Cinna

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[cinnahq]

like angels, demons find it more difficult to hide the manifestation of their demon elements.  most grow at least one set of cranial horns ( though the shape, colour and initial size of these is unique to the individual ), and in time, these can become substantial in size, or even manifest as multiple pairs - their eyes also darken whenever they are using their gifts, or when emotionally or physically traumatised.  

though their appearance is, oddly, often less shocking than seeing someone walking around with wings, and many accept demonic appearance as part an parcel of the macabre portrayal of the carnival ( and most humans believe them to be simply clever costume effects ).

sometimes demons get a bad rap from others in the carnival, because of their apparent physical ties to ‘hell’ and the damnation inherent in the carnival itself, they can be the ( innocent ) targets of those who begrudge their deals and subsequent fate.

demon manifestations cannot be ‘exorcised’ by any religious practices - they are not ‘possessed’, and attempts to do so usually just makes them incredibly annoyed.

positives

in addition to the horns, which can be lethal if used offensively, any calcified structure in a demon is reinforced, their bones are outstandingly strong and incredibly resistant to breaking.  they also tend to grow black, almost claw-like nails.

demons have an inherent link to darkness, and can make themselves practically invisible in low light, disappearing into nearby shadows - almost untraceable by even those with heightened senses.  they can also manipulate those shadows ( with practice ) to a certain extent pulling darkness down upon others, even when there is artificial light, it can be smothered.

they also have the capacity for kinetic manipulation, able to move objects with focus, though this it linked to the age and maturity of the reflection - size of object and manner of movement to be moved increases with age.

negatives

they are incredibly light sensitive.  preferring to function mainly at night or in areas of low light.  intensely bright or sudden lights can be extremely painful, and will often cause a demon to resonate with intense headaches and poor vision for hours after.

if a demon does break a bone, it can take years to heal, due to the fortified nature of them.

forcing kinesis on something too large, trying to move it too far, or losing focus while doing so can induce incredible pain to a demon, resulting often in haemorrhage.  too many failed or forced attempts can permanently damage a demons ability to use this particular gift. 

typical roles for demons

illusionists, ‘human’ cannonball, freak show, public relations.

[cinnahq]

✗ - Upcoming Events

[cinnahq]

name; nikolai vasilyev | age; appears 48, actual 376 | fc; mads mikkelsen | reflection; vampire physiology | role; lead animal trainer | currently open

"Heroes don’t exist. And if they did, I wouldn’t be one of them."

positive traits; captivating, disciplined, charismatic, forceful, methodical negative traits; deceptive, impassive, brutal, conceited, demanding

deal made & detailed backstory [ up to player ] ; aware of the loophole [ yes ]

at the carnival;

nikolai has seen and heard it all - if you think you have something new to tell him, then he’d be very, very surprised if that turned out to be the case.  he’s heard every sob-story, every tale of broken hearts, every anger shouted at the heavens for a fate some say is worse than death... well, it might be for them, but not for him.  enjoying the privileged position of lead animal trainer, nikolai knows how to work hard - several centuries of literal blood sweat and tears have carved the impeccably presented, composed, enigmatic man you see before you today.

he’s worked just about every job at the carnival, climbing the hierarchy to take position of lead animal trainer - this goes for both the ‘natural’ animals, and those who are reflections but work for him in the ring as animal performers.

his methods are often brutal and unforgiving - giving more due to the ‘dumb’ animals than those he knows bear human intelligence, often seeing the transformers as simply tools to be used in his act - ever the perfectionist, if something doesn’t go as he wishes it, he won’t spare the whip.  and as tools, things for him to use or manipulate, nikolai often uses those under his control as a convenient and regular food source.

he also controls the full moon round up of wolves, caging them in special silver barred areas of the menagerie.  there isn’t an animal at the carnival that nikolai can’t train, beat or torture into submission.  respected and feared in equal quantities, he’s also one of the few who dares to approach the ringmaster without summons.

slick tongued and charming for the most part, if there’s a flicker of displeasure then his demeanour can change on a beat - from suave composure to the truly vicious epitome that his manifestation can bring.  

there are many rumours that nikolai fancies himself as the next ringmaster - that is, if the first is ever unseated from his throne, but those rumours are whispered words - if he overhears you talking about such things, the punishment is swift and severe.

for all of his severely charming persona projects, nikolai does play favourites, and no one can truly say if those that he does favour, takes under his wing, actually have a place in the vampires heart, or are simply there at his pleasure and convenience... but if you are fortunate enough to end up on his good side, then you may well find that your life at the carnival is sweeter, easier and a lot more pleasant than many others.

relationships; TBC

[cinnahq]

name; lucien vine | age; appears 34, actual 111 | fc; jensen ackles | reflection; wolf physiology | role; sideshow strongman | currently open

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

positive traits; quick thinking, independent, dependable, loyal, reliable negative traits; untrusting, rash, hostile, impatient, possessive

deal made & detailed backstory [ up to player ] ; aware of the loophole [ no ]

at the carnival;

lucien vine has quite the talent for smooth talking, though this hasn’t always been the case.  on arrival at the carnival, his first instinct was to be angry - enraged at the world and everyone in it, to lash out verbally and sometimes physically - confused and disoriented, he had little control over his reflection and was kept out of public bounds for the first three years of his residency.  that explosive personality made itself known frequently and he had to be forcibly restrained on several occasions, bound in silver for the safety of others.

he has attempted escape before, and was successful - once - on the night of a full moon when his lupine self was agile enough and strong enough to evade capture...  that was a defining moment for the wolf - on waking to the sunrise, he found himself next to the ravaged corpses of a young couple.  ripped apart, organs strewn, barely recognisable... but the open, staring eyes of the woman is something that will never leave him - frozen in a glassy rictus of sheer terror at the moment of her death.  she’d met with a monster - and the drying slicks of blood on his skin were proof enough that the monster had been him.  fleeing back to the haven of the carnival, word spread of a wild animal attack in town and the show moved onward that night.  the encounter shook the young wolf, enough to subdue some of his rebellious nature - making a conscious effort to control his reflection and a stark recognition that it was safer if he remained within the bounds of the carnival.  he voluntarily submits to restraints on full moon nights, and is vocal and active in helping to round up others.

lucien has been at the carnival long enough now to know how most things work.  once his reflection had been subdued into a modicum of control, he started off as an unseen, a runner and a ‘dogs-body’ ( ahah... ) for the other sideshows, working the backstages of the carnival for just over thirty years before finally winning a place as one of the sideshow performers.  his dedication and perseverance paid off as lucien honed his skill and focussed on developing control of his strength.  now he runs the high striker game - the traditional ‘test your strength’ challenge.  using slick words and learned banter to tempt the public into pitting themselves physically against his machine.  of course, the game itself is heavily weighted - only very few able to succeed - though lucien manages his demonstrations easily, carefully weighting each and every hammer blow with the innate strength his reflection lends.

he still has the capacity for those explosive moments, and bears little trust for most others in the carnival, but those he does put his faith in find the wolf a different character than his abrasive persona usually portrays - loyal, protective, and always showing that intense dedication in everything he does.

Relationships; TBC

[cinnahq]

not actually the ‘undead’.  carnival zombies are very much alive.  but they can mimic those effects oft seen on living corpse horror movies better than any other.  

when not manifesting any of their zombie attributes, zombies appear - to all intents - wholly human, apart from an unusual paleness to the irises which is usually an identifying factor for anyone who knows the reflection and it’s traits.

they can turn their hand to most things at the carnival, though their specialty usually lies in ‘shock’ performing - once they can control their reflection well enough and their already heightened tolerance for pain increases as the zombie ages.  they often also help out with some of the more dangerous acts where other members of the carnival may be injured, taking any ‘accidents’ in their stride.

positives

zombies are highly resistant to physical damage.  their bodies are one of the few forms that can recover from literal evisceration - healing at a rapid rate and at the discretion of the individual.  they also have an incredibly high pain tolerance.

they can survive the loss of several major organs ( other than the heart and brain ), and even limbs, only to assimilate them back into place when needed - though any missing pieces that are ‘detached’ for longer than five hours, can become more difficult, if not impossible to reclaim.

zombie forms don’t scar - they will inherit any that were present from their human form before manifestation, but their capacity for healing and self-reparation means they don’t need to bear any additional ones, unless of course, they choose to - but these can always be erased.

negatives

zombies are incredibly flammable.  taking on certain aspects of a corpse, they carry less moisture in their bodies and burn like paper.

if a piece of them is lost or unattached for too long, the zombie will lose it forever and they run the risk of losing multiple parts of themselves permanently - if they lose more than 40% of their organs or body mass on a permanent basis, the rest of their body will fail.

any extreme physical or emotional duress can prompt a sudden ‘corpse manifestation’, where the zombie’s skin will sink and peel, large sores or open wounds can appear and they take on the full visual presence of their reflection.

typical roles for zombies

freak show, body horror performances, hook suspension, pin and nail acts.

[cinnahq]

✗ - Upcoming FC’s - under the cut you’ll find a list of our first 50 (ish) FC’s - bios will be written up for these soon!  if you see a name on the list you like who doesn’t have a bio yet, you’re always welcome to send in an app for your own OC!

Aldis Hodge Alexandra Daddario Angel Coulby Avan Jogia Ben Barnes Brad Pitt Casey Deidrick Charles Michael Davis Charlie Hunnam Chloe Bennet Christian Kane Dwayne Johnson Emily Blunt Garrett Hedlund Gerard Butler Hugh Jackman Hugh Laurie Jai Courtney Jamie Dornan Jared Padalecki Jason Momoa Jenna Louis Coleman Jensen Ackles Jeremy Renner Johnny Depp Katharine Isabelle Keanu Reeves Kristen Stewart Ksenia Solo Lana Parrilla Lee Hyun-Jae Liam Hemsworth Lindsey Morgan Lucy Hale Luke Evans Luke Newberry Lyndsy Fonseca Mads Mikkelsen Maggie Q Marie Avgeropoulos Matt Bomer Michael Ealy Milo Ventimiglia Ming-Na We Moon Bloodgood Phoebe Tonkin Q’orianka Kilcher Samira Wiley Shane West Sophie Turner Stephen Amell Taron Egerton Wentworth Miller Woody Harrelson

[cinnahq]

don’t be fooled by those beautiful creatures, not all angels are peaceful or divine - remember, everyone was human... once.  for the most part, they exist in solitude and exclusion, disallowed from public presence unless staged in a freak show, or dressed in a way that binds and hides their wings.  unlike most of the other reflections ( apart from demons ), angels find it more difficult to pass as ‘human’ - their manifestation being a permanent, physical presence.

depending on the size of the wings, some angels find it easier to bind them than others, but each and every wing manifestation is unique to the individual in size, shape and colour.  despite appearances, angel wings are incredibly durable and strong, holding a complex muscular structure beneath the ridged bones.  this means that usually binding is very uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, and it’s very difficult to bear for any long periods of time.

part of their solitude often comes from the moment their reflection sets in - many of the younger angels struggling to cope with their new emotional perception and isolation is the easiest way to deal with the sudden influx; often an danger to others as lashing out with their wings can cause a great deal of damage.  older angels usually develop coping or blocking mechanisms that help them to manage when in larger groups or crowds and have more of a public presence.

positives

enhanced perception, quite often akin to something almost telepathic, many angels have at least an innate sense of empathy - able to feel the emotions, and sometimes the echoes of thoughts of others around them.

they do have the capacity for flight, though all angels undergo wing clipping, a painful process, and something which keeps them earth bound.  all clipped feathers will grow back in time.  flying is banned at the carnival, and unclipped angels are subject to severe punishment if they attempt it.

angels also have the capacity to create light, either as a soft glow from their hands or a shower of floating multicoloured stars.  these immaterial ‘orbs’ can be controlled and sustained for a time depending on the intensity and number of them.  they can also create an intense sudden ‘blast’ if needed defensively, so bright that it can temporarily blind and disorient opponents for a time.

negatives

because their wings are permanently manifest, they are vulnerable to damage and can be incredibly sensitive.

powerful emotions can sometimes be overwhelming, and being on display in public with a mass of differing thoughts and feelings can become exhausting, sometimes pulling the angel into a state of confusion or even catatonia if they can’t block it out.

removal of an angels wings breaks their reflection and causes death, sending them instantly into the mirror of the lost.

typical roles for angels

freak show, fortune tellers, tarot readers, light performances.

[cinnahq]

vampires leave the hall of mirrors imbued with an insatiable hunger.  something that demands their attention almost all of the time.  the only major physical change is that they develop the capacity to extend an extra set of lateral incisors - fangs that are razor sharp and deadly.

they often struggle with their hunger while around swathes of humans, and it’s not until they have their reflection under control that they’re allowed into the more public areas of the carnival or to become part of an act or show.  

vampire bites are not contagious and they cannot turn humans with a bite or their own blood - they are not repelled by religious iconography, and they aren’t allergic to garlic.  nor can they imbibe any 'solid’ food without making themselves ill, but they can drink other liquids with no adverse effects ( other than if they’re purposefully consuming something like alcohol - they can get drunk ).

typically they will need to feed on blood at least once a day, and in doing so maintain control - more than a day without feeding and the nature of the vampire can take over and they become more prone to attacking the nearest creature or human with a pulse.  the older the vampire, the longer they can go without blood before destabilising.

some vampires will make ‘arrangements’ to feed on other members of the carnival so they have a permanent blood supply.

positives

vampires can usually move at faster than normal speeds, usually at about two to three times their normal human capacity.  this capacity increases with age, with vampires reaching their 100th year or more able to move faster than most can perceive.

mild hypnosis.  because of their need to be close to humans, vampires have an innate ability to induce a mild hypnosis or influential state over others.  sometimes this connection can be strong enough to implant suggestion - and most can cause their ‘meals’ to forget that they have been fed upon if needed.

vampire blood is, in and of itself, a powerful ( and addictive ) drug, and some take to decanting and selling to unwary customers - it’s one of the more thriving of the ‘underground’ trades at the carnival, imparting a sense of blissful euphoria to those who partake.

negatives

the vampires of the carnival are not nocturnal, they can survive without burning in the sun, though they’re often more lethargic and lacking energy during daylight hours.

the hypnotic effect works on most humans, and occasionally on other reflections ( particularly the younger ones ), but if they attempt an effect and cannot manage persuasion, then the vampire is often left with a crippling pain in their own mind from a ‘psychic backfire’.

vampires can be harmed like any other creature, not just by a ‘stake to the heart’ ( because lbr that would kill most things... ), they heal at a normal rate, but if they haven’t fed in some time, they will be more prone to damage, a ‘corpsing’ of their features and even slower healing.

typical roles for vampires

kissing booth, sideshow hypnosis, slight of hand acts, pick pockets.

[cinnahq]

usually those with dragon physiology are unable to manifest a full dragon form, though they can partially pull certain aspects of that form through to their human presence.  only those ( very rare ) dragons who have existed at the carnival for longer than 500 years are capable of a full manifestation.

average body temperature of dragons is usually a few degrees above the norm, they run hotter than most and are more comfortable in warm environments.  because of their reptilian nature they are less comfortable in the cold, and often seek to stay indoors when in colder locations.

they tend to have to eat more often than others, as their constant heat, burns of energy at a more rapid rate - and after any fire breathing or flame performances, they often become ravenous.  a lack of refuelling can lead to lethargy and sluggishness.

oddly social types, they often find themselves gravitating instinctually toward other dragons, or often just the nearest warm body - possibly to do with an innate ‘flocking’ instinct, and they handle large crowds better than many of the other reflections.

positives

most dragons can manifest a scaled, protective skin at will, either partially or completely covering their body.  the scales act as a form of armour, highly resistant to damage and also heat resistant and fireproof.

with some degree of practice and control, dragons can also breathe long plumes of flame without the need for accelerant or an external ignition source.

they have a heightened sense of visual acuity, and hand eye co-ordination is remarkable - this might have something to do with their capacity to ‘heat detect’ on a visual thermographic level, even when their eyes are closed or covered.

negatives

because of the inherent nature of a creature with avian ancestry, the bones of dragons can be more fragile and prone to breaking with any amount of applied force.

even those who cannot manifest full dragon form still have that inherent within them, and sometimes an extreme physical stress or emotional duress can cause proto-wings or bladed horns to split skin and cause extreme pain for the time they are present until the dragon regains control.

every dragon, even when scaled, will have one vulnerable area, this is usually at the base of the throat, a softer patch of scales/skin where their fire core heats.  a direct strike to this area can incapacitate a dragon for some time and runs the risk of their flame projection becoming uncontrollable.

typical roles for dragons;

freak show, fire performer, knife thrower, juggling acts.

[cinnahq]

akin to a traditional werewolf, at least by form transmutation, most of those who gain wolf physiology are able to change their physical appearance at will.  one of only two reflections ( in addition to felines ) that has a full and almost immediate capacity to fully transform into an alternate state.  

unfortunately, they are also heavily influenced by moon phases and have a tendency to lose control of their shifting on the night of the full moon, devolving into dangerous, feral beasts.  at these times, any known wolves are restrained ( either voluntarily or by force ).  

wolves created from reflections will heal at a normal rate in human form, but faster as their lupine counterpart.  their heightened scent perception is usually permanently present.

unlike other myths, wolf bites are not ‘contagious’ and they cannot turn another creature or human - they are, however incredibly dangerous, as a wolf could easily rend flesh or snap a human bone with the power of their bite and the strength in their jaw.

when transformed, each wolf is identifiable and unique, often carrying traits of their human appearance across to their lupine forms.  they do grow in size, marginally and are not easily mistaken for dogs.

positives

wolves are stronger than their human counterparts, even when in full human form, usually about two to three times that would be expected for their physical size, though a very small wolf could still only be equally as strong as a very large human.  in lupine form their strength increases further to about five to six times that of the average human.

they have an increased sense of smell, hearing and good low-light vision.

a wolf howl has the capacity to strike immediate primal fear into any human or animal within close range - this will immediately trigger a fight or flight instinct, causing most ( but not all ) to flee in terror, it’s often used as a protection mechanism ( or to trigger an entertaining hunt for the wolf ).

negatives

another old adage that plays out here is their vulnerability to silver.  should it come into contact with their skin, their flesh will burn, and they can become weakened from prolonged physical contact.  whenever they are touching silver, their healing powers are slowed to a human rate.

all wolves are colourblind - whether in wolf or human form. 

their acute hearing can easily be overwhelmed with sharp sudden, or high pitched noises, often causing a wolf to recoil in pain.

typical roles for wolves;

wolf performer ( in the ring ), strength performers, carnival set up and take down,  animal keepers.

[cinnahq]

for more information about species/attributes, please see our ’reflections’ page. for more information about roles, please see our ’jobs/roles’ page. for more information about layout and structure, please see our ’locations’ page.

general setting

the carnival is set in a modern ( current ) time frame, though obviously it lives within it’s own little au.  people who come to the carnival would likely have had a life before ( there has to be a reason they sold their soul after all ) - but within the carnival boundaries itself, you’re likely to encounter individuals who may be substantially older than they appear.

the feel of the carnival itself is like stepping back in time.  while modern conveniences have certainly been integrated into every day life, things like cell phones, vehicles, tv and even the occasional playstation or x-box, the vast majority of the main structures are obviously very old ( though usually in a good state of repair ).

some of the sideshows have a distinctly aged-cyber or steampunk vibe to them, the the main tent and ticket booths are classic victoriana.

the boundaries

some people think that they might just be able to make the deal and leave.  nope, sorry kiddo, this isn’t going to happen.  

while some are free to leave the boundaries of the carnival proper whenever they wish, and many do to explore the surrounding towns that are visited, some will be restricted if they have poor control over manifestation of their reflection ( usually the younger members ) … and any with reflections that manifest permanently must have a suitable disguise, unless they’re out on a ‘promotional event’.

those who do think that running is an option will find out very quickly that it isn’t.  the hall of mirrors is the source of their reflection and the housing of their soul - the further away from that mirror maze, and the longer the duration, the more the individual will devolve wholly into their reflection, losing control of both mental and physical states.  any more than two days away from the carnival will usually have an individual running back to the haven…

        …though if they’re found to have attempted a run, the punishments can be severe.

the deals

most individuals will keep the nature of their deals private.  what and why a character may have made such a bargain is entirely up to the player.  very rarely is the full nature of a deal explained, nor the consequences - though some do step into them with full disclosure.  

there are a few who learn the secret of the loophole, though what they choose to do with that information is entirely up to them - and most will be wholly unaware of it.