Harrowed World: Portents In Red News

[p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]Watch the video or read the transcript below:[/p][p][/p][p]What does it mean to serve a monster?[/p][p][/p][p]An accomplice, a servant... a slave.[/p][p][/p][p]Humans serving vampires is a common sight throughout popular culture, from Renfield in Dracula or Knock if you’re nasty, to the ghouls of Vampire: The Masquerade, the thralls of Skyrim, and the familiars seen in Blade.[/p][p][/p][p]It stands to reason that creatures who prey upon and seek to dominate humans would also keep some as servants.[/p][p][/p][p]In Harrowed World, they are called doxies. Each one is bound to a vampire, referred to as their dominus, by a disturbing act called the Binding. The vampire produces a thick black mucus like substance known as doxian, which can be released voluntarily from the mouth or a wound. The substance must be consumed by or injected into the human. Due to its repulsive taste, few will consume it willingly.[/p][p][/p][p]The doxian embeds itself inside the body, binding them to their dominus, and while they don’t have to like the one that bound them, they have no choice but to obey them. The substance is generally believed to be harmless though may cause alarm if placed under medical scrutiny.  [/p][p][/p][p]The connection a doxy shares with their dominus manifests as a physical mark on the skin known as the Ligatus, which can also refer to the psychic connection the two share, allowing them to communicate without a single word spoken even over extended distances.[/p][p][/p][p]The Ligatus mark looks something akin to a freeze brand that a farmer might put on cattle. The design, if it could be said to be a design, resembles thorns, though the exact composition varies. No one knows why the look of the mark diverges, some have developed theories as to the cause while others just accept it as a normal part of unlife.[/p][p][/p][p]Biologically speaking, doxies are no different than ordinary humans., lacking any supernatural powers of their own, but they can easily distinguish vampires and other doxies from typical members of the species plus they are more resilient than their unbound counterparts and heal faster, by virtue of the natural properties of the doxian, a necessity in the brutal world of the undead.[/p][p][/p][p]As a doxy ages at the same rate as an ordinary human, they are generally short lived in comparison to the vampire that they serve.[/p][p][/p][p]Wishlist ‘Harrowed World: Portents In Red’, our Modern Vampire Narrative Horror RPG:[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]And play ‘Harrowed World: What’s Past Is Portents’, our Episodic Vampire Narrative Horror to be introduced to the factions and key characters ready for the RPG:[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]With Thanks To Our Paid Patreon Members[/p][p]Vanguard:[/p]

• [p]Nildenosaj[/p]

[p]Advocatus:[/p]

• [p]LivZombi[/p][p][/p]

[p]Become a Free or Paid Member now to kept up to date on development and gain exclusive perks:[/p][p][/p][p]https://www.patreon.com/cw/HarrowedWorld/membership[/p][p][/p][p]Even free members gain access to our Discord server.[/p][p][/p][p]This post and video were made available early for most paid Patreon tiers.[/p]

[p]Before we get onto the character reveal, here’s the first look at new artwork showcasing powerful vampire leader Bella Quillan.[/p][p] [/p][p]She is the vanguard of the Isle of Gallow in 'Harrowed World: Portents In Red', our Modern Gothic Vampire RPG, currently in development. She is draped in a bloodstained gown and wearing a mask, framed by a modern gothic cityscape.[/p][p] [/p][p]Her eyes blaze purple, alive with vampiric power.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Dr Duncan Oswald (formally Lord Dr Duncan Richard Edwin-Oswald) is the new advocatus and master of the Kerrogan Collective on the Isle of Gallow.[/p][p] [/p][p]Duncan is also the protagonist of Duncan's Story, part of 'Harrowed World: What's Past Is Portents', our Episodic Vampire Narrative Game.[/p][p] [/p][p]See the character reveal below:[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p] [/p][p]As the reluctant new master of the local Kerrogan he oversees a group of apprentices, pupils in often brutal disciplines of science, who may not entirely appreciate his oversight.[/p][p] [/p][p]As advocatus he represents his estate by appointment of the vanguard Bella Quillan, the overall leader of the pale (vampiric domain) of the Isle of Gallow.[/p][p] [/p][p]While a vanguard does not have to select the local leader of an estate as its advocatus, it's considered common practice to do so. Not to appoint them would often be considered a slight by the snubbed leader.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Duncan is a man that has grown increasingly uncomfortable with his noble origins and often tries to seem more like a down-to-earth everyman though he does not entirely pull it off.[/p][p] [/p][p]While in the presence of a vanguard, or another vampire of more regal bearing, he will often instead dial up his lordly etiquette in an attempt to curry favour and be seen as closer to an equal.[/p][p] [/p][p]Vanguard:[/p]

• [p]Nildenosaj[/p]

[p] [/p][p]Advocatus:[/p]

• [p]LivZombi[/p]

[p] [/p][p]Become a Free or Paid Member now:[/p][p]https://www.patreon.com/cw/HarrowedWorld/membership[/p][p][/p][p]Wishlist 'Harrowed World: Portents In Red':[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p]It’s the first full month of the Harrowed World Patreon and we officially have our second paid member![/p][p] [/p][p]Thank you to LivZombi our first Advocatus member (second highest paid level) and Nildenosaj, our first Vanguard member (highest paid level)![/p][p] [/p][p]If you’re into vampires, creatures & you wish to support indie creations, including an RPG, this is your summons.[/p][p] [/p][p]Free members get regular updates and access to our Discord server, while paid members get exclusive perks.[/p][p] [/p][p]Become a Free or Paid Member now:[/p][p]https://www.patreon.com/cw/HarrowedWorld/membership[/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[p]Another year at an end.[/p][p] [/p][p]It’s been a long year, personally especially. As many of you may know, near the start of this year I lost my mum to cancer. With that tragic loss, came many changes, that I’m still adjusting to. From new financial restraints to a very different Christmas period.[/p][p] [/p][p]I share this not to garner sympathy, but simply to explain my current situation. I’m not a big sharer but at the same time I’m not big with secrets either.[/p][p] [/p][p]On the positive side, we released the Story Pack for ‘Harrowed World: What’s Past Is Portents’, our Episodic Vampire Narrative Game, with the premiere tale ‘Duncan’s Story’, it’s narrative incidentally revolving around grief and loss, something that allowed me to draw from my own feelings.[/p][p] [/p][p]I found writing Duncan’s Story to be very therapeutic and its release represents the fulfilment of another announced release. We ran a successful Creator Program, to get streamers and YouTubers free early access to Duncan’s Story.[/p][p] [/p][p]Earlier this year, we revealed that ‘Harrowed World: Portents In Red’, our Modern Gothic Vampire RPG, reached 1,000 wishlists on Steam, and we showcased many mechanics including feeding and dialogue along with the important vampire character Bella Quillan.[/p][p] [/p][p]In 2025, we also revealed new screenshots for ‘Harrowed World: Dracula Fallen’, our Vampire Interactive Fiction, currently in development, and announced that a tabletop roleplaying adaption of the setting, dubbed ‘Harrowed World Tabletop’ is in early development.[/p][p] [/p][p]As the year came to a close, we released an introductory lore video for the vampires of Harrowed World, and we started a Patreon. Only I could start a Patreon right before Christmas, I always had a thing with timing.[/p][p] [/p][p]Over the past year, I had the pleasure of working with the highly skilled developer and artist Maha, the hugely talented composer Stefan Sima, incredible voice actors including Jeremiah Billing, Serene September, Radical Foil, and Psychedel, as well as my capable symbol artist, and a whole host of illustrious content creators of which there is too many to name but you’re all amazing.[/p][p] [/p][p]Thank you for all your support throughout this year and I do hope you continue to support Harrowed World in the new year. Thanks to everyone who left reviews, bought the Story Pack, played our game, left likes and comments, and engaged in discussions and polls.[/p][p] [/p][p]Special thanks to our Vanguard level Patreon member Nildenosaj.[/p][p] [/p][p]I hope everyone who celebrates had an amazing Christmas (or Holidays I believe you Americans prefer) and that you all have any incredible new year.[/p][p][/p][p]Within our Patreon, you’ll find multiple membership tiers bearing ornate, lore inspired names, shadowed descriptions, and exclusive perks for those willing to pledge themselves.[/p][p][/p][p]Even the uninitiated may enter, free membership grants access to our Discord server, a place to gather among fellow creatures of the night.[/p][p] [/p][p]Claim a free or paid Patreon membership below:[/p][p]https://patreon.com/HarrowedWorld[/p]

[p]A Christmas (or Holidays if you prefer) greeting from the vampire Dr Duncan Oswald, for all those who celebrate.[/p][p][/p][p]Duncan is the protagonist of Duncan's Story, part of 'Harrowed World: What's Past Is Portents', our Episodic Vampire Narrative Game, and he's an important figure in 'Harrowed World: Portents In Red', our Modern Gothic Vampire RPG.[/p][p][/p][p]With thanks to Jeremiah Billing returning to record this special message.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]