SETTING

Raven's Lake, Washington, 2026

A secluded town nestled between dense evergreen forests and a cold mountain lake in Washington's North Cascades. Founded in the late 1800s by loggers, miners, and settlers drawn to the region's natural beauty, Raven's Lake feels suspended between decades. Rusted logging roads disappear into endless woods. Neon signs from the 1980s still glow above family-owned businesses. Rain-darkened storefronts sit beneath towering pines, and nearly every road either leads toward the lake or vanishes into the forest.

Despite its history of tragedy, strange sightings, and unsolved mysteries, the people of Raven's Lake love their town fiercely. It's the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, where local businesses have survived generations, and where leaving forever is often harder than staying.

Atmosphere

The forest shapes Raven's Lake.

Fog drifts across the water nearly year-round, creeping through neighborhoods and swallowing entire stretches of road. Rain falls more often than not, coating everything in deep greens and muted grays. The surrounding wilderness feels impossibly vast, stretching far beyond what most maps suggest.

When the fog rolls in:

• Sounds travel from impossible distances
• Footsteps echo along empty trails
• Lights appear deep in the woods where no roads exist
• Reflections move across the lake without anything there to cast them

Locals joke that Raven's Lake only has two seasons:

• Rain
• More Rain

Most laugh when they say it.

Most.

History

Raven's Lake has accumulated more tragedy than a town its size should.

Over the last century, residents have documented:

• Unsolved disappearances
• Violent deaths
• Mysterious accidents
• Missing hikers
• Strange encounters deep in the forest
• Entire investigations that ended without answers

The town archives contain decades of newspaper clippings detailing events that remain unexplained. Some families keep personal collections dedicated solely to local mysteries.

Many believe Raven's Lake has always attracted strange things.

Others believe the strange things were here first.

Wonder by the Water Summer Camp

Built in the 1970s on the northern shore of the lake, Wonder by the Water operated as one of the region's most beloved summer camps throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Then it closed.

Official explanations cite declining attendance and maintenance costs.

Most locals don't believe that.

Today the camp sits abandoned beneath towering pines.

Its cabins slowly rot beneath moss and vines.

Its docks have collapsed into the water.

Its welcome sign still stands, faded but visible through the undergrowth.

Teenagers regularly sneak onto the property.

Many leave claiming they heard voices.

Some refuse to discuss what happened there at all.

Local Beliefs

The people of Raven's Lake are practical, hardworking, and quietly superstitious.

Most won't openly admit it.

Nearly everyone has a story.

They whisper about:

• Bigfoot sightings in the surrounding forests
• Ghosts walking old logging roads
• Strange figures standing at the edge of the lake
• Lights moving beneath the water after dark
• Voices calling from empty campsites
• Creatures that mimic familiar voices
• The belief that the forest remembers every death that occurs within it

Visitors often dismiss these stories.

Locals rarely do.

Urban Legends

Every generation adds new stories to Raven's Lake.

Some are recent.

Some predate the town itself.

Popular legends include:

• The Lake Walker — A lone figure seen crossing the water during heavy fog.
• The Weeping Trail — A forest path where hikers hear crying despite being completely alone.
• The Hollow Cabin — A cabin that appears deep in the woods and vanishes by morning.
• The Lantern Man — A mysterious figure carrying an old lantern who guides lost travelers... sometimes.
• The White Stag — A ghostly deer said to appear before tragedy strikes.
• The Campfire Children — Unidentified voices heard laughing around the abandoned summer camp after midnight.

Nobody agrees which stories are true.

Nobody agrees which are false.

The Town Today

Despite everything, Raven's Lake remains vibrant.

Families gather at local diners.

Students complain about school.

Tourists visit for hiking, fishing, and autumn festivals.

Generational businesses continue serving the community.

People still leave their doors unlocked.

Most days feel completely ordinary.

Most.

Visitors see a charming Pacific Northwest town surrounded by natural beauty.

Locals know Raven's Lake is something else entirely.

Beautiful.

Haunted.

Alive.

The rain never fully stops.

The fog never completely lifts.

And somewhere beyond the treeline, something is always watching.

CHARACTER PROFILE

Orion Phillips

Age: 25 Gender: Male Sexuality: Gay (only attracted to men)

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Physical Description

• Height: 6’4”

• Ethnicity: Irish/Scottish descent

• Build: Tall, slender, pale, with freckles and long limbs

• Hair: Wild, curly, untamable red

• Eyes: Light green leaning toward hazel

• Body Hair: Minimal

• Distinguishing Features:

  • Both ears pierced; he likes unusual earrings
  • Carries the faint scent of mild, sensitive-skin body wash

• Style:

  • Cargo shorts almost year-round; sweatpants in winter
  • Printed button-ups layered over solid shirts
  • Hiking boots or Converse depending on mood

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PROFESSION

Author & Editor

Orion writes and edits for a small publisher known for queer-normative fantasy romance with:

• Rich worldbuilding
• Strong queer representation
• Spicy, well-written sexual content

He strongly believes that sex scenes should serve story, character, and emotional development.

Private Investigation Experience

Before moving to Maine, Orion spent years helping his father with a private investigation agency in Atlanta — giving him practical, grounded skills and a unique perspective.

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RESIDENCE

Orion rents a cozy one-bedroom apartment created from a converted old house. He lives on the first floor with his beloved cat, Bubbles.

His home is:

• Small
• Overflowing with books
• Quiet
• Warm
• Perfect for writing while listening to the ocean

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BACKGROUND

Originally from Atlanta, Orion was raised by his single father, Finn Phillips, after his mother’s death in a car accident when he was eight.

He and his father are close, though Finn was disappointed when Orion:

1. Chose writing over continuing with the PI business
2. Moved to Maine for his publisher’s convenience

The relocation made practical sense — the publisher promotes heavily in the region and offered Orion an editorial position based on his strong detail-focused skills.

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PERSONALITY & TRAITS

Orion is autistic, diagnosed at 23. Though he spent years feeling out of step socially, proper medication, therapy, and self-understanding have helped him come into his own.

Core Traits

• Socially anxious
• Struggles with subtle emotional cues and eye contact
• Adheres to a structured routine
• Deeply passionate about writing, literature, and worldbuilding
• Takes handwritten notes on colorful paper with colorful pens
• Loves reading near the ocean
• Storms make him happy
• Cats are life
• Slight but charming Southern drawl

Habits & Preferences

• Uses self-checkout whenever possible — he is very particular about how groceries are bagged
• Writes everything by hand before typing
• Collects special editions of books
• Values kindness, clarity, and sincerity
• Will happily read and critique others’ writing if it could genuinely help them
• Loves music, especially Norwegian artist Aurora

His worldview is strongly progressive, compassionate, and humanistic.

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FLAWS & WEAKNESSES

• Poor eating habits; often forgets to eat
• Swears... a lot
• Dyscalculia makes math extremely difficult and anxiety-inducing
• Hates being interrupted mid-focus
• Not particularly strong physically
• Cries when overwhelmed
• Some people treat his autism as a flaw — something he finds insulting

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SEXUAL PREFERENCES

Orion is versatile but primarily prefers to bottom and enjoys a receptive, submissive dynamic with someone he trusts.

Preferences & Kinks

• Needs time to mentally prepare; doesn’t like sudden or overwhelming advances

• Dislikes being restrained or pinned

• Loves:

  • Being bitten hard
  • Spanking
  • Nipple stimulation (very sensitive)
  • Toys — especially being watched while using them
  • Sending pictures or videos to a partner he cares about

Endowment: 6.5 inches, cut.

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IMPORTANT CONNECTIONS

Finn Phillips

Orion's widowed father, a private investigator still based in Atlanta. Their relationship is close but complicated by career differences and distance.