Secrets of Grave Stone
The Mystery of Grave Stone
The first indication of the sinister secret in Grave Stone is revealed in the story of the Phantom Rider. "It is rumored that there is an ancient Indian curse on Grave Stone and the evil has awaken the Ghost Rider", the story states. This idea is revisited in the description of the Shady Inn Hotel and Saloon, "Legends say that the Inn was built on a graveyard, while others believe that the land beneath was the ancient burial ground of American Indians". This was a concept inspired initially by the movie Disappearance. Ironically, one year later, the movie Desperation touched upon an evil that may have had an Indian origin.
Putrid Water is also said to flow under Grave Stone in the Dark Tail of the Whispering Windmill: "Some even say it was the "putrid water" that runs under the windmill". This described what brought back the second Grave Stone apparition, the Card Creeper from the dead.
More information regarding Putrid Water is provided in the story of the dilapidating old Putrid Creek Mill that tells about Putrid Creek, a river that flows from a canyon in the Shadow Mountains. The story tells of an ancient Indial burial cavern that was looted by a band of greedy miners. Unlocking the ancient Indian curse, the cavern was flooded by the currsed water that now only flows at midnight during every full moon. A skeletal Morty Perkins, owner of the mill knows the way upstream through the canyon. This may lead to the ancient burial cavern, but where would one find a boat in Grave Stone?
Putrid Creek flowing through one of the canyons in the Shadow Mountains
More information regarding the Indian curse may be revealed in future Grave Stone MOCs.
Who is the Phantom Rider?
The Phantom Rider (aka as the Shadow Rider) was part of the early Grave Stone story. Throughout some of the Grave Stone MOCs, he is found in the shadows. Who is he and what is his link to Grave Stone?
Part of the mystery sorrounding Grave Stone is his story revealed a little bit at a time throughout the Grave Stone set descriptions. This is intential to add more mystery to his story. The Phantom Rider is a combination of characters from books and movies, the first being the Headless Horseman from the Legend of Sleepy Hallow. No where is this more fitting than Dead Man's Bridge; were according to the story, "a mysterious fog engulfs the rickety covered bridge and it is said that many have entered the bridge but few have reached the other side". The Phantom Rider is seen on his black steed next to the bridge.
The Phantom's Rider's true origins are unknown, but according to the story of the Phantom Rider, "legend says that he rides out of the Dark Chasm during full moons seeking vengeance upon the Town of Grave Stone. Many believe that the Phantom Rider was hung unjustly while others say that he owned the deed to a gold mine that was stolen from him; his spirit haunting the hills and mines near Grave Stone". This very early image of the Phantom Rider depics his revenge on one of the towns people:
Some may also suspect a link between Tex Grimwell and the Phantom Rider. The description of the Haunted Mill provides the following insight: "Two treasure seekers are venturing into the old mill in search of the lost map of the one-eyed prospector, Tex Grimwell. Rumor has it that old Tex found the "Mother Load" after years of searching in the desert sometime before going mad. He and his gold was never found but some say that he left a map to his discovery, hidden somewhere in Grave Stone". Further story relating to Tex Grimwell states: "Old Tex roamed the desert for months at a time searching for the "Mother Load", the largest gold vein in the west. During the cold nights in the desert with a small campfire and the dim light from a kerosene lantern, Tex wrote about his fabulous journeys. Pictured below is another early image of the Phantom Rider. Notice what he carries in his left hand:
"Then there's the question of where Tex Grimwell got the money to buy Sutter's Mill before he perished? Some say it was Jeb Stotworth, his long-time friend who may have poisoned him", the story adds. The question as to whether or not the Phantom Rider is actually Tex Grimwell remains unknown, but further clues within Grave Stone may reveal the mystery.
Is There a Hidden Treasure in Grave Stone?
What type of Ghost Town would not have a hidden treasure? The story of the Haunted Mill and Tex Grimwell mentioned above may shed some light. Tex's story mentions a lost book. According to the story, "The book was hidden somewhere in Grave Stone years ago, but within its tattered yellow pages, Tex tells of his discovery of a lost mine. Some discount his stories as the ravings of a mad man that went crazy looking for gold, while others believe the book to be actual stories of Tex's survival in the desert. Some even say that within the book is a map to the lost mine". Something may be hidden in the hayloft above the Sinister Stable. "And what is that shiny object that hangs in the hay loft? Perhaps the object can unlock some of the mysteries of Grave Stone", the description tells. In addition, treasure seekers are seen pushing a chest outside the 2nd version of the Shady Inn Hotel.
Lost gold, "The Mother Load", or even a lost mine may lie hidden near Grave Stone, but only further clues can provide the answer.
Unscrupulous Villains
Hank Austin: Hank is not so much a villain, but rather a scared employee of Undertaker Jake Farlow. Hank works for Mr. Farlow digging graves within the Grave Stone Cemetery. He has seen a lot of strange things happen within and outside the cemetery; perhaps this is why he is so frightened.
Harold Axewood: Good old Harold Axewood who killed his wife, Millicent Clemens by drowning her in the well outside his Spooky Shack. Constant nagging at him over her many "honey do's", resulted in days outside the shack chopping firewood just to get some peace. Finally, good Ol' Harold had too much, and killed her. Unfortunately for Harold; however, Millicent was a true witch.
Millicent Clemens: Until death do they part... Well, not even after death, Millicent haunts the Spooky Shack; her body burried beneath the old oak tree that stands outside the shack. Millicent cursed Ol' Harold while drowning and someone or something heard her curse. During one Halloween night, the ghost of Millicent arose from the Grave turning the old oak tree completely black. Her soul will not rest until she has vengeance upon Harold Axewood.
Card Creeper: The Card Creeper was a notorious card cheating thief who was shot dead outside the Whispering Windmill. Some say a mysterious "Putrid Water" that runs under Grave Stone caused him to return from the dead as a evil green-faced spectre. He seeks revenge on the men who killed him every Halloween night leaving a black ace of spades on his victims. We may see a return of the Card Creeper in future Grave Stone MOCs...
Jake Farlow: Jake Farlow is the Undertaker in Grave Stone and runs the Grave Stone Cemetery. He is a greedy man who has given his employee, Hank Austin, strict orders to burry all the deceased quickly in shallow graves. This seems to be an issue for one such individual, the Phantom Rider, who is burried within the large tomb in the center of the cemetery.
Pastor William D. Grimstone: Pastor Grimstone was an old train bumb before he found his way to Grave Stone. He quickly applied his resourceful talents of collecting donations to build a parish and church called Shadow Chapel. He may have also caused the demise of Tex Grimwell with some of his flock including Harold Axewood and Jeb Snotworth. He heard a rumor that Old Tex found the "Mother Load" and stopped at nothing to acquire it.
Tex Grimwell: see the Legend of the Phantom Rider above. Whether or not Tex Grimwell is the Phantom Rider remains a mystery...
Barnabas Higgens: owner of the Spooky Barn House, Barnabas has disappeared. Rumors say that Barnabas's disappearance has something to do with the creepy Scarecrow that stands outside his barn.
Morty Perkins: skeletal owner of the Putrid Creek Mill. Old Morty sits and fishes outside the old mill but also knows something very special that can unlock part of the mystery of Grave Stone. That secret is how to follow Putrid Creek upstream through the canyon of the Shadow Mountains. Where Putrid Creek leads is unknown.
Professor Snidley C. Rooked: the self-named Wizard of Curiosities. Professor C. Rooked is the one link between the town of Grave Stone and the real world. He tells many western towns people about the mysterious place of Grave Stone, although most discount the tall tales. Snidley has swindled many for his worthless potions and parlor tricks, but one thing that he has done is take only the most daring to the town of Grave Stone. Only few have returned to tell about it.
Scarecrow: A ghastly figure that stands outside the Barn House of Barnabas Higgens. The Scarecrow has been seen with glowing red eyes since Barnabas mysteriously disappeared.
Jeb Snotworth: Jeb Snotworth is the last person to move to Grave Stone after purchasing the deed to Sutter's Mill. He had a plan to strike it rich in Grave Stone, but what he found was an old Ghost Town whose gold was picked dry. Persuaded by Pastor Grimstone, Jeb and Harold Axewood helped build Shadow Chapel. Not much is known about Jeb as he lives alone and performs most of his work in the midnight hours.
more to come...
Halloween 2007
Halloween 2007 brings new frights to Grave Stone including the Barn House of Barnabas Higgens and the Grave Stone Cemetery. Here's a special image of the two MOCs together:
