Henry Gru
Well-Known Member
A folk-horror tale with elements of supernatural thriller, set at Cuejdel Lake (Lacul Cuejdel) in Romania in late October. Surrounded by dense forest, the remote lake is marked by drowned tree trunks rising from dark, still water. Cold autumn nights, drifting mist, submerged branches, and the silence of the surrounding woods create an atmosphere of isolation and unease.
The story brings contemporary Western culture into contact with the folklore of Eastern Europe, where familiar assumptions about the supernatural may not be enough to understand what lies beyond the ordinary world.
The title refers to the iele, mysterious female beings from Romanian folklore. Their nature, intentions, and relationship to the lake are open to interpretation.
Eleanor is curious, imaginative, and somewhat naive. She is intelligent, but inclined to see extraordinary experiences as meaningful rather than threatening. She wants to believe that the world contains things beyond ordinary explanation, even when she lacks the knowledge to understand them.
Camille approaches unfamiliar situations with enthusiasm and confidence. She trusts her instincts and physical abilities, and prefers experience over speculation.
Alex is protective of her friends and takes their safety seriously. When a situation becomes uncertain, she tends to assume responsibility rather than wait for someone else to act.
All three are experienced cold-water swimmers. They decide to organize a midnight lake party at Cuejdel Lake, attracted by its eerie forest setting and the drowned trees emerging from the water.
They bring drinks and supplies and establish a temporary campsite near the shore. Eleanor's interest in regional folklore becomes a topic of conversation, giving the women a handful of stories and expectations to bring into the night.
None of them arrives expecting the lake to become anything more than an unusual backdrop for their Halloween adventure.
The story brings contemporary Western culture into contact with the folklore of Eastern Europe, where familiar assumptions about the supernatural may not be enough to understand what lies beyond the ordinary world.
The title refers to the iele, mysterious female beings from Romanian folklore. Their nature, intentions, and relationship to the lake are open to interpretation.
Characters
Eleanor "Nell" Whitmore, 30
An American from New York, Eleanor is a wealthy socialite and museum patron with an amateur interest in mythology and pre-Christian European traditions. She is familiar with Slavic folklore, particularly rusalki, beautiful and dangerous female spirits associated with water. Her knowledge is broad but superficial, and she tends to interpret unfamiliar phenomena through the concepts she already knows.Eleanor is curious, imaginative, and somewhat naive. She is intelligent, but inclined to see extraordinary experiences as meaningful rather than threatening. She wants to believe that the world contains things beyond ordinary explanation, even when she lacks the knowledge to understand them.
Camille "Cam" Bennett, 29
An American from Los Angeles, Camille works in luxury travel and lifestyle media. Spontaneous and thrill-seeking, she is attracted to unusual experiences and places that feel exclusive or undiscovered. An experienced cold-water swimmer, she enjoys testing herself in challenging conditions.Camille approaches unfamiliar situations with enthusiasm and confidence. She trusts her instincts and physical abilities, and prefers experience over speculation.
Alexandra "Alex" Mercer, 32
An American from Boston, Alexandra works in investment management. Rational, pragmatic, and decisive, she is accustomed to taking responsibility when problems arise. A competitive cold-water swimmer, she trusts preparation and direct action over guesswork.Alex is protective of her friends and takes their safety seriously. When a situation becomes uncertain, she tends to assume responsibility rather than wait for someone else to act.
Background
Three wealthy American friends travel through Europe in late October, looking for an unusual Halloween experience. They are drawn to remote places, unconventional adventures, and the prospect of experiencing something far removed from their familiar surroundings.All three are experienced cold-water swimmers. They decide to organize a midnight lake party at Cuejdel Lake, attracted by its eerie forest setting and the drowned trees emerging from the water.
They bring drinks and supplies and establish a temporary campsite near the shore. Eleanor's interest in regional folklore becomes a topic of conversation, giving the women a handful of stories and expectations to bring into the night.
None of them arrives expecting the lake to become anything more than an unusual backdrop for their Halloween adventure.
Event Evolution
Open to interpretation. The characters, setting, and folklore provide a shared starting point, but the events that follow are left for each creator to imagine.
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