[OOC] Due North

[Themerlinhawk]

~Manor North~

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Located along the English coastline Manor North is a three story sprawling structure with two full wings. In addition to the wings the manor has an attached tower which rises another three stories above the third floor. The manors grounds spread out around the house and feature a garden, green houses, statuary, hedge maze, and stables. Inside can be found a dining room, ballroom, kitchens, atrium, den, study, parlor, library with attached reading room, numerous bedrooms for staff, family members, guests and many rooms which the family have not used in years waiting to share their secrets.

Surrounding the manner can be found the Northam family crypt, the edge of the forest which surrounds the edge of coastline, a set of stairs that lead down a perilous cliff face to the cove, and the open tall grasses of the cliff tops. The road towards civilization leads directly away from the front of the manor.

The surrounding woods and the sea caves along the cove hold their own dark secrets yet to be discovered.

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The Family, Friends and Staff

Despite its generally haunted appearance the manor is actually home to several members of the Northam family, a handful of friends and guests, and of course the small largely silent brigade of house staff which keep the manor house from falling apart any further.

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The Nitty Gritty

Inspiration will be drawn largely from the works of Stoker, Shelley, Lovecraft, Poe, Radcliffe and others of the Gothic Genre. So this means you will get a healthy dose of the supernatural. From a mechanical standpoint this is acheived by the Manor itself being a draw for the supernatural. Eventually you may even discover why the manor is the way it is and like all good stories when the source of the problem is dealt with our story will end. Ghosts haunt it, Werewolves and stranger things prowl the woods, in some places the house may even be alive, and naturally with Lovecraft fueling the fire you may encounter things of an eldritch or a cosmic nature. I will be doing my best to push forward a particular mystery that Lord North is personally wrapped up in however I encourage you all to develop other strange goings on that trouble your own character and may draw others in. After all we all live in the same strange house.

We will keep track of the ongoing “Strange Phenomena” on the character sheet. I just ask that you give me a general idea of where you want to go with your plot and then a name to refer to it as. Generally speaking you should also have a way of dealing with the Phenomena and some keep points to hit towards solving the mystery.

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The Strange and Supernatural

So what is fair game? Really anything that fits the theme of gothic or cosmic horror. I recommend drawing on the classics for inspiration. So to make things simple I will provide you a list to get your minds working on what sort of supernatural things may be appropriate to encounter within or around Manor North.

• All things Mythos, Lovecraft and beyond.
• Vampires, classic is better so do your best to avoid 30 Days of Night and Salem’s Lot
• Werewolves, specifically in the style of the Loup Garou or Rougarou
• The undead: Ghosts, Zombies, Revenants, and so on.
• The arcane: Witches, Warlocks, and Cultists.
• The Unholy: Demons and evil spirits.
• Anything else you want to try and take a horror twist on. I recommend sticking to the european traditions.

A note: I have every intention of using the middle eastern and far eastern traditions of monsters, as well as even potentially the native american however I would like to use them sparingly. These things should be rarer. Additionally they fit the theme for “Strange Phenomena abroad” so It would be nice to keep them as such....unless we bring home a hitchhiker.

Can I be supernatural

I would encourage you to avoid being overly supernatural. Please no vampires, ghosts, werewolves, eldritch abominations, frankenstein’s monsters, etc. At Least not initially, it maybe your character gets possessed by a ghost, bitten by a vampire, a werewolf, has a strange rite performed on them, etc. If that happens keep in mind that all of these things are bad. At their heart they make you a monster no matter how good you intentions. You will become a danger for the other occupants of the house and will need to be dealt with.

If your character is a psychic, a mild daubler in the alchemical, the arcane, or just has a particular supernatural quirk. These are totally acceptable and in fact encourage. The manor attracts strange things and your character should be a reflection of that. Simply keep in mind that even these things should be a taint or a strain for your character as the darkness can drag even the best down.

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Character Skeleton

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Name

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Age:

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Appearance ( description plus images please. Faceclaims should be appropriate however something more artistic or anime in style is acceptable if it has the right feel to it.)

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Occupation/Relation(What do you do at Manor North or why are you there. Are you a family friend? Extended Family? Political rival with something to gain? Or are you just the maid with a few too many memories from a past life..)

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Personality (short and sweet no more than a paragraph or two. Preferably with three or so positive and negative traits to give us an idea of the themes your character will be centered around)

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History(See bellow)

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• (What is your experience with the supernatural)
• (A brief description of how you know the family/why you are at the manor or your experience growing up in the manor if you are a family member- try to include your relations I.E: sister, cousin Mother’s Sister’s Daughter, etc)
• (Any other relevant information about your past to help us understand your character)

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Quirk(Why did Manor North truly draw you here, are you touched by the supernatural or just a mite touched.)

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[Themerlinhawk]

Please make note that the spaces on the character sheet are not limiting I will accept a reasonable number of each of the categories. Though diversity is preferred.

Settle in and feel free to work on those sheets I'm not anticipating any sort of start till the weekend. If you need anything poke me.

[LovelyComplex]

I have interest in writing a newly wed couple, so if anyone would like to play my character's husband feel free to PM me so we can brainstorm. I'm indifferent on which character is in the family, and who was married into it.

Its that route, or I'm writing a widow(er) lol.

[bandcrsnatch]

I'll start working on a character. Maybe an occult writer or historian of some sort.

[NuttsnBolts]

Will work on a character tomorrow hopefully.

[AtomicNut]

Huh, i quite dig this. Been a while. Truth to be told i once tried to run something like this but everyone wanted to be a nazi cultist.

I will probably bring a weirdo. Like a maid who is a witch apprentice or someone who returned from the Zulu war with a few screws loose.

[Themerlinhawk]

Those sound fun. I adore the maid idea. Reminds me of a character from arkham horror

[IrisWasHere]

I like the idea for this and I'm planning to make a character sometime soon. I'm not quite sure yet what they'll be but we'll see I guess.

[Themerlinhawk]

Sounds good to me. Hopefully Lord Northam will go up tonight

[KountKraken]

Nice, hoping to put up a character either today or by Saturday. Thinking of being an artist that has supernatural dreams, straight outta Lovecraft.

[NuttsnBolts]

My submission

Dr. Mathias Röemheld

_{Name: Dr. Mathias Röemheld
Age: Fourty Three
Gender: Male
Profession: Doctorate of Veterinary Science}

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_{P H Y S I C A L A P P E A R A N C E}

Coming from the latest line of fashion is Dr. Röemheld, a man who proudly stands strong in his signature woolen jacket and slim turtleneck sweater; articles of clothing which are coloured in a mature shade of chestnut and navy respectively. The combination of attire, his uniquely round specs, and the slick in his hair has all helped to present the good doctor as someone who obtained his position through no easy feat.

It should be known however that Mathias is a man with a rough edge to his pristine demeanour. A ragged, balbo beard rests below his lifeless, grey eyes; a pair of gangly hands which appear twice the age of his weary face; and a distinct limp from a dodgy, right knee. Only the few who know him well will know the reasons to his aged guise.

_{O C C U P A T I O N / R E L A T I O N}

Called in for a favour, requested for his expertise; Mathias was asked to travel through many countries to the manor most magnificent. He had long been friends to the distant bloodline of the Northams, and as man who owed an outstanding debt for their support during his long and arduous life, he had no opportunity to refuse.

His role, to investigate the happenings of the local wildlife and livestock. Something was amiss and quite unsettling when he had been told how one of the hounds was killed in such a horrific way. Could it be wolves, or perhaps a bear? These thoughts rattled his mind during on his trip due North.

_{P E R S O N A L I T Y}

As a man of science, Mathias believes that no phenomenon cannot be explained without reason nor logic. Religion is but a falsehood; magic, a deception — and he will note these findings down in his personal journal for later reference and conviction. He can be cold and easily vexed, but all is not well in the mind of the good doctor, particularly his memory which has been noted to be hazy as of late. A near decade of trauma and a deteriorating health have both caused emotional strain, placing him in a position where his future well-being is of great concern.

_{H I S T O R Y}

As mentioned Mathias owes a great deal to the Northam family, in particular their wealth. It was through their support that he was able to afford a spot in a university that was well beyond his family's life earnings. It was also within this fine school where he met his beloved wife, a woman who shared every moment of the next two decades with, and even bared their only child. It goes without saying that this life of happiness did have a limit, and when it runs out the events of sadness and pain begin to flourish.

He does not fully remember the carriage trip, nor the terrifying moments when it crashed down the embankment. He was told it was a landslide, that his leg was crushed under the weight, that his family was beyond saving when help finally arrived; but he knew the men were hiding a truth, that their lies were paper thin. To any normal person it would have been a believable fiction, but to a doctor of zoology he could not help but shake the memories of the horses ripped in two.

_{Q U I R K}

Mathias has no noticeable quirk but this could change with every day as he delves deeper and deeper down the road of madness.

[LovelyComplex]

@NuttsnBolts interesting that you gave your character a lost child and wife, because I'm giving my character a child and a deceased husband lol
It's always interesting when stories parallel like that

[AtomicNut]

"How I met my true love among werewolves and shoggoths" - the next summer hit.

[Themerlinhawk]

@KountKraken just going right for the call of cthuhlu rip off. I love it.

@NuttsnBoltsfirst impression: very cool. I'll read the whole thing at work

As for atomic. Exactly lol

[NuttsnBolts]

@TootsiePop it is, but it's also a common grounding point for characters in this style of story where it gives some sense of familiarity. Especially when they see others with the same struggles.

@Themerlinhawk thanks. Mention anything you feel I may need to change or adjust. I do have some directions I wouldn't mind taking the character. Just have to see where the story goes.

[AtomicNut]

Mary Holly

Mary Holly/ Morgaine

Age:20

Image

Morgaine (known to most people as Mary Holly) is a woman of slight and somewhat scrawny build which betrays a somewhat conflicted upbringing. She usually dresses with an aged maid suit and is fond of protective headgear to avoid the sun striking her sensitive skin. These clothes also conceal her striking auburn hair and green eyes in order to not draw unwanted attention. Her manner of walk is unassuming and rather silent, and a faint herbal fragance with earthen hints seems to follow her everywhere.

Occupation/Relation: Morgaine has been a maid in the manor for three years. Rumours of bastardry being the reason why she was hired float around. She seems to have a knack for herbalism and foraging, as well a certain special touch when handling beasts, thanks to the tips and tricks her mother passed down unto her.

Personality:

Morgaine is a grim and cynical individual who has had a harsh upbringing bestowed upon her. Tight knit about her true intentions and demeanour she usually deflects prying questions with scathing sarcasm. She is not very good at socializing and prefers sometimes the company of beasts rather than people. Her dedication to the less... reputed arts attributed to women and her penchant to brew herbal conconctions have given her some sort of infamy among the staff. Being a bastard, she harbours no small amount of envy and resent towards the proper family members of the estate. Nevertheless, Morgaine is methodical, rather even-tempered and she always takes the side of the less favored, consequences be damned.

History:
The professions of someone's forebears usually shape one's life for good or bad,and Morgaine was no exception. Borne out of wedlock to one of the strangest retainers of Lord Northam, a wise woman and midwife who lived and performed her trade at the edge of the woods, her mother was seen with a mixture of suspicion and respect. A relic of an era of darkness and superstition, her mother could brew fairly potent concoctions with the herbs and spices she found in the forest. Her herbal tonic was a favorite of the Northams. Her ability to assist childbirth and heal wounds also did not go unnoticed, and more than often people trusted her hands than that of a physician. There were people who called her a witch, but even more people who called her.

It was in such a climate that Morgaine grew up until her eleventh birthday, ever playing with the forest animals and learning the old, ancient knowledge and arts of her own mother rather than meeting other children and learning prayers of faith. Alas, even for a seasoned wise woman, the forest is full of dangers, and one night she did not return. Morgaine was not suspicious at first. She had long get used to days in absence of her mother.

Three days later, only her severed arm was found. The rest of the body had been ravaged and eaten by whatever monstrous creature had crawled out of the depths. Morgaine was orphaned, thus. And the villagers were almost too happy to toss the little witchspawn in a local orphanage to scrub the heathenly air she had upon her and give the poor, half-starved girl a chance at living an honest life. They only succeeded superficially. In the end, her knowledge about herbs and remedies proved all too useful to treat fellow sick children, and the tutors learnt to look the other way as long as she behaved properly in public. She was eventually baptised as Mary Holly.

Everything changed, when a member of the Northam was offered her herbal tea as a result of a sizeable contribution to the orphanage. He recognized the same drink that her mother had offered long ago, and learnt of the wise woman's daughter fate. What was more surprising, he also brought forth the issue of her true parenthood, which could even be bring forth more scandal. In the end, however, they found her skills to be of interest towards the household, so she was offered a spot as servant inside the manor, on the condition she never mentioned her bastard condition.

Quirk: Morgaine has been inducted in Witchcraft by her very mother. She knows some basic protection spells and benefitial charms as well as a wealth of herbalism and folk medicine that could prove useful. She also owns a pet raven which is suspected she uses as familiar.

[Themerlinhawk]

@NuttsnBolts he looks good

@AtomicNutI like her. If she's only be with the family for three years then she's probably a secret Lord Northam is unaware of so that will be interesting.

You can move them to the characters page

[NuttsnBolts]

@AtomicNut Just thought I'd mention that your pic got killed with a hotlinking image. :)

I also have a feeling that the common topic of animals may cross the dinner table between our two characters.

[AtomicNut]

Alright, moved to a link instead. Image is broken, but you can download it.

[AtomicNut]

@Themerlinhawk Alright, moved.

@NuttsnBolts I don't think so. Mary is paid to serve tea and clean, not to do idle chat with the lord's guests.