Witches of the Willows

Felling came the lumberjack's axe, then fell the lumberjack.

Created by Mu

There comes a tale of Witches, they hide in the shadows of the forests. No huts, no flying brooms, nor black cats. They are the forest.
Now come, I hear the the voices, people say they know a way out of this place.

Summary

There are legends amongst many travellers, lost merchants, and rangers, ones that could save or destroy them. It tells of a coven of strange witches, whom have become one with nature, melded into the trunks of trees, eternal. Sometimes, these witches would aid the lost souls who stumbled across their path, but others lead them astray, sending them into a perilous trap or deep through wolf infested underbrush. To meet one is an omen, but it is your choice to listen or simply run away.

Historical Basis

It is believed that this legend is rooted in the existence of the Nymphs, an ancient civilisation of Fey ancestors who were tied to nature in such a way that they could almost feel the forests around them. Once the Nymphs slowly began to die out, it was believed that they had become a part of the forests of Anderall themselves. And, at times, there have been sightings of these benevolent creatures flashing through the trees, almost as if to say that some of these "witches" are free of their timber prisons.

Spread

The legend of the Witches of the Willows has spread far and wide, but has been brushed off by the Great City of Arnskrone as simply fable. Those who know of it are always cautious travelling deep within a strange wooded area and even sometimes fear entering those areas entirely.

Variations & Mutation

Some retelling of the legends has altered a few parts, saying that it was not the Nymphs who were trapped within the trees, but vile necromancers cursed by the Fey to be forever contained in a solitary spot, where they could never use their evil magics again.

Cultural Reception

Tales of the Witches of the Willows has been well received in the ways of literature, with many budding and famous writers benefiting from the rich culture of the Nymphs and the large tale that surrounds the witches. There are few libraries or bookshops that do not contain the works of those who have spun their own fantasy tales of these fabled beings. Even Ludan Nillith, a bard from Arnskrone, has concocted a play about these creatures. Alas, it was not well received due to a mocking of a few noble families' heirs.

In Literature

You can find the legends and stories of the Witches in: "The Tomb of the Fey", "Willow's Promise", "Nymphs: A Study of Fey Ancestry and Culture", and "Winds of the Winter Witch".
There exists, also, a song composed by Serelia Grymveil named "Rest At Fox's Hollow".

In Art

People have drawn many landscapes of beautiful forests, but, those with a keen eye for details will sometimes see the bodies of the Witches pulling themselves free of their cages.

Date of First Recording

270ER

Date of Setting

269ER

Related Locations

• The Uncharted Lands of Anderall