Joker Lanterns Hold and Win Plot

Lanterns for the Jester

Don’t go meandering around the cemetery. You might end up like Thomas, who now regrets going for a walk completely…

A Jester’s Harsh Daily Grind

Thomas the jester had spent many years performing in a wandering circus. He made people laugh, sharing the arena with clowns, animals, acrobats, and all the other lively folk that good townspeople came to watch for amusement. The years went by, yet Thomas kept performing on stage, dreaming of the day he could end this endless comedy and finally retire.

But the merry fool couldn’t leave the circus, for without it he’d have no way of making a living. He dreamed of an inheritance from some wealthy relative who might decide to take care of him before departing this world. But alas, Thomas’s kin were either long dead or far too distant to spare a thought for the poor jester’s fate.

A Quiet Place

On the eve of Halloween, Thomas, who had devoted his whole life to circus wandered through yet another town the troupe had visited. He didn’t even notice how his feet carried him to the cemetery. Only at its gate did Thomas realize, that he had almost walked into the kingdom of the dead. The jester smirked and decided to take a walk among the crosses and graves. Why not? It was a quiet place, the residents were peaceful, and no one would disturb his thoughts about life.

As he walked through the cemetery, Thomas heard voices and wailing, something that sounded like ritual chanting. He crept forward, hiding behind the tombstones, and the suspicious sounds grew closer.

Black Magic at Work

Soon the jester saw a group of occultists gathered around a gravestone. It looked like they were trying to summon spirits or perhaps offering gifts – who knows! Thomas leaned toward the latter version, noticing fruits, berries, and gold glinting in the dim moonlight, near the improvised altar.

After finishing their dark business, the occultists left, abandoning the offerings to whomever they were meant for. Thomas watched them go, pressed against a tombstone, and waited a little longer before stepping out of his hiding place. The fruits and berries didn’t interest him much, but the gold jewellery – that was a different story entirely.

Resurrection of the Dead

The random visitor of the cemetery inspected the altar. Glancing around, he had laid his hands on a golden bell, and the show began…

The cemetery grounds trembled, terrifying ghosts shot out of the graves, enveloping the terrified Thomas in an icy chill. Tombstone crosses swayed wildly, and skeletal hands crawled from the earth, reaching for living flesh! The jester bolted toward the exit, stumbling over headstones. However, poor Thomas took a wrong turn and soon realized he was lost.

Deader Than Dead

Meanwhile, the cemetery’s inhabitants caught up with him, grabbing his legs. Thomas fell and instantly felt the bony, dead fingers sink into his body. The dead pulled their prey in different directions and tore him apart.

Thomas’s still-warm flesh was dragged underground. A couple of hands even fought over the juiciest piece. The jester’s spirit remained in the cemetery, now wandering among the other ghosts. In some odd way, he became connected to a Halloween pumpkin, which lures him like sweet jam lures a fly. And strangely, Thomas’s spirit fell in love with fruit, the same way that he used to love gold!

Gold Bearing Jester

You can summon him with an offering of berries and various fruits. In addition to these gifts, you will also need a special jester’s pumpkin lantern, like the ones that are left all over the place for Halloween. If you manage to summon the spirit of old Thomas, he will reward you with gold for your generous offerings: a bell and other trinkets worth a small fortune.