Intro Dialogue
Reginald: Welcome to the Festival of Fears! Some may say to shy away from the dark and scary aspects of the world, but many of us here in Neovia, and the greater Haunted Woods, believe it is essential to have a safe and even enjoyable way to confront our fears. And thus, this festival was born!
I shall be your humble host this year as I take you down a dark and deplorable path of twists and turns, and best of all, books.
This year, I have hidden multiple trick-or-treat goodie bags around Neopia for all to find! Alongside the sweet treats inside, you will also receive a book from my own personal collection that you can peruse back here at your leisure.
For the first seven days of the festival, there will be a new goodie bag to find with its own scary story to unlock! Once a goodie bag is available, you can find it at any time, but if you're having trouble, then come back here and I'll give you a clue as to where to look.
Once you've unlocked a scary story, visit me here in my library if you dare to read it. Just choose any of the new books in the Goodie Bags tab and get ready for a frighteningly funtastic time!
I've also prepared some creepy queries for those who dare to face their fears and read the whole story through! If you can answer any of my questions to prove your feet of bravery, I will reward you with a prize.
Lastly, I may be your host, but I'm not the only one who prepared for this festival! Be sure to check out the many blood-curdling fun activities around the Haunted Woods. While they're available all year round, a few of them have exciting new opportunities to offer.
However, most of these new changes will only be around until the end of the festival, so be sure to check them out soon.
If you've got any more questions, be sure to check out the handy dandy FAQ! It's got lots of useful info in there and may even hint more at what's new for this year's activities! And from all of us here at the festival, we hope you have a scarily good time!
Masila Trick-or-Treat Bag
Before you is a collection of a few pieces of paper that seem to have been torn from a small book. A few blotches of black ink stain the pages where a pen may have pressed down too hard - or not hard enough - and the pages seem to have once been somewhat waterlogged, but the neat, careful handwriting is still perfectly legible.
Month of Gathering: 3.
Saw all the usual faces (and masks) today, and some others. Raza had a smile for me, that devilish Korbat - one of the few that still do. Raised her glass at me and nearly whipped the Elephante she was with with her wing. High energy in that place tonight, and not just from her. Ironic that a place called "The Tomb" could be so noisy, but the name is probably meant to keep regular Neopets from wandering in. The only sorts that would go to a tomb to begin with are the ones that want to get rich, the ones who have nowhere else to go, or the ones who don't care if a tomb's where they end up. Plenty of all those types here.
Never expected to see her here, though.
I couldn't stop staring at her. I know a fellow exile when I see one, even if we weren't contemporary. She was gone long before I joined that cesspool they call the Thieves' Guild, but it would be hard not to know who she was, even if they didn't talk about her like she was a bad bout of Kikoughela. The long green horns, that expensive emerald brooch...
I shouldn't have looked at all, but what else are you supposed to do when you spot a celebrity? I just hope she didn't notice. Even if we have a little bit in common, it's best not to get tangled up with that sort.
Business as usual tonight, besides. I might have a job lined up. We'll see.
Month of Gathering: 5.
She noticed.
I kept away from the Tomb for a day. Busy scoping out a potential mark. When I got in tonight, though, she was there and smiling like she was waiting for me. I tried to pretend like I didn't know her, like we were both just two folks with pasts we wanted to forget, but sat down at her table when she beckoned me. She didn't buy it when I asked who she was, or what a pretty thing like her was doing in a place like this.
"The same thing as you, I'm sure, seeing as we both hail from the same house."
I asked her what she meant, because I had never seen her before in my life. It was only a bit of a lie; I saw the pictures, the wanted posters, the unflattering doodles the other thieves pinned up on the dart board when they needed to blow off some steam.
She laughed and touched my hand.
"My dear, do you think I wouldn't know who filled my spot? Who came after me when I left?"
I didn't like that she knew about me, but after talking to her for a bit, I can see why she did. If I were out for revenge, then I'd keep tabs on my enemies, too.
Month of Gathering: 6.
She was there again tonight. Alone. Waiting for me. I probably should have been more wary of that, more suspicious, now that I'm back in my bunker and thinking about it - but I guess if my instincts had been worth anything, I wouldn't have been tossed out of the Guild and left to the Lupes. I never could resist a pretty face. Or a dangerous one.
Tonight she asked me about Krawk Island. "You're from there, right?" - As if she didn't already know with her apparent "background check," but I still made a quip about her saying that just because I'm a Krawk. It got a laugh out of her, which normally would be a good thing, but I don't think I've ever had my scales crawl from someone's laugh before.
Turns out her interest was because she was on her way there after her stint here in the Lost Desert. "An old love affair" with the place, she called it, and touched my hand. "You know how it is when you just can't keep away from something. Or someone."
I'm not proud to admit I felt a flash of jealousy at that, but at least I didn't say anything to her face.
She went on to ask about all the old haunts. Who frequented them nowadays? Any big names? And she seemed pretty keen to know more when I said - bragged - that I'd seen all kinds of famous pirates there. Garin of the Black Pawkeet, the Yooyuball crew, Captain Scarblade, once - and she asked if I'd be willing to accompany her. Said she had intel on a big haul, and having some extra muscle on her side would never hurt, especially one with scales as dark as the moon's shadow and as precious as the night's stars. She said I'll blend right in while we take McGill for all he's worth.
Fyora help me, but I'm weak to that sort of flattery! If that pretty face does me in, let me at least have some gold to speak of when I'm done.
Month of Collecting: 15.
Never thought I'd see this old diary again! It's only been a couple of weeks, but I swear the brigs of Krawk Island can make the days feel like months. I surely didn't miss it.
It's nice that someone missed me, though. And that the eyes and ears in the Tomb are as sharp as ever. For fear of sending someone after them, I won't name the kind soul that smuggled in my diary for me, but I'll be ever grateful. And if I ever get out of here, they've earned both friend and favour from the thief Blackclaw.
Oh, if that isn't the only favour I owe!
I should have known better. Those sweet promises of what would happen after we robbed McGill were lies, every one of them. The part about robbing the good governor were true - I'd be able to fund food and drink for all the Tomb's patrons for a year if I weren't stuck here - but the aftermath... She had no intention of running off with me. Not once she got her gold and found the scurvy sea dog she'd really been here for. What's a petty, disgraced thief to a king?
I've no idea where her final destination is, but I do have an inkling she's got her sights set on something much bigger than just Revenge.
No matter. She's on the seas now, and I intend to tear out these pages and give them to my friend at the earliest opportunity. That shadowy Acara...She may be the mistress of the double-cross, but she's not the only one who can play that game. These diary entries are just the start. When my time is served, I'll track her down and put all her plans of revenge on the Thieves' Guild to shame.
Back
Mysterious Aisha Sorceress Trick-or-Treat Bag
A stack of papers, which appear to be mostly transcripts from the Neovian Neighbourhood Watch: Ranger Division. They are crumpled up and have what looks like food or general grease stains on them.
Recording #1:
{static} Heellloooo. Community Ranger Casey calling in for the mandated 30-minute check-in. Just got to trail #3. No sign of anyone around, so I'm guessing that report was indeed just a dumb prank call. I told ya there was no real rush for me to get over here, but I'll try not to rub it in too much back at the station. I've gotta walk this trail anyway, though, so luckily not a huge waste of time. I'll report in if anything suspicious is afoot, but if not, I'll call again in 30 minutes. Over and out. {static}
Recording #2:
{static} Heyo. Community Ranger Casey calling in for another 30-minute check-in. There isn't really anything to report. No sign of any of the missing Neopians, like always. I suppose they disappear just like their supposed assailant. I know there are weird things in these woods, but really? A pretty little Aisha snatching up hikers and the like in the blink of an eye? I mean, Darigan or not, a full-grown Grarrl is on the list; no way that description fits if there really is someone behind any of this. No, it's most likely the simplest explanation. Unprepared tourists getting lost and falling off a cliff or eaten by a Werelupe, like always. No correlation. What you think? {static} You there? {static} Come on, hun. I'm just trying to make conversation. {static} You're the one who was so adamant I come out here. Least you could do is provide some entertainment. {static} Fine, whatever, I guess. Over and out. {static}
Recording #3:
{static} Hello, hello. Community Ranger Casey calling in for another 30-min {static}
Sorry about that. Thought I saw something for a moment. Anyways, what was I saying? {static} Oh, ya! Calling in for another 30-minute check-in. I'm about halfway through the trail now. Just taking it slow since it's such a nice night out tonight. Maybe next time we're both on shift like this, we can go patrolling together. Wouldn't that be nice? {static} What? Can't colleagues hang out from time to time? I mean, we are just volunteers after all. No coworker gossip to worry about, haha. {static} Really? Nothing? {static} Geez, tough crowd tonight. {static} Anyways, the only thing I have to report is some trash left on the trail. Someone left their big, stinky shoe behind. I mean, who loses one shoe? Some people, I'll tell you. I made sure to properly dispose of it in the trashca- What the- {static} Okay, that time I definitely saw something. Or maybe someone? I'll look into it and call you back. Over and out. {static}
Recording #4:
{static} *heavy breathing* I-I saw someone for sure. They were off the beaten path, so I tried calling for them, but they just took off. *heavy breathing* I think it was a young woman, so I gave chase. With it being so late out, she's bound to get lost. *heavy breathing* But I lost sight of her. Oof, one minute. {static} Alright, I caught my breath. Dang, she was fast. It was like she was there one moment and gone the next. I'm a bit of a ways away from the trail now, but I should be able to get back no problem. I'll keep an eye out for her while I do. A young thing like that shouldn't be out alone in the woods. Let's see, I came froooom that direction. Yeah, over and out. {static}
Recording #5:
{static} Hey, so, I may not actually know how to get back. {static} Do you see my coordinates on the tracking map in the station? {static} Hello? {static} Dollface, are you there? {static} Seriously, this isn't funny. I need to get back to the trail! {static} You haven't been responding all night. What is going on? {static} I know you've been a bit sensitive about my jokes in the past, but this really isn't the time for hurt feelings. I need to get back- What was that? {static} Give me a moment. Over and out. {static}
Recording #6:
There's *heavy breathing* there's something in the woods! *heavy breathing* It's-it's after me. {static} There's maybe multiple. *heavy breathing* I don't know; they're appearing from every direction and then gone just as fast. It-it looks like {static} Won't you freaking respond already? {static} *heavy breathing* I know you are there! {static} I know how our systems work. This is all being recorded. *heavy breathing* There will be proof that you didn't help me! {static} Please, she's getting closer! What do you want from me? {static} *heavy breathing* What? Do you really expect me to apologise or something? Now of all times? {static} Just help me! You whiney {static}
Ilere Trick-or-Treat Bag
A note from Reginald: This book belongs to my sister. I got her permission to share it with others, after she took out certain parts she didn't want others to see, but still, please treat it with care.
Proof that she said I could share - "If you really think anyone would care to read it, then fine. I couldn't care less about sharing my sappy, old thoughts, but I'm taking out the important ingredients to my potions and spells. No one gets my work for free!"
Potion to bring back my family attempt #1:
Eye Of Mortog, redacted , Spoc Spoc Grub, redacted - Failed!
I'm not sure why Ilere left me here. I want to be grateful, but I can't help but fear for my family. I went back to Neovia, and everyone was like ghosts! If Ilere won't help them, then I will. I tried making this potion to save them, but I don't know what I'm doing. I'm no powerful witch like her, and I just want my family back!
Potion to bring back my family attempt #2:
Redacted , Woo Woo Grub, Red Scorchipepper, redacted - Failed!
The magical chest she left in the shack provides me with almost any items I can think of - food, water, pillows, blankets. It even gives me the books I need to further my magic and potion-making, but if I try to ask for any ingredients for those potions, nothing happens. The forest is so big, and each time I go out to try to forage ingredients around the shack, I hear and see such scary things! I miss Mama and Papa, and I wish my brothers were here to help me be brave.
Potion attempt #3:
Twirly Fruit, redacted , Woo Woo Grub, Soaked Babaa Wool - Failed!
It takes a while for me to perfect each potion. I've only made three real attempts so far, and in the time it took to collect the ingredients alone, months have gone by. Not to mention the townspeople's ghosts only appear on Halloween. Why did they all have to take that snake oil potion? Why couldn't my family just be happy with what we had? I've tried learning magic as well, but it's harder, and it's been so, so lonely that at times all I can do is cry. However, sometimes I see this Green Meowclops when I'm out and about. It hasn't gotten close to me yet, but at least it sort of feels like I have a friend again.
Potion attempt #4:
Octorna, redacted , Moonwater, redacted , Slorg Slime - Failed
I've been gathering quite the collection of items, Reggie would be proud. This old shack is starting to look like quite the certified witch's house, even if I don't feel like one yet. I may have a sort of familiar now, though. The Green Meowclops, whom I've been calling Eye, finally let me pet her the other day, and she even comes in and out of the shack from time to time. I barely have a need for the magical chest nowadays, which is good, as Eye has taken a liking to it. She often sleeps there, and if I attempt to move her, she swats me away. She seems very interested in my potion-making and watches me intently as I try out new concoctions. I still deeply miss my family, but Eye helps me to feel less alone.
Potion attempt #5:
Woo Woo Grub, redacted , Barkroot Dew, Pureed Sharpgrass - Failed (kinda!)
While this didn't succeed in the way I wanted, it did make a potion that helped me run faster! I made this discovery because Eye accidentally pushed in some of my redacted . I was upset at first, but then she drank some and started doing such fast zoomies around the room that I couldn't stop laughing. This was probably the first time I've laughed in a while. It was remarkable to have made something that actually worked for once.
Invisibility Potion:
Evaporated Snorkle Juice, Kadoatie Essence, redacted , sand, redacted - Success!
I came up with this concoction all on my own! With this, I will be able to get around the Haunted Woods more easily to collect more ingredients. While the Werelupes don't seem to actually inhabit my area of the woods, I do fear I will need to start entering their territory and beyond to get better ingredients. I've been too scared until now, plus when I've wandered too far from the shack, Eye meows and claws at my dress until I get back. But I want to expand my collection for potions and start growing my magic as well. And to do that, I'm going to have to go even farther in my excursions if I want to become a powerful witch.
Note from Reginald: Many pages after this were mostly notes on making potions and spells, so Sophie took those. These are the few sections she said I could keep.
Strength Spell:
Success
This was the first spell I cast on someone. While on my journeys for ingredients and spells, I've come across a few Neopets here and there. At first, I was happy to talk with others, but I suppose I've forgotten how to properly hold a conversation after so long alone. It is exhausting. As soon as most find out about my abilities, they want something, and those who don't eventually inquire sooner or later. It's always something for themselves, a way to quickly fix an inconvenience of theirs. I think Ilere had it right by living in the woods. All I need is Eye and my ingredients.
Bowel Bloater Brew:
Wartroot, redacted , Bloatershroom Extract, Mutant Gruel, redacted - Success
Word about me has spread. Not so much me, I suppose, but my presence, the Swamp Witch they call me. What fools. I've had more visitors to my shack than I'd wish for. All wanting something solved for them, all wanting an easy answer... I admit I help most if they at least ask nicely, but for those who don't, this is the potion I give them instead.
Identify the Dead:
Bagguss Juice, Kadoatie Essence, Liquid Meepit, Worm Snot, etc. - Success
This one called for almost all the ingredients I had on hand and is by far the most complicated potion I have made yet. It's one of the first potions to call for so much direct magic to be put into it, so I figured it would be a good test to gauge how far I have come. Ever since Eye left, the Brain Tree and Esophogor are pretty much the only residents I converse with, so this potion seemed like a logical way to shorten those transactions.
Enchanted Fang Necklace:
Werelupe fangs, redacted, magic - Success
How infuriating. This is the first time I've made an enchanted object for another, so to confirm my queries for best outcomes, I went to the Brain Tree to see if my plans would be favourable, and he all but outright insulted me! Needless to say, I will not be visiting him again or that infuriating Esphagor either, always eating my ingredients! I'm plenty strong at this point. What need do I have for even leaving the shack at this point? I can have those who request stuff from me bring any ingredients I need. Ugh, this necklace better have been worth all this effort. The fool who commissioned it from me will most likely get himself interred anyhow. There's no changing the greedy.
Summoning Potion:
Bumroot, Leafy Slorgblossom, Crushed Jurpleberries, Salt, Bronze Sansam - Success
I don't know why I expected Ilere to be of help this time... and I don't understand why I'm so sentimental all of a sudden. Maybe it's this blasted potion. I found it within my books - a potion to summon powerful spirits. However, it only works if someone strong enough is willing to drink it and let the spirit possess their body. With Ilere's warning of his strength, I wished we could have found another way... but my brother Bruno was so brave. I'm still not quite over the fact that he's been alive this whole time. He's somehow managed to grow so much since this all started, despite that snake oil's curse. So caring of others now...
Potion to cure my family:
Bumroot, Leafy Slorgblossom, Bagguss Pulp, Sharpgrass, Nova Essence, etc. - Success after adding flower Gilly found
We did it... I couldn't change Bruno back, but the rest of the town is safe. Despite Ilere's hope of my failure, I have succeeded. For all her worry about the Spirit of Slumber, he was not a hard foe. I have accomplished what I set out to do so many years ago. I can see that my family wants me to stay, but while I can not hold it against them, I can't find it within me to forgive their greed– or to stay. I'm a powerful witch now, and I should be left alone.
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