Past event archive

Phantoms of the Deep

On July 24-25, 2026, guests entered Hemlock Harbour for an immersive fantasy weekend of pirates, mermaids, fae, mysteries, character encounters, dancing, and shifting alliances.

This event concluded on July 25, 2026. Ticket sales are closed.

The weekend in Hemlock Harbour

A living fantasy world came ashore in Bentonville.

Phantoms of the Deep was a two-night immersive fantasy experience and bookish pirate ball where guests did more than attend. They stepped into the plot, chose a faction, followed clues, bargained with characters, formed alliances, and watched the harbor's mysteries unfold.

Dates
July 24-25, 2026
Venue
Four Points by Sheraton Bentonville
Location
211 SE Walton Blvd, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712
Presented by
Astraea Fantasy Events
Illustrated Phantoms of the Deep event artwork
Official artwork for Phantoms of the Deep.

In the Press

Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Phantoms of the Deep appeared in the Sunday, July 26, 2026 print edition in a three-photo spread. Five photographs from the weekend are linked below on NWAOnline.

Be Local NWA

In “Phantoms of the Deep Turns Bentonville into a Living Fantasy World,” Be Local NWA previewed the factions, living story, character interactions, mysteries, and shifting alliances awaiting guests in Hemlock Harbour.

Read the Be Local NWA Feature

The immersive story

Quests, secrets, shimmer, and a little trouble

The experience invited guests to follow clues, meet harbor residents, make choices, and discover story moments that changed depending on where they looked and whom they trusted.

Quest Threads

Clues, whispers, and discoveries were tucked throughout Hemlock Harbour.

Characters With Secrets

Harbor residents could help, misdirect, test, tempt, or quietly change a guest's path.

Factions & Loyalties

Alliances, hidden truths, and shifting loyalties shaped the unfolding story.

The Pirate Ball

Music, dinner, dancing, character encounters, and story turns carried the world into Saturday night.

The factions

Every side had reasons to hide the truth.

Pirates

Treasure hunters, loyal crewmates, chaos-makers, and long-game strategists whose reputations traveled fast on the tide.

Mermaids & Sirens

Guides, tempters, and keepers of dangerous half-truths. Not every song led sailors safely home.

Fae

Players by rules no one fully understood, offering favor and bargains that always had teeth.

Featured guests

Special appearances in the harbor

Steven Walker and Sarah Cline were featured guests during Phantoms of the Deep.

Steven Walker in dark fantasy attire

Steven Walker

Steven Walker brought dark-fantasy presence, character energy, and harbor intrigue to the weekend as a featured guest.

Sarah Cline in fantasy pirate attire

Sarah Cline

Sarah Cline brought costume panache, an outgoing presence, and storyteller energy to the event. The weekend included a Saturday meet and greet with Sarah Cline, moderated by HighLadyJo.

Historical ticket information

Admission tiers offered for Phantoms of the Deep

These were the final ticket tiers and inclusions offered for the weekend. Ticket sales are closed.

Historical

Fabled

Your Journey Begins

$295.29

  • Entry to the evening ball
  • Surf & Turf Dinner
  • Reserved dinner seating
  • All professional event photos
  • Photo opportunity with the guest's faction cast
  • One drink ticket
  • Choice of add-on: Combat Training or Mystic Flow Session
Historical

Legendary

Enter the Story Early

$455.35

  • Everything in Fabled
  • Exclusive Friday cocktail party
  • First clue to the mystery of Hemlock Harbour
  • Early entry into the ball and immersive spaces
  • Enhanced photo opportunity
Historical

Mythical

Full Immersion Experience

$562.06

  • Everything in Legendary
  • Early entry into the marketplace
  • VIP Cast Experience
  • First access to tattoo appointments
Historical

Single-experience passes and special offers

  • Phantoms Ball Only: $215.26 total. Included 21+ evening ball admission, plated Surf & Turf Dinner, live entertainment and DJ, designated photo-op areas, and trinket trading.
  • Friday Only: $55.20 total. Included light appetizers, cash bar access, optional cosplay, cast moments, and trade-in coupons for prizes.
  • Phantoms Ball Only (2 for 1 deal): $161.90 per ticket, with a minimum purchase of two.
  • Friday Only (2 for 1 deal): $49.87 per ticket, with a minimum purchase of two.

Separately offered add-ons

  • Saturday Meet & Greet with Sarah Cline: $17.85 total. An audience conversation and Q&A with author Sarah Cline and moderator HighLadyJo.
  • Fairy Garden: $28.52 total. Guests created a take-home faerie garden with miniature decor, natural elements, and magical embellishments.
  • Sword Fighting Class: $39.19 total. Introductory swashbuckling swordplay with training swords, followed by a Creation Station activity.
  • Beginning Burlesque Class with Lana Violette: $39.19 total. A beginner workshop on classic burlesque history, warm-up, and introductory choreography.
  • Big Bracelets with Sisi: $23.18 total. A bracelet-making session with Sisi.

Weekend schedule

Two days in Hemlock Harbour

A look back at the gatherings, classes, and celebrations that filled the Phantoms of the Deep weekend.

Day one

  1. Event check-in opened
  2. –
    Vendor Hall Open to the public
  3. Hotel check-in began
  4. Make a Fairy Garden Historical add-on
  5. Cocktail Party

Day two

  1. –
    Sword Fighting Class Historical add-on
  2. –
    Meet and Greet with Sarah Cline, featuring Jo Historical add-on
  3. Event check-in opened
  4. –
    Burlesque Class Historical add-on
  5. –
    Vendor Hall Open to the public
  6. Hotel check-in began
  7. –
    Big Bracelets with Sisi Historical add-on
  8. –
    Family Photo Opportunity
  9. VIP early access to the ball VIP
  10. –
    Phantoms of the Deep Ball

Continue the story

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