Mythical Creatures Call Emergency Meeting Over £3 Explorer Pass

An emergency meeting of the Mythical Town Hall was called last night after creatures across the Isle of Wight discovered that Professor Follies had introduced a three-day free trial to the entire Isle of Wight Follies experience. The meeting began seventeen minutes late after the Dragon of Newport sat on the minutes, the Sea Serpent attempted to attend through the wrong window and the Troll of Wootton refused to cross the threshold until somebody paid him a biscuit. Once order had been approximately established, Professor Follies was asked to explain himself. “Why have you done this?” demanded the Griffin of Cowes, striking the table with one enormous talon. “People can now try the story for three whole days without paying anything. More of them are going to want to find us, aren’t they?” “That is rather the idea,” replied Professor Follies. This caused uproar. The Ogre of Hamstead immediately raised what he described as a serious operational concern. “I suppose I shall have to be more careful when taking somebody’s picnic,” he complained. “Until now, I could stroll off with the sandwiches and leave the yoghurt. Soon everyone will know where to look.” “You should not be taking picnics in the first place,” said Professor Follies. “That is a separate matter for the Catering Subcommittee.” At the far end of the chamber, the Yarmouth Mermaid flicked her tail irritably against the side of her official council tank. “And what about me?” she asked. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to enchant a fisherman when his family are following clues on a telephone? I shall reach the second verse of my mysterious song and somebody will shout, ‘There she is, just past the castle.’ It completely ruins the atmosphere.” The Bembridge Werewolf nodded sympathetically, although nobody had asked him because it was not yet a full moon. Professor Follies adjusted his spectacles and attempted to reassure the chamber. “The three-day free trial simply gives curious people a proper opportunity to step inside the world we have been building. They can explore virtual story tours from home, follow guided walks and live spots on the Island, investigate creature reports, enjoy the multimedia material and discover how real locations, Island history and mythology have become part of one enormous unfolding tale.” “Exactly!” cried the Newport Dragon. “People will know where I sit.” “You sit on County Hall whenever the roof is warm.” “It is an excellent roof. I do not wish to see it reviewed online.” Professor Follies then made the announcement that caused three fairies to faint and a minotaur to demand an immediate audit. The full Explorer Pass normally costs £10 per month after the free trial. However, people who have already immersed themselves in the story can earn a 70% discount. That reduces the monthly cost from £10 to just £3. There are two ways into this particularly generous piece of administrative mischief. Passport holders can use Passport Privilege. A clue inside the Isle of Wight Passport leads to the voucher word, which must be entered in lowercase at checkout. Readers of the Isle of Wight Follies Legendary Anthology, in paperback or on Kindle, can use Reader’s Reveal by discovering a word hidden within the story “Goblin of Chale”. The anthology may also be available to read through Kindle Unlimited for eligible subscribers. The secret words will not be printed here. Island News has standards, and Professor Follies has already misplaced most of them. “So you are rewarding people for reading the evidence?” asked the Carisbrooke Banshee. “Yes.” “And for carrying the Passport?” “Correct.” “And after the free trial, they can remain fully immersed in the available Follies features for £3 a month?” “Precisely.” The Banshee emitted a long and mournful wail. “Is something wrong?” asked Professor Follies. “No. I just thought the announcement needed a dramatic sound effect.” Under the scheme, whichever eligible voucher a new member chooses continues to reward that loyalty while the subscription remains active. If the subscription is cancelled, that code cannot simply be used again, although the other qualifying route may still provide a future way back into the adventure. This arrangement was described by the Mythical Town Hall as “suspiciously reasonable” and by the Sphinx of Shalfleet as “a riddle with an unexpectedly affordable answer”. The three-day trial is intended to let people discover whether the Follies world appeals to them before committing. It can be explored on the Isle of Wight, from the mainland, on a ferry, from a sofa or anywhere else with an internet connection and a willingness to consider the possibility that a dragon has been tampering with local government. Participants do not have to race through it. They can explore for a while, leave the story and return later. Some may follow a complete guided walk. Others may investigate a single creature, read an Island News report or explore the Island virtually from home. Professor Follies closed the meeting with a final statement. “The people who step furthest into a story should discover the greatest rewards within it. The Passport holders have collected the evidence. The anthology readers have studied the legends. A 70% discount is our way of recognising that they are no longer merely observing the Follies. They are part of it.” There was a thoughtful silence. “Very moving,” muttered the Ogre. “Are those anyone’s sausage rolls?” The meeting was adjourned immediately. You can enter the Isle of Wight Follies for three days free, then continue for £10 per month or unlock the 70% Passport Privilege or Reader’s Reveal discount and pay just £3 per month. The Island is stranger than it looks. Unfortunately for its mythical residents, it has also become considerably easier to investigate.