Archive of Our Own

Welcome to Town of Oakhurst!

Thank you for coming to our quaint little town, we hope you enjoy your stay! We are slowly rebuilding and renovating many of the properties in this area, and as such, we have some rules to keep you safe as we continue our projects. Please ensure you follow these rules to the best of your ability. If you do not, you are solely responsible for any consequences.

1. Please keep to the main roads when traveling through Oakhurst. Do not venture through the woods or attempt to travel anywhere by boat. The main roads are always the same, and they do not suddenly branch into the woods at any point. If you see a branching path, do walk on it. Instead, turn back and head the way you came.

2. While traveling the roads, you may see other monuments or landmarks. If there is a road leading up to it, feel free to enter and explore. If you feel called to, take a moment to pray and reflect upon your life. These areas are areas of peace. If there is no road leading up to it, acknowledge the landmark but keep moving.

3. If you see a road leading to a broken bridge, do not cross it. The bridge is unstable and in need of repair. If you are traveling with a companion and they attempt to cross the bridge, do not follow them. Instead, head back to the town on the road you came from. Take a moment to stand at the center of the town, and stay there for at least 24 hours. Allow others to join you. If you feel prompted to, pray for your companion. After 24 hours, your companion will return and you must leave Oakhurst immediately.

4. If you lose your companions at any other point, inform a the nearest town resident. Please be understanding of their next instructions and obey without question.

5. Please be respectful to all other visitors and residents here. It is polite to knock on someone's door and ask to come in. Do not barge into other people's houses without asking, as this is considered very rude.

6. Nothing happened to Oakhurst's previous residents. The town, like many other towns, has simply grown old and needs some repairs. Do not inquire any further about why the town needs repairs.

7. Humans generally have blue, green, or brown eyes. Humans do not have red eyes. If you see a human with red eyes, do not follow them. Avoid any sort of contact with them and anyone they associate with. If you end up in conversation with them, politely excuse yourself as soon as you are able.

8. Do not attempt to perform witchcraft or any other magic while on Oakhurst property. Magic is not real and books that try to teach otherwise are dangerous. Burn any books that claim to teach magic.

9. Journals are not accurate sources of information. They cannot be verified by anyone. If a journal entry conflicts with any rules listed here, do not attempt to follow anything the journal advises.

10. There are no such thing as vampires. If any individual comes up to you and insists that vampires are real, ignore them. Disregard anything they might say. They do not have your best interests in mind.

So long as you follow these rules, your stay in Oakhurst will be a pleasant one! Take your time to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds this town. Follow these rules, keep safety in the back of your mind, and we wish you and your companions a lovely trip!

Residents of Oakhurst

Thank you for deciding to make your home within the lovely walls of Oakhurst! All residents are required to help out with repair projects to ensure standards for living are met. Please be sure to follow these rules to ensure safety while doing day-to-day tasks.

1. The town of Oakhurst has a rich soil that is suitable for growing vegetables, including potatoes, carrots, garlic and wheat. Please help restock food supplies when able. Due to the rocky terrain, Oakhurst does not have the capability to support numerous amounts of livestock. Do not kill animals unless absolutely necessary, and continue to breed them to restock the population.

2. There are many buildings in town that are in need of repair. You may gain supplies from nearby mines or from within the forest. When venturing in the forest, never lose sight of the town, and be sure to travel with at least one other resident.

3. Mines contain stone, iron and coal. While mining, take care not to disturb bats. Be as quiet as possible while gathering resources, and do not take more than what you need.

4. Buildings must be primarily made with wood. A building is complete when it has walls, a roof, and a door. If it does not have one of these components, it is not a safe dwelling place. Ensure each home is safe before taking residence there. Do not have a mine directly under your home.

5. Maintenance of buildings is incredibly important. If any buildings are missing a door, replace it immediately. Do not allow anyone to tamper with the foundation of houses.

6. Each morning, please head to the center of town and pray. The beacon there is designed to provide comfort and security. The beacon should only be white or orange in color. If the beacon is red at any point, head to the cabin just outside of the walls of Oakhurst. There are further instructions on what to do.

7. Please refrain from sharing knowledge about the cabin in the woods. If visitors ask about it, pretend it does not exist. Only go to the cabin when instructed. Do not attempt to repair the cabin.

8. If a visitor expresses concerns that their companion is missing, instruct them to stay in their home for 24 hours. If their companion reappears, instruct them to enter a home in a rude manner. If they do so, allow the companions to reunite. If they refuse to, instruct them to travel the road until the reach a broken bridge. Someone should be waiting for them on the other side. Do not linger.

9. There are no secret caves hidden anywhere. If a resident or visitor insists otherwise, ignore them. Do not attempt to follow where they lead you.

10. There are many wolves that roam around and prey upon deer. At night, make sure all residents and visitors are safe in their homes. If anyone is unaccounted for, do not attempt to search for them during the night. They will either appear the next morning or not at all.

11. Many nights, the moon is visible. The moon is large and white in color. Do not look or acknowledge it if it is any other color.

Instructions from the Cabin

Greetings to whoever is reading this. You should only be reading this if you were specifically instructed to. If you were not instructed to, please do not continue any further as these words will make little sense to you.

1. Do not, under any circumstances, divulge that you have read these instructions or are currently following these instructions. It is imperative that no one knows of what is coming.

2. You may continue to rebuild the town, but your primary goal now is to maintain the beacons. Do not let anything distract you from this mission.

3. There are six beacons in this land that you must keep track of. They are located in the crypt, by the lake, inside the obelisk, in the pale oak forest, in the ruined tower, and in town. Throughout the day, you must be sure all beacons are orange in color. Continue to pray until they are. Fervent prayers resonate the most.

4. You do not need to travel the main path to reach your destinations. The beacons will never move. Be determined in your journey, and the forest will bend to you.

5. Red is the color of impending doom and death. Avoid at all costs.

6. A red beacon is a warning. There is someone nearby that cannot be trusted. If no one is around you, someone is there. Find another human as soon as possible.

7. Protect fellow humans at all costs. Continue to ensure that livestock are bred to replace what is slaughtered. Ensure supplies never run out.

8. Many years ago, there was a plague that wiped out the residents of Oakhurst. Do not divulge this information the first time other residents or visitors ask. You may only disclose this if they begin to grow hysterical. It is important to keep a level head at all times.

9. Stay in groups, when possible. Be wary of individuals who often go off by themselves.

10. Do not go fishing at any point, even if a group of people invite you. Dangerous things can happen by the water's edge.

11. Across the old bridge there is an abandoned castle. Do not believe anyone who tells you there is another beacon within the castle. If you see others with the desire to go across the bridge, advise them that there is no going back once going across. If they still wish to cross, do not impede them. Do not trust them if they reappear, they are not who they once were.

Notice Posted Outside the Castle

Greetings to those who have made it this far. If you are reading this, you might've felt a pull to explore here. You are one of us, don't worry. Someone should arrive to see you soon. In the meantime, please familiarize yourself with some of our rules.

1. Your eyes are red in color. If they are not, create a small puddle of water and stare at a nearby reflection until you notice your eyes changing to red. Once you notice the change, destroy the water and do not attempt to look at your reflection again. If your eyes still do not change color, do not worry. Simply wait and someone will be able to assist shortly.

2. You no longer have a need to stick to the roads. You may go wherever you please, so long as you are polite in doing so. Always knock and ask to enter a person's home. Do not forget the kind souls that have permitted you entry.

3. It is safer to travel when the clouds are out or at night. Shadows can hide your figure and protect you from those who wish you harm. The forest is our protector, it will keep us safe. Stay amongst the trees when possible.

4. Treat bats with respect. They are our brethren and should be thought of as equals. They provide safety in times of trouble. If you see anyone attempt to kill a bat, treat them as a threat. Be sure to inform whoever has greeted you here. If the person who greeted you attempts to kill a bat, inform the manor lord. The manor lord should not be disturbed otherwise.

5. Meat is your primary source of sustainable food. Be sure to have stocks of it on hand. Meat of any kind can be eaten cooked or raw. Take care not to eat raw meat in front of others, as many find this behavior upsetting. Remember, we must be polite at all times.

6. Always be sure to take care of your needs first and foremost. Do not let yourself go hungry.

7. Others may find your consideration strange or off-putting. They may treat you differently. If any of them give you a hard time, implore them to come to the castle so they may see things for themselves. Do not force them to come, simply inform the others.

8. Beacons are scattered around town. You may pray at them only when there are no other people around. Beacons should be red in color. If the beacon is orange or white, continue praying until the beacon changes color.

9. Do not bother to construct tools, such things are beneath you. You may accept tools if others offer them.

10. You have been blessed by Oakhurst itself. You are not a monster, but others may label you as such. Help educate others as much as possible. Refute accusations publicly, convince others to see reason. Be perceptive about the nature of those who wish you harm, point out their paranoid nature to other residents and visitors. Reduce their credibility at all times.

So long as you follow these rules, you will always be welcomed here. These rules are made to keep you safe. Know that you were meant for something greater. Welcome home.

Journal Entry Outside of Town

The note is scrawled out on a small slip of paper. The handwriting is rushed, as if the entry was frantically written.

1. There are vampires in the town, at least two. Vampires have red eyes, sharp teeth, and pale skin. They don't look like humans. Warn everyone of the danger, even if they don't listen. They will eventually.

2. Humans don't eat raw meat. Vampires don't eat vegetables potatoes and carrots garlic.

3. There was a massacre that took place in Oakhurst centuries ago. Vampires slaughtered everyone in town and destroyed everything. Be wary of people who claim there was a plague. They are human, but they don't have the full story.

4. The mines are filled with stone, coal and silver. Silver keeps vampires away. If you keep silver on you they can't get you. Give everybody silver to carry, be suspicious if anyone refuses.

5. Replace the foundation of houses with silver. Vampires can't come in. Only do this when no one is around.

6. Don't trust anyone who goes into the woods, even if they follow the path. Roads will always lead to the mansion, and there's no going back from there.

7. Gather as many materials as you can. It's alright to stay out at night as long as you're prepared. Arm yourself with silver weapons, these are the only things that kill them.

8. It's okay to be rude. It's better to be rude. Vampires are always polite. Rude people are human.

9. Stay human, no matter what. Don't believe anything a vampire says. They'll try and tempt you or threaten you. Don't ever give in.

10. Vampires are always evil.

A notebook with the title of "What I Know"

The notebook is found deep within the forest. Every single page is ripped out from the book, save for this single entry.

1. There is a castle across the bridge. People visit there and sometimes they come back. The ones that are kind don't know any better. I have to know better.

2. Blood is good. Blood is life. Blood is the only thing that sustains. Especially deer blood.

3. Vegetables are poison. Bread is ash. Meat fills the belly but it leaves quickly. Fruit is blood (they are both sweet? is scribbled to the side)

4. No one is allowed to leave once they have been changed. Change is inevitable.

5. Red is a warning of it. It watches through the moon. You are either claimed by it or the dark.

6. The dark provides sanctuary for its own. It pretends to bend to strong wills. There is no green in the forest, only pale oak. The forest never ends. It continues forever.

7. There are deer in the woods. They are the only meat that taste good. Their blood is the sweetest. Yes, deer is the best!

8. Hunger always comes back, but the eating deer keeps it away the longest. The ones alone are easiest to catch. Yes, deer is the best!

9. Deer will fight back sometimes, make sure to hunt when you don't feel weak. Weakness leads to death. But deer blood can heal. Yes, deer is the best!

10. It's hard to think when hungry. But hunger can be gotten rid of with meat. And deer meat is the best. Yes, deer is the best!

The rest of the page is covered in "Deer is the best!" in increasingly frenzied handwriting.

Note found within the depths of the old crypt

1. DON'T TRUST ANYONE! Everyone lies. Some people don't know any better, but they'll be gone soon. Only you can protect yourself.

2. Everyone is either a human or a vampire. All vampires are evil, but not all humans are good.

3. The books are good! They have knowledge in them that can protect yourself with. Some books help with growing food. Other books help you stay safe. The books do not lie and will not fail you in times of trouble.

4. Always look for books. They are in different landmarks around the forest. The road will lead you to them if you travel alone.

5. (the rest of the entries have dried blood crusted over parts of it) FUCK! Silver's not enough, it won't keep them down. It can keep them away for a time. I don't know how long.

6. Beacons feel nice… they're the only nice thing in this fucking shithole…

7. There is no scratching underneath me. I do not hear any sounds.

8. I am human. I am alone. (the handwriting is very shaky)

9. I am not alone. (the handwriting is very neat)

Inside the Secret Cave

Congratulations on finding this place. This space is one of sanctuary. Rest, gain your bearings here. Write down any information on the notice board. Whatever you eat, you may eat freely here. Whatever you may drink, drink freely here. Rest while you still can- you might not be able to find this place again.

(the following information is all written in different handwriting from one another)

1. You cannot stay here. Eventually you must leave or you will rot. Rotting is different from death. Different creatures are attracted to rot.

2. If you're human, you need to take a bottle and go by the water's edge. As you grab water, pray over it, and the water will be blessed. You can escape vampires by throwing it at them!

3. There is a vampire and a werewolf in town. Neither of them are evil. There is no manor lord.

4. It doesn't matter how many vampires there are in town, what matters is that there are vampires in town! Hurt them with silver, finish them with wooden stakes.

5. Humans are the ones antagonizing us. We can withstand our hunger, humans can't seem to withstand their bloodlust…

6. Prayers are more powerful than you'd think. You can pray for storms. I wanted lightning to strike and it did! The forest fire raged for days!

7. We all see things differently. You can't trust your eyes. The only way to confirm the truth is to have it verified. If everyone is seeing the same thing, it's not a dream.

8. you're either a human or a vampire that's it end of story!!

9. ^ no I'm something else

10. I tried walking back to where I first came from and I ended up by a lake? I tried to go home and I ended up here? I can't keep track of anything and I haven't seen anyone in days!

11. Don't ever draw attention to yourself. Not everything you attract is good.

12. There is a way out of here. It has to do with those beacons, I'm sure of it. They all should be the same, but I'm not sure what color they should be. And I know there's an extra beacon somewhere…

Journal Entry found in the middle of a sunflower field

Hello to anyone reading this. Below is a list of rules that have helped me during my time in Oakhurst. You don't have to obey them if you don't want to, but I made them because I want as many people to survive. Intent is very important here, and I don't want to deceive. Please don't forget the words I have written. I wish you well in your journey.

1. Never forget who you are. Change is inevitable, but the core of what makes you "you" remains the same. Labels are temporary, identity is permanent.

2. Unity is what matters the most. There are forces at work intending to divide and devour. Predators hunt by separating the weakest from the pack. Do not let yourself or others slip away.

3. There is always hope, there is always redemption. If you ever let yourself believe otherwise, this place will trap you forever.

My friends and I are going to be leaving now. This is the only thing I wish to leave behind. I hope I see you on the other side.