Haunted Hell House
Background
The Haunted Hell House is the phenomena in The Bailey of Dominus Columbia in which, during the month of October, swelling Mortis energies form a sort of 'boil' around a particular structure or empty lot, often manifesting as a strange space that is different each time it is entered, and often far larger inside than out. Each year, locations in The Bailey are cursed with the vengeful spirits of those long ago passed who died unfulfilled, and the lingerings of these last desires manifest in the form of terrible psychic phenomena that can even grow to threaten a settlement.
If the spirits within the Haunted Hell House are properly dealt with (this often requires their struggles to be resolved so that they can be put to rest), then the surrounding area experiences a boon from the positive energy released. On the other hand, if the Haunted House is not properly and completely resolved within a few short days, the resulting psionic explosion from the burst will result in dire consequences for the surrounding area. It can take up to three months for these effects to fade.
7 Ghosts
Within the Haunted Hell House, there are always seven ghosts that fill the following roles, often representing the manner and circumstances of their death.
The CadaverThe Silent One
- A horribly mutilated figure who was usually tormented terribly as they died, this butcher is very physically aggressive and powerful in manifestation.
The Anchored
- Cursed to die in darkness, alone and forgotten, this haunted presence lets out an unholy shriek and lashes out with psionic energies.
The Nail
- Usually someone drowned at the malice of another, this vengeful aquatic spirit tries to drag down others with the weight that damned them.
The Burned
- Impaled on some implement and left for scavengers, this forlorn specter traps and isolates its victims before closing in.
The Berserker
- Individuals who died terribly in fires set by others, this flaming apparition inflicts predictable consequences on all flammable substances nearby.
The Jilted Lover
- Individuals who withstood immense punishment before succumbing to their wounds, this hulking monstrosity is slow but unstoppable.
- Betrayed by those they loved most, this spiteful ghost is rumored to be able to stop the very hearts of its victims from beating.
History
Though it is unlikely to see more than one or two Haunted Houses in the same place within one lifetime, this year (123 DC), as if to demonstrate the adage 'it could always be worse', the phenomena has manifested at least 6 times across The Bailey, and most are rumored to have several hauntings...
The locations of Hell House sightings in 123 DC, in order of reported appearance, are:
- Queen's Keep (Bailey South)
- Latesville (Bailey North)
- The Washing Tin Roadhouse (Bailey South)
- Laurel of Herod (Bailey North)
- Oden's Town (Bailey North)
- Ellistown Landing
