CrossRoads carnival

The master % ceremonies

Agenda the town notes:
C Make the darkness unrelenting. Name:
C Make the performers’ lives compelling.
C Play to find out what happens. Industry:

Hunger:
Principles
C Cover the world in dust and poverty.
C Address yourself to the performers, not the players.
C Shroud your moves in shadow.
C Treat them like freaks, but always offer a promise
of more.
C Name everyone; give them all hungers.
C Ask compelling questions and build on the answers.
C Be a fan of the players’ characters.
C Show them that darkness lingers.
C Remind them everything rests on their shoulders.
C Put them in their place.

Moves Npc Names

C Get the rubes involved. Billie, Shirley, Gerald, Rudy, Sylvia,
C Reveal the darkness within someone trusted. Wallis, Boyce, Delores, Grace, Mae,
C Pit characters against one another. Eugene, Guadalupe, Miguel, Martha,
C Present help for the wrong reasons. Fernando, Josefina, Jorge, Rosalyn,
C Offer a horrible bargain at the right moment. Rhode, Stanley, Ursula, Klaus, Hans,
C Remind them that they will never belong. Edith, Margot, Annelise, Friedrich,
C Isolate, separate, or hurt them. Pieter, Bartek, Magda, Pawel, Tomek,
C Turn a move back on them. Clementine, Alma, Beauford, Palmer,
C After every move: “What do you do?” Gordan, Horace, Minnie, Ulysses, Meta
 Apocalypse Track
The stars go out one by one until night is only darkness o o The dead begin to rise, restless & grieving
Unspeakable things lurk in the darkness, lonely & waiting o o Death can be found walking amongst the living

o The sun will glow a bloody red forever more The darkness snuffs out the red sun o
o Disease, famine, & war can be found in every home The earth opens up, swallowing good & evil alike o

o A sandstorm blots out the sun

The apocalypse is complete o
o A plague of locusts & jackrabbits descend

Path of redemption Path of destruction

o A prophet awakens whispering the future A harbinger is awoken promising despair o

o A scarcity becomes plentiful A source of comfort becomes poison o

o A herald awakens bringing hope A horror is spawned from the earth o

o A gift arrives exactly when needed A child of darkness awakens with newfound power o

o A saviour awakens with newfound purpose The beast awakens with dark purpose o
o An enemy becomes an ally when least expected An ally becomes an enemy when least expected o

o A weapon is found to smite the darkness A safe haven is corrupted wholly o

o An army is formed from those redeemed A guardian is lured to the darkness and consumed o

o A death is undone with the gift of life A loved one becomes an irredeemable monster o
o A monster is given humanity An army arrives to burn the world o

CrossRoads carnival
 C Carnival s
Offer Comfort Lash Out With Unsettling Violence Indulge Your Inner Monster
When you offer comfort to someone in need, roll When you lash out with unsettling violence When you indulge your inner monster, hold 1.
+grace. On a hit, choose 2. On a 7-9, their player gets to against someone, roll +bones. On a hit, exchange harm as Mark darkness to spend your hold 1 for 1 to choose 1
ask 1 of you as well. established. On a 10+, choose 1. On 7-9, choose 2. from the list. Your hold disappears at the end of session.
1 Who here frightens you? 1 You attract unwanted attention 1 Become invincible: ignore all harm from a single source
1 How can I get you to ? 1 You take it further than you intended 1 Become omniscient: force another to reveal their
1 What disgusts you about yourself/another/this place? 1 Someone precious to you pays for your rashness hidden truth
1 How can you be redeemed? 1 Mark darkness as the blood stains your hands 1 Become indomitable: turn a miss to a 10+ result
1 What do you desire from ? 1 Become undeniable: summon the darkness to face you

Keep An Eye Out For Trouble Strike a Deal Embrace the Darkness
When you keep an eye out for trouble, roll When you strike a deal by offering up something When you embrace the darkness, mark darkness
+guile. On a hit, take +1 forward on the answers you precious, roll +guile. On a hit, the deal is struck with a and roll +breath. On a 10+, choose two from the list. On
found. On a 10+, ask 2. On 7-9, ask 1. shake of hands. On a 7-9, you have to mark darkness or 7-9, choose one:
1 What dark truth is hidden here? choose 1: 1 Show someone true pain: rip the darkness from their
1 What tragedy is about to happen? 1 You pay more than you reckoned soul (2 harm)
1 What is my best way out of this mess? 1 Someone else pays a price 1 Show someone true fear: they must either run from
1 Who here is stained by the darkness? 1 Blood will need to be spilled you or freeze in place, your choice
1 The darkness takes a cut 1 Show someone true disgust: extend your abilities to
When you strike a deal with another PC, they can do something inhuman
mark darkness to weasel out of it later or mark experience 1 Show someone true grief: take something valuable
Endure the Darkness when they finally follow through. Either way, you know from them
When you endure the darkness in the face of the outcome.
danger, tell the MC what you want to withstand and roll
+breath. On a hit, you do it. On a 10+, you also learn an
unexpected truth about the situation. On 7-9, the MC will
offer you a wicked bargain, a painful choice, or a price
paid to the darkness.

©2018 Created by Kate Bullock. Find more info at magpiegames.com

 stats

OD
Bones Breath Grace Guile

og-Faced
o o o o
Character creation moves
Circle one from each You get Beast Within and choose one:
Name: Rusty, Tiffani, Pippa, Bart, Rory, Enzo, Wilder, Marquel, Dolores, Harriet
Look: mangy, groomed, grotesque, scruffy, devilish Beast Within
Eyes: predatory, begging, gentle, soulful, playful When you transform into a terrifying werewolf, roll +bones. On a 10+, choose two.
Origin: bitten by a beast, born under a full moon, spirit of the wolf, raised with the On a 7 - 9, choose one:
pack, man’s best friend 1 Gain +1 to Bones until you change back
Indulgence: 1 Do an extra harm when you Lash Out With Unsettling Violence
1 You can easily transform back
Beginning Stats (Add +1 to any of the following): 1 Heal all of your harm
Bones +1, Breath +1, Grace -1, Guile -1 On a miss, you are lost to your true nature. Upon recovering your human form, you
discover that you did something you’ll regret.

o One
Pitch Card
1 How did you end up at the carnival? of the Pack
When a loved one is in danger, add +1 when you Lash Out with Unset-
1 Why are you fighting on the side of humanity?
tling Violence to keep them safe.
1 Why don’t you give in to your monstrous nature?
1 What do you chase even though it will be your death?
1 What does your transformation cost you each time you change? o True Nature
When you tap into your wolf to sense the monstrosity in others, roll +breath.
On a hit, ask two. On a 10+, take +1 forward to acting on the information you
Sideshow Alley discover. On a 7 - 9, they get to ask one as well.
1 Who here do you hunt, crave, and want to taste more than anything in the world? 1 What is your secret weakness?
1 Who is part of your pack and how did they earn your loyalty? 1 What kind of monster are you?
1 Who threatens the safety of the carnival and how do you plan to stop them? 1 How could I tempt you?
1 Who quiets your hunger?
On a miss, their monster captivates yours. Mark darkness.
The Monster Within
Your pack must be kept safe and those that cross that boundary must pay. You regain
control when you feel safe within the embrace of a trusted friend.

xp Darkness

ooooo ooooo
Solace
When you find solace in another, tell them what you find beautiful about them and
ask them what they find beautiful about you. If you believe them, erase a mark of

ooooo
darkness. If you don’t, tell them why they’re wrong about you, and mark darkness. harm

CrossRoads carnival
 stats
Bones Breath Grace Guile

o o o o
OGeek

Character creation moves

Circle one from each You start with Headless Beasts and choose 1:
Name: Katherine, Homer, Dylan, Noir, Norman, Ozymandias, Myrtle, Marvel,
Adrienne, Otaku Headless Beasts
Look: damaged, barbaric, hollow, haunted, corpulent When you make a show of beheading living creatures for dinner in front of someone,
Eyes: penetrating, wistful, pained, empty, obsessed roll +breath. On a hit, choose one below. On a 7 - 9, they also mark darkness.
Origin: walking shadow, nightmare given flesh, forgotten god, fallen angel, 1 They give you something valuable
neglected devil 1 They tell you something immediately useful
Indulgence: 1 They promise you one favor, given now or later
On a miss: You disgust, frighten, or disquiet them into physical or verbal action
against you. Prepare for pain.
Beginning Stats (Add +1 to any of the following):
Bones -1, Breath +1, Grace -1, Guile +1

Pitch Card
1 How did you end up at the carnival? o Hidden in the Hills
No matter the place or the time, you know of somewhere safe. Add the
1 Why are you fighting on the side of humanity? following option to the list when you embrace the darkness:
1 Why don’t you give in to your monstrous nature? 1 escape to safey
1 What comfort do you seek in drink and other debauchery?
1 What promise do you always make and never keep?
o Shameless
When you hide from your betters in plain sight, roll +guile. On a hit, you
Sideshow Alley remain unnoticed, quietly observing. Ask the MC one revealing question
1 Who supplies you with your choice of sustenance and how do you pay them? about the scene you observe; pressing any further will reveal your presence.
1 Who have you seen at their worst and how did you comfort them? On a 10+, you may ask a follow up question about the scene or the people in
1 Who did you see at their best and how did you tear them down? it. On a miss, you are discovered at the worst possible moment.

The Monster Within

You shout to the skies all the hoarded secrets that will hurt the most people. You
regain control when you feel you are someone instead of no one.

xp Darkness

ooooo ooooo
Solace
When you find solace in another, tell them how they give you light in the darkness
and ask them what gives them hope. If it gives you hope as well, clear a point of

ooooo
darkness. If it doesn’t, mark darkness and lash out: at them, at your friends, or at the harm
world—whatever denies you hope.

CrossRoads carnival
 stats

OM
Bones Breath Grace Guile

ermaid
o o o o
Character creation moves
Circle one from each You start with Siren Song and choose 1:
Name: Coral, Ondine, Neriss, Mishell, Lorelei, Araxie, Mazu, Thetis, Dani, Tristan
Look: ethereal, pearlescent, rotting, predatory, starving Siren Song
Eyes: nervous, brooding, aloof, distracted, whelmed When you use your lovely voice as a weapon, roll +grace. On a hit, choose one:
Origin: followed true love, seeking revenge, banished from the sea, forgotten 1 Shriek until their ears bleed: deal 2 harm
purpose, captured by lies 1 Mesmerize even the hardest heart: an PC takes -2 on their next roll
Indulgence: 1 Slip under their skin: dictate an NPC’s physical actions for a short time
On a 7 - 9, also choose one:
1 leave yourself exposed to danger
Beginning Stats (Add +1 to any of the following):
1 drive a NPC mad with need for you
Bones +1, Breath -1, Grace +1, Guile -1
1 endanger someone you care for
On a miss, a terrible thing is called by your song and wants something only you can give.
Pitch Card
1 How did you end up at the carnival?
1 Why are you fighting on the side of humanity?
1 Why don’t you give in to your monstrous nature? o Beauty from Below
When revealing your aquatic features, you may roll +grace instead of guile
1 How do you navigate land with no legs?
to Strike a Deal.
1 What did treasure did you bring with you from the ocean?

Sideshow Alley o Soulless Beast

When someone offers you comfort, you may either always ask them a
1 Who helps you get around on land more than anyone else? question of your choice in return, or simply lie to them and mark darkness.
1 Who are you in love with? What about them draws you in, and what disgusts you?
1 Whose eyes can you feel linger on you too long and why don’t you stop them?

The Monster Within

You destroy anything in the way of what you believe will make you truly happy. You
regain control when you feel loved for who you are.

xp Darkness

ooooo ooooo
Solace
When you find solace in another, tell them a story of who you were before you came
to land and ask who they were before the carnival. If they tell you a story in return,
ooooo
clear a point of darkness. If they don’t, tell them what kind of horrible monster you harm
think they were and mark darkness.

CrossRoads carnival
 stats
Bones Breath Grace Guile

o o o o
O Seer

Character creation moves

Circle one from each You start with The Cards and choose 1:
Name: Valeska, Pama, Alexander, Zoltar, Cato, Orion, Murdoch, Sofia, Airlia, Keller
Look: mystic, haunted, dangerous, disheveled, nomadic The Cards
Eyes: ancient, faded, laughing, piercing, someone else’s When you read the cards to see past the veil of time, roll +guile. On a hit, you can
Origin: chosen by spirits, descendant of Sibyl, family trade, an ancient ritual, an ask three questions of the MC about the past, present, or future; they will answer
unwanted and irrevocable curse honestly. On a 7 - 9, the truth you see shakes you you; mark darkness. On a miss, the
Indulgence: cards reveal an immediate danger that is impossible to avoid.

Beginning Stats (Add +1 to any of the following):

Bones -1, Breath +1, Grace -1, Guile +1
o The Touch
When you try to feel the truth inside someone, touch them and roll +breath.
Pitch Card
On a 10+, ask 2. On a 7 - 9, ask 1.
1 How did you end up at the carnival?
1 What are you afraid I’ll see?
1 Why are you fighting on the side of humanity?
1 What secret do you know about ?
1 Why don’t you give in to your monstrous nature? 1 What are you thinking right now?
1 What sinister destiny is coming to claim you? 1 What would you protect at all costs?
1 What lingering spirit haunts you and why? 1 How do you truly feel about ?
On a miss, you see the darkest of their futures and take -1 ongoing to prvent it.
Sideshow Alley
1 Whose future are you always trying to keep one step ahead of and why don’t
you tell them? o Portents of Doom
Whenever you strike a deal, you may mark darkness to foresee how this
1 Who comforts you when the darkness of your visions leaves you fearful and sleepless?
might end poorly and remove one consequence.
1 Who has a malicious spirit following them and why are you helping the spirit?

The Monster Within

You must fulfill the visions that come to you, regardless of who they hurt. You release
your inner monster when you see how your visions help save someone.

xp Darkness

ooooo ooooo
Solace
When you find solace in another, tell them how they make you feel truly seen and ask
if they believe you know who they truly are. If they believe, clear a point of darkness.

ooooo
If you they don’t, tell them their grim future, true or not, and mark darkness. harm

CrossRoads carnival
 stats

OSNAKE
Bones Breath Grace Guile

CHARMER
o o o o
Character creation moves
Circle one from each You start with Forbidden Fruit and choose 1:
Name: Nula, Beatrix, Zelick, Korianna, Kou-Bao, Tamsin, Pavel, Tanith, Draco, Phineas
Look: exotic, modest, mysterious, ravishing, provoking Forbidden Fruit
Eyes: dangerous, alluring, mocking, serpentine, teasing When you dance sensually with your snake for an NPC, tell them what you want
Origin: ancient bloodline of sorcerers, half gorgon, daughter of Lamia, sacrificial from them and roll +grace. On a 10+, they’ll do it for just a glimpse of your flesh. On
offering, child of a basilisk a 7 - 9, they’re going to want more than a glimpse.
Indulgence: On a miss: they’ll take what they want from you, with violence if needed.

Beginning Stats (Add +1 to any of the following):

Bones +1, Breath -1, Grace +1, Guile -1
o Viper’s Kiss
When you deliberately poison someone with a kiss, roll +bones. On a hit,
Pitch Card they take 3 harm, become paralyzed, or take -1 ongoing until the poison
1 How did you end up at the carnival? leaves their system, your choice. On a 10+, choose two options.
1 Why are you fighting on the side of humanity? On a miss, you infect them with your venom, turning them into a monster
1 Why don’t you give in to your monstrous nature? like you.
1 What makes your cold blood run hot, no matter how much you resist?
1 What or who has your snake killed that you’re keeping hidden?
o Shedding Skin
When you Embrace the Darkness, you may add “shed your skin”
Sideshow Alley to the list of options. You shed your skin, allowing you to change your
1 Who acts as though they own you and how do you show them they don’t? appearance slightly. If you would change your entire appearance to
1 Who tastes like fear and how do you frighten them deliberately? something completely new, mark an extra darkness and be born anew.
1 Who do you turn to when you need to feel loved and how do you pay them?

The Monster Within

You must follow your base animal instincts and feed them until they are sated. You
regain control when you fulfill the deepest needs of another.

xp Darkness

ooooo ooooo
Solace
When you find solace in another, tell them how they’ve earned your trust and ask if
they trust you in return. If they trust you, clear a point of darkness. If they don’t, tell

ooooo
them a painful truth about themselves and mark darkness. harm

CrossRoads carnival
 stats

O
Bones Breath Grace Guile

o o o o
ST RONGMAn

Character creation moves

Circle one from each You start with Strength of 10 Men and choose 1:
Name: Atlas, Janne, Sebastian, Mila, Svend, Sandor, Chyna, Kasia, Vladimir, Aneta
Look: god-like, imposing, despairing, desolate, ruined Strength of 10 Men
Eyes: painful, judged, appraising, distant, dominant When you threaten to bring the pain in order to get what you want from someone,
Origin: failed experiment, demigod, last of a giant race, cursed by a bitter rival, in tell them what you want and roll +bones. On a hit, they can choose to:
service of an infernal master 1 stand up to you but take three harm
Indulgence: 1 give in and do what you want
On a 7-9, they can also choose:
1 You mark darkness
Beginning Stats (Add +1 to any of the following):
1 You make a worse mess of things
Bones +1, Breath -1, Grace -1, Guile +1
On a miss, you can’t bring yourself to follow through and expose an emotional
weakness to your would-be victim.
Pitch Card
1 How did you end up at the carnival?
1 Why are you fighting on the side of humanity?
1 Why don’t you give in to your monstrous nature? o Unflinching
When you endure the darkness by suffering in stoic silence, roll +bones
1 What about your strength frightens you?
instead of +breath. On a miss, bones break instead of giving you strength;
1 Whose innocence did you destroy in your anger? you take 2 harm.

o
Sideshow Alley
Man of Action
1 Who do you view as yours and how do you show them?
When you charge into trouble without thinking the situation through, deal
1 Who did you last put in their place and how bad was the damage?
+1 harm whenever you deal harm.
1 Who is a friend you believe would never betray you?

The Monster Within

You release your built up rage on anything and everything, destruction your only
salve. You regain control when you feel the power of gentleness.

xp Darkness

ooooo ooooo
Solace
When you find solace in another, tell them something you’re afraid of and ask them
what their weakness is. If they share their weakness, clear a point of darkness. If they

ooooo
don’t, frighten them into submission and mark darkness. harm

CrossRoads carnival