Nayeli's Ring
Hidden deep within the The Pagan Hills lies a valley permanently shrouded by fog. It is there, hidden from plain sight, that Nayeli's Ring can be found. It is a place where only the bravest adventurers venture to. And those who make it back to civilization return with stories beyond imagination.
A ring of stone trees
If one could find the courage to wander into the fog of Shrouded Valley they would come upon a large circle of tall stone trees. How and why these stone trees were created has been lost to the ages. Nor does anyone remember where the name Nayeli's Ring came from. Perhaps because of the mystery surrounding the location it has become a place of myths and legends over time. Many people have visited Nayeli's Ring, but not all have made it out. Anyone with a mind rooted in reality will blame the fog which permanently obscures Shrouded Valley. It is a large area, and easy to get lost in. Amongst the Pagans however stories are shared of ghosts and monsters hiding in the fog. How much believe we should put in those stories is up for debate.
Although Nayeli's Ring is always at least partly covered by fog, I have come to the conclusion that it is a perfect circle of approximately 16 km wide. Within this ring of stone trees lies a forested area dotted with overgrown ruins.
The Grey Lady
Nayeli's Ring is a place surrounded by myths and legends. Perhaps the most popular of all is that of the Grey Lady. According to the tales the ghost of a woman haunts the ruins within the stone circle. Those who have seen her describe her as hauntingly beautiful even though everything about her is some shade of grey. She is always seen barefooted wearing a long torn dress, uttering hushed words in a language nobody understands.
Who was this woman? What happened to her? Could it be that the stone circle is named after her?
Nayeli the witch
Another legend tells the story of a Pagan witch who lived in the hills near Shrouded Valley. One day she was out in the valley collecting herbs for remedies when she became trapped within a huge circle of trees and shrubbery. There she was attacked by a huge beast. Nayeli was not an ordinary witch however. She possessed a power much greater than any other witch. This allowed her to fight back. The battle lasted five days and nights. The pagans living in the hills nearby could hear the sounds of the battle. Then, on the sixth day, silence returned. When the pagans living nearby went to the valley to see what happened they saw the stone trees and in the fog behind them the shape of a beast. What became of the witch is unknown. But people believe she trapped the beast inside the ring of stone trees, saving the people living in Pagan Hills. According to the legend the witch was named Nayeli. No historical prove has been found however to back up this claim. But perhaps the legend is enough prove, that one extraordinary woman known only as Nayeli, saved thousands of people by sacrificing herself.
Wandering Wisps
A much documented phenomenon in Nayeli's Ring is that of the wandering wisps. They appear as small floating lights with a blue hue. What sets them apart from wandering wisps in other parts of the world is their smaller size and their tendency to flock together in groups of five or more. People believe they are the ghosts of children who perished in these hills.
I really enjoyed this. The gray lady is interesting and adds a special bit of mystery to the place. I also like the tiny bit of expectation subversion at the beginning. I began reading the article as if it was a ring worn on a finger. That was really cool.
Thank you very much. I am glad you enjoyed the article. :)