Hallow

[center] When you entered the Masque from the Abiding Boneyard, you were struck by the bustling activity of a cheerful gathering. The enormous cavern has been decorated from top to bottom, with multicolored torches and jars of tiny fireflies illuminating the sloping paths to smaller openings along the walls. Bones, bells, and other trinkets add a soft jingling to the lively atmosphere. Hatchlings gleefully flutter from place to place, greeting the dragons offering all manner of gifts and goodies. High above you, thick woven netting lets the dying sunlight filter in, illuminating all but the darkest corners of the room. The aroma of seasonal sweets and spices fills the air with a sense of warmth, and it's hard to focus on a single doorstep to visit first. .

Across the room, your eye catches a strangely sophisticated entrance among the carved-out holes and ramshackle structures. Its round frame is supported by dark wooden borders, making a stark contrast against the pale earth. At the very top, a larger plank bears the name [font=Garamond][i][size=4]Ganache Theater[/size][/i][/font] carved in elegant, swooping letters. The room turns out to be a large amphitheater, with stairs and slopes leading past rows of seating down to the center stage. A smaller skylight casts the faded light onto a brightly-dressed Coatl, busily rummaging through a mass of trunks and boxes. As you descend into the pit, it becomes clear what he's sorting through; the floor is covered in a messy heap of clothes, costumes, and props. [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/26814707][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/268148/26814707_350.png[/img][/url] His crest feathers twitch as he hears you approach, and he turns towards you with a showman's smile. [i]"Ah! Welcome to the Ganache Theater, dear! I've got so many odds and ends to share. Hmm..."[/i] He carefully picks out a small assortment of clothes and accessories from the pile, then offers them to you with pride. [i]"I think these might suit you!"[/i]

Just a few feet from the main entrance, you notice a section of hollowed-out wall that seems slightly different from the rest. Each chamber is carved more methodically, made more uniform to match one another. According to the stone-carved boulder by the biggest opening, the [font=Garamond][i][size=4]Cairnstone Inn[/size][/i][/font] seems to be temporary lodging for visiting dragons. When you enter the room by the stone sign, it's clearly a reception area; flickering lanterns cast a warm glow on the tidy room, illuminating what appeared to be a stone desk, and lighting up a secondary chamber behind it. You barely have time to look around before you're greeted by the excited shriek of a baby Snapper. [i]"Mama! Mama! Someone's here!"[/i] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/47951247][img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/479513/47951247.png[/img][/url] She hops on top of the desk as an elegant Pearlcatcher leisurely walks in from the second chamber, her pearl tucked neatly into the folds of her silk scarf. You notice her front claws are occupied by a small bag of clothes, which she holds out towards you with a warm smile. [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/41373231][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/413733/41373231_350.png[/img][/url] [i]"Thank you, dear - please, take these. I'm sorry if she startled you, she's been looking forward to this all year."[/i] .

Somewhere among the chatter, you can faintly make out the sounds of roars and chirping by voices that definitely didn't belong to a dragon. You track the sound to its source; the entrance is plastered with a variety of signs reading CAUTION and BEWARE, with primitive scribblings of monsters with sharp claws and pointed teeth. You could assume they're just decorations, but the sounds coming from inside say otherwise. Once you enter, however, it's far more cheerful than you expected. The cavern is large and well-lit by a series of lanterns, hanging from chains on the walls and ceiling. You find yourself surrounded by a maze of pens and cages; some are empty, but many are occupied by a menagerie of wild beasts, big and small. Despite the cacophony of background noise, everyone seems to be quite peaceful. Not everyone is caged up, too; some of the friendlier-looking animals are simply held in line by sturdy chains, and there are even a few Beastclans roaming free, playing games or watching you from afar. Before you can say hi to anyone, something greets you first. [i]"Lo, there!"[/i] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/48304412][img]https://i.imgur.com/dApE6hJ.png[/img][/url] Striding towards you is a...dragon? You assumed him to be a Tundra at first glance, but as he gets closer, you notice a few differences. Perhaps it's the sharper teeth and claws, or maybe it was thicker mane, or it could be the large, live snake growing out where his tail should be. The beast pauses a few feet in front of you, trying not to seem intimidating as he clasps his paws together with a toothy grin. Sitting on his shoulder, a Raptorik eyes you with scrutiny as the Tundra's(?) tail sniffs aimlessly with its forked tongue. [i]"Ah, welcome, welcome! My name is Cicero, and my friends here are looking for a new home. Well, then...see anyone you like?"[/i] Before you leave his chamber, you've brought some new companions along! .

In a dark corner of the chamber, you spot an odd cavern entrance sequestered away, seemingly unnoticed by the larger crowd. The wooden frame supporting it is old, the scaffolding clearly having been repaired time and time again, yet still it holds. Enormous rib-bones are embedded in the walls like the teeth of a colossal beast, from which various trinkets, ribbons, and tinkling bells dangle lazily, enticing the eyes and ears of passers-by. Hanging from old, black chains, an elegantly-carved sign at the top reads [font=Garamond][i][size=4]Beyond The Grave[/size][/i][/font]. A short trek through the tunnel leads you to a smaller chamber, illuminated with flickering candlelight reflected off of a variety of shiny surfaces. Your eyes scan the tables & shelves surrounding you, stuffed with a variety of oddities and artifacts. Glass balls, animal bones, ancient scrolls, reams of cloth, delicate metal charms...and over there, some strange wooden trinkets, and an ornate box, and a flute of some kind, and- "Well, then...aren't you cute?" [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/37021285][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/370213/37021285_350.png[/img][/url] To the left, an ornately-dressed Skydancer leans on their register counter and sighs. Their face is hidden by a skeletal mask, but you get the distinct impression of rolling eyes and a bored expression as they turn their head towards you. [i]"Isn't it a holiday or something? Well, normally I'd tell you to buy something or get out...BUT, seeing as you're the first customer I've had all night, there isn't much point. Take a look around, don't worry about it. I could afford to offload some junk."[/i] .

[center] Among the parade of trick-or-treaters, a lumbering shape makes its way through the celebrations. Dragging a rusted cleaver, he trudges along behind an exuberant young Snapper that seems to share his strange, bone-like markings. While she bounces from lair to lair with joy, the older Snapper simply follows along at a slow pace, often at a distance behind. Soon enough, your doorstep is her next stop. [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/62667720][img]https://i.imgur.com/RgqvZwA.png[/img][/url][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/62667724][img]https://i.imgur.com/ZFuF2SI.png[/img][/url] Eyes sparkling with excitement, the smaller Snapper beams at you and drops a small bag on the ground, while the larger seems to stare at your interaction in silence. Tail wagging furiously, the hatchling calls: [i]"Trick or teeeeth!"[/i][rule] [img]https://i.imgur.com/lAH9HaN.png[/img] [size=4][b][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/3165526/9#post_52277316][color=maroon]POST[/color][/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/34021621][color=maroon]WISHLIST[/color][/url][/b][/size] .

[center] The young Snapper's eyes shine while admiring her goodies, and excitedly stuffs the spoils into her bag. She picks it up in her mouth and scampers off, but not before shouting a muffled farewell. [i]"F'ank 'ouuu!"[/i] The masked Snapper nods politely in your direction before following suit, disappearing into the night. .

[rule] [img]https://i.imgur.com/lAH9HaN.png[/img] [size=4][b][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/3165526/9#post_52277316][color=maroon]POST[/color][/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/34021621][color=maroon]WISHLIST[/color][/url][/b][/size] .