Midnight, Maine

“In 1620, there was a ship that set sail from England with the prospects to settle the “New World”, as they liked to call it. This ship was called the Mayflower. You’ve likely already heard about this ship, I know that human children often learn about it in school, albeit a somewhat glorified version. But something that is lesser known among humans is that the Mayflower was soon followed by a second, smaller ship called the Rosebud. The Rosebud set sail from Scotland in the early days of 1621. It contained a diverse group of people who hailed from half a dozen different places, but who all longed to escape the religious persecutions of their homelands. Among these people you will find several ancestors from families that still live here in town today. One of those ancestors is my own great grandmother, Agatha Raven. She and her family fled their home in northern England when rumors began to spread in her town that Agatha was guilty of Witchcraft, a sentence which put them all in very serious danger. After almost three months at sea, this group of refugees prevailed in their journey and finally laid anchor somewhere nearby Bar Harbor. Here, they encountered a group of natives. These natives were naturally skeptical of the newcomers, and rightfully so, but the two groups soon realized that they had more in common than had first been expected. You see, this group of natives had been ostracized by their own tribes and communities. They had come to the North in search of safe refuge, just as the newcomers had. But the things that had once marked these individuals as “different” was now what they all had in common. The foreigners that had traveled across the ocean had left their homes in search of a place where they would be allowed to live normally, without fear of being hunted down for their beliefs, practices or nature. And that’s exactly what the group of Native Americans had done as well. They all knew of the dangers and heartaches that had a tendency to follow when their kind tried to coexist with humans, but thanks to this newfound partnership, the two groups managed to work together and find a place they could call home. It took several months of searching, testing out potentially suitable areas, and negotiating with the other local tribes, but eventually our group of foreigners and natives were able to claim a small area of land as their own. By utilizing their talents and their differences, this collection of strangers built the foundations of this town. They even mostly succeeded in hiding it away from the rest of the world. Humans who encountered the strange town would think nothing of the place they had just passed through, and would soon find that they had no memory of visiting this place whatsoever. Meanwhile, the mystical and Magical creatures who resided there had finally found a place where they would be allowed to thrive in their basic nature, knowing that the dense forest that surrounded them was also keeping them safe. As time progressed, the families that had chosen to take up residence in the town of Midnight began to procreate and fill the town with a younger generation. Soon enough, the people realized that they needed proper infrastructure. A school was erected for the young ones, and places that offered employment and enjoyment for the older. A mix of restaurants and pubs were opened as well, containing some very peculiar menu items to satisfy the diverse cravings of the inhabitants. While the rest of the country continued to evolve and eventually got themselves involved with conflicts across the globe, the town of Midnight began to fade into obscurity and legend as the humans in the surrounding areas passed on, bringing the only living memories of Midnight with them. But within Midnight, life continues to thrive for the descendants of those who so long ago founded our town with the goal of creating a safe haven for Magical creatures.”
 -  Drizelda "Birdie" Raven

History

The town of Midnight was founded in 1622 by a ragtag group Magical creatures. This group was created when European immigrants, seeking a life away from the religious persecutions of their home lands, encountered a group of Native Americans who had been ousted from their tribe for their Magical nature. Finding themselves with more things in common than things which would set them apart, the novel group of outcasts decided to work together to build a home where they would feel safe to be themselves.

Geography

Midnight is located roughly 40 miles north of Augusta. It is surrounded by an imposing forest which serves as the town's protector. Midnight is accessibly only through trains and Magical means, such as portals and flying. Cobblestone streets connect the handful of neighborhoods in the town. On the west side, you will find a neighborhood of family homes. On the north side, there is a train station. In the center of town there are a variety of shops and eateries, as well as a town square where a weekly farmers market is hosted on Sundays.

Town of Midnight

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A rough map of Midnight, Maine.

Aside from the forest which is imbued with memory Magic, Midnight is further protected from human intruders by a spell which was placed on the town when it was first founded. This spell effects every human who steps foot in the town, unless that human is already aware of Magic. The spell prevents these humans from remembering any details about Midnight, including its location.

Politics

Midnight does not have a mayor or a specific system of organization. For the most part, the people of Midnight self-govern. They do as they please when they please, and thanks to the many Agriculture Students and Nymphs who reside in the town, they are largely self-sufficient when it comes to growing produce. However, there are some important groups in Midnight as well.
The Midnight Coven The Witches of Midnight automatically become members of their local coven when they turn eighteen and complete their Dedication Ceremony The Dedication Ceremony. They are governed by their Deacon, a position which is earned through popular vote. Currently, the Deacon of the Midnight Coven is Miles DeVaughn. Along with the Deacon, there is also a Council of Elders. This is a group of four elder Witches who assist the Deacon in presiding over the Dedication examinations and other coven meetings.
The Respected Elders A group of elder residents who have resided in Midnight for many, many years. They are highly respected by most other residents and are often consulted on important matters. This group is not to be confused with the Council of Elders. The respected elders is not an official group or club; it is simply a title which is earned.

Establishments

The Nest The Nest is the Midnight Coven's temple of worship. It is a large and round stone building with a small cemetery in the back. The Nest houses a large number of Students of the Sacred. During the high holidays, the Sacred Students organize great celebrations which will often go on for several hours. Although mainly Witches use this building, all Magical creatures are also welcome outside of the high holidays.
Magic in a Cup A coffee shop which is bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside. The front windows are decorated with colorful baubles, and the counter is usually manned by a young Ghoul named Greg. They sell anything from lattes, teas and traditional baked goods to finger-lollipops, salads with blood flavored dressing, and raw beef sandwiches.
The Library The library is home to several thousand books and is primarily manned by a Gnome by the name of Bob. There are also close to 70 Shadows who live and work in the library. They re-shelve books, tidy up after irresponsible children, and make sure that no one tries to steal from the library. They also keep the Dust Maggot at bay. It is a large building which has an upper floor toward the back where you can make yourself comfortable at one of the tables and desks which are available for guest use. Some of the books carried by the library include: high school yearbooks, old copies of the local newspaper (the Midnight Daily), town registries, encyclopedias, textbooks, etc.
DeVaughn's Divine Books This bookstore may look like a haunted house from the outside, what with its gothic exterior and the leather-bound tomes featured in the shop window, but it is in fact just an ordinary bookstore. It is run by the elder DeVaughn children and carries a wide variety of genres, from historical biographies and classic literature to youth fantasy and graphic novels.
The Post Office While it looks like an adorable little cottage on the outside, this is an ordinary post office. On weekends, it is manned by a young Sakura Tree Nymph by the name of Soot.
Sally's Butcher Shop A butcher shop run by a Troll by the name of Sally.
Let's Get Baked A small bakery run by an even smaller Centaur.
This and That, and This Again A store full of trinkets, items, and stuff. If you're looking for something, you might find it here. It is run by Iris the Shapeshifter.
Fen and Don's Hair Salon A hair salon run by a Witch and Shifter duo. They will cut, trim, dye, or completely shave your head all while chatting your ears off. They also carry a large selection of creature specific hair products.
The Park The local park in Midnight is a modest valley with gently sloping hills on either side. Throughout the valley, soft grass grows freely alongside colorful wildflowers. A group of poplar trees grow on the side closest to the town, lining the entrance to the park. Nearby, you will find a kiosk which sells any number of items, including but not limited to: sunscreen, ice cream, alcoholic beverages, fire extinguishers, and hand saws. On the opposite side of the valley, a small beach lay before a medium-sized lake. In between, you will usually find picnic blankets and portable grills, particularly on warm summer days. The residents of Midnight love to gather in the park to play games, enjoy the days of summer, and swim in the lake. On the hill furthest from the town, a full-sized apple tree stands tall in front of the sprawling forest. On the bigger hill on the poo

Founding Date

1622

Type

Town