Tangled Mummy

In the dark recesses of the Dakshinatl jungles, the Tangled Mummy is feared as an ill omen. The creature is said to walk upright wrapped in vines and undergrowth making them difficult to spot, except for the black voids that take the place of their eyes that are said to capture the attention of those who cast their gaze upon them filling the viewer with grim foreboding. To see the abyss is to meet it.

Historical Basis

There have been many sightings of the creature throughout Dakshinatl. While most descriptions are similar (vines wrapping a humanoid shape, difficult to spot in the underbrush), the one variation that appears most common are the eyes. In many, the eyes are a dark void that pulls the very light from the space near it creating an ominous shadow. A smaller portion, however, have spoken of bright eyes that appear to create their own illumination, and yet others have claimed heterochromia, one of each aforementioned eye.

Spread

This myth is prevalent throughout the on used to frighten children from wandering too far. Those who grow to adulthood however do not appear to shed the fear the creature elicits. Women, after bearing their first child, are the only ones who have a change of heart, seeing it with more of a wary respect than outright fright. Outside of Dakshinatl and southern Lochmalan, there are a few beastiaries noting the legend, but no actual sightings. Followers of Mora claim the Tangled Mummy as a disciple of her, some even claiming it to be a long lived avatar or death given skin.

Cultural Reception

Gnosi

Gnosians and, more specifically, the Librarians see this creature as a fantastical tale with little to no bearing on reality. They find joy in reciting it in the way one might like telling ghost stories or saying Bloody Mary in the mirror.

Lochmalan

A generally superstitious lot, most Malani only speak of the Tangled Mummy in hushed whispers. Those in the south especially are concerned the closeness of the jungles to their border; variations of the creature covered in marshy plants or mud are common in these regions.

Mourianji

The Mouri people are mostly unconcerned with the concept, finding the dangers of pirates and vicious creatures in their own jungles to be much more real and tangible.

Dakshinatl

The Dakshintine people know the most about this creature and most treat it with a wary respect to all out fear.

Slovengaard

Slovians are mostly unaware of the due to the distance between the two countries.

Date of First Recording

846

Related Locations

• Dakshinatl
• Lochmalan

Related People

• Stela