Acknowledgements

This page is going to be updated as needed.

There is a wiki for this branch that can be accessed here.

Content Note - Please Read This!

This story explores themes of trauma, healing, grief, and the complex ways our deepest hurts can affect us. If you're primarily interested in systematic humiliation or elimination for its own sake, this branch isn't what you're looking for. I cannot stress this enough!

And yes, there is smut. Most of it starting after the first challenge, if that's what you're looking for.

Reading Notes

While most of the story clearly shows what characters are doing, there will be times when some things are not clearly shown. There could be sudden discrepancies in information such as VP and BP totals. This is intentional. You'll find out, in time. Characters also can talk to each other off-stage (e.g. sharing information about the game's rules).

Inspiration and Connections to Other Branches

The story of The HH was loosely inspired by the Nick Reynolds branch (by Exarch-of-Sechrima) for its premise (although it is going in a very different direction, tonally and story-wise).
Of course, none of this would be possible without the concept initially developed by AliC.

The story draws inspiration and includes significant references to ancient mythology, including (but not limited to) Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Etruscan, and Sumerian mythology.

Some philosophers and poets referred through the story (often obliquely) include:

• Thomas Aquinas
• St. Augustine
• Rumi
• Khalil Gibran

Additional connections to other branches currently include:

• Marissa's connection with Maeve from the Domestic Affairs branch (by Mothneb)
• Dr. Dinah Hornblower, now housed at The HH, but previously from the Francis O'Connor branch (by 4og8zzjkc)
• The inspiration for Moory, Mary from Exarch's branch.
• Emily Allen, currently at The HH, but previously from the original Jake Cooper branch (by AliC); Emily is in this season with the agreement that anything happening to her here is not canon in AliC's story.
• Objects encountered in the Museum of Pleasures Past during the Third Challenge, including objects from the following branches:
  Nick Reynolds
  Caleb Ward
  Mark Garret
  Levi
  Jake Cooper
  Francis O'Connor
  Laura Black
  Congressman Richard Turner
  A Case of Mistaken Identity
  Harem Hotel: Bed and Breakfast Edition
  Harem Hotel: They Asked for It
  Harem Hotel: Dungeon Crawl
• Party guests for Andy's birthday party (starting here) include:
  Haunted Castle season
  Laura Black
  Candy Henderson
  Tracy Black
  Sapphic Seaside season
  Harper O'Connor
  Skye O'Connor
  Scarlet Smythe O'Connor
  Masquerade season
  Caleb Ward
  Lilian "Lily" Wright
  Stella Vincent
  Missed Connections season
  Mark Garret
  Ellen Thompson
  Cassandra
  Island Vacation season
  Nick Reynolds
  Mary Reynolds
  Dawn Willowbrook
  Dani Montenue
  Dungeon Crawl season
  Lilith
  Domestic Affairs season
  Richard Turner
  Aubrey Conners
  Genet
  Marcie and Gina Read CHYOA
  Marcie
  Gina

Acknowledgements and Thanks

I would like to acknowledge the readers and authors who have contributed to fan mail:
Wrynn
4og8zzjkc
royalgambler
Kinje
Mothneb
Legolus

As well as the authors who have contributed to crossovers, or allowed me to use a character from their season:

4og8zzjkc
Wrynn
Mothneb
royalgambler
Luquier
AliC
Legolus
Exarch-of-Sechrima
Kinje
Gambio
SMTOrg
TFMistress

Final Notes

It is my hope that the story should reward re-reads, or reading between the lines. There are significant deep cuts throughout the story. Names are important, and so are their meanings. Knowledge of mythology may be rewarded. The focus of this story is not smut (although of course you'll find it there), but something different.

There is myth, and there is magic. The two are not the same. But at their intersection lies wonder.