are very colorful, large, and flamboyant, either in personality, dress, or both. They love the amusement of the crowd as much as the admiration, and often the gullibility as well.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I know a story relevant to almost every situation. |
| 2 | Whenever I come to a new place, I collect local rumors and spread gossip. |
| 3 | I get bitter if I'm not the center of attention. |
| 4 | I'll settle for nothing less than perfection. |
| 5 | I lie about almost everything, even when there's no good reason to. |
| 6 | I pocket anything I see that might have some value. |
| 7 | The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuable - or where such things could be hidden. |
| 8 | My flattery makes everyone I talk to feel like the most wonderful and important person in the world. |
Comments