HHN XXI Speculation

[Legacy]

I hope it's a Catacombs sequel.

[Mae]

"Roll the bones" is a phrase that's been used for both runes and dice.

Sorry, that's all I got.

Mae

[LV-426]

I hope it's a Catacombs sequel.

me too, I wished they did a sequel but this time in a castle setting, like how Dracula house looked, but made for catacombs

[JDW]

Wait when did this happen? Man I just checked those like 5 hours ago... grrrrr...

anyway, Runes sounds like it could be Druids, Some kind of cult, alchemy, witchcraft... a secret rite perhaps? It would be old magic, sacrifice, etc.

I don't know if The plague doctors would use runes... sound like a bit of a stretch.

... and why did Emerico cancel his account? Perhaps are incessant hanging on his every word.

Edited May 18, 2011 by JWFearman

[Brandon]

4. Our dreams have come true with a Runescape house. Where we are taken to a mideival time and go throughout the land. To kill boars and help with quests.

FINALLY!!!!! I have been waiting for a Runescape house!

I hope it's a Catacombs sequel.

I would love to see a sequel to Catacombs as well. Probably my favorite (or close favorite) house last year.

[Shockinfunk]

Runes eh? Ill go with black magic on this one. Its as if it tries to hint at a Harry Potter house which 1. cant happen JK will never allow it and 2. Im just not feeling voldamort as HHN material. Either way it feels like a house with some corrupt magic in it with can deal with many things.

[King_K.]

I hope it's a Catacombs sequel.

This x1000.

[I am Weighting]

Wasn't there runes on the obelisks in The Coven scarezone last year? I think a house based on that would be very interesting. However the first thing I thought of when I read "Rune Room" was Nose mythology which immediately made me think of Hades from last year. Perhaps it could be similar to Hades, but based on Norse mythology instead of Greek?

[JDW]

WOW looks like we lost another source for info.. Emeric has deleted his FB and HNN accounts... I'm sure his twitter is soon to follow...

Edited May 18, 2011 by JWFearman

[Cody]

I can definitively say that we will NOT be seeing a Harry Potter house.

Runes are associated with a lot of things. While it could hint at Druids, Vikings, Nordic gods, etc., it can also be a hint at plain magic. Runes can and have been placed into a great many settings as a way of channeling magic and casting spells, so there's also the possibility of seeing some magical mayhem.

[Legacy]

Okay, now that I'm in front of a computer I'll explain why "Rune Room" can directly imply a Catacombs sequel ("Can" means that I'm not saying it does. I'm not making as bold as statement on that one as I did with the Casino).

First, let's look at the only comparable character to the Plague Doctors: the Body Collectors. They were introduced in 2005 with little more than a clever character design, well-done house, and simple backstory. It wasn't until they were revisited in later years that their history and culture were truly developed into something canonical. Last year, the Plague Doctors succeeded on little more than clever character design, a well-done house, and simple backstory (plus a bad-ass cast). If they do visit the Catacombs, it's quite possible that we will see the culture that the Plague Doctors created while they were trapped down there (by traveling "deeper" into the tunnels). It allows more creativity in the development of the Catacombs.

Now that the character development arch has been stated, let's look at the "Rune Room." A rune, in it's most basic, form is simply a carving on a rock. While they have a Nordic tradition and imply religion and magic, it is really nothing more than carving on a rock. Many times, the room names are simply descriptions of a room's visual properties (see, Room of Roots, Narrow Spaces, Museum Hallway from last year's Catacombs) or simply a name (Timeout from Havoc) and not necessarily related to the overall theme of a house. "Rune Room" could simply mean that it's a rock room covered in etches.

Now how do they connect? The Plague Doctors were trapped in the Catacombs for about 500 years, and would have been surrounded by nothing but rock and bone. If we are further exploring how the Doctors "coped" with being stuck down there, we could very possibly see a rock room covered in etches. It could be the result of a Plague Doctor going insane (or at least more insane than the rest), or attempts to figure out a cure. Considering how late it is in the house (room 8), and if we do want to apply "magic" to it, it could very well be the explanation about how the Doctors and corpses are still alive after 500 years: Black Magic (to coexist with the Black Plague).

As much as I would enjoy a Catacombs house being in a soundstage, last year proved it doesn't need to be. With the "Rune Room" being in the same location as Catacombs, the "rock" connection can't be ignored by me. I just hope the title of the house is "Catacombs: Deeper Still" and next year we have "Catacombs: Quarantine."

Now to Emeric. The shut down of all of his hint outlets is an obvious disappointment, as it kills a key source of speculation. I really hope it's not a personal issue that is the deciding factor in this. I can't help but think that this is evidence of a crackdown by management on some level. The question then becomes why. What raised the red flag to them (if they are the ones cracking down)? All Emeric did was hint, not leak details or specifics, and the vagueness of them last year could have meant that management turned a blind eye. It could simply be the fact that some one is saying anything to the public, but it could also lend some accuracy to the casino/gambling spec.

In general, Universal doesn't care about speculation unless there is some accuracy to what is being speculated about. That's when their flags go up, because that's what the internet monitors look for.

Oh well, back to scouring permits.

[JDW]

That was my thought as well Legacy... why shut down if we were way off base? Perhaps we have grown too good and deducing?

I can see what you are saying about the runes... and I know you stated it is only one possible explination. I'm not going to try and fit clues to what I want to see. (I don't really care if the doctor's are back this year as long as they are back at some point). Every year we have clues that people say this must mean X. When in reality they are vying for a specific house or idea.

Rune is very vague as you said and could mean anything from scratchings on the wall to magical incantations. I do see the connection to rock... even the quote Emeric gave us: "Fear has many eyes and can see things underground". However, Many houses of the past have had runes... So I'm not going to jump on the Catacombs bandwagon just yet... Simply so I can keep my mind open to possibilites as more clues come about.

To play devil's advocate however, I would want to see a progression of the doctor's when they are back. The caves were very cool but I would either want to see a progression of the story (a la they escape the caves) or a prequel. If the latter I can see a room with runes that is still underground. (random side note: wouldn't it be awesome to actually descend into a house?). As a progression. I can see them escaping... and we have doctor's in the streets the next time we see them... then, we would have them a final time. But I'm thinking in a 5-10 year cycle. We saw BC twice in a 5 year period (3 if you count last year's best of house). So I could see them 4 times in a 10 year period. Spread out that would be 2.5 years roughly between appearances. so that is why I think it is just too soon. Otherwise we have a franchise that burns out too quickly.

Edit: Just to touch on the strange nature of the clue... ALL the other permits say almost the exact same thing:

Please clarify where we can find details for the actor's platform. Note 6 on sheet A101 A indicate the details are on sheet A302 detail 3 but this does not exist.

With different Sheets and details. (hence why I stopped looking after two or three.)

However Sprung Tent 1 was slightly different:

Please clarify where we can find details for the actor's platform. Note 6 on sheet A201 indicate the details are on sheet A302 detail 3 but this does not exist. If, applicable on 8. Rune Room.

So it either seems a deliberate insertion or someone posted something they weren't supposed to. Otherwise why wouldn't they all have the room names?

Edited May 18, 2011 by JWFearman

[Dr. Jimmy]

First off, Emeric had stopped using both his Facebook account and his profile here in favor of Twitter for quite some time. I believe this is just to further consolidate Twitter as his sole means of distributing information with no backtalk involved.

Secondly the Rune Room: Ever hear of a little story called "Casting the Runes" by M. R. James? It's a rather short story, you can read it here> http://www.classicreader.com/book/1833/1/

It was made into a motion picture titled Night of the Demon aka Curse of the Demon starring Dana Andrews.

Do you remember the title song to the Rocky Horror Picture Show?

"Dana Andrews said prunes gave him the runes, and casting them used lots of skills."

There is a wealth of material that runes offer us for a house.

[Carnagefan]

Wait emeric's name was a hint in it's self last year. Is it possible we might have a new person pop up to hint toward another house. And going on that theory his leaving can be a hint to what is not going to be at hhn this year

[JDW]

First off, Emeric had stopped using both his Facebook account and his profile here in favor of Twitter for quite some time. I believe this is just to further consolidate Twitter as his sole means of distributing information with no backtalk involved.

I hope that is the case Doc.

Wait emeric's name was a hint in it's self last year. Is it possible we might have a new person pop up to hint toward another house. And going on that theory his leaving can be a hint to what is not going to be at hhn this year

Emeric's Name wasn't a hint last year. He popped up in '09 with employee preview videos and some vague quotes that we all disregarded. His name is an allusion to Hell House.

Edited May 18, 2011 by JWFearman

[Legacy]

I can see what you are saying about the runes... and I know you stated it is only one possible explination. I'm not going to try and fit clues to what I want to see. (I don't really care if the doctor's are back this year as long as they are back at some point). Every year we have clues that people say this must mean X. When in reality they are vying for a specific house or idea.

To play devil's advocate however, I would want to see a progression of the doctor's when they are back. The caves were very cool but I would either want to see a progression of the story (a la they escape the caves) or a prequel. If the latter I can see a room with runes that is still underground. (random side note: wouldn't it be awesome to actually descend into a house?). As a progression. I can see them escaping... and we have doctor's in the streets the next time we see them... then, we would have them a final time. But I thinking in a 5-10 year cycle. We saw BC twice in a 5 year period (3 if you count last year's best of house). So I could see them 4 times in a 10 year period. Spread out that would be 2.5 years roughly between appearances. so that is why I think it is just too soon. Otherwise we have a franchise that burns out too quickly.

I'll be the first person to admit that I'm trying to shoe-horn clues into a return the to the Catacombs. The house fascinated me, and easily competes with Screamhouse as one of my all-time favorites (I always end up getting cast in AMAZING houses when I do the event). Last year showed just how little we can rely on vague room names, and I'm counting "Rune Room" as a vague one. It's definitely not "Gorgon" or "Zombiecycles," that's for sure. I could deal with a lapse between houses, but I don't exactly have the greatest faith they would do that right now. Screamhouse Revisited following immediately after the original still bothers and concerns me.

In response to your advocacy, I see three possible routes for the Catacombs story to further: "Deeper Still," where we return to the catacombs and discover the world the Plague Doctors created for themselves; "Black Death Returning," where the Plague Doctors escape into modern-day Cary, France and reinfect the citizens (best as a Soundstage house); or "Black Death Revisited,' which would be the prequel version of the house, still set in Cary. All three hold tons of potential in how they can be done. Regardless, I believe the third version has to be an attempt to get rid of the Plague Doctors once and for all through the use of a Disease Control Agency, juxtaposing the historic Plague Doctors with modern-day Plague Doctors (again, "Catacombs: Quarantine" or "Catacombs: Black Death Remission").

There is also the cheesy idea of putting the Plague Doctors in a scarezone and calling it, "Catacombs: 2 the Streets."

Wait emeric's name was a hint in it's self last year. Is it possible we might have a new person pop up to hint toward another house. And going on that theory his leaving can be a hint to what is not going to be at hhn this year

Too much effort when a reliable "source" has already been established. This would make Emeric a A&D mole directly relating to the year's event and he would have disappeared immediately after the event last year (like Goth Wackee).

[Jakemeister]

In The Hallow wasn't there a scene with a title similar. Obviously not "Rune Room" but something in my memory is just clicking for The Hallow and the name "Rune Room". I'm not saying this is a sequel to The Hallow, but for whatever reason it's reminding me of it.

[Carnagefan]

Yea Suppose your right legacy

And jw I joined last year didn't know about emeric' s earlier appearance thanks

He'll house I thought was a suggestion for Wyandot

Edited May 18, 2011 by Carnagefan

[JDW]

Yea Suppose your right legacy

And jw I joined last year didn't know about emeric' s earlier appearance thanks

He'll house I thought was a suggestion for Wyandot

Oh no worries. And LT did nod to Hell House so you're not off base there

Jake... that was the first thing I thought too... then the Coven. (with the runes on the obelisks.)

But in '05 we had a game centered around runes too. The whole event was full of them.

Edited May 18, 2011 by JWFearman

[Dr. Jimmy]

Runes have appeared before in the Hallow, Blood Ruins, and of course in Scary Tales: The Nightmare Continues where they were carved into human flesh.

Don't forget the significance of runes in Tolkien.

Also as I have had recent ocular problems and it is Wednesday I cannot but help remember that the very origin of runes goes back to when Odin gave up his eye for wisdom and then hung himself from the World Oak.

Oh noes a tree again!

[Jakemeister]

I could not find anything directly relating to "Rune Room" in The Hallow. There was a witch scene, the Halloween tree, and the opening scene with Haloween build up. I remember their being the Samhain's so I'm thinking that might have been what sparked my memory. I definitely remember there being runes in the house I just can't recall what part....

[Freak]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I'm just not quite ready for a sequel house to Catacombs yet. Like JW said, I would like to see it spread out a for a few years if there's going to be a complete trilogy. I hope it's something like a Norwegian mythology house on vikings or something like that.

[Creeper06]

I agree that I don't need to see a sequel to Catacombs just yet. However, it makes logistical sense as they already have all the props and scenery ready to go so it would be less expensive to do another Catacombs right away. We'll see.

As for the suggestion of doing something based on Norse mythology, that does make some sense. #1- Hades last year proved that a mythology themed house can be successful and creative. #2- the popularity of Thor right now makes an easy marketing hook for a house of this type. I'm fully aware that Thor has no affiliation with Universal but sometimes A&D will do an unofficial house based around a premise that seems to be popular in pop culture at the moment. Think Hades = Clash of the Titans and Wyandot = Paranormal Activity. Thoughts?

[Mae]

I could not find anything directly relating to "Rune Room" in The Hallow. There was a witch scene, the Halloween tree, and the opening scene with Haloween build up. I remember their being the Samhain's so I'm thinking that might have been what sparked my memory. I definitely remember there being runes in the house I just can't recall what part....

They were in the witch's scene, carved on the cauldron (crypt? the thing they liked to jump out of and scare you!) and some of the surrounding walls.

There have been so many types of runes, heiroglyphs, and pictograms used in HHN over the years, I think trying to pinpoint their source now will probably just drive us all crazy.

Personally, I'd like to see more of The Hallow, meself. Anyone up for a trip back to Caledonia? The Celts weren't only in Ireland, y'know.

Mae

[Creeper06]

They were in the witch's scene, carved on the cauldron (crypt? the thing they liked to jump out of and scare you!) and some of the surrounding walls.

There have been so many types of runes, heiroglyphs, and pictograms used in HHN over the years, I think trying to pinpoint their source now will probably just drive us all crazy.

Personally, I'd like to see more of The Hallow, meself. Anyone up for a trip back to Caledonia? The Celts weren't only in Ireland, y'know.

Mae

I'd love to see a return to The Hallow. It was a great premise that could be explored more. Plus- I love it whenever A&D can put the "Halloween" back into "Halloween Horror Nights".

Edited May 18, 2011 by Creeper06