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Although the serial killer hiding in Ashenridge wears a townsfolk's face by day, the actual killings involve supernatural creatures that hunt in the woods and the dark places around town. The killer's role appears to be to direct or unleash these creatures on chosen victims, which is part of why a wholesome farming community ends up with a body count.

A Bestiary In The Making

Early coverage of Grave Seasons suggests there are at least nine distinct monsters in the game. Most have not been shown publicly, and Perfect Garbage has been deliberate about pacing reveals over the course of the project's marketing. Only one creature has been seen in detail at the time of writing.

The Wolf Beast

The most prominent monster in published material is a large wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes. In the official gameplay trailer, this creature ambushes the tailor Pilar while she is walking in the woods and drags her into a clearing, where she is killed. The encounter leaves a trail of blood through the trees that the player can follow during the investigation. Whether this specific creature appears in every run, or only when the playthrough's killer is associated with it, has not been confirmed.

Night And The Woods

The day and night cycle in Ashenridge frames where and when the monsters operate. The town feels unassuming during the day, but evenings turn dark and uneasy, and the developers have framed the night as a time when the player should generally be back at The Farm. The woods around the town are the most obvious hunting ground, and many of the clues left at murder scenes lead investigations back into the trees.

See The Murder Mystery for how the killer and these creatures connect to the player's investigation.