Ordo Scriptorium Episode 2

Gothic horror-themed painting of a remote Maine village during autumn. The scene features vibrant fall foliage with hidden ominous undertones, including slightly twisted trees, elongated shadows, and an eerie sky. A Gothic and Art Deco-style arts college perched on a hill, with dark windows and a mysterious obelisk in the courtyard, adds to the supernatural atmosphere of this isolated village.

Introducing the Ordo

Welcome to the first episode of our playtesting series for “The Ordo Scriptorium,” a Gothic horror TTRPG designed by myself, Ash Alder, and my friend Zachariah from Old Man Gaming. In this unique and chilling game, players gain powers through a transfusion of blood from previous monster hunters, known as “Authors.” These Authors are inspired by Gothic horror writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, H.G. Wells, H.P. Lovecraft, and Ann Radcliffe. Join us as we delve into this dark and literary world where supernatural events are documented and fought by those with the knowledge and courage to face the unknown.

Ordo Scriptorium book cover featuring a detailed leather design with an ornate quill and various Gothic symbols — Ordo Scriptorium, a Gothic horror TTRPGhttps://wizardsrespite.com/product/ordo-scriptorium/

Summary

Episode 2 of Ordo Scriptorium continues the chilling gothic horror journey as our characters, Bonnie, Elliot, Rex, and Preston, venture deeper into the mysteries surrounding the supernatural stalker they are hunting.

The episode begins with a quick recap of the previous session, where the characters were summoned to the Ordo Scriptorium Library by their editor, Charles Wheat. He informed them of the death of a potential new author, known as a Herald, whose life was extinguished before they could be fully initiated into the order. The team then traveled to the remote village of Veiled Bluff, Maine, to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.

Upon arrival, the characters find the village mourning the recent death of a young woman named Peggy, who attended a prestigious local arts college. The team splits up to gather information, with some heading to the local pub and others exploring the village. They discover that Peggy’s death has left the community in deep sorrow, and rumors begin to circulate about her mysterious demise.

The investigation leads the team to the college, where they learn that Peggy was a student and had been acting strangely before her death. The characters interact with the villagers and students, uncovering details about Peggy’s life, including her strained relationship with her boyfriend, Johnny, and the possibility that she had become distant from her friends in the weeks leading up to her death.

As the wake for Peggy begins, the team remains on high alert, suspecting that something supernatural may be at play. Their suspicions are confirmed when a blood-curdling scream echoes through the college, prompting Elliot to race towards the source. There, he encounters a horrifying sight—an ethereal figure covered in blood, who appears to be the same girl from a haunting dream the team experienced earlier.

As tension mounts, the team prepares to confront this new and terrifying threat. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with the characters bracing themselves for a possible supernatural attack and the beginning of what could be a dangerous and mentally taxing battle against the unknown.