A fantastical tradition will return to Okotoks this autumn.
Enchanted Okotoks is returning for its third year, giving people the chance to partake in a fantasy game that spans across town.
According to Brendan Rose, Content Creator and Story Writer for Enchanted Okotoks, the event will take place from September 13 to 14 but in a slightly different location this year.
"This year, we are changing the zone a little bit. So, the Saturday, it's the same as it was last year, where we start at the Clocktower Plaza," Rose explains. "And then kind of expand out down Elizabeth Street and a little bit into Elma Street from there."
Then, on Sunday, they will be using Ethel Tucker Park Plaza as well, so they will be expanding down by the library, where they will have a larger space.
"And then, in that park there, we will also be having the wrap-up party at the end."
They’re aiming to include a big quest culminating in a party that brings everyone together for the story’s climax.
"Because of the location change, or the zone change, we're also changing the main storyline," Rose says.
There will be one main story on Saturday, which leads into the extended space on Sunday.
"And then we get a new story. The first day's story will become basically a side quest, so people only coming on the Sunday still get to do all of the stuff that was happening on the Saturday, but the story expands on the Sunday."
Rose adds that the storyline for Saturday is more prop-focused, while Sunday will be more interaction-focused.
In addition to Enchanted Okotoks happening that weekend, there is also a rubber ducky rac in Okotoks on Saturday, which Enchanted Okotoks has incorporated into the storyline.
"Just using what's happening around us in the story, which is kind of the whole idea of creating the real-life game," said one of the event organizers, Katie Fournell. "It's like, Oh No, you're actually adventurers in the world, so let's use what's happening in the real world."
Just like last year, the game is played through the Earth MMO app.
"They continue to add more features and refine the system, and we find ways to push it harder and that kind of thing," Rose explains. "Their goal is to go more Pokemon Go meets World of Warcraft, where it's just all year round. So, we are working on building up the Okotoks Adventuring Guild that will just be running all year, and then Enchanted Okotoks is just a special event that happens towards the end of the year."
As part of the game, Rose said the main storyline will be around five or six quests, estimated to take a couple of hours to play through.
On top of that, there are a good number of side quests for people to complete.
The Arverni Legion will also be onsite, which is an armoured combat sports team, and people will be able to have a sword fight with a knight.
There will also be a fantasy-themed artisan market.
On top of that, there will be several games, a craft station, and activities people can play on their phones.
"The phone is a very big part of the entire day, and the game itself is played with the phone, but if you show up and your phone's not connected, or you don't have a phone, there's still tons of activities. You can just follow somebody with a phone and they'll take you somewhere where there's an activity you can actually play," Fournell explains.
They are also adding a fishing and cartography aspect to the game.
The game is free to play, but they are looking at testing out some premium content this year, which would come at a cost.
People are encouraged to dress up if they are going to play, but because the game involves the fantasy world leeching into the real world, people will still fit in dressed in regular street clothes.
If anyone wants to participate in Enchanted Okotoks as a vendor or actor, head over to their website.