Anastagio's Olde Time Lunar Carnival and Midnight Circus is a travelling circus in the World of Darkness and an agent of Apophis and the Wyrm. The Circus employs a wide array of various supernaturals.
History[]
Although it may have existed for centuries in some form or another, the oldest known record of the Midnight Circus operating under that name was in the Front Royal Jefferson Democrat, in their September 7, 1857 issue.[1]
Scraps of information hint that the Carnival was originally known as the White Priesthood, which worshipped an Incarna spirit known as Cara (related to the Roman deity Carna, goddess of festivals). Their ancient rites attracted the attention of vampires, such as Namrael the Enochite; who joined and sacrificed herself to the cult.
When Apophis fled Egypt looking for worship, it bargained with Cara to keep the rites continuing in return for sacrifice. For years, the power of Cara kept the dark spirit in check. But eventually, Cara slipped from power as entropic spirits took over.
The original rulers of the rites were the White Queen, the White Priest and the Lord of Rains. When Namrael joined, she replaced the title of Lord of Rains with the Ruler of the Two Worlds, a position that is always given to a vampire. The title of White Priest was eventually changed to "Ringmaster."
In 771-814 AD, Astarte and her small changeling troupe joined and she took the place of the White Queen. She is the oldest member of those who currently serve with the carnival.
It was in the early Middle Ages when the White Priesthood fully fell to the background. In the 15th century, Anastagio the Nephandi joined the carnival. He heavily influenced the circus with his infernal powers and alliances. By aligning with Astarte, he overthrew Mordblund (the Tremere vampire who replaced Theodoric), who is still staked in the Xanadu's Mirror Palace attraction. Anastagio replaced Mordblund with Calabris. And Anastagio has renamed himself as Devyn Cavendish.
It's suspected that some surviving magi members of the Grimm Carnivale moved to the Lunar Carnival after the former organization's dissolution.[2]
Membership[]
The First Circle, "The Infernal Trinity"[]
The Infernal Trinity is a longstanding tradition, almost as old as the circus itself. Although the Trinity is eternal, its members are not. The current Trinity is but the latest link in a chain that predates the Roman Empire. By comparison, Astarte, the oldest of the modern Trinity, joined the arrival only in the ninth century. The Infernal Trinity are the most powerful members of the circus, but also the most strongly bound. The current three partially resist the carnival's entropic undertow only through their great strength of will, canny maneuvering and help from outside sources.
The Second Circle[]
The second circle of power consists of beings who, for the most part, have been with the circus for a long time. They have gained power through either their own efforts or by latching onto one of the Infernal Trinity. Some of the second circle are ambitious and wish to ascend to the first circle of power, while others fear the forces with which the Infernal Trinity must contend.
The Third Circle[]
The third circle consists of those who have, through force or caprice, gained some real influence within the carnival. They usually have a fair degree of personal power, and have personal followers.
- Dr. Gerlach Augustus Eule, "Dr. Owl"
- Leon Carpenter
- Cone of Flesh
- Jerigif Sacha, "Koba the Klown"
- Mikhail
- Boris
- Sergei
- Zimbra
- The Three Mystics
The Fourth Circle[]
These are the rank and file circus performers, concession workers and roustabouts. They have little power, but form the backbone of the circus. There are more in this circle than in any other level.
- Aubrey Dutetre
- Belle Starr
- Lee Carmody
- The Scribunda Sisters (Aurora, Meridia, Fata)
- Orenda Foam-Singer
- Qaletapa Rainbow
- Flexible Helga
- The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
- Freaks
- Mr. Bile
- Mulella, the Mule Girl
- Burlap Boy
- Herm-Aphrodite
- The Barlows
- McTargart, the Dog-Faced Detective
- Ali Nyerere, "Vesuvius the Fire-Eater"
- Carnival Hands
- Mike Ellis
- Maria de la Montana
- Klaus Rahn
- Jean, Collette and Guy Raison
The Fifth Circle[]
The fifth circle consists of only the lowliest of circus outcasts. Even most of the freaks look down on those of this circle.
- Animal Acts
- Dimitri Babinov
- Maggirk
- Moon-Scar
- Dugluck
- BloodBane
- Laff Dancer
- Shadow Splatter
Etcetera[]
- Other Clowns
- Blotto the Clown
- Stephan
- Tunnel of Unmentionable Desires
- Luke Capenter
- Fortuna's Wheel
- Inside-Out Man
- Semiramis' Loft
- Mr. Smiley
Former Members[]
- Mauritius - Former Hedge Wizard member of the Infernal Trinity, Died
- Theodoric the Goth - Former Vampire member of the Infernal Trinity, Died
- Mordblund - Former Tremere Vampire member of the Infernal Trinity, Staked
- Angelo - Former Toreador Vampire mime, Died
Trivia[]
- A lot of the Midnight Circus is inspired by Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962).
- Not cited in the sourcebook's (1996) list of inspirations in the Resources section is The Thief of Always by Clive Barker (1992). While not involving a carnival in the story, the Holiday House and the themes of the book are pretty close to the Midnight Circus. Also, the films, Freaked (1993) and Howling VI: The Freaks (1991) aren't cited as inspirations as well.
- The Midnight Circus falls under the Circus of Fear trope.
References[]
- ↑ WOD: World of Darkness: Midnight Circus, p. 24
- ↑ MTAs: M20 Victorian Age Mage, p. 223
