The Circus of Wonders had rolled into El Paso, Texas. The convoy of colourful wagons, a mix of those owned by individual acts with branding and decoration to catch the eye, and wagons with supplies and the performance tent.

Two days prior, a barker for the circus arrived, talking about the coming circus on the street, in saloons, and pinning posters wherever they could, building up attention so that there would be guests turning up.

Pulling up at the edge of town, the wagons unloaded and prepared to get ready to welcome guests, whilst some went into town to get supplies, and tempt people over.

My plan is for this to be a way to get a feel for your characters. Feel free to describe their wagon, how they get setup, anything you like.
Feel free to invent people that are part of the circus. Give them a name, a description. I want you to help influence who is here.
If you want there to be rolls once your character is finalised, to get you a feel for things and the mechanics, go ahead. If it isn't anything difficult or unusual and thus need no input from me, assume it is the standard TN4.

It always seemed that Jade was eager to head into town, or that others were eager for her to head into town.

She'd already been in El Paso for days, mostly standing beside in her colorful costume, smiling at the crowd, long hair blowing in the wind, doing a few cartwheels and flips on command from Fido.

Poor Fido had his work cut out for him here in the dry, dusty streets.  His real name was Felix, but owing to his role as "barker", and his unusual face with its large, wide bulldog like jowls both lent him this nickname.

It was initially received out of an act of cruelty, a mean jab from some passing children, but Fido was an intrepid and stoic soul, even if he had a lot of flair for the dramatic and a deep, buttery voice.

He started to work with the name, calling himself Fido Faust when delivering his patter, and, damn it, it worked.

The name was short, it was familiar yet unusual, and most people were illiterate enough to be intrigued by the surname Faust, knowing there was something devilish about it, but not what precisely.

It was also three syllables.  Of course Felix Faust was three beats as well, but he insisted it didn't sound right and that Fido Faust was much better to say.

Fido wasn't just a fantastic patter man, he also had the endurance of a statue.  He would plant himself and not move until there was no more point in hawking his circus.

It was all Jade could do to get him to at least move around every couple of hours.  She liked to put the barker next to the school when school let out for the day, and take him to the streets outside the saloons on a rotation at different times of day so that different people heard the spiel.

She also was constantly fetching him pails of water.  Fido would drink it if it were brought to him, but he wouldn't stop and go get it when he needed it.  Stubborn man.

They were quite the pair, Fido in his red and white striped jacket, white pants, slender black walking stick and carefully neutral straw hat with its blue brim and red crown, so it could work for most crowds without actually declaring an allegiance.

He wasn't a conventionally handsome man, but he was a powerful speaker and performer, and his face was so rubbery and expressive it captivated onlookers.

Jade was there to give them something to look at, Fido was there to give them something to listen to.

"Come one come all to the greatest collection of miracles and wonders ever collected in one mortal instuition!  See acts of derring-do, mind blowing illusions, and individuals with mystic powers of the Orient which defy the finest scientific minds of Europe!  See exotic beasts collected from the darkest regions of Arabia, Asia, Persia and the Sahara!  When world traveler Fido Faust tells you it's the best in the world, you can believe it!"

His patter wasn't entirely... truthful.  But it was patter, not a university lecture.

Fido was also careful to tease the crowd without actually giving away any of the acts.  He believed whatever people imagined was impossible to live up to, but it drew interest, and if you could genuinely surprise them, they'd forget the things they'd dream up.

"See the world's most astonishing performers from India, China, Egypt, the Carribean and even Ohio!  Masters of buffoonery and pantomime to entertain all ages, trained in the finest colleges of France and China in the ancient tradition!  Daring death defying stunts outlawed in Deseret, including the Infamous Bottle Shot, which killed nineteen young women before it was banned!  Fido Faust was there when Emily Bronte herself was killed, yessir!  And let us not forget a modern phenomenon, acrobats who will defy gravity!"

That man had once been a combat engineer in the Union Army, and had been building bridges and trestles and weaponized train cars for Union Blue until it had gotten too exciting.  It beggared belief.

That was Jade's cue to flip up to a handstand, do a split, then balance on one hand before flipping back onto her feet, hands on hips and smiling.

"Come see the Circus of Wonders, coming soon to this very fine city!"

He had another six permutations of this speech.  In truth, he never did it exactly the same way twice, but it did get very repetitive.  So Jade didn't feel too bad about poking Fido in the rib at that juncture.

"What'd you do that for my dear?"  Fido called literally every female person his dear, and managed to seem to get away with it.

"Fido, they're here!"  She pointed.   The wagon train was too big and long and colorful and familiar to be anything else.

"Oh... we have to go tell them my dear, tell them right away!"

"Yes we do."

The pair scurried off, pausing only to mount their own horses to ride to intercept.  They looked particularly strange to the people wandering El Paso, especially Jade, whose skin tight costume made an older woman of a certain distinction gasp in lamentation.

They had to intercept the procession.  Fido had some critical news to relay about local water supplies, and the intended site of the big top.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:07, Wed 07 Apr 2021.

Orlan had spent the better part of the trip up at the front car of the train with old Leonard, an old hand who had long proved himself able for little but driving the wagons and setting up.

(In a previous life, Leonard had performed with the circus in acts dangerous and brave, as had many old hands of the circus. Now, he found it hard to bend over and fix his shoes. His act, of course, had been an unusual acrobatic strong-man act, which over the years had done much damage to Leonard's back and hips.)

Orlan's father, Cillian, was toward the back of the train, and Orlan would have to drop by Cillian later to help with setting up and unloading.

Seeing Jade and Fido approach by horseback, Orlan clapped his hands together and turned to Leonard, telling him this: "Well, Leonard, I hope you've enjoyed my presence these past days-"

"Don't worry, Orlan, I haven't." There was a grin almost visible behind that remark, but Orlan knew better than to mention it.

"-but I really must be off, I trust you'll draw the coach in."

He stood up, show hat over his head, but otherwise adorned in the simple clothes he preferred when he was off the stage. And then, as he had always done, he tipped the hat as the train passed by Jade and Fido--and, leaning off the side of the wagon from one hand, he tossed the hat for either Fido, or anyone with him on a particular occasion, to catch.

He thought this was probably annoying to Fido, but Orlan was alright with that.

OOC: "01:29, Today: Orlan Haig rolled 22,2 using 1d6,1d8, rerolling max with rolls of (6+6+6+4)22,2.  Athletics (Throwing)." Hm. I think that's a good result, I don't know. This is good luck for the campaign, right?

This day, Orlan aimed for Jade, stepping off the wagon to meet them with their approaching horses. "Jade, Fido! I trust El Paso is looking forward to our arrival?"

The throw was so uncannily accurate, not only did Jade catch it, but it in fact ringed her head.  Clearly Orlan meant to do that.  Stunned by the maneuver, Jade didn't answer fast enough.  Fido was annoyed, though it came from a bigger source than this silly trick.  But first he had to puff his chest out a bit.

"Primed sir, positively primed.  But we may have a bit of logistical difficulty."

Jade quickly spoke up, because if she let Fido explain, he'd go into a harangue with lots of made up tales of his nonexistent travels in it.  He wasn't like this all the time, but when he was warmed up and in the mood to do his patter, he liked to talk.  And talk.  And talk some more.

Jade took the hat off and offered it back.  "It's the water Mr. Haig.  The spot where the mayor told us to set up doesn't have anywhere nearby.  Which we've dealt with before I admit, but we aren't supposed to take any from the public wells either.  We just found out yesterday about that part.  I debated trying to find another source but-"  She just gestured at Fido, who was infamous for talking himself hoarse right at the worst possible times, like in the days before a showing, and costing the circus money.  He took it as a point of pride he worked so hard, everyone else disagreed.   The man did have other talents; he was a natural for repairing equipment and leveling the tents perfectly, but what made money was that loud, rich buttery smooth voice of his.

It wasn't always Jade who went with him, but she often did, and if she didn't for whatever reason, somebody had to to keep him from straining himself.

Fido looked resentful of the gesture like he was about to say something.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Thu 08 Apr 2021.

Aria was in the midst of tending to the animals. Keeping them happy and getting them to trust you was what made training them easier. If you were seen as a source of food, comfort and interest, they could pick up new tricks so much quicker than if you tried to terrify them. She had already finished up with the pack animals and was now focused on their bird performers. The parrots were talkative as usual, and she kept them very separated from the falcon.

"Hiya guys! How ya doin'? Rrawk?"

"Rawk! Hello goodday!" Squawked Reginald.

"Seed and grapes!" Replied Scooter.

"Dontcha worry, we got food for ya. Rawk!" she said as she produced two little bowls filled with assorted seeds and vegetables.

While they fed, she brought out the doves and set up the routine where the birds would perform miniature versions of the performances like riding the dogs as though they were horses, do balancing stunts with every shifting rings, and even a miniature tightrope where the birds held a balancing pole in their mouths. She would reward them with small fruits whenever they did a stunt correctly and gently correct and encourage them when they didn't.

Ochi gallops up the length of the train, trailing a tall plume of dust, Renko guiding the gelding as much by posture and knees as with the reins. He loves the pony's lithe quickness, despite its small stature, the term quarterhorse still amusing him. Only one-fourth a horse in size perhaps, but heart like stallion, he thinks. The little pinto has the strength of a stallion, too.

He waves as he passes the wagon driven by Old Haig on which his tent and gear was transported. Like any Cossack, Renko was uneasy under a roof, even of a hut on wheels. Canvas was sufficient overhead, though the night sky and stars above the steppe were preferable.

He waves again, adding a whoop as he passes the light wagon expertly driven by twelve-years-old Francie Faust, outfitted with little cages for the birds and small animals in Aria's act. He still was unclear of Francie's relationship with Fido --granddaughter, stepdaughter, niece. Whatever their connection, the barker dotes on the child, so Renko makes an effort at friendship, the barker being a man of importance with the circus.

He pulls up the pinto where Fido and the lovely Jade sit talking with Orlan Haig, catching part of the discussion concerning water.

"What is this?!" he explodes, "But must have water! Is necessary for animals in such heat! April and feels like high summer in this desert. Pah!" His hand finds the handle of the twelve-foot whip coiled over his shoulder like a sash of honor. "Where is this stinking kulak? Renko will make him see."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:18, Tue 13 Apr 2021.

Once the wagons had pulled up, the ringmaster, Cornelius Abernathy (though it wasn't sure if that was his real name), came out the back of his wagon. The inside was his office and bedroom, and he made it a point of pride that it was always neat.

Walking out, he made sure he was already dressed for the day. Whereas many ringmasters liked to wear a striking red tailed jacket, Cornelius preferred a mix of light blue and gold. To him, it was a more warming, welcoming colour.

Strolling around the wagons he called out to the various members of the circus, pointing out what needed doing, his voice amplified by his brass megaphone.

He walked past Aria, watching the animals. "Are the animals all ready for tonight?" He asked, stroking his beard.

(Allowing for a response, and to interact with everyone, he then continues on)

Then seeing Jade, Orlan, Renko and Fido, he calls out through his megaphone. "Fido!" He waves them towards him as he approaches, wanting to meet in the middle.
"Fido, Jade, how goes the locals? Has you silver tongue got them whipped up into a frenzy of excitement? Should we be prepared for multiple showings?" He asks, a sense of excitement in his voice.
Then when he learns about the lack of water, his demeanour changes. "No water? What does he expect us to do, make it appear by magic? No. No no no no. This will not do at all. He begins to pace back and forth, mumbling to himself as he talks through ideas, and until he suddenly stops and clicks his fingers on his spare hand, before turning back to the group.
"We will invite the mayor here, to my wagon. If he is amenable, we will try to work this out. If not, then we will need to resort to other measures. Someone go get this mayor and encourage him to come and talk."

"I get him, Abernathy boss. I drag him here!" Renko wheels Ochi about, prepared to ride to town, then wheels back with a quizzical look: "Where I find this kulak?" He practically spits the last word.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:00, Wed 14 Apr 2021.

"Uh, I should... go with you.  And maybe a few other people should too..."  Jade interjected, looking around and at the Ringmaster especially for some help.  Dragging the mayor here might be warranted, but it wouldn't be helpful.

Clair Rose, was not that early of a riser. She tended to stay up a bit into the small hours of the night working on her holster drawing. While not really a gunfighter, she did need to be able to quick draw her pistol for some of her shots. She wanted to impress the crowds after all, and a slow draw wasn’t going to do that. Once Clair was finally up and dressed in a light colored blouse and riding skirt since she knew she’d be on Hobo today. She went to the back of the wagon where Hobo was tied and saddled him up before untying him and mounting him for the ride to the job site.

Clair only had a small wagon, almost a carriage really, that she kept bottles, playing cards, and other paraphernalia in that was necessary for her act. Of course her most crucial piece of equipment was her single action colt .45 peacemaker revolver that she always wore on her right hip whenever she was awake and dressed properly. On the side of her wagon was a painting of that very revolver firing a single bullet toward the ace of spades. There were speed lines surrounding the bullet to make it look like it was going fast from the revolver. The paint was starting to chip and fade a bit, she needed to redo it here one of these first days.

Clair rode up on Hobo just as the talk about there being no water and for them to get the mayor here to handle the situation. ”I’ll go along as well. I wouldn’t mind meeting this mayor who would let the well run dry. Hopefully we can convince him to come out here and do something about it.”
This message was last edited by the player at 14:29, Wed 14 Apr 2021.

"I think I'll come along, too. We don't need to smash or toss around every kulak, Renko. We can just invite him, friendly-like." He came up alongside Renko and his horse on foot, clearly suggesting that he intended to keep a leisurely pace walking into town.

OOC: At this time, Orlan has only a single set of bolas on hand--in case we wind up in a scuffle at any point.

"Pah! Drag is more better," Renko sulks, "Shows you are not to be taken lightly. In Cossack lands, when pompous boyar tramples free cossack rights, we rise in rebellion! Believe me, Cossacks are all the times revolting."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:44, Sat 17 Apr 2021.

"Well we can only aspire to the advanced ways of the Cossacks."  Jade did her best to mollify him, typical of her.  "Come on I at least know where city hall is, it's over by the railroad building."

Aria had finished with the training and put the birds to rest, then she saw some of the other performers congregating and slowly approached with Hunter and Scout following her. She was a bit distracted with them but did manage to hear a couple of words that caught her attention.

"We don't have water? That's terrible! We need to have a lot for the animals, like the horses and birds and everyone!"