The Witch Light Carnival is an annual festival that takes place in the town of Havenbrook. The carnival is held in celebration of the ancient tradition of witchcraft and is known for its vibrant colors and magical atmosphere. One of the highlights of the Witch Light Carnival is the grand procession, where participants dress up in elaborate costumes inspired by witches, wizards, and other mystical beings. The streets of Havenbrook come alive with a kaleidoscope of colors as the procession winds its way through the town. The carnival also features a wide array of performances, ranging from spellbinding magic shows to mesmerizing dance routines. Visitors can witness fire eaters, acrobats, and fortune tellers showcasing their talents on the various stages scattered throughout the carnival grounds.
Initial thoughts
I strongly recommend that if you are thinking of running this campaign, you come up with exciting moments for this chase too it s important, and it s the closest thing your players will have to an action scene for quite some time. The lack of combat is a blessing and a curse the removal of one of the core pillars of the game and the center of most of the rules and abilities for many classes means you may find your party very unbalanced during this section.
Visitors can witness fire eaters, acrobats, and fortune tellers showcasing their talents on the various stages scattered throughout the carnival grounds. For those interested in learning more about witchcraft, the Witch Light Carnival offers workshops and demonstrations led by experienced witches. Participants can explore the different aspects of magic and gain a deeper understanding of the ancient craft.
DMs Guild Review – Witchlight Carnival Expanded
In my Roll20 Review of The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, I was very impressed with the campaign’s opening chapter, calling it “one of the best level one areas that 5e has produced.” Witchlight Carnival Expanded is an unofficial, but very impressive, expansion to that specific chapter, expanding and adding new attractions, events, backgrounds, and rollable tables.
If the Witchlight Carnival from The Wild Beyond the Witchlight interested you, this expansion is going to give you more of what you love.
Many existing attractions, The Bubble-Pot Teapot, Carousel, Dragonfly Rides, Gondola Swans, and the half dozen small stalls, have been given some extra material to work with. Now player characters can engage in a video game-like flying ring course with their dragonflies, with several rounds, skill checks, and saves to win a prize, while the Gondola Swans have been transformed into a tunnel of love, where Gleam’s shadow can prey upon an unsuspecting victim.
The three new locations are a Fortune Teller, Thunderdome, and Topple Tower. The Thunderdome is a great attraction for those party members seeking a bit more thrill and excitement, pitting them into an interactive arena with waves of summoned creatures and lighting blasts. It’s still all in fun though – temporary hit points only!
Another optional combat encounter lies in the expanded Big Top timed event, with circus animals running loose in the tent, giving our party a chance to save the day, and an invitation to meet with Mister Witch and Mister Light following their heroism.
To further motivate players to ride attractions and play carnival games are an expanded d12 table of carnival prizes. Unlike the mundane trinkets in the book, these new prizes are consumable magic items, such as an upgraded set of butterfly wings that can cast Feather Fall, or a joke book that can cast Vicious Mockery. All of these prizes are one-use only, but players will love them.
Other new rollable tables include new carnival scenes, more Lost Things (Darkvision? Ouch!), and a detailed table for describing the shifting moods of the carnival.
Similar to the new carnival prizes are new Carnival Offerings: face paintings and tattoos. These magic items expertly mix form and function, including a lovely full color picture of the tattoo designs, with each bestowing a temporary magic ability that is sure to delight your low-level players. I would absolutely follow the designer’s advice and withhold their magical benefits until after everyone has chosen!
The expansion also includes helpful tips on how to fix the Witchlight Hand background from the campaign book. As the designer correctly points out, it’s a neat idea for a PC background that comes with potential headaches for the DM – such as the PC knowing everything in Chapter 1! The solution is to make them a new hire, and the supplement includes a helpful new hire handout with some — but not all, of the carnival info.
We also get an all-new background in the Party Crasher, a role I would admittedly be hesitant to add to my campaign. The designer puts forth a compelling background, however, including tips on incorporating them into the carnival, and stealing something from them to trigger the Lost Things hook once they’re inside.
On the one hand, I don’t think the Witchlight Carnival chapter was lacking, and even without this expanded content, it remains a fantastic and memorable opening chapter. Yet it’s impossible to not be impressed with the new, and redesigned content in Witchlight Carnival Expanded.
Though this is technically an expansion that requires the full campaign book to use, it feels like a complete product with full color maps, tokens, and handouts. It’s an easy recommendation for anyone running The Wild Beyond the Witchlight.
Pros:
- Over a dozen expanded and all-new locations for the Witchlight Carnival.
- New Party Crasher background features unique adventure hooks and integration into the campaign.
- Fixes Witchlight Hand background, including a helpful player handout.
- Expanded tables for prizes, scenes, lost things, and mood shifts.
- Fun new face painting and temporary tattoos, with magical benefits.
- Full color maps, tokens, and handouts.
Cons:
The Verdict: With new and expanded attractions, events, scenes, backgrounds, prizes, and more, Witchlight Carnival Expanded is the perfect expansion for one of the most memorable level 1 areas in a 5e campaign.
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A grandiose show of spectacular feats and magic, and the crowning of the Witchlight Monarch!
Food stalls are also abundant at the carnival, offering a wide variety of delicious treats. From enchanted cupcakes and bewitching chocolates to savory spellbound snacks, there is something to satisfy everyone's taste buds. As the sun sets and the night sky illuminates, the carnival transforms into a mesmerizing spectacle. The entire town is bathed in a soft, ethereal light, casting a spell of enchantment on all who attend. The streets are adorned with lanterns and fairy lights, creating a whimsical atmosphere that is truly magical. The Witch Light Carnival truly captures the essence of witchcraft and provides a platform for both practitioners and enthusiasts to come together and celebrate their shared passion. It is an event that brings the community of Havenbrook closer and showcases the beauty and mystique of witchcraft to the world..
Reviews for "Immerse Yourself in a Night of Witchcraft and Light at the Carnival"
1. Emily - 2/5 Stars
I was really disappointed with Witch Light Carnival. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, and the characters were one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself not caring about what happened to them. The writing style was also a bit off-putting. It felt forced and lacked the descriptive language that I usually enjoy in fantasy novels. Overall, I was not impressed and would not recommend this book.
2. Michael - 1/5 Stars
I had high hopes for Witch Light Carnival, but it fell flat for me. The story was confusing and the world-building was inadequate. I couldn't immerse myself in the magical world the author tried to create because there wasn't enough detail or explanation. The characters were also forgettable and their actions often didn't make sense. I found myself struggling to finish this book and was relieved when it was over. I cannot recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted fantasy novel.
3. Samantha - 2/5 Stars
Witch Light Carnival had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was off, with the beginning dragging on and then suddenly rushing through the climax. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it difficult to connect with the characters. There were also several plot holes and inconsistencies that I found frustrating. Overall, this book had potential but fell short in execution.
4. James - 2/5 Stars
I was left disappointed after reading Witch Light Carnival. The story lacked depth and the characters felt underdeveloped. I found it hard to muster any empathy or interest in their journey. Additionally, the writing style was simplistic and lacked nuance, making it difficult to engage with the story. I was hoping for an immersive and magical experience, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver.