Circusfolk

Circusfolk value wit, surprise, and daring which they display in both their lifestyle and their folktales. While some communities are found in villages and insular neighborhoods, they are most famous for their traveling carnivals. These troupes often began as just a handful of entrepreneuring entertainers but blossomed into big top circuses with caravans complete with support staff, spouses, and new family members. Orphans, runaways, and misfits of all heritages find a new family among circusfolk. 

The circusfolk oral tradition is exceedingly rich and best known for its trickster characters. These mythological trickster-heroes are numerous and diverse—some never fail, others undermine their successes through their own folly. They all turn the world upside down. A circusfolk storyteller’s excellence is judged not by their perfect recall but by their improvisation and engagement with the audience. All this reveals the unspoken message of circusfolk stories: anything can change. 

Characters raised in the circusfolk culture share a variety of traits in common with one another. 

Rapid Escape. You can use the Disengage action as a bonus action. 

Slapstick. You are proficient with improvised weapons, and improvised weapons you use can deal 1d6 damage rather than the damage they normally deal. You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your improvised weapons. 

Trickster’s Veil. You can cast disguise self once per long rest. Your spellcasting ability for this spell is Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma (whichever is highest). 

Languages. You can speak, read, write, and sign Common.