The Faesnatched
The Faesnatched refers to people who are spirited away by the fae.
Summary
The tale changes from area to area, but the main message is the same: A child disobeys into an area that they are not supposed to be in, when they hear a sound, usually a voice or music. The child follows the sound to see beautiful fae creatures singing or playing music. When the child turns round to head back where they came from, they will find them selves lost as the child has unwittingly wandered into the Faewild. The fae then take the child away, where the story usually ends, framed as an abduction of a naughty child.
Historical Basis
There are many portals into the Faewild, they usually appear in places that are in a state of transit and/or have a lot of life. That is why ruins and forests are often depicted as areas that children should never venture into alone.
Spread
It is a common myth told by parents to their children to try and prevent them from wondering away too far, or too deep into forests or old ruins.
Variations & Mutation
The location changes from telling to telling, as does if the sound is music, singing or chattering. Sometimes it's an animal's call.
In Sokoku the fae are replaced with yokai as that is their local equivolent.
Cultural Reception
Normally the tale and its variants are seen as a cautionary tale and something to be scared of. However some would-be adventurers claim tihs story to be the basis of thier love of adventure and discovery. In elven culture, especially the Wood Elves of the Emerald Wilds see this as a chance to meet their ancestors as the elves are said to be descendants of the Fae.
In Literature
These kinds of stories are often found in children's books and other storybooks.
Related Locations
