Image: The Mysterious Package Company  The modern mailbox is a sad place, filled only with Amazon packages and junk mail — things we're either already expecting, or things that we never wanted in the first place.  The Mysterious Package Company reclaims your mail by turning it into an unexpected journey into a dark, alternate reality. Those on the receiving end of its secrets are rewarded with artifacts ripped from another time, crafted to tell a specific story.  Another artifact from The Mysterious Package Company.  Image: The Mysterious Package Company  Inspired by dark fiction like stories from H.P. Lovecraft, the Mysterious Package Company mails the recipient — usually someone chooses to bestow a mystery on an unsuspecting friend or family member — a series of letters or paper clippings. The company goes for full immersion, so each piece of the puzzle looks deliberately ancient, as though it's been ripped straight from an alternate early 20th century where magic and monsters could slip into our world and plunge us into madness.  The final package comes a wooden crate that's nailed shut, which contains a mysterious, hand-crafted artifact commemorating the story.  An intentionally unknown group has operated The Mysterious Package Company since 2012, with a members-only website. But in June the company turned to Kickstarter to begin its farthest-reaching story yet, "The Century Beast." Already it has raised more than $200,000 to deliver this new story, described as Cthulhu meets Viking lore.  The Century Beast is a multi-chaptered story. Those interested in buying in to surprise a friend or treat themselves can jump in by donating anywhere from about $80 USD (the prices on the Kickstarter are in Canadian dollars) to $281, with even higher rewards available for a bigger investment. Backers should start receiving mysterious packages by October, the campaign promises.  Those who don't want to pledge to the Kickstarter, or would rather get a package sooner, can take part in one of the previous mysteries by applying to the Mysterious Package Company's website.  Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
The Mysterious Package Company plans to haunt mail boxes with artifacts from a story inspired by the world of H.P. Lovecraft and Viking lore.