We’d like to do some crowdsourcing for the Miscellany in Codex – Joy. The Miscellany is called “Three dozen attractions at the Carnival of Dreams.” Submissions need to be a single sentence, or 2-3 very short sentences. By submitting here, you’re agreeing to let us use it (you’ll get a credit on the issue). We’re looking for evocative stuff. The purpose of the Miscellany is to inspire the reader.
Importantly, we’re looking for specific things you might see at the Carnival of Dreams. So, for example, “freak show” would be too general, but a specific performer in the freak show would be excellent. These entries can have a dreamy, fantastic, or even scary quality to them.
A note for international Gauntleteers: we’re using “carnival” in the American sense, which is similar to a traveling circus.
Here are some examples:
“Kar-Suet the Serpent King, Master of Vipers, Lord of All Snakes! Born under the baleful eye of the Egyptian god Set, cursed to crawl on his belly for a millennia, he is now arisen to take his place as the Prince of Pythons, the Emperor of Cobra-kind!”
“The Johnny Reb animatronic machine. Put in your nickel and Johnny will sing you a traditional song of the South and whisper something about the secret history of the Civil War in your ear.”
“Ursula Ondine, the Teutonic Temptress, Siren of the North Sea. Twice a night she sings songs of heartbreak and desire on a stage decorated in nautical and Germanic motifs. She is also a very good card player, and can often be found organizing a game in front of her trailer.”
Mrs. Tingler’s Petting Zoo
Wander in and have a seat in the sawdust. Furry spiderkittens and waggling centipuppies will waddle in to get friendly with you. Is that a stinger? Did something bite you? Don’t worry. We’ll let you out when you’re good and ready.
Mrs. Tingler’s Petting Zoo
Wander in and have a seat in the sawdust. Furry spiderkittens and waggling centipuppies will waddle in to get friendly with you. Is that a stinger? Did something bite you? Don’t worry. We’ll let you out when you’re good and ready.
Kiss the Vrellgrath!
Only two or three people have ever summoned enough courage to plant their lips on that thing in the carnival’s history but OH the prizes!
Kiss the Vrellgrath!
Only two or three people have ever summoned enough courage to plant their lips on that thing in the carnival’s history but OH the prizes!
David LaFreniere I’m probably going to pick things that are more Americana fantasy than high fantasy like that. Think: Something Wicked This Way Comes or the TV show Carnivale.
David LaFreniere I’m probably going to pick things that are more Americana fantasy than high fantasy like that. Think: Something Wicked This Way Comes or the TV show Carnivale.
Come see the beautiful Princess Margaleet, visiting from her distant and treacherous land of Sannikovia. I doubt any man among you could match her in strength, height or facial hair! Please be respectful of he royal highness, to avoid any diplomatic incident and for your own safety!
Come see the beautiful Princess Margaleet, visiting from her distant and treacherous land of Sannikovia. I doubt any man among you could match her in strength, height or facial hair! Please be respectful of he royal highness, to avoid any diplomatic incident and for your own safety!
At the kissing booth, a pretty girl or handsome guy will kiss you for as little as a nickel; for a dollar, they’ll wear the face of your true love when they do it. No refunds if they don’t wear the face you were expecting…
At the kissing booth, a pretty girl or handsome guy will kiss you for as little as a nickel; for a dollar, they’ll wear the face of your true love when they do it. No refunds if they don’t wear the face you were expecting…
Mindy Valencia’s Tunnel of Love has everything needed to get in the mood. Aromatic flowers, stringed music, and somehow the ceiling looks like the open sky at night. A trip through seems to vary from couple to couple, usually about the right amount of time to— just take your sweetheart through the Tunnel of Love.
Mindy Valencia’s Tunnel of Love has everything needed to get in the mood. Aromatic flowers, stringed music, and somehow the ceiling looks like the open sky at night. A trip through seems to vary from couple to couple, usually about the right amount of time to— just take your sweetheart through the Tunnel of Love.
The Spook House sits in a dingy, boggy corner of the carnival: there are no lights on it and only a dilapidated wooden board tells you what it is. The interior is a disappointing collection of creaky floorboards and cotton spider webs, but it gets spookier the more visitors it has, as it lets their fears out and traps them like a dream-catcher.
The Spook House sits in a dingy, boggy corner of the carnival: there are no lights on it and only a dilapidated wooden board tells you what it is. The interior is a disappointing collection of creaky floorboards and cotton spider webs, but it gets spookier the more visitors it has, as it lets their fears out and traps them like a dream-catcher.
Enter the Elongatin’ Room!
Come out twice as tall and half as fat! Sometimes feelin’s get stretched too. Enter at your own risk!
Enter the Elongatin’ Room!
Come out twice as tall and half as fat! Sometimes feelin’s get stretched too. Enter at your own risk!
The Manse of Mirrors is a marvel of modern architecture. How it is loaded and unloaded from the train is a mystery, and if you think the multi-story exterior looks impressive, wait till you see the inside! Wearing dresses and skirts inside the manse is not advised.
The Manse of Mirrors is a marvel of modern architecture. How it is loaded and unloaded from the train is a mystery, and if you think the multi-story exterior looks impressive, wait till you see the inside! Wearing dresses and skirts inside the manse is not advised.
Your tired old notions of the possible will be forever expanded after you have witnessed the once-daily performance of Manu the Melting Child. Even we don’t know how he does it! Vomit bags are available free of charge.
Your tired old notions of the possible will be forever expanded after you have witnessed the once-daily performance of Manu the Melting Child. Even we don’t know how he does it! Vomit bags are available free of charge.
Step right up folks, and see the 8th wonder of the world, the Man O’War! See his pierced flesh with every sort of deadly armament known to human kind! You name it, he’s got it! Pins, letter openers, swords, bayonets, even arrows!
Step right up folks, and see the 8th wonder of the world, the Man O’War! See his pierced flesh with every sort of deadly armament known to human kind! You name it, he’s got it! Pins, letter openers, swords, bayonets, even arrows!
Mrs. Dulcis of the Candy Shack makes her own treats, eschewing everyday flavors like strawberry & chocolate in favour of oddities like Blueberry Candyfloss, Pineapple Candycanes and Peanut Brittle with Ginger. Patrons requesting more mundane fare are lectured on “broadening their horizons” by Mrs Dulcis until they relent and buy what’s on display.
Mrs. Dulcis of the Candy Shack makes her own treats, eschewing everyday flavors like strawberry & chocolate in favour of oddities like Blueberry Candyfloss, Pineapple Candycanes and Peanut Brittle with Ginger. Patrons requesting more mundane fare are lectured on “broadening their horizons” by Mrs Dulcis until they relent and buy what’s on display.
Gather ’round folks, and see the mystery from Poughkeepsie! Chewy Charlie can and will eat anything that you set in front of him! Glass, gems, metal, bone, some even say he can eat those dreams and memories you’ve been trying to get rid of!
Gather ’round folks, and see the mystery from Poughkeepsie! Chewy Charlie can and will eat anything that you set in front of him! Glass, gems, metal, bone, some even say he can eat those dreams and memories you’ve been trying to get rid of!
See all the games! Dull darts for flat balloons! Basketballs for bent hoops! Softballs for glued down milk bottles! These all seem pretty standard fair… but who doesn’t enjoy being bamboozled by carnies?!
See all the games! Dull darts for flat balloons! Basketballs for bent hoops! Softballs for glued down milk bottles! These all seem pretty standard fair… but who doesn’t enjoy being bamboozled by carnies?!
The Origami Circus side show is a wonderful tiny rendition of a big top with three rings! How they get the little paper creatures and clowns to move around like they do seems unexplained by the simple clockwork underneath the display.
The Origami Circus side show is a wonderful tiny rendition of a big top with three rings! How they get the little paper creatures and clowns to move around like they do seems unexplained by the simple clockwork underneath the display.
Visit Madame Madeline’s Mirror Maze of the Multitudinous Self! Meet the many yous that might have been, and, mayhaps, one of them will emerge while the mundane you remains!
Visit Madame Madeline’s Mirror Maze of the Multitudinous Self! Meet the many yous that might have been, and, mayhaps, one of them will emerge while the mundane you remains!
And don’t forget to stay for the main event! The Amazing Kalbini Family’s Death-Defying Cannon and Trapeeze show! Oh don’t worry folks, they’ll always be ready for the show, even if it kills them!
And don’t forget to stay for the main event! The Amazing Kalbini Family’s Death-Defying Cannon and Trapeeze show! Oh don’t worry folks, they’ll always be ready for the show, even if it kills them!
Cabal Crane’s Clockwork Castle seems whimsical at first glance. Once inside, the automatons seem frightening and a bit sinister. In fact, the man who stood in line in front of you seems to move a little mechanically. The lady who was behind you just had whirring and clank come from under her bodice. Is anyone here real?
Cabal Crane’s Clockwork Castle seems whimsical at first glance. Once inside, the automatons seem frightening and a bit sinister. In fact, the man who stood in line in front of you seems to move a little mechanically. The lady who was behind you just had whirring and clank come from under her bodice. Is anyone here real?
Dr DaVango is a sad clown. His juggling and slapstick are top notch but he also knows your name and can tell your future in-between his sobs.
Dr DaVango is a sad clown. His juggling and slapstick are top notch but he also knows your name and can tell your future in-between his sobs.
Ooooh Daniel Fowler! That “knows your name” part makes it so creepy!
Ooooh Daniel Fowler! That “knows your name” part makes it so creepy!
Calibax’s Bitter Sweets, where every treat tastes like a memory. (What’s that, you’ve a memory you wish to forget? He’ll gladly spin that into sugar for you, for a price…)
Calibax’s Bitter Sweets, where every treat tastes like a memory. (What’s that, you’ve a memory you wish to forget? He’ll gladly spin that into sugar for you, for a price…)
Johnny Stormchaser is the mystic of mystics! He can lay on nails, climb a rope attached to nothing, and best of all, set himself on fire and come through unharmed! Don’t worry about the screams folks, it’s all part of the act!
Johnny Stormchaser is the mystic of mystics! He can lay on nails, climb a rope attached to nothing, and best of all, set himself on fire and come through unharmed! Don’t worry about the screams folks, it’s all part of the act!
Receive a glimpse of your heart’s desire amongst the Transformative Mirrors of Transmutation! Love, wealth, and wonder await you on the other side but be carful, for the magic of the mirrors may be muddied by the facades of the fickle hearted and the corrective lenses may just change your heart to match.
Receive a glimpse of your heart’s desire amongst the Transformative Mirrors of Transmutation! Love, wealth, and wonder await you on the other side but be carful, for the magic of the mirrors may be muddied by the facades of the fickle hearted and the corrective lenses may just change your heart to match.
The Shooting Gallery! Aim your pea-shooter at holes in a wooden board, while someone on the other side does the same. First to be struck in the eye is out, but you get a consolatory eye-patch.
The Shooting Gallery! Aim your pea-shooter at holes in a wooden board, while someone on the other side does the same. First to be struck in the eye is out, but you get a consolatory eye-patch.
The Hetero-normative Plaza of Restrained Delight (For Couples)! The boys are put in pillories and blindfolded; the girls tease them by whispering sweet nothings in their ears. You might not leave with who you came in with.
The Hetero-normative Plaza of Restrained Delight (For Couples)! The boys are put in pillories and blindfolded; the girls tease them by whispering sweet nothings in their ears. You might not leave with who you came in with.
The Barking Genius! Come and stand within the lamplight! She’ll guess your weight, height, and handedness! She can’t help but guess much more personal things–very loudly–so leave soon after.
The Barking Genius! Come and stand within the lamplight! She’ll guess your weight, height, and handedness! She can’t help but guess much more personal things–very loudly–so leave soon after.
Test your strength by swinging the mallet and trying to ring the bell. Afterward the operator questions your manhood and upbringing in front of your friends. If you take his jeers with good humor and pay for another try you will do better. If you imagine his skull cracking under the blow you will be rewarded with the grand prize!
Test your strength by swinging the mallet and trying to ring the bell. Afterward the operator questions your manhood and upbringing in front of your friends. If you take his jeers with good humor and pay for another try you will do better. If you imagine his skull cracking under the blow you will be rewarded with the grand prize!
Witness the Miniature Kingdom of Langre Dun.This nation was plucked from the landscape, castle and all, by a particularly ambitious scorceror as punishment for a great offense. Peer past the soot stained glass and you might just see the flickering fires of a village in dreadful disrepair.
Witness the Miniature Kingdom of Langre Dun.This nation was plucked from the landscape, castle and all, by a particularly ambitious scorceror as punishment for a great offense. Peer past the soot stained glass and you might just see the flickering fires of a village in dreadful disrepair.
Ride the Merry-Go, a stable of beautifully carved and painted wooden horses. Hop one one and let it carry you to your own special place.
Ride the Merry-Go, a stable of beautifully carved and painted wooden horses. Hop one one and let it carry you to your own special place.
Toss a ping-pong ball at the shelves lined with fishbowls, and if the ball lands in a bowl, you win the ghostly fish inside! Swallow the fish whole to experience someone else’s dream, fantasy, or nightmare, but which will it be?! The cost to play is to give up a dream of your own, of course — three balls per turn!
Toss a ping-pong ball at the shelves lined with fishbowls, and if the ball lands in a bowl, you win the ghostly fish inside! Swallow the fish whole to experience someone else’s dream, fantasy, or nightmare, but which will it be?! The cost to play is to give up a dream of your own, of course — three balls per turn!
You have to try the Cosmic Cotton Candy! its only sold after sundown, it starts off black and adopts the colors of the carnival lights it is exposed to. Have you ever tasted true green? real red? full moon? or candle glow?
You have to try the Cosmic Cotton Candy! its only sold after sundown, it starts off black and adopts the colors of the carnival lights it is exposed to. Have you ever tasted true green? real red? full moon? or candle glow?
Sounds of laughter and cheer can be heard through the walls of the white and yellow striped Dreaming Tent. Outside of the tent, there is no entrance, only a lady with a wagon selling yellow and white striped pillows.
Sounds of laughter and cheer can be heard through the walls of the white and yellow striped Dreaming Tent. Outside of the tent, there is no entrance, only a lady with a wagon selling yellow and white striped pillows.
Want rid of something? An illicit object, a person, a memory, a secret? Pay your money to The Geek and he’ll eat it no questions asked but once it’s gone, it’s gone forever!
Want rid of something? An illicit object, a person, a memory, a secret? Pay your money to The Geek and he’ll eat it no questions asked but once it’s gone, it’s gone forever!
Annika “Titannika” Illya, the strong woman. Stronger than any cocky contender. Hiding rippling muscles under beautiful golden locks whose length would make Rapunzel herself jealous. She’ll circus press you and your large friend with a smile on her face.
Annika “Titannika” Illya, the strong woman. Stronger than any cocky contender. Hiding rippling muscles under beautiful golden locks whose length would make Rapunzel herself jealous. She’ll circus press you and your large friend with a smile on her face.
Dare you enter the ring with Pex Mighty a master of a thousand hand to hand combat forms. Best him in the ring for incredible rewards or become his ring hand and learn all from the master….
Dare you enter the ring with Pex Mighty a master of a thousand hand to hand combat forms. Best him in the ring for incredible rewards or become his ring hand and learn all from the master….
Ouroburous – Contortionist extraordinaire! Marvel at her fabulous feats of flexibility. Get a ticket to the nightly Hoop Show (No youngsters allowed).
Ouroburous – Contortionist extraordinaire! Marvel at her fabulous feats of flexibility. Get a ticket to the nightly Hoop Show (No youngsters allowed).
The Flea Circus – A rinky dink toy-sized circus. Obviously, that trapeze and that bicycle are just machi…wait. Looking closer, you can see miniscule figures being whipped mercilessly to perform. Reedy piping screams for help are just audible. The ringmaster who sold you your ticket is smiling now and draws something from her sleeve…
The Flea Circus – A rinky dink toy-sized circus. Obviously, that trapeze and that bicycle are just machi…wait. Looking closer, you can see miniscule figures being whipped mercilessly to perform. Reedy piping screams for help are just audible. The ringmaster who sold you your ticket is smiling now and draws something from her sleeve…
Juggling is always the most fun when it’s the most dangerous. Watch our master juggle knives, bowling balls, and live firecrackers!
Juggling is always the most fun when it’s the most dangerous. Watch our master juggle knives, bowling balls, and live firecrackers!
By the by, there’s actually a guy who juggles three Rubix Cubes while solving them.
By the by, there’s actually a guy who juggles three Rubix Cubes while solving them.
Are you curious and brave enough to meet Tad Tonka, the Buffalo Boy, last of his kind? Is he a hybrid born of unnatural lusts or the last of a great race that spawned the tales of the Minotaur? You judge, but meet not his mournful gaze lest you fall into the labyrinth of lost worlds, places and folk that should never be…
Are you curious and brave enough to meet Tad Tonka, the Buffalo Boy, last of his kind? Is he a hybrid born of unnatural lusts or the last of a great race that spawned the tales of the Minotaur? You judge, but meet not his mournful gaze lest you fall into the labyrinth of lost worlds, places and folk that should never be…
Ride the Moon Shot!
Hop aboard the rocket as it flies up and down it’s tracks.
Lights flash and the music swells, and the stars go zipping by.
Hear the people scream as the ship whips round and cracks.
Ride a rocket to the moon while the lights above us die.
Ride the Moon Shot!
Hop aboard the rocket as it flies up and down it’s tracks.
Lights flash and the music swells, and the stars go zipping by.
Hear the people scream as the ship whips round and cracks.
Ride a rocket to the moon while the lights above us die.
Sweet Annie dances on the Hoochie Cootchie stage. Beside her sways the sad remnants of beauties, and the frightened shells of the lost. Men leer and toss coins, but they never break Annie’s rhythm. She dances for only one person, and you have caught her eye.
Sweet Annie dances on the Hoochie Cootchie stage. Beside her sways the sad remnants of beauties, and the frightened shells of the lost. Men leer and toss coins, but they never break Annie’s rhythm. She dances for only one person, and you have caught her eye.
Cut down on the candy corn and spare a coin for commemoration at our patented Press of Lost Causes. Emblazon your pennies with failings past and future! Lower your expectations, because the money you transform does not count towards the dollar fee.
Cut down on the candy corn and spare a coin for commemoration at our patented Press of Lost Causes. Emblazon your pennies with failings past and future! Lower your expectations, because the money you transform does not count towards the dollar fee.
Daniel Fowler haha, did you lift Margaleet from Asylum City because I lifted Kar-Suet from your DW shrine?
Daniel Fowler haha, did you lift Margaleet from Asylum City because I lifted Kar-Suet from your DW shrine?
oops, that wasn’t my intention but some ties between Asylum City and the carnival could be interesting.
oops, that wasn’t my intention but some ties between Asylum City and the carnival could be interesting.
The Fairy Ring. This ride from ages past is a kiddie ferris wheel that is barely 30 feet tall, only 12 little ones can fit in — snuggled against a faded and threadbare fairy puppet whose bobble head nods in anticipation for the adventures about to begin! The disaffected attendant fastens the belt and hands the child a plain iron ring. “Don’t drop the ring so that you find your way home” she soullessly drones. The calliope shudders to life, and the precious cargo is lifted into the faerie realm…
The Fairy Ring. This ride from ages past is a kiddie ferris wheel that is barely 30 feet tall, only 12 little ones can fit in — snuggled against a faded and threadbare fairy puppet whose bobble head nods in anticipation for the adventures about to begin! The disaffected attendant fastens the belt and hands the child a plain iron ring. “Don’t drop the ring so that you find your way home” she soullessly drones. The calliope shudders to life, and the precious cargo is lifted into the faerie realm…
The Devil’s Mill. The first and last wooden rollercoaster. Replacement cars delivered weekly.
The Devil’s Mill. The first and last wooden rollercoaster. Replacement cars delivered weekly.
The face painter is truly skilled and can transform your visage into that of an animal, mythical creature, or abstract work of art. None of your friends or family will be able to recognize you. Hey, who is that new person hanging out with them? They look suspiciously familiar…
The face painter is truly skilled and can transform your visage into that of an animal, mythical creature, or abstract work of art. None of your friends or family will be able to recognize you. Hey, who is that new person hanging out with them? They look suspiciously familiar…
Madam Zhora’s Tent:
‘Sure, I will speak fate’s truth to a single question. Just give me your fingernail clipping, a stand of hair, or a shred from your garment.
…..or..you could………drink this….
Madam Zhora’s Tent:
‘Sure, I will speak fate’s truth to a single question. Just give me your fingernail clipping, a stand of hair, or a shred from your garment.
…..or..you could………drink this….
Fabulous Filbert, the Alchemist of Health, promises you a brew to cure whatever ails you! Fix your acne, straighten your hair, even stave off death itself! Of course, there may be a few side-effects…
Fabulous Filbert, the Alchemist of Health, promises you a brew to cure whatever ails you! Fix your acne, straighten your hair, even stave off death itself! Of course, there may be a few side-effects…
Tevah operates a temporary tattoo cart that offers “dream tattoos.” These temporary tattoos are gone in the morning; however, some folks claim certain tattoos have been recurring for them. And for a few dollars more, Tevah will offer an interpretation of the recurring tattoos.
Tevah operates a temporary tattoo cart that offers “dream tattoos.” These temporary tattoos are gone in the morning; however, some folks claim certain tattoos have been recurring for them. And for a few dollars more, Tevah will offer an interpretation of the recurring tattoos.
The salt water taffy is a rare treat. Mild, and sweet, and chewy, and just the right amount of sticky. It comes in a handful of flavors that beautifully accent the slightly salty goodness.
The salt water taffy is a rare treat. Mild, and sweet, and chewy, and just the right amount of sticky. It comes in a handful of flavors that beautifully accent the slightly salty goodness.
Come see Aaron the Hellbat! This boy jumps his bike through the flaming hoops of his own damnation! Be amazed by his high-flying act, but watch out! If you get the cursed ticket you’ll get a meeting with his dark master…
Come see Aaron the Hellbat! This boy jumps his bike through the flaming hoops of his own damnation! Be amazed by his high-flying act, but watch out! If you get the cursed ticket you’ll get a meeting with his dark master…
Great job, everyone! Thanks!
Great job, everyone! Thanks!
Thread necromancy! I wanted to let everyone know we are currently raising money on KS to print a big, beautiful hardcover book collecting the first 13 issues of Codex. We’re doing a single print run of this book, and when those are all gone, that’s it! Many of you in this thread have miscellany submissions that made it into one of those early issues, and so you might be interested in getting a copy of the book for yourself. Of particular note is a discounted $35 pledge tier, which is perfect if you don’t care about getting the PDFs.
Even if you’re not interested in getting a copy of the book for yourself, it would be super lovely (and helpful!) if you would share the campaign in your circles.
As it turns out, I can’t actually share a link to the project in this comment because G+ flags such KS links as spam, but if you just go to Kickstarter and search “Codex” it pops right up, or search “Codex RPG” in Google.
Thanks!
Thread necromancy! I wanted to let everyone know we are currently raising money on KS to print a big, beautiful hardcover book collecting the first 13 issues of Codex. We’re doing a single print run of this book, and when those are all gone, that’s it! Many of you in this thread have miscellany submissions that made it into one of those early issues, and so you might be interested in getting a copy of the book for yourself. Of particular note is a discounted $35 pledge tier, which is perfect if you don’t care about getting the PDFs.
Even if you’re not interested in getting a copy of the book for yourself, it would be super lovely (and helpful!) if you would share the campaign in your circles.
As it turns out, I can’t actually share a link to the project in this comment because G+ flags such KS links as spam, but if you just go to Kickstarter and search “Codex” it pops right up, or search “Codex RPG” in Google.
Thanks!