One common element is the use of specific items. For example, in many stories, candles are used during the ritual. They create an eerie atmosphere and are often part of the summoning process. Another element is the chanting of words or incantations. These are thought to call upon the supernatural entities. Also, the time of the ritual is often significant, like midnight which is associated with the 'witching hour'.
One well - known horror ritual story is 'The Midnight Game'. It involves a set of rules and a dark ritual. You have to write your name on a piece of paper, prick your finger for blood, turn off all the lights at midnight and start walking around the house. It's said that a malevolent entity will be summoned. Another is the 'Bloody Mary' story. Legend has it that if you stand in a dark bathroom, light some candles, and chant 'Bloody Mary' three times, a ghostly figure might appear. And then there's the 'Ouija Board' story. Using the Ouija board is considered a form of ritual communication with the spirit world, but it's often associated with negative and scary experiences as it may attract unwanted spirits.
The Arkham Horror series is known for its Lovecraftian themes. So in 'The Last Ritual an Arkham Horror Novel', it might tell the story of how the last ritual is related to the awakening of some eldritch beings. It could follow the journey of the protagonists as they discover clues in the decaying town of Arkham. The novel might also explore the psychological impact on the characters as they face the impending doom associated with the ritual, and how they struggle against the forces of the unknown.
I'm not sure who the main characters are specifically. It could be some investigators or locals in Arkham who are caught up in the events related to the last ritual.
The '3 kings ritual stories' are often related to the story of the Three Wise Men in Christian tradition. They followed a star to Bethlehem to visit the baby Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This is a very important part of the Christmas story and represents the recognition of Jesus as a significant figure from the very beginning.
One well - known ritual scary story is the 'Bloody Mary' ritual. Supposedly, if you go into a dark bathroom, turn off the lights, and say 'Bloody Mary' three times while looking into the mirror, a vengeful spirit will appear. Another is the Ouija board ritual. It's said that when using the Ouija board to communicate with spirits, one might invite in malevolent entities. There are also stories about satanic rituals in abandoned places that are said to summon demons.
The isolation of the arctic setting is a big part. In these novels, characters are cut off from the rest of the world, which intensifies the horror. The vast, cold, and unforgiving landscape creates a sense of helplessness. And the ritual aspect adds an extra layer of mystery. It could be ancient rites or strange cult - like behaviors that the characters encounter. This combination of the unknown and the harsh environment makes it appealing.
It's a bit hard to say for sure. While there are religious texts that tell the story of the 3 kings, there's not a lot of clear historical evidence outside of the religious context. But in the religious belief system, they are very much real events that are central to the story of Jesus' birth.
Another origin is from the human fascination with the unknown and the supernatural. People have always been intrigued by the idea of using music as a tool to access otherworldly realms. This led to the creation of stories about dark music rituals, whether they were based on real practices or just the product of human imagination. Over time, these stories have been passed down and sometimes distorted, adding to the mystery and allure of the concept.
Ritual scary stories often originate from cultural beliefs and superstitions. For example, in some cultures, there are taboos around certain actions or places, and over time, these became the basis for scary stories. The Ouija board story has its roots in the idea of spirit communication, which has been a part of some spiritual and religious beliefs for a long time.