Brightmore

There is a place held far from the world, secreted away within a prodigious and twisted wilderness, cupped by a perilous mountain range, and accessible by only the most remote turn-offs, far from any significant landmarks; a place known to the locals as that old, misty country. Every night, an inexplicable mist seeps from between the trees bringing for untold terrors, horrid and strange and deadly all. It is best to shun the place, best to leave it undisturbed, for otherwise... Well, it's best to Hope It's Fiction. That old, misty country is seen (by those initiated to its deeper secrets) as the dominion of that mysterious family, the Brightmores. The current patriarch, Mr. Artorius Brightmore, the kind philanthropist, certainly knows something about the unusual occurrences taking place. Whether a merciful protector or a malicious tyrant, he manipulates information and hides away the worst tragedies to befall the region. But ominous signs are mounting, perhaps foretelling some impending damnation, be it local or global in scale, and there are others rising up, competitors that seek to claim some crowns for themselves. Cynthia Walker, the reporter infamously called the "Public's Assassin," is on her way to expose Mr. Brightmore for the monstrous dictator/cult leader she assumes him to be. But just how right are her wicked suppositions? The second act begins and a happy ending is starting to look less and less likely. But you don't have worry: you only need to Hope It's Fiction.

There is a place held far from the world, secreted away within a prodigious and twisted wilderness, cupped by a perilous mountain range, and accessible by only the most remote turn-offs, far from any significant landmarks; a place known to the locals as that old, misty country. Every night, an inexplicable mist seeps from between the trees bringing for untold terrors, horrid and strange and deadly all. It is best to shun the place, best to leave it undisturbed, for otherwise... Well, it's best to Hope It's Fiction. That old, misty country is seen (by those initiated to its deeper secrets) as the dominion of that mysterious family, the Brightmores. The current patriarch, Mr. Artorius Brightmore, the kind philanthropist, certainly knows something about the unusual occurrences taking place. Whether a merciful protector or a malicious tyrant, he manipulates information and hides away the worst tragedies to befall the region. But ominous signs are mounting, perhaps foretelling some impending damnation, be it local or global in scale, and there are others rising up, competitors that seek to claim some crowns for themselves. Cynthia Walker, the reporter infamously called the "Public's Assassin," is on her way to expose Mr. Brightmore for the monstrous dictator/cult leader she assumes him to be. But just how right are her wicked suppositions? Follow Cynthia's travels through that old, misty country in "Cometh," "The Drive In," "Out and About," and "Time to Leave." Learn too of the worries Sergeant Jeremy Lowe and Ms. Talzman face in "Something You Cannot Touch," "That Invincible Age," and "Just A Phase." And see the situation worsen in "Enemy of My Enemy," "Due Diligence," "Ain't Nothing to Worry About," and many more. The second act begins and a happy ending is starting to look less and less likely. But you don't have worry: you only need to Hope It's Fiction.

Even as a young child, Pendleton Weiss exhibited signs of being the melancholic, creative type. Intelligent and shy, he kept to myself throughout school; never partied in college and graduation came upon him during one of his country's economic lows. Thus, he found very mundane work not at all in line with his degrees. For a full seven years, for the lack of a vehicle, he walked five miles to work at the early hours between two and five AM, with little but his own pocket flashlight to guide him along the dark trail. This gave him plenty of time to stir his creative juices and grew his appreciation of horror, one beyond the simple affinity for the creature features of his young. The repetition - day after day - walking that same path until its twists and turns became second nature; every change became inescapably noticeable, revealing the effects of weather, alterations for landscaping projects, or another lonesome traveler out during those grim hours. There was plenty of time to scheme and plenty of imagery to transfigure.