Dreamland | Circus/Carnival themed Group Game | Interest Check

[Valerian]

Is it OK to make another aerialist?

Absolutely! ;D

I could use the help!   ::)

[GnothiSeauton]

Interested here.  I've got an idea for a contortionist. 

[Rustic]

*waves to Rustic*

*Tackle hugs the Kendra*

I think I'll do a young staff member, and an older magician.

[Britwitch]

@Britwitch - would it be possible to have a circus character who can float in the fairground area too?

I was thinking a clown who is exceptional at face-painting.

Definitely! There will be a fair amount of flexibility and fluidity in people's roles. The concept sounds great too. ;D

[GnothiSeauton]

Alice Carter
Human Contortionist

NAME:  Alice Carter

AGE:   Thirty three years old

GENDER: Cis-female

SEXUAL ORIENTATION/PREFERENCE: Predominantly heterosexual

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Outside of the performances, Alice often lets her black hair down, and opts for casual, comfortable clothing.  Her body is adorned with a variety of tattoos that tell a whole bunch of different stories, and at times differ depending on the audience and person who asks.  She stands at five feet, six inches, and is petite to the point where family would often remark how she needs to eat more.  During performances, she puts on a smile and leotard that covers the tattooed flesh in a tight and snug fashion.

FACE CLAIM: Charlotte Sartre

ROLE WITHIN DREAMLAND:  Performer - Contortionist

TALENTS:

• Contortionist:  Alice possesses the natural ability to bend and contort her body in a way very few ever could hope to achieve.  Over time this talent has been molded and shaped, polished to a performance-worthy style that can help to attract crowds.  She can get herself in and out of tight spaces.
• Good Liar and Storyteller:  Would she pass a lie detector test?  Would she be able to fool an eagle-eyed detective?  Probably not, but Alice is a pretty good story teller with lies, and can often get regular, every day people to believe her bullshit.  It's helped her in the past with getting things needed and desired, as well as out of a few sticky situations.
• Makeup Artist:  A skill she learned from her father, Alice is a pretty decent hand at doing stage makeup for performances.  Having learned with her father at a young age, it's a skill that has gotten better over the years.

HISTORY:  Alice's history changes depending on who's asking, really.  Like any good story teller, she changes and caters it to the audience at the time.  Subtle little changes, weaving in a new thread into the story of who she is according to Alice.  There are times when she might tell someone she grew up on a farm, or at times the descendant of industrial royalty, always keeping an air of mystery about it.  You might know she's lying, but that's by design.  She wants you to know she's lying in that playful manner she's adopted, wants you to keep guessing.  Few really know the truth, and it's something she likes to keep to herself.

The truth of the matter, however, is not something scandalous or grandiose as one might think. 

She grew up to a single father in Hollywood, her mother having died during childbirth.  Her father loved her to death, and always tried to keep an eye on her.  School was rough on her, and it's where she began to tell tales and lies about her homelife to those pesky, unruly bullies in her life.  Her mother was a spy for the government.  She was a model.  A famous writer.  They saw through it, teasing and tormenting her, and it was there that she learned the valuable lesson of keeping such things close to the chest.  Things got better after a while, as she found a taste for gymnastics and how she could contort her body, but still such lessons remained in her mind.

Gynmastics became an escape for her at school.  It was there, with her natural talent and abilities to contort her body, in which she found a bit of a welcomed respite from life.  There was acceptance there, appreciation for what she could do, and while she never won any medals, it gave her a comforting break in life.

After school, with her father not able to afford a babysitter, she could often be seen tagging along with her father on Hollywood sound stages and sets.  A makeup artist on shows and a few movies, he would have young Alice sitting in the corner of the dressing room, doing her homework while he crafted iconic looks for the stage.  As she graduated school, Alice took on odd jobs here and there, mainly working as her father's assistant in addition to waitress jobs and the like.  After a while, Alice left her father's side and joined up with the circus, favoring the nomadic lifestyle rather than being tied down to one place.

[Foxy DeVille]

Got wood?

"Coop"
Woodworker

NAME:  Katie Cooper

AGE:   34

GENDER: Female (cis)

SEXUAL ORIENTATION/PREFERENCE: Heteroflexible

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Katie’s a blonde-haired country girl with a laid-back manner. Standing around 5’ 8,” she’s got a bit of thickness in all the right places. Coop’s typically a jeans and t-shirt sort but cleans up nice in a sundress.

FACE CLAIM: Sara Jean Underwood

ROLE WITHIN DREAMLAND: Fairground staff. Coop is the main carpenter. With so much being made of wood at Dreamland it’s a pretty steady gig. She’ll also helps out in other ways to keep things running smoothly, whether lending a hand with a stubborn motor or a boot while dealing with an unruly drunk.

TALENTS: Woodworking is Coop’s best talent and she’s darn good at it. She’s also not bad as a mechanic, although this applies to vehicles far more than carnival rides. Pretty good card play and can be handy with her fists if need be.

HISTORY: Katie Cooper was born and raised in Beaverton, Oregon. A tomboy growing up, she was into GI Joe, football, race cars, and westerns. Her father owned a construction company, which is where she learned to handle tools. Katie thought she’d carry on the tradition but a series of misfortunes put an end to the family business. Instead she spent a few years tending bar at a dive until she headed to the carnival on her day off. Wandering the grounds, Katie noticed the pretty shoddy carpentry. She was overheard by a member of the staff and got challenged to do better. After spending a few afternoon hours proving that she could, Katie found herself with a new job.

“Coop,” as most people call her, has been the main carpenter for a good number of years now. She enjoys the work, the atmosphere, the travel, and her fellow circus folk. An easy-going soul, she likes nothing more than kicking back with a couple beers after a hard day’s work and maybe finding a roustabout or two to have some fun with. The only dark cloud in Coop’s life is the ongoing money troubles her family has been having back in Beaverton. She sends them what cash she can but things are still pretty tight at home. Coop has started gambling in an attempt to get a bit more scratch but that could end up leading to new problems for her.

[Britwitch]

So excited to see so many faces already. <3

Will work on getting threads and such set up in the next couple of days, as well as requesting a sub-board as it looks like we have more than enough writers to warrant one at this point ;D

[Rustic]

Dash Sawyer
Stagehand

NAME:  Dash Sawyer

AGE:   25

GENDER: Male

SEXUAL ORIENTATION/PREFERENCE: Heterosexual

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Standing tall at 6 foot 1, with brown hair and mocha eyes, he tends to hold himself relaxed most of the time like he has no worries in the world. His back and upper right arm are covered in burn scars. He's toned, fit from the work he does, but nothing close to buff. He has a small phoenix tattoo on his upper left arm with the name 'Hunter' in the phoenix.

FACE CLAIM: Nathan Niehaus

ROLE WITHIN DREAMLAND: Stagehand

TALENTS: Hard Worker, Fast, Dedicated

HISTORY:

Dash and his little brother Hunter were born in a trailer park just outside of new york city. Their mother and father tried their best, working with the hand that life dealt them. Their mother was a bit of an alcoholic, not raging, but enough that their father had to pick up the slack in raising the two boys. On weekends the three of them would work on the dad's 1969 Dodge Charger. The brothers would pick up jobs at the auto-part store in exchange for parts, and slowly they changed out every piece, making it almost brand new.

But soon their father's past caught up with him, and he was arrested and put into jail. Their mother tried to do her best, but she was passed out half the time. Dash ended up taking on his father's role to help raise Hunter, making sure they had food on the table, clean clothes, and anything else the family needed. Dash worked two jobs to help pay for it all from the age of sixteen.

Eventually, Dash and Hunter moved out to New York together hoping to find better jobs. Dash made ends meet with odd jobs, cleaning, cooking, ect. Hunter however wasn't exactly the best at keeping jobs, getting fired over and over, so Dash had to support them both. Hunter's guilt came over him and said he was going to find a way to make money for them.

But that attempt to make money eventually led to Hunter's death. Now Dash, with fresh burn scars on his back and arm, needed a job that would keep him moving. He saw this circus passing through his town, and on its final days convinced them to give him a chance. Now he works as a stagehand, switching out sets, helping the performers, and does the job well. He doesn't like talking about his past and prefers to keep a low profile.

[RainyHigh]

Don't mind me Britwitch, just taking a peek in here~

edit: I couldn't resist it and submitted a character already.
*runs away*

[RainyHigh]

moving to CS thread.

[AribethAmkiir]

DEIDRE DARE
Aerialist and Acrobat /Performer

NAME:  Deidre "Dare” (Deedee to friends and family)

AGE:   23

GENDER: CIS Female

SEXUAL ORIENTATION/PREFERENCE: Pansexual

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: At 5’10”, Deadre is an attractive young woman with an athletic svelte build.  Her natural blonde hair, which she dyes darker to match the Dare Family aesthetics, falls to the middle of her back and she wears it in a long ponytail during her performances, or loose when not performing.  Breathtaking blue eyes sparkle the most while under the spotlight.  During her performances she typically wears a skin tight leotard; though, isn’t opposed to showing off more skin if the occasion requires.  In her usual day-to-day life, she can often be seen in jeans and a tee, or athletic wear.   

FACE CLAIM: Doutzen Kroes

ROLE WITHIN DREAMLAND: Performer | Aerialist

TALENTS: Graceful, flexible, and born without a fear of heights, Deedee is a world class acrobat and dancer.  Comfortable on nearly any apparatus, as long as it’s ten feet in the air, Deadre’s spent a good portion of her young life training as a gymnast.  She possesses an eye for aesthetics, a drive to push the limits, and a desire to put on the greatest show she is capable of. 

HISTORY: Deidre Dare was born Deidre Kroes to a pair of Bosnian refugees.  Born years after the conflict which forced her parents from their homes, Deidre was raised in what some would call a nomadic lifestyle.  Her father struggled to hold down a steady income, and her mother did her best to make ends meet.  Deidre was homeschooled for most of her adolescence, which often meant helping her mother with the various house cleaning and other odd jobs she could find.

Deedee was about seven when her father found a job as a roustabout for a traveling circus.  Her mother was given a job as seamstress and cook.  According to Deedee, she soon fell in love with acrobatics and can’t remember a day after her family joined the circus that she wasn’t practicing in some fashion.  The dazzling lights, amazing performances, and the roar of the crowd captured the young Deidre’s heart.  Naturally talented and flexible, she was on her way to perfecting skills at a very early age.

At the age of fifteen, the circus she’d grown up in, was bought out by Dreamland and she met the Sensational Death-Defying Dares for the first time.  AT eighteen, she decided to forgo college, not that it was ever much of an option, and pursue life as a performer.  Billed as a “cousin” of the Dares, Deidre landed a peripheral position in the Aerial show as a rope dancer.  Hard work and motivation slowly advanced her presence under the Big Top.  Understudy eventually turned into a dual act on the scarves, which lead to intermittent solo performances, which then lead to the aerial hoop which is where she spends most of her time, even now.  Last year, however, when Claire and Ella injured themselves, Deedee was called up to the trapeze act, where she did double duty - trapeze and aerial hoop - until the real Dares returned to health. 

Happy to help anyway she can, she’s currently content with the aerial hoop; though, seems to be constantly trying to elevate the performance with new tricks, music, lighting, and other ideas. 

[Kendra]

Am still interested.
Can I reserve Rose Leslie please and thank you.

:)

[Britwitch]

Am still interested.
Can I reserve Rose Leslie please and thank you.

:)

Absolutely! Can't wait to see who she turns out to be ;D

[LaCroix]

Jack Durant
Act / Description of their role within Dreamland

NAME:  Jack Durant

AGE:   50

GENDER: Male

SEXUAL ORIENTATION/PREFERENCE: Heterosexual

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Jack is a fascinating and attractive man, exuding a rugged charm. he stands at a full 6 feet and his body is well-muscled, even for his age. His strong arms are covered in tattoos hinting at the rebellious nature of his past as a biker before he found the circus. His face, framed by a salt-and-pepper beard, revealed the marks of a life well-lived, while his short, slicked-back silver hair suggested both wisdom and rugged charm.
FACE CLAIM: Daniel Sheehan

ROLE WITHIN DREAMLAND: Performer: Wall of Death rider

TALENTS: Daniel possesses a unique set of talents and traits as a wall of death rider for a traveling circus. His fearlessness, exceptional balance, showmanship, physical stamina, trust in his team, adaptability, attention to detail, and perseverance make him an extraordinary performer. With captivating charisma, he engages audiences while effortlessly maneuvering his motorcycle on the vertical walls. Daniel's dedication to safety and his ability to adapt to different settings ensure unforgettable experiences for spectators, leaving them in awe of his daring and mesmerizing performances.

HISTORY: Born and raised in a small town, Daniel's early years were marked by a tumultuous and troubled past as a biker. Seeking an outlet for his rebellious spirit, he immersed himself in the biker culture during his teenage years, finding solace and a sense of belonging on the open road. However, his journey took an unexpected turn when he encountered a traveling circus that would forever change his life.

Drawn to the vibrant energy and captivating performances under the big top, Jack discovered the heart-stopping art of wall of death riding. The daring nature of the act resonated with his adventurous spirit, providing an opportunity for redemption and a chance to leave his troubled past behind. Driven by an unwavering passion, he dedicated himself to mastering the craft. With relentless determination, Jack spent countless hours refining his balance, honing his showmanship, and building his physical stamina. Each twist and turn on the vertical walls of the wooden cylinder became a testament to his resilience and the distance he had traveled from his troubled past. As he joined the traveling circus as a Wall of Death rider, he found a supportive community that became his chosen family.

Jack is hard-working, loyal, dedicated, and always stands up for his found family. He's can be intimidating but he is friendly once you get to know him.

[Britwitch]

Another excellent character,  thank you for bringing him to the circus ;D

[AzureRain]

LENA RUSTON
Groupie

NAME: Lena Ruston

AGE: 19

GENDER: Female

SEXUAL ORIENTATION/PREFERENCE: Bisexual

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Average height but above-average appearance, her fiery hair makes up (in spirit) for her under-muscled arms and thighs

CHARACTER NAME: Courtney Halverson

ROLE WITHIN DREAMLAND: Customer

TALENTS: Technically, none yet, but she's going to find one, by george

HISTORY: The product of a broken home and rundown town, Lena has long been searching for the kind of family she's only read about in books. On her first visit to Dreamland as an adult, she was taken, not  just by the death-defying stunts, but by the community she immediately recognized between the performers. As it turns out, one the few happy memories she has from her troubled youth, was a visit to the circus with her now-absent father. Is it positive transference from the past, or just that magic big top haze that allows anyone to dream of the impossible? Unable to shake circus fever, she's now a regular on the trail, and desperate to snag a position in the troupe that could make this feeling last forever. Without any specialized training, she knows some convincing will have to be done. But if there is one thing she has going for her, it's that carny-like, do-whatever-it-takes tenacity. Working her way from the bottom, Lena is determined to weasel her way into this family of misfits... even if it means clawing her way in.

[Britwitch]

Our circus family is growing so much! ;D  Hoping to get the first threads and such set up tomorrow but it will depend on how my travels go - it might have to wait a day or two longer. But hopefully not!!.

[RainyHigh]

Choo choo!

[Dale]

Never played in a game before and definitely interested to ride in with this Equestrian act.

CHRISTOPHER WALKER
The Horse Whisperer Equestrian act performer.

NAME: Christopher Walker

AGE: 28

GENDER: Cis male

SEXUAL ORIENTATION/PREFERENCE: Heterosexual

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Kit to friends, is a shade over 6’1. He is muscular but not overly so. He has wavy mid-brown collar length hair, blue to blue-green eyes depending on the light, keeps his facial hair neatly groomed and has a faintly Mediterranean complexion. His voice is rich and deep and he speaks with a distinct English accent. He wears a figure-hugging stretchy black costume with or without a black and silver jacket during performances, casual clothes otherwise

FACE CLAIM: Antonio Navas 

ROLE WITHIN DREAMLAND: Performs traditional and Liberty styles in his equestrian act in the circus, gives pony rides in the fair after set-up

TALENTS: Horsemanship, using kindness-centred training on his four horses and one pony. A hard worker, Kit is willing to lend a hand where needed and is reliable in a crisis. He is a secret adrenaline junkie, fit and agile with excellent coordination and balance and has a strong drive to devise heart-warming and thrilling new tricks to please an audience

HISTORY: Kit was the son of an often-disinterested single mother pursuing her lucrative career in an English market town. Bullied at school for his cut-crystal accent, he took refuge in the local riding school. His disapproving mother bought him a pony to keep him occupied at home and to ensure he was mixing with ‘the right people’.

As an audience member, aged 14, he volunteered at a small circus to ‘ride a horse’. He took to bareback riding immediately but never imagined it as a career.

While working for a racehorse trainer, Kit discovered his talent for handling a difficult young horse but on returning to the Yard one day found the horse had been certified as dangerous and had been put down. Blamed for being too soft with the animal, Kit left, heart-broken, disillusioned and under a cloud. His mother died from an accidental drug overdose, at which point Kit discovered her high-end clothing shop was a front for illegal activities. Discovering the lies his life had been built on had a negative impact on his self-esteem

After the untimely demise of his mother, he sank his funds into putting together an equestrian act. Although quiet, he has a ready smile for friends and truly comes alive when performing. Despite still battling against his trust issues with people, he is seeking to have fun and catch up on having a social life. This may lead to interesting experiences. Kit is new to Dreamland and hopes to fulfil his destiny therein.

[AribethAmkiir]

Anyone want to start making connections?

[Dale]

Anyone want to start making connections?

Sure! I'm new to Games and my lad is new to Dreamland.

[Valerian]

Anyone want to start making connections?

We already have a connection!  Which is very cool, I like what you came up with.

As for others, since she's a lifer in the circus, Ella is likely to know everyone who's been there longer than a few months at least a little, so all kinds of possibilities there.  As for newer arrivals, she'd be happy to help them settle in.  She's probably seen plenty of acts come and go and will appreciate the ones who stick around for a while.  :)

[GnothiSeauton]

More than happy to start making connections and back histories with people.

[Britwitch]

We have our own forum!! Woo hoo!! Thank you so much to everyone who has shown an interest in this idea and I can't wait to start writing with everyone!!

The first threads are set up for people to start to playing whenever they're ready. But before anything else, please can everyone go and post their approved characters in this thread (one character per post please).

We are still welcoming new players so if you have a performer in mind or for someone who might run their own attraction in the fairground, please complete a CS and PM it to me for approval! ;D

[Black Howling]

Interested. I have a concept and FC for a strongman. Will hopefully have him sent sent for perusal tomorrow.