Post by Valhalla Erikson on Nov 17, 2024 2:15:32 GMT
**Welcome to Shepard: A Tourist’s Guide to the Supernatural Crossroads**
Nestled in the shadow of Arcadia Academy, Shepard is a town where the mundane and the mystical blur. But before you visit, there are a few things you should know. Shepard isn't your average quaint small town—it’s alive with secrets, where the eerie is commonplace and danger often lurks in the shadows. Here are twelve essential things to keep in mind:
---
### 1. **The King's Mark**
The King family is Shepard's unofficial royalty, their adventures the stuff of local legend. Whether you spot David King at the café jotting down ideas for his next bestseller or Magdalene swooping across the rooftops at night, steer clear of their cases—they tend to end with property damage and unexplainable disappearances.
---
### 2. **Emma’s Enchanted Bookstore**
Emma Novak’s bookstore is a cozy haven for those seeking rare tomes or advice on spellcasting. However, browse carefully: the *wrong* book might latch onto you, and Emma insists on a strict no-refunds policy when it comes to cursed items. And be nice to Emma. She's cool but...Just be nice.
---
### 3. **The Blackbell Woods**
Located on the outskirts of town, the Blackbell Woods are as alluring as they are treacherous. Locals warn against venturing too far into the fog-drenched paths, where the trees are said to whisper in voices of the lost. If you hear your name called, *do not* answer.
---
### 4. **The Arcadia Academy’s Shadow**
Perched high on the mountain, the academy seems to watch over the town. But when its bell tolls after midnight, it’s not a call for students—it’s a warning. Don’t be caught in the streets when it rings; that’s when the wraiths patrol for trespassers.
---
### 5. **Shepard’s Cemetery**
More than a resting place for the dead, the cemetery is a hotspot for supernatural energy. On foggy nights, you might spot spectral duels between former witches or catch a glimpse of the Deathkeeper, a shadowy figure rumored to judge whether newcomers belong among the living.
---
### 6. **The Siren’s Song Bar**
Run by Morgaine Carpenter’s family, this watering hole serves potent cocktails and equally intoxicating gossip. Just don’t accept free drinks—they may come with strings attached, and sirens are notorious for collecting on debts.
---
### 7. **Cain’s Sanctuary**
Cain’s safehouse for outcast creatures is a hidden gem—but getting there is no easy feat. If you follow the faint trail of claw marks, you may find it. Just remember, this is sacred ground for the misunderstood, and Cain doesn’t take kindly to anyone who disturbs their peace.
---
### 8. **The Gargoyle’s Perch**
An ancient gargoyle statue guards Shepard’s oldest church. Locals claim it moves when no one is looking, and a few visitors swear they’ve seen it perched atop other buildings. It’s said to protect the town—but only when the threat isn’t *you*.
---
### 9. **The Shepard Carnival**
This annual event is both thrilling and terrifying. The rides are a scream (literally), and the fortune-tellers are uncannily accurate. However, stay away from the Hall of Mirrors after dark; some say it shows not your reflection, but your fate—and it’s rarely a happy one.
---
### 10. **The Shifting Streets**
Shepard’s layout is… unpredictable. Roads appear and disappear, and sometimes entire buildings seem to move overnight. Always carry a map, but don’t rely on it. If you get lost, follow the faint scent of lavender; it usually leads back to safety—or Emma’s bookstore.
---
### 11. **The Wishing Well**
An unassuming well near the town square grants wishes—but never for free. Most residents avoid it, but some brave souls drop coins into its depths. Their wishes are often granted… though rarely in the way they hoped.
---
### 12. **The Clocktower’s Chime**
Shepard’s clocktower is the town’s most iconic feature. But when it chimes thirteen times, *run*. That’s the signal of a rift opening, and the things that crawl out are not keen on sightseeing.
---
### 13. **The Dog Park**
Don't! DO NOT GO IN! Dogs don't even go in the Dog Park. Even Birds fly around The Dog Park!
---
**Final Advice:** Shepard may be a charming town with friendly faces and a rich history, but don’t let its quaint veneer fool you. Here, the line between the natural and the supernatural is paper-thin—and it’s always watching.
Nestled in the shadow of Arcadia Academy, Shepard is a town where the mundane and the mystical blur. But before you visit, there are a few things you should know. Shepard isn't your average quaint small town—it’s alive with secrets, where the eerie is commonplace and danger often lurks in the shadows. Here are twelve essential things to keep in mind:
---
### 1. **The King's Mark**
The King family is Shepard's unofficial royalty, their adventures the stuff of local legend. Whether you spot David King at the café jotting down ideas for his next bestseller or Magdalene swooping across the rooftops at night, steer clear of their cases—they tend to end with property damage and unexplainable disappearances.
---
### 2. **Emma’s Enchanted Bookstore**
Emma Novak’s bookstore is a cozy haven for those seeking rare tomes or advice on spellcasting. However, browse carefully: the *wrong* book might latch onto you, and Emma insists on a strict no-refunds policy when it comes to cursed items. And be nice to Emma. She's cool but...Just be nice.
---
### 3. **The Blackbell Woods**
Located on the outskirts of town, the Blackbell Woods are as alluring as they are treacherous. Locals warn against venturing too far into the fog-drenched paths, where the trees are said to whisper in voices of the lost. If you hear your name called, *do not* answer.
---
### 4. **The Arcadia Academy’s Shadow**
Perched high on the mountain, the academy seems to watch over the town. But when its bell tolls after midnight, it’s not a call for students—it’s a warning. Don’t be caught in the streets when it rings; that’s when the wraiths patrol for trespassers.
---
### 5. **Shepard’s Cemetery**
More than a resting place for the dead, the cemetery is a hotspot for supernatural energy. On foggy nights, you might spot spectral duels between former witches or catch a glimpse of the Deathkeeper, a shadowy figure rumored to judge whether newcomers belong among the living.
---
### 6. **The Siren’s Song Bar**
Run by Morgaine Carpenter’s family, this watering hole serves potent cocktails and equally intoxicating gossip. Just don’t accept free drinks—they may come with strings attached, and sirens are notorious for collecting on debts.
---
### 7. **Cain’s Sanctuary**
Cain’s safehouse for outcast creatures is a hidden gem—but getting there is no easy feat. If you follow the faint trail of claw marks, you may find it. Just remember, this is sacred ground for the misunderstood, and Cain doesn’t take kindly to anyone who disturbs their peace.
---
### 8. **The Gargoyle’s Perch**
An ancient gargoyle statue guards Shepard’s oldest church. Locals claim it moves when no one is looking, and a few visitors swear they’ve seen it perched atop other buildings. It’s said to protect the town—but only when the threat isn’t *you*.
---
### 9. **The Shepard Carnival**
This annual event is both thrilling and terrifying. The rides are a scream (literally), and the fortune-tellers are uncannily accurate. However, stay away from the Hall of Mirrors after dark; some say it shows not your reflection, but your fate—and it’s rarely a happy one.
---
### 10. **The Shifting Streets**
Shepard’s layout is… unpredictable. Roads appear and disappear, and sometimes entire buildings seem to move overnight. Always carry a map, but don’t rely on it. If you get lost, follow the faint scent of lavender; it usually leads back to safety—or Emma’s bookstore.
---
### 11. **The Wishing Well**
An unassuming well near the town square grants wishes—but never for free. Most residents avoid it, but some brave souls drop coins into its depths. Their wishes are often granted… though rarely in the way they hoped.
---
### 12. **The Clocktower’s Chime**
Shepard’s clocktower is the town’s most iconic feature. But when it chimes thirteen times, *run*. That’s the signal of a rift opening, and the things that crawl out are not keen on sightseeing.
---
### 13. **The Dog Park**
Don't! DO NOT GO IN! Dogs don't even go in the Dog Park. Even Birds fly around The Dog Park!
---
**Final Advice:** Shepard may be a charming town with friendly faces and a rich history, but don’t let its quaint veneer fool you. Here, the line between the natural and the supernatural is paper-thin—and it’s always watching.
