1860 – a year of great change. Published only a few months ago, Darwin's theory of evolution is already rocking the pious Victorian society, making waves that separate those who follow God and those who believe man came from more beastly origins. It is a time of social panic, of reaffirming faith or shattering it completely, and under the cover of darkness in a world unseen by mortal eyes, creatures of terror and destruction are stirring.
Demons, spirits, ghosts and ghouls abound, they prey on the most vulnerable of our society – the children, grieving widows and lost travellers of Britain – and expect no living soul to notice the rapid rise in the number of disappearances around the region. Many choose not to listen to us when we warn them not to wander the bogs at night nor touch black horses dancing in lakes. More the fool them.
If you are savvy enough to seek out the truth, you have two choices: forge your own path (and ultimately fail) or find the Underwood Society in the village of Brearside, Scotland. Our voices will not be silenced.
BREARSIDE
A small, dilapidated village on the border between Scotland and England with many run-down buildings and a small, aging population. The history of Brearside dates back to the Middle Ages, where it was known as a place of blasphemy and witchcraft; however, nothing was ever done about it. It is said that it was once under the protection of the Seelie Court due to its close proximity to a grove where it was the naked, unknowing eye could supposedly see their true forms. Now there is no such thing, and thus the Underwood Society who lived and worked out of Findlay Manor has dwindled down to only the youngest member, Ronan Findlay.
Notable places include:
– The Hobgoblin, a local tavern frequented by most locals
– Desmond Boarding House, a family-owned bed and breakfast with few visitors and a gloomy, unwelcoming atmosphere
– Findlay Manor (recently renamed and still known as Underwood Manor to many around town)
– Stagnant Grove, a portal to the realm of the Seelie Fae
– The Parish, devoutly attended by almost everyone in the village each Sunday
– Mosshelm Crypt, a graveyard slightly up the hill from the church where ghosts and spirits wander unchecked after midnight and before dawn
– The Bog, featuring a treacherous footpath between Brearside and neighboring towns. the only way in as many believe the village is 'cursed'
MAGIC AND WITCHCRAFT: A USER'S GUIDE
To put it shortly, magic is a natural talent which you are either born with or do not have at all. It is limited to the monsters and myths and the descendants of those that can have children. It is far from regimented, based on imagination and only one almost scientific rule: 'energy in must equal energy out'. Examples of magic include healing, conjuring any of the four elements, illusions and mind control or charm.
Witchcraft, on the other hand, is a way of life. In a way, witches and warlocks can be considered mythological monsters themselves; however, they are born human and remain human until they die. Only a witch or those otherwise touched by the supernatural may, after death, become a spectre, spirit, ghost or poltergeist. They command a type of magic themselves that supposedly any can learn, though it is fueled by faith and strict regulations for correct ritual use – belief alone does not work. Typically (in almost all cases) witchcraft spells use runes and spoken incantations brought forth and translated from ancient times. The powers of witchcraft can range from simple protection spells to powerful, dangerous blood sacrifices.
MEMBERS OF THE UNDERWOOD SOCIETY
NAMED BENEVOLENT CREATURES
NAMED MALEVOLENT CREATURES
