Chapter 1: The Witchlight Carnival

Twisp nods. "A misplaced displacer, if you will."

After many minutes pass, the lights dim and a hush falls over the crowd and the hawkers. A second later, a spotlight illuminates a lithe, elven figure sitting in a silver hoop, suspended above the center ring by silk ropes. The elf wears a dazzling suit of diamond-pane mirrors and a pair of butterfly wings. His scepter is topped with a spinning vane. This of course is Mister Light with whom you just met.

"Welcome, one and all, to this evening’s extravaganza! I am Mister Light. Prepare to be delighted!"



The extravaganza involves several of the carnival’s star performers and attractions, with Mister Light serving as ringmaster. Over the course of an hour, Burly the bugbear performs feats of strength, Palasha the mermaid serenades the audience from a clamshell bathing pool (again in both auditory and psychic frequencies), Candlefoot dons his now-colourful mime costume and plays silent games with audience members, and faerie dragons with bright streamers tied to their tails perform dazzling acts of synchronized flying as a troupe of acrobats, clowns, and fire-breathers parade about.

Near the end of the show, Mister Light asks if any guests would like to perform their own acts for the crowd. A hush falls over the crowd as a wide beam of light bursts forth from the Witchlight weathervane and begins scanning the crowd. The audience members glance about expectantly.

Great placards are raised in many languages to put the invitation out in writing for all to see!

Beven immediately stands up, grabs his lute, and steps into that spotlight. He follows it down into the middle of the big top arena. "Good evening residents of Silverymoon and beyond! I am Beven and as many of you may have heard, there have been many good tidings and celebrations that have gone on this day. So while I hesitate to put my skills up against what you have all seen tonight, know that this song is a gift from the heart to a happy couple."

Beven begins strumming his lute and walks over to Candlefoot. "Follow my lead, my friend." and trusts the talented clown to pick up on his plan especially if he knows the tune.

OOC: For reference

Beven starts up a bouncy and spritely tune that gets the body moving. He strides over to where Mr. Light sits and begins to sing.

Uncle Rat went out to ride
Kitty alone, Kitty alone
Uncle Rat went out to ride
Kitty alone and I
Uncle Rat went out to ride
Sword and buckle by his side
Ma cax macari duck and a dil
Kitty alone and I

Beven gallops around Mr. Light as he sings and somehow twists his hips to show off the sword at his waist and the right point in the song. Beven canters around Candlefoot and makes sure that he follows as they speed towards Palasha.

Lady Mouse, will marry me?
Kitty alone, Kitty alone
Lady Mouse, will marry me?
Kitty alone and I
Lady Mouse, will marry me?
Ask my Uncle Rat, says she
Ma cax macari duck and a dil
Kitty alone and I

With a look of hope and happiness Beven leads them back to Mr Light and his voices takes on a beseeching tone:

Uncle Rat, will you marry Lady Mouse?
Kitty alone, Kitty alone
Uncle Rat, will you marry Lady Mouse?
Kitty alone and I
Uncle Rat, will you marry Lady Mouse?
Yes, kind sir, and half my house
Ma cax macari duck and a dil
Kitty alone and I

All smiles! Beven dances a jig around Candlefoot before rushing back with him to Palasha.

Lady Mouse, where will the wedding be?
Kitty alone, Kitty alone
Lady Mouse, where will the wedding be?
Kitty alone and I
Lady Mouse, where will the wedding be?
Ask my Uncle Rat, says she
Ma cax macari duck and a dil
Kitty alone and I

With a brief roll of his eyes, Beven once more turns shank's mare back towards Mr. Light.

Uncle Rat, where will the wedding be?
Kitty alone, Kitty alone
Uncle Rat, where will the wedding be?
Kitty alone and I
Uncle Rat, where will the wedding be?
Up at the top of a holly tree
Ma cax macari duck and a dil
Kitty alone and I

Beven finishes off with a big strumming flourish and raises his hands in the air. He waits for the reaction of the crowd, but more importantly for the reactions of Candlefoot and Palasha.

The whole audience claps along to Beven's song, and the Witchlight musicians are quick to improvise an accompaniment to Beven's tune. Candlefoot and Palasha are delighted, both of whom are clearly impressed by your talent. Mister Light gives you an approving smile and leads the audience in celebration:

"There you have it folks! Let's give this young man from Silverymoon a round of applause!"

And the crowd gives their hometown boy a warm and roaring cheer!"Any other brilliant performers hiding out there? Now is your chance!"

Quennen, standing alone in the crowd, gets to his feet to applaud this new acquaintance. The atmosphere was infectious!

He looked around expectantly for another to step forth, after the ice had been broken now. Not for a moment did he look inward. No, no! Performance wasn’t one of Quennen’s strong suits, and anyway, he thought it better for a Drow to remain off the center stage!

He holds his breath as he awaits another volunteer!

Twisp cheers Beven's performance. The harengon is having a grand time. That is, in the metaphysical sense (he is enjoying this portion of his existence); physical time is neither painful pleasurable.

With no takers, Mister Light wraps up the performance and brings the Big Top Extravaganza to a close. Of course, the carnival will still be going on late into the night, and participants stream out of the Big Top to return to the many delightful sensory experiences that the Witchlight carnival has to offer.The carnival owners send Burly to escort the group of you together to the Hall of Illusions. You pass by the statue of Tasha/Iggwilv, giving it a wide berth, and then enter the Hall. As Witch and Light move through the mirrored labyrinth, their reflections in the mirrors show them as gloomy shadar-kai children, with your own youthful reflections following behind. Soon, they call you to a halt. The mirrors now reflect everyone’s true age.

Mister Witch addresses you in a hushed tone. "Everything you seek and more lies beyond this mirror. If you mean to step through, then stand in front of the glass and repeat the rhyme: Hither, thither, here and there; wander yonder, show me where."



As you speak the rhyme, mist swirls in the mirror, blotting out your reflection. As you step into the mirrors, you are engulfed in the mist and all goes white. The last thing you hear from The Sword Coast is a rhyme:

Witch: "Mind the Rule of Three: future, present, past."
Light: "Find the alicorn and free the dormant queen at last."