pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
[personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
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!
pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
[personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
...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)!
pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
[personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
...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.
pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
[personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
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.
pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
[personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
...is a red herring. Good luck with your continued investigations of The Knife of Knifing and the Mask of Masking!

See the latest Community Challenge post here.
pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
[personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
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.
pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
[personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
Your deadline is six days away. That is Thursday, Oct 24, 23:59 UTC. There are no extensions; if your internet is spotty or if time zones are confusing, try to post early!

The first round of the murder mystery community challenge is underway, and the sleuths have made progress! See this post for details. Our current investigations stand at:

Candy: 19
Bedrooms: 13
Water: 19

Finally, there are delicious pinch hits available! 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

    CLAIMED

    CLAIMED PH #20 (Love_Lili):
  • Hazbin Hotel (Cartoon), Helluva Boss (Web Series), Onyx Equinox (Cartoon), Warriors - Erin Hunter, Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021), The Empyrean - Rebecca Yarros, The Owl House (Cartoon), Night In The Woods (Video Game), Original Work
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/Love_Lili


  • CLAIMED PH #21 (Jen425):
  • 仮面ライダーギーツ | Kamen Rider Geats, Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne | Phantom-Thief Jeanne, Sukeban Deka II: Legend of the Iron Mask Girl
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/Jen425


  • CLAIMED PH #22 (NervousAsexual):
  • The Stand - Stephen King, Thief (Video Game Original Series), Crossing Jordan, Twin Peaks (TV 1990)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/NervousAsexual


  • CLAIMED PH #23 (whoremoantreatments):
  • ヒプノシスマイク | Hypnosis Mic (Albums), Tales of Legendia, Subarashiki Kono Sekai | The World Ends With You (Video Games), Blue Period (Manga), Persona 3, Kuroko no Basuke | Kuroko's Basketball, Akatsuki no Yona | Yona of the Dawn, Haikyuu!!, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood & Manga
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2024/user/whoremoantreatments
  • pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
    [personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
    All of you arrive at Trick or Treat Manor with the case details in hand. (See this post to review the case details and the community challenge format.)

    Tendrils of fog tickle your ears as you cross the moat. The doors are already open, and the weeping banshee housekeeper escorts you inside.

    She doesn't weep because of the recent murder. She's just always like this.

    More weeping echoes through the hallowed Halloween halls, along with tasteful amounts of cackling. You arrive at the parlor, where Detective Pumpkin awaits in a purple armchair.

    Detective Pumpkin wears a sensible tweed pantsuit and bright green running shoes. Friendly light shines from her constant carved smile.

    "Thank you all for coming. The Spirit of Halloween means everything to Halloweenland, and we must solve their murder." Detective Pumpkin bows her round head in a moment of spooky reverence. "I've narrowed down three possible locations for the crime scene. Please investigate each location, and report your findings to the database."

    She passes out the details, then returns to her own investigations.

    ****

    To investigate, create a work with the tag assigned to that location. 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 location's tag reaches 31 works, Detective Pumpkin will review the evidence and announce whether that location is a red herring or the real crime scene.

    The possible crime scenes are:

    The Room of Dreams and Nightmares
    Tag: Bedrooms

    The Totally Friendly Tentacle Moat
    Tag: Water

    The Non-Poisonous Confectionery Kitchen
    Tag: Candy

    See the community challenge introduction for more details.
    pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
    [personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
    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!
    pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
    [personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
    Creators have been revealed! Thank you everyone for taking part in the 10th Annual Trick or Treat, whether you've been here since 2014 or you're brand new to the festitivies.

    Reminder: if you find your gifts via email instead of your gift page, make sure you haven't missed a second or third gift due to emails stacking. Also, we had a lot of post-reveals treats this round, so you may have gotten a new one over the past week.

    That's because the community has been diligently working on this year's Trick AND Treat Community Challenge—and has valiantly achieved the goal! With 250+ treats and 250+ tricks in the collection, you've earned this year's prize badge.



    Congratulations! You may do anything non-commercial that you wish with the badge—admire, ignore, display on your dreamwidth profile, etc. Thank you to phoxinus for the art.
    pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
    [personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
    One pinch hit needs a new pinch hitter! This is now due October 30, 23:59 UTC/7:59 EDT. This pinch hit must be filled for the collection to open.

    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.

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

    CLAIMED PH #22 (sanguinity):
  • Nightingale & Courtney - Katie Daysh, Captains Courageous - Rudyard Kipling, Hornblower - C. S. Forester, The Flight of the Heron - D. K. Broster, Kidnapped - R. L. Stevenson, Strange Empire (TV)
  • https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/trickortreatex2023/user/sanguinity


  • Treating Spreadsheet

    Thank you so much to FireBatVillain on EAD for setting up a treating spreadsheet! Here is the link to the spreadsheet.

    Here is an invite to EAD. (Exchange After Dark, an 18+ discord server for exchange discussion.) I'm not running the spreadsheet, so any questions should be sent there.

    Community Challenge

    We're getting close to the Treat portion of our community challenge, with 235 works tagged, but the Tricks have a ways to go with only 141. We need 250 of each to unveil this year's adorable badge.

    Community Challenge post
    pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
    [personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
    This year's Community Challenge is very simple! To unlock the 2023 Trick or Treat badge, you must fill the collection with 250 tricks and 250 treats.

    (Or more. More is good.)



    To be counted, works must be tagged with these canonical tags:
    Trick or Treat: Trick
    Trick or Treat: Treat

    Unlike last year, this isn't a race. Both goals must be achieved to complete the challenge.

    Happy trick and treating!
    pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
    [personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
    Thank you so much to all the fantastic pinch hitters out there! Work reveals will be tomorrow, October 31, at 16:59 UTC. Here is a countdown.

    And congratulations on completing the main community challenge, posting at least 100 works for Tricks, Treats, and Halloween! Here are all three hamsters in their party costumes.



    Finally, it's never too late to give extra gifts! The treating spreadsheet will be maintained through work reveals, and the collection will remain open indefinitely.
    pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
    [personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
    To help with the bonus Community Challenge — getting every participant an extra treat — shadowsapiens is maintaining a spreadsheet here:
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10zAsr9v0P7Am_iIrkYMOxoz4KMbJLGQ4MtUP_msGMHg/edit?usp=sharing

    If there are any issues with the sheet, you can contact her at votevanyel@gmail.com or on discord as shadow#9008.

    Main Community Challenge Post
    Requests App
    pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
    [personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
    Congratulations to Tricks and Treats for reaching the finish line! They're ready to party — check out their costumes below!




    Halloween is at 64 works currently — let's get them across the pumpkin patch for the costume party too!


    Thank you phoxinus for the costumed hamster badges :)

    Remember to check this post for the post-deadline pinch hits. And the treat sheet will be posted tomorrow.
    pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
    [personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
    Works are due tomorrow, on October 24, 23:59 UTC. Here is a countdown.

    The treating spread sheet will be up soon after :)


    As a reminder, you can help each hamster advance across the pumpkin patch by posting works with specific tags! When the number of works for each tag reaches certain milestones, the hamster will move to that space on the racetrack.

    These canonical tags will be counted:
    • "Trick or Treat: Trick" - currently at 62 works!
    • "Trick or Treat: Treat" - currently at 91 works!
    • "Halloween" - currently at 42 works!

    See the main Community Challenge post for more details!
    pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
    [personal profile] pumpkinkingmod


    As a reminder, you can help each hamster advance across the pumpkin patch by posting works with specific tags! When the number of works for each tag reaches certain milestones, the hamster will move to that space on the racetrack.

    These canonical tags will be counted:
    • "Trick or Treat: Trick" - currently at 37 works!
    • "Trick or Treat: Treat" - currently at 52 works!
    • "Halloween" - currently at 23 works!

    See the main Community Challenge post for more details!

    ALSO:
    • There are two pinch hits currently available here: https://trickortreatex.dreamwidth.org/56585.html
    • The deadline is one week from today, October 24, 23:59 UTC. There are no extensions this year.
    • There will be a treating spreadsheet up after the deadline
    pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
    [personal profile] pumpkinkingmod


    Help each hamster advance across the pumpkin patch by posting works with specific tags! When the number of works for each tag reaches certain milestones, the hamster will move to that space on the racetrack.

    These canonical tags will be counted:
    • Trick or Treat: Trick
    • Trick or Treat: Treat
    • Halloween

    Please note that community challenge gifts should still be gifts tailored to the recipients' requests. Since "Halloween" is more specific than the other two tags, it may help potential gifters if you note whether or not you're excited about Halloween-themed gifts in your signup.

    The finish line:
    When each hamster reaches the finish line, they will unlock a participation badge. These are cute images like last year's badges, which you can use however you wish -- display on a dreamwidth profile, briefly admire, totally ignore, etc.

    Bonus challenge:
    Last year, the community came very close but didn't quite reach the final goal of "treat everyone." If you manage to treat everyone (who hasn't opted out of extra gifts) this year, you'll unlock last year's final badge.

    Happy trick or treating!
    pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
    [personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
    The community has now treated 187 participants, reaching Tier 2 of the community challenge. Excellent work! Here's the second reward badge :)



    Thank you again to the anonymous artist phoxinus!

    Community Challenge Post | Treating Spreadsheet | Requests App
    pumpkinkingmod: (pic#8274963)
    [personal profile] pumpkinkingmod
    As of last count, the community has treated 94 participants, unlocking the first tier of the community challenge. Congratulations! Here is the first reward badge, for you to do with as you wish :)



    Many thanks to the anonymous artist phoxinus for custom-drawing these for us!

    Community Challenge Post | Treating Spreadsheet | Requests App

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