Mysticism, Faith and Mortality

When you say horror what do you mean?

Existential and Metaphysical Horror. Don't worry folks, Cthulhu isn't coming. It's something much older, wiser, and far more beautiful.

Our cosmic dread is a horror of philosophy, unhuman space, cosmic and spiritual sovereignty. I know that is a lot of things that don't normally go together, but like us, sometimes they do. Do not expect to hunt cultists. Expect to look inwards, deciding what your humanity is worth, what you are willing to do to achieve your goals and what it takes for you to let old wounds heal.

If you have concerns, reach out to us directly and we can give you additional information privately. We just don't want to spoil the plot for others.

The Religious Cold War

In 1567, religion was not a private matter. It was a political weapon, a cultural identity, and a matter of survival. Berwick stands caught in a massive ideological crossfire featuring a wide variety of clashing faiths. 

• The Ideologies: Expect friction between a fiercely Protestant English Crown, Roman Catholics navigating a Protestant monarch, and ancient Pagan traditions surviving in the dark corners of the docks. Furthermore, international travelers bring religions from all over the world into the mix.

• The Social Stigma: Openly practicing rites, saying specific prayers, or carrying icons associated with a faith outside the local norm (Protestant) carries a in-game social stigma. Neighbors watch neighbors, and travelers are closely scrutinized at the gates. 

• Player Safety and Calibration: However, remember that this is a game played by friends. Keep the conflict strictly in-character (IC). Do not use real-world hate speech, personal slurs, or genuine harassment. If the drama ever feels too intense or crosses into personal discomfort, utilize safety mechanics to communicate with your scene partners, pause, dial back the scene, or step away. Prioritize player comfort and communal fun above historical cruelty.

Is there Magic?

Good Luck by Caravaggio c. 1596

“For the world is wide, and the shadows of the Berwick gates hide more than just thieves and cold stone.”

In our world, the belief in magic is a potent and dangerous force. Various forms of mysticism, folklore, and ritual practices exist across the different cultures clashing at the port. However, practicing these arts openly comes with an immense social stigma. If your fellow townsfolk catch you performing a strange ritual, expect swift suspicion and fear.

• The Common View: Most folks view whispered rumors of mysticism as dangerous heresy or old wives' tales.

• The Pragmatic Exception: If a strange ritual or charm is actively helpful, like keeping a family from shivering or finding food, locals might quietly look the other way.

Beyond the rumors whispered in the taverns, the absolute truth of magic remains a profound secret. Only the game staff and select player characters hold those answers with any real certainty. If you believe the reward outweighs the risk, you are entirely welcome to try a prayer, cast a hex, or perform a ritual. Someone or something might or might not answer your call. But rest assured the Powers That Be are always listening.

Will my Character Die?

The Tooth Puller by Caravaggio c. 1608

Well, that is a rather morbid question to ask. Death comes to greet us all eventually and it is quite possible. If they remain dead is rather a more interesting question. If your character is killed in the game, true death is delayed until the end of the party, you have until then to solve the problem. The reason behind this grace period is a mystery you can discover in-game.

Soul Destruction is possible. Should this occur please go to the operations desk. You will be given the option to work with the plot team to get you back into the game as a new type of entity, a background character, npc or as an uncast character (if we have any open).