
Shade Hallow Manor is a crumbling old mansion in the misty town of Dark Cloud. Built in 1670 by a legendary writer named Shade Hallow, the manor once stood tall and proud—but now it’s worn down, overgrown, and full of ghost stories. Back in his day, Mr. Hallow was treated like a king. Everyone adored his spooky books and strange imagination.
The manor still holds pieces of its former beauty—arched windows, carved doors, and towering chimneys—but time and weather have taken their toll. The gardens are wild with weeds where roses and twisted topiaries once bloomed. The last of the Hallow family passed away over 300 years ago, and the townspeople took over the estate. But they never dared to fix it up… not with the rumors that Shade Hallow’s ghost still wanders the hallways.
The estate managers have hired crews to clean out the dust and cobwebs for the first time in centuries. They’re hosting a Halloween bash at the manor, hoping to turn it into a spooky bed and breakfast that will bring tourists—and money—to Dark Cloud. Most folks are excited, but not everyone agrees. Some say the manor is cursed and should be left alone.
You live in Dark Cloud, and you’re not quite sure what to believe. But like it or not, you’ve received an invitation to the party at Shade Hallow Manor. The moon is full, the air is thick with fog… and this is where your story begins.



The grandfather clock at Shade Hallow Manor is the final relic of the Hallow bloodline, a lone echo from the 1600s.

Guest List
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SAM STUFFINS
Taxidermist
Sam Stuffins, the town taxidermist of Dark Cloud, is widely regarded as unsettling. As a result, most taxidermy business is conducted online. Beloved pets once owned are now preserved and posed throughout the Dark Cloud Taxidermy shop. Locals whisper that Sam still loves to care for the preserved animals. Some say the lights flicker on after hours, and soft music plays as if the shop were still full of life.
Suggested attire: An apron splattered with “preservative” stains with a few faux fur pelts. Add a worn stuffed animal as a creepy companion.
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BRACKEN SHOCKLEY
Haunted House Actor
Known for ominously dragging one foot while walking, Bracken Shockley is the eerie haunted house actor who never truly clocks out. Staying in character well beyond working hours, Bracken’s commitment often unsettles those unlucky enough to cross paths after dark. Even off-season, Bracken can be spotted lurking around empty buildings or whispering cryptic lines into the fog, as if rehearsing for something no one else can see.
Suggested attire: Any spooky costume worthy of a haunted house.
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CUTTY BOARDS
Knife Salesman
Cutty Boards is a blunt knife peddler known for telling the truth—even when it backfires. A loyal friend if honesty is your thing, but Cutty’s brutal candor can cut deeper than the blades on display. Locals often say buying a knife from Cutty comes with a free slice of reality—whether asked for or not. Once told a bride her wedding bouquet looked like “salad someone gave up on,” and somehow got invited to the honeymoon anyway. Quirky, sharp, and completely unfiltered, Cutty’s the only vendor who might critique your outfit and upsell you a carving set in the same breath.
Suggested attire: A Halloween-inspired leisure suit or sweater with toy knives as props.
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BRYN OCEANS
Police Diver
Bryn Oceans is the thrill-seeking police diver of Dark Cloud, always chasing the next dare or reckless bet—no matter how small the prize. Energetic to a fault, Bryn’s nonstop risk-taking can be as exhausting as it is impressive. Once dove into an iced-over pond on a dare just to retrieve a rubber duck. Known to wear flippers to formal events, just in case adventure calls mid-toast.
Suggested attire: Scuba-inspired costume. Wet suit, or a police uniform with a snorkel as a prop. If you want to go full macabre, have a bag of fake bones/body parts that you've uncovered in your latest dive.
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CASEY CASPER
Ghost Hunter
A relentless know-it-all, Casey Casper is the ghost hunter who dismisses all advice and insists on being right—no matter the evidence. Even when clearly proven wrong, Casey is known for twisting the truth into a personal victory. Once a haunted toaster was declared a “portal anomaly,” it was sold on an auction site as a “certified spectral gateway.” Casey has business cards that read: If it’s not paranormal, it’s just poorly explained.
Suggested attire: Wear coveralls with strange equipment (e.g., made from aluminum foil and cardboard boxes) for ghost hunting, or wear a traditional ghostbuster costume!
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CHARLIE BURNS
Crematorium Tech
Charlie Burns, the crematorium technician, has the odd habit of ending every sentence like a question? It’s hard to tell if a point is being made or if input is expected—making conversations with Charlie a bit frustrating? Once asked a customer if the urn “felt haunted?” and then nodded solemnly without explaining? Some say it’s a speech quirk, others think it’s just a long-running bit that no one’s brave enough to challenge?
Suggested attire: Coveralls with fake matches/lighters in each pocket.
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DREW PENBLADE
Murder Mystery Author
Drew Penblade is a brooding murder mystery writer with a short fuse, especially regarding mispronunciations—say “pacific” instead of “specific” and prepare for wrath. A recent scuffle in a grocery store over the word “especially” even landed Drew in jail for a night. Known to carry a red editing pen and correct menus, signs, and occasionally tattoos, Drew considers grammar a blood sport. Locals have learned to choose words carefully—or risk becoming inspiration for the next grisly novel.
Suggested attire: All black clothing with a black wig, black lipstick (guy or girl), black shadow under eyes, black nail polish. Get inspired by Edgar Allan Poe with a raven on your shoulder.
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FRANKIE KINDLE
Bomb Squad Tech
Frankie Kindle is a bold bomb squad technician who overuses acronyms in conversation—without ever explaining them. Better brush up on your chat slang, because when Frankie says things like “FYI, it’s a full EOD sitch—BRB,” you're expected to keep up. Once left a town hall meeting mid-sentence muttering, “GTG, got a VUCA call from HQ—SMH.” Most locals just nod along and hope whatever Frankie’s talking about doesn’t explode.
Suggested attire: Camouflage shirt and pants, combat boots. Wire cutters are an optional prop.
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MICA MEURTE
Coroner
Mica Meurte is the coroner of Dark Cloud. Known for mysteriously appearing in rooms without warning, Mica gives some townsfolk an uneasy feeling. Rumors swirl about magical powers, while others attribute Mica’s sudden entrances to sheer stealth.
​Recently, Mica’s been disturbed by a string of irregularities that defy standard protocols. One corpse registered an elevated body temperature two days post-mortem, with no external heat source nearby. Another showed signs of cellular activity long after decomposition should’ve set in—anomalies Mica triple-checked against multiple labs. Needless to say, Mica's been on edge lately - especially after Mayor Black's untimely death!
Suggested attire: A lab coat or coveralls with Dark Cloud Morgue on the pocket (dark circles under your eyes with makeup).
ROOK BELLAMY
Peculiar & Spooky Podcast Host
Rook travels from town to town searching for the peculiar and spooky, chasing whispers, cold spots, and things best left alone. Dark Cloud was meant to be just another creepy episode—until things started unfolding in front of Rook’s eyes. Armed with endless curiosity, Rook is determined to uncover the truth... even if it bites back.
Now, Rook plans to spend the night at Shade Hallow Manor, recording potential paranormal activity live for an upcoming episode featuring Shade Hallow Manor on Peculiar & Spooky with Rook Bellamy.
Suggested attire: Wear anything Gothic, peculiar, and spooky. Think Edgar Allan Poe meets the Addams Family.
HOLLIS GRAYE
Locksmith
No one knows the locks, doors, or hidden passageways of Dark Cloud like Hollis. Quiet, meticulous, and always listening, Hollis has keys to places most folks forget exist—including Shade Hallow Manor. When tragedy strikes, some wonder if Hollis knows more about it… or if someone else has stolen a master key. Speaking of master keys, Hollis once assured Mayor Black that no skeleton key has ever been made capable of opening half the town’s locks. But the rumor mill says otherwise—and lately, too many doors are opening without signs of forced entry.
Suggested attire: Halloween-inspired or Gothic attire with a key theme. Wear a skeleton key on a necklace, have a ring of keys, etc.
QUINLAN DARE
Clock Restorer & Collector
Specializing in antique timepieces, Quin believes broken clocks carry emotional echoes. Recently brought in to repair the manor’s long-silent grandfather clock, Quin noticed it began ticking again—before anyone touched it. Some call it a coincidence. Quin calls it a warning. For nearly a month, Quin has been painstakingly restoring the clock and hopes to complete the work in time for the Halloween party. If the deadline isn't made, payment from the estate managers could fall through. Beyond the paycheck, Quin is determined to capture the grand unveiling—an eerie, dramatic moment that would make for perfect social media content.
Suggested attire: Steampunk-themed attire with clock gears and a pocket watch. Add a monocle for epic vibes.
SLOANE MERCER
Shade Hallow Manor Groundskeeper
Tasked with clearing overgrowth, repairing fences, and prepping the manor for public events, Sloane has seen more than most—rotting foundations, hidden doors, and strange items buried beneath the hedgerows. Tools often go missing, and footprints lead to places no one should be. And Sloane doesn’t like being blamed for a mess someone else made.
In addition to maintenance duties, Sloane has been working closely with the estate managers on the nomination to have Shade Hallow Manor recognized as a historical landmark. The paperwork has been filed, and if all goes well, the approval will arrive just in time for the Halloween party—marking the occasion with a proper celebration and a bit of long-overdue recognition.
Suggested attire: Flannel shirt, jeans (bonus for dirty smudges), scuffed boots; toy shovel. Or, go for an Edward Scissorhands look!
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ENTO BUGSMAN
Forensic Entomologist | Pest Control Operator
A hardworking forensic entomologist and owner of Dark Cloud’s only pest control business, Ento keeps infestations under control—though some believe this bug expert might be the cause of them. Ento shares a home with sibling Jeck Needles, and the two devote free time to a top-secret research project. Between a full-time role in forensic science and an ever-expanding garage lab filled with exotic specimens and experiments, Ento still launched a part-time pest control venture that’s quickly become one of the busiest operations in town. Some say there just isn’t enough crime in Dark Cloud to keep a forensic entomologist fully occupied—so bugs have filled the void.
Suggested attire: A lab coat or safety/kleen suit with toy insects in the pockets. For real - dressing up like a cockroach would be not only epic, but hysterical.
TARANT U. LAWE
Arachnologist
Tarant U. Lawe is the antisocial arachnologist at the Dark Cloud Exotic Animal Rescue. Known for anger management problems and a sharp, judgmental streak, Tarant has only a handful of friends. As a devoted germaphobe, getting too close to this spider wrangler is out of the question. Tarant exhibits an intense, almost obsessive attention to environmental details—nothing goes unnoticed, from the faintest footprint to the humidity shift in a room. Whispers around town suggest that financial troubles may be closing in, though nothing’s been confirmed.
Suggested attire: A lab coat with toy spiders in the pockets. Or, for massive laughs, dress up as one of your beloved tarantulas.
DR. FREEZE
Cryonics Technician
Dr. Freeze is a cryonics technician at Dark Cloud Cryonics and the town’s notorious one-upper. Any story shared will likely be followed by a more extended tale from Dr. Freeze, featuring a supposedly more impressive achievement. New to Dark Cloud, few truly know this cryo specialist. Originally from Deadwood City—just about a five-hour drive away—Dr. Freeze relocated recently but has already formed fast friendships around town. With an infectious charm and a talent for making others feel seen and celebrated, most people walk away feeling like Dr. Freeze has been a lifelong friend.
Suggested attire: A lab coat with Dark Cloud Cryonics on the pocket. Frosted goggles. Crazed, white or blue mad scientist hair (wig). Or, go full-on blue ice queen/king and really lean into the 'frozen' theme.
DECO TAMNATION
CTS Decon Technician
Deco is a peculiar crime and trauma scene decontamination technician who whistles and delivers unsettling stares that tend to silence conversations mid-sentence. When not cleaning up the town’s worst messes, Deco bakes cakes—unusual, striking, and delicious creations that are quickly earning a reputation across Dark Cloud. A rising pastry chef with a cult following, Deco also takes on odd cleaning jobs where traditional services fall short, with a near-mythical ability to get anything out of anything. Whispers suggest that unconventional ingredients might be finding their way into Deco’s baked goods, but many chalk that up to a smear campaign from a jealous rival bakery fearing the competition.
Suggested attire: A lab coat or hazmat suit with Dark Cloud Decon on the pocket.
DIRTÉ GRAVES
Cemetery Watchman
Dirté, pronounced deer-tay, is the late-night cemetery watch stationed at Dark Cloud Cemetery—a friendly soul with an unwavering belief in government conspiracies. Town rumors claim that Dirté’s home is completely insulated in aluminum foil to block surveillance satellites, a choice Dirté defends with such conviction that even skeptics pause to reconsider. While neighbors haven’t embraced the foil lifestyle just yet, many quietly admit that Dirté makes some compelling points. Lately, there’s been talk of unusual activity in the cemetery during the late hours—faint music, flickering lights, and the occasional burst of laughter—but nothing that Dirté seems particularly alarmed by.
Suggested attire: Overalls, unkempt hair (or wig) with coveralls. Aluminum foil as an optional prop. Bonus for attaching a toy raven/crow to your shoulder. You can also opt to go for a full Gothic look - and maybe have a tombstone or coffin accessory/prop.
JECK NEEDLES
Pharmaceutical Trial Subject
Jeck is a devoted pharmaceutical trial subject who is allegedly enrolled in multiple studies without disclosing overlapping drug protocols—a risky practice that’s raising quiet concerns among those aware. Jeck shares a home and a secretive research obsession with sibling Ento Bugsman, and together they’re immersed in a classified lab project that’s drawn both curiosity and suspicion.
Rumor has it that financial strain is the driving force behind Jeck’s escalating health risks—but how long can that gamble continue before consequences catch up? Adding to the turmoil, Jeck’s long-term relationship ended abruptly with a breakup text after eight years—sent by an ex who ran off with a traveling pet psychic.
Suggested attire: Casual attire. Hospital gown with a fake IV prop if you want some laughs. Draw marks on your arm with a red pen where you’ve been injected with things.
HANKIE SWINE
Pig Butcher
Hankie is an arrogant pig butcher and the owner of the only pig farm in town, known far and wide for charging sky-high prices for meat. Perched atop the hill, opposite the Shade Hallow Manor, is the infamous Swine Mansion—a looming estate shrouded in mystery. Despite generations of the Swine family residing there, not a single townsperson has ever been invited inside, fueling decades of speculation about what might be hidden behind its heavy doors.
Recently, gossip has surfaced that Hankie submitted an application to a reality show, though no one seems to know which one. Now the town is buzzing: if Hankie gets selected, what kind of show would even want a butcher with that kind of attitude?
Suggested attire: White apron with blood splattered on it. A toy butcher knife as a prop. If you are feeling cute - wear a pig costume. If you're feeling extra cute - throw some fake blood on it (let it dry thoroughly before messing with it, though).
WYLIE DIGGS
Gravedigger
Wylie is a gravedigger at Dark Cloud Cemetery and a lifelong town bully. From high school hallways to freshly dug graves, Wylie thrives on intimidation and never misses a chance to stir up fear. Lately, there's been an obvious effort to rebrand—cleaner clothes, forced smiles, even a social media presence—but it's like putting lipstick on a pig. The menace remains, just wrapped in flashier packaging. Locals are still talking about a recent dust-up in a parking lot between Wylie and Alex Palmer, though no one seems to know what sparked it—and both parties have stayed tight-lipped ever since.
Wylie’s boss at Dark Cloud Cemetery is none other than Dirté Graves—a detail Wylie often cites when fishing for sympathy. According to Wylie, enduring Dirté’s conspiracy-fueled ramblings and foil-wrapped philosophies is a burden few could bear. However, many in town quietly believe the sympathy should be directed in the opposite direction. After all, managing Wylie day in and day out might be the real challenge.
Suggested attire: Very dirty overalls or coveralls. A toy shovel as an optional prop. Bonus for attaching a toy raven/crow to your shoulder.
ALEX M. PALMER
Embalmer
Alex is a highly respected embalmer at the Dark Cloud Morgue, known for precision, loyalty, and a long track record of reliability. Close friendships and community trust follow wherever Alex goes—though quirky habits and a deep-rooted superstition keep others guessing. In a town the size of Dark Cloud, embalming isn’t handled at a traditional funeral home. Instead, the task falls to the morgue, where Alex works closely with the coroner, Mica Meurte, and handles preparation on-site before remains are transferred to area funeral services.
Lately, some quiet concern has grown over unusually long embalming times, but Alex has remained tight-lipped about the cause. Adding to the speculation, a recent altercation in a local parking lot with Wylie—Dark Cloud’s notorious gravedigger—has stirred gossip, though details remain scarce and neither party is talking.
Suggested attire: A lab coat with Dark Cloud Morgue on the pocket.
OFFICER NELSON
Police Officer
Officer Taylor Nelson is one of the most decorated members of the Dark Cloud Police Department. Devoted to keeping the streets safe, Taylor rarely takes a break and always volunteers for extra shifts. With crime running rampant in town, this officer faces endless challenges alongside a close-knit team of fellow enforcers. Also, known for working double shifts and never backing down from a confrontation, Officer Nelson has become a fixture at nearly every major crime scene. Some wonder how long the pace can hold before cracks start to show beneath the badge.
Suggested attire: Police uniform. Optional to have fake guns, handcuffs, as props.
DARK CLOUD POLICE OFFICERS
The officers of the Dark Cloud Police Department form a tight-knit unit of no-nonsense law enforcers who treat each other like family—sometimes bickering like siblings, but always watching one another’s backs. Known for blunt communication, sharp instincts, and an unshakable code, this crew doesn't flinch in the face of chaos. Whether chasing suspects through foggy alleys or coordinating traffic at the town’s haunted hayride, every officer brings a unique strength to the badge. In a town full of strange mysteries and restless whispers, the DCPD is one of the few things that feels solid, sharp, and unbreakably loyal.
Suggested attire: Police uniform. Optional to have fake guns, handcuffs, as props.
PAT COURIC
Reporter, CBC News
Pat Couric is CBC-TV’s most tenacious investigative reporter. Often breaking news before it happens, Pat has an unrivaled ambition and a vast network of sources. Pat is rarely seen without a group of CBC News colleagues.
Despite relentless hustle—staking out crime scenes overnight, cornering public officials in parking garages, and even posing as a caterer at a city council fundraiser—Pat always seems to be a few steps behind rival station RBC News. Whether it’s a scandal leak or a high-profile arrest, RBC has scooped the story first on most occasions, fueling Pat’s obsession to land the next big headline no matter the cost.
Suggested attire: Reporter costume. An optional microphone and notepad as props.
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CBC NEWS CREW
The CBC News crew is a loyal, fast-talking group of reporters, producers, and camera operators who move as one—whether chasing leads, dodging press conference cutoffs, or fueling Pat Couric’s endless quest for the next big scoop. Fiercely dedicated to the story and to each other, this crew thrives on caffeine, chaos, and late-night stakeouts. Everyone knows the real mission: help Pat land that coveted anchor desk promotion. Because when Pat goes up, the whole team’s riding along—straight out of field work and into a cushy studio gig with better lighting, real chairs, and no more sprinting through thunderstorms to cover sewer leaks.
Suggested attire: All black, casual attire. Any kind of film/production props are awesome.

