Halloweenfaire Event

[keeperoftales]

HALLOWEENFAIRE—

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This time last year, there was still a grand Halloween Feast where the denizens of the Index and the lucky refugees who managed to escape their stories were determined to hold onto hope and welcome these new strangers the Storyteller promised would help them. But there had been an undercurrent of true fear and despair that the Story Eater could not be stopped. Now? Not only have the Aspects struck down and slain so many Erasers- even driven back the Story Eater itself when it attacked the Index last year- but they’ve even managed to breathe new life back into the ravaged stories. So where better to celebrate this triumph and the Halloween season than in the first story the Aspects restored: A Hollow Christmas Carol, borne from the remnants of A Christmas Carol and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Aspects who travel the bridge of light and swirling pages through the portal will be greeted with sprawling farmlands and forests right on the cusp of fall and winter. Normally the landscape would be cool and dark and quiet, but today- with tents and booths, red and green steamers and evergreen garlands with orange and black ornaments, motley costumes and festive, sometimes eerie, always loud music- the whole story is a riot of color and sound!

Even though most of the Aspects are already dressed like their Essence, they still might get ushered into a small temporary shop to try on costumes for some extra flair! Or ridiculousness, that’s also a possibility. Try your luck at some of the carnival games, beat up a Story Eater piñata, or try out the delicious… well, mostly delicious Halloween- and Christmas-themed foods! Though there still might be some tricks tucked away in the treats. You might even have been asked to run your own attraction or sell your own food! The presence of the Horsemen of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, the Headless Horseman, and the Ghost Bride have added other influences as well, such as jousting contests and haunted sleigh rides through the countryside. Who knows? Perhaps you might catch a glimpse of at least one of the ghosts as you celebrate tonight.

However, there is a slight chill in the festive air; the slight disapproval from some citizens in the Index and disagreement with their neighbors is much more pronounced in an actual story. It turns out that some of the citizens- called traditionalists if asked- while grateful for the Aspects’ help in reviving their home, aren’t as thrilled about being mashed up with another story, or with the wild deviations from the original text. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Freewriters (name pending), who revel in the changes as a sign of new opportunity and growth. Needless to say, the Aspects’ interactions with the denizens might vary a bit, depending on whom they talk to.

But why let a little philosophical dispute get in the way of a good party, right? Eat, drink, dance, play around with the candy effects if you feel really bold, and have fun!

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§ prompts.

[Mod Note: Refer to the Game Notes for full details on the event.]

¶ I. A Halloweenfaire. A variety of activities and stalls can be found throughout the town. There are games that range from the traditional fun like ring toss and throwing darts to more specialized sports entertainment such as jousting and archery. There is a live band playing festive music along with other minstrels singing their share of ballads, and there is an area cleared away for dancing. Finally, there is plenty of food about, although the candy may be worth paying attention to.

• Bumper Swan Boats. Grab a friend—or go it alone if you have the strength—for a two-person swan boat ride. Of course, in keeping with the spooky theme of this world, these swan boats are either missing their heads or have pumpkin head replacements. And that’s not the weirdest thing about them, either. After a few minutes in the boat, it becomes clear that these decapitated swans are possessed, and what should have been a calming boat ride is going to be more of a game of bumper cars… Or boats, as the case may be. The boats with pumpkin heads have a trigger that can fire the pumpkin at their target—only one shot, so make it count! Those without pumpkin heads can create smoke screens to defend themselves and create obscuring fog.
  
  
• Santa Claus’ Snow Army. In the vein of things that should be harmless… There’s something wrong with the snowmen around the place. These snowmen are able to move around, but these are no Frosty the Snowmen… They’re quite angry to have people around, apparently, and will attack anyone who gets too close. Fortunately, at least they’re pretty slow as they hop along, and can be destroyed with Essence-based powers; they’re particularly vulnerable to fire and light magic or weapons. Leading the charge is an evil Santa Claus. Not only does he have complete command of the snowmen, but he’s also got a shoulder cannon that shoots pumpkin-sized snowballs with powerful force. Whether naughty or nice, you’d better watch out.
  
  
• Smash the Piñata. Piñatas in the shape of Story Eaters have been hung up for those to try their luck in breaking the goodies they carry inside. Candy! But they're not quite your average candy. Thought sweet and delicious, some of the traditionalist candy makers might have slipped some prank-laden treats in with normal candies, for some light revenge. These effects won't last forever and will eventually wear off. Till then, you'll just have to deal with what your sweet tooth has brought upon thee. [Note: Refer to the Game Notes for all the possible candy effects.]
  
  
• Food Stalls. If you don't fancy candy, don't worry! There are plenty of food stalls offering other carnival treats, from turkey legs to cider. Careful though, some of those turkey legs might actually be candy flavored. There is also a selection of pies to choose from. Some are your usual flavors of pie, like pecan or sweet potato, but a traditionalist baker might be tempted to slip you an eggnog pie laced with crickets or squid tentacles. Meanwhile, some of the more ambitious Freewriters might be trying a bit too hard to please the Aspects, offering creations like whole turgooduckens Wellington and three-story haunted mansions built from gingerbread and fruitcake! Good luck to your stomach. There also appear to be a bit of a commotion by the cider booths too. Apparently people arguing over which is better, pumpkin or apple? Which side will you choose? Or will you try to subdue the tension?

¶ II. Gifts from the Horsemen. The three horsemen of Christmas Past, Present, and Future will randomly hand out small presents to everyone with each gift matching their job. Opening the gift will provide display a brief memory or vision.

• Past: This pale green box rests easily in the palm of one's hand and is topped with a sparkling yellow bow. Upon opening, a bright light shines from within and a brief memory will play before them. This memory will reflect a happier moment in the past of their own life. Of course it may be bittersweet in the present, but at least in the past they were happy.
  
  
• Present: A brilliant red bag tied with a white ribbon. Once opened, a flurry of snow will burst from the bag and reflect a vision that represents how they are now in the Realm. Perhaps it's something they are worried about or an accomplishment they've recently achieved. Whatever it is, it is meant to be a reflection of who they are now.
  
  
• Future: A black envelope with a golden seal. Upon opening, black smoke billows out to wrap around the envelope. In this smoke there is a heavier vision alluded within: their world as it's being attacked by the Story Eater. However, how it ends will vary. It will depict both: first a dark ending where everything is lost and destroyed, and then a happier ending where their world is saved. It is not a premonition but a what if, of what could happen depending on what path they take. Perhaps that is what the Horseman is trying to remind them…

¶ III. Wild "Slay" Ride. Experience Ebegeezer's wild ride from the "Headless Horseman." Featuring a two person sleigh driven by a black horse, one person is designated as the driver and the other is in the back to try and fend off the headless horseman chasing them using an assortment of tricks such as smoke bombs, sticky taffy, and other assortment of silly equipment designed to slow the Horseman down. The Horseman itself is completely fake—an animated puppet created by the Bride—so there is no real threat unless it catches up. If caught, the sleigh goers will have a giant pumpkin smashed over them and dump an obscene amount of pumpkin guts before the Horseman gallops away laughing.

To make matters trickier, there will be black, sickly rose thorns that appear every so often on the course. Sometimes they chase the sleigh to try and wrap their vines around it and trap it, other times they're already in front creating a thorny wall barrier. They must use their Essences to defend and break through any thorny obstructions.



¶ IV. Magical Mistletoe. Streamers and ornaments aren't the only things hanging around the festival. If you happen to be walking under a tree branch or a lamp post…or inside a barn…just about anywhere there's something to hang from, you might find yourself frozen in your tracks, caught under a sprig or clump of magic mistletoe! Maybe someone will help free you with a display of affection, like a hug or a kiss! Or you could try to destroy the darned things. Normal brute force will only make the plants grow bigger, but maybe some Essence powers might work. But really, where's the fun in that?

Just be careful when touching it, if you can even reach that high. Apparently there are some sort of thorns growing among the normally harmless plants too, and not only does getting pricked sting…you might start feeling just a little drowsy for a little while.


¶ V. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt! Feel free to this for any who plan to have their own character activity.

Comments

[takeittothebridge]

[If there was one holiday that Bridge loved, it was definitely Halloween. He didn't need to be asked twice to find a costume, and eventually decided on dressing up as a witch, complete with a wig.]

A. Garden of Shadows

[Bridge was pleased to see that there were plenty of stages around, some of which didn't have a set performer. Yet.

So he was more than happy to fill in, performing a few shows a couple of times. He certainly had several different songs to sing that fit the general atmosphere.]

B. Smash the Piñata

[While Bridge was usually one who ate just about anything, he generally tried not to indulge in sweets too much. But Halloween was always the exception. Plus, hitting things with sticks was fun sometimes.

After breaking one open and gathering the treats inside, he takes stock of the different candies that he received. Then, glancing around, he approaches the nearest person.]

Hey...wanna trade?

C. Gifts from the Horsemen

[Gifts are definitely not part of Halloween, but Bridge is hardly complaining. Christmas was another holiday that he enjoyed, and he wasn't going to turn down a free gift.

...unless it was dangerous. Then he'd try returning to sender.

Still, the green box was pretty small. Carefully he opened it, watching as the light shone from inside the box. And then from the light, there is a picture of a child, dressed as a cowboy, walking down the street beside a man - the man in the picture looks pretty identical to Bridge himself, though older and with lighter hair.

He stares at the picture for a moment, and can't help a small smile, even though it doesn't quite reach his eyes.]

D. Magic Mistletoe

[Honestly, with all the things that were happening tonight, he really should have expected this.]

...Welp.

[He apologizes if you're stuck with him. If you're not...help a guy out?]

E. Wildcard

[While he mostly sticks to the stage, Bridge can be seen wandering around, taking in the sights and enjoying the festivities.]

C

[twilightskey]

[Roxas happens to be nearby when Bridge receives his present, so he’s privy to the vision that plays out. It looks like a man and child... and the child looked like Bridge.]

[When it fades, he turns to Bridge.]

Was that you?

[takeittothebridge]

[Not realizing anyone was nearby, he surreptitiously wipes his eyes with the back of his hand.]

Yaeh...that...th-thtat was me, back when I was younger.

[twilightskey]

Woah...

You were really small back then. [He just offers Bridge a smile. Seemed like a happy memory to him.]

[takeittothebridge]

[He chuckles a bit, clearing his throat before trying to speak again.]

Yeah. I was a pretty tiny kid way back when. It wasn't until I started eating more that I grew.

[twilightskey]

Looks like it.

[He chuckles at that.]

Who was that you were with?

[takeittothebridge]

[He places the lid back on the gift box, turning it over in his hands a bit.]

That was...my dad. Back when he was...still alive.

C.

[bladebabysitter]

Was that your future, or your past?

[Elma is learning a great deal just from watching people around here. Bridge's reaction, though, definitely merits another question.]

[takeittothebridge]

[He released a slow, deep breath before responding.

Past, back from a could of years ago.

[bladebabysitter]

Ah. It's a little hard to reconcile the ages. [A couple of years doesn't seem like a long enough time for Bridge to be that young...]

[takeittothebridge]

Well...maybe more than just a couple of years ago. That was about ffffffour...? No, fifteen years ago.

[If he's including having a birthday while here in the Index, then it was fifteen years.]

[bladebabysitter]

That makes more sense. [Elma's voice is just a little flat, just a tiny bit critical of his word choice.] A good memory, then.

[takeittothebridge]

[Technically, there were a few couple of years ago, so it's still technically correct.]

Yeah...I guess I had a few of those growing up.

D

[holdthemtogether]

[Hunk is not as good at going with the flow and accepting weird things as Bridge is, so when he can't move his feet, he turns to look at the other teen with strong concern.]

I can't move. Can you move?

[takeittothebridge]

[Bridge fidgets for a bit and tries to step forward, but is met with resistance.]

Nope, not a bit.

[holdthemtogether]

Okay, yeah, I was afraid of that.

[He'd had a similar incident with Kotori, earlier. Oh boy. He glances up to see mistletoe hanging off a street lamp, and sighs. Yeah, that's exactly what he was afraid of, in fact.]

[takeittothebridge]

[He follows Hunk's gaze up to the little sprig dangling from the lamp post.]

...They really don't mess around with tradition, do they?

[holdthemtogether]

No, I guess not.

[A weak little chuckle.]

Uh... Sorry about this.

[takeittothebridge]

No worries. Things like this happen, especially around here.

[He glances up at the mistletoe again.]

...Lemme guess how we get out of this...

Garden of Shadows

[richestduck]

[Scrooge isn't up to speed on all the latest things because they don't suit his tastes, but that song -- "Come Little Children"? -- catches his attention.]

[He listens quietly to the song for a moment before humming a second song to blend into it. He's not loud, not wanting to interrupt, but the two songs seem to fit together somehow.]

[takeittothebridge]

[His hearing right now isn't as good as it was back home, but even still he's able to pick up some of another song, coming from...somewhere. So, with a strum of his chords, he continues with part of the second song.]

[richestduck]

[Scrooge hums along, enjoying the music. It was dark and spooky and more to his tastes than the loud guitar solos of other songs.]

[takeittothebridge]

[Somehow, Bridge manages to blend the two different songs together, creating something a bit eerie and somewhat melancholy. It was the perfect closing song for the current show, and when it came to an end he bowed as the audience applauded.]

[richestduck]

[Scrooge applauds along with the rest of the audience. Really, the lad was good.]

[takeittothebridge]

[With a smile, he bows.]

Thank you, everyone! If you'd like, feel free to catch the next show in about an hour. Otherwise, enjoy the festival!

[With a last bow, he disappears behind the current backstage. A little while later, though, he's coming from off stage for a quick walk around the festival.]