As October comes to a close, the world of spirits and the world of the living draw ever closer, or so it’s said. In the darkening of the nights ahead, you can almost believe it.

With their usual flair, the Academy has arranged several different types of entertainment for students, staff and visitors alike, running for several days up to the end of October. The month will then be sent off with a bang on Halloween itself, with a ball whose themes and effects are provided by none other than Daybreak’s new student council.


A. HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES (SOLEIL TOWN SQUARE)
Soleil’s main square has been temporarily commandeered for the use of a festive Halloween fairground, transforming the sunny, cheerful town into something more gothic and autumnal. Traditional fairground games with all manner of prizes are available, with everything from bobbing for apples to shooting Halloween-themed targets in stalls on display. And should you pass through on Halloween itself, you’ll find all manner of costumed trick-or-treaters happy to play pranks or beg for candy - some of them more human than others.

Or, perhaps, you’re one of those very trick-or-treaters. Whether you’re going to the ball or content to do all your socializing here, there’s plenty of room for more costumed party goers to ask for treats or deliver tricks to teachers and students alike.


B. TEST OF COURAGE (SOLEIL AMUSEMENT PARK)
If you’re looking for something that wears more on the nerves, however, Soleil’s amusement park has thrown its doors open and invited the Halloween spirit in. Of particular note is Daybreak’s infamous haunted house challenge, designed and staffed by the Academy’s mercurial faculty. An array of escape rooms, devious traps and seemingly inescapable mazes with scares lurking around every corner, depending on the routes you take, await those brave enough to enter; being a little more restricted doesn’t seem to have lessened their creativity this year.


C. DANCE MACABRE
This year’s Halloween ball is set in the forest within an intertwined ring of trees, each one’s trunk decorated with a frightful face. Their branches interlock to form a windproof wall and weather-resistant roof. The main entrance is easy to spot - it’s the biggest tree of all, and those who step into its frightening facial expression will find that the tree is hollow and allows them access to the party within.

Once inside, party goers will be greeted with laden tables and a floor perpetually in fog. Not to fear, though - those who want to dance will have an elevated, separate stage to show off their footwork. There’s plenty of room to mingle and compliment each other’s costumes, too.

Those who want to escape the rigors of social interaction will find that the specially-made foliage conceals several hidey-holes, away from the main floor. Use them to scare other party goers, have private conversations, and more - it’s up to you.


D. PARTY FOOD
The banquet tables smell divine - while looking utterly revolting, in colors that fruits and vegetables should not be, and disturbingly realistic looking eyeballs and fingers decorating the tops of hors d'oeuvres and desserts, all of them radiating illusion magic for those able to pick it up. Thankfully, each tray had a nice clean label describing what the dish actually is, along with a list of ingredients - an allergic shock might be scary, but it’s not in the spirit of the holiday.
And speaking of spirits, as with previous dances, there is a manned bar with specialty spooky mixes on display, and for those too young or don’t wish to partake, there is hot mulled non-alcoholic cider, punch, and coffee.


E. COSTUME PARTY
What good would a Halloween celebration be without costumes? With the secondhand marketplace and your own ingenuity, the sky's the limit when it comes to dressing up splendidly for the occasion.

What’s more, the student council has arranged two contests - one for mundane costumes, and one for magical ones. Participants are encouraged to display the full effects of their costumes and win over the judges’ hearts with Halloween flair and fervor!

(For official judging, submit your characters' costumes here!)


F. BONFIRES
As the night winds down, the trees suddenly merge together into a giant wicker man that abruptly bursts into flame, laughing maniacally. It then explodes, launching several smaller bonfires across the area and crumbling into a large one that serves as an easy beacon for any lost souls who can’t find their way back without help.

For those who want more privacy or smaller groups to tell scary stories or socialize, they’re free to locate one of the smaller bonfires - or just take the opportunity to wander off into the forest itself. It is, after all, Halloween - who knows who or what you might meet?