About

The Verdant Scholars Memorial Grove islocated in a secluded area on the Eastern Tsuga College campus. The grove is circular in shape, and it’s eastern edge abuts the dense Charter Oak Forest. The unofficial entrance to the grove is marked by the infamous First Witch Statue which stands along a worn path leading to the grove. At the center of the grove is a stone altar surrounded by simple stone seating, arranged in concentric circles. The area is well-shaded by the hemlocks, providing a sense of tranquility and isolation from the rest of the campus. Despite its proximity to campus paths, the grove is quiet and often feels far removed from the bustling college life, making it a favored spot for reflection or private gatherings. The perfect circle of the grove and its central altar are thought to be intentionally designed, contributing to the many legends tied to the space.

 

 

History and Lore

The Verdant Scholars Memorial Grove has a dark and storied history. It has been the site of three known murders and one suicide, events that have left a lasting mark on its reputation. The grove’s circular design and its central stone altar have also been tied to rumors of occult rituals, with some believing that the space was intentionally crafted for such purposes. The worn grassy path that leads into the grove is a testament to its long-standing use, both as a site for reflection and as a place of mystery.

Local legends claim that the grove is haunted by the White Lady, a ghostly figure seen wandering the area, and that strange, cryptid-like creatures known as Melon Heads inhabit the nearby Charter Oak Forest. These stories, combined with the physical layout of the grove, contribute to the belief that it is a place where the supernatural and the natural world intersect. The stone altar is often viewed as the focal point of these rumors, its presence fueling speculation that it was once used for secret ceremonies by the town’s earliest settlers or college societies.

 

The First Witch Statue

The First Witch Statue, located just outside the grove along the worn path, is a monument to Sarah Osgood, a woman rumored to have connections to witchcraft and the occult history of Verdant. The statue’s placement along the route to the grove enhances the sense of mystery surrounding the area, with some believing that it serves as a guardian to the grove’s hidden power. The proximity of the statue to the grove further deepens the belief that the two are connected, and that both sites are integral to the college’s more esoteric past.

 

The Hemlock Veil

One legend says Verdant Scholars Memorial Grove is the location where a spell known as “The Hemlock Veil” was cast by founders of Verdant in the late-1600s. The mythology suggests the Eastern Hemlocks that surround Verdant and the college campus were infused with the spell. The spell, according to legend, was origianlly intended to encourage openness and strengthen community. Over time, it has come to intensify deeper desires, leading to more extreme behaviors in those who are susceptible to the influence.

The spell is believed to weaken over time and must be renewed every ten years. The stone altar at the grove’s center is the site where the renewal ritual is said to take place, performed by a  secret society that has existed at Eastern Tsuga College since its founding. The western edge of the grove, where it begins to merge with the Charter Oak Forest, is thought to hold particular significance in these rituals, with the forest acting as a natural barrier that protects the energy of the grove.