Looking over different "circus" adventures, I found some obscure GH references and tenuous non-canon/generic connections that may be of interest to anyone using a Big Top, menagerie, or gypsy troupe in their campaign. Better known sources are also included for completeness. Without further ado...
The Jolly Jongleurs
The antagonists of Gary Gygax's generic module from Pulp Dungeons: Uninvited Guests. This murderous troupe specializes in a variety of performing arts to aid their activities. The ringleader, "Lumree the Qgosk the Wonder-worker", seems to be an illusionist. Gygax later retconned the Jungleur camp and Grimfens Low Road into his Learth products, but these ne'er-do-wells could easily be encountered near the Mistmarsh, the Gnarley, or anywhere in the Flanaess or Yggsburgh territory.
The Jangling Mordo Circus
Featured in the generic Dungeon Magazine adventure of the same name, the Jangling Mordo Circus is a seventy-six-wagon spectacular led by the infamous Max Mordo, a mustached, obese, neutral-evil, twentieth-level archmage! Also of note is the clown, Bombast; a mage of no little skill (W10). Perhaps Bombast changed his name and started his own troupe...
The Bombax Brothers’ Fantasy Circus
Described in Rose Estes' Circus of Fear, The Fantasy Circus is led by Bombast...err, Bombax, a mustached, overweight illusionist (see a trend?) and his ringmaster Clusia. Bombax is rumored to have doppelganger allies and political designs on at least one Free City. Not all of his performers and handlers are evil, however; some work under duress or blackmail. The Fantasy Circus is known for its wide assortment of exotic beasts, including displacer beasts, blink dogs, owlbears, griffons, pegasus, kamadan, crabmen, and even very rare caterwauls (kept in ironwood cages impervious to their ivory claws). Who the other Bombax brother is is a mystery.
The Circus of Gandolfo
Featured in I13 Adventure Pack I, Gandolfo is yet another evil illusionist (I12) circus ringleader with too many "o"s in his name. Fortunately, this module has a twist as Gandolfo dabbles in necromancy. While the "Circus of Gandolfo" doesn't mention Greyhawk, "The Weird Woods of Baron Orchid" found later in the Adventure Pack is set near the "village of Tristor". Too bad I13's Tristor has little in common with the village described in LG's Fright at Tristor.
Dark the Blade, Tatanna the elf maiden, and Jonclaur the Jongleur
Members of an unnamed troupe mentioned in PHBR7's flavor text. These bards travel the "mid-Flanaess" robbing decadent aristocrats while Dark assassinates those he deems evil or morally deficient.
The Attloi
Land-based Rhennee originating from the Adri Forest. Alluded to in the '83 Glossography, they were later described in Saga of Old City and LGG. Likely the same Adri gypsies encountered by Azalin in King of the Dead.
The Tree People
Numbering less than 1,000, the human inhabitants of the Vale of the Mage descended from gypsies (Rhennee?), vagabonds, criminals, and refugees, mostly from the Great Kingdom. They worship the goddess Lirr and have maintained much of their culture and skill. (WG12)
Sin-swithel
An evil troubadour who plies the Iron Wood in Dungeon Magazine #53. Perhaps a one-time member of a larger group or circus.
Marvin's Marvelous Menagerie
The wizard Marvin Ashwood of Yggsburgh has an exhibition of fantastic beasts surpassing even that of Lord Henway in Greyhawk (Yggsburgh: Town Halls).
Jegard Stanton, Purveyor of Fantastic Beasts
Featured in Jason Peck's setting-generic module "Wild in the Streets." Peck is best known for his GH adventures; perhaps Marvin, Henway, Bombax, or Mordo are clients of Stanton or his former master. (Dungeon Magazine #62)
There is also Sir Minar Syrric of Darmen, a Bard 12/Fighter 3, who just so happen to also be a Death Knight. A mournful tune from him would probably cause one to commit suicide, and a lullaby would probably put one to sleep...permanently. _________________ - Moderator/Admin (in some areas)/Member -
Carnival of the Bizarre
DMGR5 Creative Campaigning, 51.
The Ringmaster of this troupe is an elf formerly known as Laxantri. He discovered an artifact called the chaos crystal, which is associated with an evil deity who has been imprisoned for thousands of years. The artifact warps and mutates its victims as well as draining and storing the life force of others in order to empower the imprisoned god's release. Other members of the carnival include four poodle-like hell hounds, a man called Fire-Eater, the Gnomes of the Moon, a guardian daemon, a gnomish illusionist/thief called Jibbly the Jester, some emaciated, bald jugglers called the Jugglers of Doom, a medusa called Snake-Woman, and a human fighter called Strong Man. All of the performers have been mutated or at least charmed by the artifact. Laxantri himself has bright green skin and hair and ebon-black eyes. He is a 7th level fighter and a 7th level wizard.
Jongleur, Human (Suel) male Bard 8th
Canonfire! Chronicles #1, Agnosco Adventum
Jongleur is a member of the Scarlet Brotherhood assigned to Sister Aspinet, who is currently stationed in Fort Blackwell. He has a few tricks up his sleeve.
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