Many fans of World of Depleted recall the mysterious Gavin Hesterdale video of November, hinting at some pretty mysterious things involving his student, Jenna, and his covert preparations for the Fall. Of course, one of the most confusing elements of the video was the hacking of their work by an unknown operator named the “Glass Samurai.” Well, contributor Fred Koskin couldn’t get the notion out of his head. He had originally set out to craft a tale about Gavin’s son-in-law, Ryan, who’s mysterious weapons fascinated Koskin. However, according to Koskin, “all I got was a blank slate. Nothing ended up coming other than stupid stories which were nothing more than excuses for him to use his high powered guns. However, when I looked at the Glass Samurai, I found I could write something very different.”
Koskin represents one of the first writers to attempt to explore a character specifically introduced by the WoD team at Viking. He stated that he contacted the team before writing the story, explaining what he wanted to do, and explaining the elements he was interested in. According to the folks at Viking, they loved where Koskin was going (which didn’t conflict with story elements they already had in place) and were willing to provide him with a PF Date (Post Fall Date) that made sense and a location for his story to be set in. Because his work would directly impact work that Viking was working on, Koskin was required to sign an “NDA” (Non-Disclosure Agreement), but he said it was nothing that bothered him. The only concern that he had was that he would be given too much information and have the secrets of the future ruined for him as a fan. However, according to Koskin, “[the Viking team] tailored the information exactly to what I needed with no more info, which was cool. That way I can help tell this larger tale, but not have it messed up by knowing too much.”
When the story was finished, it was Canonized and Viking has announced that it will be launched in the near future. Koskin did go on to say that this was only the first of a number of stories he planned around the Glass Samurai. He cited his friend Jojo Stratton as a big influence on his choice to submit.
When asked for comment, World of Depleted co-founder, Jeremy Hanke, confirmed the new story will actually have official tie ins to the movie arch that Viking is working on as well as to the mysteries found in the ARG. Additionally, it will reveal some exciting new factions for fans to look forward to. He went on to state that because Koskin had involved them early on in what he was interested in, they were able to help him avoid pitfalls and give additional information . Hanke stated that others who will do the same will find the same level of help and encouragement!
The brilliant Gavin Hesterdale was the investigative journalist who trained Jenna Whitmore. A year before the Fall, Gavin had a religious experience and started having prophetic visions of the future. He spoke of a “lawless apocalypse” and a future cataclysm that would rend man to his very foundations. Unfortunately, no one would listen to him. Cut off from the rest of humanity, he became a hermit who lives in the wilderness, attempting to master the ways to survive.