The Circus of Wonders and Shadows

It is 1930. In the Circus of Wonders and Shadows the public have all gone home, only those that make their living from the sawdust and spangles remain. The Great Depression is beginning to tighten and audiences are not what they once were. The wind that whips between the guy ropes is beginning to taste of dust and ashes. What can a few outcasts and outsiders desperate to keep the magic alive do in the face of an uncaring world?

Team

Authors: Nickey Barnard, Clare Gardner, Adam Hayes, Abi Kirby, Charlie Paull and Rich Perry

Referees: Ray Hodson & Jo Gould

Players

This is a game for 12 players featuring 5 male characters, 5 female characters, and 2 characters who can be played as any gender.

Premise

It is 1930, post-show in the tents of the Circus of Wonders and Shadows. The public have all gone home, only those that make their living from the sawdust and the spangles remain. The Circus is set up outside yet another dirtball town somewhere in midwest America, but the Great Depression is beginning to tighten and the audiences are not what they once were. The circus folk are uneasy in the face of an uncertain future. The fairy tales told by those from the Old Country, tales of blood and sacrifice, are beginning to take root in people's minds. The wind that whips between the guy ropes is beginning to taste of dust and ashes. What can a few outcasts and outsiders desperate to keep the magic alive do in the face of an uncaring world?

The Circus of Wonders and Shadows is a game of dark fantasy and deception in a world that sits on that uneasy edge between magic and reality.

Costuming

This game takes place after the show, so characters may be wearing their working outfit or could have changed into something more comfortable. The type of costume circus performers wear during shows is hugely varied but dependant on their role, so if you have (for example) a strong man or trapeze artist outfit in your cupboard that you'd like to get some use of, mention it in the casting survey. Costume as much or as little as you want, but try to aim for a 1930s vibe (e.g. shirts rather than t-shirts).

One character will be disguised and their player will need to wear an eye patch, mask or similar. If this is objectionable, please note this on your casting form.

Player preparation

The game is pre-written and tightly plotted. Character sheets will be medium length; 4 to 6 A4 pages would be typical.

Content Notes

The game has dark themes in backgrounds including murder, stalking, the eating of human flesh, mutilation and the corruption of the soul. Warning: Clowns!

If there is any combat it will be resolved by rock, paper, and scissors.

Safety rules

We will use Traffic Light and the The OK Check-In systems to ensure all players have a fun experience. These systems will be explained at the game.

Referee Bios

Ray Hodson (she/her)

Ray is a long time roleplayer, GM, freeformer and writer. She loves to weave tales based around history and myth.

Having finished GMing the weekend game A West End Lullaby, she has a huge backlog of games in the planning phase… some say she may finish writing them all by the next millennium.

Simon Clark (he/him)

Simon is an experienced GM and writer. You can rent his expert NPC and chauffeuring skills for any game but he likes ones with hats and walking sticks the best.