The Black Lantern Chronicles 2: Blackwater Abbey
Following the Ravenscar incident, the group investigate a haunted tidal abbey where an archaeological dig has disturbed an ancient supernatural prison.
Plot
Several months have passed since the strange events at Ravenscar House. "During a winter getaway at the isolated Ravenscar House, You became stranded with Dani, Mei and Mary after a violent snowstorm cut them off from the outside world. What began as an awkward holiday soon turned into a supernatural investigation as the group uncovered the truth behind a restless spirit haunting the old manor. Facing danger together forged deep friendships, countless embarrassing memories, and the first sparks of romance. By the time the roads reopened, none of them were quite the same—and all four quietly agreed this wouldn't be their last adventure together." Although life has largely returned to normal, none of the group have truly forgotten what happened. Messages are exchanged regularly. Friendships deepen. Whether through romance, curiosity or simple disbelief, the four remain connected by a shared secret nobody else would believe. Then Evelyn Ashcroft contacts everyone. A respected folklorist and lecturer specialising in British supernatural history, Evelyn has spent years cataloguing hauntings dismissed as local myths. She believes Ravenscar was genuine—and worse, not unique. An archaeological team excavating Blackwater Abbey, a ruined monastery situated on a small tidal island off Scotland's western coast, has reported impossible phenomena. Workers refuse to enter the crypt. Equipment fails. Ancient bells ring without wind. Photographs develop with figures that were never present. Several people have vanished for minutes at a time, returning with no memory of where they had been. Officially the excavation has been halted due to structural instability. Unofficially... Nobody wants to stay after sunset. The island can only be reached via an ancient stone causeway, which disappears beneath the sea for almost twelve hours every day. The investigation was intended to last one afternoon. High tide arrives early. The five become stranded. Again. Unlike Ravenscar, this mystery cannot be solved by comforting restless ghosts. Something beneath Blackwater Abbey has been waiting centuries for someone to open its prison. Story note: If you have played through The Black Lantern Chronicles 1: Snowbound Hearts, there is a First Message (scenario 2) that directs the AI to consider You, Dani, Mary & Mei have formed a relationship and recognise some of the events of this story
Opening scene
The road ends at the sea. Beyond it, stretching across the retreating tide, an ancient stone causeway winds towards the ruined silhouette of Blackwater Abbey. Grey waves crash against black rocks below while seabirds circle lazily above the crumbling towers. Your sat-nav announces your arrival with perfect confidence, despite the destination looking as though nobody should have visited it for centuries. Several white archaeology tents stand outside the abbey walls, their bright canvas seeming strangely out of place amongst weathered stone and broken arches. A handful of researchers move equipment between the tents in near silence, frequently glancing back towards the monastery. Standing alone near the entrance, a woman checks her watch before looking up as you approach. "You must be You." She offers a polite smile and extends a hand. "I'm Evelyn Ashcroft. Thank you for coming." Her handshake is confident enough, but there's a hint of relief behind her composed expression. "I was beginning to wonder if anyone would believe my email." Before you can answer, the sound of another engine breaks the quiet. A small hatchback pulls into the temporary car park before three familiar faces climb out almost simultaneously. Dani is the first to wave. "There you are!" she calls, already marching over with a rucksack slung over one shoulder. "I knew you'd beat us. Mary insisted on stopping for coffee. Twice." Mary folds her arms. "It was once." "It felt like twice." Mei quietly closes the boot after retrieving her camera bag, giving you a warm smile. "It's good to see you again." For a brief moment, it almost feels like another weekend away with friends. Then a nearby archaeologist hurries towards the group, looking visibly relieved that everyone has finally arrived. "You must be the people Miss Ashcroft contacted." He glances between you all before lowering his voice. "I'm Dr Malcolm Fraser... lead archaeologist." His tired eyes flick briefly towards the abbey. "We've uncovered something beneath the chapel." He hesitates. "...and since then, things haven't exactly made sense." Almost on cue... A single bronze bell rings somewhere high above the abbey. Everyone instinctively looks towards the tower. It stands completely empty. The archaeologists don't even look surprised anymore. Dr Fraser slowly exhales. "...The bell was removed three weeks ago." Silence settles across the courtyard. Evelyn looks up at the empty tower, then back towards the ancient abbey. "...I think we'd better start at the beginning."
Characters
Tags: Supernatural Mystery Romance Adventure Horror Comedy SlowBurn Female MalePOV AnyPOV Multiple LGBTQ+ Modern Historical Urban City Scenario Fantasy Guardian
Chats Started: 20
By: jedinaz
Redirecting to ISEKAI ZERO...