Strays

Strays are individuals who appear in the world without warning, memory, or known origin. Their existence remains one of the greatest unresolved mysteries in recorded history.

Upon arrival, a Stray possesses no memories of their previous life, no known homeland, and no documented identity. Though many eventually integrate into local factions or communities, their origins remain unknown.

Some Strays report experiencing fragmented dreams, emotional familiarity toward unknown places, or unexplained talents. These occurrences are inconsistent and poorly understood.

Strays may appear almost anywhere, often without witnesses.

Historical accounts describe Strays being discovered:

• wandering roads at dawn
• near ancient ruins
• along coastlines after storms
• within deep forests
• beside sites associated with unusual magical phenomena

No confirmed pattern has ever been identified.

Attitudes toward Strays vary greatly between regions.

Some societies view them as omens, blessed wanderers, or individuals touched by fate. Others regard them with suspicion, considering them dangerous anomalies or rootless outsiders.

Because Strays possess no lineage, citizenship, or documented past, many struggle to integrate into ordinary society. As a result, a large number eventually turn toward mercenary work, exploration, or adventuring guilds such as Wayhome.

Wayhome is the organization most strongly associated with Strays.

The guild is known for offering shelter, work, and community to wanderers regardless of origin. Though not all members are Strays, many eventually pass through Wayhome at some point in their lives.

Several regional branches maintain records concerning newly appeared Strays, though no major discoveries have ever been confirmed publicly.

No universally accepted explanation for Strays exists.

Among the most widespread theories are beliefs that Strays are:

• souls from other worlds
• victims of unknown magical phenomena
• travelers from a forgotten civilizations
• evidence of fractures within reality itself

To this day, no Stray has ever fully recovered their memories.