[U/C] Cirque Lunaire - PLEASE DON'T POST

[elfstar89]

Banner here

The sun hangs low on the horizon, bright and fading all too fast, about to vanish into the shades of night. A breeze kicks up, promising the cool darkness to come. But the evening birdsong is replaced by a different sound.

Drifting over the twilight calm are the tinny strains of a music box from the large open space where baby animals play in the spring.

Friends and families tug at loved ones in curiosity toward the camp that has set up there under tents spangled with stars and moons. Ominously beautiful fortunetellers offer to read your future, delicate dancers move in impossible patterns, powerful beasts heft loads too big to lift, alluring animal tamers work animals in ways both frightening and amazing, eerie mutants display themselves, cunning barkers call out to the crowd, Charmed Skinwalkers mingle everywhere, and at the center of it all is an elegant Ringmaster, juggling crystal orbs that seem to glow with a lunar luminescence in her clawed forelimbs, smiling mysteriously as she redirects your attention agan and again to her crew.

"Ladies and gentlesoq, all creatures great and small, welcome to Cirque Lunaire."

 

[elfstar89]

Navigation Banner here

I - Introduction
II - Navigation
III - Setting the Scene
IV - The "Tent Pole"
V - Life on the Road
VI - Contracts and Carnival Rules
VII - Acts
VIII - Run Away to the Carnival

 

[elfstar89]

Setting the Scene/Settings Banner here

((In which we will describe the world of Cirque Lunaire))

Cirque Lunaire is a traveling family carnival, with a broad definition of "family". As such, they have no fixed territory. Any place they can go together, do their shows, and rest their heads at night can be a home of sorts. "Home" is doing what you love with those you care about, under the starry tents that the carnival carries with it.

They will travel through other herd territories, with the permission of the resident herd's leaders. They also have no fixed pattern to their travels. If any current members are Seathi or Mer, they will travel along waterways. If there are any acts that are aquatic, they can be found setting up camp by bodies of water of appropriate depth. Otherwise, there isn't any predictability in their travels.

 

[elfstar89]

The "Tent Pole"/Totem Pole Banner here

The world of Cirque Lunaire is often one of flux, and having certain fixed elements of life can keep things from getting too crazy.

While the carnival does not have a visibly strong attachment to the mythology behind it, they do have their own totem pole of sorts, which they affectionately call the "Tent Pole." It is delicately carved and "gilded" with paint, and it helps hold up the biggest tent, usually by the performers' entrance.

((Possible performers' lucky charm that you always touch before you go into the ring?))

Originally crafted by the first members several generations ago, it has been worn smooth with care. The paint chips frequently, and it's semi-regularly repainted between shows. It's stayed with the carnival through good times and bad, and is well-loved.

((Pick some critters, styles, doodle the pole, and maybe elaborate a story in the carvings.))

 

[elfstar89]

Life on the Road Banner here

Life in a traveling carnival may seem like all fun and games, but behind the scenes, it's a lot of hard work, too. Not just rehearsals and spotlights, but also security and the difficulties of a life spent on the move.

Everyone in the carnival is expected to fulfill two roles: a Day Job, and Night Work. A Day Job can also double as Night Work, if someone isn't a performer, and would prefer to fulfill a more security based role, but Night Work as a performer cannot also be a Day Job. Day Jobs include security, scouting new campsites, and various camp roles. Night Work includes security, carnival barking, and performing. The only members exempt from these rules are the Ringmaster (Alpha) and the Campmaster (Protector), who live those roles 24/7.

Regardless of roles within Cirque Lunaire, a day can start quite early, with the Campmaster and scouts packing their things and leaving at first light to select a new campsite for the carnival, if it's a transit day. The rest of the herd finishes packing and follows within a few hours, usually arriving by mid afternoon for setup, with the Ringmaster following signs left by the Campmaster. Anyone not helping set up should have a very, very good reason for not participating, as it can take quite a bit of time to get everything set up by sunset, even with all claws on deck. Days not spent moving from one campsite to another often start a bit later, but may prove busy enough in their own right.

Things are not all business, either. Days on the road may be filled with jokes, stories and songs to keep going, and the herd can be a noisy bunch of travelers, depending on the mood and the weather. Cirque Lunaire is pretty much always a busy environment, with sporadic lulls for chances to develop new acts, visit family and old friends who live nearby, or chances to stop by local trading posts or the camps of nearby trading herds to pick up some more supplies.

 

[elfstar89]

Contracts and Carnival Rules Banner here

As stated before, Cirque Lunaire isn't all fun and games. Given the carnival environment, where things are open, and many performers push the envelope of possibility and wisdom, there are certain ground rules that are taken very seriously.

All members must have a Day Job and Night Work. There isn't a lot of space for critters who just wanna stare at the folks in the spotlight all day.

All critters are welcome to join Cirque Lunaire, whether they be familiar, Soquili, Skinwalker, Usdia, Mer, or Seathi. All who wish to may find a home in Cirque Lunaire, no matter who they were before they came.

All Skinwalkers must be Charmed. An Uncharmed Skinwalker is a hazard to the rest of the herd, and an unacceptable risk for everyone who comes in contact with the carnival. Skinwalker members found to be faking the Charm will be given a choice of either getting a real Charm, or leaving.

The carnival is your family, and they really mean it. They will love you and support you, because all types come and go through the carnival, and, unless you break one of the basic rules, this herd considers itself your home, your safe space. However, if you willingly and knowingly do something to hurt Cirque Lunaire, it will be viewed as hurting a herd that took you in as one of their own, and you will lose any welcome you had with Cirque Lunaire.

Don't make life difficult for everyone, either by being a gigantic jerk to everyone else, or by actively causing bad blood between the locals and the carnival. Causing a disturbance with the locals, or hurting a guest, means that the carnival cannot return, and that's not fair to everyone else, member or guest.

If you need to leave for any reason, the carnival will understand, they'd just like some warning before you decide to go poof in the night. You may even be offered some level of assistance to get you going on the road by yourself.

 

[elfstar89]

Acts Banner here

The Ringmaster: Mizuki Selene
Ladies and gentlesoq, all creatures great and small, your current Ringmaster~! Trained from foalhood in the tradition of the ringmaster, the baton has passed to Mizuki Selene. Elegant, charismatic, visually striking, strong and clever, this may not have been her first choice of role within Cirque Lunaire, but Mizuki has proven herself quite capable of being the leader of the carnival. Her acts of prestidigitation may leave you astounded! How can a mutant hippogryph cross do such feats with a perfectly ordinary crystal ball? That is for her to know, and you to wonder!

Ringmasters are trained from an early age, personally selected by the current ringmaster and campmaster to become the next ringmaster. The only qualities selected for, including breed, gender, sexuality, mutations, looks and personal qualities, are those that will help them as a ringmaster. The ringmaster acts as the center of the performers at night, both emcee and special performer in their own right. Ringmasters also need to be capable of defending themselves and the herd in a fight, and making decisions that benefit the herd.

The Campmaster: Cetex
Gather 'round, Cirque Lunaire, for he is the current Campmaster~! Newcomer partner to the Ringmaster, Cetex won't let his newfound fascination for the carnival blind him. Calm, cool, strong and capable, his sites are the places to be, and he can take the fight straight to all comers! Face him only if you dare!

The Campmaster is selected by the current Campmaster and Ringmaster in a fashion very similar to the Ringmaster, and they are often trained together. Who and what you are doesn't matter so much as how well you fit the role. The Campmaster acts as the head of the scouting party, security and all campground operations. They need to be very practical, clever and strong, capable of organizing resources, defending the carnival at all times, and making good decisions about where to go when the carnival is in transit.

Wisecrack Barker: Caifu
Day Job: Step right up, step right up, to the best show this side of the salt seas! And believe me, Caifu has seen 'em come and he's seen 'em go, this is one carnival barker with a twinkle in his eyes and a story on his lips!

Caifu may not be in charge, but his knowledge of the business is second to none. Confidante of the past few ringmasters and campmasters, this quilin stallion knows his stuff. He had faith in Mizuki when she had none, and he's been her beloved "uncle" and trusted adviser through thick and thin. Back for more under a new ringmaster with his wolfish adopted daughter Greta and her friends in tow, he may be an old hand at what he does, but he's never too old for a new trick or a new face!

Mysterious Fortuneteller: Varduhi
Day Job: Scout
Come in, my darlings, come in~! Varduhi will tell your futures in her crystal ball, cast auguries and read omens. Got a future in the cards? Let Varduhi interpret what the cards have in store for you!

Varduhi may be new to Cirque Lunaire, but she is an experienced performer, having grown up in a family caravan not unlike this one. What happened to cause her to leave appears to be a closely guarded secret. Want to know? That's a fee you simply cannot afford, my darlings.

Lithe Dancer: Lilium
Day Job: ???
See the wondrous grace of a veritable lily of the Pokemon Kind~! How does she do such steps? What kind of magic rests in those tiny kirin hooves? Come see Lilium, the Lithe Dancer!

Lilium blurb here.

Cyclopean Artist: Zerta
Day Job: Poster Artist
Witness the stunning artistry of the strangest artiste you've ever met~! With her eyes, how does she do it? What mastery lies in that wonderful eye of hers? Watch the wonder that is Zerta, the Cyclopean Artist!

Zerta blurb here (Zerta and Lilium are friends).

Knightly K9: Megapi
Day Job/Night Work: Security
This is one pooch you should not cross~! Charmed and charming, he keeps us all safe! He may wear the darkest and most sinful armor, but he is a knight pure of heart! Just don't go breaking it!

Charmed and attracted by his new friend (or maybe something more?), Lilium, Megapi is no longer the mindless terror he once was. Perhaps not the sharpest spoon in the drawer, or the most charming, he is still a good guy, willing to lend his strength and power to a herd that has elected to respect him for who he is.

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Future Acts - Those being quested, and treated as being present

Voodoo Lady: Mme Oyibo ("Albino" 'Gator Purewalker, Charmed, friendly rival to Varduhi, emphasis on the friendly)
Quested by elfstar89

Badass Puppy: Greta (Wolfwalker mare, Charmed, security/Skinwalker tamer act, raised by Cai Fu from puppyhood)
Quested by Geyser Eelborn

Fearless Tamer: Deena (sp?) (Skinwalker tamer lady, loves her 'Walker teammates, hauls equipment as Day Job)
Quested by Geyser Eelborn

Snake Charmer: ??? (Flutter cross mare, has her own snek familiar as her partner, adopted sister of Oyibo)
Quested by Geyser Eelborn

Strongest There Is: Rock Candy (stronglady, hauls equipment as Day Job)
Quested by Geyser Eelborn

Swords Person: Sooraya (an act with swords)
Quested by Ice_Dragon_Demon

 

[elfstar89]

Run Away to the Carnival Banner here

Want to join Cirque Lunaire? We do have a few notes for you to consider~!

As stated above, as long as all Skinwalkers are Charmed, and your critter is willing to work and respect the herd's ground rules, anybody can join the carnival.

That said, since a carnival works best with most acts and booths being unique.

If your critter would like to perform with Cirque Lunaire, unless they intend to be a carnival barker, they should have a unique act. We will allow for no more than two acts of the same type, and the two competing acts should be differentiated from each other. The more specificity you can give to your performance, the more unique they are, and the more critters that can perform with the herd~!

Don't feel like being in the spotlight, but still love being with the herd? Well, whether you serve as security or a carnival barker, there may still be a place for you with Cirque Lunaire.

Things we are specifically looking for:
More Security
Moar Charmed 'Walkers for Deena
Acrobats
Jugglers
Folks With FIYAH
Water Acts (maybe)
Barkers
Anybody else we haven't thought of that would make sense in a carnival

Please don't offer:
Fortunetellers
Magicians

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So, kiddo, does Cirque Lunaire sound like the life for you? Fill out the contract below, and we'll see about getting you your own booth~!

Join code here

Had kiddos of your own? Wanna raise them in the carnival? Step right up, and we'll make sure they're well looked after. Promise.

Foal arrivals code here

Maybe things aren't working out. Maybe it's time to move on, or you're going through a difficult patch, or there's a family emergency of sorts. We understand, just give us some idea of what's going on, where we might find you in the future, and if we can expect you to rejoin us later.

Leave-taking code here

Would you like an arrangement of sorts with the herd? Business or pleasure? Frankly, it may be the same to us~!

Plots/Alliances code here