Author Topic: Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde  (Read 2956 times)

Offline SolEiji

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Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde
« on: September 24, 2016, 10:20:23 PM »
At long last, you had another job.

Wystan's life had taken a turn for the worse.  Rubicon had always been a steady source of income for bodyguard work, with all the various old and decrepit nobles of the previous generation always worried about them backstabbing each other for political gain.  A sorry state of affairs for them, but it suited your wallet just fine.  But the jobs were becoming a bit scarce, as were the nobles.  The shroud, that black scar which blighted this world a decade previous, had bloated again in recent times and it brought Rubicon in fearful unity, leaving little time for the usual foolishness of the elite as they all trembled in worry for the future.  Regardless how Wystan felt about the situation surrounding the shroud, it didn't affect you directly.  At least, it didn't until that one fateful night. 

It was a normal job as any other.  You were escorting Duke Zillart across the land when you encountered that strange golden knight who blocked your path, demanding some manner of scroll the Duke supposedly carried.  You did your duty and fought well, though he wounded you before he retreated from combat suddenly.  You do not know with whom he was communicating with or even the knight's name but you do know he dressed in the armor of a Chrysanthemum knight, that lost nation consumed by the darkness.  As he departed, the knight had even mentioned Dragon Tower, tallest tower in the world, held within that forgotten nation.  That is of course impossible.  None who enter the shroud ever leave.  Perhaps he was an accursed gone mad by his visions.

Three days later, you had your first nightmarish vision, and woke up with the telltale spiral mark of the Accursed somewhere upon your body.

How long have you had it?  It is known that those who become Accursed often hide their mark, for if others knew they would surely exile you, or worse.  It wasn't without good reason.  The marked slowly seem to lose their minds, their visions and nightmares escaping into reality, until they went mad.  And others would experience terrifying deformities as part of their curse.  It was often better then just to let the marked give into the one universal urge that all seem to have, the one universal vision they all shared.  To enter the shroud, to find exactly what their dreams foretold.  Their dreams seemed to be of Chrysanthemum, cold and dark, and a howling wind within.

To this day, all Accursed who have entered the deep shroud have never returned.  They are the only beings which seem not to be able to be noticed by the terrible Titans which roam under the shroud, and they are the only ones who have made settlements beyond Sothis, the last bulwark of humanity against the dark.

Perhaps you were found out, and your exile has begun.  Perhaps you travel of your own violation.  What is certain is that you managed to pick up one final odd job before your journey begins.  Duke Zillart has long had rivalry with a certain Baron Manus Marlowe and Countess Alzbeta Marlowe.  Their manor has long been silent, save for a few indirect replies via messengers.  They have had neither visitor nor ally in some time, and rumors have begun to swirl that the mansion was actually abandoned, haunted, or cursed, and that the Countess has become one of the marked who has fled her home.  They have been paying their taxes to a point but they had missed their last few billings, and the collectors were tired of sending officers demanding entry.  Your skill with the sword was not forgotten, and it was believed that the Baron would be more pliable to suggestions of payment if it were delivered with the threat of blade at its back.  Zillart, of course, was all the more pleased to help you traverse to their estate.  After all, it is on the way to the shroud.  You only need to write back (and possibly mail back) proof of your success at your next nearest opportunity.

To this end, you have been granted ride from a carriage to your destination, leaving the city of Glintham in Rubicon.  You can busy yourself before the trip if you wish, otherwise your driver (a portly fellow named Wittershins) will begin your trip.  You do not expect to run into any problems along the way.

Trip begins in an hour or two.  This is the last time you will probably see this place.  Soak it in.
Mudada.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2016, 09:13:33 PM »
Wystan finished finalizing his affairs and looked back on the past few days.  Given his reputation within Rubicon he's let it slip that he's off to make his fortune closer to the shroud (always with the admonishment to keep it a secret, knowing all the while it would have an opposite effect).  It wouldn't do to mar his reputation with the truth of his mark.

Duke Zillart has always been a good patron (although Baron Marlowe wasn't a bad patron either), and it won't be an issue to do this last favor.  It's always good to maintain a good reputation.  Who knows, perhaps whatever fates decided to mark him will see him through this ordeal and he'll actually make it back.  He is Wystan Hyde after all!

Offline SolEiji

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Re: Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2016, 10:13:48 PM »
The wagon is ready, two horses strapped to it prepared to go.  Wittershins would be waiting for you, a vaguely piggish man with upturned nose and portly form, dressed in comfortable brown leathers and newsboy cap, and matching pipe for which he was known for smoking like a smokestack with.  He may have been human, but you swore he had the proportions of a dwarf.

"Aye boy, the wagon is ready to go then.  Will be a days journey, not very long all thin's considered.  No need to carry extra supplies and rations for this part.  Still, aye know you're going on further and my trip ends at Marlowe, so make sure you carry something extra for your latta half ov yer journey.  Here, on th' house."

Received 1x Rations.  It's some kind of beef jerky and some bread.  Commoner food, but not too bad.  It'll last you a day.

"Mind if we chat on the road?  It helps make the trip shorter.  Where are you headed to anyway?"
Mudada.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2016, 10:40:53 AM »
Wystan climbs up into the wagon.  His armor and shield seem somewhat out of place given that he is not wearing a weapon to go with them (he disdains having any sort of back-up weapon, seeming to be unarmed makes people tend to underestimate him).  He is of medium height and thin, with short black hair and eyes of a dull grey. 

After fastidiously ensuring that his gloves are on snugly, Wystan accepts the gift of food with thanks.  As he makes sure that the rations are as securely wrapped as can be expected he puts them into his belt pouch and says, "Thank you, I am sure these rations will come in quite handy."

"I'm sure you know who I am," Wystan says with a questioning look.  "As you know, I am on my way to visit the Marlows in order to help settle some difficulties.  After that I plan on seeking my fortune closer to the shroud.  I'm sure that there are those with too much wealth to want to leave their homes and they will pay handsomely for my skills.  If not, I'm sure there are other ways to make my fortune."

Offline SolEiji

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Re: Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2016, 09:42:16 PM »
"Hiyah!"

Off you went, leaving the comforting bustle of the city for the wild open plains that covered most of this country.  Overcast but dry skies were in your future, with slightly chilly temperatures and the gentle gust of wind following you.

"T' be honest I know so many, its sometimes hard to keep up.  But I think av' heard of you 'ere and there.  You're a guard for hire.  Or in th's case a tax collector.  I wouldn't want to be Baron Marlowe m'self if things have gotten this bad.  You think his businesses fell out from under him?  I heard he straight up stopped hiring, and a bunch of people went missin' too.  I bet he's got himself all sorts of scandal, I bet.  Weird though since the ol' Baron was one of those smart ones.  Not much for high courtliness and whatever else those nobles do.  That was the Lady's realm.

The lady's ravishin', but hasn't show up none recently either.  You think the rumors are true?  You think one of thems got the mark?  I mean... its a death sentence, social and real you know.  They exile the blokes so they don't snap and kill everyone."


Your mark stings a little.  He doesn't know.

"Not sure what you'll find close to the shroud, but they're always lookin' for men to guard the walls of Sothis.  Lots of unmarked end their journey there, for the better.  And then there's Rhine, she's still a sparklin' jewel in the eternal dusk she is.  One day I'll go back there, maybe.  Fraid not this trip.  Hope you got travel plans once I drop you at Marlowe's."
Mudada.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde
« Reply #5 on: October 04, 2016, 10:15:40 PM »
"I've been out of touch, I hadn't heard those rumors.  I'll see what there is to see and do the job as best I can.  I haven't heard of Rhine, perhaps that will be my destination.  I just know there is nothing left for me here."

Wystan goes quiet, there was too much truth in that last sentence.  This driver was right, if anyone discovered his mark then everything he ever worked for is gone.  Perhaps closer to the shroud he can find the reason behind why he was chosen.

Offline SolEiji

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Re: Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2016, 10:56:15 PM »
"It's crazy right?  And tha' Baron was always a bit shifty and quiet, you gotta wonder what the Lady saw in him.  Cours' that's some of the believable rumors.  I also know the drunkin' rumors which probably ain't a bit true, but still fun to hear."

He'll ramble a bit, if you care to listen.  Some of the ideas are pretty silly though, as he says there is rumors that there was some kind of immortal goddess riding around in a battle tank, or a story about strange lights in the sky making people super smart, a lady who runs a medical facility somewhere taking in Accursed and looking for a cure (though it never works, and usually ends with worse results), or the story that the Jingu nobility was actually in control and the God Emperess was actually a figurehead, and the legendary martial artist Goku Satsu found out and was exiled for it.  Actually that last one might sound plausible, but there isn't actually any way for this driver to know any of this so he's clearly talking out of his butt.

"If you see the Pathfinders out there, they're people who are trying to help the pilgrims and travelers who are moving in.  Or out.  Most traffic goes in.  You go too deep and you just... never come back.

You'll be careful out there, aye?"

« Last Edit: October 05, 2016, 04:09:05 AM by SolEiji »
Mudada.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde
« Reply #7 on: October 05, 2016, 12:49:26 PM »
"Aye, I will.  You be careful yourself," Wystan says.  His attention fades a bit as it becomes obvious that the driver has no idea what he's talking about, and Wystan might find out soon enough anyway.  "How much longer until we reach the manor?"

Offline SolEiji

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Re: Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde
« Reply #8 on: October 09, 2016, 12:18:02 AM »
"Tis be a few more hours.  May as well get comfy and take 20.  I'll wake ye' when we arrive."

They're almost there.  Soon, you'll be passing through some large farmlands and fields owned by the Marlowes.  One evidence to their existence is that the fields were always kept and maintained as normal, even though no word of the workers have been made in months.  Right now, the fields were normal, but eerily quiet.  Not a single worker in sight.

Where did everyone go?

Soon, you will begin to see the great manor in the distance.  A well on a small hill is nearby.
Mudada.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde
« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2016, 01:21:37 PM »
Deciding that there's no point in guessing as to what is going on, Wystan takes the drivers advice and rests his eyes. 

Offline SolEiji

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Re: Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde
« Reply #10 on: October 24, 2016, 09:47:50 AM »
Your rest is fairly uneventful.  It is good to take heart in your restful nights.  They're bound to get less common from this point on.  Whatever could you be dreaming about?

Who knows how many hours it is, but the sun is already in the afternoon barely visible behind heavy cloud cover when you are awoken by the bell of the driver.  "Mansion's in sight.  Tis a spooky trip here if ev'r.  I've never seen fields so empty before.  And I smell something positively terrible."  It's true.  The air here smelled heavy of smoke and burnt hair.  Whatever caused it, that fire had long died out but the smell lingers.

Before you stands a great mansion, clearly the work of old money.  It has all the bells and whistles you'd expect, but there was a thin patina of gray ash covering the thing.  In the front yard there is a out of place dirt mount with a well atop it, which seems half-baked compared to the otherwise well kept mansion.  And for the unusually perceptive, one might notice something else amiss about this place...  (DC 20 Perception: Do you... hear something?  It's extremely deep and bassy, like slowed down distant thunder, rising from the mansion itself.  It's dull, but you swear it's there.)
Mudada.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde
« Reply #11 on: October 24, 2016, 10:41:59 AM »
Wystan is somewhat unnerved but refuses to show it.  The empty fields, the unexplained smell, and then there's that sound.  He glances over the well but ignores it, what does Wystan know about proper well building?

"Something burned, a lot of something," Wystan mutters to the driver.  Maybe deciding to put off an investigation into what's going on was not a good idea after all.  "The fire that caused the smell seems to be gone, but do you hear that noise?"

(click to show/hide)

Offline SolEiji

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Re: Collection Services: The Story of Wystan Hyde
« Reply #12 on: November 15, 2016, 07:22:50 AM »
"A noise you say?"  Whittershins shut himself up to listen and listen good.  He wasn't terribly perceptive, but even he picked it up.  "It shounds like one of 'em.... like a moving herd?  Or a storm, right?  Oh blimey, what's that in th' windows?"

It was tough to see, for the windows were clouded and foggy with soot, but there was definitely something mad going on within that house.  It looked to be a swirling storm of purple-pink mists, and a dull illumination flashing deep within the smog that hid the contents of the mansion from sight. 

And then the rumbling started.

Enter the main thread.
Mudada.