#intro.oblitus

[puzzzlepieces]

LOCATION : benny's diner .

VIBE : clueless npc .

" oh no , i uh - i don't make the decisions 'round here " he's saying , before pointing his index finger towards himself and shrugging . " i kinda just go where the people tell me . " GOD DAMN sid and his tendency to keep talking and make a bad situation worse , an awkward situation UNBEARABLE . " like princess diana , yeah ? " sid pauses . " she was the princess of england , for a while there . before the paps , and probably the queen , got her . " he explains , in case SOMEHOW ( idiot man ) they'd been at oblitus for longer than when a KEY PIECE of history had happened .

[tragady]

                    TALIA  BALFOUR          THE  DARKNESS  HAS  ITS  HOLINESS.

basics.

given  name.     talia  balfour. nickname.     tally,   blondie,   give  her  some. age.     twenty-nine   (   january  29,   1995   ). place  of  birth.     manhattan,   new  york. song.     girl,   you’ll  be  a  woman  soon  by  urge  overkill. orientation.     bisexual,   give  her  psychosexual  nonsense  or  give  her  nothing.     only  a  couple  of  situationships  at  home  that  she  held  like  a  dog  holds  its  kill. occupation.     the  wicked  pharmacist  of  the  west. education.     an  over-achiever:   the  pharmacist  degree  under  her  belt,   eyeing  a  philosophy  degree  to  pass  the  time. religion.     second-generation  lapsed  catholic:   their  sunday  best  would  double  as  the  cook’s  apron.     or  the  duster  for  their  room’s  door  frame.

physical  characteristics.

height.     one-hundred  sixty-seven  centimetres,   five  foot  six. eyes.     dark  brown,   inky  in  the  shadows. hair.     sharp  blonde,   no  longer  perfectly  slicked  into  a  bun. gender  identity.     cis  woman   (   she   +   her   ). build.     not  much  curve  to  her  body:   small  chest  with  slightly  wider  hips. distinguishing  marks.     that  cold,   piercing  gaze  and  a  freckle  above  her  lip.     a  distinct  lack  of  blemishes.

personality   &   behaviour.

hobbies.     fencing,   chess,   gardening.     in  this  town,   she  fills  her  time  by  growing  her  own  mushrooms.     unsafe  to  eat,   doubling  as  failed  experiments,   along  with  her  relentless  pursuit  of  growing  medicinal  herbs.     enjoyed  sketching  or  painting  on  the  empty  pier,   at  any  time  of  day,   and  would  exclude  people  from  her  picture.     took  up  some  form  of  weaving  after  coming  to  the  town.     definitely  a  horse  girl  when  she  was  young. likes.     a  glass  of  red  wine  on  a  saturday  night,   flicking  fallen  leaves  at  her  cat,   the  mess  blood  leaves,   walking  outdoors   –   among  the  trees  specifically,   where  the  wind  whistles  instead  of  a  person’s  laboured  breath  out  in  the  cold. dislikes.     the  mess  hands  leave:   the  dry  kind  of  sticky  like  thirsty  roots,   music  trickling,   unbidden,   outside  of  its  allocated  room,   shadeless  heat  and  misty  rain. quirks.     her  eerie  facial  expressions:  unfurls  too  fast  and  flits  too  slow.      or  vice  versa,   any  mash  of  mechanics.     it’s  too  easy  to  see  her  facade’s  artifice. strengths.     no  ailment  will  go  untreated,   numbed  at  the  very  least. weaknesses.     even  when  it’s  one  she  pinches  into  your  body,   just  to  see  if  she  can  cure  it. moral  alignment.     neutral  evil. character  inspiration.     lee  harker   (   longlegs   ),   emma  frost   (   marvel   ),   sofia  falcone   (   the  penguin   ),   audrey  horne   (   twin  peaks   ),   lily   &   amanda   (   thoroughbreds   ),   little  sisters   (   bioshock   ),   mima  kirigoe   (   perfect  blue   ),   amma  crellin   (   sharp  objects   ),   eve   (   the  bible   ).

background.

you’re  not  a  miracle;   you’re  barely  a  statistic.     pink  fruit  from  a  round  womb.     grown  at  a  hill’s  crest,   a  strand  of  wet  grass  below  the  peach  tree,   overlooking  a  herd  of  sun-dried  cows.     no  one  would  notice  your  cotton  cradle.     no  one  but  the  stars.     and  your  mother’s  eyes  do  not  glisten  upon  watching  your  first  blink.     nor  your  first  day  at  school.     nor  your  first  ballet  recital.     without  a  picture,   you  wouldn’t  even  know  she  was  there.     you  forget  her  youth   ––   in  your  wet  baby-toothed  way   ––   for  there’s  nothing  to  chew  from  her.     bent  from  its  frame,   your  memory  holds  a  father’s  smile,   and  his  heavy  hand  upon  your  lithe  shoulder.

the  eve  of  your  fourteenth  birthday,   your  mother  cups  your  jaw  in  both  hands.     splayed  fingers  brush  against  your  slow  pulse.     your  breath  dampens  her  skin.     you  feel  it,   now,   more  than  she  did.     her  warmth  spilled  across  your  neck  like  air-thickened  blood.     this  is  before  the  second  step-mother,   right  at  the  precipice  of  your  first.     watch  him  for  me,   your  mother  says,   watch  him  at  night  for  me.     for  me.     almost  too  easy,   your  mother  would  say.     a  simple  kiss  at  their  temple,   and  a  child  remembers  their  mother.     quiet  malice,   salted  to  taste,   by  your  father  forgetting  to  call  you  his  favourite  girl.     and  there,   the  axe  earns  its  first  swing.

flesh  is  sweet  and  bought  hostility  is  sweeter.     levied  by  her  parents,   held  like  a  serrated  knife.     where  love  should  be  milk-bathed  and  pat  dry,   your  definition  curdles  into  a  tight  smile.     rehearsed  in  the  dark  mirror  of  another’s  pupil.     by  your  twenties,   you  reach  a  third  step-mother.     and  yet,   there  is  only  one  that  you  call  father.     the  game  loses  its  fresh  scent   –   stale  like  wrinkled,   doughy  hands   –   and  your  teeth  grow  sturdy.     their  quiet  plea  for  your  return  wafts  close  to  your  ear,   like  the  sound  of  crashing  water  from  a  seashell  as  the  sea  rolls  against  your  feet.

where  was  talia  when  she  saw  the  tree  and  the  murder  of  crows?     where  was  she  going?     was  she  travelling  alone?     how  did  she  feel?

two  nights  before  thanksgiving:   she  needed  to  find  her  father’s  new  house.     a  mid-life  crisis  purchase,   no  doubt,   but  that  only  made  the  prospect  of  seeing  him  more  fun.     fawning  over  a  new  dark-wood  table.     she  was  on  the  highway,   probably  pulled  into  the  wrong  exit.     it  should’ve  been  a  quick  fix.     the  darkening  sky  barely  fazed  her.

describe  talia’s  first  night  in  town.     did  she  arrive  in  the  daytime?     was  she  warned  by  the  residents?     did  she  have  to  be  restrained?

when  late  afternoon  breaks  into  early  evening,   pruning  the  sun-yellow  yolk  back  into  its  moon-white  shell.     it  takes  one  loop  back  to  the  town  for  her  to  stop  the  car.     night  looms  overhead,   and  she  stares  at  the  endless  path  before  her.     she  would  be  deathly  silent  on  that  first  day.     somewhere  between  excited   –   about  the  idea  of  something  new,   a  challenge  for  her  to  observe  and  overcome   –   and  empty  like  a  cracked  china  doll.

what  did  she  leave  behind?     what  was  her  life  like  on  the  outside?

at  her  apartment,   her  cat  will  find  a  new  person.     the  aloe  vera  will  die,   and  the  soil  will  clog  someone’s  drain.     her  father  will  assume  she  joined  her  mother’s  thanksgiving;   her  mother  will  call  to  ask  if  she  arrived  safely.     at  the  ripe  age  of  sixty,   they  will  find  god  and  pray  over  an  empty  grave.

[hcartcorruptcd]

ELLINGTON "EL" TAYLOR survived another night. The town would certainly feel less safe without a them close by. Not to mention, we can’t lose another LEVEL THREE MECHANIC, plus they’re only THIRTY-THREE years old. Crazy to think, it’s been TWO YEARS since their arrival, though in a place like Oblitus it can feel much longer. Good thing they’re staying at the RESIDENTIAL AREA. Almost like it happened yesterday, they still remember LONDON, ENGLAND, and where they came from. It’s no secret, they were LEAVING THE AIRPORT FROM A WORK TRIP when they came across the tree, and is still keeping them up at night. Truth be told, they’re awfully COMEDIC and DISTANT, but they’ve survived this long. Well, it’s almost day light again, maybe they’ll play SITTIN ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY by OTIS REDDING this time. Welcome to another night in Oblitus, please don’t open the doors. (fitz, 27, he/him, est)

BASIC INFORMATION

NAME: Ellington "El" Taylor GENDER: Non-binary (they/them) NICKNAMES: El BIRTHDAY: April 23, 1991 AGE: 33 ASTROLOGY: Taurus Sun, Taurus Moon, Cancer Rising SEXUALITY: Lesbian HOMETOWN: London, England BIRTHPLACE: London, England RELIGION: Agnostic EDUCATION: Master of Engineering (MEng) in Aerospace Engineering from Imperial College London RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

HEIGHT: 5'8' EYES: Green HAIR: Brown BUILD: Slim DISTINGUISHING MARKS: Large back tattoo of an airplane

PERSONALITY & BEHAVIOR

HOBBIES: Model Plane Building, Stargazing, Gardening, Cooking/Baking, Vinyl Record Collecting, Photography LIKES: Routine, Neatness, Reading, Meaningful Conversations DISLIKES: Rashness, Superficiality, Crowds, Loud Noises. QUIRKS: Fidgets, Slightly Mismatched clothing, Ritualistic morning routine, Collects small objects. STRENGTHS: Patient, reliable, empathetic, determined WEAKNESSES: Stubborn, overly-cautious, emotional absorption.

BACKSTORY:

you can find the full story here.

BACKSTORY BULLET POINTS ( tw: addiction. overdose. death. )

Family: Youngest of three; parents instilled a love for precision (mother was a nurse, father an engineer). Childhood: Quiet, introverted, obsessed with model planes; early fascination with aircraft due to father’s influence; El's mother hurts her back lifting a patient and begins on a tumultuous path with prescription pain killers. Teen Years: Developed a passion for aviation; earned a private pilot's license at 18; inspired by father's military stories to join the Royal Air Force (RAF). Tragedy: Just before leaving for basic training for the RAF, El's mother overdoses on heroin. Military Career: Served as an aircraft technician in the RAF, excelling in aircraft quality assurance; served for five years. Education: Left the RAF and earned a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Aerospace Engineering from Imperial College London in 2019. Post-Military: Worked as a global aerospace quality assurance engineer, conducting aircraft inspections. Personal Life: Had a serious relationship with Maude, a fellow servicewoman, but they broke up due to emotional differences. Trapped: On their way back from a work trip in 2023, encountered the mysterious tree in the road and became trapped in a strange town with no way out. Life in Town: Struggles with anxiety and the loss of routine but uses their problem-solving skills and military training to contribute to the community.

WHERE WAS YOUR CHARACTER WHEN THEY SAW THE TREE AND THE MURDER OF CROWS? WHERE WERE THEY GOING? WERE THEY TRAVELLING ALONE? HOW DID THEY FEEL?

As El returned from a work trip, their mind was still filled with thoughts of quality checks on the latest aircraft. The long day at the facility had drained them, yet the routine of their job had provided a comforting structure amid the chaos of the town they found themselves in. The evening air was cool as they drove, the familiar route easing their mind, but the calm was shattered when they encountered a massive fallen tree blocking the road. “Of course there’s a tree in the road,” El muttered, rubbing the back of their neck as they slowed the car. The sight felt surreal—like something out of a horror film rather than the mundane reality they had come to accept. The tree lay sprawled across the asphalt, roots exposed like the twisted fingers of a buried hand clawing for freedom. They parked a few feet away and stepped out, heart racing as the cawing of a murder of crows echoed ominously overhead. “What now?” El sighed, running a hand through their brown hair. The tree, large and menacing, seemed to loom over them, its presence a stark reminder that this town was anything but ordinary. El's analytical mind, trained to assess and diagnose issues in aircraft systems, began to work overtime. “This must have fallen recently,” they thought, observing the fresh splintering at the base and the disturbed ground. Their engineer instincts kicked in, but an unsettling feeling prickled at their skin. The air felt heavy, as if the tree had absorbed the darkness of the night. Stepping closer, El felt a wave of anxiety wash over them. The crows’ caws intensified, and they glanced up, trying to read the sky for answers. “It’s just a tree, right?” they reasoned, but something in their gut whispered otherwise. They took a deep breath, trying to shake off the discomfort that had settled in. “Just get past it, El,” they urged themselves, but the sight of the tree held them captive. The serene world of aircraft engineering felt a million miles away. “What if this is a sign?” El took a step back, the urge to turn around growing stronger. Their practical nature battled with an emotional intuition that had been sharpened by their experiences in this strange place. “No need to tempt fate,” they decided, finally pivoting on their heel, ready to find another route.

DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTERS FIRST DAY/NIGHT IN TOWN. DID THEY ARRIVE IN THE DAYTIME? WERE THEY WARNED BY THE RESIDENTS? DID THEY HAVE TO BE RESTRAINED?

El's first day in town was a slow descent into confusion and dread. After arriving in the late afternoon, they felt an uneasy air of anticipation wrapping around them. The sun hung low, casting an orange hue over the streets, but as they drove through, an unsettling realization struck: every turn led them back to the same spot. It was as if the town itself conspired against them, trapping them within its confines. After several frustrating attempts to leave, El began to feel the weight of impending nightfall pressing down on them. Just as the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, they spotted a townsfolk wandering by—a woman with wide eyes, her demeanor frantic and wild. Desperation surged through El as they pulled over, stepping out of the car and rushing toward her. “Please, can you help me? I can’t leave!” they exclaimed, shaking her shoulders gently. “What is happening here? Why can’t I get out?” The woman’s eyes widened in alarm, and she took a step back, her hands trembling. “You have to stay away from the trees and—” she started, but El’s mind raced, logic slipping away as panic gripped their chest. In an instant, the serene engineer was replaced by a whirlwind of anxiety. “No! This doesn’t make sense!” El gasped, their breath coming in quick bursts. The world around them began to spin, shadows stretching and creeping closer, and they could feel the pressure building in their chest as the realization of their captivity hit home. “Breathe, El! Just breathe!” they muttered to themselves, trying to cling to the remnants of their calm nature, but it felt futile. The anxiety attack washed over them like a tidal wave, and they stumbled back, disoriented and gasping for air. Within moments, the townspeople had gathered, understanding the urgency of the situation. They moved in, gentle but firm, restraining El as the darkness thickened around them. “You can’t be out here when it’s dark,” one of them said, voice steady, almost soothing amidst the chaos. El's heart raced, and they fought against their hold, a mixture of fear and frustration coursing through them. “I just want to go home!” they cried out, but deep down, they knew that was no longer an option. The sun had set, and with it, the true nature of this place began to reveal itself. As night enveloped the town, El felt the reality of their situation sink in, the comforting familiarity of their engineer’s mind now a distant memory.

WHAT DID THEY LEAVE BEHIND? WHAT WAS THEIR LIFE LIKE ON THE OUTSIDE?

Before El found themselves trapped in the mysterious town, their life outside was one of structured routine and quiet heartache. As an aerospace engineer, El thrived in their work, meticulously overseeing quality checks on aircraft and collaborating with a dedicated team. Their days were filled with problem-solving and innovation, but the weight of a recent breakup lingered heavily on their shoulders. El's life was centered in London, where they lived in a cozy apartment adorned with model planes, vinyl records, and a small herb garden that they tended to with care. Although they cherished the serene evenings spent stargazing from their balcony, contemplating the vastness of the universe, the shadows of their past relationship cast a long pall over their thoughts. El had recently broken up with Lila, an artist whose vibrant spirit had once breathed life into their more structured world. Their relationship had been passionate and creative, but the differences that once attracted them eventually created rifts that were too wide to bridge. Lila’s spontaneity and free-spirited nature often clashed with El’s need for stability and routine, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion. Their last conversation still echoed in El’s mind—an emotional farewell that left them feeling adrift, yearning for the connection they had lost. Now, facing the horrors of their new reality, El felt the ache of what they had left behind—an unfulfilled life, a job they loved, and the memories of laughter and friendship shared with Lila. Those recollections became increasingly distant, tantalizing yet painfully unreachable, as they grappled with the chilling thought of whether they would ever return to that life or if they were destined to remain in this endless nightmare, haunted by both the town and the echoes of a lost love.

CONNECTIONS IDEAS

Mentor-Like Figure: El has bonded with an older resident who has been stuck in the town for much longer. This person could serve as a mentor, helping El navigate the strange rules and creatures that roam at night. Close Confidants: After two years, El has found people they trust deeply and they all rely on each other for survival. A Rivalry Turned Alliance: This is another resident who challenges El’s way of thinking, maybe someone more impulsive or emotionally driven. They clash over how to handle their entrapment, but after a crisis (like a close encounter with the night creatures), they realize that working together is the only way forward. Unspoken Romantic Tension: El develops a complex connection with someone in town who reminds them of what it is like caring for someone else romantically, sparking a mix of nostalgia and hesitation. Their connection could be subtle and unspoken for a long time, with moments of vulnerability and near-confession. The town’s dangerous environment could keep them from pursuing anything deeper out of fear of attachment and loss. Sibling Dynamic: El has taken a protective role over someone younger, perhaps a teenager or a young adult who stumbled into the town recently. This person could look up to El, relying on their patience and problem-solving abilities. Resource Exchange: El has a transactional relationship with another resident (neighbor?), where they trade resources, skills, or information. This person might be particularly good at scavenging or making life in the town bearable, while El offers practical engineering skills, such as maintaining equipment or building makeshift defenses against the night creatures. Newcomers: After being trapped for two years, El encounters a new arrival who refuses to accept the reality of the town, mirroring El's own initial reaction. The newcomer’s optimism might trigger memories of when El still believed in escape, creating a bittersweet dynamic.

LEARN & LISTEN: pinterest, playlist.

[insickness]

— dependent muse blog for fromoblitushq

⋆｡°✩ ★ ⋆｡°✩ ★ muse —

mason grant ⋆˙⟡ biography > threads > wanted connections >

[rampents]

| zendaya & she/her | Welcome to the crossroads, CATIE CATCHER. Another lost soul that stumbled across a fallen tree in their path. They appear to be 25 years old, but it’s hard to tell. The town bares no resemblance to LOS ANGELES, are you sure we can trust them? Seeing as they ended up here because, SHE WENT TRAVELLING TO GET AWAY. They definitely weren’t looking to end up here. Now they’ll have to rely on being CONFIDENT to survive. Hopefully their HOTHEADED doesn’t get in the way of that. I guess if we’re going to pass the time tonight, might as well request THE PHANTOM BUZZ by DECLAN MCKENNA. Oh, and one more thing, your new role here will be STORE CLERK. We’ll be sending out welcoming party over to the MOTEL. Welcome to Oblitus, the only thing you have to remember, when the sun sets– don’t open the door.

Born into Hollywood, Catie’s life was orchestrated by her parents: her father, an unsuccessful actor, thrust her into the spotlight, seeing her as his last chance at fame.Her mother, a well-known director, supported this to appease her father, grateful that it stopped his endless complaints about his career.From a young age, Catie learned to mask her feelings; any resistance to her parents' plans led to her father calling her ungrateful, forcing her to perform a “perfect daughter” act.

As Catie got older, her anger grew sharper. She tried to push it down, and it came out in other ways: outbursts on set, arguments with fellow cast members, and eventually, an attitude problem that branded her as “difficult.” When directors or producers gave her orders that felt too controlling, she’d snap. Despite her struggles, Catie became a recognisable child actress, starring in several TV shows and movies. However, by the age of 20, she could no longer endure the demands of her career and decided to disappear from the industry.

She fled to London, wanting a fresh start. Catie dabbled in teaching an acting class, but her lack of passion (and talent for that matter) for the craft rendered her ineffective as a teacher. She also tried her hand at writing, producing a debut book that fictionalised her childhood in the industry. She attempted painting, but her works lacked depth. She ventured into photography, only to find her skills were mediocre at best. Graphic design, jewellery making, and even a brief stint as a musician followed, but none of these pursuits worked out. Each new venture would start with excitement, but as soon as things got tough or she faced criticism, her frustration would turn to rage, and she’d quit before she could "fail."

Defeated, embarrassed, Catie relocated to Manchester, hoping to carve out a more conventional life away from her past. While the book garnered some attention, it wasn’t actually all that good and she stopped doing that too.

In Manchester, it seemed manageable for a while, but with her father back in her life, her old triggers flared up. His attempts to control her life, combined with his sense of entitlement to her inheritance, stoked her anger again, yet she couldn’t bring herself to confront him outright. Instead, Catie’s anger came out in bursts: shouting at strangers, smashing dishes, leaving situations abruptly. Her impulse to keep running��to leave her anger and the people triggering it behind—was strong. She decided to take off travelling. Despite her first trip being to Brazil, she finds herself in a deceptively American town. Welcome to Oblitus!

- how did they find the tree that led them here? what were they doing?

Catie was drifting from town to town with no particular plan. After a few weeks in Brazil, she booked a budget bus ticket to a coastal town. Somewhere along the route, the bus took a detour. While most passengers seemed unbothered, Catie grew restless. The landscape felt disorientingly wrong—dense forests pressing in on both sides of the road, with no sign of towns or rest stops. After hours on this unfamiliar route, the bus finally halted at a strange wooded clearing. They’d stopped to help someone change a flat tire. Impatient and wanting to stretch her legs, Catie wandered off into the trees.

She spotted an enormous old oak tree, its roots coiled and twisted, partially rising from the earth as though inviting her to step closer. She reached out, touching the bark—and suddenly felt a rush, almost like a sharp tug. She stumbled forward, losing her footing. When she straightened and looked around, the forest seemed different—too quiet, too dense. She looked back for the bus, but it was gone, replaced by eerie silence.

- describe your character’s first day/night in town? 

Catie's first day in the town is surreal, unsettling. When she first stepped out of the trees and into the heart of the town, it was too unbelievably quiet. The buildings look worn, faded, as if they hadn’t been touched for years. As she wanders the streets, Catie feels like she‘s walking through the set of an abandoned movie.

She eventually comes across a group of people gathered in what looked like a town centre. Relieved to see anyone, she approaches, half-expecting them to recognize her from her old acting days. Instead, the townsfolk just exchanged wary glances. She asks the way out of town but is met with, ‘There is no way out.’

She laughs, assuming they’re trying to scare her. But as the day wears on, the reality begins to sink in. She wanders the roads, trying to find a path back to the tree where she had first arrived, but each attempt leads her back into the town. Frustrated and confused, her anger starts to bubble up. She confronts a few people, demanding answers, but they just look at her with pity and fear.

[fromsaudades]

| SAOIRSE RONAN & SHE/HER | Congratulations, MAUDE MORNINGSTAR survived another night. The town would certainly feel less safe without a them close by. Not to mention, we can’t lose another VETERINARIAN, plus they’re only THIRTY-TWO. Crazy to think, it’s been SIX MONTHS since their arrival, though in a place like Oblitus it can feel much longer. Good thing they’re staying at the COLONY HOUSE. Almost like it happened yesterday, they still remember COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, and where they came from. It’s no secret, they were COMING BACK FROM CAMPING ON THE BEACH WITH HER TWO BEST FRIENDS when they came across the tree, and is still keeping them up at night. Truth be told, they’re awfully INSTINCTIVE and MANIPULATIVE, but they’ve survived this long. Well, it’s almost day light again, maybe they’ll play ABSTRACT (PSYCHOPOMP) BY HOZIER this time. Welcome to another night in Oblitus, please don’t open the doors. (jer, 34, she/he/they/any ) -no triggers

FULL BIO — TAGS — PINTEREST — PLAYLIST

what is their biggest regret since arriving in town?

“It’s not what you’d expect. It’s not even about the people here, really.” You remember being called out to the farm—somewhere outside Colony House—and finding it lying in the gravel, just… sprawled out. Its leg was twisted, all mangled from whatever hit it. The sheep’s fur was so soft in your hands as you gave it a final comfort, petting it as if it could somehow remove its pain. You knew it was beyond saving, but something in the way it looked at you held you there. The poor thing was still holding on, desperate, almost pleading. You knew what had to be done—“I should’ve done the right thing, should’ve ended its suffering. But… I didn’t. I hesitated.” The farmer wanted you to put it down, but you kept thinking, What if? What if some miracle would come along and somehow pull it through? You didn’t want to be the one to give up, to choose the end. And so you waited. “But it slowed its movement in my arms, and the fear in its eyes went out in an instant.” You can still feel the whole farm watching, every animal, every shadow of that place knowing what you did. Or, maybe worse, what you didn’t do. And now, no matter where you go, you can’t shake the memory of that poor creature. You let it suffer, and that’s on you.

describe your character’s first day/night in town?

"We were on our way back home, just three friends escaping the chaos of life back in Columbia, with nothing but a tent, some cheap food, and a beach that seemed endless.” That last day felt like a sendoff to everything familiar—crashing waves, the warm grip of sand between your toes, sunsets that swallowed the horizon in colors you could almost touch. Columbia felt so distant there, like you’d outrun it for good. “The tree… well, that came out of nowhere.” You remember thinking it had to be some weird prank—something to mess with travelers. You had almost laughed it off when you first saw it. There it was, rooted in the middle of the road as if it had simply materialized out of thin air, its trunk twisted and gnarled in a way that made you want to look away. But as you drew closer, a strange unease began to grow in the pit of your stomach. You could feel it crawling under your skin, icy and insistent, whispering something you couldn't yet understand. You should’ve trusted your instincts then, but you didn’t. Not fully. The others weren’t so sure either. One of them—had cracked a joke, something to ease the tension, but it didn’t work. By the time you noticed the sky darkening and saw the crows circling overhead, their wings making a strange, almost cracking sound in the stillness, it was too late. The birds felt like a warning, like they’d seen people wander too close to the tree before. You were trapped there, suspended in some eerie moment between what was real and what couldn’t possibly be, until something in the air shifted. The world changed. In an instant. “By the time I realized we weren’t leaving, we were already inside the Colony House.” You don’t remember exactly how you got there or how long it had taken to accept that you wouldn’t be going back. That first night, you were thankful you didn’t arrive alone. Six months have passed since that drive, but those memories—sunsets, laughter, waves—feel like artifacts from a life that might not have ever been yours. In the Colony House, you huddled on a queen-sized mattress with the others. Three friends who, until that night, believed the worst things could be explained away. The walls creaked and groaned like they were alive, and outside, you could hear something pacing, something scratching against the wood as if testing for weaknesses. In the darkness, their whispers came—soft, half-familiar voices dredging up pieces of your past that you’d buried, like dirt shifted to reveal bones. You closed your eyes, hoping the monsters outside wouldn’t find you. But it was the memories inside, awakened by those whispers, that haunted you most. “It was scary.” Each sound—each guttural growl, every claw scratching against the wood—drew up fragments you thought you'd sealed away: laughter that tasted too sweet, the sharp sting of betrayals you’d been too young to understand, moments where innocence collided with secrets that weighed far too much. Those monsters outside—they weren’t the ones haunting you. It was everything you'd buried, freed now in a place that felt as though it had been waiting just for you. “The scariest thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life.”

[ludics]

| seo in-guk & he/him | Congratulations, YONG-RAE “RAE” BAEK survived another night. The town would certainly feel less safe without a them close by. Not to mention, we can’t lose another FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST, plus they’re only THIRTY-TWO years old. Crazy to think, it’s been EIGHT YEARS since their arrival, though in a place like Oblitus it can feel much longer. Good thing they’re staying at the RESIDENTIAL AREA. Almost like it happened yesterday, they still remember LOS ANGELES, and where they came from. It’s no secret, they were DRIVING THROUGH THE 2ND STREET TUNNEL when they came across the tree, and is still keeping them up at night. Truth be told, they’re awfully REALISTIC and RETICENT, but they’ve survived this long. Well, it’s almost day light again, maybe they’ll play THE GHOST ON THE SHORE by LORD HURON this time. Welcome to another night in Oblitus, please don’t open the doors.

history

stats

connections

pinterest

playlist

TW: PARENT DEATH

(2003)

rae was used to his parents leaving for days, even weeks, at a time. he never knew for what, never asked, because they always came back. his mom would leave money on the kitchen counter and rae knew how to walk down to the grocery store to get himself food. no one ever noticed when his parents left him alone or, perhaps, they didn’t care enough to ask where they had gone. so, when rae awoke to both of his parents gone he didn’t bat an eyelash. perhaps it was odd that there wasn’t money on the counter as usual, but that was it.

two months had passed and the teachers at school began to note that rae was looking thinner than usual. he also had a hard time concentrating in class and would quickly scarf down his meal at lunchtime. when he couldn’t explain where his parents were to the principal, police were called for a wellness check at the home. nothing was found other than an almost empty fridge. the lead detective on the case had told rae that he didn’t believe his story and didn’t like the look in his eyes.

two weeks later, in the middle of his second class, police arrived with the principal in tow. once in the hallway, he was placed in handcuffs and told that he was being arrested for the disappearance of his parents. it was shitty police-work and after 48 hours, with no evidence having surfaced, a judge ordered for him to be released. nonetheless, the scene at school had ruined his reputation. students and teachers were all gossiping about the boy accused of parricide and the few friends he had stopped talking to him. he was a ‘freak’ and fully kept to himself after that.

(2008)

rae had always told police he’d woken up that morning to find them gone. but that wasn’t true. he had gone out that night when he wasn’t supposed to, to hang out with friends from school. when he had returned hours past curfew, he saw them leaving in their car, looking distressed. perhaps they were looking for him. the roads were too dark at night and their car was probably sinking in the bottom of the lake now. so why didn’t he say anything? the simple answer was he didn’t want them to come back. they were always leaving him. rae convinced himself that they probably didn’t even leave to look for him, they left for some other reason. he stayed in a foster home for the next five years, even managed to graduate two years early and get a head start on college. and, when he moved out at eighteen, he petitioned to have his parents registered as legally dead. it was a two year process, during which he received his bachelor's degree and began the path to get a PhD in pathology. his internship at the coroner’s office began around the same time. even as his parents’ missing person posters stared him in the face, he continued to live on.

(2016)

rae’s day to day life had turned into a mindless routine of monotonous regularity. but that day, as he emerged from the 2nd street tunnel, he found himself somewhere impossible. before him a country road and a fallen tree, unlike any he'd seen before. the tree was…odd and gave him pause, a hand quickly going to throw the car into reverse. just as fast, his car became engulfed by a black mass and the screeching of crows overwhelmed his senses. and, when things finally calmed, he was left with a road that led him to one place. a town — eerie and quiet as the sun began to set. no matter how long or what direction he drove in, he always found himself back in the same place.

eventually acquiescing to the fact that he had nowhere else to go, rae decided to look for help. but as he stepped out of his car, a growl resonated through the air, sending a chill down his spine and the hair on his neck standing on end. he’d seen horrific things throughout his career at the coroner’s office, witnessed the worst of humanity on an autopsy table, but nothing had ever disturbed him quite like this. in a panic, he stumbled upon a building, its walls weathered and covered in what seemed like markings from a wild animal. inside the air was heavy and still, save for the sound of rae’s heart pounding in his chest. what the hell had he gotten himself into?

[hcartcorruptcd]

| aisha dee & she + her | Welcome to the crossroads, GEMMA "GEM" WASHINGTON. Another lost soul that stumbled across a fallen tree in their path. They appear to be 34 years old, but it’s hard to tell. The town bares no resemblance to CARMEL, INDIANA, are you sure we can trust them? Seeing as they ended up here because, THEY AND THEIR CAMERA CREW WERE ON THEIR WAY TO SHOOT ON LOCATION. They definitely weren’t looking to end up here. Now they’ll have to rely on being REALISTIC to survive. Hopefully their PASSIVENESS doesn’t get in the way of that. I guess if we’re going to pass the time tonight, might as well request JEALOUSY by FKA TWIGS. Oh, and one more thing, your new role here will be WELCOMER. We’ll be sending out welcoming party over to the COLONY HOUSE. (fitz, twenty-seven, he/him, est)

BASIC INFORMATION

NAME: Gemma Washington GENDER: Female NICKNAMES: Gem BIRTHDAY: March 6, 1989 AGE: 34 ASTROLOGY: Pisces Sun, Scorpio Moon, Virgo Rising SEXUALITY: Bisexual HOMETOWN: Carmel, Indiana BIRTHPLACE: Carmel, Indiana RELIGION: Spiritual but unaffiliated EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Philosophy RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

HEIGHT: 5'6" EYES: Dark brown with warm golden undertones HAIR: Coily and natural, often styled in a halo of curls BUILD: Slim and athletic with subtle curves DISTINGUISHING MARKS: A small crescent moon tattoo on the inside of her wrist

PERSONALITY & BEHAVIOR

HOBBIES: Reading tarot cards, studying astrology, exploring abandoned places, playing the cello, journaling, sketching. LIKES: Quiet, contemplative spaces, vintage bookstores and eclectic trinkets, stargazing and cosmic phenomena, documentaries about unsolved mysteries and the supernatural DISLIKES: Performative behavior and dishonesty, the commercialization of things she deeply values, feeling trapped or manipulated, bright or artificial lights QUIRKS: Always carries a deck of tarot cards, hums softly to herself when she’s deep in thought, tends to get lost in her own head during conversations but surprises people with thoughtful insights, has a habit of drawing sigils or geometric patterns when nervous STRENGTHS: Highly intuitive and empathetic, creative thinker with a knack for finding beauty in the obscure, skilled at reading people and picking up on subtle cues, calm under pressure, with a natural grace that inspires trust WEAKNESSES: Struggles with indecision due to overanalyzing situations, finds it hard to trust others, especially in emotionally vulnerable moments, often prioritizes her ideals over practicalities, which can lead to friction, carries guilt over her perceived “fraudulence” in her ghost-hunting career

BACKSTORY BULLET POINTS (TW: death )

Raised by a single mother who was both her anchor and inspiration; her mother’s passing in her early twenties left her feeling unmoored. Fell into the ghost-hunting world almost by accident after her high school friend Flick pushed her into starting their YouTube channel. Developed a reputation as the "spiritual heart" of their show due to her genuine connection to the metaphysical, even as she privately wrestled with doubts about the integrity of their work. Has been battling a quiet, building sense of dread about her career, feeling disconnected from the original passion she once had for uncovering truths about the unknown.

BACKSTORY:

Gemma Washington grew up in Carmel, Indiana, under the care of her single mother, Denise, a talented painter and cellist who lived as an artist first and a parent second. Their lives were modest but filled with beauty—art supplies scattered across their tiny apartment, the hum of cello strings filling the air, and books on mysticism stacked precariously in every corner. Denise raised Gemma to appreciate the world’s unseen layers, cultivating in her a love for art, music, and literature. Gemma’s childhood was unconventional, marked by imaginative storytelling, late-night stargazing, and a deep curiosity about the metaphysical. Though her mother’s income was inconsistent, their lights always stayed on, and their home was filled with a sense of wonder. Denise introduced Gemma to astrology, meditation, and the idea that the universe had a rhythm if one just stopped to listen. This upbringing left Gemma with a strong sense of intuition and a quiet, contemplative nature that made her an old soul in the eyes of her peers. In high school, Gemma was liked but not particularly popular. She often kept to herself, diving into books about astral projection or sketching in the margins of her notebooks. That changed when she met Felicia “Flick” Relf, a charismatic and outgoing girl who seemed to orbit a different world entirely. Flick was everything Gemma wasn’t: bold, brash, and unapologetically self-assured. Despite their differences, the two became inseparable. Flick had a knack for drawing Gemma out of her shell, convincing her to join her in a school project that would eventually change both their lives—a ghost-hunting YouTube channel. What started as a fun hobby evolved into something much bigger. The videos went viral, with their dynamic personalities and genuine curiosity setting them apart in a field dominated by men. By their early twenties, they had landed a TV deal, becoming the first women to host a primetime ghost-hunting show. The success should have been a dream come true, but for Gemma, it became a slow-brewing nightmare. The show demanded dramatized encounters and manufactured scares, pulling them further from the genuine exploration of the unknown that had once thrilled her. Gemma began to feel like a fraud, conflicted by the disconnect between her personal beliefs and the show’s sensationalized content. Her guilt deepened as she saw Flick embracing the fame and fortune, oblivious to Gemma’s growing doubts. In her personal life, Gemma struggled to maintain meaningful relationships. Her work consumed her, and the emotional walls she had built to survive the industry made intimacy difficult. Her mother’s death when she was 22 left a hole in her life that she never truly addressed, carrying the grief like an anchor she couldn’t shake. She tried to fill the void with her studies of mysticism and spirituality, but even these began to feel hollow as her career demands grew. For years, Gemma toyed with the idea of walking away from the show but couldn’t bring herself to leave Flick behind or face the unknown of life without it. That all changed during what should have been a routine trip to film their latest episode. While driving to the next location, they encountered a fallen tree in the road—a moment that would shift the course of their lives forever. Now stranded in Oblitus, a mysterious town that seems impossibly cut off from the outside world, Gemma is forced to confront the very questions she’s spent her life exploring. As the boundaries between reality and the unknown blur, Gemma must reconcile her inner conflict, rediscover her sense of purpose, and decide what kind of person she wants to be in a place where nothing is as it seems.

WHAT DID THEY LEAVE BEHIND? WHAT WAS THEIR LIFE LIKE ON THE OUTSIDE?

A career that was both her greatest achievement and her biggest source of guilt. A handful of close relationships, including a budding romance with someone she never felt brave enough to fully commit to. A studio apartment filled with keepsakes from her adventures and sketches of ideas she never had time to pursue. Gemma’s life was a mixture of excitement and dissatisfaction. While she achieved fame and financial stability through her show, she often felt like a fraud for perpetuating something she no longer believed in. She spent her free time delving into genuine metaphysical studies, dreaming of a quieter, more authentic life.

CONNECTIONS & IDEAS

A Fellow Skeptic: Someone in Oblitus who shares Gemma’s unease and helps her investigate the town’s mysteries. A Townsperson Mentor: An figure who subtly guides her through the metaphysical challenges of the town.

[ycsins]

welcome to the crossroads, YASIN ÇELIK. another lost soul has stumbled across a fallen tree. at just 28 years old and hailing from BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, can we truly trust him? now that he’s in oblitus, he’ll have to rely on being PROACTIVE to survive. let’s hope his PIGHEADEDNESS doesn’t get in the way. currently, he’s a COMMUNITY DISHWASHER living in COLONY HOUSE.

basic information.

NAME: yasin çelik.    NICKNAMES: he doesn’t like it when people try to shorten his name (it makes his eyes twitch and ears ring), so will insist on only being called yasin.   BIRTHDAY & AGE : july 27 & 28.   HOMETOWN: boston, ma.    RELATIONSHIP STATUS: in a relationship with suna sabancı (@sabancii). FAMILY: only child. mother passed away when he was 12. his relationship with his father is strained to say the least. 

personality.

POSITIVE TRAITS: proactive, outspoken, laid-back, courageous. NEGATIVE TRAITS: pigheaded, recalcitrant, controlling, lazy. HOBBIES: basketball, beer tasting, playing the piano. LIKES: house parties, cooking with friends, lambic beer, watching the sunrise. DISLIKES: authority, pretentious people, waking up early, reality tv. PINTEREST

where was your character when they saw the tree and the murder of crows?

yasin was driving home with his girlfriend, suna, when they encountered the fallen tree. they had just left her parents' home in greenwich; what was supposed to be a civil dinner party soon escalating into a physical confrontation between yasin and suna's brother. the drive is tense, air heavy with unspoken words and accusations. yasin doesn't look at suna. doesn't speak, just drives.

describe your character's first day in town.

they arrive while it's still daylight. after driving in circles for at least half an hour, they finally stop at benny's diner to ask for directions. yasin barely acknowledges suna's presence, heading straight to the bathrooms to clean the dried blood off his split lip. eventually, the patrons inform them that they aren’t allowed to leave. refusing to believe their crazed nonsense, yasin leaves anyway, while suna stays as she’s told. he spends the next couple of hours trying to find a way out of town, but no matter which turn he takes, he ends up exactly where he started.

what was their life like on the outside?

yasin lived in boston with his girlfriend, working as a bartender at an old dive bar. he'd never cared for material possessions or achieving success, had witnessed first hand how his mother literally worked herself to death with nothing to show for it. as such, to him life was meant to be enjoyed -- not endlessly worked for. he found happiness in the morning sun, shared laughter and late-night conversations with friends. his life was simple, but he was happy.

[cameronwest]

| boyd holbrook & he/him | Congratulations, CAMERON WEST survived another night. The town would certainly feel less safe without a them close by. Not to mention, we can’t lose another TOWNSHIP SHERIFF, plus they’re only 39 years old. Crazy to think, it’s been 14 YEARS since their arrival, though in a place like Oblitus it can feel much longer. Good thing they’re staying at the RESIDENTIAL AREA. Almost like it happened yesterday, they still remember GREENVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, and where they came from. It’s no secret, they were RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME WITH THEIR LITTLE SISTER when they came across the tree, and is still keeping them up at night. Truth be told, they’re awfully CAUTIOUS and RECLUSIVE, but they’ve survived this long. Well, it’s almost day light again, maybe they’ll play CONDEMED by ZACH BRYAN this time. Welcome to another night in Oblitus, please don’t open the doors. (maddi)

CHARACTER BASICS

FULL NAME: Cameron Tyler West

NICKNAME(S): Cam

AGE: Thirty-Nine

GENDER & PRONOUNS: Cis Male, She/Her

FACE CLAIM: Boyd Holbrook

EYE COLOR: Blue

HAIR COLOR: Blonde

HEIGHT: 6′2″

DATE OF BIRTH: May 15th

ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus

OCCUPATION: Sheriff

HOMETOWN: Greenville, Mississippi

LIKES

black coffee, cigarettes, working long hours, the smell of freshly baked cookies, whiskey, sweet tea, the sunrise, the sound of rain

DISLIKES

trusting people, carrington making choices he doesnt agree with, partying, healthy food, the idea of being a father

tw: abuse, jail

born the oldest son of the family. he would be just as wanted as his little sister. no money, no love. this family was doomed from the start.

growing up in a small and poor trailer park in mississippi, cameron did what he could to make life worth living. neither him or his sister receiving and parenting or love from those who gave them life.

from the moment his sister, carrington, was born, he would be charged with taking care of her. from keeping her safe from the drunken wraith of their mother and father. a sad life for a boy and girl who wanted so much more than this.

cameron wouldn't excel in school or become senior year prom king. he would do what he could to pass and keep to himself. from school to work to home as quickly as possible. saving every cent he could to get him and carrington out of there one day.

taking a detour in the road when he was 21. cameron got himself into trouble after trying to make fast money. caught up with the wrong crowd that led him to get jumped one night by two guys. he ended up pretty bruised and beaten, but the other two worse.

cameron was sentence to a four year assault and possession sentence. he served his time quietly and made plans to fix his mess the day he got out of there.

that day would come when he was 25. waking his sister up in the middle of the night, both bags packed as quickly as they could before their parents could wake up. if they even would from the drinking the night before. cameron took the keys to his fathers truck and they left the trailer park behind. only for fate to play its cruel joke on them and trap them once again at the tree.

cameron didn't trust or take to the town well when he first arrived. he didn't speak much or let carrington out of his sight. he was determined to not fail her and get her to where he promised they would go, some place they could really call home.

but the days there turned into months and then years. cameron found himself following a new routine before he even knew it. falling into a line of duty, if he couldn't fulfill his promise to get her out of there, he'd at least keep her and the rest of the town safe. the title of sheriff not falling on his shoulders lightly. this is his town now, he will make this a home for them even if it takes all his years left.

three years ago, cameron fell in love. it wouldn't be the first girl he'd ever been with, but the first one he ever let in enough to love. things would move faster than they ever had before, cameron proposing to her by the end of their first year together. things seemed to be a fairytale for them, until it wasn't. two years into marriage, it would start to fall apart around them. neither of them able to agree on anything and camerons stubbornness and unwillingness to open up being their downfall. she moved out a few months ago, leaving them separate with so much unspoken between them. (WC)

[tragady]

                     CHARLES  WOOD         BEATING  SOUL  AND  BREATHING  BLOOD.

basics.

given  name.     charles  wood. nickname.     charlie,   chuck,   give  him  some.     call  him  anything  but  charles. age.     thirty-three   (   november  10,   1990   ). place  of  birth.     long  beach,   california. song.     mr  sandman  by  the  chordettes. orientation.     bisexual,   slight  preference  for  women.     probably  left  many  a  situationship  at  home  but  would’ve  still  called  himself  single. occupation.     the  wretched  butcher  for  a  glum  town. education.     passed  high  school:   held  no  love  for  his  studies. religion.     possibly  been  baptised  but,   otherwise,   holds  no  emotion  towards  any  branch  of  faith.     occupied  his  younger  brothers’  weekends  by  sending  them  to  sunday  school.

physical  characteristics.

height.     one-hundred  seventy-eight  centimetres,   five  foot  ten. eyes.     shy  of  a  deep  brown,   livened  in  the  light  when  he  flashes  his  teeth. hair.     jet  black.     can’t  gel  his  hair  properly  anymore;   absolutely  slicks  it  back  with  his  sweat  now. gender  identity.     cis  man   (   he   +   him   ). build.     broad  shoulders  and  long-legged. distinguishing  marks.     a  white  grin  dripping  red  from  his  bloodied  lip.     ever  the  charmer.

personality   &   behaviour.

hobbies.     the  demanding  kind,   especially  pertaining  to  his  hands:   fiddling  with  a  car  engine,   sculpting  wood,   scaling  stone  walls  and  chainlink  fences.     with  all  the  time  in  the  world,   these  hobbies  probably  bore  a  craftsman’s  hands.     a  big  gamer,   and  winner  against  his  brothers.     recently  began  hunting  before  arriving  in  the  town. likes.     shuffling  a  pack  of  cards,   watching  the  moon,   now,   and  the  path  it  lights  for  him  to  follow,   when  a  vein  pops,   a  crowded  bonfire,   cracking  full  beer  bottles  against  skinny  trees   –   for  target  practice,   of  course. dislikes.     the  songs  crickets  sing,   dry  mornings  peppered  by  an  animal’s  lightfoot,   true  silence,   a  bedroom  of  his  own,   freshly  cleaned  hands. quirks.     bites  his  bottom  lip  so  often   –   therein  will  lie  a  moment  of  genuine  emotion:   his  deep  sneer  and  lowered  chin   –   that  it  often  looks  swollen. strengths.     when  he’s  talkative  in  a  way  that  reads  as  friendly. weaknesses.     when  he’s  glib  like  a  hungry,   pink  cat. moral  alignment.     chaotic  evil. character  inspiration.     lalo  salamanca   (   better  call  saul   ),   feyd-rautha  harkonnen   (   dune   ),   billy  butcher   (   the  boys   ),   wade  wilson   /   deadpool   (   marvel   ),   spike  spiegel   (   cowboy  bebop   ),   tyler  durden   (   fight  club   ),   vaas  montenegro   (   far  cry  series   ),   mr  blonde   (   reservoir  dogs   ),   handsome  jack   (   borderlands  series   ).

background.

before  your  mother,   there  is  your  sister,   biting  your  shoulder  after  you   –   wide  and  itching;   greedy  down  to  your  fingertips   –   stole  another  fry  from  her  plate.     your  mother  isn’t  there,   in  your  mind’s  eye,   but  she  must  be,   ignoring  your  sister’s  indignant  cries.     but  not  your  reddening  cheek,   nor  the  deep  teeth-marks  now  dampening  your  washed  shirt.     the  cupboard  hinge  creaks,   the  sink  continues  to  drip,   and  your  mother  watches  a  salt-lipped  smile  cling  like  a  loose  scab.     there’s  a  pinched  cheek,   and  a  wet  temple.     a  gaunt  laugh.     this   is  how  she  pockmarks  your  memory.     how  you  mark  your  territory.     yes,   your  mother  was  there.     it  wasn’t  your  aunt,   or  their  mother,   or  a  neighbour.     or  a  kind  stranger  at  the  supermarket.     she  was  there.

after  you  and  your  sister,   there’s  a  flock  of  younger  brothers.     stretched  years  between  you  and  them;   your  hands  must  warm  their  blankets.     offer  their  toothless  mouths  your  food,   this  time.     your  mother  is  less  than  a  memory  now,   barely  a  footnote.     your  sister  knew  this  before  you  did.     she  accepts  a  dream  for  what  it  is,   and  then  provides  anew.     chips  the  colour  away  with  her  nail  until  their  beds  remember  what  mother  means  in  this  house.     how  it,   too,   yearns  for  that  woman’s  touch.     weeps  its  paint  off  the  old,   plaster  walls.     it  admits  something  that  you  never  will.     not  even  when  you  surrender  to  the  same  fate.

there  is  a  man  in  the  house.     out  on  the  patio.     in  the  garden,   amid  the  wilted  soil  and  yellow  grass,   leaning  against  the  old  tree.     just  as  crooked,   bending  into  the  neighbour’s  garden.     the  silhouette  of  a  man,   which  is  all  any  of  you  could  know,   without  you  in  the  house.     you  learn  to  provide   –   under  the  quiet,   harsh  press  of  your  sister’s  thumb   –   with  quick  work  cutting  meat  at  the  book-end  of  a  grocery  store.     uniformed,   yet  rowdy.     you’re  messy  when  you  skin  an  animal.     your  teeth  are  still  white,   like  the  milky  edges  of  your  eyes.     you  are  the  man,   and  now  you  are  the  silhouette  too.     your  mother’s  son,   your  father’s  legacy.     your  own  rotten  dream.

where  was  charles  when  he  saw  the  tree  and  the  murder  of  crows?     where  was  he  going?     was  he  travelling  alone?     how  did  he  feel?

he  was  returning  to  the  family  cabin  after  a  morning  hunt.     alone,   of  course,   like  any  older  brother  would  be.     and  the  empty  pit  in  his  chest  that  comes  with  it.     if  anything,   he  thinks  of  the  cold,   and  how  he  needs  a  new  jacket.

describe  charles’  first  day  in  town.     did  he  arrive  in  the  daytime?     was  he  warned  by  the  residents?     did  he  have  to  be  restrained?

roved  through  the  red-sunned  woods  for  a  while.     despite  knowing  the  trek  is  longer  than  it  should  be,   he  levels  his  hunting  rifle  at  the  first  person  that  crosses  his  path.     you’re  trespassing,   he  would  say,   this  is  my  land.     but  there,   he  learns  that  there  is  no  land.     or  how  all  that  remains  is  land.     the  news  doesn’t  disturb  him   –   not  in  the  way  the  villagers  might  expect   –   he  just  laughs  and  laughs.     forgets  that  there’s  a  rifle  in  his  hands.     sun-blistered  face,   again,   under  a  new  set  of  stars.

what  did  he  leave  behind?     what  was  his  life  like  on  the  outside?

he  leaves  a  family  that  was  rich  with  warmth.     the  sister  that  will  look  into  the  mirror  in  his  room,   and  see  her  mother’s  face.     the  butcher  will  only  notice  that  his  hand  shakes  more,   now  that  he  cuts  more  meat.     charles’  empty  heart  joins  him.

[rampents]

| riz ahmed & he/him | Congratulations, MUZHIR 'MUZ' MAI survived another night. The town would certainly feel less safe without Them close by. Not to mention, we can’t lose another PART SCAVENGER, plus they’re only THIRTY-FIVE years old. Crazy to think, it’s been FOUR MONTHS since their arrival, though in a place like Oblitus it can feel much longer. Good thing they’re staying at the COLONY HOUSE. Almost like it happened yesterday, they still remember BIRMINGHAM, and where they came from. It’s no secret, they were RUNNING FROM THEIR LIFE when they came across the tree, and is still keeping them up at night. Truth be told, they’re awfully KIND and UNRELIABLE, but they’ve survived this long. Well, it’s almost day light again, maybe they’ll play HERE IT COMES AGAIN by SPORTS TEAM this time. Welcome to another night in Oblitus, please don’t open the doors. (ciara, 25, she/her, gmt)

BASIC INFORMATION

NAME: Muzhir Mai

NICKNAMES: Muz, Muzi (family)

BIRTHDAY: 3rd January

AGE: 35

HOMETOWN: Birmingham, Uk

RELIGION: cultural Muslim

EDUCATION: a levels online. started college but dropped out

RELATIONSHIP STATUS/FAMILY: leila harris (partner), parents together and four siblings

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

HEIGHT: 5'8

EYES: brown

HAIR: brown. was bleached when he first came

BUILD: lean

DISTINGUISHING MARKS: multiple tattoos

PERSONALITY & BEHAVIOR

HOBBIES: collecting records, sketching, writing, reading, taking walks - long, long walks.

LIKES: quiet nights, honesty, humour, coloudy/rainy days

DISLIKES: crowds, loud spaces, unnecessary conflict, feeling confined, being fussed over

QUIRKS: unconsciously fidgets, speaks with unexpected dry humour, loses track of time, collects odd trinkets

STRENGTHS: adaptable, mechanically inclined, loyal, protective, strong sense of self

WEAKNESSES: isolating tendencies, stubbornly self-reliant, insomnia, avoiding vulnerability

HISTORY

Muzhir "Muz" Mai was born and raised in Birmingham, UK. From an early age, he showed a curious nature but struggled with erratic moods, which only worsened as he grew older. Muz is also partially deaf, though this went unnoticed for much of his childhood. His hearing impairment meant he often missed parts of conversations and instructions, leading to misunderstandings at home and at school. His family and teachers mistook his behaviour for laziness or inattentiveness, which further strains his already difficult relationships

In school, Muz excelled in subjects like history and literature, but his depressive episodes and frustrations with not fully hearing others often caused him to withdraw. His mood swings left those around him confused, while his teachers and father saw him as undisciplined. Muz's inability to explain the depth of his struggles left him isolated, both due to his bipolar disorder and his partial deafness

During his teenage years, Muz's bipolar disorder became more apparent, with his manic phases feeling exhilarating but always followed by crushing depression. His relationship with his father continued to deteriorate, often resulting in heated arguments, while his mother remained a source of support, though she was unsure how to truly help.

By the age of 17, Muz impulsively dropped out of school after a breakdown and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, alongside finally receiving a diagnosis for his hearing loss.

Went to a university in New York to study cultural anthropology. Muz initially thrived during his manic phases, however, his depressive episodes grew more severe, and he found the pressures of college life difficult to manage. His partial deafness made social situations even more isolating, and eventually, Muz dropped out during a particularly intense depressive episode. With no degree or clear direction, he drifted, struggling to find stability.

Muz took on various odd jobs, eventually settling into part-time work as a bartender. The job suited his unpredictable lifestyle—during manic phases, he could channel his energy into the fast-paced environment of the bar, interacting with strangers and keeping busy. But when depression struck, he could retreat. He also occasionally worked as a courier which he loved or hates depending on the day

It was during this turbulent time that Muz met Leila, a psychologist, while helping a friend he made at college before he dropped out with a research project in California. Leila understood both his bipolar disorder, offering him a sense of support that he hadn’t found elsewhere. Their relationship, though grounding, was not without strain—his moods and fear of pushing her away constantly threatened their relationship

During a manic episode, Muz impulsively stopped taking his medication and his mental state soon deteriorated. After a tense argument with Leila, Muz went on this walk with no set location. Something to clear his mind. Next thing you know, he encounters this eerie scene involving a fallen tree and a flock of crows, leading him Oblitus.

- what is their biggest regret since arriving in town? 

Muz's biggest regret since coming to the town is that he stopped taking his medication right before arriving. He had always struggled with the balance between managing his bipolar disorder and maintaining the unfiltered parts of himself that made him feel alive. In his mind, the medication dulled him and robbed him of the intensity he craved. But now, in the claustrophobic nightmare of Oblitus, where every path loops back and deadly creatures come at night, Muz feels that decision creeping up on him like a slow poison.

Without his medication, his emotions are volatile, and the pressure of survival only intensifies the swings. When the manic episodes hit, he feels a brief surge of invincibility, like maybe he can outsmart the town, escape its grip, or even face the nightmarish creatures that hunt them. But as the euphoria fades, he's left vulnerable, sinking into a pit of despair, convinced he’s doomed, that he's dragging others down with him, or worse—that he’ll lose his grip on reality altogether. The regret gnaws at him daily, especially in the rare quiet moments when he can think clearly. He often wonders if he could handle the town better, stay more level-headed, or contribute more to the group’s survival if only he'd stayed on his meds.

- describe your character’s first day/night in town? 

Muz woke up disoriented, lying on a dirt road that led to nowhere, his head throbbing. The last thing he remembered was fleeing into the woods after a long, angry night, walking for hours, only to find himself completely lost. Now, he was here—wherever here was. The thick trees loomed behind him, and ahead stood a small, worn-out town, shrouded in the quiet. He blinked, trying to shake the fog from his mind, but a sense of dread clung to him.

A few people crossed his path, some nodding with a wary kindness while others shot him knowing glances, their eyes filled with something Muz couldn’t quite place—pity? Resignation?

Muz’s first real encounter came at the town’s square, someone - he didn't remember them for long, warned: You don’t leave the town. At least not alive. And at night, you don’t go outside. Muz, still coming off the high of his night prior, struggled to understand. He asked too many questions too fast—about the town, the lack of roads leading anywhere, the crows, why the people here looked like they had given up hope. Only some were answered, all with grim pragmatism, and the rest were left hanging in the stale air.

Later that day, Muz tried to leave anyway. He took the same winding road that had led him into town, hoping that the person's words had been exaggerated. But after hours of walking, he found himself right back at the same square, where others were waiting, as if expecting his return. Muz felt a growing panic rising inside him—he had to get out, he had to go back to Leila, to his life. But Oblitus—or whatever this place truly was—had its grip tight and unwavering.

'Night's coming, you need to get inside. They come after dark.'

'Who comes?' Muz asked, already feeling a gnawing dread in his gut.

'Trust me, you don’t want to find out.'

[fromsaudades]

| ROBERTA COLINDREZ & THEY/THEM | Congratulations, ALEX FLORES survived another night. The town would certainly feel less safe without a them close by. Not to mention, we can’t lose another ELECTRICIAN, plus they’re only THIRTY-EIGHT. Crazy to think, it’s been FIVE YEARS since their arrival, though in a place like Oblitus it can feel much longer. Good thing they’re staying at the MOTEL. Almost like it happened yesterday, they still remember BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, and where they came from. It’s no secret, they were RUNNING OUT OF GAS FOR THEIR MOTORCYCLE when they came across the tree, and is still keeping them up at night. Truth be told, they’re awfully ALERT and UNRELIABLE, but they’ve survived this long. Well, it’s almost day light again, maybe they’ll play I BET ON LOSING DOGS by MITSKI this time. Welcome to another night in Oblitus, please don’t open the doors. (jer, 34, she/he/they/any ) -no triggers

FULL BIO — TAGS — PINTEREST — PLAYLIST

what is their biggest regret since arriving in town?

"Probably not trusting anyone sooner, and not keeping in contact with the family that saved me." The family members were a curious mix, almost too perfectly aligned with the unsettling nature of Oblitus. The matriarch’s eyes seemed to pierce through your defenses, searching for the cracks in your façade. The way she moved—deliberate and graceful—made you feel like a stray dog being evaluated for adoption; she saw every flaw, every scar. Then there was the son, whose laughter echoed with a hint of madness. He possessed an infectious energy, yet it felt like a thin veneer covering something darker. You often caught him staring out of the corner of your eye, his gaze lingering a moment too long, as if he were sizing you up for some unspoken game. Sometimes, when you passed him in town, his expression would shift to something resembling pity, making you feel exposed, as if he could see the tangled threads of your past laid bare. The daughter, meanwhile, had a way of drifting in and out of conversations, always observing but rarely engaging. Her silence felt heavy, as if she carried secrets so burdensome they could bend the very air around her. Their presence in town served as a constant reminder of the familiarity of your circumstances, each interaction laced with an undercurrent of tension. You knew, deep down, that you owed them your gratitude—a debt that remained unfulfilled. "When I rolled into town, I thought I'd be fine just keeping to myself—stay under the radar, do my job, and get out. But there are people here I could’ve connected with, maybe even trusted. I should've let my guard down a little. But now… it feels too late." The weight of regret hung in the air, a reminder of the connections that could have been, now lost in the shadows of your isolation.

describe your character’s first day/night in town?

“It’s all a blur.” But you remember some things. You arrived just as the sun began its descent, casting a golden glow that kissed the horizon goodbye, your motorcycle sputtering and yearning for fuel as the lamplights flickered to life, illuminating a town that felt both inviting and ominous. Rushed in by unknown hands, you found yourself ensnared by a family whose presence was more chilling than comforting, their eyes brimming with a knowing dread that sent your heart racing. They seemed to possess an uncanny foresight, predicting the crows and the gnarled tree that lay on the side of the road, their frantic explanations wrapping around you like a shroud of anxiety, igniting the flames of paranoia deep within your soul. “I remember running out of gas, the air feeling wrong.” You stood on the threshold of their home, a rustic structure that felt as much a part of the town as the very trees surrounding it. They welcomed you with open arms, but beneath their warmth lay an undercurrent of unease that made you hesitate. You recalled how their kindness enveloped you like a warm blanket, yet something in your gut urged you to remain guarded. You couldn’t shake the feeling that their benevolence was entwined with their secrets, and you had learned the hard way that trust was a fragile thing. In those early days, you grappled with your mistrust, convincing yourself that their intentions were shrouded in hidden motives. It wasn’t until much later that you recognized the depth of their care, the way they shielded you from the night’s terrors, drawing you into a fragile sanctuary amidst the chaos. But even now, as you reflect, the memories of your hesitation linger like an unwelcome shadow, reminding you of the connections you could have embraced and the warmth you could have allowed to seep into your heart.

[puzzzlepieces]

𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙍𝙊𝘿𝙐𝘾𝙄𝙉𝙂… siddharth varma (he/him). sid is 29 YEARS OLD and is a NEWCOMER at OBLITUS. he's only been here for TWO MONTHS. he works as a RADIO HOST and lives in the RESIDENTIAL AREA. he's awfully KINDHEARTED and ANXIOUS. heard ICE SLIPPIN' BY OMAR APOLLO? then you've probably seen him.

have any of yall seen monkey man? im so sorry i digress, but AWOOGA AWOOGA BARK BARK, dev patel has always been that bitch. anyways im g (she/her), im in the aest timezone, and im indian so i get to objectify and claim dev patel (no i dont lmao)

HELLO HI i can't wait to meet and talk and rp with all of yall im actually certified a fucking loser.

about siddharth (sid):

if i had to compare sid to anyone it would be ben wyatt from parks and recreation. or jeffrey from abbots elementary (if u know, u know)

siddharth is quite an awkward guy EXCEPT for when he's on radio ? like he can be a smooth operator but i think that's just an Act and persona he puts on

sid actually is lowkey famous. and by lowkey i mean highkey. idk this is so 'pick me' to say but like - sid is basically the equivalent of zayn or harry styles today.

sid was part of a very famous boy band that blew up a few years ago and then he went solo

think of chappell roan levels of sudden stardom - and sid fucking HATED it he was not born for it he was not prepared, he is a quiet introvert anxious shy boy, so becoming famous really wasn't quite for him

lowkey being in oblitus is a bit of a blessing. he loves that not many people know of him. he loves being an average joe, and mainly... he loves being able to just do what he loves, which at this point is be a radio host. he's kinda Blessed.

sid is a stumbley mumbley mess. he has such good intentions but his delivery is clunky, clumsy and quite terrible sometimes

he's only been here for 2 months so he's still quite new to the area and meeting people etc etc

yet again - im still feeling him out currently so ill put up wanted connections later once i rlly rp and Vibe him lol - WATCH THIS SPACE

he's friendly and he's lovely, he's just shy and awkward and a fucking weirdo tbh , lowkey a nerd

i know its so embarrassing to make a character who's 'famous' but like.. dfkjnfdnj i wanted to mix it up and thought it'd be funny, i promise im not a pick me bfdkjndfbnjkfbjnk

sid is pretty musically gifted but modest

when he wants to turn it on (charisma etc, performances) he really can , and its like whoa.. new person alert. this just isnt super common for him

THATS ALL I HOPE U LIKE HIM

DEV PATEL IS KING

[crxwbound]

kang daehyun . wanted connections.

NOBODY   CAN   SAY   FOR   CERTAIN .   IF   MAYBE   IT'S   ALL   JUST   A   GAME .   WHEN   I   OPEN   MY   EYES   TO   THE   FUTURE   ,   I   CAN   HEAR   YOU   SAY   MY   NAME . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

basics

name: kang daehyun nicknames: dae, mr. kang age: twenty-six gender: cis man sexuality: heterosexual | heteromantic birthplace: mokpo, south korea religion: struggling christian occupation: primary school teacher fc: kim seokwoo ( aka rowoon )

family

parents: kang jinwoo ( alive, 48 ) || choi mina ( deceased ) siblings: none children: kang isabella, aka bella ( alive, 3 ) significant other(s): elena ramirez ( deceased, wife for 5 years )

external

eyes: brown hair: dark brown height: 6'3 tattoos: none scars: a few minor body type: well built, lean but muscled

internal

languages: korean ( fluent ), english ( near fluent ), spanish ( intermediate ), japanese ( basic ) likes: desserts, rainbows, teaching, fatherhood, the smell of old books, learning new languages, sewing new clothes for his daughter, shooting stars, making up ridiculous bedtime stories, ranch dressing ( america did right by this ) dislikes: nightmares, that awful homebrewed alcohol at the bar, the lack of ramen, nightfall ( a previous love but now its tainted ), monopoly

a history

born in mokpo, south korea, daehyun lived a simple life. his father was a high school teacher and his mother ran a small but popular seafood restaurant. having no siblings, dae was used to making his own fun while his parents were busy with other things. and while his parents were busy, they were loving and did all they could to ensure dae was prepared for the world outside the safety of the family home. his parents had great success in raising dae. he grew up to be a bright, friendly boy who excelled in nearly all aspects of life and school. as a reward for his performance in a taekwondo competition, his parents decided it would be a good time to go visit dae's aunt sua in the united states. dae had always dreamed of visiting the states, but his aunt always seemed to be the one coming to them. but now, he was finally going to have the vacation of a lifetime. the vacation truly was the best he ever had. the two weeks he spent with his aunt was filled with sightseeing and exploring ( and practicing the english language he had been working on since third grade ). sadly, the trip had come to an end after so many wonderful memories and the family set out to drive back to the airport. along the way, daehyun's father turned off the main road in order to stop at a small souvenir shop that was advertised as being only a mile down the road. unfortunately, the family would never find the shop and instead, they found a tree blocking the road. that decision to go to the souvenir shop changed daehyun's life forever, as he and his parents were now trapped in the little town. it took time to adapt--took time to make sense of everything that was happening. but eventually, dae and his family began to settle. he made friends, began to learn more english, and starting to make a new life. but the first true tragedy in this new life was the loss of his mother only a year after they had settled. his mother, being the brave, selfless woman she was, had ran out in the night to help a newcomer who arrived after sunset. though his mother saved the newcomer, the creatures managed to surround her. it is a nightmare that dae relives often, as he feels guilty he couldn't muster the courage to run out and help his mother fight off the creatures. but life would go on and dae even found love with a beautiful girl named elena. the pair would eventually marry in a sweet ceremony, and a little girl was born to the duo three years ago. TW: CANCER AND DEATH unfortunately, fate did not bless the couple, as elena had been diagnosed with early stage cancer a year before she became stuck in town. it was only two years after the birth of their daughter that elena passed peacefully, with her husband and daughter at her side. though dae knew it was coming, he had felt helpless--though unlike the death of his mother, this time he knew there was nothing he could have done to save her. now, a year after the loss of his wife, dae is doing his best to balance life as a single father to a toddler and his work as one of the primary school teachers for the town. despite all the loss, he is determined to do all he can to make a good life for himself, his daughter, and those who find themselves in the little town of oblitus.

[billiejene]

billie.

❛ 𝗐𝗁𝗈 𝗐𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝗉𝗂𝖼𝗄 𝗎𝗉 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 ? ❜

| HAN SOHEE, SHE/HER | Welcome to the crossroads, KANG BITNA (BILLIE). Another lost soul that stumbled across a fallen tree in their path. They appear to be THIRTY years old, but it’s hard to tell. The town bares no resemblance to NEW YORK CITY, are you sure we can trust them? Seeing as they ended up here because, SHE REALLY NEEDED TO USE THE BATHROOM ON THE WAY TO CINCINNATI, OHIO. They definitely weren’t looking to end up here. Now they’ll have to rely on being COURAGEOUS to survive. Hopefully their STUBBORNNESS doesn’t get in the way of that. I guess if we’re going to pass the time tonight, might as well request GIRLS LIKE ME DON'T CRY by THỦY. Oh, and one more thing, your new role here will be WAITRESS. We’ll be sending out welcoming party over to the RESIDENTIAL. Welcome to Oblitus, the only thing you have to remember, when the sun sets– don’t open the door.

V I B E S

she  is  chaos  disguised  as  calm,  though her  touch  more  like  rainfall  after  a  california  drought  than  an  actual  storm.  a  paradox  of  hard  stares  and  soft  smiles—a  saviour  that  hurts  herself  before  she’ll  hurt  anyone  else.  she  looks  like  something  out  of  a  faded  photograph—muted  colours  and  worn  edges,  like  the  world  has  tried  to  erase  her  but  couldn’t  quite  manage.  her  makeup  is  minimal,  just  enough  to  accentuate  the  intensity  of  her  gaze,  her  lips  stained  with  muted  reds  like  dried  blood.  tattoos  snake  along  her  skin  like  secrets  she’s  never  going  to  share—inked  reminders  of  who  she  was  before  the  world  started  to  break  her.

B A S I C S

name: kang bitna.

nickname(s): billie.

birthdate: march 5, 1994.

age: 30.

gender: cis-female.

pronouns: she/her.

sexuality: bisexual (has mostly dated men but is open to relationships with women.

relationship status: single (emotionally unavailable and guarded due to a history of liars and cheaters from nyc).

family: parents are alive, residing in seoul, south korea. her younger brother, whom she feels responsible for, is trapped with her.

religion: she believes in a higher power but is not actively practicing any religion.

ethnicity: korean

nationality: american.

occupation: paramedic (5 years).

currently: a waitress.

current residence: residences with her brother. (kang xyz).

languages: english, korean, basic spanish and basic chinese.

S T A T S

preferred hand: left.

blood type: O+

allergies: none.

physical health: very fit and strong, high endurance.

mental health: struggles with guilt, anxiety, and growing paranoia. prone to vivid, disturbing dreams and flashbacks to traumatic events she encountered on the job.

P E R S O N A

pisces sun, scorpio moon. estp. choleric-melancholic. 8w7 (the challenger). slytherin.

P O S I T I V E S & N E G A T I V E S

resilient, adaptable, fiercely loyal, pragmatic, strong-willed and quick-witted.

self-sacrificial. guilt-driven. control freak. stubbornly independent.

H A B I T S

checking her pulse when stressed.

tugging at her necklace.

clenging and unclenching her fists.

L I K E S

running.

horror movies (she finds them calming).

old vinyl records.

D I S L I K E S

being underestimated or dismissed.

unresolved conflicts.

small spaces.

whatever lies in the darkness.

A P P E A R A N C E

sharp jawline, expressive eyes. dark brown hair usually worn loose or tied back in a low ponytail. athletic build with visible muscle definition.

S T Y L E

dark colours—navy, black, and gray.

dressed for practicality, always in jeans.

usually wears silver chain with a pendant on it, a gift from her late grandma and a silver watch that she stole from her brother.

N O T A B L E F E A T U R E S

small phoenix on her left shoulder blade.

heartbeat line on her right wrist, a tribute to her career as a paramedic and a reminder to keep pushing forward.

FEARLESS on her left wrist, a reminder to stay grounded and clear-headed under pressure.

small scar on her right eyebrow from a training accident during her first year as a paramedic.

D E E P L Y U N S E T T L I N G T H O U G H T S

the whispers outside are starting to sound like voices she once knew.

It’s not the monsters she fears—it’s the sick, twisted part of her that wants to listen when they call.

some days, she wonders if she’s already dead and this is just the hell she deserves.

W A N T E D C O N N E C T I O N S

brother (close family/protective bond)

billie's brother (younger or twin) is her rock within the chaos of the town. their relationship is one of love and playfulness, they tease each other relentlessly to the point where their parents always thought that they were fighting. she's got an overbearing need to protect him and he's starting to push back-- wanting to assert his independence even though he is a little bit helpless. billie has a tendency to overstep sometimes which results in heated arguments.

ghost from the past (old acquantaince/unfinished business)

someone billie knew from her life in nyc -- an old friend, coworker, or even someone she saved. their presence reminds her of who she was before stumbling into this town. i would like this person to be like a mirror for billie. dynamics: are they grateful that billie saved their life? or are they bitter and resentful that they survived and are forced to live in this town instead?

the one who dislikes her brother (town rivalry/hidden conflict)

someone who has a problem with billie's brother (either because of a misunderstanding or an actual incident) and is holding a grudge against him. billie is on alert whenever they're around. potentially, this person could try to provoke billie into putting herself and her brother at risk.

the medic (colleague/professional bond)

another medical professional in town who shares a similar background. there is respect between them but an unspoken competition over who's truly in control. they could become allies or rivals.

nsfw: a one-night stand (resentment or regret)

a steamy encounter that neither of them expected maybe during one of billie's weaker moments to feel something. or an impulsive decision after a heated argument.

nsfw: the toxic ex (love-hate relationship)

they dated before the town and now they're finding each other here once again. they're bad for each other but the connection is too strong to ignore.

nsfw: the fwb (no strings attached)

they made a deal to keep things casual, just an arrangement to blow off steam. maybe one of them might be catching feelings? or maybe they are both fighting jealousy when someone else comes into the picture.

nsfw: 'i shouldn't want you' (forbidden lust)

think, stolen touches, constant fighting, undeniable attraction.

nsfw: dangerous obsession

someone that is obsessed with billie; she seems unbreakable and maybe they want her to break. maybe billie saved them once and they are fascinated by her fire.

W A N T T O K N O W M O R E ?

WHERE WAS YOUR CHARACTER WHEN THEY SAW THE TREE AND THE MURDER OF CROWS? WHERE WERE THEY GOING? WERE THEY TRAVELLING ALONE? HOW DID THEY FEEL?

billie was on a mission to relocate her younger brother from new york city to ohio in a u-haul truck when they stumbled upon the town. her brother, a fully functional adult (questionable), could not drive-- hence, billie was stuck behind the wheel. to be honest, she'd spent most of her trip teasing him about his bad driving. they stumbled upon the tree when she took a quick detour to find a restroom.. and now there was no escape. it was when their first night ended that billie realized she might have to hear for the rest of her life how they got trapped here because she just couldn't hold it in for a few miles. 

DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTERS FIRST DAY/NIGHT IN TOWN. DID THEY ARRIVE IN THE DAYTIME? WERE THEY WARNED BY THE RESIDENTS? DID THEY HAVE TO BE RESTRAINED?

billie's first day/night in town would start out like a chaotic blur of confusion, frustration and lots of bickering with her little brother. the detour was meant to be quick but instead of a bathroom, they would stumble upon the tree. the endless loop of the roads returning them to the same point along with her brother's comments would test billie's patience. the tension building so much that she would believe racing through the town, trying to outrun whatever strange force kept pulling them back to the start would help. but of course, there was no escape. finally, in desperation and anger, she would stop the truck. the air around them tense as they had no choice now but to leave the car and interact with the people that glanced at them with.. pity? or a similar emotion to that. billie had spent years as a paramedic in new york city. she knew how to assess chaos and manage an emergency. but as the townspeople crowded around them, eyes wary, trying to be helpful-- pulling her and her brother apart to feed them warnings of what lurked about at night, her confidence would falter. every bit of this situation felt wrong.. it wasn't a crisis that she could bandage, treat and send on it's way. these people.. they were traumatized by whatever thing they were speaking of and even though she didn't believe a single word.. something in their eyes told her to listen them. she convinced her brother that just for tonight, they would listen. they would follow instructions and tomorrow morning they would try to leave again. when darkness swallowed the town, as promised, billie and her brother listened. every door and window was locked shut. this wasn't a situation that she could assess rationally but that didn't stop her from trying. she tried her best to calm her brother, tried to convince him and herself that they would figure this out together. but the scratching at the window, the temptation to open the blinds-- the voices calling out to them to open the door and let them in.. made every logical thought slip through her fingers. for the first time, billie feared that her skills as a trained paramedic might not even be enough to keep them alive..

WHAT DID THEY LEAVE BEHIND? WHAT WAS THEIR LIFE LIKE ON THE OUTSIDE?

billie lived a fast-paced demanding life in new york city as a paramedic. her days were chaotic but purposeful. despite thriving in her career, the emotional weight of saving lives—and sometimes losing them—took its toll on her mental health. her family never understood why she chose such a grueling career path and always urged her to consider a safer and more stable profession but billie was nothing if she wasn't stubborn. she is determined to prove she can handle it all. the one person she always prioritizes in her life is her life is her little brother. billie has never had a long-lasting relationship and new york was partly to blame for that. it seemed like no matter who she let into her life, there was always a hidden agenda. her relationships were passionate but brief, burning out as quickly as they started. her last relationship ended just before her stumbling into town. she had discovered her boyfriend cheating on her with her best friend of seven years. the betrayal cut deeper than she expected, she was used to her love interests betraying her but her best friend? it was a little too much. her brother's move became the perfect excuse to leave everyone behind. the drive wasn't just about helping him, it was about escaping the people that had shattered her trust. now, trapped in the town, she's left dealing with more than just the memories she tried to outrun.