Bailey Balloons’ circus is a concept I developed as a one-shot for various members of both parties when not everyone was available for our regular game. Aside from one of the games, Catch the Dragon by the Tail, which comes from the Witchlight campaign, I designed all of the characters, the attractions, and the games. My group actually loved it enough that one of the prizes I offered was tickets for their characters to be able to go back!

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Setting:

The group does not remember arriving, but they come upon a set of circus grounds.

The grounds are planted in a large, open field of flowers, blooming as if it were the middle of spring, creating a rainbow of colors leading the group’s eye directly to the tents.

The main tent seems to reach into the sky, disappearing out of view – you cannot tell if it ever truly ends. Ornate flags and ribbons flow in the gentle, temperate breeze, and the sun saturates the deep tri-color pattern of the tent’s fabric. To either side of the main tent, there are two smaller turrets that support the main structure. The main entrance has the curtains drawn back, appearing open and inviting with a sign to the side, that reads:

“Welcome, weary travelers! Come and find yourselves in a marvelous world of dazzles and delights as you recover from the drivel of your daily lives! Bailey Balloon welcomes you to his Fantastical Circus, where our family is happy to delight you for days! Our show will begin in the evening, but while the sun is still high, come inside and enjoy a myriad of treats and trials! We would be delighted to meet you!”

NPCs:

• Bailey Balloon: Circus owner, demi god and the deity of entertainment, has Barnum internally, a large man with bright purple coat and hat, dark hair, and eyes that seem to be unable to settle on a color. Friendly, and extremely patient, but would not settle for much disruption.
• Barnum Balloon: Bailey’s other half, the deity of gambling, a man who appears like Bailey, but with a black and white color palette, as if from an old cartoon. When he is active, the circus is in black and white, and failing at a game causes the player to take damage. 
• Peaches: A young woman with bright orange hair and fur, who appears to be part monkey. She has a long, prehensile tail, strangely shaped ears, and sharp canines. She appears to resemble a golden lion tamarin.
• Trix: A creature of unknown origin, who seems to be some sort of trickster. They take delight in mischief, and may pop up anywhere in the circus, though namely would be in the hall of mirrors.
• Crystal: A demi-god and god of dreams, manning the Fortune Telling booth. They are quiet, and do not seem to blink often. Their plush animals appear sentient and are moving things around the room and around the circus, if the players are searching.
• Morsul: A man that appears to be made of several types of candy, running any and all confection, food, and drink stands. Extremely happy, nearly unable to perceive negativity at all.
• Orvil: A large moose centaur with purple animalistic features. A sweet, southern man, happy to assist however he can.
• Goose: Obviously he would be at the circus. Come on. It’s temporary, but hey, work is work. In charge of Taking the Totem game, but may pop up elsewhere too.
• Chicken: A large creature with a demonic appearance, a large black body and the skull of a bird. They are incredibly friendly, and upon entering the circus are available for photographs or rides. They also are the ‘monster’ in the totem snatching game.
• Pompeii: The circus’s social media manager. Available at the front to give the party recommendations and introduce them to the games and features of the circus, while working.
• Oswald: A pumpkin demon in charge of the Ring Toss.
• Vel: A large drac with a velociraptor-like appearance, with strong hind legs and shorter forearms. The beast tamer for the circus.
• Winnipet: An extremely, extremely small Drac in charge of the CtDbyT game.
• Lyds: A gothic looking man with large black bangs and a high ponytail, wearing a dress that is worn at the ends of the sleeves and skirt. Appears constantly sleepy. Hosts Three Cups.
• Imori: A red-headed cyclops, perky and delighted to be there. She runs the Lion Taming game.
• Boop: A sentient Fjord Horse, who stands in when other game-masters are unavailable.

Games Available:

• Catch the Dragon by the Tail (Witchlight):
  • A perception check of 18 or greater to succeed in catching Ember, the fairy dragon. Succeeding first try is a large prize, second try is a medium prize, third try is a small prize.
• Ring Toss
  • Three distances for rings, with dexterity checks of 5, 10, 15, for a small, medium, or large prize
  • One super far ring, with a check of 18, for a special prize
• Lion Taming
  • Convince the black lion to perch itself on the podium. Animal Handling check with a DC of 17 or higher. Failure leads to the player being chased out of the ring. A win is a large prize.
• Take the Totem
  • A classic adventure puzzle. Player is let into a dark room with a single spotlight, and an idol sitting on the center. Stealth check (DC 10) to get up to the idol without being detected. Sleight of hand (DC 15) to successfully grab the idol. On a failed stealth check, players can try Acrobatics (DC 16) to still attempt to grab the idol before they are attacked by Chicken. A win is a large prize. Half success (succeeding one check but failing another) is a medium prize.
• Balloon Darts
  • Dexterity check (DC 10 for easy balloons, larger and lower, DC 15 for more difficult balloons, higher and smaller. Easy balloons are worth 1 point, hard balloons are worth 2. Player gets 3 throws, and needs 3 points for large prize, otherwise gets small prize. 5 points or more creates special prize.)
• Three Cups
  • An insight check (DC 17 or higher) to be able to identify which cup the crystal has been placed under. A success earns the player a small prize.
• Sword Fight
  • Hosted by Bailey.Contested Dexterity and Strength checks, as well as balance (dexterity) checks separately. Balancing on wooden posts low to the ground (not high enough for fall damage) while fighting each other with magic swords. Larger posts (DC 5) are in the center, while on the edges, they are smaller (DC 10) to encourage combatants to fight each other. Three rounds (if desired). The winner gets a special prize.
• Pie Eating Contest
  • Constitution saving throws, until there is only one player left. The winner gets a special prize. DC: 3, 5, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20.

Features Available:

• Fortune Telling Car
  • Wisdom Saving Throw – Determines what, if any, questions you may ask, and whether your answer is favorable.
• Hall of Mirrors
  • Intelligence Saving Throw – Determines whether the experience is positive or negative, whether Trix appears small, human, or large, and what they tell you.
• Popcorn and Soda Stand
  • Constitution Saving Throw – DC 10 for regular, mundane food. A failed DC creates a negative or startling magic effect, a success over 20 produces a strong positive magic effect.
• Confections Stand
  • Constitution Saving Throw – DC 15 for regular, mundane food. A failed DC creates a negative or startling magic effect, a success over 20 produces a strong positive magic effect.
• Cotton Candy Booth
  • Constitution Saving Throw – DC 10 for regular, mundane food. A failed DC creates a negative or startling magic effect, a success over 20 produces a strong positive magic effect.
• Suspicious Food Items Booth
  • DC 18 for regular, mundane food. A failed DC creates a negative or startling magic effect, a success over 25 produces a strong positive magic effect.
• With a Backstage Ticket: Learning Tricks
  • A combination of Athletics, Acrobatics, and flat Strength checks. A small obstacle course where Bailey will teach anyone with a ticket some of their routines. Some of these abilities can translate into knowledge (advantage) in similar situations in BA.

Prizes:

• Small Prizes
  • A plush animal (player’s choice – cat, dog, bird, fox, snail, bear, horse, dragon, etc.)
  • A small figure of one of the circus animals
  • A commemorative drinking cup
  • A replica ringmaster hat
  • Fake vampire teeth
• Medium Prizes
  • A larger version of one of the stuffed animals.
  • A replica ringmaster vest
  • A foam weapon (that they are allowed to hit people with, for no damage)
  • A well crafted set of horns (demonic horns, ram horns, deer antlers, antelope horns, etc)
  • A coupon for free popcorn (or a refill)
• Large Prizes
  • The largest version of one of the stuffed animals.
  • A replica ringmaster jacket
  • A singing Bass
  • A Learning Tricks ticket
• Special Prizes (can be taken into BA if desired):
  • A small figurine of a bat, a crab, a snail, or a skink, that can turn into that actual animal
  • Music Marble – a small marble that you can launch into an area. Plays circus music loudly
  • Magic face paint – a single use item that allows you to disguise yourself.
  • A ticket to the circus (allows actual entry in the BA game)
  • IF A PLAYER WINS ALL THEIR GAMES, they can have a functional replica of the ringmaster’s staff, allowing them a very limited number of wild magic charges (3 or 5).