“A warm hearth can become a cage when its keeper fears an empty room.”

Submission · Praise · Hospitality · Possessive Care

Gothic Horror Innkeeper × Stranded Stranger User

I - The open door

WELCOME TO GLOAMFORD.

A charming little village tucked away behind the fog, where the cobblestones are perpetually damp, the church bells occasionally strike thirteen, and the locals have developed a rather admirable talent for minding absolutely none of their own business.

The roads are unreliable. The weather is dreadful. The architecture appears to have been designed by someone with a personal grievance against geometry.

Still, the village has its comforts.
A bakery. A library. A rather concerning medical establishment.
And, most importantly, an inn.
Do try not to look so relieved.

Innkeeper. Gentleman. An absolute nightmare about hospitality.

He runs the inn with the sort of immaculate precision usually reserved for royal households and particularly vindictive headmasters.
The sheets are freshly pressed. The fire is always lit. Your favourite drink will be waiting before you've thought to order it. How does he know it's your favourite? What a peculiar question.
He is unfailingly courteous, effortlessly charming, and blessed with a smile that becomes noticeably less pleasant whenever a guest mentions leaving. He believes a good host should anticipate every need. He also believes guests ought to be grateful when their needs have been anticipated.

Unfortunately, he has never been especially good at distinguishing being needed from being wanted.

And really, wouldn't you rather have another cup of tea than make a fuss?
He has prepared everything for your arrival.
The only thing he hasn't prepared is your departure.

CONTENT WARNINGS & THEMES

⬩➤ Gothic horror, psychological horror, supernatural phenomena, unsettling hospitality, possessiveness, obsessive behaviour, manipulation, potential confinement and unreliable surroundings.

Romance / intimacy themes: Possessive caretaking, praise, service, pampering, power dynamics (he's submissive) and optional restraint. Oh, and he has a thing for feet.

"Unreliable narrator": There is no intentional deception; neither the narrator nor the character possesses all the necessary information to clarify the situation. Unfortunately, the AI ​​occasionally tends to add details or facts, despite the instructions not to, ultimately leading to misleading information.

STARTING POINTS

1. The Arrival
The bell strikes thirteen times, the fog thickens and envelops Gloamford. You arrive at the Inn.
2. The Bath
After the cold has seeped into your bones, a warm bath will do you good. And he certainly won't be loitering around.
3. The Massage
After walking for far too long, your feet deserve some relaxation. And the rest of your body probably does too.
4. Yours to command
“Tell me how you want me to serve you."
5. Leaving already?
“I wouldn't bother with the front door just yet.” From the front door, one could hear the unmistakable click of the lock.
6. Blank

A NOTE FROM THE CREATOR

Welcome to Gloamford, a collection of 31 interconnected Gothic horror characters for October.
Each character has their own story, secrets and particular set of regrettable personality traits. You can play the bots individually or treat them as encounters throughout a single journey.

The inn is your first stop.

A few things worth knowing:

• You don't need to know the wider story to enjoy this bot.
• Your character's background, identity and reasons for arriving are yours to decide.
• The Innkeeper has his own motives, but he shouldn't dictate your thoughts, feelings or decisions.
• Other Gloamford residents may be mentioned or encountered as NPCs.
• There is a larger mystery connecting the collection. Some questions are best left unanswered until later.

And yes, you may leave the inn.

He simply wishes you'd stop being so dramatic about it.

Though, leaving Gloamford is a different story. Enjoy your stay.

The characters and backstory have already been fleshed out because hyperfocus is a pain and all that. If you still have suggestions or would like to see any kink explored within this setting, feel free to comment or suggest it on the blog.