As dusk fell, an eerie mist shrouded the quaint hamlet of Withering Hollow. The villagers spoke in hushed whispers about the enigmatic mansion that loomed at the forest's edge. Its shadowy windows and decaying exterior stood in stark contrast to the bucolic charm of the surrounding landscape.

The mansion was rumored to be cursed, haunted by the phantoms of those who had met their premature demise within its confines. Stories of peculiar occurrences and inexplicable vanishings only served to stoke the fear that held the villagers in its icy grip.

On this particular evening, a solitary envelope materialized on the doorsteps of eight unsuspecting individuals. Each bore a seal that seemed to throb with a supernatural aura. Within, a succinct message enticed them towards the mansion, promising immeasurable wealth to those courageous enough to cross its threshold.