Stobal Hutz

Stobal Hutz is a producer and director known for films that blend Favontille culture with Ananan storytelling traditions. Gaining early popularity in The Stiriphese, he later moved into the general Favontille market with Beneath the Mountain. Though the film caused a temporary setback in his career, this was resolved when he agreed to kidnap Hannan Marisa, Lord of Osya, at the request of the ACA director.

Background

Early Life

Stobal Hutz was born in 898 in Rowley, on the edge of The Stiriphese, to Eldric and Elara Hutz, owners of a bookshop specialising in Ananan literature. Fascinated by storytelling, Stobal developed a passion for film, viewing it as a way to share narratives with broader audiences.

Education and Early Career

Stobal attended the ACA, graduating with honours. He began his filmmaking career producing works that blended Ananan storytelling with Favontille culture, earning early recognition. He collaborated closely with his first wife, Hestia Herada, a prominent Stiriphesian actress. They married in 928, had a son, Aidan, and divorced amicably in 939.

Marriage to Laniesti and Beneath the Mountain

In 940, Stobal married Laniesti, a socialite, after three months of dating. The following year, he released Beneath the Mountain, a controversial film portraying Aeryn DeSteffen as cruel and selfish. Though commercially successful, Aeryn’s libel lawsuit caused the ACA to cut ties with him, ending his career. Stobal and Laniesti retreated to Paget.

Meeting Errol Chasick

Later in 941, Stobal was approached by Errol Chasick, creator of the ACA, who promised to support his return to filmmaking. Errol instructed Stobal to go to Ibaleban and ensure Lord Commander Marisa accompanied him, no matter the cost.

The Reconstruction

On the day of The Reconstruction, Stobal ignored Errol’s instructions and went to Hestia’s house, where he found her dead and Aidan severely injured. Leaving town, he encountered Hannan Marisa and Nina Neseryada. When Hannan refused his help, Stobal tasered him and took them both.

Enslaving Magan

Back in Paget, Stobal imprisoned Hannan and, under Errol’s guidance, began the process of enslavement. He stripped Lord Commander Hannan Magan Marisa of Osya’s name to simply “Magan” and married him to Nina. Stobal manipulated Magan into believing Aeryn had abandoned him, that his military career was a sham, and that he had always been Aeryn’s pet.

Relationship Deterioration

Stobal’s relationship with Laniesti began to decline, and he increasingly sought solace in Nina, though he was aware she did not love him. With Magan, Stobal became reliant on his opinion and service while maintaining control through gaslighting and punishment.

Selling Magan

In September 948, while settling Aidan into university in Esprite, Stobal saw news that Aeryn was nearby. Fearful of being discovered with Magan, he hastily sold him at a Helot warehouse.

Personality

Stobal Hutz has the traits of an ESTP-T ("Entrepreneur"), marked by his charisma, practicality, and ability to dominate situations through decisive action. Beneath his confident exterior lies a turbulent need for control, validation, and self-assurance, which drives both his manipulative and impulsive tendencies.

How It’s Shown

• Charismatic and Persuasive: Stobal uses charm and confidence to manipulate those around him. He adapts his tone and demeanour to suit his goals, masking cruelty beneath calculated words and a personable facade.
  • He reassures Magan with a calm, paternal tone, framing abuse as “necessary” for his well-being, blurring kindness and control.
  • In arguments, Stobal dominates the conversation, cutting others off or redirecting blame to maintain authority and avoid accountability.
  • In public, he presents himself as approachable and clever, winning trust and admiration while keeping his true intentions hidden.
 
• Practical and Decisive: Stobal focuses on tangible, immediate results, acting quickly without dwelling on long-term consequences. He thrives in chaotic situations where his instincts and quick thinking give him an advantage.
  • He punishes or rewards Magan’s behaviour immediately, using clear, decisive action rather than empty threats.
  • When faced with escalating situations, Stobal takes control swiftly, dictating outcomes before others can react.
  • He avoids over-explaining his motives, preferring results to speak for themselves.
 
• Thrill-Seeking and Impulsive: Stobal enjoys risk and chaos, often indulging in reckless behaviours or decisions that undermine his long-term goals.
  • He pushes boundaries for his own amusement, such as provoking Magan unnecessarily to test his submission.
  • Under pressure, Stobal reacts impulsively—such as selling Magan in a panic—revealing his inability to think beyond the moment.
  • When insecure, he turns to gambling, drinking, or other indulgences as a way to reclaim fleeting control.
 
• Controlling and Domineering: Stobal enforces his dominance by dismantling independence, creating confusion, and demanding reliance from those he controls.
  • He gives conflicting instructions, fostering doubt and dependence in his victims to reinforce his authority.
  • Minor acts of disobedience are met with disproportionate punishment, while conditional rewards maintain a false sense of security.
  • He micromanages Magan’s actions, stripping him of autonomy and individuality to cement his control.
 
• Insecure and Defensive: Beneath Stobal’s confident exterior lies a deep insecurity that surfaces when his authority is challenged or his control is questioned.
  • He lashes out aggressively at criticism, shifting blame and escalating punishments to reassert dominance.
  • When his authority is threatened, Stobal resorts to defensive grandstanding, masking his fear of failure or irrelevance with exaggerated confidence.
  • He demands validation from his victims, forcing compliance and praise to quell his underlying self-doubt.

Stobal’s personality combines ruthless pragmatism with impulsivity and charm, making him a dangerous and unpredictable figure. He thrives on immediate gratification and control, but his inability to plan for the long term often leads to self-destructive outcomes.

Appearance

• Height: 6ft 2in
• Build: Broad and heavyset
• Complexion: Ruddy and weathered
• Hair: Short, curly blonde hair streaked with grey.
• Eyes: Small, sharp brown eyes
• Facial Hair: A thick, neatly kept moustache
• Clothing: Casual yet expensive

Demeanour

• Posture: Upright and commanding, often standing as if to make himself the focal point of any room.
• Speech: Firm and assertive, with a persuasive edge. His words are calculated to manipulate or control a situation.
• Mannerisms: Frequently strokes his moustache when in thought or making a point, often pausing to gauge reactions before continuing.
• Movement: Slow, deliberate, and purposeful, moving with the confidence of someone used to getting his way.

Skills and Abilities

• Manipulation: Stobal is highly skilled at reading people and exploiting their weaknesses. He uses charm, persuasion, and gaslighting to maintain control and bend others to his will.
 
• Psychological Conditioning: A master at breaking down independence, Stobal systematically uses rewards, punishment, and confusion to enforce obedience, particularly with Magan.
 
• Strategic Thinking: While often impulsive, Stobal can make calculated decisions when it benefits him, using opportunities as they arise to reassert his control.
 
• Storytelling and Creativity: With years of experience as a film producer, Stobal possesses a natural talent for crafting narratives, whether in his work or as tools for manipulation and deception.
 
• Charisma: Stobal’s confident demeanour and persuasive speech allow him to win trust, dominate conversations, and influence outcomes, even when others suspect his motives.
 
• Mental Endurance: Stobal demonstrates a high level of mental resilience, maintaining focus and composure under pressure. He can persist in his manipulative tactics and long-term plans without wavering, even in tense or chaotic situations.