Through the spring, summer and autumn months the Traveling Carnivals bring news, entertainment and goods, both mundane and exotic, to the towns and villages around Berador. While the trade makes life bearable, enjoyable even, it's the news of far off lands and the entertainment that attracts many to the Maypole each visit.
What Sights You Can't Imagine
"Step right up, boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen! For the amazing low cost of a single copper penny you'll see wonders beyond your ken!" The barker calls out as the crowds shuffle from wagon to wagon. Many have come only to purchase a hard to find item or two from the traveling merchants. Many more spend time browsing the goods with no intent of buying anything. They listen to the news and stories and wait for the early evening shows.
The barker knows the look of his mark. That one there; he walks casually from wagon to wagon, but takes no time looking at anything in particular. He spends more time ambling between the wagons than checking out the goods.
"You, sir!" the barker bellows, pointing at the ambler. "Take a moment to look at the wonders I bring from faraway lands: a dragon's tooth as long as your arm, the great horn of a mammoth and even greater mysteries wait inside. Come! Come!"
The man stops in embarrassment as his neighbors stare at him and toss glances at the barker. One or two pat him on the back and mumble encouragement. The barker smiles behind a straight face. The villagers will do his job for him. A moment's cajolery from his friends and the man walks to the barker's booth.
"Excellent, fine sir, excellent! One copper penny and you'll see the hugest dragon tooth this side of the old Oshland Empire." He lowers his voice as the man approaches, and whispers conspiratorially, "And for a silver star you'll see wonders beyond your dreams."
The man fishes in his belt pouch and hands over the copper. He makes his way past the barker and into the wagon beyond. His friends and neighbors look on with grins and winks.
"Come one, come all, don't let your friend here be the only one to see the secrets of foreign lands."
All the News That's Fit to Tell
The crier holds forth in front of a dark gray wagon. He sits high on a half barrel seat with a great table in front of him. He calls loudly to passersby the gist of his stories: "Hear all about the butchery in Darshire! Come have a seat at the Gray Barrel!"
As the townsfolk make their way through the Carnival a great many of them stop at the gray barrel to hear the news. When a sufficient number has gathered he tells the tale. Goblins, gnolls and worse have descended on the farms around Darshire killing and maiming and robbing with abandon. He strays long over the details, especially the gruesome ones that will keep the crowd's attention. All the while the serving ladies of the Gray Barrel deliver beer, ale and mulled wine. Listening to the news is thirsty business. The crier knows his trade and holds the listeners long enough for a round or two before finishing the tale of butchery in Darshire. He dribbles out the last of bloodshed and villainy and vengeance by the Greywood Wardens as the last of the crowd moves on to other pleasures of the Carnival.
Then it's on to the next tale and a new crowd with money to spend on drink and news: "The Queen in Roth is with child, and some say it's not the King's issue!"
Let Me Entertain You
A great red tent some fifteen feet tall and at least thirty in diameter spreads out majestically behind the wagons of the Carnival. Young boys and girls of the Traveling Folk make their way through the crowd calling to Carnival's patrons, "Come see the tumblers and jugglers under the red tent. Only two copper stars for the whole show. It begins at nightfall." The young runners make their way through out the village green and beyond calling out the coming entertainment.
As dusk darkens toward night many in the crowd make their way to the red tent. Most have seen the shows before, but they never stop enjoying the tumblers and jugglers and even the dancing bear. As night falls the crowd grows restless and mutters aloud. The show is not yet begun, but the ringmaster holds the start . . . there are some empty seats and the boys and girls are still out gathering the crowd.
The last handful of seats fills with those who were reluctant to part with their money. They pay only a single copper penny to get in. Alas, the ringmaster will have more of them. The food vendors begin to wind through the crowd with candied apples, roasted corn on the cob and other tasty treats as the first act begins. All the patrons pay. One way or another they pay for the show.
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