Hullabaloo

**Hullabaloo** was a circus that a number of characters in Identity V were a part of. The map, Moonlit River Park, has a circus tent with the label "Hullabaloo" on it as well, connecting that map to this circus.

## Events before Identity V

The below article or section(s) contains speculation, analysis, or theories which may include unconfirmed information.When adding content, use references to link or explain **legitimate/official** supportive evidence for specific theories, otherwise it may be removed.
Hullabaloo was a circus run by the ringmaster named Bernard. Bernard took in many new members and helped train them for different acts. One example is Mike Morton, an orphan he took in and trained as an Acrobat, using balls filled with Nitre and other chemicals. Another is Murro, Bernard's nephew who he trained to ride a boar. In addition, Bernard purchased a performer named Violetta, though the duration of her time at the circus is unknown. Other members of the circus included a blonde animal tamer named Natalie, a red-haired "smiling clown" named Sergei, and Joker who played the part of a "sad clown." While the circus was seen as a kind of family to some, not all was well under the surface.

Murro had long been mistreated by Bernard, since coming under his care. Bernard had wanted to create a "wild child" after being inspired by Kaspar Hauser. Murro spent most of his youth locked in a room with almost nothing. He learned to ride a wild boar and perform tricks such as jumping through hoops. Eventually, Murro had enough and desired to run away and escape the circus and Bernard. With help from Mike, he succeeded.

It is unknown exactly when Violetta joined the circus. Bernard had purchased her from her previous owner, Max. She used to perform as part of Max's freak show, doing tricks. While she spent some time at Hullabaloo, Bernard eventually grew bored of her and kicked her out.

At some point, a new couple arrived at the circus. The couple consisted of a young, handsome, red-haired man named Sergei and his partner, a blonde woman named Natalie, whom Joker was quickly enamored by. Sergei became the happy clown known as "Smiley Face" while Natalie became an animal tamer. Sergei quickly became popular, overshadowing Joker who had been there longer. After finding out that Natalie's back was covered in scars, Joker confronted Sergei in a fury. Soon after, Joker's face was badly burned, ending his career as the sad clown. Though reported to the news as the result of an accidental fire, Bernard suspected Mike of causing the burns. Mike denied it was him, but noticed he had lost a bottle of acid from his cabinet.

Sometime after that, a "Faceless" "Carnival Killer" killed everyone at the circus, except for Mike, who may have been away from the tent on errands, and Natalie, who jumped into the Moonlit River and escaped, making them the only two survivors of the massacre. Sergei's body was never found, though the investigators had found enough to conclude he was no longer alive.

## Known Members

* Ringmaster = Bernard
* Acrobat = Mike Morton
* "Wild Child" = Murro
* Weeping Clown = Joker
* Happy Clown/"Smiley Face" = Sergei
* Animal Tamer = Natalie/Margaretha Zelle
* Human Spider Show = Violetta

## Trivia

* Natalie is an alias of Margaretha Zelle (or vice versa), the Female Dancer. She had a relationship with a red-haired man named Sergei, who was the original Smiley Face. The confirmation of Margaretha being Natalie is in Mike's Letter.
	+ Natalie had blonde hair, whereas Margaretha Zelle has black hair.
* From the Joker's final deduction called "New Face", it is likely that he stole Sergei's identity (and perhaps the actual skin from his face). As such, it may be that Joker is the killer Mike is seeking vengeance on.

## References

1. ↑ Based on Murro's 2020 & 2021 letters, it sounds like he and Mike faked Murro's death.
2. ↑ Implied by Violetta's 2023 Letter