Deanswater

Locals claim that Deanswater, on Pawsatucket's north coast, was once the site of a native metropolis. According to them, the primordial inhabitants climbed thin, crystal spires and sacrificed their foes to dark, pagan gods. These natives were wiped out by their frightened neighbors. All that remains of their culture is the assorted mysterious artifacts found around the town of Deanswater.
Proud of its heritage, the town advertises its haunted houses and queer spots. For a slight fee, tour guides lead people through any number of old mansions, dark groves, or hidden caves. For a slightly higher fee, one can spend the night at one of these places. Many who do claim that they spend the entire night awake, afraid of the strange shapes and sounds they experience. Rumor has it that a group of twisted souls continues the practices of the ancient natives in order to acquire their supposed magical powers.
==The Truth about Deanswater==
Although Deanswater is located on the site of a legendary ancient city, the most truly terrifying thing about the modern-day town is its souvenirs. Several years ago, the small town was struggling just to get by. The farming was tough and the fishing wasn’t any easier. The citizens saw that some other towns were booming because they had become vacation spots. Deanswater wanted the same success, but realized that they had to set themselves apart in order to attract any attention. And what do people love more than anything else? To be scared!
The mayor, Abner Brotherston, organized the town into one large "haunted house." They invented ghost stories for different spots around town and rigged gimmicks in order to scare many of the tourists passing through. The coup de grace, though, was the mysterious "cult." Brotherston simply had a couple dozen citizens dress up in cloaks and march out to the beach. Brotherston leads the group in a nonsense "prayer" to dark gods. Out in the surf, a few other accomplices wait in the water, dressed up in monster costumes. Once a week, Greggstaff leads the little procession in order to attract the tourists’ attention.
Thus far, Deanswater is a smashing success. Hundreds of visitors now come in order to get a good fright—although they never find out that the whole thing is a fraud. The Bureau of Mysteries investigated briefly, but as soon as Brotherston let them in on the gag, they allowed Deanswater to keep functioning. Deanwater has become quite adept at one "dark art": special effects. The citizens have become quite good at producing some rather convincing "supernatural" phenomena.
Category:Settlements
Category:Settlements in Saldonia
Category:Locations in Pawsatucket
Category:Locations in Saldonia
Category:Towns