The Masquerade of Madness

The Summer Event That Shows Your True Self

Written by Noah_Oowada

Iomer, who is known for his love of the shiny and extraordinary, invites the public once a year to the 'Masquerade of Madness'; a summer festival, which is lovingly remembered in legends, and a popular event for all those seeking variety in their boring common lives. Since the Wilderness is the most welcoming, but also a lawless area, only few from the other countries dare to venture these grounds for more than a week. Everyone willing to take the risk attending the event is asked to explore these lands wearing a mask that represents their personality. Some may choose animals to describe them, other dare to portray celestials; others reach for legendary figures or artsy approaches, abstract and vague. The visitors' eyes are supposed to be visible, so that the soul is still free and can be read without obstacles.
Every visitor is given an envelope filled with golden snips, some with seemingly random words on them, others with numbers. Those who dare to talk to their masked friends and choose to create a story with said words will be granted a price by Iomer's choosing. The numbers will be thrown into a cauldron and, drawn by a magical hand, will be exchanged for a catalogue of prices that Iomer collected during his adventures. The Jester King is not known to be particularly benevolent, but to perceive so many new people in his vicinity grants him new stories to tell and new souls to be aware of.

If you choose to be part of the Masquerade, be ready to not only participate in the Jester King's contest but be fully and entirely aware that not everything is as it seems. While some enjoy a relaxing evening by the bonfire, having a stew and some roasted bread while being lost in deep conversation, some other may wander the Wilderness and only realize that they have been gone for hours on end due to the sun rising in the East. More than a few have gone into the darkness and only noticed their own demise when it was too late. Some guests never returned; others came home with riches beyond their imagination.

History

The first Masquerade of Madness was held just one year after Iomer had overthrown the dwarven king, dating back to about 163 years. Since then, this wonderful portrayal of chaos and comradery has drawn in thousands of people from all ethnicities, especially the mortals known as the Omni and distraught or overbored dwarfs and elves that weren't lucky enough to be blessed by their elders. Iomer is known to welcome everybody - and so do all the other outcasts of the Wilderness.

Execution

During the first two days of the festival, newcomers and returners alike are invited to food and drink in the village close to the colourful tent in which Iomer resides. Every visitor is asked to wear their masks day in and day out, only removing them for taking a bath or leaving the premises. Wanderers and outcasts offer their tents and caravans, their huts and houses to their guests, granting them at least somewhat of a good night's sleep, even though there are no rules when it comes to volume or alcohol intake at night.
After these two days, it's time to find your group and create the stories that Iomer is looking for. He and his allies are often seen wandering through the crowds, entertaining them and drawing them into conversations, dancing and singing, playing music and generally sharing their talents with the ones involved. He highly encourages them to join them in their fun and is sometimes lucky enough to draw in one or another visitor as a new friend.
Once enough stories have been created, Iomer invites the groups into his tent and asks them to present their stories as lively as possible. Groups who are able to create minor illusions are clearly seen as a preference in his book.
After he and his assistants chose the winner, the numbered golden snips are dropped into the cauldron with Iomer using his magic to draw them out of a blurring gooey substance. Up to ten numbers will be drawn, granting the winners riches, food, artworks or trinkets to take home.
After about a week, the ones participating in the festival are allowed to go, having made friends along the way.

Observance

The festival is held during the first week of the last month of summer.

In the middle of the Wilderness lie the villages and settlements of the abandoned, the castaways and the wanderers. To the Northwest, a colourful tent has been set up, filled to the brim with cozy blankets, pillows, and baskets with fruits and pastries and golden trinkets everywhere. Right in the back, shiny and wooden, stands the Jester King's throne.

Iomer, the Jester King

A darkelf jester, specialized in acrobatics and music who once killed a dwarven king during the Wilderness Uprising and declared himself King of the Wilderness afterwards. Even though some detest him for his ruthlessness and chaotic tendencies, he is known to reveal mistreatment and hypocrisy in the immortal realms and is genuinely interested in those that dare to speak up to him.