Carnival of Souls

This card's ability triggers when it enters the battlefield, not when it's cast. Effects that double ETB triggers (like Panharmonicon) work here. Countering the spell prevents the creature from entering, so the ETB won't fire.

If this card's activated ability produces mana and doesn't target, it's a mana ability. Mana abilities resolve immediately without using the stack — opponents can't respond to them. However, abilities that target (even if they produce mana) aren't mana abilities.