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Sometimes, this results in outdated or difficult fandom sorting choices.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.)

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!

...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.

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.

...is the murder weapon! Detective Pumpkin will meet with you tomorrow or Saturday to reveal the list of suspects.

In the meantime, you have 13 minutes until the deadline :) no pressure :)

Last day before the works deadline! 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!

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

Speaking of treating, here's the latest update on our community challenge...

--------------

You sit in the parlor, eating festive Halloween bonbons, while you wait for Detective Pumpkin to review the files.

Detective Pumpkin's round orange head bobs thoughtfully as she reads. "Excellent work," she says. "Your investigation has been most thorough, and I can make a deduction. The scene of the crime is The Room of Dreams and Nightmares."

Thank goodness it isn't The Non-Poisonous Confectionery Kitchen. These festive Halloween bonbons might have been suspect if so.

She hands you a new file. "One of these three items is the murder weapon. Please investigate each item, and report your findings."

****

To investigate, create a work with the tag assigned to that item. 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 an item's tag reaches 10 works, Detective Pumpkin will review the evidence and announce whether that item is a red herring or the real murder weapon.

The possible murder weapons are:

The Mirror of Mirroring
Tag: Mirrors

The Knife of Knifing
Tag: Knives

The Mask of Masking
Tag: Masks

See the community challenge introduction for more details.

Please claim them. Or else! :)

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 #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 #6 (lovelit):

蒼穹のファフナー | Fafner, Bye Bye Earth - Fandom, 原神 | Genshin Impact (Video Game)

https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/lovelit

PH #7 (rimenorreason):

Given (Manga), FOG[电竞] - 漫漫何其多 | FOG[Diàn Jìng] - Màn Màn Hé Qí Duō, 全职高手 - 蝴蝶蓝 | Quánzhí Gāoshǒu - Húdié Lán, 내가 키운 S급들 - 근서 | S-Classes that I Raised - Geunseo

https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/rimenorreason

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

( Already claimed )

Assignments are out! You should receive your assignment emailed to 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 28. (Or just work from the signup details.)

Assignments are due October 24, 23:59 UTC. Please note that there will be no extensions. If you tend to rely on extensions, you may want to plan to post a few days early.

Initial Pinch Hits

There are 15 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 #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 #4 (fawatson):

Alexander Trilogy - Mary Renault, Frontier Wolf - Rosemary Sutcliff, The Last of the Wine - Mary Renault, The Mask of Apollo - Mary Renault, The Sandbaggers

https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/fawatson

PH #6 (lovelit):

蒼穹のファフナー | Fafner, Bye Bye Earth - Fandom, 原神 | Genshin Impact (Video Game)

https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/lovelit

PH #7 (rimenorreason):

Given (Manga), FOG[电竞] - 漫漫何其多 | FOG[Diàn Jìng] - Màn Màn Hé Qí Duō, 全职高手 - 蝴蝶蓝 | Quánzhí Gāoshǒu - Húdié Lán, 내가 키운 S급들 - 근서 | S-Classes that I Raised - Geunseo

https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/rimenorreason

PH #10 (Stellarete):

Pentiment (Video Game), Fandom For Robots - Vina Jie-Min Prasad, We Know the Devil (Visual Novel), Pimento! (2021)

https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/Stellarete

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

( Already claimed! )

One more day to sign up for Trick or Treat! Signups will close September 18 at 7:59 PM EDT/23:59 UTC.

After that, I'll contact any unmatchable creators about adjusting offers or dropping out. Assignments will go out a few days later, or sooner depending on how quickly everyone gets back to me.

Community Challenge: Murder Mystery

I have good news and bad news, direct from Trick or Treat Manor. Several notable inhabitants of Halloweenland were gathered for a pre-Trick or Treat dinner party, only to discover they've been treated to the most dastardly trick of all.

Bad news: The Spirit of Halloween has been murdered.

Good news: Detective Pumpkin is on the case, and if she solves the mystery, she can complete the resurrection ritual to revive our lost Spirit of Halloween.

But she can't do it alone.

This case is of dire importance. Without the Spirit of Halloween, October 31 will merely be the last day of October. Dressing up will bring no joy, and candy will taste like ash in our mouths.

To save Halloweenland — and everywhere else that celebrates this most spooky holiday — Detective Pumpkin needs your help.

Solving the case requires three pieces of information:
- The location of the crime scene
- The murder weapon
- The identity of the murderer

Detective Pumpkin will do the preliminary investigation, leaving you with a set of three leads to investigate further. The clues will be found in order -- you will need to find the crime scene before unlocking leads about the murder weapon, and you will need to find the murder weapon before unlocking leads about the murderer.

You will investigate by creating works for the 2024 Trick or Treat collection, tagged with the correct tag for the lead you're investigating. Once you (collectively) post a certain number works for a lead, Detective Pumpkin will review your investigation and report whether it's a real Clue or a Red Herring. Once you find the real clue, the next set of leads will unlock.

-----------------------

EXAMPLE YULETIDE INVESTIGATION:
*this is a fictional example. To my knowledge, the Spirit of Yuletide has not been murdered.

Detective Snowflake has narrowed down the crime scene to three possible locations in Dancing Hippo Tower.

The Snowy Forest
- Post 20 works tagged "Forest" to investigate

The Cozy Kitchen
- Post 20 works tagged "Cooking" to investigate

The Yule Mods' Secret Ritual Cavern
- Post 20 works tagged "Darkness" to investigate.

Participants reach 20 works tagged Darkness first. Detective Snowflake reviews the evidence and determines The Yule Mods' Secret Ritual Cavern is a Red Herring, so the investigation continues.

Participants next reach 20 works tagged "Forest," and Detective Snowflake reports that's the correct Clue. The crime scene has been found, so participants don't have to finish the third crime scene lead.

Detective Snowflake then reveals the next set of leads, to figure out the murder weapon, and the case continues along the same pattern.

-----------------------

Detective Pumpkin will have the first set of leads ready on October 1. In the meantime, please ask any questions on this post, so we can clarify any procedural confusion in advance!

While I tidy up this year's tag set, I have a few queries for the nominators of the specific fandoms named below. Please reply to this post by Wednesday, Sept 11, 11:59 AM EDT, or I'll choose how to handle them without input.

(note, that's AM, meaning noon EDT. Signups are scheduled to open at 7:59 PM EDT.)

Addams Family - All Media Types
There's already a separate nomination for The Addams Family (Movies - Sonnenfeld). Can you choose a specific version of the Addams Family? SOLVED

Chronicles of Narnia - All Media Types
There's already a separate nomination for the books. Can you choose a specific version of Narnia? SOLVED

Dangan Ronpa Series
New Dangan Ronpa V3: Everyone's New Semester of Killing
Dangan Ronpa should be nominated under Danganronpa: Hope's Peak Arc or Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony. Which of those two tags do you want us to change your nominations to? SOLVED

Tron - All Media Types
We have a separate nomination for Tron: Uprising. Can you choose a specific version of Tron? SOLVED