Crimson Falls Background
The Beginning
Deep within the ancient forests of Oregon lies a city that dances between reality and illusion. It began its life back in the early 1800s as a small mining settlement, surrounded by rolling hills and dense forest. Rich in natural resources, it was the perfect location for the fledgling community to take root and make their home. Between the fertile soil and ore heavy mountains they had everything they needed to carve out an existence in those harsh first few years. It was hard work, but they were dedicated to the task and each other - none of them could ever have imagined that within thirty years their small home would become beacon for the hidden world
In 1834, Valentin Claret arrived in Crimson falls and found barely more than a hamlet. A few thrown together houses, a local tavern that looked like it barely saw more than thirty people enter at a time, and a couple of shops selling local produce made up the entirety of the settlement. There was nothing to suggest anything remarkable about the place. Yet, as Valentin walked its narrow dirt paths, his blood hummed in his veins. The ground seemed to call to him, resonating with the ancient magics that pulsed within the forests. It was intoxicating, and with that first taste of power Valentin knew that he was home; and in doing so he sealed the fate of that small hamlet.
It started with human greed. The community eagerly took everything that this seemingly charismatic philanthropist was willingly giving them. They bowed to every demand he gave, so long as they kept reaping the benefits of his generosity, what did they care if he began to take a little more of their land every passing year until the once small hamlet became a bustling town. Yes, it started with human greed - but it ended with supernatural hunger. Once he had enough of the land under his control Valentin began to feed that power he felt laying under his feet. First to go were the sick, no one noticed one or two who met their end a little earlier than expected, no, they grieved but easily moved on. Next the infant mortality rate began to creep up, mothers losing babies in cribs, fathers finding their children sleeping in forests only to never be able to wake them. No one suspected the charming Valentin Claret. No one saw the blood on his lips when he offered his condolences.
With every sacrifice offered to the land Valentin grew closer to the edge of the abyss. With beguiling lies it filled him with false promises of power like he had never known. More power than the vampiric blood in his veins could offer. More power than the witches in the woods could ever control. The shadows promised him more than immortality and parlor tricks. If only it hadn’t taken her. Valentin had been ready to dive into the depths of hell when the darkness called him, right up until he held his beloved in his arms - her neck snapped by his own hands.
Shaken to his core, Valentin looked about the city of debauchery that he had created in his unyielding thirst for more, and he felt the first stirrings of regret. He had corrupted this land with blood - and only blood could fix what he had done. Holding his beloved still in his arms he followed her into death. It is his blood and sacrifice that still protects the city of Crimson Falls. Known as the Crimson Shroud, it hides the creeping monsters and cackling witches, traps them within the illusion of normality.
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