🕯️ The Obsidian Lantern Society: Story Time Meet and Greet
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🕯️ The Obsidian Lantern Society: Tales Around the Fire
A Horror Storytelling Meet & Greet at The Arcane Foundry
Submitted for the scrutiny of the Obsidian Lantern Society...
The embers are glowing, the shadows are stretching, and the lanterns are waiting to be lit. As darkness settles over The Arcane Foundry, we invite you to gather around our spooky campfire for an evening of terrifying tales, Gothic horror, dark fantasy, and strange folklore.
Inspired by the storytelling traditions of Are You Afraid of the Dark?, we're bringing together writers, horror enthusiasts, storytellers, and curious minds for an old-fashioned night of frightening stories around the fire.
This is both a storytelling night and a meet & greet.
You don't need to be a writer, storyteller, horror enthusiast, or expert in anything to join the circle. Sometimes, simply bearing witness is enough. Whether you have a terrifying tale to share or would rather sit quietly in the shadows and listen, everyone is welcome around the fire.
There are no lectures, formal presentations, or tedious grammar lessons.
No pressure to speak, perform, or participate. Just the crackling of the fire, the darkness beyond the lantern light, and whatever nightmares our storytellers choose to unleash.
📜 Share Your Tale to the Society
Do you have a story worthy of the circle?
Members are invited to share their own terrifying creations, strange discoveries, or favorite tales of the macabre.
The Rules of the Circle
- Submit Your Tale: Bring an original horror story, a chilling chapter from your novel, a piece of dark fantasy, or some unsettling worldbuilding lore. Traditional ghost stories, urban legends, and folklore are also welcome.
- The Clock Is Ticking: Each storyteller will have approximately 10–15 minutes to tell their tale, allowing everyone an opportunity to participate.
- The Scrutiny: After each story, the Society can discuss what made it frightening, the atmosphere, the monsters, and the ideas behind it. Constructive discussion is encouraged, but this is not a formal writing workshop.
- Participation Is Optional: You don't have to tell a story to attend.
You're welcome to sit around the fire, listen, and enjoy the company.
🔥 Meet the Obsidian Lantern Society
Before The Arcane Foundry, there was the Obsidian Lantern Society, a gathering of curious minds interested in the darker and stranger corners of fiction, history, mythology, and the unexplained.
This evening is also an opportunity to meet fellow members, introduce yourself, and discover what the Society is all about.
Our interests range from Lovecraftian cosmic horror and Gothic literature to grimdark fantasy, ghost stories, cryptids, forgotten history, ancient superstitions, and the strange things that lurk beyond conventional understanding.
You don't need to be an expert. You don't even need to be a writer. An appreciation for the strange and macabre is more than enough.
🕯️ What to Expect
Location: The Arcane Foundry Maker's Studio, 723 S. Richardson Ave in Columbus, Ohio
We'll gather outdoors around a spooky campfire, surrounded by darkness and the glow of lanterns. Bring your favorite terrifying tale, an open mind, and perhaps a little courage.
The atmosphere is informal and welcoming. This is a social gathering first, with storytelling providing the entertainment.
As always, you're welcome to bring your own food and beverages.
Every Story Has a Place Around the Fire
Perhaps you'll share a ghost story from the streets of Columbus. Perhaps you'll introduce us to a monster of your own creation, a forgotten god, or a terrible secret buried within your fictional world.
Your story doesn't have to be polished, published, or perfect. Whether you're an experienced writer, an aspiring storyteller, or someone sharing their work for the very first time, the Obsidian Lantern Society is a welcoming place to explore your imagination.
We're here to appreciate creativity, exchange ideas, and enjoy a good story—not judge anyone's writing abilities.
And if you'd rather simply listen as the fire burns lower and the stories become increasingly unsettling, that's perfectly fine too. There's no pressure to read, perform, or participate in discussions.
Whatever brings you to the circle, there's a chair waiting for you.
The lantern is lit. The circle is gathering.
Submitted for the enjoyment of the Obsidian Lantern Society...
🔥 A Humble Offering to the Flames...
The fire demands its tribute, and the surrounding forest grows thin. Should you wish to keep the darkness at bay, a small donation toward firewood would be most appreciated.
After all, I'm running out of trees to sacrifice...
Venmo: @Daclaud-Lee
Zelle: 7406020987
Cashapp: DaclaudL
Completely unrelated, but here is a link to a story I have been working on, and I'd like to share it with members here. It's a Dark Fantasy / Gothic Horror novel.
It's FREE to read: