Caraval is a game hosted by the famous magician known only as Legend. It is held once a year.
Description[]
Caraval is a game where the players must find clues that will help them figure out where the game's prize is kept. Participants can never really be sure whom to trust, or whether anything that happens is real or an illusion. Some people have even gone mad or died while playing the game. People can attend Caraval as spectators as well, and enjoy the delights and magic without playing the dangerous game.
The first rule to remember is that Caraval is only a game. The second rule is that Caraval is played at night. Anyone wanting to participate in the game must arrive at the entrance to the game before midnight. Each edition of Caraval lasts four or five nights. The third rule is that at the beginning of the game everyone is given the same clue to start them on a journey, which will lead them toward other clues and eventually to the prize.
Legend never holds Caraval in the same place twice. He held it on the Conquered Isle of Trisda fifty years ago. Legend's power is at its peak during Caraval because of the hopes and dreams of the people attending. Magic is fueled by time, blood, and emotions, so any strong emotions from participants during the game make Legend more powerful.
Plot[]
Caraval[]
Legend holds the edition of the game in which Scarlett Dragna plays on his personal island, Isla de los Sueños. In that game, players must arrive at the main gates at midnight on the thirteenth day of the Growing Season during the 57th year of the Elantine Dynasty. Scarlett ends up needing to find five clues to win the prize, a wish from Legend.
Scarlett's first clue says, “This girl was last seen with Legend. If you catch her, you shall catch him as well. Of course, you may have to venture through Hell. But if you succeed you may find yourself rich. This year’s winner will be granted one wish. This is your first clue on the road to find her. The others will not be so easy to retrieve. Some will make you question your sanity and all that you believe. Clue number two you’ll discover in the rubble of her departure. Number three you must earn. Number four will cost you something valuable. And number five requires a leap of faith. Most of you will fail, but one will surely succeed. You have five nights to find the four remaining clues and then the girl, and Legend’s wish will be yours.”[1]
The second clue, which is discovered in Tella's ransacked room in La Serpiente de Cristal, is the picture card of Castillo Maldito.
Legendary[]
Legend breaks his rule of only holding one round of the game per year when he holds a special round for Empress Elantine's seventy-fifth birthday celebration. Legend holds the edition of the game in which Donatella Dragna plays in the capital city of the Meridian Empire, Valenda. This round of the game requires players to find the dark object that can destroy the Fates in order to win the prize. The game will end at dawn on Elantine's Day.
During this game, the stars will form one constellation each night that will guide the players toward the district of Valenda where the next set of clues is hidden. The first clue is a falling star. It reads: "The other clues you'll need are hidden throughout the city; to possess the second one, venture somewhere pretty. This region of Valenda was once so tragic, but now it promises faith and magic."[2] This is describing the Temple District. Tella's second clue says, "The goal of this game is not what you think. To find the truth seek the woman of parchment and ink. She alone holds the next clue, which was left only for you." Tella knows this describes Aiko. From Aiko she learns that the object Legend seeks in order to destroy the Fates is her mother's Deck of Destiny. On the third night of the game, the constellations cover every district in shimmering bursts of celestial blue. Tella's third clue, which she finds on the "Wanted" poster of her mother, says, "If you've found this you're on the true track, but it's still not too late to turn back. Clues can no longer tell you where to head; to find the object Legend needs, your heart must lead instead."[3]
Trivia[]
- The symbol of Caraval is a crest of a sun with a star inside of it with a teardrop inside the star, all on a silver background.
- The performers don't age, as long as they remain a part of Caraval.
- There is always a hint of the performers' truths within the characters they play.