Oh, I've killed men in Georgia,
And men in Alabam'
But kill a man in Arkansas
And God your soul will damn...
Cowboys. There's hardly a more famous image when one thinks about the Wild West than a cowboy riding through the prairie on their horse, preferably towards the setting sun, towards the unknown; after all, a cowboy is always on the road.
The story of The Amazing American Circus begins in the west of the United States, at the end of the 19th century. The times were turbulent then, with robber barons fighting for land and riches, people fighting for their rights, different ethnicities clashing – but among all that there were cowboys, unmoved by the chaos around them. After all, a cowboy needs nothing more than his gun, a trusty steed, and maybe a golden shot – or a full bottle, preferably – of whiskey somewhere in a dirty saloon, in a small, rough town with a cool name, like Tombstone, or Deadwood.
While The Amazing American Circus is not a pure western game, it will take you to the west of the United States; the Wild West that was nearing its end as fast as the new age was approaching. Still, it was a place full of famous people, sharpshooters, outlaws, and sheriffs, and hell, who knows – maybe you'll even see a high-noon shootout or bump into another circus claiming that the small town you've entered is not big enough for the two of you.
And while our game is not focused on cowboys, you are sure to bump into one or two of them on the ol' dusty trail. Heck, after all, even Buffalo Bill, a famous gunslinger, had his own show and traveled across the States, just like you, seeking fame, glory, and adoration of the people.
So, without further ado, here are some of the famous cowboys - and cowgirls - you just might find yourself coming across in the game:
William Frederick Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill. A Pony Express rider, a soldier, a bison hunter turned showman, he managed to gain so much fame during his lifetime that his Wild West Show toured the United States and even Great Britain, and the whole of Europe. But how will he react to meeting a young circus owner rising to fame – and thus becoming his competitor? There's a chance that you won't be able to leave the west behind unless you show the folks which one of you is the real deal...
Annie Oakley, a sharpshooter extraordinaire, capable of shooting corks off of wine bottles and cigars out of her husband’s teeth (a great – and very Wild West – way to convince someone to stop smoking!), she was a good friend to the Native American leader, Sitting Bull, with whom she performed in Buffalo Bill's shows. But whose side will she choose? Her employer or maybe our young hero trying to make a name for himself?
Pat Garrett. There's probably not a single more famous Wild West outlaw than Billy the Kid, and there's perhaps not a single more famous lawman than the man who shot him down. So remember to buy him a drink when you run into him and maybe he'll tell you his tale and he might even ask you for help if he's impressed enough by your circus performance. After all, there's a limit to what a gunslinger can do – but the skills of your artists and the magic of the circus have no end.
Wyatt Earp. Another famous sheriff, and the man who took part in the most famous shootouts – the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. Lawmen against outlaws, in a town that was most certainly not big enough for all of them. But what is the good ol' Wyatt up to nowadays? Well, you just might find out; maybe in a small saloon in the middle of nowhere – or maybe he'll come to you himself, having heard of your amazing circus.
Martha Jane Cannary, better known as Calamity Jane, was a wild and challenging (how else can you get a nickname 'Calamity'?) frontierswoman, who took part in numerous military campaigns. She saw it all – the most remote parts of the west, the most famous and dangerous towns. But there's a high chance – as high as noon is when two cowboys duel – that she's never seen a circus performance. How will you fare when such a – literal – calamity enters the bleachers and expects to be amazed?
These are just some of the cowboys and cowgirls you'll meet in the game. Some you'll befriend, some you'll fight, and some will pay you no mind at all unless you impress them with your skills. Remember that a circus is a rare thing in the Wild West, and the magic, the lights, and the beauty of it are sure to attract many a folk, no matter their background, profession, or creed.
It's hard to tell where the dusty trail will take you, but you'll be fine – just remember to always follow that setting sun...