'Hail and well met, gentle Ben! Curious? Wondering what sights there are to see? Then come on in to the ten-in one George! At a price that can't be beat! Two coppers for the show, four will get the private tour, what say you man? Four it is! Follow me George, but mind your step, the Carnival of Forgotten Souls is no place to get lost...'
Mascebus is a tall thin man, with a ridiculously long curled mustache. His smile is broad, almost unnerving.
Bright deep set blue eyes sparkle with a child-like glee from under his broad brimmed hat, which he is never without.
He dresses in bright clothes, almost gaudy, always tailored to fit.
He carries a long cane topped with a swirling serpent (a blade is hidden inside).
His cold smile is disturbing and at the same time very inviting. He smiles most of the time.
He stood there, right in the middle of the road. Dark and forbidding. As you approach, you see a large, unsettling smile emerge from beneath the wide brim of his tall hat. He raises his hand slowly, spinning the cane he carries once in his other hand.
With a flash of movement he removes his hat and with a flourish bows low, arms spread to either side. As he rises, replacing his hat, he twirls the cane slowly between his fingers.
'Greetings, George!' he says, his accent thick and unknown. He steps towards you, wrapping a long arm about your shoulders. 'You don't mind if I call you George, do you? My name is Mascebus. Mascebus Elmirion Hendamere.' He moves you with him as he walks. 'You've come to see the show, right George? I knew it! I could tell by the look in your eyes!' Moving faster now, you see a caravan of wagons just ahead. 'We aren't nearly ready for visitors yet, but I'll make you a deal George...for a single gold I'll treat you to the ONLY behind the curtains tour I've ever done. No one has seen the inner workings of the Carnival before George! You'll be the first!' Before you can answer he holds up the gold coin you were saving for the market between his fingers and ushers you into a large tent. 'You don't mind if I call you George, do you?'
Very charismatic and handsome (in his own way), Mascebus founded this traveling carnival and leads his motley crew of the socially discarded. Under his watchful eye they are well protected and cared for. He takes swift offence to any who would even suggest harming a single member of his troupe, as they are like family to him.
The truths of his origins are unknown, even to his closest friends. Only his wife knew the truth about him, and she has long passed. He keeps his life private, even from the others in the troupe, safely locked away in his wagon.
He is almost always found at the entrance or on the throughway in the carnival. He lends his talents as a barker and guard whenever possible. He does however give private tours to those who pay for it.
GM notes: Mascebus is a fast talker, a consummate fighter, and a shrewd businessman.
He is always smiling, always a twinkle in his eye, always trying to close a deal.
Beyond the obvious, he is a wonderful harpist and a talented sculptor. He is well versed in history, speaks several languages and dialects (though only reads and writes one), knows more than a fair amount on the subjects of politics and political structure, can spot a forged coin almost instinctively, and has a certain flair for sleight-of-hand (strictly to amuse on-lookers and children).
Other than the short thin blade (equivalent to a short sword) hidden in his cane he carries no other weapons, but is adept at the sword and bow. He never wears armor, as it 'makes clothes hang strangely, not at all a good way to make an impression'.
As for his past, it's really quite simple.
He was born into a wealthy merchant family. In his youth, rather than work in the family business, he joined the military. Finding favor from his commanders, at his father's request, he served in the quartermaster's office.
After two years he found the corruption unbearable.
Using what he had learned about politics and the chain of command, he arranged for himself the transfer of a large amount of funds and a new post far from the rest of the army.
One day he just disappeared, with several large chests of funds.
He changed his name, grew a mustache, and founded the Carnival of Forgotten Souls soon after that.
His birth name is long forgotten and his family long dead.
He is the only 'Forgotten Soul' in the Carnival...
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? Responses (9)
Good to have a nice instead of an evil ringmaster.
Now I know who the ringmaster is! I agree with Cheka Man.
I like this good, solid NPC without an evil dark secret, or curse or demonic posession! Good job!
A good solid basic NPC. Nice concept.
Even if no one knows his secret past, it should be listed or hinted at so we know what dramatic elements best hang on him.
Could you add returns between sections and paragraphs in the second paragraph? It would make the submission a little easier to read.
A well rounded support character, who has well-considered details that could drive an adventure or add to it. As others have noted, I was glad to see an interesting background that stayed realistic, avoiding the cliched and trite.
Updated: Added an example from a game I used him in. Kind of a 'live ' segment, just to show him in action.
A nice character, though reading through it I kept expecting to see sort sort of evil lurking behind him, some foul and dark presence, instead the worst skeleton in his closet is that he is a deserter and a thief, enough to get him hung in most kingdoms without a second thought. No wonder he wishes to be a forgotten soul.
I tend to see him more as an 'opportunistic entrepreneur'. He is a bit creepy, but mostly harmless.
