Copyright © 2001 by Robert J. Hall

The travelling circus is a popular attraction among the towns folk, providing an entertaining diversion from the toils of everyday life. The spells of this college were created primarily to entertain people and are much easier to cast and maintain when an audience is present. No magic skill is required, as each of these spells is designed to complement and enhance a particular mundane skills. Skill levels in these circus skills can be purchased at a cost of five character points per +1 bonus. These skills include Acrobatics, Animal Handler, Breakfall, Concealment, Contortionist, Deduction, Disguise, Oratory, Persuasion, and Sleight of Hand.

Circus Magic Package Deal

 Skills and Talents                                      Cost

 FAM w/ Single Weapon Group                                1
 Sleight of Hand                                           3
 PS: Vaudeville 11-                                        2
 Magic Skill                                               3
 KS: Styles of Magic 12-                                   2
 KS: Circus Management 11-                                 2
 KS: Circus Magic 11-                                      2
 Choose two from the following list:
   Acrobatics, Animal Handler, Breakfall, Conceal-
   ment, Contortionist, Deduction, Disguise,
   Fast Draw, Oratory, Persuasion, Resistance              6

 Disadvantages

 Package Bonus (15+)                                       3
 Loves to entertain an audience                          -15


 Package Cost                                              3

See the Bard package in FH for more ideas on building a Circus Magician character.

Common Limitations: Gestures (-1/4), Incantations (-1/4), Requires a Skill Roll (-1/2), 2x END (-1/2), OAF (-1), Must have at least 20 points in spells from Circus College (-1/2), Extra Time (Full Phase) (-1/2), x2 END without an audience of 20 or more (-1/4).
Total: -3-3/4

Spells

Barker

The circus barker must persuade people to enter the circus and enjoy its many attractions. This spell makes the character a much more effective and appealing speaker, drawing people to hear what he has to say. Whether they proceed inside will then depend on his skill as a speaker, and the level of interest in the circus.

Beast Master

The circus performer can impress an audience through his command of the wild and dangerous beasts. This spell will allow the circus magician to control a variety of animals, including Bears, Apes, Great Cats, Elephants, and Horses.

Big Top

This spell will create a large tent to shelter a crowd from the elements. The tent must be cast over an existing set of supports, usually a pair of large poles and some ropes. The interior of the tent is quite comfortable and fully illuminated.

Blindfolded

Performing thrilling acts while blindfolded is certain to draw the interest of an audience. This spell allows the caster to see normally even when his eyes are covered, protecting him from gaze attacks or flashes to sight. However, this power will not function when there is not a light source present.

Catapult

This spell allows the caster to give a powerful boost to a leaping character, projecting him far into the air. This power is especially useful for performing a group acrobatics act.

Clown

Physical humor is a sure hit, especially with a younger audience. This spell will allow the circus magician to perform all manner of tricks on his victims from a safe distance.

Cream Pie

A favorite of clown acts, this spell allows the caster to produce a cream pie and hurl it into a face, temporarily blinding the target. A metal or ceramic pie pan is required, which can be reused.

Escape Artist

The skilled circus magician can escape from almost any bonds, but sometimes he will need the aid of magic when his normal skills fail. This spell will allow him to escape from most containers or gaols. A length of fine wire is required, which is usually concealed about the casters body.

Fire Eater

Some circus performers can swallow burning swords or walk across hot coals, apparently without discomfort. This spell will protect the caster from such heat-based damage, allowing him to walk through even large fires with no damage. However, the same can not be said for his clothing, or anything else he may be carrying.

Fortune Teller

This spell allows the caster to foretell the future of a customer. This fortune appears in the guise of dream-like imagery, appearing within a crystal ball, that requires some skill to interpret. Many of the images will have a meaning that is quite different from the obvious, and the truth will only be seen after the fact. Indeed, should the caster fail his deduction roll, only misleading imagery will appear in the sphere.

Freak Show

The perverse human fascination with the malformed and strange is well known, and always draws a crowd. This spell allows the caster to assume just about any distorted humanoid form, ranging from the bearded lady to a two- headed snake man.

Hypnotism

The skilled carnival hypnotist can place a subject in a state of deep sleep where they are highly susceptible to suggestion. The hypnotist can cause the subject to perform unusual actions upon speaking a key phrase, or perform selective editing of his memory. Such effects will fade with time, requiring periodic hypnosis sessions to reinforce the suggestions.

Knife Throwing

This spell allows the circus magician to rapidly throw up to five small weapons at a target with great accuracy. Often the target will be an assistant on a spinning target, the aim being to hit the target in a neat pattern about the volunteer. This is usually preceded by a set action to ensure accuracy.

Legerdemain

The magician is versed in a wide variety of parlor tricks, ranging from causing a bundle of flowers to appear, to vanishing from the stage in a cloud of smoke. This spell will allow the caster to perform amazing acts of legerdemain, with the particular effects determined by the act.

Levitation

The circus magician can cause a subject to slowly rise or fall at his command, all without the use of wires or other props. He must make constant use of his wand to control the flight.

Lion Tamer

By wielding his whip in an intimidating manner, the Lion Tamer can control even the king of the beasts. This spell is more effective against tame animals, but can function even with wild creatures.

Net

Circus work can be hazardous, especially when working high off the ground. This spell will create a net that will catch anybody who falls. Since the net is triggered by a fall, this spell will remain invisible until activated, increasing the thrills for the audience.

Mind Reader

A favorite act of the circus magician is to read the minds of his audience and impress them with the resulting knowledge. Steady concentration is required to pick out the thoughts of his subject, and this spell becomes less effective with increasing distance from the magician. A mounted pearl or other precious stone must be worn upon the characters forehead for this spell to be effective.

Project Voice

When entertaining a large audience, the circus magician will need to project his voice a great distance. This spell will amplify his speech so that it is heard clearly even in the back rows.

Raise Tent

A pair of magical hands appear, grasping an object and raising it far into the air. This spell is primarily used for raising a large tent or other structure, but it can have other uses in a busy carnival.

Saw In Half

This amazing illusion allows the magician to place a volunteer inside a narrow box, then use a saw or other cutting implement to cut the subject in half. Once segregated, the two halves of the box can be moved apart and the subject can continue to move his limbs. Once the halves are brought back together, the volunteer can be safely rejoined.

Stage Props

The magician can create a set of realistic props for use during a live act, such as a skit. The props require steady concentration to create, but they will remain in place until dispelled by the caster.

Stilts

This spell allows the character to appear as if walking on stilts. The legs and pants of the caster grow amazingly long, allowing the caster to stand well above most crowds.

Strong Man

When this spell is cast, the circus magician will grow slightly as his muscles enlarge and grow more defined. Once complete, the character will be able to lift an immense amount of weight, impressing those members of the audience who admire fine physique.

Tightrope Walker

The circus performer is capable of many amazing acts of balance which will capture even the most jaded audience. This spell will increase the balance of the caster, allowing him to duplicate such feats, if not surpass them. He can use this spell on himself, or on any objects or beings with which he is currently in physical contact.

Trapeze Artist

Whether swinging from rope to rope, or leaping from the swings high up in the tent, the circus magician can thrill an audience with this spell. When no rope is available, one will magically appear as long as supports are available.