Lore/Story Rustbuck, The Tainted Tale

Ever since the corruption has plagued the province, the taint of corruption has twisted even the culture of the province. Many tales and myths spawn from the superstition and fear that rose during this dark time, as it’s quite easy for clueless peasants to fear something that might not even exist. Ever since the Research Guild was fully established, stories like these were reduced into nothing but mere tales to frighten children. Rustbuck was one of them, a silly name for sure, but one of its most popular names as it stuck with the kids.

The tales of Rustbuck have been passed through generations as they change with each retelling. Many even say that they have been there since the corruption war, and fewer say it predates it. Its age was not important however, and now it has been used for parents to simply frighten their children to keep them in check and prevent them from going outside if the roaming zombies did not scare them enough. A silly old tale of a silly old monster.

If only it was just a story.

Lately, something has been disturbing many farmlands within the outskirts of Ragni. Farmers have been sending messages, pleading for help as their livestock were slaughtered, wheat trampled, and houses broken in overnight. Children and farmers went missing along the Emerald Trails.


Many would blame this on wandering zombies, as one should in Wynn province. It's a common occurrence to have some lucky zombie manage to stir this much trouble in the outskirts to the common people.


At least, if it only stops there.


Reports of terrifying blood curdling screaming, heavy footsteps, and brain piercing metal screeching plagued the people’s sleep. Farmlands went silent with only broken down doors and ransacked rooms remaining. Sightings of a large silhouette in the night. Knights and guards that were tasked to keep the outskirts clear went missing. Even corpses of corrupted were found mutilated like carcasses left by an animal. Whatever the creature that causes all this is, its clear that this is no longer the work of just a mere wandering zombie.


Even the Research Guild fell silent while attempting to explain these events. That is when the terror set in. In the paranoia and fear of these events, the old tales once again have been revived and brought up to the people of Ragni. The tale of a creature with broken limbs and flesh melted with steel screaming and wailing from the torment caused by its very body, wandering the province to spread fear to anyone who lay eyes on its broken form, now once again scares both adults and children alike.


Rustbuck was no longer a tale to frighten children.


Now it’s a warning.

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Writing and art by @Trashiejunkyard
Editing by @heart6008

 

The art is really neat on this one! Keep it up