You perform as part of a troupe, your unique skillsets setting you apart from your peers. The circus life is a busy one consumed with travel, traning, and performing. Even the stress, however, can't stop the whimisical costumes and crowded tents from pulling you back for another show with the fools you call family.
- Skill Proficiencies: Performance, plus any one from among Acrobatics, Athletics, Deception, Persuasion, or Sleight of Hand as appropriate to your act.
- Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit
- Languages: Any one of your choice
- Equipment: A musical instrument or gaming set (one of your choice), a souvenir from a previously toured city, a costume, and a pouch containing 15 gp
Circus Acts
Whether you're a jack of all trades or a specialized expert, every performer has an act to showcase their unique skills. Choose one to three routines or roll on the table below to define your expertise as an entertainer, or work with your DM for any acts not listed.
| d10 |
Circus Acts |
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1
|
Acrobat
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2
|
Clown
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3
|
Juggler
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4
|
Ringmaster
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5
|
Magician
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6
|
Strongman
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7
|
Tightrope Walker
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8
|
Trapeze Artist
|
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9
|
Contortionist
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10
|
Sword Swallower
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Feature: Crowd Pleaser
As a circus performer, creating a magical experience for an audience is the most important aspect of the job. You have received in-depth training for your specific act(s), making it easier for you to appease a crowd with your performances. In addition, your association with your troupe makes something of a local figure. When strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically take a liking to you.
Suggested Characteristics
Successful circus performers have to be able to capture and hold an audience’s attention, so they tend to have flamboyant personalities. Whether they let their true colors shine or simply display a vibrant façade to the world, their larger-than-life personas are sure to leave their mark.
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
|
1
|
I've spent so long in the circus that I have trouble socializing with everyday people.
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2
|
I can't sit still. I always have to be moving, whether by juggling or cartwheels or miming.
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3
|
I love touring to new towns and making friends in the local tavern.
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4
|
It's hard to for others to stay angry at me when a bit of clowning around can defuse any situation.
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5
|
I'm excessively confident in myself, and my grandiosity often rubs people the wrong way.
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6
|
If all eyes aren't on me, I find a way to make myself the center of attention.
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7
|
I’ll settle for nothing less than perfection.
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8
|
After traveling with the circus for so many years, I get restless staying in a single city for too long.
|
| d8 |
Ideal |
|
1
|
Beauty. My fellow performers taught me to see the beauty in the strange, and I wish too teach that same lesson to others. (Good)
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2
|
Community. Everyone in the troupe looks out for each other because no one else will. (Lawful)
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3
|
Creativity. Every performance must be more thrilling and magical than the last. (Chaotic)
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4
|
Greed. Fame and money are all I care about. (Evil)
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5
|
Perseverance. No obstacle will keep me from reaching my goals. (Neutral)
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6
|
Honesty. Circus acts should reflect the soul; every performance carries a piece of myself. (Any)
|
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7
|
Freedom. The world should be like a circus: wild and unpredictable. I want to bring about that world. (Chaotic)
|
|
8
|
Perfection. One mistake could end my career, and for that reason I must strive for perfection. (Lawful)
|
| d8 |
Bond |
|
1
|
I fell in love with someone from a town we toured in, and I wish to see them again.
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2
|
I abandoned my old troupe for a taste of independence, and I wish to make amends.
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3
|
I idolize a famous performer and constantly compare myself to them.
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4
|
I joined the circus to payback a powerful benefactor. I have yet to make a dent in the debt I owe.
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5
|
The circus is a front for a criminal organization, and I must protect that secret.
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6
|
I would do anything for the other members of my old troupe.
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7
|
My parents sold me to the circus. One day, I'll find them and get answers.
|
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8
|
I was kicked out of my troupe for what I believe to be unjust reasons, and I will get my revenge.
|
| d8 |
Flaw |
|
1
|
I'm always in character, and at this point I can't be sure whether or not I have a real personality anymore.
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2
|
I'll flirt with anyone with a pretty face.
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3
|
I can't say no to a dare, and sooner or later it'll land me in trouble.
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4
|
I have a habit of pocketing trinkets that aren't mine. Hey, is this your watch?
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5
|
I practice my act at all times, especially at the most inconvenient opportunities.
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6
|
One too many performances have fallen flat, and I entirely blame the audience for being too dense.
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7
|
I have a tendency to pocket trinkets under the guise of performance. Hey, is this your watch?
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8
|
If anyone judges me for being in the circus, my next performance will be punching them in the face.
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