The Specter of House Mathis
There is an ancient story that is told throughout Zhen Gho. It is mainly used as a story to keep children inside at night. The story starts with a noble House, Mathis, when it was at the peak of its power. House Mathis was very wealthy and owned much land throughout the area. While many names of the family have been lost to history, or never existed, one name is remembered. Victor Mathis was the patriarch of House Mathis and the most cruel and miserly man in the land. In fact he was even hated by his own family members. Because of this his own family began to conspire against him and deciding how they would kill him and still gain the inheritance of all his money.
What they didn't know was that Victor was onto what they were up to. However he let them think that was unaware to see what they would do. Through many elaborate plans and legal authorities they believed they had set everything up that when Victor died they would inherit his money and power of the house. So next they then set up how they would kill Victor. It was decided that they would poison him at a meal so there would be no way to pin it back to them. The night came and the tension could be cut with a knife. As dinner was ate everyone watched in anticipation as Victor ate his meal, seemingly unaware of the poison. Nearing the end of the night Victor stood to address the group.
"I know you all came here with nefarious purposes. In fact I've known the whole time what you have planned. In fact I've let you all get away with it, I will die tonight as you wished." The room goes quiet as they wait for what he is up to. "But if you look below each of your plates you will notice something." He pauses waiting for them to check. As they lift their plates they find a symbol that is etched in black and begins to glow. "These are binding sigils, specifically to me. I have bound each one of your souls to me and given you a very specially crafted curse. You will receive my money, my power, and all that I have. But when you are right before when you would reach your most successful you will face a brutal, painful, and tragic death." He let that sink into everyone's brains as he began to smile cruelly. "Upon your death you will be bound to me as ghosts to do my will for all eternity." With that they all make a noise of understanding as Victor begins to cough up blood as the poison takes it's hold. He falls dead and they sit there is silence.
They at first don't believe and take on the money they have earned and begin to amass more wealth and power. However not too many years later the most ambitious of them all falls dead suffocating to death. They tell themselves that this was a coincidence and just happened. But the next one dies from being burned alive in a fire. Two die together while lost out in a blizzard and are found frozen to death. The last one died being eaten alive by a giant spider trying to run from his fate.
Parents use this story to tell their children not to go out at night, otherwise the Specter of House Mathis will get them. It also serves to show that you shouldn't covet after what others have. Especially don't use nefarious means to get what you want unless you wish to become part of Victor's retinue of ghosts, or to be killed by them. Who knows if the story is true or not. But some say that on certain nights of the year they can hear the screech laugh of Victor as he looks for those to add to his collection.
Comments