The Fairgrounds

Away from the ghastly and fantastical attractions lies the fairgrounds, a series of carnival booths, and games for the ordinary sight-seer. In colorful stripes and patterns, small tents and stands selling everything from trinkets to treats line the main thoroughfare leading up to the Cirque du Phantasmagoria. Through the bustling crowds, stilt-walkers in garish costumes take great strides while suspicious vendors hawk their wares. A massive carousel bedecked with bright lights and candy colors spins while people sit upon the brightly-painted animals. Tents with sensual dancers, strong drink, and a variety of humanoid oddities put themselves on display for all to see. There is even a ride of sorts which promises heart-stopping thrills at breakneck speeds where riders are secured inside carts linked together on a rail. With such a big turnout, it’s no surprise that all manners of crooks and swindlers have made the fairgrounds their latest haunt.

Cursed prizes, rigged games, and outlandish delicacies are the main event here. Test your luck with a reading at the many fortune-tellers who beckon from tents, or give the gambling tables a go. You can even spot a few undead and humanoid abominations freely intermingling with the festival-goers, and there is a mariachi band composed of several rather skeletal musicians. There is clearly sorcery at work here, as hell hounds and infernal cats prowl the premises. To many a fair-goer’s shock (or surprise), these sinister animals have been known to chase people down only to pounce on them and demand affection. There are plenty of ravens and crows who coldly stare from their perches above, and these red-eyed feathered fiends often swoop down to snatch the half-eaten snacks of unsuspecting children right out of their hands.

However, every so often the chaotic din of the carnival abruptly disappears–leaving visitors standing in the midst of a thick fog. Through the mists, one finds themselves in an eerily abandoned version of the fairgrounds where silence replaces the blaring street organs and there are empty streets instead of the carnival atmosphere. In the blink of an eye, the phenomena stops and the lively decorated streets return. The most unusual part of it all is that eyewitnesses found themselves completely alone during these bizarre shifts, even if they had been standing beside their friends a moment earlier.

Cirque du Phantasmagoria

In the center of it all stands the Big Top, the greatest, grandest circus tent ever seen. The entrance to the tent reveals seating fit for a gladiator colosseum, with box seats lining the center ring. Bright lights show off the exotic costumes and exquisitely choreographed acts that are a feast for the eyes. From the tightrope to the high-flying trapeze–you’d be hard pressed to find any of the common circus fare missing. In front of the striped tent is an antique clock dial surrounded by well-trimmed bushes and stone seating that shows visitors the time. Noon to dusk it sits innocuously as a mere fixture, but when the clock chimes at midnight…a terrible change takes place.

The clear ringing of the bell warps and the clock hands begin to stutter as an unearthly fog rolls in. The upbeat notes of the hand organ and music fall silent as visitors find themselves alone. The bright colors of the carnival fade, turning dilapidated as strange markings appear on the perimeter of the circus tents. In the depths of your soul there grows a deeply unsettling feeling that something is terribly, horribly wrong. Inanimate objects move on their own, toys from the game stands suddenly fly at visitors’ heads, and staring into one’s reflection quickly warps into screaming visages that voice the sentiment that everything in this nightmarish place seems to say. The terror only grows stronger the closer one comes to the circus tent. Lurking shadows become corporeal, hallucinations are no longer a mere trick of the eye, and one’s worst fears come to life in the worst possible fashion. The phantasmagoria of the witching hour reaches its peak until the clock strikes twelve–then all is good again.

The music returns, joyous laughter can be heard, people are back in the streets and it’s as if things have gone back to normal. But have they?

The Corn Rows

The Corn Rows maze may not seem appealing or frightful at first, but as you begin your journey through it, one must take notice that this is anything but ordinary. The eerie lights that illuminate the maze will be the first thing that strikes its guests.

The corn, if picked and shucked, reveals that cob to be filled with a beautiful assortment of colors that make the corn itself look like gems. While safe to eat, one must not dawdle for too long and continue onward. Luxurious statues and fountains are abundant throughout the maze, but do take warning if relying on them for assistance- the maze is ever-changing and they are no exception. You may run into one of these structures one moment, but the next time you look for it, it may be gone or is in a different place. It’s almost like the trial wants to keep you trapped within it.

If one should wish to cause trouble here, the guardians will be vigilantly watching. Some come in the form of scarecrows stationed at particular points of the maze. High above on posts, they remain ever so still and will not become active unless visitors purposely cause harm to the maze or try to cheat. Once active, they will come off their posts and stalk among the cornfield until they are able to take the perpetrators with them and throw them out of the maze.

Another guardian of the maze is the Minotaur, a bulky beast whose hooves can be heard from all directions, making it difficult for those within to keep track of it. If caught, the beast will carry you into a holding place that resembles a jail cell where there is no escape unless rescued by others. What the brute does to those that remain in its possession is unknown.

While most of the maze is unsafe, the very center is the exception. Easily recognizable by the statue of a trio of female druids taking centerplace, none of the guardians will set foot there. Many use this spot as a rest point and discussions are often found among different visitors, sharing their knowledge as they attempt to help get each other out of the maze.

Hotel of Horrors

Between the carnival’s whirlwind frenzy of amusement and the fair’s more obscure, macabre attractions–there are those among the multitudes of merrymakers that possess more refined tastes. Not to be outdone, your gracious hosts have provided just that in the form of a quaint yet elegant little château known as L’Auberge Étrange. Curious visitors and weary guests can enjoy the amenities provided in the chateau’s grand foyer. A warm fire is always lit, the luxurious chaise lounges are comfortable, and a drink is just a bell’s ring away.

Those who wish to experience the most of what the hotel has to offer can book themselves a room for the night at the front desk. As the hotelier arranges your accommodations, they make small talk before handing you the room key with a numbered tag hanging from the keyring. Each room assigned is hand-picked to cater to each client’s greatest fears and desires. After all, what kind of self-respecting hotelier fails to serve their guests? In true Gothic fashion, there is something afoot once you enter your accommodations. Keep your wits about you, for the night is dark and full of murders.

The first digit in each assigned room number corresponds with a different tale of terror. Should you find it difficult to choose, the hotelier at the front desk will gladly provide you with a list detailing the type of waking horror that lies behind the door.

1 - The Great Escape: You find yourself in a room. You should try to find a way out, but be careful that you don’t die before you leave.

2 -The Most Dangerous Game: You find yourself in the manor with a group of strangers. Two of them are ‘wolves’, and the game only ends if they are discovered–or when all the other players are dead. The ‘wolves’ are chosen at random, and they most certainly won’t give themselves away. But when anyone can be a suspect, who can you really trust?

3 - Murder, He Spoke: You awake with your companions to discover a murder most foul! Play detective to catch and defeat the murderer before you become their next victim! A real-life mystery in the making–with real-life stakes.

4 - The Bat in the Belfry: Loosely inspired by the terrible tales surrounding a haunted estate with a tower bearing a massive clock face, guests must survive while being pursued by murderous lunatics, bloodthirsty specters, and malevolent entities whose only wish is your untimely demise.

5 - And Now for Something Else: The grab bag, can be just about anything as long as the guest finds it horrifying. This is the category for things and situations that don’t fall under the umbrella of the other options shown above. One person’s heaven can be another person’s hell.

The House of Mirrors

The House of Mirrors seems to stand out very much from the rest of the fair, for its exquisite look appears to be owned by the elite class. A decorated courtyard and a garden of moonglow and other nightly flowers greet the visitors and at the end of the path stands a purple, mansion-sized house. If one attempts to peek into one of its numerous windows, they will find nothing but complete darkness through them. Other than the eerie silence of the grounds, the mixed sounds of screams and laughter though can be faintly heard if close enough.

Its tall doors will open for all those that seek to venture but be warned- once you cross through, they will slam shut and remain that way until you venture forward through the extensive foyer. Immediately, the differences between the exterior and interior are easily spotted; the inside is worn and decrepit, untouched by mortal hands. Dust and cobwebs are abundant and the place looks as though it could come tumbling down at any given moment. The furniture around the house had fared no better as broken tables, chairs But the thing that should be taken notice of is an old pair of signs with arrows pointing in opposite directions.

“This way for our bravest adventurers, if you dare”, the sign with the arrow pointing left says.

“This way for some sweet rewards, if you don’t mind some fun”, the sign with the arrow pointing right offers.

The choice is simply up to you. Choosing the left path will challenge its guests as they are lead through rooms around the first floor as well as descending into the catacombs, all while being surrounded by mirrors of various sizes and shapes hung about the walls. At first, the reflections start off normal but before long, the reflections become more twisted, more grotesque and some have claimed that the reflections can remain in place even after the person left sight of the mirror. Others spoke of such reflections looking back at you with hateful eyes and may call out to others using that person’s voice. There had been a story or two of them attempting to reach out and pull them into the mirror, but for what reason is unknown. What is known, however, is once they make it downstairs into the catacombs, the mirrors are illuminated by the dimming torchlight and what appears to be blood is dripping from the walls as if they were bleeding.

Choosing the right path will also lead you down pathways and rooms filled with mirrors, but only a few of the rooms downstairs are along this path, mainly the kitchen and a couple of servant bedrooms. These mirrors differ from their counterparts as their reflections are more whimsical, distorting the bearer’s shape and size along with their other features and are completely harmless. Ever so often, the candlelight that engulfs this way will occasionally shift in colors. A flight of stairs towards the end of the kitchen will greet you and take you to the second floor. Throughout its course, you may see some treats such as cakes, wines, candies of assorted kinds up for the takings. Beware of these ploys as some of them are boobytrapped- some have transparent strings that could trigger buckets of slime to drop on the unexpected or even drag the plates of food across the floor to get its victims to chase it around while being lead away from their party. Other pranks to be encountered include an arrangement of musical instruments playing but nowhere in sight, certain bookshelves that reveal secrets upon placing particular books in the right spot, and dolls placed about that oddly look like the guests. Upstairs resides the rest of the bedrooms, including the master’s and guest’s, and bathing rooms.

There are two ways out; for the scary path- the first way is to make it through the catacombs and ascend up the stairs that lead into the spacious backyard. The other way will be the same for those that chose the treat path- after a night filled with delight or fright, they may make their exit through the front doors. Though if the next arrival of visitors sees them scattering for their lives rather than leaving with laughter and enjoyment, then they will know which group was which.

Little Garden of Horrors

Welcome one, welcome all to the garden, where you and your kin can find the pumpkins just right for you! Pumpkins of all sizes litter the ground, some as big as a wolf, and some as small as a mouse. All of them are ready to be picked! Take your time, though, and choose the one that’s just right! Just ignore those whispers, and be sure to forget the things that you see out of the corner of your eyes. Everything here is safe and secure, and all for your amusement!

The patch reaches out far and wide, and has small pathways between each row for easy traveling and picking. Small wheelbarrows are scattered around to help move different materials around, and of course can be used to help move your chosen pumpkin. At the entrance, there is a table with tools for carving as well, should you choose to make a spooky or even a goofy face. Just be warning, as the patch is not liable for any mis-carved pumpkins, so do your best! If you’re feeling competitive, there’s even a competition for it! As the clock strikes midnight, be prepared for judgment and you may even win a prize!

—

As the clock strikes midnight, things take a strange turn. A heavy fog settled over the patch, followed by a strange pressure that suppresses sounds. Stay close to your loved ones, and take care not to get lost as the pumpkin patch becomes an outside dungeon of horrors. The whispers that were thought to be heard are now louder now, and much harder to ignore. The things that moved at the corner of your eyes grow more bold, now darting across the paths at the edge of sight. Be wary of the pumpkins, as some of them have even come to life! Their vines grow out across the path, and will move to trip up passerbys, and even drag some deeper into the fog. Some pumpkins have even split open, revealing sharp teeth, but what they feed on is a mystery better left unsolved. Just keep to the paths and stay safe, as whatever has befallen the pumpkin patch can’t possibly last the whole night!

The Gallery of Horror

From the outside, this attraction looks like a normal door built into a standalone door frame. There are no walls around the door and if you were to walk around the backside of the door there is nothing there but the backside of the door. Should one try and open the door from the wrong side they will find that it is locked tight, and no amount of strength will open it. However, it opens easily from the front, but there are signs on the door. They all read of warnings, of seeing ones’ greatest fears, of challenging yourself to overcome that which you fear most. There is also a sign that states simply, one person at a time.

When a visitor opens the door they will see a plain bull white light, for it is a portal that they must walk through. Stepping through the portal leads them into a small pocket dimension that is heavy with powerful magics and spells. You step into a plain wooden walled room, but, after a few moments things start to change, and not for the better.

For part of the spells are reading your mind, searching and drawing out that which you fear the most and this room will bring it all to life before your very eyes. Scared of snakes? You’re now standing in a room of them. Spiders? Same thing, they’re all around. Heights, well, welcome to the top of a tall mountain and you’re right on the edge of it, lucky you! The room does start things out at a moderate level, however, so maybe 2 or 3 snakes, for example. But, the longer you stay, the harder your resolve, the harder the challenge becomes. More snakes are added, and then more, the longer you stay the more the room will push against you. The room also simulates pain and it will once more push your to your limits, and things can become very very real to anyone that steps inside of the room.

Perhaps this is a chance to overcome a fear?

However, if the room’s magics sense that you are too scared and have reached your limit, it will read your mind again for your safe place. It will then simulate that in order to help calm you down, whether it’s a relaxing bath or whatever, the room can create that around you to help calm you down. This after all is an attraction, not something to be used to permanently traumatize people, and there’s enough warnings for people to know what they are getting into.

Upon exiting from the room once it goes back to its normal state, one will find that only a few minutes have gone by in the real world.

Mr. Grundy’s Wild Hayride

On the edge of the fairgrounds, a rickety old wagon sits beside a few scraggly trees. A gaunt and haggard man sits as the driver, and the fare is only a few silver per passenger. There are dozens of rumors circling the carriage and its mysterious driver, and just as many have claimed that once they got on, things took an eerie turn. Strange sights and ghastly apparitions hound the cart as the horses run, passengers suddenly disappear, thick mists swirl about, and single passengers soon find that they are not alone after all…

How long will you last on Mr. Grundy’s hayride? Most passengers hardly last a few hours at best, but perhaps you might fare better. Why don’t you give it a try?

I dare you…