Clown people (Clownfolk)
Clown people are a humanoid race of people from an alternate universe parallel to the narrow reality. They are similar in appearance to clowns in the narrow reality but are a biologically different species (
Homo harlequinnus). The largest hub for clown people is in
New Pierrot City, which has begun a program to send an experimental set of citizens to the
Manta Carlos Islands
Evolutionary Characteristics
No two clown people are the exact same, but they share a similar set of physical and behavioral characteristics:
- White or pastel-colored skin.
- Naturally unusually colored hair. Rainbow colored hair is also common.
- Facial markings in the form of geometric shapes.
- Large and/or colored noses.
- Bodily fluids similar in consistency to cake batter or icing. While identical to humans in their realm, blood-drinking creatures in this realm describe it to be similar to buttercream in flavor.
Cultural Characteristics
New Pierrot City is similar to the narrow reality in culture to humans. Clownfolk have jobs, families, and traditions that are upheld by society. However, there are a few key differences between the world beyond the veil and that of New Pierrot City;
- Careers in entertainment are more valuable than professional careers. Young clownfolk aspire to be jugglers, comedians, acrobats, television personalities and if they are really lucky, circus ringleaders. Careers such as Law Enforcement, lawyers, and medical professionals are severely frowned upon and often are delegated to lower-class individuals.
- Common items in their realm are often given a circus twist. Transportation follows the logic and design of clown cars, architecture is designed with an almost childish feel, and some of the most popular pets include sentient balloon animals and wind up toys. There are few, if any, things in their world that are natural or muted colors.
- No frowns allowed, make ‘em laugh: The two mottos of New Pierrot City, following the principle that negative emotions and serious attitudes are very frowned upon. The “law of funny” dictates everything a clown does. Serious sanctions may be taken for the continuous breaking of these taboos.
- Sad Clowns are an oddity in New Perriot City. They actively break the rule of 'always smile' but their intense, exaggerated melancholy actively plays into the second rule, 'make em laugh.' While most are relegated to the lower castes, a few who are capable of eliciting extreme levels of schadenfreude from their fellow citizens with just how miserable they are can be seen elevated to a kind of martyr-prophet status, wherein they are beloved for their innate talents but also reviled for them. (Edited by Kada)
- Clownfolk are often named after clown-related/party-related iconography.
- Clownfolk, despite being rather joyful and easy-going people, have a bitter rivalry against a neighboring race- the mimefolk (Homo pantomimus). While clowns enjoy a colorful world, the other half of the world is monochrome and more serious. While they are beginning to form a truce, tensions are still high among the two species. Because of general attitudes towards all things somber, many mimefolk are treated as though they are second-class citizens to clown society at large
Abilities
Clown Physiology: Clownfolk can have a combination of a handful of these abilities:
(Guide to rarity:
Default,
Common,
Uncommon,
Very Rare)
- Honking nose (Noise is unique to every clownfolk)
- Accelerated Metabolism (can eat junk food without adverse effects)
- Cartoon physics
- Perfect balance
- Comedic timing/reflexes
- Laughing aura/Laughter inducement
- Cuteness Aura/Adoration inducement
- High-Jump/Bounce
- Helium breath
- Sadness/Sympathy/Pity inducement
- Card Generation
- Balloon generation
- Animal communication
- Paint generation
- Inflatable body/body parts
- Onomatopoeia manifestation
- Illusion magic
- Spontaneous Musical Inducement
- Indestructibility
- Physics Infringement/manipulation
- Elasticity/Rubber hose anatomy
Weaknesses
- Extended periods of sadness/maturity - some clowns are more tolerant of this than others and can build a tolerance gradually depending on the environment.
Presence on the Island
- Confetti “Connie” d’Parti: PhD specializing in emergency surgery, well-known within the Manta Carlos Hospital.
- Chiffon le Farceur: Clown and Mime hybrid with the power of rubber hose limbs.
