Das Karnival

No other event is quite like it; the largest, most mentioned

gathering in the Empire if not the old world.  For one week
out of every year the already crowded streets of
Middenheim become more crowded as the population
doubles.  For one week out of every year the gruff, staid
personality of the average Middenheimer- taciturn, laconic
and close to violence, changes; and they allow themselves
become as excitable as a Reiklander.  For eight long days
the city is filled from morning until night with the sounds of
music, laughter, the babble of voices.  This then is
the Karnival- the greatest show on Earth.

History Karnival
There are as many origin tales for the Middenheim Karnival
as there are Middenheimers.  But the facts speak for themselves.  The first Karnival was held in the winter of 1812
and it has been held, come hell, or high water (or Storms of Chaos) ever since.  It is a measure of how successful it
has been that it is not referred to as Middenheim’s Carnival- merely Karnival- a single name that denotes the city
and its influence.
In the past Karnival was held with differing dates (for example, in 2400 it was held in Spring- in 2401, Summer; in
2402 Autumn and in 2403, Winter) and this rotating season of Karnival’s lasted for centuries before the idea was
rejected.  Why was it rejected?  Simply because the seasons do not fit the calendar year easily.  Or put simply- the
Carnival in 2402 was held in Erntezeit.  To host a Winter
carnival in 2403 you would have to wait 15 months for
the Ulriczeit Carnival.  But then to host a Spring carnival
in 2404 the most you could wait is five months.  Five
months is easy to do if you are just holding a street party-
but Karnival is so big, so busy, that it was suggested that
since it needs a year to organise properly, maybe they
should declare one year ‘dark’ and start the cycle
again.  This idea was also rejected so a set date was
set.  Karnival now takes place in the last week of summer.
Most of the time.
It was decreed that the Graf’s of Middenheim can change
the dates (provided there is at least a year’s notice) and
The Whole City Gets involved... thus you still get Winter Carnivals and Spring ones.  But
the whole thing is much better organised now.
(Or put more simply- the original idea of a rotating Carnival was inserted into Power behind the Throne to allow
GM’s adjust the date for when their players arrived via the Enemy Within.  And that’s fine.  But it don’t work
once you go beyond that).

For the last 120 years it has seen the Karnival go from strength to strength- growing in size and popularity
seemingly every year.  Now it is THE festival of the North, and the largest gathering of people in the Old World.

So when is Karnival exactly?  It’s always the second week of Nachgeheim- which means roughly the 8 to the 15th of
the month, starting one full week after Geheimnistag.  There is a good reason for this- in the past it started earlier
in the month but travellers objected to being out on the open road on a night of the twin moons.  So it was decided-
give them 8 days to get there.  Those who lived beyond 8 days away were assumed to be the kind of folk who would
have made sure they will safe and tucked up during the twin moons and it also means most folks will go back
before any bad weather sets in.

Das Karnevalszügen
And so they come.  On a BAD year this will be 10,000 souls pouring into Middenheim- on a good year, nearer
40,000.  They come from all over- Hochland, and Nordland; Ostland and Middenland; at least 5,000 a year come
from Marienburg; from Erengrad and from Talabheim; special coaches are laid on from Altdorf and
Carroburg.  And they come from further afield.  From
The Moot and Averland and Stirland.  From Nuln and
Weisserland.  They come from Bretonnia, they sail up
from Tilea.  Even Nipponese in exile and Catheyian
travellers will ALL make their way to Middenheim.
As such, traffic to the city starts to go seriously silly as the
week leading up to Karnival begins.
At every coaching inn on the roads to it, large tents are
erected for the overflow of customers; weeks before the
city started stock piling foods and drinks partly to be
ready but also partly because traffic is starting to go
insane so deliveries can be delayed.  As people make their
way to Middenheim, a whole economy begins along the
roads to the city.  Hawkers and tinkers offer cheap and The forests are filled with Carnival traffic
hot foods.  Blacksmiths with anvils in their carts will
travel up and down and fix horses shoes; mercenaries and retired soldiers will suddenly find themselves on
extended duty to watch over the travellers.  lt has even been known for camp followers of some imperial army to up
sticks and descend upon the roads to Middenheim so good is the living to be had serving the Karnival goers.
Every coach company triples the services to the city (4 Seasonsand Cannonball
Run especially), and river traffic clogs the River Delb (the traditional river journey
is ALWAYS up the Reik to Altdorf, up the Talabec to the Delb river then up,  to
Delbez itself, where special “Karnival Koaches’ run passengers up through
Sotturm, Malstedt, Schoninghagen and into Middenheim itself in about five
hours- anyone who arrives late in the day will be taken as far as Grubentreich if
Of all shapes and sizes... they can or overnights it in Delbez).
Indeed so busy do the coach companies get it is generally assumed that the
cheapest way to get to Middenheim is to band together with a bunch of people and hire a large cart to take you and
them and some food along the way.  This has been going on for so long, the sight of dozens of brightly covered carts
making their way to Middenheim in the opening days after the twin moons so common that they have been given
their own name- Das Karnevalszügen- the Carnival processions (not to be mistaken for the Hurdy Gurdy’s- a
sub-set of Das Karnevalszügen- see below).
For the record- soldiers guard the carts which
are left at the bottom of the city (no where to park IN the city) and
you proceed up on foot via the viaducts.

Staying in the City

If you live in Middenheim and you are looking to make some money- hire out
places for people to sleep in during Karnival!  Seriously- with so many people
coming to visit, the inns and hostels are packed full of people very quickly, and by
about four days before it starts you cannot find a hotel or tavern room for love or
money.
Thus any large space can become a place to bed down for the night.  For example
the Gold and Silversmiths hallis turned into an area where over 200 can sleep
(using washing lines and heavy drapes hung over them to create private spaces
right across the hall).  It actually becomes a hotel where guests can sleep at night
(or during the day) with staff at hand to help them with just about everything. the whole city gets into the spirit...
Many an apprentice finds themselves sharing with older workers and journeyman’s rooms in workshops are
opened to Karnival goers- the standard procedure is to place a small lit candle in a window near your door- one for
every room you have to rent.  You keep the candles lit until someone takes the room- and it means late visitors can
spend hours after arrival traipsing around the city looking for burning candles in windows. 
The advantage of this is you can find a bargain- the larger houses
in Grafsmundand Ulricsmundand Geldmundand Nordgartenwill often offer guests a room (with the correct vetting
of course) and some will provide free breakfast along with sleeping (it is worth noting that at least once in their life
most Middenheim residents will decide they are ‘sick and tired off the noise and bustle‘ of Karnival and decide to
take a break away from the city- when they do, they typically contact Guff Goods who will help them rent out their
home for their holiday (usually oddly enough to the Mirror Moors); so it is entirely possible that a lucky group with
a bit of cash could actually find they have someone’s home all to themselves (serious damage deposits are
required). If all else fails the Pilgrims Hospiceis open, free and usually empty this time of year...

As the Karnival gets closer a sense of palpable excitement fills the air.  It’s
tangible, almost visceral.  The city carries on working, but hums with a
growing excitement.  For Middenheimers this is the first proper break the
residents have had since the Lazy 5th over two months previously.  The
residents have worked damn hard, usually in sweltering summer heat and
this is their true blow out.  Their gruff seemings begin to lighten, they begin to
become more friendly and more outgoing- far more open with strangers.
Processions start happening all over...
Finally when the city is fuller that it could possible seem to be, the final
preparations begins...

The Overcure

(The Great Duck Debate)

The night before the Karnival itself is the night of The
Overcure.  Named after the original ‘feast’ (the 1812
Overcure) it is a night where all Middenheim residents
supposedly celebrate the ending of the Great Siege by
eating only dishes that the residents had back then at the
end of the siege.  This means a night of rat meat pie,
barbequed cat, roast dog meat with a fresh grass garish
and ‘no idea what’s in it’ sausage.  Basically a bunch of
small meats, heavily smoked to disguise their taste.  Such
is the nature of the fare that for many years’ people would
also find it acceptable to fast and not eat at all on the
Overcure.
Overcure is an odd night- Middenheimers tend NOT to go
to inns or restaurants.  Or anywhere (the exception are
I don't care what garnish you use... Dwarves, Elves and Halflings- all three communities hold
gatherings for newcomers to the city but invitation is on
racial grounds only and tend to be behind closed doors).  It is the night before- and they stay in with friends and
family.  Overcure typically becomes the night the residents meet up at each other’s houses and plan the events they
wish to see.  There is an excited subdued feel to the city as everyone gets ready for the blow out to come.
As with all things however, in a city filled with Ulricans, it wasn’t long before someone started an argument about
The Overcure.  And they have.  
Over ducks.

You see- the Black Pool use to have quite a large duck population once.  Duck, and geese would use it as a home
until the siege came.  And the starving residents fell upon the bird population and wiped it out.  At least that’s the
story.
About sixty years ago people started to have duck as part of their Overcure
night meals.  Much MUCH more popular than anything else, duck quickly
became THE Overcure food of choice.  And this upset some other people,
because ‘it wasn’t right’.  Others just dismissed the complaints as being said
by ‘miserable stick in the muds who secretly LIKE rat pie’ and hated
people eating decent food.
What added fuel to the fire was a book publish in 2559 called ‘On the Great
Siege’ which pointed out that for HIS Overcure nights celebrations
...I'm not eating THAT!
Graf/Emperor Wulfgang (the ruling Graf during the siege) had a heavily
smoked duck dish served to him.  This for many was proof they said that Duck
was acceptable food for Overcure.
Not so said the naysayers- the Graf/Emperor was in a unique position.  He alone had duck- the rest of the city was
forced to eat smoked rat.  To this, of course, with typical Middenheim humour (which is as dry as a desert) the
rebuttal quickly came.  Now whenever anyone wishes to celebrate The Overcure, but with fresh and tasty duck,
they will cast their eyes to heaven and say in a sad voice... “If it was good enough for Graf Wulfgang... its
good enough for me!”  before tucking in.

(Visitors if they witness this would see someone say those words, while a friend tucking into their bowl of ‘Cured
Dog Meat Soup with a rock bread roll’ narrow their eyes and hiss ‘Coward’ at them... and wonder what on Earth
is going on.  Middenheimers tend not to let on the nature of the row).

With dawn on the 8th, the great bells in the Cathedral of Ulric sound across the city- and like a rash on a baby, the
carnival suddenly emerges.  Stalls open up, the crowds begin to fill the streets and for the next eight days the city
goes a little mad.

The Karnival proper 
Street Entertainments
Before you talk about the organised entertainments (and there are plenty) it
must be understood that you could just walk the streets of Middenheim and
never be bored.  A virtual legion of entertainers from Kislev and Nordland,
from Hochland and Middenland, from Talabheim and Altdorf and
Marienburg, descend upon Middenheim to show their skills and to maybe
earn more in a week here than they can in a month back home.
performances happen everywhere... So great are the numbers of entertainers, that they are often able to band
together in order to reduce travel costs.  In the days leading to Karnival,
coaches filled with acrobats and huge bodies of street entertainers will travel slowly to the city of the black wolf-
these caravans of entertainers are called ‘The Hurdy Gurdy’s’ and are a unique sight upon the Empire’s roads in
the week before and after Carnival.

So, just walking along the streets of Middenheim- what will you see?  Singers by the score- in every alcove, door
way and raised surface.  Minstrels will sing and walk or sit and gather a crowd, playing ribald tunes or great
romantic epics.  Fire Eaters will spit flame meters high, including those who take the ultimate dare, sneak up onto
the walls and blow flame for the entire city to see.  Sword Swallowers tend to have a spotter to prevent malicious
street kids from slamming them on the back as they amaze crowds, while huge crowds will stop dead in the middle
of the road to watch a decent trained dog show (Middenheim has an unusual fondness for trained dogs doing tricks
and oddly enough, talking parrots- another street show they will stop dead to watch).

Stilt walkers will wear outlandish costumes supposedly

based on ogres, leaning down to proclaim in a booming
voice “Giz a penny or I will eat you!” . A few years
ago an enterprising stilt walker who could sing, made a
fortune offering to serenade young ladies BESIDES their
bed room windows- a routine that nowadays gets at least
3 or 4 offering to do.  Jugglers tend to command quick
audiences, but the experienced Middenheim crowd now
won’t stop for anything less than ‘dangerous’ (juggling
knives) or outrageous (juggling a dozen eggs or three
small children).  Meanwhile in a city of Magick, illusion is
beloved and those who do tricks based on sleight of hand
are always seen as highly entertaining and
unusual.  Clowns and strongmen gather differing crowds,
but are both equally popular, and even the busiest will
stop and listen to a GOOD story teller (and there usually
are many).

Musicians tend not to

play alone unless they Middenheim Stilt Walkers
are minstrels, so the
week sees many Karnival Bands- motley collection of musicians who group
together to play and hope their day work outside on some street corner gains them
an evening gig in a bar or a tent.  Escapologists wriggle inside sacks or covered in
chains, ropewalkers sway overhead as people stand and gawp and shout “Don’t
fall!” and “It’s not worth it!  Think of the children!” (oddly enough the
Clowns by the score... joke is in Middenheim- everyone wants to see a rope-walker fall, but
Middenheimers are famed for catching them if they do. Oh and for the
record: unless the walker is at least 12 feet in the air, no one even bothers to look at them).

Knife throwers and axe throwers tend to be beloved in the southern part of the
city, as well as sharp shooters, setting up impromptu firing rangers to do trick
shot with bow and arrow and pistol (the sheer possibility that members of the
public could be hurt is why people love these shows- but woe betide any
sharpshooter who DOES hit a member of the public).  On platforms wherever
they can (usually between 3 and 6 feet above the ground) mummers plays and
actors perform crude and bawdy street theatre- satirising figures in the Empire,
and current events (rarely ever the Graf of Middenheim- any who do that tend to
Knife Throwers are always popular
be locals).  Where there is no space for such plays, puppet shows, including “Mr
Wolf” (a violent glove puppet who responds to a range of domestic problems with the words “Maybe I should
eat you!” which a horde of children gleefully scream along with).

Body performers will take up street spaces as well- from

hypnotic contortionists, skilful acrobats and unmoving
human statues, often made up of young children or
teens.  And where there IS space, tents can be erected to
house a range of palm readers, fortune tellers and
‘freaks’.  Usually the only spaces found to be able to do
this are in the roads along the wall, thus these shows tend
to be known as the ‘Wand-Freaks’ but add another
level of colour and riot to the Karnival- all along the wall
these kind of stalls set up (except the part near Old
Quarter- see below).  The freaks, to be blunt, are always
those who are physically handicapped or
Strigany Gypsy's turn up in large numbers
mutated.  Living as a freak is always precarious- if ones
mutation/deformity is too much you tend to get
burned.  Because of this several of the ‘mutant freaks’ are actually normal people in disguise.  As for the fortune
tellers, they tend to pose as either Kislevian Ice Maids, or Strigany Gypsy’s- all female and all seemingly with the
name “Rose Lee” and “Babooshka”.
The Karnival is vast; the whole city is involved, with events taking place almost every minute of every day.  So large
and so diverse are the entertainments offered that it is fair to say that it would be hard to describe anything as ‘core
events’.  But if there is a heart of the Karnival- then it would be the events that take place in the Great Park, the
Square of Martials and the Grafspark, along with the long streets of WestWag and Dreikönige Unterwegs.

The Great Park-The Heart of Karnival

The vast public area in the heart of the city would of course be one of the
centres of entertainment and people, and indeed for some- it is possible
to visit the Great Park for all eight days and enjoy the Carnival without
ever leaving.  It’s vast green space is filled with people and events and is
busy 24 hours a day.  Partly its because the vast Bernabau Stadium is one
of the main cultural hubs of the city, but also because its central to all
other things.

Bernabau Stadium Events

The Magister Ludi has carefully and cheerfully made the stadiumone of
All types of acts will just start performing...
the most important parts of the whole festival.  For 8 days it runs a series
of events that make it almost constantly full, with differing crowds pouring in and out as the hours pass by, long
into the evening.  At 8am the gates open for the two bouts of the Tourney for Graf’s Champion (a simple event- the
defending champion fights any and all newcomers- winner stays on for the remaining fights- those willing to take
part do so at 8am each morning- the two fighters drawn by lots). 
On the second day after this they start with the Inter City
Snotball Championship (the Middenheim Cup) as the best
eight teams from across the city (usually the best bar teams,
best guild teams, best Collegium team, best military team
and the Eastendersand Southgate Slammers reserve teams)
battle it out in a 7 day knock out competition, which
culminates on the last day at midday.
The Park and the Stadium are often very busy...
The pit fights verses Beastmen (usually hamstrung and
quite tame) take place every afternoon at lunchtime for two days (usually days 3 and 5) and day 6 is traditionally
the day for the Carnival Archery Tourney (the Golden Arrow) (this is often combined with the summer round of
the Middenheim Tourney).

In the evenings the events continue- with evening pit

fights in the underground arena.  These are more serious
affairs, usually seeing pit fighters from all over the north
coming to take on the best of the city.  On the second
night there is usually an evening event in the main
stadium- “The Night Races” which sees the only flame
lit horse racing in the Empire.  The night races are free
for all, races based upon age of horse, and are wild and
hectic circuits of the course (unlike the other horse races Anyone can go for Graf's Champion
organised in the city, there is little betting- mostly these
are held for the sheer event of it).  The races are finished off with a fireworks display (making sure all horses are
below ground before they begin)- the Horse Hair Fireworks on the second night of the Carnival is the only time the
Bernabau hosts a fireworks display.

The Park itself-  The Great Tents.

A tradition going back over 200 years, one of the great bastions of the Karnival is of course the Great Tents.  Like
our worlds Oktoberfest, the tents are large social gathering places- wherein anyone can come, sit, drink beer,
socialise, eat, laugh, and sing along (and even dance a little).  At their height there were seven such tents, but in
recent days there have been only five.
 Each tent is a vast marquee- usually brightly coloured.  They hold hundreds and
for some they ARE the Karnival.  To get in one must pay, but each offers a slightly
differing atmosphere and cost rate.
The Red Tent- spotted instantly by it is red and white stripes, the fence around it
The Red Tent (with guards on the gate and patrolling) and its vast size, the Red tent is the
largest of all the Great Tents.  Sponsored and ran by the House of Rockenfelzen,
it will cost a person three crowns to get into the Red Tent- but once in, all drinks, food and entertainments are free
thereafter.  It is simply a tented version of a Middenlander Drinking Hall- with long rows of tables and well heeled
well presented drinkers left to find a seat and listen to a range of trumpet bands and folk singers perform great
sing-alongs.  Formally known as the Hoffmeisters tent, it prides itself on a range of lagers and ales, all brewed
under the Hoffmeisters banner from across the empire.
          

The White Tent- Slightly smaller than the red tent but much noisier, the White tent (so called because of its
creamy canvas covering) is much cheaper to enter- it only costs a shilling to get in.  The drinks however also cost
(not much a few pence) but are served in extra large
sterns.  Music is free but food is sold by various caterers
including one unique one- Master Nabar’s White
Sausage Stall.  Nabar, one of the Butcher’s
Guild,spends all year making his infamous white
sausages- a rare spicy delicacy containing a range of
succulent meats and spiced wonderfully (its rather
hot).  Sir Eber Veit swears blind it’s “The best sausage
in the Empire” and this plus the other stalls are always
busy.  The entertainments tend to be slightly more
bawdy, the songs a little ruder and it’s not unknown for
White Tent before the crowds turn up...
there to be fights.

The Green Tent- A majestic tent, made of green thick canvas and covered in ornate patterns showing rural
scenes, the Green Tent is a smaller big top (holds 350 as opposed to the Red tents vast 500), and a much more cosy
atmosphere.  The license for the tent belongs to the Halfling Elders council of the City and within that community it
is known as the Cousins Tent- mostly because in the months beforehand the various Halflings vie to get “Their
cousins back home” to get the concession to come
work the tent.  What you get then is a well ran Halfling
controlled tent, famed for its hearty meals and decent
ciders.  Indeed some have pointed out that due to the
filling nature of the food, and the deceptively strong
nature of Halfling brewed cider, many who go to this tent
get famously drunk.  Inside it is warm, cosy, and much
gentler on the senses and it tends to be beloved by
The roof of the Green Tent...
families.  Certainly this is the only tent that provides
entertainments for children and the whole thing is busy
from dawn to dusk.  It is a single crown to get in, and while alcohol and food do cost more they are considerably
cheaper prices than is found elsewhere.
It is also noted that the reason why the city’s Halfling community like the Green tent so well is because it provides
work for their cousins and in laws- while allowing them continue to run THEIR businesses all eight days of
carnival.

The Yokel Tent- A wild rainbow coloured tent, always located near The Cirrus Hotel, the Yokel tent is one staffed
entirely by non residents.  Indeed it specialises in the best beers of Stirland, Tabacland and Ostermark and is often
called the Ost Tent by those non residents to the city.  It is an old fashioned tent, filled with songs from the east,
and catering to vistors from that region also (you even get a few Sylvanian beers served here).  It’s generally
reckoned to be a nice safe place for outsiders to drink in but few Middenheimers even bother
The Wolf & Fish tent- a pale blue and white tent this
was originally covered in sigils of the Ulrican church and
the canvas has been in use for centuries without fail.  If it
has been ripped the patches have increasingly used
Manannian symbols and thus you get the Wolf and Fish
designs which cover it.  This tent’s links with Manann
grew about twenty years ago when the rights to the tent
were bought by the Marienburg directorate merchant
house, the House of Den Euwe.
Under Den Euwe control it has become a home away
from home for Wastelanders, serving Marienburgese ales
Inside the Wolf & Fish...
and pale beers, with acts shipped down from Marienburg
for the occasion.  While it costs a crown to enter each day, the atmosphere is fun and relaxed.  Alone of all the tents
it allows patrons smoke (leading to it being called the Pipe Smokers tent), and food and drink is quite
cheap.  Again, like the yokel tent, it is not one Midenheimers tend to frequent.

The Rest of the Park...

In any other city the Tents alone would be a centre piece
of any party.  And yet the tents do not even represent the
busiest part of the park.  Knockaboots is busy from day
one with the Middenheim Youth Snotball Championship
known to all as ‘The Snots Cup’  (over 64 teams take
part in a knockout competition that is waged on its
pitches over the full week), while the rest of the park is
filled with fun and wild events.  A small jousting list is
erected where all comers can try their hand at jousting-
on donkeys!  This hilarious display of ritual humiliation
is a knock out competition held over the first three days
leading to someone being crowned the “Ass of
Middenheim” (an event which leads to a flame led
Any vantage part to see events is considered legitimate...
procession through the park on night three known as the
Procession of the Ass (and subsequent Big Ass Firework
Display- all of which reveal that Middenheimers like bum jokes and refuse to allow a good joke go underused).

Another event in the Great Park is the Great Swim- where all comers are invited to swim races across Black Pool
(Day 5) and the madcap GSH Etc. Challenge.  This is a simple but mad event- a large wooden platform is built
above the Black Pool (usually opposite the Cirrus)and those brave, mad or silly enough then try to ‘fly’ across the
Black pool- most competitors make a token gesture towards some kind of ‘wings’ (often made from pillow cases-
allowing them jump off the platforms and dive straight
into the water) but every year there are at least a half
dozen who construct some kind of glider type device and
try to actually make it (and every year at least one of
them discovers that being able to soar over the Black Pool
is not as impressive as ‘landing without breaking
your neck’ and end up dying to the sounds of
Middenheimers laughing at them).

And this does not include the world famous "Black pool

Illuminations” (held on the last two nights- see below)

The Great Park is usually

Dancing happens just about everywhere
a sun filled bastion of life
and entertainment- the KLS will tether a few Kaiserlichen Luftschiffethere taking
 members of the public up and down for a shilling a go (and THE best view of
Karnival in the city).  The organisers of the Karnival realised some years ago that
sometimes it’s best to stagger the events, to allow the Karnival surprise visitor and
residents alike.  Thus it is only on Day 4 the Green Stage opens (this is based on
the assumption that most people would have spent a day in the tents by now).  The
Green Stage is located over to the far west of the park and is exactly what it is- a
stage upon the green.  Here musicians (many of whom have been spotted over the
previous few days) will play music to anyone who feels like listening and sitting
Air Ships are popular... (musicians are given a flat fee of 2 crowns per performance plus tips- tips are
usually THROWN at the performers).  The Green Stage begins on the fourth night
with a bevy of the best bands and then runs every evening from then on- around 6pm a play of some kind will be
put on (usually some free one) and then at 10pm live music will play until about 1am.

Finally on the last night of the Karnival the Great park again lights up with life as
in the afternoon is the ‘Closing of the Tents’ (famous because any undrank beer
must be disposed off- often leading to very low prices or even been sold off to the
general public), before the Green Stage closes events that night with “The jam”-
where any and all musicians are invited onto the stage to play a wild raucous party
that runs until a riot starts or people just go home.

...and can go wrong!

The Square of Martials
Away from the Great Park, the Square of Martialsalso acts as one of the
most important centres of Karnival activity.  Usually they tend to limit it to
one event per day, but not always.  It has been known that any famous
criminals will find their execution delayed for carnival (and said execution
always takes place in the Square).  This being said, with its proximity to the
Grafspalaz the Square is one of the busiest hives of activity during the 8
days.

The first day always has ‘The Grand Procession of the Knights”- an

old tradition wherein the Knights of the White Wolf and Knight’s panther
The Square gets many military parades...
will ride up the north gate, along 3 Kings Road and into the Square of
Martials.  Over the years however both orders have invited other orders to come be represented- the largest of such
gatherings was the ‘Grand procession’ of 2574 where every single Knightly order managed to send people.  Most
years they tend to have about twenty members of a dozen orders riding in all their finery in a terribly impressive
display of pomp and folly.

Horses dominate the entertainments in the Square for the next few days- there is
usually a chance for ‘show riding’- trick riders from all over, to come and perform
on three of the days in exciting, skilful shows that are very popular with visitors
and residents alike. Day 4 is traditionally a day where knights and gentlemen and
women display their true skills in ‘precision horse control’ (what we would today
call dressage), while one day is given entirely over to what is called ‘The Display
of the Banners’ where War banners from all over the empire are erected and
shown to the public- revered icons of the Volk that they are.
Of course the event that the Square is most famed for is the Ice Skating.  This is Middenheim Ice Skates
simply done.  The square is filled with water and then Magisters using Magick will
freeze it over and then it will be open to the public to skate upon night and day for two (or three) days.  The Ice
Skating is always popular and well attended.  In the past the whole thing was ended by people unfreezing the water
and holding Water polo matches (or to be precise- Vasser Snots- water based snotball- its a hit and miss affair).

The Konigsgarten and The Grafspalaz

 The final heart beat of the carnival is the region to the north of the city- the well
kept gardens of the Konigsgarten and the Grafspalanz itself.  It is here that the
city sees the hoi polloi and the great and good celebrate as well as gaining a
chance to join in…

Within the Konigsgarten itself are a range of extraordinary things to see and
do.  For all 8 days the formal Gardens opens to the public and it is here that
the Prize Geraniums unveil their skill- visitors are greeted with a wild array
of flowers and formal gardens, changing each year but also fascinating and
peaceful; a mixture of trees and shrubs and flowers the Gardens briefly become
THE most fashionable place in the city- a delight for horticulturalists and the
The Gardens are usually stunning...
general public alike for all 8 days.  On the first day as well in the top corner of
the Konigsgarten the Geraniums unveil this year’s Great Maze- also with a
new design each year (how they manipulate the shrubs to create a differing pattern each year astounds everyone
but many suspect Wood Elf magick).  The Maze is a huge draw, that costs a shilling per person to get in and which
not only IS a insidious maze, it also offers treasures and delights at every turn- sculptures and amazing works of art
line its long lanes and fountains and secluded seats allow weary lost souls sit a while before trying to get out... the
maze has no concession or quick way in or out- once you enter the only way out is via the centre (where a tunnel
takes you underneath it and out).  Those who are still within the maze by sundown are rescued by the custodians
who seem to know their way around easily (they locate lost souls by walking, ringing bells and crying “All out
who wants to not starve!”- If no one cries out for rescue they will find themselves in the maze until the next
day).
The Maze is so insidious that on two occasions in the past people have been
murdered there and the bodies left- in one case the body was found six hours later,
but in a famous case in 2538 the body lay there for a couple of days only identified
and found due to the smell...

The Jousting lists are busy throughout the Karnival- two separate tourneys run on
each day- one an internal Tourney involving the Knight’s Panther, the other
for Knight’s of the White Wolf (these take place each morning from days 2 to 8-
The Great Maze
with each order having a day to themselves).  The last day sees an ancient
ritual- The Karnival Grand Melee- a raucous, violent affair that sees young knights from both orders get ‘stuck
in’ (it’s no surprise that the White Wolves tend to win this virtually every year)

The Konigsgarten’s association with the Sigmarites(which originated with Die Kinderfair) continues as a stage is
erected in the park upon which is only ever perform The Middenheim Life of Sigmar- a unique set of mystery
plays that tell the story of Sigmar.  An invited group of actors will do a differing chapter of the life of Sigmar every
day at 2pm usually to large crowds of visitors.  What makes the Middenheim Cycle so unique is that they tell the
story of the First Emperor from the perspective of the city itself.  Thus you have one play focusing on Sigmar as a
Boy- including his rise in power; another is the traditional Sigmar the Chieftain story of his subjugation of the
tribes of the Volk; the third Sigmar the King shows his final conquests; the 4th days play is the most different
from traditional Sigmarite Canon- Sigmar and Artur is a detailed exploration of the subjugation of the
Teutongen tribe- the last to bow their heads, and is much a tale of the First Emperor as it is a tale of ‘the last free
people of the Volk’- Arthur the chief of the Teutognen gets as many lines as Sigmar and comes across as his true
and only equal and peer.
The firth play Sigmar and Blackfire is a version of the battle of Blackfire Pass
from a Teutognen perspective- making a huge thing about Sigmar being a devout
Ulrican (some Sigmarites find this last pay offensive, but the church in
Middenheim respond with a easy going “But of course he was a Ulrican- he
could not worship himself now could he?” to criticisms).

The Grafspalanz is where the elite activities take place- the first being The
Opening Ball hosted by the Graf himself.  This is where ALL nobles in the city
The Grafs Gardens
 are invited to come along and spend time in the company of their peers- the ball
extends into the grounds and the sounds of music is matched only by the sight of well dressed nobles laughing and
dancing and dining away to the wee hours, when the ball ends with a magnificent fireworks display (usually done
to music).
The second night sees ‘The City Ball’ a very different kind
of occasion- the Graf traditionally invites the ‘great and the
good of Middenheim’ (Guild Heads, Magisters, Army
officers)- basically those who are not noble but without
whom the city cannot run) and holds a ball for them- these
worthy souls usually get to bring a few guests and often
bring visiting peers (other cities guild masters for
example).  This is a totally indoor event, but goes down well
with the upper middle class residents of the city and earns
the Graf and his family much respect).

The Graf holds two more parties before the end of

Karnival- “The Graf’s Gathering” is not actually a
The Black Pool Illuminations can be seen for miles... ball per se- it is closer to a salon- the Graf and Grafin on the
4th night host a gathering of anyone they wish for an
evening’s music, dancing, poetry, and culture.  Somewhat less formal than the Balls, the best thing about the Graf’s
Gathering is the act of being invited- it shows you are considered important in the eyes of the Graf.  It’s often
called ‘The Salon of interesting chats’ because Graf David III likes interesting people as does his wife.  The final
party held by the Graf is the Closing Ball held at the same time as The Jam in the Great Park, it is traditionally
seen as the final farewell of the Graf to his noble visitors and has much dancing and music before ending on the
largest of all the firework displays in the city at midnight.

The Graf also organises the only non city based Karnival events- the two Drakwald Hunts- these are invitation only
events that take place outside the city where the Graf has a large tent erected and invited his court and others so
inclined to come join him for a few days riding around the dark forests hunting, before retiring to an evening’s
feasting and carousing. 

The above by themselves would be a celebration unequaled outside of the main cities of the Empire, but what
makes Karnival so spectacular is that this is not even half the entertainments the city has to offer the visitor...

The Fairs
In three places in Middenheim, the streets are closed to
traffic and stalls are allowed to set up along the length of
them- with noise and attractions on either side, hawkers
selling food, or offering games of skill and more- the fairs
are exciting and noisy roads wherein people can be
endlessly entertained just walking from one end to
another.
The Great West Fair- runs from the Plague
Memorialalong West Weg as far as the West Gate- over
200 yards worth of noise and smells and people, it is
famed for its stalls offering games of chance (three
darts for a penny- hit the target and win a
prize as well as a few of the most respected and well
established Wand-freaks get to set up stall along Contraptions like this line the streets of the West fair
here).  Near the Black Plague memorial a large clockwork
carousel is erected, which is a long cherished Middenheim landmark. 
 The Dwarf Fair- runs along Wendenbahn on the border ofthe Wynd and is
manned by Dwarf made rides and contraptions that are miles ahead of the human
made ones on The West Fair.  The most famous is the “Broken Breaks”- this was
created for Dwarven communities years ago- it was designed to train young Dwarven
miners what to do in the event of their mine cart losing its breaks.  A mine cart is
placed on a track- the track is built up upon a wooden structure until it is 35 feet high-
the cart is pushed and the track and its structure begin to fall away in a series of
undulating dips and sudden turns.  The whole thing is propelled by gravity and to the
Dwarves astonishment, humans will pay good money to get into the cart and be pushed
off.  Basically this is the Old World’s only wooden roller-coaster and fascinates and
The Broken Breaks
scares Middenheimers in equal measure (Guff Goodsare aware of how popular this is
and are paying for more innovative and exciting tracks to be laid each year). 

Away from this Wendenbahn is filled with other devices that will spin a rider around, or play interesting music or
amuse children and adults alike with their ingenious contraptions and mechanical marvels.

The Village Fair- Located in the heart of Freiburg, this is part of the Book Festival, and sees lots of stall
open to sell manuscripts, printed books and more (see book festival below).

Important Events Elsewhere.

What else is there to see and do?  Too much for words.
The Primaverais opened 24 hours during Carnival, but is
famed for it’s “Late Spring Ball” that takes place at some
point during the event- tickets for those not invited can cost
you 10 crowns a pop but you get invited to a social gathering
in the most exclusive parts of the club- and because they use
the steam from the hot baths to over heat the rooms, it can
be so hot in there, people tend to use The Late Spring ball as
an excuse to wear as risqué outfits as they dare... The Late
Spring ball has an Empire wide reputation for provocative
dress and salacious gossip. This is exactly what Baron
Christian wants and indeed over the years he has used his
family name to invite a “select list of the most exciting
rogues, ne’er-do-wells and scoundrels in the Evening Events can be as busy as daytime ones...
Empire”.  The Late Spring Ball is THE place to meet a
famous Courtesan from Mirelangelo, play a game of Strip Vie with a rapscallion from Stirland and have a
fascinating chat with the most successful conman to work the other side of the Reik.   
Meanwhile 3 Kings Hallhosts recitals of music and visiting plays every afternoon and evening (tickets tend to sell
fast- they tend to book some of Altdorf and Nuln’s premium acts months in advance).  The hall keeps itself busy
with a constantly changing but always going on series of events from 11am to 11pm at night, with crowds
shepherded in and out with ruthless efficiency.
The Temple of Sigmarwill use Karnival to display a changing collection of some of the finest icons of Sigmar in
use in the Empire- at least one a year will be something truly epic (a couple of years ago they had the Shroud of
Magnuson display causing scenes of near religious hysteria within its vaulted chambers).
The Altmarktand Neumarktopen as normal it is found,
but there are much more fun atmospheres with stall
holders in fancy dress or holding spontaneous singing
contests and ‘who can shout the
loudest’ competitions.  Indeed sometimes you will find a
large host of Middenheimers congregating specifically for
said events just because it’s the one chance to see regular
citizens acting silly and having fun (it has been known
 now and then for the there to be an unofficial series of
street races- with apprentices congregating at the top
of Lederer Straße before racing down the street at full
pelt, cheered on by their masters and their friends, before
taking the hard left into Zinn Gasse racing on, taking
the other left up and die Straße von Messern to the
finish line.  The Neumarkt Steeplechase is not a
regular event but it is one of those special events that
Middenheimers save for themselves usually).
The Markets are as busy as elsewhere... The Admiral Loxleiter hosts entertainers twice a day
(once at 1pm once at 8pm) upon what they call The
Loxleiter Stage.  The Loxleiter’s choice is also top notch and always is Middenheim based artists (for many
Middenheimer based artists the Loxleiter is the one stage they know they can be seen and not swamped by the
army of rivals from across the Empire).  Many visitors love the Loxleiter Stage as it allows them see ‘home grown’
talent and all artists are tipped by the captive audience (no entrance fee- you just have to order food).
Smithy’s Hallattracts a different kind of crowd and is always busy as each day they award their ‘Best in Empire’
awards to a range of manufacturers (carpenters, metal workers, etc).  Artisans from across the empire display their
goods from early morning (costs 3p to get in) with the award given each evening (the prize has no monetary value
but to be judged to be the Best in the Empire by one’s peers is a true badge of honour).
Middenheim’s Bars already bastions of entertainment offer wildly different and
exciting entertainments especially after the sun goes down- Henry and
Jewel’sruns “The King of the Karnival” competition- which is basically a
nightly four evening long gurning competition- anyone can come and pull the
ugliest face they possibly can (without using their hands).  The first three nights
sees three finalists picked (you can enter every night if you desperate to get
picked) before the final nine AND one other chosen by the landlord as ‘Ugliest
loser’ takes part in the final ‘face off’- said winner gets a small trophy and their
drinks free for the rest of the carnival.  Away from that Henry and Jewel’s
actually doesn’t offer much by way of entertainment- rather it prides itself on
being an ‘island of sanity in a sea of madness’.  It keeps doing what it always The King is famed for his ugliness...
does and as such it remains busy throughout.
Over at The Golden Mile the events come thick and fast- The Prancing Wolfoffers eight nights of dancing to all
comers, the Mountain Top Barruns the Stage on top a Mountain- which is open to all to come and earn applause
and coins from the people there (or boos and cat calls from those who fail to entertain them).  The Stage Atop the
Mountain is seen as the most brutal and intimate opf performance areas- and is usually graced by the desperate
looking for somewhere to play and money to earn.  
Outside the bars there is another event that drags folks
down to the Golden mile.  Every night about 10 pm
the Golden Procession begins- this is where the
Golden Mile pours out into the street to blow whistles,
ring bells, sing, cheer and drink and just makes as much
noise as possible as a ‘Procession’ makes their way from
one end to the Ratskeller(the procession usually involves
a few whores, and lost of drunks on carts being led down
the Mile, pouring alcohol down people’s throats and
occasionally going topless for the cheers).  Wild,
drunken, violent, low brow and raucous the Gold
procession is a nightly ritual that just organises itself.
The Red Moon, by contrast, is usually full most nights
offering a range of sultry and stylish events- its priding
The Golden Procession...
itself on being the best place for young and upwardly
mobile singles to come meet others of the opposite sex, and its entertainment comes across as upmarket burlesque
type shows with sultry singers and plenty of dark alcoves for singles to flirt.  During carnival it prides itself on
the Red Angels- simply giving residency to the four most in demand female singers in the empire and giving
them two nights residency hosting, performing and ruling the roost.
Yet The Singing Moon manages to outdo them all with a vast range
of extraordinary entertainments, utilising Solvig’s platz to its fullest,
it virtually corners the market in two things.  The first is theatre-
unless someone pays to erect a theatre stage in the Great Park (has
happened now and then) and outside of the stage put up in
the Village, the Birch Rose is THE theatre in Middenheim and
Karnival sees usually the best work the New New Companyhave had
all year.  Packed houses and two shows a day, this is the premium
event (they often unveil two shows in the week for maximum
impact).  Added to the theatre (and indeed an extension of it) The
Singing Moon holds a festival of poetry during the day, with
successful spoken word recitals from some of the Empire’s best poets
supplementing the theatricality of the Birch Rose.
There is another area where Solvig’s dominates... you see Solvig’s
Platz becomes a bastion of tranquility from the manic noise of the
Karnival, with the grass area filled with tables and musicians gently
playing- except every afternoon at 2pm when it invites what it
Malwine- one of the most beloved Elven poets...
considers the most innovative, exciting and talented acts they have
seen across the city to perform.  These are only street performer’s
mind- chosen by the size of their crowds and their skill and these one or two acts play/perform until 3pm, and the
best of each day gets invited back to a proper shindig on the 7th night- competing before an audience of the great
and good for the converted title Die besten im Karnival.  This award (usually judged by an audience of
dignitaries who have not been out on the street) actually carries a lot of clout- acts have been known to turn up in
Middenheim a penniless tramp, perform a few times for pennies down some side street, get invited to the Platz, do
well, get called back and win the final and suddenly find they have years worth of work.  Last years winner (The
Amazing Yellow- seriously that was his name) was an illusionist who performed simply amazing slight of hand
tricks that impressed the Magisters no end (they appreciate when someone can seem like they doing magick when
none is used).
Meanwhile in the evening The Singing Moon remains packed with some of the highest brow quality entertainment
to be found in the Empire (their name alone means they can virtually get anyone they wish) and is filled every
evening with those who can afford the door price.  It’s worth noting that one night (it varies which one) the Singing
Moon organizes the Dark Side of the Karnival- a strictly invitational party that many whisper is THE event of
the week (indeed popular rumour has it that this is THE party of the year- with wild and exotic entrainments, a
guest list that includes the most interesting people in the city right now, amazing drinks and much much more).
The Royal College of Music capitalises on the number of outside visitor by offering almost endless shows- in the
morning the students perform recitals (costs only a penny to get in), while afternoons will see members of the
orchestra perform (these shows cost a shilling to enter).
The evenings in the Regio Collegium are special.  Knowing it’s the one week of the year the city is truly full of Opera
lovers, the Collegium will usually invite one of the Empire premium opera companies (either Nuln or Altdorf) to
come play for four nights, their own opera will do two and two nights are given to new and original compositions
by Rallane and his peers.
But it’s not just the locals who capitalise upon the crowds- the Consulates usually
offer a range of activities.  The Nipponese House of Apple Blossomwill open its
doors for those who can pay, demonstrating the ancient Nipponese Tea Ceremony
and graceful maiko’s performing temple dances.  The Bretonnian Consulatewill
host regular salons for visiting Bretonnian nobility, filled with good chat and a
place where they can act imperious and be treated
correctly.  The Margrittan Consulateand the temple of Myrmidia sponsor The
House of Zapatistato run a duelling competition (only Estilian fighting styles are
Zapatista's Competition
accepted) and it has quickly earned a reputation for being one of the most popular
such events in the Empire.  The temple of Myrmidiais also part of the patronage of static art, with the temple,
along with the Prospect, being where new art will be displayed (the recent patronage of The Wolf School
paintershas caused quite a bit of excitement down there, and many assume it will be a stronghold of the arts for
some years to come).
All of these things go on, distracting the visitor and resident alike.  Not included are the events organised by the
guilds (the Animal trainersfor example occasionally put on dog displays) and smaller events organised by taverns,
bars and halls across the city (the Laughing Jackass for example, books Luccinian born and raised singers and
artists, often of the highest quality).
Indeed there is so much going on, so many events that see people scuttling across the city at breakneck speed to
make events, that the common greeting between locals when they run into each other is “Had time to eat yet?”.

The Temple of Ulric

Oddly enough the Temple of Ulricdoes very little during Karnival- but then again its not really Ulric’s time of
year.  It is worth noting daily ceremonies take place in and around the main Cathedral and this is also the time of
year the Knights of the White Wolf open the books for any who wish to become a Squire or a Knight- applications
are made in person at any time during the week and they will fairly consider all comers (this being said their
standards are bloody high).

The Village and the Book festival

Freiburghas, over the years, became famed for its book festival- actually a glorious celebration of all things printed
and written- stalls line the streets selling such items, and the many bookshops (led by The Bonesaw) unveil new
stock especially for the occasion.  Some say that the book stores offer the MOST exclusive books in the Empire for
sale during Karnival week hoping to attract a high roller to come spend the over inflated prices they charge (and
they often will). 
The Village, in keeping with its bohemian feel, will often hold events within its
quiet streets that they tend not to advertise too much.  It is not unknown for a
stage to be erected there and the Collegium Players to perform plays, and one
quaint ritual that has sprung up over the years has been a three day display of
falconry that takes place in the Collegium square.  Why this started here no one is
too sure, some say it was because one year a bunch of noble students, bored of the
low brow entertainments around them, decided to show off with their
hawks.  Truth or not its quite an impressive display, with decent crowds kept back The Falconry is always popular
by sharp eyed proctors. 
The falconry displays got a whole lot more interesting a few years ago when the Elf Gristillion took up residence in
the city.  Gristillion is an Elven Beastmaster and specialises in birds of prey- he seems able to TALK to the birds
and when he turns up the show is spectacular to say the least.

The Dwarven Karnival

It is said that the city’s vast and secretive Dwarven communitywill hold a series of events below ground for any
visiting Dwarves.  No one (aside from Dwarves themselves) know for sure and those Dwarves who do discover said
events are simply asked to promise to not reveal what goes on underground- since no Dwarf would break their
word, the details remain secretive and hidden from prying eyes...

Fireworks
The Karnival is famed across the world for its fireworks.  This is not an undeserved reputation.  As the home of
progressive alchemy and the place where experimental explosives are born, the tradition of the ZAG making and
aiding fireworks displays are one of the highlights of the event.  Indeed so great has the reputation become that
now there are fireworks displays most nights?  Each one ties into a significant event in the Karnival.
One the first night it’s to close the Opening Ball- the
fireworks are placed in the grounds of the Grafspalanz
and along the north wall- those who wish to see are best
advised to congregate around konigswag and the Square
 of Martials for a 30 minute pyrotechnic display that sets
the tone for the week.
The following night the fireworks are released from the
Bernabau stadium after the night races- due to the desire
not to scare the horses below, these tend to be mostly
high exploding rockets, arranged around the
stadium.  Many sit within the stadium after the races to
watch, but anywhere in the Great park is good to see (the
BEST view however is on the 14th floor, east tower
of The Cirrus hotel, which will charge guests two crowns
to sit with free food and wine to watch the display from
‘an explosive viewpoint’).
The Great Park sees fireworks the following night as part
of the celebration of Procession of the Ass- this is the
Middenheim's Fireworks are world famous
opposite of the previous nights display and tends to be
static fireworks (Catherine wheels and so forth)- a vast display of noise and light and smoke fill the park by the end
as for 40 minutes fireworks tend to burn out all over.
Fireworks again dominate the Great Park for the opening of the Green Stage-
at the end of the event fireworks set up on top of it will be lit (remembering the
lucky escape many had when a stray rocket landed ontop of a pile of
undetonated fireworks back in 2568- the resulting explosion took out most of
the stage but avoided killing anyone.  Again anywhere in the Great Park would
be the best view, but it is also worth noting none of these events take place
near the Tents (just in case).
The fifth night sees something special- the Grafs Gathering ends with
fireworks to music- and the sounds of it carry across the city- these are meant
to be some of the more powerful explosives and they say the whole city can sit
and watch the midnight explosions (it lasts for a full forty minutes and is Some of the fireworks are very clever
carefully rehearsed to match the music- to hear the music you had best be at
the iron railings or in the event itself).
The next two nights tend to be the start of the most famed fireworks display in the Empire- The Black Pool
illuminations.  With the passing of the years the old Showboat was bought out by Silber Adler who tore it down
and built the vast hotel The Cirrus upon the site.  This is the basis for the fireworks- the whole hotel becomes the
centre piece (along with barges in the middle of the Blackpool).  Run separately by differing people from all the
other fireworks displays (rumour has it the alchemists appoint the best damn firework maker’ each year to be in
charge of the Black pool Illuminations alone), and huge crowds gather in the park and across the city to see them.

But it is the closing night display that puts all of the rest to shame- based again at
the palace AND at the Cirrus AND Van Outen tower, this final, hour long show
not only features some of the most innovative and exciting fireworks, but also
Magick courtesy of the Magisters of the ZAG- indeed it is said that several
Magisters are known to use Magick to fly trailing flames and sparks, and this is the
The Black Pool Illuminations
night the Bright School Magisters perform their flaming crescendo (where they
fire pyrotechnical blast of staggering power into the nights sky).  The two tall structures (Van Outen tower and the
Cirrus) are illuminated by flame and illusion, and more black powder is expended than in a full battle of an
Imperial army.  It’s the kind of thing that someone newly arrived from Stirland will remember for the rest of their
life- which is just how the city wants it because they want him to return, tell all his mates and return the next year.

Each Karnival will contain all the above AT LEAST, plus a whole plethora of other events, changing over the years,
and leaving the average visitor thinking they wish they had more time (which again is how it is intended to be).

Yokel Baiting
Not to be forgotten is the yearly institution of ritual humiliation the city inflicts upon some visitor- the fun and joy
of Yokel Baiting!  Always this is an elaborate series of practical jokes that take place ONLY on the first day and are
targeted against anyone new to the city.  No one knows who organises such things, just that they have always been
organised.
Each year the prank differs.  Mock arrests and sentences of death for
littering are fun; so is ‘The Long Lost Cousin’.  Indeed so popular is
Long Lost Cousin there are a range of variations (Long Lost
brother/Sister/Grandfather for example, and also “The Man who
saved my life’).  What happens is simply- some poor visitor is
approached by someone who swears blind he/she is their long lost
cousin.  They will call them by some name (for females they are
ALWAYS called Hilda, for men, they are ALWAYS called Fred (short
for Frederick)), and the poor victim is introduced to the strangers
Celebrating the return of the long lost cousin...
friends and family.  And nearby people.  Who then make a big show of
going “By Ulric!  It’s Fred!  I have not seen you in YEARS...”
No matter what the victim says, they will be the Long Lost Cousin and EVERYONE goes along with it.  People
remind the cousin of great parties they went to, others hand them a ‘those two crowns I owed you from
years ago, remember?’ and so forth.  No matter what the victim says they will be treated as the Long Lost
Cousin for a few hours.
What makes it funnier is Middenheimers like to raise the stakes- a disheveled woman turns up with small starving
children and demand why Fred, her husband abandoned her all those years ago... the Watch turn up as Fred is
wanted for murder and treason... as they lead Fred to the Watch Barracks a contingent of White Wolf knights turn
up with a warrant for Fred’s arrest for heresy...
As they are led suddenly the mob of locals, knowing what the joke is, will line the streets and scream out
condemnations against Fred, and women will swear blind Fred molested them (if they are picking on Hilda, the
tradition is for men to shout about her prowess in bed with as much detail as possible).
Then, just as quick as it starts it ends, with those nearby laughing and allowing Fred/Hilda go about their
traumatised way...
Yokel baiting changes each year and will gather as many victims as possible.  It’s all good fun and Middenheimer's
are use to seeing terrified Stirlanders fleeing through the streets with dozens of nubile young Middenheim girls
chasing them screaming "Put a baby in my belly..." on that day and tend not to bat an eyelid...

Crime at the Karnival

The South Wall Magistrates Courtbecomes the home of the Karnival Court- where
a body of 12 magistrates sits for two hours each, 24 hours a day, all through the
event, passing sentence on everything from pickpockets to murder to short
measures in cake making and much more.  All criminals are taken here and they
will find justice is served quick and harshly (all local criminals know that if you end
up at the Karnival Court there is always the chance that there is no execution
scheduled for tomorrow and the magistrates may just make you an example to
satisfy the crowds).
And yet for all the numbers of folks there, crime is relatively low at Karnival.  Partly
its the sheer number of soldiers and watch on patrol and also partly its because
Food stalls found everywhere... people are just too busy having a good time.  Of course crime does happen- and
certain parts of the city are no go areas for residents.  This is especially true
of Altquitier.
It is generally considered a death sentence for any visitor to walk into the Old Quarter, as unless they happen to be
famous or rich the Watch will not go in to help them.  And there are no wall based stalls or tents near Old
Quarter.  Residents say Old Quarter tends to not do anything to celebrate Karnival, rather travel out and join the
great throngs of people.

Gnadentag
And then suddenly its all over.  The tents come down, the stalls are packed away.  Reildorf Contract workers begin
cleaning up bits they have ignored for a few days and the city gets back to normal.  Well not quite...
The day after Karnival ends is known to all as Gnadentag- The Day of
Grace.  It earned its name because Middenheimers while not as smiling
as they have been, know they have lost of guests still in the city and will
be polite to them.  Gnadentag is the day however most visitor leave- and
extra coaches are put on and the gate open at 5am and stay open until
7pm to make sure as many can get on their way as possible.  So busy is
the traffic OUT of Middenheim on Gnadentag, that no business or
resident actually run goods INTO the city on this day (they would never Gypsy's are usually escorted from the city...
get up the viaducts to be blunt).
Below the city the visitors bicker
and row as they try and move their carts parked below 9and laugh at stupid
people who left valuables back there- while the city will protect the carts from being stolen/broken down into
pieces, they won't guard them well enough to prevent petty theft).
It is called the Day of Grace for another reason.  The day AFTER?  Middenheimers now get back to their normal
lives- and return to be gruff, rude, abrupt and hard working.  Many a visitor has turned up, made what they
thought were best friends, stuck around and found their new companions are too busy 'gettin‘ on with stuff‘ to
talk to them.  Such is Middenheim.

The Next Year

And like that- it is over.  Except it isn’t.  Starting within a few weeks the legion of men and women behind it begin
planning for the next Karnival, arranging everything quietly so that the following year will be as great a success...

No two years see the same Karnival...