FYI presents

Carnival Arcane: The LARPA Live-Action Role Playing Scenario set in 1928

***Final Edition, v. 1.1

With special thanks to Ed Douglas and Gavin Goszka—you’re the best!

Scenario written by Gregory Nagler, with additional material by the FYI TeamEditing and Photography: Kevin MacGregor and Shari MacGregor Page Design and Layout: Shari MacGregor

Cover graphic by Vector Jungle (www.vectorjungle.com), modified by Shari MacGregor

Gregory Nagler, Kevin MacGregor, and Shari MacGregor are Figments of Your Imagination (FYI)LarpsByFYI@gmail.com www.LarpsByFYI.com

The music album Carnival Arcane (which inspired this scenario) is available from Midnight Syndicate at www.midnightsyndicate.com

Disclaimer: Carnival Arcane: The LARP is a work of fiction created by the FYI Team and is solely their interpretation of the works of Midnight Syndicate. Any resemblance to actual events or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental. The opinions and ideas expressed herein are those of FYI and do not necessarily reflect those of Midnight Syndicate or Entity Productions, Inc. Midnight Syndicate, Carnival Arcane, and the Midnight Syndicate logo are owned by Midnight Syndicate, a registered trademark of Entity Productions, Inc. Used by permission. Midnight Syndicate makes no representation or warranty as to the quality of this product or its suitability for purpose.

©2013, Figments of Your Imagination (FYI). Permission granted to reproduce character sheets and character handouts for personal use.

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Table of ContentsChapter One: Getting Started 5

Casting the Players .................................................................6Preparing for the Game ..........................................................8Starting the Game ..................................................................9

Hand Out History Document ...........................................9Brief the Players .............................................................10Hand Out Character Sheets and Separate the Groups....11Pull Aside Certain Characters for Introductions............11Explain Musical Introduction to Carnies .......................11Begin Carnie Introductions With Music ........................12Suggested Event Time Line ...........................................13

Chapter Two: Rules 14

Basic Conflict Resolution .....................................................14Unopposed Tests ............................................................14Opposed Tests ................................................................14Clandestine Opposed Tests ............................................16

Magic ...................................................................................17

Chapter Three: Character Sheets and Handouts 18

Oliver Zane...........................................................................19Samuel Casper......................................................................21Dr. Prospero Atmore ............................................................23Ellis Chapman ......................................................................25Arthur Lightener ..................................................................27Audrey Foster .......................................................................29Jane Whitby .........................................................................31John “Chief” Ten Trees ........................................................33Doctor Philip Rankin ...........................................................35Madame Zora. ......................................................................37Dora Franklin .......................................................................39Alura... ..................................................................................41Diana Zane ...........................................................................43Mistress Bella.......................................................................45Hansel Zwaan .......................................................................47Robert Bradford ...................................................................49Ferral Du Lupin. ...................................................................51Keaton Randolph ..................................................................53Master Zhang.... ....................................................................55Ester Ellen Harmon. .............................................................57

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The Revenant .......................................................................59Carnie Handout ....................................................................61

The Lancaster-Rigby Carnival .......................................61The Carnival Arcane ......................................................61The Barker’s Agreement ................................................61

Townie Handout ...................................................................63Warren’s Rock ................................................................63The Lancaster-Rigby Carnival .......................................63The Folk of Warren’s Rock ............................................63

The 1920s: A Brief Overview ..............................................65Quick Facts About 1928 .................................................65Science and Technology .................................................66Contemporaries of the Day ............................................66

Cast List ...............................................................................67

Chapter Four: Plot Summaries 68

Plot One ................................................................................68Plot Two ...............................................................................69Plot Three .............................................................................69Other Plots ............................................................................69

The Townies ...................................................................70The Carnies ....................................................................75Other Backgrounds ........................................................81

Appendix One: Menu and Prop Tips 85

Menu Ideas ...........................................................................85Prop Ideas .............................................................................86

Lightener’s Satchel .........................................................86Other Items.....................................................................87

Appendix Two: General LARP Guidelines 89

How Much Experience Do I Need? .....................................89How Do I Run A Player-Friendly, Organized Event? ..........90

Avoid Saying “No” .........................................................90Use Enough GMs ...........................................................90Keep a GM Kit Handy ...................................................91Be Aware of Which Players Are Real-Life Couples ......91

How Do I Find Players? .......................................................91How Do I Get Commitments From the Players? ..................92How Do I Find A Suitable Location? ...................................93

Appendix Three: FAQ 94

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Welcome to the Lancaster-Rigby Carnival! Step right up, folks, and learn the secrets that lie veiled within…

You hold in your hands Figments of Your Imagination’s singu-lar interpretation of the acclaimed horror-theme album Carnival Arcane, by Midnight Syndicate. This Live-Action Role Playing (LARP) scenario package includes everything you need to in-troduce your players to the dark world of the Lancaster-Rigby Carnival.

Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka, the real masters of mod-ern horror soundtracks, have graciously permitted us to bring our own unique vision of their creation to life. Pray enter, dear reader. We trust you will find the experience worth the price of admission….

NOTE:

This product is intended for the Gamemaster’s (GM’s) eyes only, as it contains plot secrets and other

revelations that would spoil player enjoyment of the event if revealed prematurely. If you are not a GM

and you intend to play in this adventure, stop reading now.

Chapter One: Getting Started

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