Fizwidget's Carnival Realm

Type: Magical Pocket Dimension Region: Extra-dimensional space (accessed via Belendar) Status: Exists outside normal reality, access portal disappeared Tags: #location/magical #location/dungeon #location/mysterious

Description

Magical pocket dimension created and controlled by Fizwidget Spindleflash, manifesting as a massive carnival realm with impossible physics and reality-warping properties. Main feature is enormous arena with tiered seating accommodating thousands of gnome spectators, surrounded by various challenge areas each with lethal stakes. Atmosphere shifts between whimsical carnival entertainment and deadly seriousness, reflecting Fizwidget's trickster nature and desire for theatrical chaos.

Geography

Physical Layout:

• Entry Room: Empty chamber with central table, door at far end, miniaturization effect (party shrunk to tiny size until drinking growth potion)
• Main Carnival Area: Open space with colourful tents, strange creatures wandering, carnival music playing
• Central Arena: Massive amphitheatre with thousands of seats arranged in tiers, straw-lined performance floor
• Challenge Zones: Distinct areas for each trial (strongman platform, coconut shy range, unstable bridges, mirror maze pavilion, duck pond, knife-throwing platform)

Environmental Properties:

• Time manipulation (Fizwidget can freeze time at will)
• Reality warping (size changes, transformations, instant teleportation)
• Physics defiance (chocolate rivers, unstable floating bridges, impossible mirror reflections)
• Personalized perception (doors appear different to each viewer)

Key Features

Challenge Areas:

• Strongman Bell - Hammer and bell mechanism for strength testing
• Coconut Shy - Three coconuts, four throwing attempts
• Unstable Bridges - Three sections of moving platforms over chocolate river
• Mirror Maze - Glass labyrinth requiring Intelligence to navigate
• Hook a Duck Pond - Participants transformed into ducks, gnomes with scythe-sized hooks
• Main Arena - Central performance space with thousands of gnome spectators
• Knife-Throwing Wheel - Spinning target wheel for accuracy trials

Access Points:

• Toadstool Portal (Session 27) - Wooden door in giant toadstool trunk, grown from magical bean in Belendar garden, disappeared after use
• Unknown Other Entrances - Fizwidget can create portals anywhere (demonstrated clicking fingers for teleportation)

Population

Permanent Residents:

• Thousands of gnomes (Fizwidget's "family")
• Strange creatures of unknown types
• All appear to be manifestations or illusions controlled by Fizwidget

Characteristics:

• Gnomes serve as audience, judges, and participants
• All responsive to Fizwidget's commands
• Capable of independent action (booing, voting, cheering)
• Unknown if actual beings or magical constructs

Leadership

• Absolute Ruler: Fizwidget Spindleflash (creator and controller)
• Authority: Complete control over realm's reality, time, and inhabitants

History

Known History:

• Created by Fizwidget Spindleflash (timeline unknown)
• Used for "games" and challenges with mortals
• Connected to gnome revenge plots (Barry's eye injury)

Session 27 Events:

• First known access by Riders of the Storm
• Party entered via toadstool portal from Belendar
• Underwent multiple challenges with permanent stakes
• Successfully entertained gnome audience (706/1000 votes)
• Received four permanent magical items as rewards
• Entire experience revealed as alternate reality, mostly reversed

Current Situation

Status: Portal access disappeared after Session 27, realm's current accessibility unknown

Threats:

• Fizwidget can recreate access at will
• Challenges have permanent consequences (death, dismemberment, loss of loved ones)
• Reality manipulation makes escape difficult
• Time control prevents normal resistance

Opportunities:

• Source of powerful magical items
• Fizwidget honours deals if terms met
• Performance success can earn rewards

Connections

Access Points:

• Belendar garden (toadstool portal - Session 27, now disappeared)
• Unknown other locations (Fizwidget creates portals at will)

Part of:

• Extra-dimensional space (not part of normal geography)
• Possibly Feywild-adjacent or separate pocket realm

Inhabitants

Major NPCs:

• Fizwidget Spindleflash - Creator, ruler, game master

Factions:

• Gnome family (thousands strong, loyal to Fizwidget)
• Unknown if connected to Barry's gnome army

Related Quests

• Quests - Mysteries#Fizwidget Spindleflash's True Nature - Understanding true nature of realm and creator
• Quests - On Hold#Deal with the Gnome Army - Possible connection through Barry

Appearances

• Session 27 - 26 July 2025 - First appearance. Riders of the Storm entered via toadstool portal from Belendar garden. Underwent size change in entry room (miniaturization then growth potion). Explored carnival area with strange creatures. Faced six challenges: strongman bell (Elik'r Stormswallow - success), coconut shy (Elvva Beltavar - failure, lost spells temporarily), unstable bridges (Ser Tessell Highfrost - success), mirror maze (ToooAh - failure, lost wings temporarily), hook a duck (Lady Odonia of Galantri - failure, River taken temporarily), life/death coin flip (party - failure, Ser Silvar killed in vision temporarily). Main arena performance with all party members earned 706/1000 gnome votes, saving Ser Silvar. Final knife-throwing challenge between Tessell and Elik'r completed with Natural 20 finale. Fizwidget reversed entire reality except gave four permanent magical items (iron circlet, magical rope, Founder's Wand, hide armour). Portal disappeared upon return to normal reality.

Challenge Mechanics (Session 27)

Stakes System:

• Each participant holds "token" representing life/safety
• Failure results in permanent loss (body parts, loved ones, abilities, death)
• Success preserves token
• Fizwidget shows illusions of potential losses before each challenge

Observed Challenges:

1. Strongman (Strength-based) - Ring bell with hammer
2. Coconut Shy (Accuracy-based) - Knock coconuts with thrown balls
3. Unstable Bridges (Acrobatics-based) - Cross moving platforms
4. Mirror Maze (Intelligence-based) - Navigate glass labyrinth
5. Hook a Duck (Athletics-based) - Swim as duck avoiding hooks
6. Arena Performance (Group skill checks) - Entertain gnome audience
7. Knife Throwing (Accuracy + chance) - Hit targets on spinning wheel

Victory Conditions:

• Individual: Succeed at challenge to keep token
• Group: Earn majority vote from gnome audience (706/1000 minimum)
• Fizwidget honours deals but chooses interpretations

Notes

• Reality Status: Unclear if realm genuinely exists or is pure illusion
• Time Dilation: Time inside may not match outside world
• Personalization: Each visitor perceives realm differently (door appearances, challenges)
• Fey Connection: Strong indicators of Feywild origin or influence
• Repeatability: Unknown if Fizwidget can/will recreate access for party
• Permanent Effects: Despite reality reversal, four magical items remained real
• Fizwidget's Knowledge: Claimed to "know who you are" regarding Elik'r - suggests deeper awareness of party's significance
• Arena Capacity: Thousands of gnomes (exact number unclear, described as "1000 gnomes" for voting)
• Music: Carnival atmosphere with music playing throughout
• Threat Level: Extremely dangerous - challenges had genuine death stakes despite theatrical presentation