The Scenario You Unlocked! Introducing: Fools' Fire
9 months ago
– Fri, Feb 23, 2024 at 10:20:01 AM
Hello Friends,
Happy Friday! To celebrate reaching the end of the working week I thought I'd reveal the seventh and final scenario of Darkened Hill & Dale. This is the scenario that you've unlocked as part of the stretch goals!
I asked what kind of horror you wanted to see in this scenario, and there was a loud cry of 'folk', so you'll be pleased to hear that this scenario contains references to a whole collection of actual spooky British folklore and history. You'll have to wait until you have your copy of Darkened Hill & Dale to discover the full story, of course, but here's a taste of what to expect...
Fools' Fire
The village sank into the marsh years ago, but its church remains on the hill above. It opens its doors only once a year, for the fiery midsummer festival of St John’s Eve.
The coastline just down from old Dunwich is rife with folklore and mystery—woods known for their ghost lights, sea caves haunted by smugglers’ ghosts, cliffs famous for their wrecks, and an entire village sunken into the marshland. When the team behind a popular YouTube history channel decides to attend the lone annual service at old Bedmarsh church they stumble into the horrifying truth behind those local folktales.
I hadn't been entirely happy with this scenario until a couple of days ago, when I stumbled across an exciting new etymology that inspired a bit of an overhaul.
Bonfire:
late Middle English: from bone + fire. The term originally denoted a large open-air fire on which bones were burnt (sometimes as part of a celebration)...
Where did folks get the bones for these fires from? Well, that's something to think about.
Until next time,
Sarah
All Stretch Goals Achieved! + Scenario Reveal: Moonlit Shadow!
9 months ago
– Wed, Feb 21, 2024 at 03:58:47 AM
Hello Friends,
I'm delighted to announce that you've now unlocked all of the stretch goals! You'll be getting plenty of art, more ephemera, handouts for players, and a seventh scenario!
I'm so pleased to see so much support for Darkened Hill & Dale, and quite touched by your enthusiasm! Thank you all, both for backing and for sharing the campaign so widely. I can't wait to see this as a finished item in your hands and hear about the games you run with it. That's a little way off, it's true, but I'll try not to keep you waiting too long.
In the meantime an without further ado, here's scenario six of seven...
Moonlit Shadow
Old Annie Haddow
Captured a Shadow,
Up on the moor
In a silvery night.
A summer wildfire has uncovered ancient rock carvings up on the moor, purported 'big cat' sightings abound once again, and the police are looking for witnesses following the death of a local metal detectorist in a suspected dog attack. Investigations reveal tales of witchcraft and greed, and that there may be some truth to local folklore after all.
I'll reveal the final scenario—the one you've unlocked—in the next few days, and you can expect to see some of the ephemera for players before the campaign ends. Until then, perhaps you'd best avoid the moors on clear nights.
Sarah
SEVEN Scenarios + Scenario Five Revealed
9 months ago
– Fri, Feb 16, 2024 at 11:36:20 AM
Hello Friends,
Well, you've so thoroughly torn through the stretch goals that Darkened Hill & Dale will now contain not six but a full seven scenarios!
What is that seventh scenario? You'll find out in good time, but rest assured that your requests for more folk horror have been heard.
Speaking of which, it's time to reveal the fifth scenario of the set, which I think you'll find quite folky as well:
Fatstock
It’s winter in Mawbury. The reservoir has frozen over, the hunt has gathered, and it’s time for the annual Fatstock Show & Dinner.
This agricultural market town continues to thrive against the odds, and farmers from all around bring their finest cattle to compete in the annual Fatstock show. After the show, the town’s movers and shakers gather in the enclosed market hall to celebrate and consume the best of the local produce. That the dinner is oddly secretive is probably nothing to worry about, and the reports of the hunt riding out at night while torch-light processions cross the reservoir are surely nonsense.
When I showed my partner the draft of this scenario he said, "The 'Fatstock' event that you've made up for this scenario is very creepy."
Dear readers, I have not invented this event. Every December my sister or I chauffeur our lovely father, attired in his black tie formalwear, to the dark cattle market where the Fatstock Dinner is held. We have no idea what this event is beyond, vaguely, a 'dinner'. It's for farmers, but Dad's never been a farmer. We never see tickets for sale. The interior of the venue is completely concealed from the car park via a special covered walkway they roll out for the occasion. They always seem to have a lot of 'lost property' afterwards. It is, to be honest, a bit odd.
Anyway, I'm sure it's fine, and that this version of the event is totally fictionalised.
Keep an eye for further updates and scenario reveals next week, and thanks again for your support!
Sarah
Stretch Goals + Scenario Four Reveal!
9 months ago
– Mon, Feb 12, 2024 at 08:09:05 AM
Hi Folks,
Thanks again for all your support—you've ploughed straight through the first two stretch goals in the first couple of days! That means that Darkened Hill & Dale will include atmospheric title page artwork and a variety of new ephemera (including some handout elements for players).
I'm speaking to artists about those title pages, and will share some of the artwork as soon as it's ready. I have a whole list of ideas for the ephemera; describing some of it would be an immediate spoiler, but I will let you know that I've been complimented on my facsimiles of historic documents in the past and am hoping to use those skills again.
I promised to reveal the remaining three scenarios as the campaign progresses so, without further ado, scenario 4 of 6 is...
It Takes A Village
Russington has won the county 'Best Kept Village' award for five years in a row. They’re likely to win again this year, given that a vicious fire has just destroyed half of Upper Dalby.
The village of Russington is in full bloom, the local W.I. is enjoying a membership surge, and, just the other day, two young girls were heroically saved from drowning in the river... weren't they? Investigations reveal that things aren't quite as they seem in this quaint village.
The next stretch goal looks like it may be on the horizon already, which will mean an extra scenario! That means that Darkened Hill & Dale may contain a full seven scenarios!
I have a couple of options for the additional scenario and would like your help in deciding which one to go with, so here's the question—do folks prefer cosmic horror, folk horror, a mix of the two, or something else? Let me know in the comments!
- Sarah
