Welcome to the Dog Days of Podcasting, 2022 season. This year we’re taking part by creating 30 NPCs to use with table top gaming, writing projects, or other creative endeavors. These NPCs are system agnostic, but may include minor suggestions for how to run the characters with a party of adventures and explorers. They are written with a specific genre in mind, but will include notation for how to use them within at least two other realms.
That said, let’s get started.
Today, we’re visiting The Haunted Dusk, an NPC designed for Mythos campaigns.
The Haunted Dusk
XXIII
“Are you alone? Were you followed?” his words are hurried, raspy whispers. “The eyes are everywhere. “ He quickly ushers the party in, slamming and bolting the door as soon as they are past the precipice. He takes one last furtive glance out the door’s sliver of a window before closing and shuttering the last grasp of fading the evening star. “The dusk comes, and we have much to discuss before the moon silvers the land.”
The rumors surrounding The Haunted Dusk are ones of caution, concern, and chaos. Many in town will look forlorn at the thoughts of memories of them from before; before the boating accident, you understand? Others will scowl and curse, damning the very notion of having this lost scholar within the thread of their lives. But parties are a nexus of such figures, so it is no small wonder this one invited the group to his dwelling with a promise of a prophecy.
Plot device and Mcguffin delivery lies in the heart of using this NPC. They have seen things, been hunted by them, and now think they know the truth of it all. But they are scared. They have seen the sights that drive mortals to panic, the unending fangs and impossible limbs. Too many of each. These fears may seem an inroad for manipulation, but risk them not. Parties who try will find The Haunted Dusk rapidly turns on those they dem corrupted. A cautionary ally can become an enemy far quicker than they are prepared for, especially at this initial clandestine gathering.
In early days of the 20th century, they are the explorer come home to tell of terrors of the deep. The herald of the darkness come.
In distant aeons, they have witnessed the stars move first-hand, and seen the blackening field of night hide the massive things moving between worlds. If only their ship could run faster.
In ancient days of legend, they know of the horrors that lurked before light found the world. They hold the door firm and seek aid keeping it shut.
Night looms as the sun dips below the horizon. The dread building is one of caution, of a chilling sensation that consumes the heat of the day like ice water poured over burning coals. Now, only the midnight hour remains.
The audio portion of this episode is shared on a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Sounds and music are provided by Syrinscape’s Nyarlathotep Soundset. Please see the website for individual song and sound usage. The text for this episode is shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Have a good time with the character, and let me know if you use them for something.
Until tomorrow.