Why do the Carnival girls die holding their heads?

Cavatina · 06-18-2009 05:52 AM

I always assumed it was Vanessa devouring her defeated charges souls for the power boost since theyre about to be useless/dead anyhow. At least thats what she did to the first carnie who ever died in lore, as I recall.

Right before her death in a mugging Vanessa ate her soul and then set off some crazy "crimefighting" campaign that led to the modern day carnies being both a pleasure cult and a bunch of deranged warrior cultists

Want comedy and lighthearted action? Between levels 1-14? Try Nuclear in 90 - The Fusionette Task Force!

Arc ID 58363!

Balanced · 06-18-2009 10:03 AM

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Carnies are one of the more seriously creepy groups in the game. Forget the women, has anyone taken a good look at the men? Each has his entire back covered with whip marks. Vanessa must get her jollies in some decidedly non-teen rated ways.

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If you have not followed the arcs, the truth behind the male carnies may be far more creepy than you know.

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The particular clue you're referencing has puzzled me, on and off. I don't know that all--or even many--of them are like that. I did go so far as to pose a question to Castle about it, and received the response, "I'm not sure on the fiction behind it, but I am assured by the writers that Strongmen are not undead."

Also, some guys just aren't cut out to be Strongmen.

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Let's just say the Ghost Slaying Axe does extra damage against Strongmen, and there's an arc that has you figure out why.

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Except that it doesn't do extra damage to them. That was actually what my question to Castle was about--whether or not it should. Whatever they are, they don't have the undead attribute, and are apparently not supposed to have it. The carnies can certainly animate corpses--there are several examples of that--but they don't qualify for extra smitation from the Axe for some reason.

Maybe I ought to bug Manticore about it in the canon fodder thread.

The Way of the Corruptor (Arc ID 49834): Hey villains! Do something for yourself for a change--like twisting the elements to your will. All that's standing in your way are a few secret societies...and Champions of the four elements.

Thessalia · 06-18-2009 03:40 PM

Okay, what story arc are y'all talking about that refers to Strongmen as possibly undead? I don't remember that, but I probably missed it or it flew over my head.

I'm just a holy fool, oh baby it's so cruel

Thessalia, by Darkchildx2k

Dr_Mechano · 06-18-2009 03:43 PM

Sorry to drag up this thread from the second page of the forums but...

...There is one contact Redside who rather obviously IS a Carnie with their mask removed, Vivacious Verandi, her will has been replaced by that of 'the carnival mistress' (according to her info).

So that does raise questions, are the masks important to controlling Carnies, since Verandi seems to be equally under the carnivals thumb yet obviously doesn't wear a mask.

Her arc is the infamous one that has Hardcase tell you to 'behave or else' with regards to stop the mischief and chaos you've been making for Verandi and he says it in such a way that it really peeves most redside players off who would gladly tell Hardcase to take a hike or pummel the everloving hell out of the wannabe hero.

Soul Train · 06-18-2009 04:05 PM

Hardcase? a hero? Uhmmm..... no.

He's a merc demon hunter. He basically gets paid by Johnny Sonata and crew to keep the Wailers off of JS's case. THIS is why he tells you to undo the damage you've caused by playing around with Viv, as they're plotting to undo the wards keeping the Wailers out of the Giza (and thus Hardcase would be out of a job.)

"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."

Balanced · 06-18-2009 08:27 PM

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Okay, what story arc are y'all talking about that refers to Strongmen as possibly undead? I don't remember that, but I probably missed it or it flew over my head.

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The most direct mention of it is in the "Famous Track Star" mission from Madeleine Casey. After you try to rescue Samson Grey, Casey tells you this:

"After you brought Samson into custody, the doctors examined him. Red Tomax, it's the craziest thing! He can move, he can walk, he can even fight! But he isn't breathing. He's got no pulse, and his skin is ice cold. Red Tomax, I don't think thos strong men are the Carnival's servants at all! I think they're reanimated corpses!"

I think there's also a clue that mentions that one of the Strongmen you defeated seemed to have been dead for days, but it may be in that same mission. There may also be a reference to the Carnies sucking out someone's soul, but keeping his body animated to access his accounts (but I'm not sure about this one--I can't find it anywhere).

The Way of the Corruptor (Arc ID 49834): Hey villains! Do something for yourself for a change--like twisting the elements to your will. All that's standing in your way are a few secret societies...and Champions of the four elements.

ebon3 · 06-18-2009 08:54 PM

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You learn a lot about the Carnies on Madeleine Casey's arc

Paragon Wiki Article on her missions, yes there are spoilers

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Thanks. So it looks like the answer is yes, a Carnie can be reformed if the psychic link between the Carnie's soul and the head Madame can be severed. There's a magical ritual that would need to be performed; it would be more than just taking off the mask.

Yes, no, maybe so?

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And in addition, there is Praetorian Earth's Carnival of Light. They're freedom fighters against the Praetorians. I used that backstory as a foundation element in my Carnival of Light SG (Triumph...and spread to at least two more servers). I suspect in that case the masks serve as more of a benign psychic (and probably empathic) link. That's how we RP it, anyway. =)

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The silent Wolfram Strongman nods his agreement.

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For some reason Tungsten Long instantly popped in to my head as a secret identity?

------->"Sic Semper Tyrannis"<-------

Bad_Influence · 06-18-2009 11:05 PM

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Sorry to drag up this thread from the second page of the forums but...

...There is one contact Redside who rather obviously IS a Carnie with their mask removed, Vivacious Verandi, her will has been replaced by that of 'the carnival mistress' (according to her info).

So that does raise questions, are the masks important to controlling Carnies, since Verandi seems to be equally under the carnivals thumb yet obviously doesn't wear a mask.

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I always thought of her as a Carnival sympathizer at least, and more likely than not an active member. Perhaps she removes her mask in order to better connect with her marks.... she's remarkably flirtatious, whether your character is male or female.

So to me, the masks are important but does the wearer have to have them on 24/7? Given the strength of the Carnival's Mistress' powers, I doubt it.

I think Vivacious doeswhat she does because she LIKES it, though, not because Vanessa or whoever is forcing her to. Carnies are naughty