The Chest of Many Playthings
Conspectus
At birth, people begin to place value into the things they can hold. Even the rise of mankind meant that we would learn to value the tools we wield for creation and war. However, it is as children that we weigh our desires and investments heaviest into the make-believe moments between. No matter the age, it is the toys that we remember the fondest.
Illustration
A PLACEHOLDER?! SURELY THIS COULD WORK?
Knowledge
Traits: The Chest of Many Playthings is rather small for the depth that it possesses. It is a finely crafted box of wooden sides and metal bindings with a "W" artfully burned into the bottom. When we found it, it was accompanied by a few other mentionable accessories.
The first is the lock and key. Being comprised of iron, it can only safely be handled by non-Fae beings. It isn't believed that this was a purposeful choice, given the kindness and acceptance of the maker for which the make is known. However, it is curious that it came with a lock at all, given those same aforementioned characteristics.
The second is a letter. It reads:
Joy to the world, and may happy be many!
Please, have a gift from me to you, my friends and partners!
Be kind, be well!
~Maria Herring
SO VERY IMPORTANT, SO LITTLE SPACE: Please, please, please only take one gift for yourself. If you insist on taking two, make sure that you either share or give one away. I cannot stress that enough! Be nice!3
Nature: When opening the chest, there is a deep reservoir of toys and trinkets, so much so that it always seems about half-full. The toys come in many varieties. No matter what, someone always finds something they are willing to keep. Many of us assume4 the chest is being manually filled with use of a transfer sigil at the bottom, though few want to empty it should it truly be bottomless.
The playthings themselves are, admittedly, inconsistent. A lot of the dolls and animal figurines are imbued with magic, allowing them to talk or sing or dance, but that is not the case for all of the gifts. Sometimes, what you see is what you get.5
History & Associated Parties: The box was found in the Library in 1942, presumably left there by Maria Herring, friend and ally to the Hand. Ever since that day, the Hand has made good use of the toy chest. Those who were close to Maria find objects to keep in her memory. Newer allies tend to open it and play with a trinket for a little while, putting it back for someone else to enjoy. In recent years, we've forgone the lock entirely, allowing the faeries to start a collection of their own.
Maria's disappearance to this day is a mystery. Many suspect that her business partner had a hand in her sudden departure from this world,6 but this can't be proven since he disappeared at the same time. Aside from leaving us behind, she left her passion of making children smile to the Wondertainment™ company and the locals of Wonder World!™. It is with them that her love carries on.
Approach: Just like Maria said: One toy per person. More than that, and you must share it or gift it.
Observations & Stories
THE SCHOOL IS ENTERTAINED BY THE MANY SMALL PLASTIC HUMANS. THIS HERRING WILL BE WELCOMED INTO THE SCHOOL SHOULD THEY EVER RETURN. —CARP OF THE SKY7
Doubt
Curiously enough, nothing happens when someone takes more than one toy. It isn't clear if this was intended, but once in a while someone manages to get away with taking two or three toys8 with no anomalous consequences.
It is the belief of many that she is still making the toys in the chest, despite the decades that she has been gone. Although, it is possible Maria simply made too many toys to keep in her workshop and chose to put them all in the bin. Others posit that she requested Wondertainment™ continuously give us toys in her absence. The truth of the matter may never be known.