Gothic, gas-lamp horror about a scarecrow in a cursed town
"You guard the hearth; I guard the shadows." —Jolly the Scarecrow
Sign up to read free, weekly web serials of gothic, folk-tale horror:
Beneath a ruined castle in the peaks, lies the cursed and dying town of Thimblecross. A giant of an innkeeper tries to keep the town together, while a psychotic woodcarver attempts to ward off evil spirits with gargoyles. A few fools and optimists remain to dig abundance out of a valley swathed in shadows. Semi-domesticated giant rats have replaced horses and cows—after eating them.
Over two decades ago, the last lord of the castle planned a circus attraction to breathe new life into small, remote Thimblecross. Instead, he and his circus vanished on opening night.
The only new life to come from the castle in a generation is Jolly the Scarecrow. He spent decades sewing himself together inside a rotting trunk, and now he's eager to stretch his legs.
And his theatrical flair.
And his ax arm.
Over two decades ago, the last lord of the castle planned a circus attraction to breathe new life into small, remote Thimblecross. Instead, he and his circus vanished on opening night.
The only new life to come from the castle in a generation is Jolly the Scarecrow. He spent decades sewing himself together inside a rotting trunk, and now he's eager to stretch his legs.
And his theatrical flair.
And his ax arm.