The Witchlight Carnival

  The traveling extravaganza known as the Witchlight Carnival visits Oxomar once every eight years. The Witchlight Carnival is a fairground of kaleidoscopic tents and wagons crewed by wondrous beings, including many denizens of the Feywild. This is no ordinary carnival; it uses magic to travel from world to world across the Material Plane, visiting each world once every eight years and setting up business on the outskirts of populated areas. The carnival spends a few days at each location, then packs up and moves to another location on the same world until the decision is made to leave that world and visit the next. The carnival includes a fey crossing, allowing travel to and from the Feywild domain of Prismeer, ruled over by the Archfey Zybilna.  

  Ereliss has a dim memory of sneaking into the carnival as a child without paying for a ticket. That memory has grown foggy over time, though it still conjures a weird admixture of emotions—wonder and awe mixed with loss and regret. During this childhood visit, Ereliss lost his stuffed toy made in the likeness of Eachthighern, a unicorn deity. They tried to find it, but the carnival owners—a pair of elves named Mister Witch and Mister Light—were decidedly unhelpful.  

  "Silly little screeching cricket," said Witch. "You forgot to buy a ticket."   "The carnival goes round and round," said Light. "The multiverse is our playground. Nothing's free and nothing's lost. Every visit has its cost."   As time passed, Ereliss' heart became less heavy, and they gave less and less thought to those childhood events. Now, for reasons they can't explain, the longing to retrieve that which they have lost has resurfaced, as though an old spell has faded away, allowing them to feel the loss as sharply as if it happened yesterday.   The Witchlight Carnival has returned.  

  Naali feels the calling of the Raven Queen beckoning her to the carnival, compelling her to "restore the power of the archfey Zybilna". Remembering the name "Zybilna", Naali recalls that was the name of a former adeventuring companion of her father. If she remembers correctly. Naali goes to investigate the carvinal, and any connection it may have to her father's unlikely eladrin ally.  

  Remembering her father's tales also reminds Naali of a carnival she once visited, the Carnival of Fear, which was "anything but fun". Naali remembers meeting Isolde, an old friend of her mother's, and leader of the carnival. She was never seen without her holy avenger longsword, Nepenthe, which glows red with hate. Naali still shudders in fear at the recollection of the foul blade.  

Isolde

  Indret recalls his time as a Witchlight hand, having not been that long ago. He looks forward to seeing his old friend, Gloomtoes the Goblin. Nostalgia draws him to the carnival, as well as curiosity over his allies' motivations.  

  Assembled for their rather unique quest, Good Omens finds themselves standing near a ticket booth by the entrance at twilight, just as the carnival is about to open. Will Ereliss find their lost keepsake? Why is is the spirit of Naali's father so stirred by this carnival? Will Gloomtoes get Indret into as much trouble as he used to?  

Witchlight Carnival Base Map Image

 
 

Sources

Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Source | Sep 24, 2022
Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft
Source | Sep 26, 2022
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