These stories first appeared in Hunt's Book of Weapons, an in-game collection of found documents curated by an unknown researcher. They are replicated here in their original format. This means that many of the stories are not presented chronologically, or in one grouping, and it is left to the reader to put together the puzzle pieces and determine to what extent they contain fact, fiction, or fable.

Prior to the launch of Hunt: Showdown 1896, this weapon was named the Mako 1895 Carbine. Our Variant terminology has since been simplified. We have updated the names where relevant, but you may still see the more period accurate names within the lore texts.

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Mako 1895

MAKO 1895 CARBINE. (See also, RIFLE) A relative of the Winfield rifle line, it exceeded their lever-action rifles in raw power at the cost of accuracy. Its high caliber led to the manufacturers advertising that coastal farmers could use the rifle on sharks such as the Shortfin mako.

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The Journal of Circe Elias
Handwritten, 8 x 10 in.
Severe fire damage; reconstructed by archivist

My father's nose was missing from his corpse. Four days of mourning in those ruins, and it was the only piece of my family that I did not find.

Mary's gift is a fine one. The Mako is a mighty rifle, clearly a token of admiration, and presented with thought and care. But can she not see the insult in this gift? It is a sharpened request that I bury my Berthier along with its history, just to spend my days with her.

“Put to rest your quest" are the words she whispered in my ear, and they hum like angel and devil both upon my shoulder. Against my will, a trembling hand is already carving runes into this rifle.

These are new runes, etched with the story of when we first caved to temptation months ago. They tell of campfire tales, stolen touches, lives saved, and of regret wrestling with desire. For I am tempted still.

How could I forsake the name Elias? What betrayal this must be to you, Mother, Father, Edward, Hans, and Thula, to see my heart pulled away from your vengeance. A disgrace I know myself to be, yet still I carve. Mary gave comfort which I have not felt in an eternity, a love akin to air returning after I rise from water.

Please forgive how deeply I long to put your quest to rest. Please forgive how deeply I wish to forget you all and forsake your memory. How could I be so selfish?

How dare Mary ask this of me?

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Letter to Unknown
Author: Unknown
Single loose sheet, 8.5 x 11 in.

Dear Father,

Since you do not believe my word, here is the transcribed conversation. I recorded this as soon as they set me free (without my weapons) for I knew you would doubt my conclusions.

Circe: New York is not paying the bounties. I wrote recently and thought to ask them of it. My contact is trustworthy and knowledgeable, so I believe his denial.

Mary: When did you last visit home?

Circe: Our noble sheriff has let slip of being backed by powerful people once or twice around other lawmen and such. Seems to be recruiting for something.

Mary: Circe...

Circe: I know what you would speak of to me, and my heart will not bear it.

Mary: Your heart must know that I only seek to spare you from the sulfur of a hopeless death.

Circe: Death? You think so little of the last living Elias?

Mary: Accept it or don't, but you cannot slay Lynch without an Elias army. So you would only be sacrificing your life, and the love we share, at the altar of crude, human vengeance.

Circe: My life is vengeance. To love me is to share in my retribution. You do not know that Lynch purged my family, and neither does the “Jos" of your letters.

Mary: I have shared everything with you, shared my heart and stained my body, in the hope I could bring you peace. I see now that you do not wish to be spared from the sulfur and fire of a hopeless death.

Circe: There's just one question, then. Will you follow me into fire?

Mako 1895 Claw

MAKO 1895 CARBINE CLAW. (See also, RIFLE, MAKO 1895 CARBINE) With all the traits of the original Mako 1895 Carbine, the Claw variation is a thorny field modification to construct. Bolting a blade to the rifle's lever needed a deft touch to avoid fracturing it, but it was useful enough to warrant the risk.

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Letter to Circe Elias
Author: Mary Burgess
Original, transcribed, 8.5" x 11

Dearest Circe,

Would you still care to hear my plea?

I have allowed my mind to be fogged with a red, passionate mist. It has risen from a pit buried so deep in my soul's abyss that I had never thought to look down upon the cracks. When it shattered, I fell. Lo, did the fall make my heart sing as I dropped, sinking into the desires that awaited. Desires that I was powerless to resist.

And there you were. In that hidden sanctum was your shoulder, your scent, your hypnotic hands. In many, many moons I have not felt peace with my back turned, but the bumps along my neck have calmed with your presence, your partnership on the Hunt. In craving to preserve that peace, and to protect my desires, I preached many temptations that I twisted into truths.

Our time was blissful, and I am fervently honest in saying my heart was full—beating harder than it ever has in terror. Yet it has been heavy too. As I heeded the yearnings of my flesh, the keening of my spirit has been dampened. Thus, I bear you no ill will, but for both our sakes I ask that, come what may, we refrain from tempting each other again.

Pray that I may be forgiven, but I will not burn for my heart's lie.

Mako 1895 Explosive Ammo

RN: Another primary source which corroborates the existence of Lynch and Jos. There can be no doubt that they existed in some form, but many details of Collins' fantastical writing still require confirmation.

Mako 1895 Aperture

MAKO 1895 CARBINE APERTURE. (See also, RIFLE, MAKO 1895 CARBINE) Fashioned with the Aperture sight, the Mako 1895 Carbine Aperture was a small but effective improvement upon the original carbine. This version of the aperture sights was still a fairly new innovation in 1895, as rifles had only recently achieved enough firepower for a fixed sight to be reliable.

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The Journal of Circe Elias
Handwritten, 8 x 10 in.
Severe fire damage; reconstructed by archivist

It is time. Time to cross lines I hoped to never see again. The letter is sent.

I have stayed my course. There are so, so many scars etched upon my soul, and my heart has handed Mary Burgess a dagger. Lynch or no Lynch, she was honest to say I need an army, for we are on the heels of an almighty witch.

I should have known better than to hope I would feel triumph for remaining steadfast. There is no relief, or joy, or vindication, but still—I am conflicted. Every day brings a new chance to revoke my words and chase everlasting joy with Sister Burgess.

My oath is unchanged, but my will has been blemished—I hope not beyond my repair. Though I passed this test, I must fulfill my oath before I ultimately waver.

To catch a witch is a grueling trial in itself, but I shall hold to the tenets left by my father. One: knowledge, to see the witch under their skin. Two: diligence, to pursue until their back is against the wall. Three: wisdom, to avoid rousing a rabble. Four: skill, to pin the fiend to their chosen flesh and purge them from it. And five: power, to grind its soul to dust.

The letter is sent. The traces are strong enough and my plea was bold enough that they will send their best.

Mako 1895 FMJ Ammo

RN: Circe carving her and Mary's story into the weapon is a testament to the power their bond held. Couldn't that power have been the very thing to help Circe keep her family's sacred oath?

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