MICHIGAN DOGMAN – Also known locally as the Beast of Grady Lane. Reports go back all the way to 1835 when a lumberjack named Cecil Peters encountered a creature he could only describe as an eight-foot-tall beast with the torso of a man, the head of a dog, and a howl that sounds like a human scream. First sighted on the mainland, the dogman has been reportedly seen in the area of Grady Lane on the outskirts of the Red Harbor city limits. Though less often, there have recently been reports of the dogman on Fallen Oak Island near the Fire Creek Woods.
THE BLACK WITCH OF MADELINE ISLAND – Most commonly sighted as a female figure dressed in black, the Witch of Madeline Island is long thought to be Madeline Callaway locally referred to as Mad Maddy. Tragically, in the late days of the 19th century, Madeline Callaway was widowed by her husband Clyde when he fell to his death from the widow’s walk of their home on Heart Island. Only a year later, the couple’s son, fifteen-year-old Christopher Callaway, was accidentally shot and killed by a poacher hunting in the Heart Island woods. Mad with grief, Madeline fled to the Island bearing her name. No body was ever found but beware nighttime visitors for legend has is it that Mad Maddy’s wail is the only warning one receives before she tries to drag you into the bog with her.
MISHIPESHU – A creature reported by many of the First Nations in the Great Lakes area, Mishipeshu is described as an underwater panther, an amalgam of parts from many animals: the body of a cougar; the antlers of a caribou; a serpentine tail, and upright spines along its back and razor-sharp claws. It is said to be a guardian living in the deepest parts of Lake Superior responsible for many great storms. Sometimes a faint roar or hiss may be gleaned from the sounds of storms or rushing rapids, a flash of yellow eyes in the water.
CURSES, HEXES, AND MAGIC SPELLS – There is very little about the practice of magic that is flashy or stereotypical Hollywood. No one is conjuring fireballs, levitating objects, or glamouring their appearances to look like other people. In the simplest terms, performing magic is harnessing the energy that radiates from ley lines in order to craft a specific outcome. The craft is rooted in old pagan rituals and modern Wiccan practices. There is nothing simple about casting a spell or placing a curse and most times there’s nothing to show for the effort. It relies on the caster to speak the right words, at the right time, in the right place; all the while combining the right ingredients in the right order. It is a science as much as an art and very few people are knowledgeable or skilled enough to be successful. Of course, sometimes accidents happen.
GHOSTS, SPIRITS, OTHERWORLDY ENTITIES – There are stories and legends in every culture across the world about the human soul and its ability to live on after death. Red Harbor is no different and has its fair share of ghost stories. In fact, it could be argued that its position on a nexus point of intersecting ley lines makes it more prone to ghostly encounters. Some say the land is cursed, others say it’s blessed, either way, it isn’t unusual to experience cold spots, fantom forms in the night, objects moving inexplicable, disembodied voices, and even the occasional full-bodied apparition. Exorcisms are quickly becoming an annual occurrence, the Callaways have been known to hold seances in the lady’s parlor on Saturday night, and everyone knows the shiver they get down their back when looking at Outer Island Sanatorium is because of the suffering souls that lost their lives to the place.
THE SINGING SANDS – Pause a moment: can you hear that noise? Stories say that the beaches in Siren Bay sing when walked upon. Striking it quickly makes a sharp barking noise, not unlike your neighborhood dog. This is a phenomenon that can't be replicated on any other beach in the area. Scientists say the sand sings when perfect conditions are met such as the size of the grains, humidity, and the makeup of the sand – however, they don’t completely understand what creates the phenomenon, and locals will tell you it’s the voices of those lost to the lake. Most Red Harbor locals have visited the area at least once in their lives to see the spectacle for themselves.
THE MISWKÁ LIGHT – Fairly isolated, Red Harbor and the Miskwá Islands don't have a lot of light pollution. Perhaps that's why people often report a light in the forest on those dark, clear nights. A light too bright to stare at for too long; a light that seems to call you forward from the darkness – but do well not to heed its call. Some of Red Harbor's most foolhardy have tried to follow the light and find its source, only to stagger back into town the next morning, pale and stricken. One of the most widely circulated legends tell of a mother looking for her lost child, her lantern fitfully swinging as she tears her way through the brush. Others say it's the eye of a legendary beast shining from deep in the pines. Whatever its true nature, best to steer clear.
A brief update! The development contest ends today at 6pm EST, so if you’ve posted dev be sure to claim your second reserve – and if you haven’t, don’t fret! We will be opening general reserves tomorrow morning. Additionally, our discord is now open and we’ve had such a nice turnout. We’re so excited to get to write with you all!
Now down to what you’ve all been waiting for: that’s right, we open tomorrow evening, Friday Oct. 1st, at 6pm EST! We will post that update both here and on the discord.
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