The Myth of the Devilsnakes

This is a 'myth' invented by the church of the story, in order to strike fear into the hearts of the citizens of Lantern Hill, so that they might be compelled to join their side. It involves framing the wizard's atrocity on the natives of the continent.

Summary

"The natives of Newfoundland have cursed our people for encroaching upon their land! One by one, our people, beginning with certain members of the church for reasons unbeknownst to us, are suddenly being transformed into Devilsnakes by the savages! They are monstrous versions of their former selves, with red scales and sharp teeth! We must put an end to this epidemic, and we must put those transformed out of their woeful misery, so that their disease, if it has any chance of spreading, shall spread no further!"

Historical Basis

This fictional myth is somewhat rooted in the dehumanization that the Jewish people have had to face over many centuries. It's not a perfect match, because the ones that are being transformed into Devilsnakes are primarily people on the church's hit-list who are taking activist roles and calling out their corruption. Historically, there's been many accounts of an empire oppressing a small population of the community, pushing the down and standing tall above them for the gain of those in power, and this myth is an extension of that sentiment.

Spread

The myth has spread only to the people in Lantern Hill and, in extension, other areas of the Newfoundland. This hubbub is not something the church in power wants to communicate to the base countries on the other side of the world until their targets are eradicated -- until what's done is done.

Variations & Mutation

Some of the most corrupt members of the church proclaim, through quiet word of mouth, that the Devilsnakes' original habitat is the "deepest of all hellscapes", and that the native curse is effectively transforming humans into the monsters because the devil itself is among them.

Cultural Reception

Some citizens take the words as absolute truth. Others take it with a grain of salt, wishing to see a Devilsnake for themselves. And for those people, they'll have to wait until the church captures and displays one of their victims, as those affected either hide their transformation as well as they can, or run off into the woods where no one can easily find them.

In Art

There is a painting of a devilsnake, which is used in propaganda against the transformed.

Date of First Recording

The time of the first transformation is left ambiguous.

Date of Setting

The date of the first transformation is left ambiguous.