The Carnival of Freaks had not always been its name. They HAD no name, in the beginning. They were a family, and traveled around the small villages, entertaining the children, and enjoying the camaraderie of the road. That was before the Demon, however. A dark ritual gone awry in a moment of weakness opened a doorway that was never meant to be opened, and everything changed. For almost a thousand years after that horrible night, the Freaks wandered the lands, cursed to perform... and horrify. Each handled things in their own way, and they made an existence as best they could, while keeping the Demon mostly pacified with a steady diet of their misery.

When the Demon was vanquished, the remaining Freaks were freed, well and truly. Their bodies would never recover, and without the Demonic influences, they would begin to age normally once more. But they were free. Free to find their own way. Free to finally, truly be... happy.

Hexxie

---

Hexxie's vision had never been the greatest... not since the change. But it worked well enough for her to see the trouble that was brewing. When the bonfire exploded, Hexxie ran as if her life depended on it. She heard the roar of the Demon, and knew her time was numbered. She stumbled across someone or something and went sprawling. Before she could impact the ground, strong arms reached out and caught her, whisking her off her feet. A small group of carnival-goers surrounded the towering giantman who had caught her, and as a group they rumbled through the woods, putting as much distance between them and the carnage as was possible. Hexxie couldn't breathe, couldn't think... and finally, mercifully, lost consciousness.

Ymantha

---

Ymantha stood, slack-jawed, as the Demon rose up from the bonfire. Her tail twitched out from her cloak, hanging to the ground behind her. And for once, Ymantha didn't even notice. Her eyes darted to her wagon... to her lovelies... and she ran for them. She got almost halfway there before the Demon's whip curled around her neck. Her last thought before her eyes closed forever was a hope that her lovelies didn't suffer.

Sprague

---

When the bonfire exploded, consuming the Matriarch, Sprague was terrified. He wobbled on his legs, trying to decide which way to run, but the sudden madness, and the appearance of the Demon, had him scared stiff, until he was yanked suddenly backwards! Before he could cry out, his mouth was covered by a soft hand, and his eyes met the hopeful expressions of a few of the carnival-goers. Before he realized what was happening, he'd been bundled off, literally thrown over the shoulders of one of his rescuers. The madcap dash through the woods that followed fractured Sprague's frail bones in a number of places, but he considered it a small price to pay for his life.

Ziito

---

Ziito couldn't believe his ears. The Matriarch was... apologizing? Ziito knew about the darkness, of course. He'd seen it with his own eyes, as had all the Freaks. But he'd made his choice, long ago, to serve willingly. He'd never believed he could be betrayed by the Matriarch herself, and he felt paralyzed by the very thought. The sight of the Demon, rising out of the bonfire and consuming the Matriarch, jolted him from his reverie, but not nearly in time. The Demon's claws cleaved through the top of his head, tearing a portion of his skull away. Ziito was dead before his corpse hit the ground.

Perdu

---

Perdu was terrified. She knew what was happening, and she knew what was coming out of that bonfire. Some of the carnival-goers had given her an idea, and she hoped she had the courage to enact it. When the bonfire flared, and consumed the Matriarch, Perdu knew it was time. She stripped out of her clothing and fled into the night, unseen by any. She's currently in hiding, waiting until she can be sure that it's safe to emerge.

Phestor

---

Phestor had not lived as long as he had without understanding what was really going on. He served the Matriarch faithfully, and she protected him as a result, but he knew the day would come when the darkness would overwhelm them all. His plans had long been laid, and he did not hesitate to enact them when the Matriarch was consumed by the fire. A trusted servant, confidant, and friend was ready and waiting, and bodily tossed Phestor in the back of a wagon, then jumped aboard himself and snapped the reins, sending the frightened horses tearing off into the night... almost like there was a Demon at their backs.

Holtum

---

Holtum was losing his mind. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, what he was seeing. He looked around at the other Freaks, and they were as lost as he was. And then the Demon arose from the campfire, like the living nightmare that it was. The eyes of everyone in his immediate vicinity turned towards him. The strong man. He would protect them. He would fight.

Holtum turned around, let out a high-pitched shriek of terror, and ran off into the night as fast as his legs could carry him.

Kyrralynn/Moirralynn

---

They could hear the fighting roaring from over near the bonfire... A single suitcase in each hand, they stood near the carnival ground exit. Moirralynn worried, "We should try to leave... we could make it!" Kyrralynn snapped, "You know they won't defeat her! If we don't help... I don't even want to know what she'll do..." Moirralynn countered, "But we'll never get anot--" Just then the death roar of the vathor echoed around them and they could feel the air tremble with the sound. They both glanced at each other briefly and the disagreement was over. For once, Kyrralynn didn't drag her foot.

Nimudi & Grolf

---

Grolf had been warned. Nimudi had told him this would happen, but he hadn't been sure if he could trust her. Now, though... it was all coming apart at last. With panicked movements, he ran to his wagon and retrieved his precious cat. Then he dashed to Nimudi's trailer, banging on the door frantically. She opened it for him, packed and ready to go. They didn't exchange a single word. Grolf took Nimudi's outstretched hand and led her away through the woods as fast as they could move. Nimudi had told him where they must go when it was time, and Grolf guided her safely the entire way.

Upai

---

Upai knew what was coming. There was no fighting it any longer. This was her family, and had been for nearly a thousand years. She'd done her utmost for centuries to keep them safe, but it was time to rest. She glanced down at her arm, observing the filthy, hated scales for one last time. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and began to speak. When the Demon struck, she welcomed its fiery embrace.

*****

The Freaks, one and all, wish to thank all of you for playing along, and for making this journey so enjoyable for us. You engaged, theorized, threatened, empathized, and comforted. Every bit of it was felt and appreciated. Thank you, from all of us to all of you.

-GM Quilic
Subscriptions Team Member
Premium Team Member

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