#isola event: maskerade festival

[isolaradiale]

On the 20th of October, a low rumble shook throughout the city as invisible cameras pointed the image on every digital device towards the hole in the center of the city. Nothing rose from it, but as if like magic an old castle materialized from a blizzard of bats that manifested and scattered about. Each bat carried a tiny envelope. An invitation. One personally delivered to each and every citizen in the city with haste.

“Dear honoured guest. We await your attendance at the the Bodaciously Booful Ball at Costumed Carl’s Castle at the city’s centre. Please come in costume at your earliest convenience, and please enjoy your stay. Just remember, the castle will disappear when Halloween comes to an end.”

It was an unusual invitation, but even more unusual was the venue. Regardless of the time of day, if you stepped onto the castle’s property it would be the moment dusk turned to night, with a sky full of beautiful stars. Of course, this wasn’t any ordinary castle. From the courtyard to the halls, it is decorated like a haunted house. There may even be some real skeletons from Cotes lurking around, but don’t worry they’ll just be serving your drinks. 

The real draw of the castle is the glamorous ballroom. The ideal setting for a relaxing date or to meet some friends, with generous helpings of food that respawn as soon as they are consumed. The music here ranges from modern hits to classic melodies, yet if you desire to hear a certain song or musical genre, strangely it seems that’s what will play to both yourself and anyone in your group.

So kick back, break a leg, and make wonderful Halloween memories! ...Or you could venture into the rest of the castle, which is a verifiably horrific haunted house. But these horrors will not harm you! You have Costumed Carl’s guarantee!

NOTES

attending the ball or haunted house is not required for event participation, it’s just a cute little addition to the event for the final stretch!

if you do visit the castle though, your character will be given the following:

OUTFIT ORB A “magical” orb that allows your character to store outfits inside, permitting them to instantly change their outfit at will. Simply register pieces of clothing that you own by pressing them against the translucent, digital orb for them to be absorbed within the orb’s hammerspace. Then control the closet menu by double tapping the orb, bringing up the holographic menu where you can use your mind to assemble outfits and, when you want to change, swap them! There are a few caveats however:

you do not need to claim the orb via the masterlist nor galaxy blog, simply add it to your character’s inventory after writing a post that takes place in the bonus setting!

as the outfit orb was originally a reward for doing a trick or treating post on the 31st, this is still a valid way to claim it. you can find more information on that method here along with extra details about the outfit orb.

[kujoutengu]

@moonbeam-power

While Waka had gotten many stares with his costume already, it wasn’t until he ate one of the candies that the stares increased tenfold. Of course it was to be expected, for seeing a living, breathing demon form from what was originally an attempt made at a costume would catch anyone’s eye.

It also brought with it a fair amount of danger, as he was just coming to realize.

“Now before you hit me, could I have some time to explain all of this?”

[sheracomplex]

@antagonyaist

Adora huffed, unamused by the casual insult that Catra had given her. She covered part of her forehead with one hand, lips already curling into a pout.

“Shut up, Catra,” she began. “My costume looks cool. What are you even supposed to be, anyway?”

Adora’s own costume was little more than the white and gold attire of She-ra and a pair of brown, fuzzy dog (or as were marketed, werewolf) ears. With no prior knowledge to compare her costume to, Adora thought it was perfectly fine; yet, upon hearing Catra’s mocking words and tone, the blonde was immediately on the offense.

[heroicrow]

He can’t believe he’s doing this...

But, oh well.

The Detective Prince decided to dress up as an... actual prince before eating an ascension candy. Complete with tiny crown. This is a mistake.

“Trick or treat.” A pause. A charming smile. “Is that how commoners do this?”

[blackmagi]

@princesselmelloi

[TEXT] Hey

[TEXT] Hey

[TEXT] Hey

[TEXT] Hey

[TEXT] Hey

[TEXT] i’m a pirate

[chuketsu]

@anglerfishnabe

“Hey!”

Out of nowhere, out popped Himiko; she was, once again, intruding on someone else’s space and business without a care in the world. Among the darkness of the maze within The Mistwood, she at least had a good reason for reaching out to a stranger.

“Can you see in here? I can, a little.” A pause, a lean forward. “Are your eyes glowing? Neat.”

[himbogriff]

Unlimited Candy Works [Mashu & Astolfo]

Isola Event: Maskerade starter for @castilium

Astolfo was pleased with his costume, how could he not be? He spun in front of a mirror and watched his skirt flow and realistic bunny ears twitch with it as he stopped. It was cute, he was himself, and all that was missing was a bunch of friends to have fun with!

The moon was high in the sky, but the thought of friends made his buoyant mood dip for a moment. His heart was unaffected by his mind, in the bizarre existence he could barely explain. He’d met some new people, certainly, yet there were those he missed desperately. From his own legends, from the time he’d been called into the future, those lifetimes had all but left him. Even his hippogriff was far away, out there in the wilderness or magically sealed off.

He shook his head. Just because he couldn’t see Seig or Charlemagne or Roland or anyone else didn’t mean he could be so down on a holiday. Besides, maybe he’d see them again here! The unlikely hope made him literally bounce back up, festive joy hitting him so hard his reminiscing was forgotten.

“Trick or treating is a thing, right? I’ll just go to someone’s door and say hi! There’s got to be someone out there throwing a party!” Dishes of the free Ascension and Descension candies were sitting out by the racks of costumes and he grabbed a handful of each, shoving them into a skirt pocket (wishes do come true!). He knew his own ward the best and headed off for Archimedes, waving to people and creatures he spotted on the streets. 

Without an ounce of hesitation, Astolfo trotted up to a house in the Archimedes Ward and rang the doorbell, bouncing on his heels. Trick or treaters usually recieved candy, but in this case, he planned to give some out himself. He waited for the door to be answered, waving excitedly. “Hey, happy Maskerade! I have a ton of candies! Anyone here celebrating? You have a costume yet? I love you hair by the way!” he gushed, only registering that the person at the door had pink hair like his, and that he approved already without knowing anything about anyone in said residence.

[abyssalhowl]

Running with @haemoneiron​

Asking for directions is a new experience for Sif. Usually, she’d be able to track Crow by smell alone. At least those she had asked for directions were accurate in their descriptions of Crow’s castle in that it was ‘hard to miss’.

She stood a respectable distance from the gate. Sif had heard that it would open for those that Crow would allow into the castle, but she had never heard anything about what would happen if she failed that test. She was no longer a young pup, ready to jump headfirst into danger.

Luckily (or unluckily), Sif began to feel the hair on the nape of her neck rise with unease. She was certain that if she still had a ruff, it would be standing on end. Through her weak human nose, she could smell moonlight, darkness, and... decay? She turns to see Crow covered in bandages. Ah. Perhaps the new smell was due to some factor of her costume.

As she approached, Sif nodded her head in greeting.

“Greetings, Lady Crow. I wast hoping to find thee hither. I believe I have not hadst the chance to formally introduce myself in a way thou might understand. I am Sif, the Great Grey Wolf.”

She gave a small bow, as is courteous of a human knight.

“I am given to understand this temporary appearance of mine may beest more... acceptable to thee than mine other one.” Sif was trying to be polite as possible, but she couldn’t help the slight snarl at the word ‘acceptable,’ for she was very proud of her true form.

“Given this opportunity, I wast hoping we might setteth aside our differences for the time being and converse openly? Gwyndolin seems quite fond of thee and I would like to see why for myself.  Would thou agree to speaketh with me?”

[hosttrick]

“Sorry I haven’t been around! I’ve been too busy being alive again!”

[temperedwithgods]

Affinity Chart Updated: @lxnarprophet​

Shulk was actually grateful for whatever the Ascension Candy had done to his mind. Without what he was assuming were Nopon instincts, he doubts he would have gotten so good at flying so fast. That’s not to say he still didn’t crash into things (more like bounce off of them actually), but he thought proudly about how much better he’d gotten at landing when he gently alighted on the ground in front of the ‘Haunted’ Cabin in Cotes ward.

Riki had claimed a few times to be able to see ghosts. He wondered if that was a skill that all Nopon had, or one specifically gifted to his adopted dad. That was mostly why he was here, actually. He considered it an experiment of sorts.

Shulk heard a snapping noise behind him and he quickly turned to see some sort of large bird creature dressed in strange clothes and with far too many eyes. Normally Shulk would be fascinated, he might even pull out a notebook to write down observations, but he could feel his new instincts kicking in again. He growled and showed his fangs at the much larger bird. Puffing up his fur and feathers, he looked about as intimidating as a two-foot ball of fluff could manage.

“Big Birdbeast not make tasty lunch of Shulk!”

“Shulk great Heropon! Mighty warrior!” He snarled. “Beat enemies much larger than Birdbeast. Shulk not scared! Won’t be eaten so easily!”

After a moment he added, “probably not very tasty anyway! Bleah!”

[mojavemassacre]

event starter for @landsharkbite​!

“Huh. I don’t really feel any different.” Six smacked his lips, trying to rid his mouth of the saccharine-sweet taste of the ‘Ascension Candy’. It had been more than a little difficult to chew the damn thing while wearing the plastic vampire dentures, but it was that or wear the entire getup—which consisted of a wig, a cloak, and a ruffled white shirt on top of the fake plastic teeth... something that Six wasn’t really willing to do today.

Six’s mild amusement and growing skepticism vanished instantly the moment he tried to pry out the fake teeth from his mouth. Where he should’ve felt cheap plastic he instead felt enamel that was far sharper than any tooth should have been. He slowly looked at Rosa—he’d invited her along on a whim when they realized that the city wasn’t going to be swamped by zombie ghosts or whatever, and she had accepted—who had been standing at the other end of the store.

“So I guess they weren’t bullshitting us.” He opened his mouth, exposing his very pronounced and very unnatural canines. “How do I look?”

[isolaradiale]

The season of tricks and treats descended upon Spirale not at all too suddenly. Halloween was a coveted celebration by many of the native residents, and for the off-worlders that were forced to call the city their home it was seen as a time of rest and relaxation. A simple but effective distraction from the doom and gloom of their day to day lives. But what would haunt the city this year? A zombie apocalypse? A literal haunting? Fortunately the Stars found mercy this year, for they chose not to hinder the Halloween season in any tragic, unforeseeable way.

That isn’t to say they chose to do nothing. All throughout the city special Halloween shops popped up. “HALLOW’S ASCENT” it was called, and it wasn’t run by any NPCs that could be seen. Within was a large selection of Halloween costumes seemingly available for free, but the real draw of these shops were the “ASCENSION CANDIES.” According to the instructions on the machine, if one was consumed while wearing a costume you would become that costume.

But such a thing couldn’t be true. Could it?

Why would the Stars install such a system? Would the city come alive with ghouls and goblins for the remainder of October? Why is Ofiuco dressed like Santa already?

WHAT IS GOING ON?

Welcome to the Maskerade Festival, a Halloween-themed event! We wanted to offer something in celebration of the season this year since many places have cancelled festivities due to understandable real world events.

All throughout the city the Halloween shop “HALLOW’S ASCENT” has established locations with the intention of providing costumes to those that need them.

Surprisingly that isn’t even the real draw. It’s the “ASCENSION CANDIES” that allow the consumer to become the costume they’re wearing. You can also obtain “DESCENSION CANDIES” which, if you’re already bound to the form of your costume, will undo your current form and return you to normal. Using the two of these candies it is possible to constantly change costumes and forms throughout the event.

Starting on Monday, October 19th we will be adding a series of activities that can be completed in costume for Dust rewards or other small items, for those looking for a little extra motivation.

WHAT ARE THE RULES?

We ask you use your best judgment when picking costumes for your character. As a basic rule: if you need to ask whether or not the costume is appropriate, it’s better not to use that costume. This refers more to sensitive topics such as things that might come off as upsetting to other people. 

If your character dresses up as a specific person the candy will not change you into them. You can change into character types like pirates or knights, for example, but not specific people.

Your character cannot become another character or creature from a piece of real world media that isn’t their own. This includes things like becoming Pokemon even though we have some in the group. We understand this may feel a little limiting, but it’s for the sake of keeping things less confusing.

Your character does not need to use a costume from the store for the candy to work, nor does the costume need to be convincing. Provided your character believes the costume to be what it is when they consume the candy it will work.

Becoming monsters and animals is absolutely a-okay! In terms of the former you can also inherit things like a dragon’s fire breath. The monster can even be something you design yourself! Just keep in mind all giant monsters will be shrunken down to 10ft tall, and if you give them any abilities they must be comparable in strength to a starter ability regardless of how many there are.

The form your character takes when under the effects of the Ascension Candies is completely customizable. It doesn’t have to be “your character... but a vampire!”, you can make the vampire form look completely unlike their original form. Feel free to be creative!

It is possible to mix costume pieces. Want your character to become a zombie idol cat with tentacles for ears? Feel free!

You can have the costume affect your character’s mind as well, but this is completely optional. Your character has it in their head that the vampire they’re dress as is evil? Have the costume make them evil! Do they dress as a monster that is often beheld to its instincts? Feel free to have those instincts affect them! But again, there is no requirement to have this happen! 

Your character can also gain knowledge temporarily as part of their costume. For example: if they became a doctor they would gain general medical knowledge. However once they revert back to normal that knowledge will be lost.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there a limit to how many times my character can change costumes and forms during the event? Absolutely not! You can do something different for every single thread if you’d like!

The costumes are free, but do the candies cost money? Nope! The candies are free!

What about store stock then? Whether it’s costumes or candies, the Hallow’s Ascent store stock will not diminish. It instantly replenishes!

Are there any lingering side effects of repeated costume usage? No! Well, aside from your friends not knowing who you are since you keep changing your appearance!

If my character is giant or tiny, will their size change with their costume to a more normal size? That’s up to your interpretation! But remember they cannot be any larger than 10ft tall!

What if my character isn’t human (animal, Pokemon, etc.) and wears a costume? Will they become a human if they believe their costume to reflect one? It’s possible! Again, it’s up to your own interpretation and what you want to do personally!

What if my character has a pet? Can they wear a costume too? Your character is free to dress up their pets any way they’d like, but they will not transform into anything else. The candies will only work on your muse themselves!

When bound using an Ascension Candy does our character keep their powers and unlocks? Powers will be retained even if you give them powers associated with the costume. However please use common sense when utilizing them.

I’m unsure about my costume choice. Can I send the masterlist an ask to see if it’s okay? You can, but please do so off of anon or else we will not reply. We don’t want to congest the dashboard with a list of answers of this nature.

Will there be a part 2 to this event? No! But there may be a little something fun on Halloween night!

[kujoutengu]

“So when everyone else says ‘Trick or Treat’, they get sweet foods.

When I say it, I get many objects hurled at me.” Maybe the costume was a bit too much?

It wasn’t like he was one of the Cutters.

[darknessfoundlove]

Maskerade details + Starter call!

Ai dressed up as a human this year and due to his unique connection with Yusaku Fujiki, has unexpectedly taken on a lot of similarities in his human appearance

The main differences in appearance are that he has retained his golden eyes, and his black and purple coloration appears in his hair

He has definitely kept his original personality, though he may try and fool other muses into thinking he is Yusaku in a misguided attempt to find Yusaku more friends

On the other hand, he is a terrible actor when he’s not taking things seriously. Those that have previously met Ai should be able to catch onto his ruse quickly, and those who haven’t will be able to tell something is off due to his poor attempts at “human small talk”

He’ll probably spend a large part of this event trying various foods, because he’s never been able to eat human food before

Capping at 3, but prior interactions are exempt!

(I’ll add more about what activities he’ll be participating when they drop)

[strigistricken]

“Whew, took long enough to find somebody who’d actually answer,” Eda grumbled.  “Can you believe how many people I got saying I’m too old for this thing?  Like, even if I wasn’t just going separately to get more for my kid, I should be able to accept all the free candy I darn well please.  It’s my right, isn’t it?”

The witch-turned-vampire blinked at the person standing in the door, then held out her hand with a bright orange bag in it, baring a fangly grin.  “Oh yeah, uh, trick-or-treat!”

[dongbaek-kkot]

     The moment the candy had been dissolved into her system, she was afflicted with a wave of thirst, of irresistible hunger. Had she made a mistake? Possibly but she hadn’t expected something like this. When she had been reading up on the supernatural creature, she’d gotten curious. It was similar to the Gangshi, or commonly known as the Jiang shi. In all honesty though? She was just thought the outfit looked cool. It was a mix of Victorian Goth with a modern flare.

     Rushing out of the costume store, there was a noticeable difference in her senses. Her smell, eyesight, and hearing were inhumanly heightened. Combined that with her newfound strength, it was a bit overwhelming. Not as overwhelming as the hunger, especially when the metallic odor of iron smelt as similarly sweet as her favorite desserts. For a moment she allowed herself to be swayed by the aroma, following the scent until she realized the crying child who had hurt themselves on the pavement. Their mother was trying to comfort them as she cleaned the wound. 

     Quickly flattening her palms against her face, she staggered backwards, frightened by the sudden urge to attack. She knew for certain that she needed to leave before she became blindsided by the hunger. Turning from the scene, she leapt up onto the roofs, looking for a certain man that could help her in this situation. He hadn’t responded to any of her messages she left on his phone earlier, so she decided he might have wanted to stay home and just chill. So much for that. 

     “Itachi!” Fists pounded against his door. Usually she’d burst right in but for some reason she simply couldn’t. “Itachi!”