Hello!

So, after a trek across the system, I've finally sent my players to Malfi (my favorite planet!)

The last few times I'd done that, on the forums, I feel that I've failed to Convey the proper atmosphere of Venician Carnival that permeates the air around the planet, not to mention the backstabbing that's supposed to be common-place there.

This time around, I'd like to avoid that- my players will likely be visiting an Underground market [The Floats, from Idyll Heresies]. But instead of floating, movable markets that operate without Jurisdiction, I'd like to add a twist!

I know its not very 40Kish, but bear with me!

The Atmosphere I would like to convey is going to be heavily inspired by two things- the first: The Court of Miracles, The second, Circus Contraption's "

Now, even though I might hint at the Menagerie in this place, I want to keep it relatively "Clean"- Criminal activity, smuggling, Oddities and Curios, but with that Bizarre Bazaar feel.

I am thinking, everybody down here wears some sort of face covering- anything from scarfs, rebreathers, broken masks and photo-visors to conceal their faces. They sell strange elixirs, offer fortune reading & a chance to gamble (maybe that Heretics Wake game from the Inquisitor's Handbook.) Not to mention the Pick-pockets running about.

But it seems overall, its rather lacking and lack-luster.

Does anybody have any ideas of an encounter or such that I can run here- perhaps to set the mood? It could be something creepy, or not. I was thinking a Side-show that someone will drag them over to see, something that seems innocuous but would come back to bite them later. I read a story by Thomas Ligotti which would fit- The Showman.

They enter a tent with a show, and find at the other upon a stage [behind solid, reinforced glass] a man in a top hat and fancy coat, hunched-over, with his back to the audience: his stance perfectly calculated to suggest that any moment he might turn and confront the audience. Now, this guy never moves- never budges. Sometimes he would give the appearance of twisting his face one side or another, threatening to reveal his hideous face... But that was probably an illusion.

Later on the adventure, the players will start to see him- or his shadow, or his peculiar silhouette- reflected in mirrors, glass In the distance across the crowded street- All the while, slowly turning towards them. He'd serve a direct link with the Menagerie after the players complete this particular Adventure...

What do you guys think? If you guys have any ideas on how to make this trip more interesting, I'd love to hear about them- just to give it some "Bizarre Bazaar" feel without turning into full sanity blasting Carnival of Horrors.

Excellent idea!

You may find inspiration in part 1 of the Haarlock's Legacy trilogy, 'Tattered Fates' which features a festival of the same name on Quaddis. Think masks, extravagant shows, performances, a fancy fair for the rich and jaded and powerful, Shade & Cougar's Obscura Show etc etc.

There is also an Eisenhorn short story in the omnibus in which he visits some kind of photographer on a festival who unwittedly uses (SPOILER) warp-touched glass plates to capture images of his clients/victims that visit his trailer.

I am also thinking: fortune tellers, both mundane and the real thing, wrestling shows, strong men, perhaps a freak show of minor mutants, religious parables being enacted. Think of the brilliant Carnivale shows that were on tv some years back (HBO, USA). Ofcourse there will also be witches, heretics , aliens and warp dabblers present but they need not be overwhelming rightaway.

Think of acrobats, clowns, fire eaters, dancers, but also pick pockets, con men, drunken brawlers, and a brothel ofcourse. Nobles indulging their every desire, rogues making a living etc etc. I like mystifying clownesque figures, a bit harlequin like (not the Eldar Harlequin, unless you really want to hit it big) who work the crowds. Myrchella Sinderfell from the Disciples of the Dark Gods book also fits in here.

I'm also thinking beasts, pets, a bizarre zoo, perhaps arena pits with gladiators and agressive critters. Toys, clockwork toys, puppets, seemingly moving of their own accord. A doomsday prophet, ofcourse. Corrupt Enforcers surveying it all.

Do you have a central protagonist or heretic to include in your carnival?

Not really- It was just supposed to be a stop on the way while they chase down a Criminal that has escaped to the court in order to sell his ill-gotten gains.

I did read that story from the Omnibus! I can't believe I forgot it, I am going to have to go trough it again. I will see if I can get my hands on the Tattered Fates as well- I like the Bizarre Zoo and the Arena pits, and likely will include them as well. Filling up the area with blazing acts to attract attention of buyers is a must.

Oooh- yeah, Introducing a major heretic here as a relatively innocent passerby would be great- Sinderfell in particular. She could be pulling the strings, and she'd be The Court's Red Queen- Judge, Jury and Executioner.

Though, most of the stuff will only be revealed if the Acolytes decide to explore the Court anymore than they have too- If they just swoop in, catch the guy they are looking for, and get out... They might choose to come back here later, once they find the way to do so.

Speaking of which, how WOULD the acolytes find this place?

I was thinking that, if they go into an Under-hive bar and ask for a Special Drink, then drink it- it will show them drug-induced visions that will lead them to the court. Or maybe someone slips them a pill that, when taken, shows them signs and graffiti on the walls that normal people don't see.

Or, finally, it could be a maze with a few riddles along the way- perhaps based on that song, something to do with the Lame Walking and the Blind Seeing. I can try my hand at making a substitution Cipher too... If they lose themselves in the Under-hive sewers, they get attacked by Maw-Flukes from the Creature's Anathema- a chance to use those damned critters.

So I've thought about more during the day, and here's a proposed composition!

The Court of Miracles is ruled by the Red Queen, Sinderfell though no one knows her real identity. She surveys the entire scene with her entourage from a ledge, in a Red Venitian Carnival Mask and Dress- no one has seen her true face.

Now, keeping in mind I don't want my acolytes to waste the entire night here- its just a place where they can go while they are looking for one particular criminal, so I decided on 6 extra locations.

1- Syke's Brick-a-bracks (Works, guaranteed!) : If the Acolytes have played Edge of Darkness and visited Sykes, they might recognized him. If not, here the players have a chance to find half-working gear and weaponry. Anything not too expensive or too rare- unless they are willing to pay. At this point, they've dealt with him enough they might want to buy him as a contact.

2- Madame Mii's Tonics & Elixirs (Drink Your Troubles Away) : Here the acolytes have a chance to buy healing and love "Potions" to mixed drugs and energy tonics-. Most of which are a sham and do nothing, but some of which is actual medicine. She also sells charms, "cook" books and, if your acolytes are so inclined Exotic poisons. She can solve almost all of the Acolytes problem with a good salve.

3- Drake's Den of Dreams (Up Up and Away): The aforementioned Obscura & Drug den. Comparative with an Opium Dem, lots of smoke. People lounging about, indulging in all manner of drugs and smokes, primarily Obscura. Here the acolytes have a chance to buy any manner of actual Hallucinogenic drugs. They are likely to be affected simply by entering the tent.

4- Qualia's Xenosotic Cullinarium (Taste-buds Carnival): Exactly what it sounds like- Strangely enough, a tent that offers strange and exotic food: xenos components. Eyes, ears, antennas and meat of unknown origin that promises to be quite a feast. Some of it is even cheaper then regular food. Most of it is made up of the remains of harvested Hive Vermins, including Maw-Flukes [Risks of Paralyzing the acolytes upon consumption].

5- The Sideshow (Seemingly abandoned): A chance meeting with the Side-show man. Doesn't do anything in particular in there- but haunts the players for the rest of the game.

6- Nixios' Winner's Circle (Everybody Wins): A gambling den: a chance to play Heretic's Wake, and for the more risk-taking of the acolytes, a chance to fight in a bloody battle for thrones. The Arena is simple: a chain-linked cage hanging in between an open acid vent and a pipe designed in a way that the former drips dangerous sludge down onto the latter, passing trough the cage but with a chance of showering those fighting within the cage.

7- The Hot spot: the most dangerous place in the area: see Idyll heresies for the rest of the information on this place. Its a sales spot where people try to sell their wares quickly under dangerous conditions that risk dropping their toughness and health considerably.

Other spots that I will hint at their existence- a mutant freak show, and a slave dealer ring [but seeing as the Criminal they are following is trying to sell some drugs, he's not likely to have gone here, so these places haven't been really expanded upon].

Spending time going around between the different attractions, the players encounter pick-pockets and other random acts designed to to attract attention. Sitting at the center of it all, a woman dressed in rags and tatters (a beggar of some sort). Assuming the players decide to give her some thrones, she'll reach out and grab their hands and give them a new divination that'll work for the duration of the game (This is actually Sinderfell, hiding out among the crowds in order to survey the comings and goings of the people and entertain herself). Along with the divination, the players will gain corruption points. If they gain a fate point from the divination, this is a "Chaos Point"- Using it incurs 1d10 Corruption.

Now, how do you find this amazing wonderful place you Say?

Relatively simple- This thing basically wanders, but trough word of mouth and graffiti you can tell that its arrived in your section of the hive. After that, you head down to the nearest under-hive bar and ask the tender for a "Miracle", he gives you a drink. Gulp it down, head down to the nearest sub-market. An hour or so later, the drinks start acting up- your vision blurs, you start seeing things: signs on the walls, voices- laughter & such. Following these leads you trough the labyrinthine underground to the Court of Miracles. On the way, you run into Maw-flukes. If they don't smell the drug on you, they'll attack.

So what do you guys think?

Is it going to be an Underhive thing or a noble's hang out, this court of miracles? That will determine the nature and extent of the shows and entertainment offered. If it's a noble thing, it could be invitation only (if Sinderfell runs the show it will probably cater to the high and mighty of the Hive). However it could be interesting if it's a mixed clientele thing: maybe the outer zone reserved for normal midhivers and the forbidden inner zones - holding such promises as are only whispered and guessed at - for those whose wallets overfloweth.

I don't think it works well as just an inbetween encounter, it should be the focus point of your adventure.

Oh and there should be a travelling preacher, offering absolutions, blessed and visions in the name of the God Emperor