The Argentos's are not like other masters of performer troupes.  They are rich.

They own a large gated compound in the city of Basilea.  The gate leads into a large stone paved courtyard  One side of the courtyard is faced by the Argentos home, a mansion.  On the other, the dormitory used as winter quarters for the traveling show, and in the back, stables and storage.  It's a large production, requiring 30 large draft horses to move, and 10 wagons of varying size.  Winter travel is rough, so they try to back home for the winter, sharpening skills, repairing costumes, props and wagons, preparing for the next season.

The reason the Argentos's do so well is that they alone, of all the performer troupes of western Europa, have adhered to an old Roman tradition:  they get wealthy powerful people to sponsor the entertainment.  Of course this means that in the course of their shows they must present their sponsors in a very positive light, and it also means they are more involved in politics than most entertainers want to be, and there is usually some ulterior motive for paying the Argentos's to put on a show, but it pays well.  Performing with the Argentos Traveling show means food and (mobile) shelter, help with costumes and props, and even steady income- though it can vary with how well the show is doing financially.  Performers don't have to worry about singing for a few copper pieces at a time.    Like the other traveling troupes, it also means a community, even a sense of family, for entertainers, who are widely regarded as oddities and misfits even stranger than the usual gang of adventurers.

Now the new season is coming, the Argentos Traveling Show Caravan is preparing to move out, and the Argentos's are gathering their troupe together to share the plan.

Phileas and Hylensia Argentos look like one of those married couples who naturally belong together.  Both are mature humans who handle their age quite well; tall, strong looking, they have silver hair but no shortage of energy.  In fact, they both take on the role of master of ceremonies during performances.  They complement each other: Phileas tends to deal with the externals, making arrangements with patrons, speaking with lords of cities.  He has a wide network of contacts picked up during his travels, he seems to be the kind of man who builds friendships, at least of the professional kind, quite easily.  Hylensia deals more with the internals, the close management of the troupe, helping people with their issues, making suggestions, more or less playing pack mother to the whole gang.

If Hylensia seems to pay a little more attention to the female cast members, it may be because all of the Argentos's children are girls, and the extension of "my girls" to the cast members seems to come naturally for her.  Two of the three younger Argentos's are children, the oldest, Celeste, is a performer herself, a member of the cast following in her parents' footsteps.

But for now, you have both of the masters of the show here, and they begin to explain the plan:

To the north of Basilea is a town with a bridge over the Rhine River, Cambete.  Cambete has suffered a lot recently.  For years, it was occupied by the Hunnish Orcs, and was as far as they got southwards along the Rhine.  There were several battles there over the years.  Two years ago, the Elves of the Black Forest raided it, and caused a lot of damage.  The Huns rebuilt and increased their guard force, but last year, Cambete was taken by Burgundy.

Now the Burgundians are celebrating a year of possessing Cambete, which is their foothold on the Rhine.  As a show of pride- and to demonstrate their own generosity- they have commissioned several shows, the first being in Cambete.  The others will be in the lands along the trade routes east of Cambete, as a way of encouraging interest in and respect for Burgundy.

The Burgundians used a bizarre and daring strategy in securing Cambete:  They offered amnesty and a position to the Hun lord there, an Orc named Pugnant, and his warriors, in return for their loyalty, and an end to the fighting.  Many on both sides were stunned.  Allowing Orcs to not only stay in the town, but give one a position of authority?  But the Burgundians think it avoided much bloodshed.  The Orcs get to claim that they rule the town, and Burgundy gets a peaceful bridge town on a key trade route.

Phileas Argentos warns that there is still tension:  Pugnant has his enemies among the Orcs, who believe he "sold out", trading his loyalty for his own comfort, and not being true to the Orcish warrior ethic.  There are Humans and Elves repulsed by the idea that Orcs are living there.  If people are in a bad mood, if something were to happen, even a random fight breaking out between a Human and an Orc could lead to disaster, even a renewal of the war between the Huns and Burgundians.  Enter the Traveling Show, which can do one thing better than anyone else can:  make people happy.  Maybe even Orcs.  Just be wary- there are those who won't want people to be happy, who want them stirred up and angry instead.  The Traveling Show will put Cambete in a good mood.

The Argentos's feel that they've covered the broad situation so far, they'll get to the more detailed things next, but first... any questions so far?

"Will we be changing anything in the show for the... mixed audience?" Lindon shouted from where he was leaning up against a barrel.  What did orcs like?

Nwofia sighed.  "I'm sure the orcs are fine but do I have to worry about the humans thinking I'm a drow again like they did three years ago in you-know-where?"

"We are not changing our style to suit Orcs," Phileas says, looking a little skeptical himself.  We shall be professional and courteous to them, as this 'Pugnant' has been granted a position of honor by the Burgundians.  I have heard that Orcs are entertained by things we would find violent and barbaric.  We shall present our show."

Then he addresses Nowfia in particular.  "We are the Argentos Traveling Show.  We are expected to present the unusual and exotic.  If they think you are Drow, and are amazed and entertained by that, so much the better.  If I had a Dragon on stage, I would be proud of it."

Of the Argentos daughters, Celeste is old enough (by a few years) to be in the cast, and is proud of it... though in some ways she seems an awkward fit.  Preferring a classically sophisticated style in dance, music and dress that often leaves more rustic audiences bored, she is tall, with a cultured demeanor.  Like her parents she has silvery hair, showing it to be genetic, not age.

She makes a very disgusted face at the thought of being around actual Orcs.

"Good," she says, "it's bad enough they are there, we shouldn't change a thing for them."

Typically, the Traveling Show presents about two hours of entertainment, which consists of a "main story", told in little scenes, separated by the other events which, if the Argentos's have been really clever, are somehow related to the cut into segments, with the generally a presentation of legend that is at least somewhat familiar to the people of the region.  This year it comes from the Gnomes of the Alps, and is a lighthearted comedy (98% of Gnomish Folklore).  It involves a couple of Gnomes who mistakenly sell a magical cheese in a Human town, but despite their attempts to recover it, it ends up being served at a wedding where it manages to solve a series of problems through somewhat Gilbert-And-Sullivan-ish coincidences.

The player characters represent the upper tier of performers- the soloists, and top specialists.  There are other members of the troupe as well, the musicians and backup dancers, an actor, and a few people involved solely as support, like the cook.

Hylensia Argentos suggests that for the benefit of "new people" (they always have a turnover year to year) everyone introduce themselves.

Nwofia moves gracefully on tiptoes, light as a feather, lithe as a serpent and bends forward in a curtsey that looks as though it might be unsuitable for family audience and yet, even though her cloak seems to move away, revealing for a fraction of a second, in fact, not even the knives are revealed, let alone the body beneath them. She pronounces her name something like 'Auwofia' with the stress on the 'O' as she says, "Hello new ones, my name is Nwofia Barandi, which in my language means 'Damned Bastard' and you know what?  I am Damned proud to bear such a name.  I am acrobat. I am dancer. I act a little and I do a little something that looks a lot like magic but I promise you, it is not.  Despite my complexion, I am human."

Og has been silent, trying to learn his place among the senior and more talented members of the show. He figures once the cats out of the bag he'll just be put to work as the strong guy and his magic would take second place, so he tries to look small and mysterious, hunching over and covering himself with his large black hooded cloak. If you tried to look at his face a silver mask covers both eyes and half of the mouth, but what flesh you do see has been scarred by fire.

"Hello, I am Og. I hail from a tribe of Thuringian called the Vorman or Worman. We uh, slew our fair share of orc when I was a lad, but...well, long story but I am your new strongman, acrobat, magician."

Og is human, six and a half feet tall and weighs nearly three hundred pounds. Despite growing up with barbarians he has studied the arcane arts for twenty years. Failed attempts at attracting audiences with dark and mysterious flair, Og's personal show had turned to comedy, and not dark-twisted-sarcastic comedy either. Despite his cold demeanor a light flashes in his eyes and he gets a terrible idea, "Might I suggest that I play one of the gnomes?" He rises to his full height and opens his cloak to reveal his muscled-hairless chest and arms. Perhaps a full scale painting of a gnome could be made on his stomach.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:43, Fri 14 Sept 2018.

"You could play three Gnomes," observes Sammo Merianus, the cook.  "Three Gnomes standing on each others' shoulders, under one cloak."

The cook was one of the few workers who had no performing roles, though sometimes he would appear on stage briefly as an "extra".  Feeding thirty people was a full time job.  His wife Della handled the costumes and helped with the horses, and they'd been the core of the non-performing part of the Argentos show for a decade, during which time they'd acquired two little children who traveled with them.

The Argentos's provide food, good though basic.  There's not much choice in the menu, Sammo doesn't have the time or resources to do anything but bulk meals.  And very little alcohol is served.  Sometimes the cast will stop in at taverns along the way for a change of pace, but of course that's not free.

They also provide costumes.  A lot of that ends up going to Og.  Della could sew every scrap of cloth in Alayna's wardrobe together and still not cover Og once.

And of course, the Argentos's provide props, wagons, and the draft horses to pull them.

Alayna has a show horse.  That horse would never be used for wagon pulling- far too valuable.  It would merely walk alongside a wagon.  But, to a small degree, all the draft horses are show horses.  Before they walk into a town, every horse is trimmed, brushed, cleaned and very decorated. The show begins the moment the troupe arrives.

The show horse in question gave a snort at the introductions.  The very petite girl next to the horse laughed, petting his nose.  "Hush, Angel.  'Tis rude to interrupt."

She gave a deep and elegant curtsey.  "I am Alyna Half-Blood, and with my beautiful Angel are a team."  She was thin and small-breasted, with silvery hair tinted with streaks of green.  Along with her green eyes and green eyeshadow, she seemed a forest nymph, standing barely 4'11".  Her long hair was gathered around her head, showing her slightly pointed ears.  Her movements were lithe and sure, and she looked quite young.

"When I am not aloft on Angel, I sing and dance.  And I am most pleased to meet all of you."  Her voice was soft and musical, with a slight hint of an elvish accent.

Ssasha lounged through this relaxed and at easy holding a regal bearing, she was tall but very thin, which doesn't leave her much curves though the costuming helps highlight what she does have, "We are Sssasha Sseptenariuss misstresss of ssnakess." She let this feign display of arrogance, hang in the air for the benefit of those who'd been through this before. She chuckled, dropping into a goofy demeanor, "Dancer, escape artist, animal trainer, especially the snake. And new folk yes they are extremely poisonous so be nice to them--- and, the other animals."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:27, Fri 14 Sept 2018.

"Lindon Laru!" the young man announced while vaulting up onto his barrel.  "Highwire and trapeze are my game.  If it's high and dangerous, I'm you're man."

He stands a lean 5'10" tall, without the barrel, and wears his long blond hair in a tail to rival Angel's.  A short leather vest covers a puffy white shirt and tight pantaloons with high boots.

He bowed to all from atop his makeshift dais before dropping back into the crowd.

Those who come to the Argentos' Show will see a small round tent off to one side. On one side of the open flap is a right hand; on the other side, a left. Above the flap is an open eye.

[Anybody want palms read?]

With Ssasha's introduction, Alayna (who was brand new with the troop), took a few steps back to rest against her horse's shoulder.  Even though Angel was a light horse, he was still quite tall compared to the waif-like Alayna.

"I... I am a bit afraid of snakes, m-much like my Angel," she admitted.  "B-but mayhap we... we c-can learn to not be... be afraid?  For yes... w-we are kind t-to all animals."

A couple members have not introduced themselves... no matter, time to move on, they'll catch up!

All of those in the Traveling Show participate in the work, even those who are performers- though the Argentos's fully understand that the performers need their rest and their rehearsal, and shouldn't be overworked.  But there is to much to do to allow people to not pitch in.  Hylensia, who handles the internal goings-on, sets up the "duty roster"


Og, despite his other talents, is a general roustabout, because of his size and strength.

Alayna is to check on the health and well being of not only her horse, but all the draft horses that pull the wagons.  She'll probably know all their names in a few weeks.  She is also the official "smile and wave" girl who rides the lead horse when they go into a town.

Tahra is simply a potion maker, coming up with things of use to the troupe in general.

The others have duties as well, and most characters get a chance to share in the night watch when they stop for the evening.  (As a minor, Alayna is excused, Hylensia does not think such duties are appropriate those not yet 18!)

"No, it doesn't matter what you've had to do before, here, you don't do that."

There are a few others who will link up with the troupe as it moves, including a woman who will be the troupe's "chaplain", though she does not actually work for the Argentos's.  Rita, when she catches up.

But for now, it is time to depart.  Wagons and horses line up.  Everything painted, everything clean, for the beginning of the show season.  Cambete is a full day's journey away.

A last word of warning, though- after moving in and setting up the camp, the troupe generally has free time in a town.  But this time, with the Orcs in Cambete, the Argentos's are a little nervous.  Everyone should stick close when they get there, until he feels it's safe.

Tahra is inside a wagon that has no combustibles in it. During the ride, she manages to produce One smokestick, four sunrods, and eight tindertwigs.

She'll be going to bed early, for on the morrow she is to brew two potions of Remove Fear and two potions of Speak with Animals, which will take her a bit over four hours.

Nwofia rides in the back of a wagon, her wide dark eyes flickering from side to side as she looks all around full of avid curiosity.  This is somewhere she's never been before and so she is trying to be vigilant, for practice as much as anything else.

She also looks around, of course, for anything that needs doing.

Ssasha spent a considerable amount of time, putting the various animals through their routines. Her abiding love of all the animals shone through and she could charm just about any animal and get it to perform. When it won't interfere with her duties she can usually be seen with Kule a cantankerous eight foot long melanistic adder draped over her shoulders. When she isn't training, tending, and cleaning up after animals, or practicing her own performance skills she find jobs that need doing favors chores she can do with relative autonomy and without having to deal with people. Really her life is an odd mix of animal care, dancing with snake, breeding mice, feeding mice to snakes, shoveling manure, washing animal pens, washing animals, and escaping from shackles and ropes, but despite the endless hours she seems happy with it.

Nwofia cocks her head on one side as she watches Ssasha practicing getting out of ropes and she wonders whether the two of them could work together on a new act, she won't mention it until after Cambete of course, but in the meantime, she too practices.

Volunteering to drive the first wagon, Og doesn't get to interact with the other performers unless they feel like sticking their head out of the wagon or climbing up to join him on the tiny bench. He does however get to keep his eyes ahead for any danger, when his nose isn't buried in his spell book.

09:25, Today: Og Worman rolled 8 using 1d20. watching road for danger.

Alayna is clearly put out to not be allowed to stand watch.  Clearly, they think she is just a child.  Still, she knows better than to argue.

She checks all the horses, then stows her things in a wagon. She takes up very little room.  Her traveling clothes are a simple plain dress, which makes her look very young, despite her attempts to look otherwise.  She also does stretches and other exercises to make sure she stays limber.  She also writes a little in a small journal book she keeps with her.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:46, Mon 17 Sept 2018.

Lindon sat atop one of the wagons, driving the horses.  As long as he wasn't the lead driver or driving Angus and Angie, he was competent enough.  That pair was more than a handful and defined stubborn among all the animals used in the show.  They'd figured out long ago how bribery worked.  They refused to do something, they got carrots and apples.  They were too compliant, they got no treats.  They weren't necessarily mean, just opportunistic.

Once they were moving, the horses just followed the wagon in front of them.  You just had to make sure they didn't get too close or start falling behind.  There was also the occasional rock or hole in the road to keep an eye on.

Og hands the reigns to another driver and clambers over to Lindon's wagon to shout up at him, walking briskly alongside it. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help noticing, you trained these horses to be bad on purpose?"

"I just drive them," Lindon called down.  "These two are actually pretty good," he added with a wave at his current team.

Og works over what he had seen from Lindon's interaction with the two horses in mention and realized he had it all wrong (read your post backwards, it makes sense now), and that these weren't the horses he worked with primarily. Hooking his hand through the rail on the top he caught a ride for a bit of the ways to chat pleasantly with Lindon. There would be time to get to know the females eventually, but Og always needed the approval of other men. Call it a character flaw.

"Ah, yeah, sorry, I was a bit confused by...nevermind." Let's change the subject, "How long you been in the industry? Me, I'been doing this almost twenty years now. The burns happened only about five ago, still getting used to the new face." Not that it needed mentioning, but he knocked on the metal mask he wore anytime he was in public.

"I was born into it," Lindon replied.  "Different show, same act.

"What was your act, again?"  He remembered the mask, sort of, but the guy's introduction had been kind of muffled by it.

OOC: Fill out your character description, please.

M. C. Esher being a master of what he calls "the obvious illusion"; introduces himself by way of his constant illusions. he always has some visual affectation to the point that most are unsure of what his actual physical features are. about the only consistent things known about him is that he is a male gnome and he always wears a sign that indicates that he is an illusion. he prefers to dress in primary colors in simple geometric patterns and some manner of costume make up. (a clown) he is also always seen with puppets in various stages of completeness. if he is in his "private time he is almost always perfecting and improving the troupes' puppets or his performance with them.

M. C. Esher does not talk much in person when off stage and in person prefers to use few words, but he becomes much more expressive when performing either by puppets or stage persona.


This message was last edited by the player at 19:56, Thu 06 May 2021.