The lights dim and a hush falls over the crowd.

A second later, a spotlight illuminates a lithe,

elven figure sitting in a silver hoop, suspended above the center ring by silver ropes.

The elf wears a dazzling suit of diamond-pane mirrors, the arms and silver-white top hat
dripping with sequined fringe. A pair of oversized butterfly wings sprouts from his back, shining
like mithril, the top wings lined with fluffy white feathers. The bottom wings extend all the way
down to the ground, separating into white and silver silk ribbons that brush the floor.

In his hand, he holds a gilded scepter topped with a ruby red butterfly-shaped vane, which spins
happily and winks in the light. For a moment, he slowly spins like a disco ball and looks out at
the audience, his face filled with joy at the sight of a happy crowd.

“Welcome, one and all, to this evening’s extravaganza! I am Mister Light. Prepare to be
delighted!”

He opens his hand and throws a wave of sparkling confetti in the air.

Suddenly, 8 fairy dragons of all colors of the rainbow fly through the air from every corner of the
tent, soaring over your heads and diving to pick up one of the hanging ribbons from Mister
Light’s butterfly wings. The dragons begin pulling the ribbons, ducking and weaving around
each other as Mister Light’s hoop spins faster and faster. As the hoop spins, the wings at Mister
Light’s back flutter, and he floats away from the hoop and gently descends to the ground. As his
feet touch the ground, the ribbons suddenly change color to match the dragons holding them–
red, pink, yellow, orange, green, blue, indigo, and violet–and detach from the wings. The fairy
dragons begin performing a synchronized routine, flitting and flying around the audience, the
ribbons twirling in their wake. You see that these dragons, too, have painted their wings to
resemble those of a butterfly.

As the dragons finish their final pose, they weave the ribbons together to form a floating
butterfly. Mister Light stands at the center of the ring and gestures towards the dragons
overhead. “Ladies and gentlemen–the Fae Fliers!” The dragons bow in unison as the applause
washes over them.

Mister Light introduces each new act that takes the stage. You see a fire-breathing tiefling blow
a stream of fire from the tip of a torch, imp-like beings of flame and smoke emerging from the
billowing mass to flit mischievously through the crowd before disappearing with a puff. A troupe
of acrobats spin, twist, and balance on all manner of mediums, from hoops to silks to small
raised platforms, ending in a climactic balancing act on a tightrope. A falconer sends a bird of
prey swooping through the audience. Clowns putter about to help clean up and set up the next
act, their playful antics keeping the crowd laughing.

“And now, I present to you–Burly, the Iron Bugbear, and his sensational feats of strength!”
From the wings, you see a tall bugbear approach the ring, wearing dungarees and a helmet
made from a jack-o-lantern. He is covered in sandy blonde fur and packed with muscle. As he
turns, you see a pair of teeny tiny bumblebee wings affixed to his back. He gives the crowd a
shy wave.

Burly hefts a heavy chain of iron up from the ground, and lifts it over his head. He turns before
wrapping the chain around his chest. With the chain secured, he takes in a deep breath before
flexing his arms, expanding his ribcage until the chain breaks around his chest. He takes one of
the broken links and begins twisting and bending the metal until it has wound around itself
several times.

Burly goes on to catch a cannonball after it is fired from a rainbow-colored cannon, barely
moving from the impact. He deadlifts a barrel of wine, a horse, and a ship anchor. As his act
begins to come to a close, he crosses his arms and addresses the audience.

“For my final performance,” he booms, “I require some volunteers.”

Hands begin to shoot up throughout the crowd.

[let party volunteer if they wish]

Clowns make their way through the crowd and escort volunteers to the stage, where a wooden
platform is being set. Volunteers are directed to stand on the platform–and to be very still.

All told, 20 guests stand atop the platform. Burly spits in both of his hands, rubs them together,
then situates himself underneath the platform, crouching. He places his hands over his head. A
deep inhale….and as he exhales, he lifts the platform above his head, keeping it perfectly
balanced even as the guests sway on their feet.

He holds the pose for but a moment, before setting the platform gently back down. The crowd
erupts into cheers, and he gives a quick flex before waving and walking off the stage.

Mister Light claps along with the crowd, before turning to address them.

“What an impressive display of physical prowess! It surely gives all new meaning to the phrase
“bear hug”. Without further ado, our final act of the evening–the lovely Palasha!”

A giant, closed clamshell is wheeled out onto the stage, along with ceramic vases shaped like
open-mouthed fish. You see a monochromatic man among the staff helping, setting down a
vase near the front of the stage to complete a circle around the clamshell. A string quartet with
turquoise luna moth wings set up nearby, and as the lights dim, their wings glow faintly.

The violin begins, the rest of the quartet following as their notes echo through the tent. The
clamshell slowly begins to rise, revealing a beautiful mermaid sitting upon a central pearl
pedestal within. The mermaid’s skin is tinted an aquamarine blue, her torso adorned with golden
and pearl necklaces, bracelets, and chains. Instead of hair, her crown is adorned with long
lavender fins that undulate softly. Similar fins dot her long, blue tail, which wraps around the
pedestal. The light catches her shimmering scales as she looks out at the crowd, and takes a
deep breath.

And then she begins to sing.

It’s as if the rest of the performance–the quartet, the stage, the crowd–melt away, and you are
captivated by the sound of her voice. It’s the most beautiful song you’ve ever heard, glorious
and haunting. She sings in a language you do not understand, her voice ebbing and flowing like
waves.

As she sings, water begins to gently rise out of the vases, forming pillars that rise and fall along
with her melody. Throughout the performance, the water forms different shapes, living
sculptures that bend and spiral with the music.

Just offstage, you see the monochromatic man watching quietly, a sad smile on his lips. As the
song continues, you see a blush of pink spread on his black-and-white cheeks–and soon, his
whole body has a flush of color returned.

As the song reaches its crescendo, the streams of water begin curving to form arches
connecting each vase. Suddenly, rainbow colored fish appear in the streams, swimming through
the archways like bridges, their multi-colored scales catching the light and sparkling. Palasha
triumphantly holds a high note that rings as clear as a bell, her face serene.

The crowd erupts into applause, and Palasha bows regally.

Mister Light takes the stage once more as the clamshell and vases are carted away.

“Thank you, one and all, for joining us this marvelous evening! I hope very much that you have
enjoyed the performance. But before we leave, perhaps there are others in the crowd who have
a hidden talent of their own–one that longs to be shared! Do I hear any volunteers for a guest
performance?”

[DC 14 Performance check to woo the crowd]

“That concludes our Big Top Extravaganza. Thank you all for joining us–we hope to see you
here again just before dawn for the crowning of our Witchlight Monarch. Who will it be? Perhaps
one of you! Enjoy the carnival!”

He raises his scepter in the air, and as the crowd applauds, the butterfly vane at its top spins
just a little faster.