Pederssen, Freja
Human (non-magical), 1924-2017
Swedish magiontologist and writer.
Freja Pederssen was an important magiontologist specializing in gnomidae, and known particularly for her studies and fiction writing surrounding Trollum vexātor (Troublemaker troll). In 1952 she published a treatise describing and analyzing the Trollum vexātor sock-wearing traditions, only to discover that she was misled by her informant group, who spent the better part of five years inventing and presenting bogus traditions.1 Rather than taking offense, Freja, who was closely familiar with the Trollum vexātor mischievous nature, treated their dedication to the hoax as a type of appreciation and edited her treatise as a parody. Her reaction won her the favor of Trollum vexātor, which allowed her to observe them closely and produce some in depth research of their habits and culture, alongside some brilliant fiction inspired by their stories and tricks. Her best known work is the 1984 paper The Sock of it all: the Trollum vexātor and the devil’s sock puppet, which became the most popular piece of magiontology writing to date. Freja developed a close a genuinely loving relationship with the Trollum vexātor she met, and when she passed many Trollum vexātor wore black sock clothing2 for a week in her honor.
The Pederssen family is a famous line of magiontologists, and Freja was the great-great-granddaughter of Göran Elias Pederssen (1805-1890), who is considered the "father" of modern magiontology. In 1985, when the Magiontology Archives were established, Freja donated much of her forefathers' original research and notes to the archives.
Freja Pederssen was an important magiontologist specializing in gnomidae, and known particularly for her studies and fiction writing surrounding Trollum vexātor (Troublemaker troll). In 1952 she published a treatise describing and analyzing the Trollum vexātor sock-wearing traditions, only to discover that she was misled by her informant group, who spent the better part of five years inventing and presenting bogus traditions.1 Rather than taking offense, Freja, who was closely familiar with the Trollum vexātor mischievous nature, treated their dedication to the hoax as a type of appreciation and edited her treatise as a parody. Her reaction won her the favor of Trollum vexātor, which allowed her to observe them closely and produce some in depth research of their habits and culture, alongside some brilliant fiction inspired by their stories and tricks. Her best known work is the 1984 paper The Sock of it all: the Trollum vexātor and the devil’s sock puppet, which became the most popular piece of magiontology writing to date. Freja developed a close a genuinely loving relationship with the Trollum vexātor she met, and when she passed many Trollum vexātor wore black sock clothing2 for a week in her honor.
The Pederssen family is a famous line of magiontologists, and Freja was the great-great-granddaughter of Göran Elias Pederssen (1805-1890), who is considered the "father" of modern magiontology. In 1985, when the Magiontology Archives were established, Freja donated much of her forefathers' original research and notes to the archives.
1 She was informed of their hoax with a poster-sized note pinned to a pile of (mostly clean) socks that filled her bathroom to the brim.
2 That is to say, clothing made of black socks. Trollum vexātor are fairly small gnomidae, and human socks are a perfect size for making them dresses, shirts and other clothing.
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