Funhouse (CTD)
The Funhouse is the darker side of the Home Realm of Balloon.
Overview
Somewhat off to the side of Balloon lies a stretch of badlands surrounding a dilapidated carnival. Security is looser in this area and many shady characters meet here to make equally shady business arrangements. In fact, the Funhouse Carnival is where most of the Unseelie pooka of Balloon live or socialize. Disgraced and alienated "not fun" Seelie pooka sometimes come here to lick their wounds, but the general feeling among the realm denizens is that the Funhouse is anything but "fun". In fact, it is very unsafe. On rare occasions, the Balloon police conduct a sweep of the area, but it solves little, as the inhabitants fade into the background until "5-O" goes away.
None of the rides work, but a few lights do (no one knows why). Overall, the lights make the place look even more gloomy. The Funhouse Carnival has all the attractions found in any traveling sideshow: a house of mirrors, freak show, animal cages, etc., but all are either vandalized or nonfunctional from long unuse. Even the signs labeling the attractions are faded and hard to read.
The Merry Pranksters
The unofficial ruler of the Funhouse is Josiah, leader of the "Merry Pranksters." The Pranksters serve as Josiah's muscle and eyes, but the main reason Josiah rules the Funhouse is his uncanny ability to "get" things for the right price. Josiah and his Pranksters generally run the Funhouse through fear and intimidation. How they deal with outsiders and non-pooka who visit the Funhouse is another matter. The Pranksters' usual con game is to offer tickets to the "special show" for a "discount." Selecting a newcomer who may not be missed, they extol the amazing rarity and wonder of the performance: "Why, some have even achieved Rapture!" The Pranksters who approach the marks have the most trustworthy demeanors, and most victims are led to the show like lambs to the slaughter. If the victim is not interested, the Pranksters shrug and walk away to await another opportunity.
If the victim accepts the tickets, they are told to be at the circus tent at midnight. With Josiah acting as MC, the Pranksters all drop their guises and revel in their true forms: Thallain Beasties. The Pranksters always choose victims who are outsiders or who won't be missed. They are careful not to reveal their race even to Unseelie, as the Balloon residents are already uncomfortable about the whispered tales of evil at the Funhouse. There were several motions proposed in town meetings either to bombard the Funhouse into rubble or board it up and use it as a prison, but neither motion achieved consensus. If the people of Balloon truly knew what lives in their slum, they might not deliberate as much over their next course of action.
References
- CTD. Dreams and Nightmares, p. 91.