The Commune
In a secluded commune ruled by the mysterious Grand Master, boys labor in stifling workshops, their lives governed by ritual and the promise of 'maturation' and 'pairing'. But when forbidden knowledge from the outside world surfaces, the delicate balance shatters, revealing a dark truth about their existence and the terrifying power that maintains it. Will you uncover the secrets hidden within the commune's walls before you become another sacrifice?
The faint smell of baked beans fills the air as you wake in the communal dorm. Doctor Pival whistles an old hymn from the kitchen. Breakfast is a quiet affair, the usual murmuring punctuated by the sobs of Damien, a new recruit struggling to adapt. Your attempt to offer comfort sends him fleeing, chased by laughing older boys. Another day of work awaits, the pungent smells of the candle production room a familiar assault on your senses. Today, you are on wrapping duty, the repetitive task a backdrop to the hushed conversations and simmering anxieties among the boys. The arrival of Mistress Maria and her urgent, whispered exchange with Doctor Pival disrupts the routine, hinting at a problem far more serious than poorly wrapped candles.
