Book of Shadows - Report

Book of Shadows by Mathea Hoy

The final week of the summer 2014 season featured the mystery known as "The Book of Shadows." Eleven detectives traveled to the village of Knockainey in Ireland, to track and trail a mysterious mage known as Mr. Blackthorn.

Trouble plagued the group in the form of bramble traps and false bounty. The detectives lost their Starbowl, their pouch of jewels and four IDs before the week was done, but they managed to overcome all obstacles in their path. Even the Shadow Creatures were no match for our team.

With courage running high, the detectives kept up as Blackthorn moved from one ancient barrow to another, gathering the Book of Shadows and the key that would unlock the portal leading into the Shadow Realms.

Fran Townsend as a squirrel

We were blessed this week with more help that allowed for advanced games. Fran Townsend brought her considerable skills as an arts educator and school teacher, taking on characters like the Shadow Creature and Donn Firinne. She played the Shadow Eye that guarded the artifacts in Blackthorn's tiny briefcase, allowing us to play one of our favorite sneaking games in the halls of Searles Science building.

Mary Melquist as Aine Cli

Mary Melquist also joined us this week, as the Irish sun goddess Aine Cli. She came in glorious regalia, testing the detectives' courage, compassion, wisdom and respect. Aine Cli gave the detectives their Sun Spark Stones, which may be seen in an album on the Dragon's Eye Facebook page.

After a journey into the halls of Donne Firinne, the detectives faced their final magical battle in the shadow realms of the Book of Shadows. Their wonderful Books of Shadows may be seen on the Dragon's Eye Facebook page, along with other albums showing the week's adventure.

Very special thanks go to Fran Townsend and Mary Melquist. Fran's help was invaluable this week and her stamina impressive! The albums are full of her wonderful photos. Mary's performance was full of color and warmth, so fitting for a sun goddess.

Mr. Blackthorn and three shapeshifted detectives,
a moonmage, a blackjack and a Americian saddle horse.

Thank you also to all of the amazing detectives who journeyed with me this week! It was a week of extraordinary courage and heightened imagination.

Take a look at the shadowpuppet album -- each detective chose their magical path as a mage, complete with their favorite transformation. We have chaos, order and balance mages among us who shapeshift into a Shadow Dragon, a Rabbit, a Blue Fire Lion, a Moonmage, a skeletal T-rex, a Phoenix, a Chameleon, a Barn Owl, an American Saddle Horse, a Blackjack and the very rare Mermage.