Shadows of the Midnight Realm

Summary

Shadows of the Midnight Realm is a collection of stories and folk tales regarding the mysterious denizens of the Midnight Realm. The tales range from strange to horrifying, and are often used as a way of keeping young children in line. Many a misbehaving child has been threatened with a visit from Grizellde the Night Hag, or Charat the Grimstalker if they do not change their ways. Though a few have criticized the collection as being far too graphic and terrifying for children, it continues to be the traditional source of bedtime stories for young children, and has fired many an active imagination as a result. 
The tales tend to center around specific creatures or denizens of the Midnight Realm, and their interactions with those on the mortal plane. The stories focus on the dangerous nature of the Midnight Realm, and the perils of those who actively seek it. None of the Fey Creatures within the anthology are depicted as good or noble; with even the few tales of those who are not openly hostile containing frightening glimpses of their true natures. A few of the tales are connected to each other, with returning names or a continuation of the events of the last, but most of the stories are unconnected, with each chapter a self-contained story, lending yet another peek at the terrors which lie beyond the Midnight Veil.

Historical Basis

None of the stories in their current form are based on any known accounts of encounters with mysterious creatures, and most view them in the same vein that they would view tales of the local 'haunted' house. Nevertheless, these stories are ancient, finding their roots in the days before the Epoch of Peril, and some have speculated that the creatures within can be explained by Mage experiments, or incursions from the Void itself. And even today, there are many learned or imaginative people who believe in the existence of the Midnight Realm, leading some to regard these tales as more of a warning or a guidebook to interacting with such monsters, rather than a child's book of fables.

Spread

Shadows of the Midnight Realm has spread all throughout Archren and Ardent, with a good portion of Shalden being familiar with the collection as well.

Cultural Reception

The collection is mostly seen as a collection of bedtime stories and cautionary tales for children in Archren and Ardent. The Shaldar tend to take the stories a little more seriously, but also tend to teach them to children as morality tales.

Date of First Recording

5764

Date of Setting

Various