The Hemlock Veil

The Hemlock Veil is a supernatural phenomenon and spell within the House Subconium universe, influencing the inhabitants of Verdant, Conn., and its surrounding area, including Eastern Tsuga College. Originally cast in 1667 by Eleanor Ashburne as a fertility spell, the Veil has undergone several modifications over the centuries, perverting its original purpose and embedding itself into the town’s culture and history. The Veil is central to the underlying mythos of House Subconium and serves as a narrative driver in multiple series, including Making the Gradesand Comply.

 

 

Origins

The first version of the Hemlock Veil was cast in 1667 by Eleanor Ashburne, a skilled practitioner of the occult, as part of her efforts to ensure the survival and prosperity of her settlement. The spell, originally designed to enhance fertility, extended beyond human reproduction to affect the land and its natural abundance. However, the spell’s effects carried unintended consequences, subtly influencing the emotions and behaviors of those within its reach.

 

Development and Alteration

In 1706, the Order of the Hemlock—a precursor to House Subconium—attempted to strengthen the Veil by weaving a protection spell into its framework. This enhancement inadvertently amplified the Veil’s influence, creating a pervasive aura that lowered inhibitions and heightened latent desires among the population. Over time, this perversion led to darker aspects of the spell surfacing, impacting the moral and social dynamics of Verdant.

The Veil has been sustained and modified through secretive rituals performed by descendants of the Ashburne and Delacroix families. Its upkeep was tied to the practices of the Order of the Hemlock until the group’s disbandment in 1971. Following this, the Veil began to weaken, leaving Verdant exposed to external scrutiny and fueling the paranoia of the Satanic Panic during the late 20th century.

In response to the Order’s dissolution, the organization reformed as House Subconium, inheriting the responsibility for maintaining and studying the Veil. However, the full extent of its power and consequences remains a mystery even to its current stewards.

Effects on Verdant and Its Inhabitants

The Hemlock Veil subtly influences the town’s culture, fostering an environment of secrecy, indulgence, and ambition. While most residents remain unaware of its existence, the Veil is often cited as a reason for Verdant’s reputation as an eccentric and uninhibited community. Specific effects of the Veil include:

• Lowered Inhibitions: Residents within the Veil’s sphere are more likely to act on impulses they might otherwise suppress. This manifests in both benign creativity and destructive behavior.
• Psychological Influence: Individuals often experience heightened emotions, from passion to paranoia, which has shaped the town’s history of scandal and innovation.
• Attraction to the Occult: Verdant is a known hub for practitioners of the arcane, with occult shops like Delacroix's Tomes and Treasures drawing mystics and scholars from across the world.

Cultural Legacy and Modern References

Despite its pervasive effects, knowledge of the Hemlock Veil is limited to a small number of Verdant’s inhabitants, primarily those connected to House Subconium. However, its legacy has permeated modern Verdant culture in subtle ways, even as its original meaning has been lost to time.

• The Hemlock Veil Radio Station: Eastern Tsuga College’s student-run radio station, Hemlock Veil FM, is named after the Veil. The name likely originated from local folklore, but the modern students and staff are unaware of its true significance, viewing it as a quirky reference to the region’s occult history.
• Tourism and Urban Legends: The Veil is often referenced in tourist guides and ghost tours, framed as part of Verdant’s “haunted” history. Stories of inexplicable behavior, forbidden love affairs, and untimely deaths are attributed to the Veil, adding to its mystique.

These cultural references underscore how deeply the Veil has embedded itself into the collective consciousness of Verdant’s residents, even as the spell’s true purpose and origins have been obscured over the centuries.

Role in The Subconium Universe

The Hemlock Veil serves as a backdrop for many events in the The Subconium Universe, explaining the peculiar behavior of characters and the town’s magnetic pull on individuals with latent desires for transgression. In Making the Grades, the Veil’s influence is seen in the uninhibited actions of students at Eastern Tsuga College, while in Comply, its connection to Margot Delacroix ties the story to the broader history of the Order of the Hemlock.