Hello! We're definitely glad that you're excited for it!

1. Important items can show up after the event is over, yes! They can be stolen for just the duration of the event or forever, depending on what works best for you as a player.

2. They'll still be around! And even worse, you really won't be able to see where they are or what direction they're coming from then... it's definitely for the better to not stay in pitch blackness, even if the shadows don't show up there.