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[sticky entry] Sticky: Trick or Treat 2025 schedule & info post

This is the general schedule & informational post.

General Links

2025 Collection
2025 Tagset

2025 Schedule

Sept 1 – Nominations Open
Sept 8 – Nominations Close
Sept 11 – Sign-Ups Open
Sept 18 – Sign-Ups Close
October 24 – Assignments Due
October 31 – Gift Reveals (16:59 UTC)
November 7 – Creator Reveals (16:59 UTC)

All times are 23:59 UTC unless otherwise specified.

The Basics

Trick or Treat is an exchange in the style of exchanges like Yuletide or Chocolate Box. It is inspired by a real world holiday, but you do not need to celebrate Halloween to participate in this exchange.

Each participant will receive at least one gift. The gift will be a trick or a treat, and gift minimums are 300 words for fic or a nice sketch for art. A trick should be more horror, occult, supernatural, or scary. A treat should be more sweet, sexy, or fluffy. These are a bit vague to give the writer/artist room for how they interpret trick or treat.

Participants must be 18 years or older.

Read more... )

Please note the time-change on reveals!

Community Challenge Treat Sheet!

Thank you to all the pinch hitters hard at work! We have eight pinch hits left at this post, if you missed it!

And thank you to shadow for running our official treat sheet! Find your next treat recipient here.

The spreadsheet includes participants with one or zero current gifts, who completed their assignments, and did not opt out of extra gifts. The last-updated timestamp is at the top of the sheet.

Our tiers for Community Challenge success are:

33.33% success: 150 remaining
66.66% success: 75 remaining
100% success: 0 remaining


Happy trick or treating!
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Post DEADline pinch hits! mwahaha

The deadline has passed! Which means you may peruse our lineup of eepy creepy pinch hits below!

To claim, please comment on this post with your AO3 name and the number or name of the pinch hit you would like. Comments are screened. Pinch hits are first-come, first-serve, and if you're the first to claim, you'll receive the assignment to your email.

You don't have to be signed up to Trick or Treat to claim a pinch hit.

These are due October 28, 23:59 UTC.

Thank you!

PH #6 (firsttraintovictoriaville):
  • Roots of Pacha (Video Game), The White Stripes, Pathfinder: Kingmaker (Video Game), Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop - Hwang Bo-reum
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/firsttraintovictoriaville

    PH #13 (plicate):
  • Head On (1998), Set It Off (1996), Succession (TV 2018)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/plicate

    PH #31 (bluerosekatie):
  • Bionicle - All Media Types, Tron: Uprising, Tron (Movies), Rockman | Mega Man Classic, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tetsuwan Atom | Astro Boy, Minecraft: Story Mode (Video Game), Metroid Series, Crossover Fandom
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/bluerosekatie

    PH #36 (diplomacy):
  • 永夜星河 | Love Game in Eastern Fantasy (TV), 藏海传 | Legend of Zang Hai (TV), 春花焰 | Kill Me Love Me (TV), 淮水竹亭 | Love in Pavilion (TV), 云襄传 | The Ingenious One (TV), 云之羽 | My Journey to You (TV), Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/diplomacy

    PH #40 (IncurablePeppermint):
  • Misfits in Toyland (Webcomic), Alien Nine, Phantasmagoria: A Puzzle of Flesh
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/IncurablePeppermint

    PH #49 (Syksy):
  • Buffyverse (TV), Charité (TV 2017), The Mummy (Movies 1999-2008), Penny Dreadful (TV)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/Syksy

    Already claimed )
  • Entry tags:

    Boo! Less than three days until works are due!

    Works are due October 24, 23:59 UTC/7:59 EDT. Please take this opportunity to double-check assignment requirements and that you've actually posted the work instead of leaving it in drafts!

    Please also remember there will be no extensions.

    After the works deadline, there will be a week for pinch hitting and treating to get ready for work reveals on Halloween.

    Speaking of which, our Community Challenge of Treating Every* Participant will kick officially into gear after the post-deadline pinch hits go out! There will be a treat sheet for tracking.



    *some restrictions apply
    **like opting out of treats, haha
    Entry tags:

    More tricksy pinch hits for you!

    To claim, please comment on this post with your AO3 name and the number or name of the pinch hit you would like. Comments are screened. Pinch hits are first-come, first-serve, and if you're the first to claim, you'll receive the assignment to your email.

    You don't have to be signed up to Trick or Treat to claim a pinch hit.

    These are due at the regular assignment deadline, October 24, 23:59 UTC.


    PH #6 (firsttraintovictoriaville):
  • Roots of Pacha (Video Game), The White Stripes, Pathfinder: Kingmaker (Video Game), Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop - Hwang Bo-reum
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/firsttraintovictoriaville

    PH #13 (plicate):
  • Head On (1998), Set It Off (1996), Succession (TV 2018)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/plicate

    PH #15 (redgear):
  • Hallo itt Mátyás király! - Bogáti Péter, 15th Century CE RPF, Debrief (Paracelsus Games Roleplaying Game), Felvidek (Video Game), Dark Prince: The True Story of Dracula (2000)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/redgear

    PH #16 (rubylily):
  • Code Vein (Video Game), 神さまのいない日曜日 | Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi | Sunday Without God (Anime & Manga), Märchen Forest: Mylne and the Forest Gift (Video Game), Octopath Traveler (Video Game), Octopath Traveler II (Video Game), 刀使ノ巫女 | Toji no Miko | Katana Maidens (Anime), void tRrLM(); //Void Terrarium (Video Game), Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (Video Game)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/rubylily

    PH #18 (UnhinderedDreams):
  • Crossover Fandom, The Black Dagger Brotherhood (TV), Buffyverse (TV), I Kissed A Vampire (2010), Nocturnal Animals (2016), The Vampire Diaries (TV)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/UnhinderedDreams

    PH #26 (Marenke):
  • 原神 | Genshin Impact (Video Game), Yellowjackets (TV), Something Dark and Holy Series - Emily A. Duncan
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/Marenke

    Already claimed! )
  • Entry tags:

    Celebrate October by picking up a spooky pinch hit!!

    To claim, please comment on this post with your AO3 name and the number or name of the pinch hit you would like. Comments are screened. Pinch hits are first-come, first-serve, and if you're the first to claim, you'll receive the assignment to your email.

    You don't have to be signed up to Trick or Treat to claim a pinch hit.

    These are due at the regular assignment deadline, October 24, 23:59 UTC.

    PH #6 (firsttraintovictoriaville):
  • Roots of Pacha (Video Game), The White Stripes, Pathfinder: Kingmaker (Video Game), Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop - Hwang Bo-reum
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/firsttraintovictoriaville

    PH #10 (MxKit):
  • Happy Halloween Scooby-Doo! (2020), The Nameless Game (Gameverse), The Spectacular Spider-Man (Cartoon)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/MxKit

    PH #13 (plicate):
  • Head On (1998), Set It Off (1996), Succession (TV 2018)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/plicate

    PH #15 (redgear):
  • Hallo itt Mátyás király! - Bogáti Péter, 15th Century CE RPF, Debrief (Paracelsus Games Roleplaying Game), Felvidek (Video Game), Dark Prince: The True Story of Dracula (2000)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/redgear

    PH #16 (rubylily):
  • Code Vein (Video Game), 神さまのいない日曜日 | Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi | Sunday Without God (Anime & Manga), Märchen Forest: Mylne and the Forest Gift (Video Game), Octopath Traveler (Video Game), Octopath Traveler II (Video Game), 刀使ノ巫女 | Toji no Miko | Katana Maidens (Anime), void tRrLM(); //Void Terrarium (Video Game), Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (Video Game)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/rubylily

    PH #18 (UnhinderedDreams):
  • Crossover Fandom, The Black Dagger Brotherhood (TV), Buffyverse (TV), I Kissed A Vampire (2010), Nocturnal Animals (2016), The Vampire Diaries (TV)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/UnhinderedDreams

    PH #23 (xeena):
  • Squid Game (TV 2021), Nine Puzzles (TV 2025), Near Dark (1987), Scream (Movies), Hellraiser (Movies 1987-2018), The Lost Boys (Movies)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/xeena

    already claimed! )
  • Entry tags:

    Assignments out! Initial Pinch Hits here!

    Assignments have been assigned! Find yours at the email address associated with your AO3 account. Alternatively, you can find it under the "Assignments" tab on the sidebar of your AO3 profile.

    If you linked an unfinished letter, please try to complete and/or unlock it as soon as possible.

    If your recip's letter is incomplete or locked, please wait to contact me about it until after Sept 27. (Or just work from the signup details.)

    Assignments are due October 24, 23:59 UTC. Please note that there will be no extensions.

    Initial Pinch Hits

    To claim, please comment on this post with your AO3 name and the number or name of the pinch hit you would like. Comments are screened. Pinch hits are first-come, first-serve, and if you're the first to claim, you'll receive the assignment to your email.

    You don't have to be signed up to Trick or Treat to claim a pinch hit.

    These are due at the regular assignment deadline, October 24, 23:59 UTC.

    PH #5 (facethestrange):
  • 镇魂 | Guardian (TV 2018) RPF, 镇魂 | Guardian (TV 2018), 镇魂 | Guardian - priest, Crossover Fandom
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/facethestrange

    PH #6 (firsttraintovictoriaville):
  • Roots of Pacha (Video Game), The White Stripes, Pathfinder: Kingmaker (Video Game), Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop - Hwang Bo-reum
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/firsttraintovictoriaville

    PH #10 (MxKit):
  • Happy Halloween Scooby-Doo! (2020), The Nameless Game (Gameverse), The Spectacular Spider-Man (Cartoon)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/MxKit

    PH #13 (plicate):
  • Head On (1998), Set It Off (1996), Succession (TV 2018)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/plicate

    PH #14 (psychomachia):
  • Blood Son - Richard Matheson, The Devil You Say - Charles Beaumont, Blood Creek (2009), The Lawnmower Man (1992), The Fall of the House of Usher (TV 2023), The Sinner (TV)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/psychomachia

    PH #15 (redgear):
  • Hallo itt Mátyás király! - Bogáti Péter, 15th Century CE RPF, Debrief (Paracelsus Games Roleplaying Game), Felvidek (Video Game), Dark Prince: The True Story of Dracula (2000)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/redgear

    PH #16 (rubylily):
  • Code Vein (Video Game), 神さまのいない日曜日 | Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi | Sunday Without God (Anime & Manga), Märchen Forest: Mylne and the Forest Gift (Video Game), Octopath Traveler (Video Game), Octopath Traveler II (Video Game), 刀使ノ巫女 | Toji no Miko | Katana Maidens (Anime), void tRrLM(); //Void Terrarium (Video Game), Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (Video Game)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/rubylily

    PH #18 (UnhinderedDreams):
  • Crossover Fandom, The Black Dagger Brotherhood (TV), Buffyverse (TV), I Kissed A Vampire (2010), Nocturnal Animals (2016), The Vampire Diaries (TV)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/UnhinderedDreams

    PH #21 (ambiguously):
  • Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV), Star Wars: Rebels, Star Wars: Resistance (Cartoon), Crossover Fandom, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (TV)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2025/user/ambiguously
  • To claim PH21, please comment logged-in or email halloweenmod@gmx.com

    claimed! )
  • Entry tags:

    Signups are closed!

    Just an update that signups are closed! I'm going to finish fine-tuning matching tomorrow morning (East Coast time), so don't wait up for unmatchable emails tonight :)

    Community Challenge & Signup Reminder!

    Hello, sweet and spooky Trick or Treaters! Signups close in just under two days (September 18 at 7:59 PM EDT/23:59 UTC). Here is the signup information post!

    And for this year's Community Challenge, we're going retro again. Your collective goal is to treat every participant.

    *except for the ones who opt out of treats. do not treat them!

    This will be managed in a similar style to the 2021 community challenge (see here) with percentage tiers of success. I'll post the exact tier targets after signups close and we have the numbers.

    Get excited, and good luck!
    Entry tags:

    Boo! Signups are open!

    First, if you nominated Batman AMT, Digimon Adventure, or Sonic AMT, please check out this query post!

    Second, signups are now open! 🎃 They will close on September 18 at 7:59 PM EDT/23:59 UTC.

    Please review the signup instructions in this post before signing up.

    The community challenge post will be up sometime this week.

    Signup form
    Tagset
    Requests summary
    Signup summary
    FAQ post


    Sign up details )
    Entry tags:

    Nominations queries! (mostly AMT questions)

    I have some questions for the nominators of the below fandoms! Please reply by Saturday, Sept 13, 11:59 AM EDT, or I'll choose how to handle them without input.

    Note that this deadline does overlap with signups, which will open later today (Sept 11). So if you intend to sign up with any of these fandoms, you may want to wait a couple days - my apologies for the inconvenience!

    Batman - All Media Types
    There are various Batmans already in the tag set. Can this be merged into DCU (Comics)?

    Digimon - All Media Types
    Digimon Adventure
    There are two overlapping Digimon nominations. Can the AMT nominator pick a specific version? And does the Digimon Adventure nominator mean the original anime or the 2020 reboot? (or does the fandom treat them interchangeably?)

    Sonic the Hedgehog - All Media Types
    Sonic the Hedgehog (Video Games) is already in the tag set. Can this be merged with that, or can you pick a different specific version?


    ---

    Tron - All Media Types
    Tron: Uprising is already in the tag set. Can you pick a specific version?


    The Legend of Zelda & Related Fandoms
    Other Zeldas are already in the tag set. Can you pick a specific version?


    Wiedźmin | The Witcher - All Media Types
    The TV show and video games are already in the tag set. Can you pick a specific version?
    Entry tags:

    Nominations are closed! Approvals are ongoing.

    Nominations are closed, but please don't worry if your tags haven't been processed yet. The schedule includes three days for me to finish that up before signups open :)

    If I have any questions about the lingering tags, I'll make a clarification post, so stay tuned!
    Entry tags:

    Trick or Treat 2025 Nominations Open! 🎃

    Welcome back to Trick or Treat! Nominations are open until September 8 at 7:59 PM EDT/23:59 UTC. Please read this post before nominating!

    Countdown until nominations end.

    Here is this year's tag set! You may nominate up to 8 fandoms with 8 characters or relationships in each.

    Nominations format

    You can nominate characters and/or relationships under each fandom you nominate. For AO3 matching algorithm reasons, both characters and relationships are nominated under the “Characters” slot in the tag set, and relationships should be specified by including “Ship:” in front of the pairing, whether romantic/sexual or platonic.

    All fandoms in the tag set need to be nominated with at least one character or relationship tag under that fandom.

    For all tags:
    Please nominate original works under the fandom Original Work. If you don't specify a character's gender in the tag, you're leaving it up to the creator to choose.

    Please avoid using pipes where possible and do not use diacritics/tone marks where unnecessary.

    All character and ship nominations must be disambiguated. (See below for an explanation!)

    Please use the name order as in the canon ("Given Name Family Name" for most western canons, "Family Name Given Name" for most Asian canons).

    For relationship tags:
    Relationships must include "Ship:" in front of the pairing.

    You may nominate / or & relationships. "A/B" is a romantic or sexual relationship; "A & B" is a platonic relationship.

    Please alphabetize ships by family name.

    Please nominate crossovers under the fandom Crossover Fandom, with ships in the format:
    Ship: Yuri Plisetsky (YOI) & Rajah (Aladdin).

    You cannot nominate both / and & in a single tag. This means any nominations like "Ship: Aerith/Tifa & Cloud (FFVII)" will be rejected.

    What is disambiguation?

    This means adding the fandom in brackets after your nomination. Some examples:

    Sakurayashiki Kaoru (SK8)
    Leia Organa (SWOT)
    Luke Skywalker (SWST)
    Ship: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson (BBC Sherlock)
    Ship: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson (Sherlock Holmes - ACD)
    Ship: Mia Fey/Phoenix Wright (Ace Attorney)
    Ship: Enoshima Junko/Tsumiki Mikan (DR Hope's Peak)
    Ship: James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers (Marvel 616)

    Before nominating, please check if your fandom is already in the tagset, and what disambiguations were used. Your nominations get approved faster if they are already in the correct format.

    Specific Fandom Nomination Guidelines

    Updated per feedback for 2025: Please nominate all MCU movies and Marvel TV shows under Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    Updated per feedback for 2025: Please nominate Dimension 20 campaigns separately according to continuity.

    Updated per feedback for 2025: Please nominate FFVII Remake/Rebirth separately from Compilation of FFVII.

    Marvel Comics should be nominated by the characters' native universe, e.g. Marvel 616.

    DC Comics should be nominated together under DCU (Comics). You may specify timeline (e.g. Pre-Flashpoint) in the disambiguation.

    Arrowverse TV shows should be nominated together under DC's Arrowverse. Superman & Lois is separate.

    All DCEU movies should be nominated together under DC Extended Universe.

    Baldur's Gate games should be nominated together as Baldur's Gate (Video Games). "Tav" or "Dark Urge" are the main character of BG3. "Charname" is the main character of BG1 or 2. "Original Character(s)" are not player characters.

    Buffyverse (TV) consists of the television shows for both Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV) and Angel: The Series.

    Doctor Who is divided between 1963, 2005, and Torchwood.

    Danganronpa has the original continuity ("Danganronpa - Hope’s Peak Arc") while Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony is separate.

    Dragon Age should be nominated as Dragon Age - All Media Types.

    If you've read this far down the post, please comment with your favorite spooky creature. This doesn't mean anything, it's just for fun.

    Star Trek should be divided by show, with Star Trek: Alternate Original Series (Movies) separate.

    Star Wars should be divided into Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, Star Wars Original Trilogy, Star Wars Sequel Trilogy, the standalone movies, then the individual properties, e.g. The Mandalorian (TV).

    Ace Attorney and The Great Ace Attorney are two separate fandoms. Please use localized names where applicable, i.e, "Miles Edgeworth" and "Herlock Sholmes."
    Entry tags:

    Creators are revealed! + Fandom Sorting Feedback

    The masks of anonymity are off, and creators have been revealed. Thank you all for another fun and spooky Trick or Treat Exchange!

    Continue enjoying the collection here: https://archiveofourown.org/collections/trickortreatex2024/works

    Fandom Sorting Feedback

    For nominations, Trick or Treat's fandom sorting is based mostly on what previous Pumpkin Kings have done. The rest is a mishmash of how other exchanges handle certain fandoms, my own understanding of fandoms I'm familiar with, and participant input throughout the years.

    Sometimes, this results in outdated or difficult fandom sorting choices. For example, I don't keep up with what channels host the various Marvel TV shows at any given time. We also currently divide Star Wars between trilogies, while lumping every Dimension 20 campaign into a single fandom tag.

    But policy changes are easier when nominations aren't currently underway. So! If you have any feedback on fandom sorting in advance of next year, I'd appreciate any comments on this post!

    Here is 2024's nominations post for reference on current guidelines: https://trickortreatex.dreamwidth.org/64087.html

    And here is 2024's tag set: https://archiveofourown.org/tag_sets/20767

    (Note that I'm busy this month and will probably not reply to comments. I'll read everything ahead of next year's nominations.)

    (Note also that I'm more interested in a generally functional tag set than a universal rule of how fandoms get divided. There will always be some inconsistencies by design.)
    Entry tags:

    Emergency Pinch Hit

    We urgently need this pinch hit completed! Creator reveals will be delayed if this isn't filled in time.

    To claim, please comment on this post with your AO3 name. Comments are screened. Pinch hits are first-come, first-serve, and if you're the first to claim, you'll receive the assignment to your email. If claiming logged-out on DW, please provide an email I can reach you at. If claiming logged-in, I'll reply if it's yours.

    You don't have to be signed up to Trick or Treat to claim a pinch hit.

    This is due November 5, 23:59 UTC.

    CLAIMED PH #48 (RoverMaelstrom):
  • Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis, Superstition (Superstition_hockey 2016), Crossover Fandom, His Boy Next Door Series - R.J. Moray
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/RoverMaelstrom
  • The mystery is solved and works are revealed!

    After conferring with Detective Pumpkin, you join the gathering in the Room of Dreams and Nightmares. Everyone is here, from Mugwortius the Monster to Catherine Catrina Catalina the Cat to the weeping banshee housekeeper.

    Detective Pumpkin stands next to an upright, open coffin, in which Velmarina the Vampire is bound.

    "I'm most disappointed," Velmarina complains. "I wanted you to gather us all up before dramatically pointing at me."

    "You would have escaped in a flurry of bats," Mugwortius points out, waving a sludgy hand. "You always do that. What I don't understand is why you killed the Spirit of Halloween."

    Velmarina rolls her eyes. "Let the Spirit explain that for themself."

    "Enough!" Detective Pumpkin says. "It's already Halloween, and without the help of my new investigator—" she gestures towards you— "I wouldn't have been able to solve the murder in time. But thanks to this amulet, I can perform the ritual to resurrect the Spirit of Halloween."

    She lifts her hand, on which glitters an enormous pumpkin-orange diamond.

    Catherine Catrina Catalina stretches adorably. "That would be the ring the Spirit of Halloween gave you on your, ahem, friendship anniversary?"

    Detective Pumpkin can't blush. Her head is literally a pumpkin. But her candle flickers.

    "It's a practical, magical amulet," Detective Pumpkin says defensively. "The Spirit thought it would be useful for my work."

    She busies herself with the preparations. You help her lay out the array of festive bonbons and tiny pumpkins, surrounding the Mask of Masking and the bound Velmarina.

    Then you step back, and Detective Pumpkin steps into the circle. She touches the amulet ring and says, "The culprit is Velmarina the Vampire, with the Mask of Masking, in the Room of Dreams and Nightmares. The trick has been uncovered. Bibbity bobbity boo!"

    With the final "boo", a horde of ghosts flurries through the room. They dash hither and thither in gusts of cold wind and flapping sheets—then vanish.

    The bonbons and tiny pumpkins float into the air. Small orange lights dance between them.

    "Spirit," Detective Pumpkin breathes.

    And the Spirit of Halloween appears.

    They look different to everyone. You might see a witch, or a devil, or a fairy, or a clown. A sexy mime or an amorphous wisp of shadow. A memory. A friend. The Spirit of Halloween is whatever Halloween means to you.

    Upon resurrection, their first words are, "I'm sorry."

    "Why?" Detective Pumpkin reaches out. "You've done nothing wrong."

    The Spirit of Halloween clasps Detective Pumpkin's hands. "Velmarina killed me because I wouldn't shut up about you. I've been annoying her for years, talking about my crush on you without ever doing anything about it."

    Silence falls. Except for the weeping banshee housekeeper.

    "She what," Detective Pumpkin says, flabbergasted. Then her voice softens, her candle flickering intensely. "Your crush on me?"

    "They're insufferable about you," Velmarina says, ruthless.

    "We have a lot to talk about," the Spirit of Halloween says fondly. "But first, I have one spooky job to take care of..."

    The Spirit of Halloween lets go of Detective Pumpkin's hands enough to gesture skyward.

    Bonbons and tiny pumpkins fly away through the windows, streaming orange and purple sparkles. They light up the sky on their journeys to every corner of Halloweenland—

    While in Trick or Treat Manor, surrounded by friends, the Spirit of Halloween and Detective Pumpkin lean in for a long-awaited kiss.

    As the bonbons and tiny pumpkins arrive at their destinations, they transform into gifts for lucky Trick or Treaters. The murder mystery is solved, and works are revealed. Please enjoy the tricks and treats in the collection!

    Mugwortius the Monster...

    ...is a red herring. Which means Velmarina the Vampire is the murderer! Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion of the community challenge murder mystery!

    Also, we are on track for work reveals, which will be October 31 at 17 UTC (1 pm EDT/10 am PDT)!

    Catherine Catrina Catalina the Cat...

    ...is a red herring. How could anyone suspect such a beautiful little cat?

    Just two more days to solve the mystery. See the latest community challenge post here.
    Entry tags:

    *spooky noises* Five pinch hits!

    We have several remaining pinch hits and one new one! Please check to see if you could fill them. In order to reveal everyone's gifts on Halloween, each of these needs to be filled.

    To claim, please comment on this post with your AO3 name and the number or name of the pinch hit you would like. Comments are screened. Pinch hits are first-come, first-serve, and if you're the first to claim, you'll receive the assignment to your email.

    You don't have to be signed up to Trick or Treat to claim a pinch hit.

    These are due October 29, 23:59 UTC.

    All PHs have been claimed!

    ALREADY CLAIMED:

    CLAIMEDPH #1 (ConvenientAlias):
  • 거래 | The Deal (TV 2023), 대무가 | Daemuga (2020), 황제를 위하여 | For the Emperor (2014), Method (2017)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/ConvenientAlias


  • CLAIMED PH #2 (DreckDetritusAndDross):
  • Aveyond (Video Games), Rise of the Triad (1994), Quasimorph (Video Game)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/DreckDetritusAndDross


  • CLAIMED PH #15 (Yoringle):
  • High Rollers DnD (Web Series), Warhammer 40.000: Rogue Trader (Video Game), Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous (Video Game)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/Yoringle


  • CLAIMED
    PH #26 (Miss_M):
  • Almost Famous (2000), Interview with the Vampire (TV 2022), Justified, Starred Up (2013)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/Miss_M


  • CLAIMED PH #47 (Senri):
  • Naruto (Anime & Manga), Gravity Falls, Shingeki no Kyojin | Attack on Titan, ダンジョン飯 | Dungeon Meshi | Delicious in Dungeon, Apothecia (Webcomic), LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS - Swarm (Cartoon), The Chronicles of Riddick Series, Sand Kings - George R. R. Martin
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/Senri
  • Murder Mystery Update: Your list of suspects!

    You sit in the parlor, crafting a festive Halloween flower crown, while you wait for Detective Pumpkin to review the files. After you finish, you offer the crown to Detective Pumpkin.

    The candle inside her gourdly head flickers with emotion. "The Spirit of Halloween wore these," Detective Pumpkin says, her professional demeanor briefly cracking. She puts the festive Halloween flower crown on her head, then continues. "Your speed and thoroughness are most appreciated. The murder weapon is The Mask of Masking."

    You feel the satisfaction of an investigation well-investigated.

    Detective Pumpkin hands you three dossiers. "One of these three guests at Trick or Treat Manor is the murder. Please investigate each guest, and report your findings."

    ****


    To investigate, create a work with the tag assigned to that guest. This can be your assignment or an extra treat for anyone whose requests lend themselves to the tag. To report your findings, post the work to the Trick or Treat 2024 collection.

    Once a guest's tag reaches 24 works, Detective Pumpkin will review the evidence and announce whether that item is a red herring or the real murderer.

    Some tags have a head start, with works already posted :)

    The possible murderers are:

    Velmarina the Vampire
    Tag: Vampires

    Mugwortius the Monster
    Tag: Monsters


    Catherine Catrina Catalina the Cat
    Tag: Cats


    See the community challenge introduction for more details.
    Entry tags:

    Pinch hits pinch hits pinch hits!

    The deadline has passed! Now there are pinch hits to claim, or Halloween will be ruined work reveals will be delayed!

    To claim, please comment on this post with your AO3 name and the number or name of the pinch hit you would like. Comments are screened. Pinch hits are first-come, first-serve, and if you're the first to claim, you'll receive the assignment to your email.

    You don't have to be signed up to Trick or Treat to claim a pinch hit.

    These are due October 28, 23:59 UTC.


    PH #1 (ConvenientAlias):
  • 거래 | The Deal (TV 2023), 대무가 | Daemuga (2020), 황제를 위하여 | For the Emperor (2014), Method (2017)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/ConvenientAlias

    PH #2 (DreckDetritusAndDross):
  • Aveyond (Video Games), Rise of the Triad (1994), Quasimorph (Video Game)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/DreckDetritusAndDross

    PH #15 (Yoringle):
  • High Rollers DnD (Web Series), Warhammer 40.000: Rogue Trader (Video Game), Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous (Video Game)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/Yoringle

    PH #26 (Miss_M):
  • Almost Famous (2000), Interview with the Vampire (TV 2022), Justified, Starred Up (2013)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/Miss_M


    already claimed )