Carnival of Paene

Content Warning

Blood, body horror, dangerous animals, murder, seduction, torture, violence.

Welcome to the Carnival of Paene,
Where nightmares and sorrows both reign,
Step right up, my friends, don't be shy,
A thrilling spectacle awaits your eye.

Come inside, the show's about to start,
Guaranteed to pierce your trembling heart,
Rest assured, you'll be filled with dread,
In this greatest show, where fear is spread.

Laughter echoes through the darkened skies,
Tears of joy, 'til the laughter dies,
In this twisted realm, where pleasure meets demise,
Step closer now, witness the demise.

Introduction

In the darkest corners of the Realms Beyond, where shadows writhe and nightmares breed, a malevolent organization has etched its existence across the eons. The Carnival of Paene emerges at unique moments and places, beckoning the unsuspecting masses with its deceptive facade of twisted entertainment. The carnival drains and leeche Sulmus from the unsuspecting audience allowing them to sustain their unnatural and immortal existence. In addition they search for those rare souls that have slipped through the cracks of daily existance. They endeavor to find these lost souls to replenish their ranks while adding fresh talent.

Truth in Names

While the most common name used is the Carnival of Pain its most accurate name in the Carnival of Paene. The mis-pronunciation and mis-interpretation persists across the ages being close enough to the truth the Ringmaster does not see a need to correct it.

In a language long forgotten this roughly translates to veiled group beyond the reach of the radiance tasked with the entertainment of the soul and punished for sins against reality while left to drift in disgrace for all time, but that is not quite right. Close enough.

Coin of Sorrows

Behold the Coin of Sorrows, a captivating trinkets unlike any coin you have ever seen. These coins are both beacons and gateways between the Carnival of Paene and the mortal worlds. Fate gifts these coins as invitations creating a cycle of sorrow to fuel the carnival across the ages.

Sulmus

Through the main acts and sideshows the carnival manipulates their audience heightening strong emotions like fear and despair which in turn allows them to feed off of Sulmus. The Sulmus not only allows them to sustain themselves and the unholy carnival but allows them to work their mysteries of magic and deception. Most of this comes at the cost of their audience stealing little slivers of them while many times causing lasting harm.

Locations

Red Iron Gates

A dark gate of cold metal, odd angles and a sinister red hue juts forth from the land in front of you. It seems to mark not just an entrance but a barrier between the mundane and infinite possibilities. You can hear the murmurs of the crowds just beyond the gate, just out of sight as they enjoy the nights festivities. A bannerline hangs to the left and right displaying the anticipated acts of tonight's showing, including snakes, centaurs, cards and all manner of summoned creatures.

Standing on opposite sides of the entrance gate are a male and female mime with traditional pale white face painted with touches of red and black that almost mimic tears. They look like twins, maybe brother and sister each begins to open their mouth in welcome greeting as their mouths vanish leaving nothing but a look of sadness. They glance at your coin noting this as payment and in unison bow, they straighten while pantomiming the opening of the already open gates ushering you in.

As you step across the threshold of the entrance a moment of disorientation washes over you while the colors around the carnival all sharpen into focus. It almost feels like when your ears pop from swimming deep in the summer pond and you break through to the surface again. The sounds are crisp now a cacophony of laughter and shrieks. A glance back the way you came shows only the dim hints beyond the carnival entrance.

Carnival of Paene - Entrance 01 by Graylion on MidJourneyAI

Sinister Pavilion

The Sinister Pavilion, the imposing main attraction tent of the Carnival of Paene, stands as a foreboding structure that beckons visitors with its ominous allure. As onlookers approach, they are met with a spectacle of twisted architecture and macabre design. Upon closer inspection, intricate details adorn the tent's façade. Dark symbols and twisted motifs wind their way across the fabric, weaving a tapestry of darkness that entices and intrigues. These enigmatic designs hint at the secrets and ancient powers that lie dormant within the Carnival of Paene.

Carnival of Paene - Main 02 by Graylion on MidJourneyAI

Grand Stands

The audience seats in the main tent of the Carnival of Paene are arranged in a circular formation around the central stage. The dim, flickering lanterns hanging from the tent's ceiling cast an eerie glow upon the audience below, creating an unsettling atmosphere. The seats are cushioned in luxurious yet worn velvet, adding a touch of opulence to the sinister setting. The close proximity of the seats enhances the communal experience, amplifying the shared anticipation and fear among spectators.

Wagon of Shards

The Wagon of Shards, a hauntingly unique traveling attraction of the Carnival of Fear, stands apart from the other carnival wagons. Its exterior is adorned with dark, weathered wood, etched with mysterious symbols and enigmatic patterns that seem to shift and writhe in the moonlight. An eerie glow emanates from within, casting an unsettling aura around the wagon, enticing and daring visitors to explore its secrets. The entrance in its rear is framed by a twisted wrought-iron portal, hinting at the labyrinth of mirrors that awaits inside.

Stepping into the Wagon of Shards is like entering a nightmarish realm of distorted reflective corridors impossibly larger than the outside. The interior is laced with reflective surfaces that seem to shift and change as guests navigate through the labyrinth, leading them deeper into a realm of illusions and phantoms. Ethereal whispers and unsettling echoes linger, heightening the feeling that unseen forces watch from within the mirrors. Each twist and turn leads to a new illusion, a new distortion of their perceptions, intensifying their fears and fascination with the mysterious carnival attraction.

Main Cast

Mortals only see the
Mask that hides
The true form
Of their face

No members of the Carnival of Paene are what they seem. At the least each is hiding their darker self just below the surface while some have become so alien they barely remember who or what they originally were.

The Ringmaster

Victor Blackthorne, the enigmatic Ringmaster of the Carnival of Paene, stands tall with an air of commanding presence. With dark, tousled hair cascading around his sharp features and piercing, cold blue eyes that seem to hold the secrets of countless dimensions, Victor's presence demands attention. He dons an impeccably tailored black suit adorned with intricate silver embroidery, a crimson-lined cape flowing behind him, and a top hat that casts shadows upon his enigmatic smile. His voice resonates with a melodious yet chilling timbre, captivating all who hear it.

Victor Blackthorne is a master of the ancient art of ritual summoning. Through meticulous preparation, esoteric knowledge, and incantations learned through generations, he can beckon forth otherworldly entities from realms unknown. His summoning rituals are intricate and mesmerizing, weaving together symbols, gestures, and mystical artifacts to call forth creatures that both terrorize and fascinate the audience.

Behind the Curtain

Role: Ringmaster & Magician

Mask: Male Human

Face: Male Human

Motivations: The Ringmaster is the leader of the carnival, the announcer and its summoner. For Victor this is all the same, when summoning the next act or creatures to frighten the audience. His first aspiration is to main and grow the Carnival of Paene. In addition to the Sulmus he gains from the fear his summoning cause he gains a measure of power from each act as well making him the strongest member of the carnival.

Hooks: He may be willing to trade deep secrets for deep secrets regarding the Far Realms or the depest edges of the Realms Beyond.

Snake Enchantress

Isabella Sirena, the Serpent Enchantress, is a mesmerizing and mysterious figure that commands attention within the Carnival of Paene. Her ethereal beauty is accentuated by cascading locks of raven hair that frame her enchanting face. Emerald jewel serpent slits in her eyes hint at the danger that lurks beneath her alluring exterior. Wrapped in a form-fitting and revealing costume adorned with intricate patterns resembling serpent scales, it becomes impossible to discern where her lightly scaled skin ends and her outfit begins. With a sinuous grace that mirrors the creatures she commands and her yuan-ti heritage, Isabella entrances all who witness her bewitching performances.

As Isabella's act unfolds, the audience is drawn into her world of allure and peril. Her seductive charisma and bewitching presence captivate their gaze, locking them in a hypnotic trance. Amidst the swirling spectacle, they find themselves immersed in the company of serpents, both real and glamoured. The tantalizing scent, tactile sensation, and eerie sounds of the serpents heighten the fear and danger, yet the spectators remain enthralled to her every move. As the performance reaches its midpoint, a dozen female snake dancers join her, their identities blurred as they blend with the shared hallucination, enhancing the mysterious enchantment that surrounds the Serpent Enchantress.

Behind the Curtain

Role: Enchantress & Snake Tamer

Mask: Female Yuan-ti

Face: Half Succubus / Half Yuan-ti

Motivations: Induce conflicting emotions of desire while stealing the will of onlookers.

Hooks: She may be able to provide a special antidote to a magic poison or provide a powerful venom for extraordinary cost.

Breed Master

Ashen Darkmane, the Twisted Centaur, is a fallen being from the Shadowfell, a realm of darkness and despair. One of the first centaurs a noble and creature of the faewild, he now bears the twisted marks of corruption and malevolence. His ebony coat glistens with an otherworldly darkness, and his eyes burn with an unsettling crimson glow.

The performance unfolds within a darkened arena, surrounded by an eerie atmosphere. As haunting melodies fill the air, Ashen Darkmane, mounts a blood red dais at center ring. He begins to wave his hands in command like a skilled music composer as the rings fills with his "perfects breeds", a dozen centaurs carrying an assortment of gruesome weapons. They flow and weave among each other demonstrating perfect training as they come to rest in two groups on opposing sides of Ashen. The audience gasps as they realize that upper portion of these humanoids have been gruesomely grafted onto the bodies of horses to form freakshow centaurs. A great many appear to be elven or fey as wet blood can be seen seeping from the sewn seems creating a grotesque and unsettling sight.

At his command and driven by feral instincts or the hope of death, they charge at each other with relentless fury. The clash of steel and the echoes of anguished cries fill the arena, drawing a mix of shock and horror from the spectators. Through the performance, Ashen Darkmane basks in the violence and smiles at the splatter of blood covers him.

Behind the Curtain

Role: Breedmaster & Grafter

Mask: Dark Centaur

Face: Fae Centaur fallen to Shadowfell

Motivations: Induce shock, fear and panic while torturing his freakshow breeds in gladiatorial combat.

Hooks: The party is tasked with saving Gerrin a skilled warrior lost to sorrow after his love passed. He joined the Carnival of Paene and has not been seen since, while the truth is bloodier and he is Darkmane's prized gladiator and does not seem to loose at combat. The group must convince him to escape with them and see about reversing what was done to him or grant his freedom from his mortal choices. It goes without saying that Ashen will not agree to this unless they party strikes an important bargain with him.

Side Shows

The Fortune Teller

Esmeralda Nightshade, the Fortune Teller, is a haunting figure within the Carnival of Paene. With a weathered face that bears the weight of countless years, her piercing eyes seem to hold ancient wisdom and secrets untold. Her darkened skin is in stark contrast to her small stubby ivory horns and her hair, a cascade of silver, is adorned with mysterious charms and trinkets. Dressed in a tattered cloak of deep purple, she moves with an eerie grace, the fabric swirling around her like whispers in the wind. Esmeralda's voice carries a hypnotic quality, both soothing and unsettling, drawing visitors closer to unravel the enigma that surrounds her.

Esmeralda Nightshade possesses a unique gift for prophecy and divination. Through her crystal ball, tarot cards, and other mystical tools, she unveils glimpses of the past, present, and potential futures. Her readings are known to be eerily accurate, often revealing hidden truths and unspoken fears.

Behind the Curtain

Role: Fortune Teller

Mask: withered dark-skinned female tiefling

Face: Night Hag of fae-fiend blending

Motivations: Induce fear and despair granting the worst possible telling of some ones potential futures. She needs the questions to be asked because each new question opens up paths, portents and possibilities for her to peer down. She will take a great interest in any male guests for possible selecting a mate.

Hooks:

Shard Master

Alistair Grimshaw is a stout and rotund halfling, standing taller than average at a three and a half feet tall. His once jolly countenance has transformed into a haunting visage, bearing a pallid complexion and sunken eyes that hold a distant and tormented gaze. Unkempt, thin strands of black hair hang around his face, adding to his unsettling appearance. He dons an oversized and tattered carnival jacket and cloak, the fabrics straining against his portly form. Perched on his stubby nose, he wears peculiar eye spectacles with tarnished brass frames etched with arcane symbols, and the lenses emit an unnatural crimson glow, intensifying the disquieting aura he exudes.

Alistair walked between many worlds and realms exploring the deepest mysteries of creation prior to joining the Carnival of Paene. It is whispered that he saw something, touched something beyond his ability to comprehend and it left him lost and broken. Alistair joined the Carnival of Paene to continue his investigation and research but with a much darker bend on his focus. A piece of Alistair was left behind that day while a piece of something great joined him. Both broken pieces call to each other causing him eternal unrest.

Behind the Curtain

Name: Alistair Grimshaw

Role: Shard Master

Mask: tall and robust halfling

Face: Far Realm Touched

Motivations: Alistair uses the machinations of the carnival and the Wagon of Shards to induce fear and panic into the minds of its viewers allowing him to sift the experiences of their twisted reflections.

Hooks: When dealing with someone that has unique or rare experiences regarding the mysteries of the realms and worlds he may be convinced to trade passage to obscure shard portals to the Realms Beyond.

Pending

Acrobats

Fire Eater Fire Breather

Jugglers & Knife Throwers

The Carnival of Paene is intended to be a plot hook, plot device, encounter or arc for use in your campaign or world. The carnival works best as antagonists, however you could easily write the carnival in the parties path placing some information, something they seek like a rare doorway to the Realms Beyond within their troop. Within the concept of them being the enemy they are portrayed and described very strongly with traits that help reflect why they are the enemy. The storyteller or game master should feel free to edit or alter as need for his tone and feel.

Carnival of Paene - Main 01 by Graylion on MidJourneyAI

Alternative Names

Carnival of Paene
Carnival of Pain
Penumbra Carnival
Carnival of Sorrows

Related Items

• Coin of Sorrows

Inspirations

American Horror Story Freak Show
Karn Evil 9 by Emerson Lake & Palmer (ELP)

First Verse
Welcome back, my friends
To the show that never ends
We're so glad you could attend
Come inside! Come inside