Welcome to Father Bento’s Wondrous Traveling Circus! For the past five years or so, this collection of wagons has traveled the villages and towns of the local three kingdoms of the Midlands; Cambria, Estarra, and Gwynedd. Over those years, the reputation of the circus has grown; now it is considered a must-see attraction, by common folk and the privileged alike. The brown, worn wagons themselves are not much to look at, nor are the modest tan tents that are erected at each stop along they’re seemingly random route, but inside each tent, some large some small, a different act brings diversion and entertainment to the locals; jugglers, acrobats, wrestlers, a lion tamer, a knife thrower, sword fighters, a fortune teller, and a magic act, and through it all, minstrels wander, pleasing the gathered audience with their songs, a range from bawdy and whimsical to deeply moving and sorrowful.
The kingdoms traveled by the circus are three of those that emerged in the Midlands after the withdrawal of the Kythan Empire, several generations ago. With its capital situated on the great Deirdhlif river, Cambria is well positioned for trade both to the north and south. A dozen years ago, the king of Cambria was assassinated during a diversion of fire. One of his advisers, Lord Malthus Davant, a man with minor magical talent, assumed power as Lord Protector, though not with universal approval. In the first few years after taking control, Lord Davant quelled a few rebellions, and dissent seems to have faded away. Stability and prosperity have returned to the land. Many wonder why Davant has not become king, and now in his forties, and still unmarried, the question begins to be asked as to who would rule after him.
In Estarra, King Tomas II ascended to the throne 8 years ago at the young age of 15, after the unexpected death of his father. For the first 5 years of his reign, he ruled in close consultation with his uncle, Baron Conrad of Northmark. Then, 3 years ago, they had a bitter falling out; no one knows the reason. Now, the two refuse to speak to each other, and Conrad considers his lands an independent domain. So far, the dispute has been all bluster and posturing, with only the most minor of skirmishes here and there, but there is the slight unease all around that the tensions could worsen to armed conflict, which could devastate the kingdom’s fertile farmland.
Gwynedd is the smallest and poorest of these three kingdoms. The aging King Owain is a wise enough ruler, but he has become more and more obsessed with the idea of his land as an heir to the elven courts of old. Much time and money is spent on researching and then sending expeditions to old ruins that might date to those times. Though perhaps considered more shameful is the free reign he grants to his only child and daughter, Elowyn, who has been spotted in taverns, engaging in unsupervised duels, and other unseemly activity.
Through these three kingdoms, Father Bento’s Wondrous Traveling Circus makes its way, seemingly at random, always welcome wherever it goes. It is even whispered that Father Bento and his circus takes in those who are down in their luck, or perhaps seeking to flee a slightly dark past.
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