The Mountain Man

Be careful child, or the Mountain Man will come down to find you. His icy fingers will grab your wrist and no longer will you cavort in the fields.  Then you'll wish you'd helped out your papa, now won't you?  But by then it will be too late.  So pick up your scythe and bring in the hay.

Summary

The Mountain Man myth tells of a strange individual, known as the Mountain Man. He is said to have been born in the mountains, and lived there all his life. He is also said to be immortal, and to have adapted to his environment so much that he can manipulate cold and snow to his own ends. When incautious travelers venture into his realm, he can punish them, or reward those who please him in some way. He is also said to hunt down reckless or naughty children to punish them. Most tellings of the myth revolve around adventuring parties going missing in the mountains or children disappearing from their houses.

Historical Basis

Tales of the Mountain Man are thought to have become commonplace due to the bands of brigands that used to roam the mountains. Adventuring parties went missing with no trace up in the mountains, only to be found in later years as skeletons in the back of bandit lairs. The brigands are suspected to have had some modicum of spellwriting talent that they used to manipulate their environment, hence bringing the ideas of the Mountain Man manipulating his environment to the myth. Brigands persisted in the mountains of Mythia for many years before the Rider troops began seriously attacking them, and to this day they are not completely eradicated. Additionally, brigands were known to raid houses and carry off items and occasionally children.

Spread

The tale of the Mountain Man is told widely through the land of Mythia, being an approved bedtime story. It is used as a cautionary tale to warn children against naughty behaviour and a warning for adventurers when they head up into the mountains.

Variations & Mutation

The tale of the Mountain Man typically varies in terms of its setting, often depending on the personal history of the teller. The use of magic by the Mountain Man also varies, and whether or not he is seen by wayward adventurers or children before they meet their fate is also varied in the different forms of the legend.

In Art

Some few pieces of art exist to show the Mountain Man from the early 1st century, typically depicting him as a larger-than-life figure with ice and snow surrounding him.

Date of First Recording

Early 1st Century, c.12