Hermes Swift's Favorite Stories for the Month of Athion
You might not know this, but I love the month of Athion. I love the Eve of Krourin. It's my favorite holiday. My wife's not so much a fan (even if it is her birthday,) but I love it because I get to pull out all the stops. Most of the year, when I do storytelling, I try to stay away from the more morbid stories, but in Athion, people want to hear those stories. They beg to hear them. So if you're one of those people, here are a few of my favorites, all in one place.
The Dream Eater
Considering Krourin traces its roots to Brek, what better way to start with than an ancient Calistian story that ends there?
Long ago, during a war that has mostly been forgotten, a group of soldiers found their way into the Calistian lands, and into the realm of Bella, the god of dreams and nightmares. They captured many of her nightmares and let them loose on the world, hoping they would kill their enemies. But Bella would not allow such chaos unleashed upon the mortal realms, so she transformed herself into a snake1 and followed them.
In her new form, Bella consumed all the stolen nightmares. But her hunger was not satiated, and so she began to eat the good dreams. No one knew how to stop her, until someone prayed to Faith, Bella's sister, for Faith had the ability both to strengthen and to weaken the abilities of the other magic lords. Faith came also to the mortal realms, dressed as a dream, and allowed her sister to consume her. Once she did, Bella came to her senses and stopped eating the dreams.
Still angry, however, Bella gathered those soldiers who had loosed the nightmares and enchanted them, turning them into nightmares themselves. Then she chained them at the gates of her realm, as a warning to all who might enter and try to steal from her.
This story is the inspiration for the name of the Dream Eater snake, found in the Yuenpol Forest, as well as a popular play of the same title. Wendy Pearson is famously known to have played Bella in her breakout role.
The Stonewall Executioner
This is a Zenxonian myth that is traced back to 11th century Stonewall. The daughter of a butcher married a man and had a child with him. At first it seemed like a happily ever after, until the woman began to hear rumors in the town that her husband was cheating on her with her mother. At first, she didn't believe it. But as the rumors continued to spread, she could no longer ignore them. She confronted her husband, who denied the charge. Still, the woman could not let her suspicion go. She began to spy on her husband, and though she found no evidence of wrong doing, she determined one night to kill him.
In the night, while her husband slept, she took her child in her arms and lit the house on fire. Abandoning the child on the temple steps, she then went to parents' home, and slaughtered her mother with her father's knives before flinging herself into the ocean. It is said that jilted lovers can summon her spirit by shining a red light over the ocean at midnight. The Executioner shall avenge anyone who summons her, but if the lover has not actually been wronged, she will kill them too.
My co-author, Olive Newell, tells me that there is documentation of a Stonewall woman who burned alive her husband and young son and died a few days later. Most likely, the woman had been infected by a parasite that made her delusional and violent in the days before her death. There is some speculation that this was Airrin Underwood's mother, and that he survived due to his magic with wood.
Werewolves
Being the only place on Nideon where wolves are found, Brek, of course, has a variety of myths about how they came to be, with most common story being that of the undead lovers:
by Philipp PilzOnce upon a time, an upper-class Brekkan woman decided to learn the dialect of the lower classes, to better communicate with them. She hired a local scribe to teach her. Over time, they fell in love. But the woman's family had arranged a marriage for her, and when she told them she planned to marry someone else, they had her love assassinated.
The woman agreed to marry her betrothed, if only she could visit the grave of her love one more time to pay her respects. So the night before the wedding, she went to his grave, where she was swallowed whole by the Earth.
The next morning, the woman arrived at her family's home with her love, begging for them to reconsider the marriage. And even when they gave her their blessing, the spirits did not leave. They only disappeared with the sun, when their cries became distant howling. And this was beginning of werewolves.
Notably, this is why Brekkan funerals rarely involve burial. Most Brekkans believe that if you bury a body, the person's spirit will, by day, be trapped on Nideon, and by night, transform into a wolf to kill and devour.
Some versions of the story say the woman's lover have her a wolf-skin hat which allowed her either to transform into a wolf, or, in some versions posess one. Both versions say the relic can still be used, if one knows where to find it. These stories also frequently connect the woman to Nina Kho, who was known for learning different dialects of Mermish. This would explain the common wolf imagery used in the Bathblast Islands, despite the noticeable lack of the animals themselves.
The First Mermaid Myth
While we're on the topic of Brekkan folklore, we might as well discuss the Mermish. Brekkan historical documents indicate that the first Mermish were born of humans, most likely affected by the extensive amount of water magic in the area. But it seems they received their name based on an ancient story from pre-history. In this story, a shark fell in love with a swimmer. She shed her shark skin and found him in human form. They married, and at her request, moved into a house on a pier.
The woman became pregnant, and when it came time for her to have the child, she asked her husband to stay away from the house, and when the baby was born, she would hang a light in the house so that her husband would know. But her husband could not stay away, and returned before he saw the light. He could not find his wife in the house, but below the pier was a great shark. He watched as the shark gave birth and then transformed again into his wife.
Angry at being betrayed, she left the child with her husband, returned to her shark form and swam into the ocean. But the shark did not want to abandon her child, so she would return to the pier and whisper to them from the ocean. And one day, when the child was grown, they asked their father, "who is that whispering to me, from the ocean?" The father knew it was the mother, but instead he said, "the ocean is whispering to you because you belong to the water as much as you do to the land." And when the child was grown, they went out into the ocean, to learn what it wanted. But they never forgot their father, and always returned to the land for half the year, and so they became the first mermaid.
Fyrmaen Swamp Witch
Near the south-east tip of Fyrmae, is the Blood Swamp, which is considered the most haunted area in the country. The story is that it was once a crystal clear pond, until one of the queens of Fyrmae executed prisoners in it. She drowned so many people that their angry spirits made the water turn into a thick, black slime. The pond overflowed with the spirits' vengeance, and began to swallow the land, consuming anything it touched and turning the country into a desolate wasteland. In the end, in order to protect her people, the queen gave herself up and drowned herself in the swamp. And her spirit will spend eternity fending off the others, protecting the land. Or, perhaps, one day, she will lose the battle and blood swamp will consume the entire country. Whose to say?
A Restless Husband
But while we're on the topic of Fyrmae, I'll let this woman's diary entry speak for itself
I suppose it was a bad idea not to tattoo my husband on our wedding day. My mother criticized me, said he would run off with another woman if I didn't claim him properly. I told her it was a barbaric practice. And we were so happy. Until the queen demanded him as a "gift." Said if I wouldn't claim him properly, she would. They found him in a tree last week. I don't know if he did it to avoid his fate or if someone did it to him, to punish me. But the house has been unquiet since, as if his spirit rests in every board. I cannot stay here much longer, and how I hope he will follow me, rather than wallow in the house. I do not think he would hurt me. But I fear the vengence he might carry out on someone else.
Early Morning Mistwalk
Traditionally, in the Danos faith, when a person comes of age, they fast for a day and afterward are ritually bathed and led to a room with no light, where they must navigate a maze in order to escape. In some cities in the mountain provinces of Alaj, however, the person is instead led into the wilderness and must find their way back to the temple. The light provided by the moon and stars is often counter-acted by the dense fog in the area. As an added challenge, the person coming of age is typically not allowed to speak from the time they begin the fast until they return to the temple. In stricter temples, a person who does speak during this time is considered to have failed and not allowed to return. Some stories say that those who fail the challenge transform into Kip Pem (see sidebar).
A Self-Fulfilling Ghost Story
This one comes to me from Zenxon University, by way of my nephew, Nic Carter. The students sometimes tell of a roofer who fell and died while helping build the astronomy building, and that his ghost still haunts the place. One night, a graduate student, working late, locked up the building and heard a banging on the door from the inside. Frightened of the ghost, the student left as quickly as possible without investigating. The next morning, a freshman was found dead in the building.
Apparently, the freshman had been studying in the building and had been locked in. Likely fearing the ghost himself, he had banged on the door to get out, and died of fright in the night. Now, the door will open and close and lock and unlock of its own accord. Some also say they can hear the student's frightened screams echoing down the hall, and one professor even sited this as a reason for their resignation.
Dream Nets
by Agto NugrohoThe Vitnu tell the story of the Night Fisher, who challenged the Forest Walker for his land. Originally, the Night Fisher ruled over the realm of the night and the ocean. He taught the people to catch fish and to sustain themselves during the dark times. But he grew jealous of the world that the Forest Walker inhabited, and believed the people did not worship him enough. So he challenged the Forest Walker to a game of hide-and-seek, declaring that the winner would rule both domains.
They played the first round over the Night Sea, believing the Forest Walker would never find him among the millions of fish. But the Forest Walker transformed into an owl and caught the Night Fisher. In the forest, the Night Fisher transformed into a bear and sniffed out all the living creatures, but could not find the Forest Walker, who again transformed into an owl to sleep high in the branches of a tree. The Night Fisher was so angry that the Night Sea churned and became only a realm of nightmare. Then he set a curse on all the owls of the Forest, that they would be burdened to carry these nightmares to the people of the mortal realms.
But the Forest Walker would not have his creations hurt. So he took the nets the Night Fisher had taught the people to make and show them how to change the knots, so that they could catch the bad dreams. This was how people learned the art of making dream nets, which could catch the dreams without damaging the owls, who could fly through them. Dream nets are still an important artform among Vitnu followers, and frequently made for children to guide them in their good thoughts. Some people say that the Night Fisher schemed this on purpose, to trick the Forest Walker into teaching people magic.
The Grave of Tears
by ArtbreederInge Best was a controversial Xurugwi leader from Oron, who called for a movement away from traditional Xurugwi Funeral Rites. Though she also argued against burial, she was herself buried, and it is unclear by who, though her grave is well known. Some argue Best's opponents had her buried, to prevent her soul from escaping this world, and therefore punish her. As such, her burial site is sometimes called The Grave of Tears. Others, however, believe her soul returned to the First Home, and the burial of her body will allow her to rip a hole between the realms to lead everyone back. Thus, with a slight change in pronunciation, the Grave of Tears takes on a whole new meaning.
A Little Hope
For those of us with natural magical gifts, there are few places on Nideon creepier than Linakra, where wizards have been known to be tortured and murdered. But this Athion, I want to talk about something a little more hopeful. In our research on the The Staves of Airrin Underwood, Olive and I struggled the most to track the history of the Raining Staff of Keys, which seems to return to Linakra over and over. Most notably, the first leader of Kel's Rebellion bore the staff, but at least two others have carried it, using the gift of access to help imprisoned wizards escape.
Shadow Spirits
Among the people of the Danos faith, spirits can be benevolent--as long as you don't look at them. Shadow spirits live like normal people in a town of their choosing, and as long as they live there, they will bring the town good luck. But should anyone look them in the eye, they will see that these people are made of darkness. Different versions of the story tell of different consequences for discovering a shadow spirit. At best, they will dissolve, either due to their nature or their dislike of being identified. At worst, they will seek revenge on the person who outed them, or even that person's hometown. This is why Danos followers believe that to look someone in the eye is equivalent to telling them you do not want them in your life.
A similar version of this story from Florarova tells of spirits that live in the mountains and lost travelers, especially children, by hunting for them and leaving them food. But they will brutally murder anyone who poaches in their territory.
A Very Huxoth Athion
by ArtbreederIf you travel to the Great Northern Desert this month, you are unlikely to find anyone interested in the Eve of Krourin. But the Huxoth have their own reason to celebrate Athion. Here, the 22nd of Athion honors the god of cloth. For according to Huxoth legend, when they first lost their feathers, the Huxoth had the misfortune of living in the desert with no coverings. So the god of cloth spun the 16 winds together and created the first cloth. The Huxoth god of cloth is similar in many ways to the Calistian Stjin, though the Huxoth call him Dheng.
Being the only place on Nideon where wolves are found, Brek, of course, has a variety of myths about how they came to be, with most common story being that of the undead lovers:
by Philipp Pilz
Once upon a time, an upper-class Brekkan woman decided to learn the dialect of the lower classes, to better communicate with them. She hired a local scribe to teach her. Over time, they fell in love. But the woman's family had arranged a marriage for her, and when she told them she planned to marry someone else, they had her love assassinated.
The woman agreed to marry her betrothed, if only she could visit the grave of her love one more time to pay her respects. So the night before the wedding, she went to his grave, where she was swallowed whole by the Earth.
The next morning, the woman arrived at her family's home with her love, begging for them to reconsider the marriage. And even when they gave her their blessing, the spirits did not leave. They only disappeared with the sun, when their cries became distant howling. And this was beginning of werewolves.
Notably, this is why Brekkan funerals rarely involve burial. Most Brekkans believe that if you bury a body, the person's spirit will, by day, be trapped on Nideon, and by night, transform into a wolf to kill and devour.
Some versions of the story say the woman's lover have her a wolf-skin hat which allowed her either to transform into a wolf, or, in some versions posess one. Both versions say the relic can still be used, if one knows where to find it. These stories also frequently connect the woman to Nina Kho, who was known for learning different dialects of Mermish. This would explain the common wolf imagery used in the Bathblast Islands, despite the noticeable lack of the animals themselves.
The First Mermaid Myth
While we're on the topic of Brekkan folklore, we might as well discuss the Mermish. Brekkan historical documents indicate that the first Mermish were born of humans, most likely affected by the extensive amount of water magic in the area. But it seems they received their name based on an ancient story from pre-history. In this story, a shark fell in love with a swimmer. She shed her shark skin and found him in human form. They married, and at her request, moved into a house on a pier.
The woman became pregnant, and when it came time for her to have the child, she asked her husband to stay away from the house, and when the baby was born, she would hang a light in the house so that her husband would know. But her husband could not stay away, and returned before he saw the light. He could not find his wife in the house, but below the pier was a great shark. He watched as the shark gave birth and then transformed again into his wife.
Angry at being betrayed, she left the child with her husband, returned to her shark form and swam into the ocean. But the shark did not want to abandon her child, so she would return to the pier and whisper to them from the ocean. And one day, when the child was grown, they asked their father, "who is that whispering to me, from the ocean?" The father knew it was the mother, but instead he said, "the ocean is whispering to you because you belong to the water as much as you do to the land." And when the child was grown, they went out into the ocean, to learn what it wanted. But they never forgot their father, and always returned to the land for half the year, and so they became the first mermaid.
Fyrmaen Swamp Witch
Near the south-east tip of Fyrmae, is the Blood Swamp, which is considered the most haunted area in the country. The story is that it was once a crystal clear pond, until one of the queens of Fyrmae executed prisoners in it. She drowned so many people that their angry spirits made the water turn into a thick, black slime. The pond overflowed with the spirits' vengeance, and began to swallow the land, consuming anything it touched and turning the country into a desolate wasteland. In the end, in order to protect her people, the queen gave herself up and drowned herself in the swamp. And her spirit will spend eternity fending off the others, protecting the land. Or, perhaps, one day, she will lose the battle and blood swamp will consume the entire country. Whose to say?
A Restless Husband
But while we're on the topic of Fyrmae, I'll let this woman's diary entry speak for itself
I suppose it was a bad idea not to tattoo my husband on our wedding day. My mother criticized me, said he would run off with another woman if I didn't claim him properly. I told her it was a barbaric practice. And we were so happy. Until the queen demanded him as a "gift." Said if I wouldn't claim him properly, she would. They found him in a tree last week. I don't know if he did it to avoid his fate or if someone did it to him, to punish me. But the house has been unquiet since, as if his spirit rests in every board. I cannot stay here much longer, and how I hope he will follow me, rather than wallow in the house. I do not think he would hurt me. But I fear the vengence he might carry out on someone else.
Early Morning Mistwalk
Traditionally, in the Danos faith, when a person comes of age, they fast for a day and afterward are ritually bathed and led to a room with no light, where they must navigate a maze in order to escape. In some cities in the mountain provinces of Alaj, however, the person is instead led into the wilderness and must find their way back to the temple. The light provided by the moon and stars is often counter-acted by the dense fog in the area. As an added challenge, the person coming of age is typically not allowed to speak from the time they begin the fast until they return to the temple. In stricter temples, a person who does speak during this time is considered to have failed and not allowed to return. Some stories say that those who fail the challenge transform into Kip Pem (see sidebar).
A Self-Fulfilling Ghost Story
This one comes to me from Zenxon University, by way of my nephew, Nic Carter. The students sometimes tell of a roofer who fell and died while helping build the astronomy building, and that his ghost still haunts the place. One night, a graduate student, working late, locked up the building and heard a banging on the door from the inside. Frightened of the ghost, the student left as quickly as possible without investigating. The next morning, a freshman was found dead in the building.
Apparently, the freshman had been studying in the building and had been locked in. Likely fearing the ghost himself, he had banged on the door to get out, and died of fright in the night. Now, the door will open and close and lock and unlock of its own accord. Some also say they can hear the student's frightened screams echoing down the hall, and one professor even sited this as a reason for their resignation.
Dream Nets
by Agto NugrohoThe Vitnu tell the story of the Night Fisher, who challenged the Forest Walker for his land. Originally, the Night Fisher ruled over the realm of the night and the ocean. He taught the people to catch fish and to sustain themselves during the dark times. But he grew jealous of the world that the Forest Walker inhabited, and believed the people did not worship him enough. So he challenged the Forest Walker to a game of hide-and-seek, declaring that the winner would rule both domains.
They played the first round over the Night Sea, believing the Forest Walker would never find him among the millions of fish. But the Forest Walker transformed into an owl and caught the Night Fisher. In the forest, the Night Fisher transformed into a bear and sniffed out all the living creatures, but could not find the Forest Walker, who again transformed into an owl to sleep high in the branches of a tree. The Night Fisher was so angry that the Night Sea churned and became only a realm of nightmare. Then he set a curse on all the owls of the Forest, that they would be burdened to carry these nightmares to the people of the mortal realms.
But the Forest Walker would not have his creations hurt. So he took the nets the Night Fisher had taught the people to make and show them how to change the knots, so that they could catch the bad dreams. This was how people learned the art of making dream nets, which could catch the dreams without damaging the owls, who could fly through them. Dream nets are still an important artform among Vitnu followers, and frequently made for children to guide them in their good thoughts. Some people say that the Night Fisher schemed this on purpose, to trick the Forest Walker into teaching people magic.
The Grave of Tears
by ArtbreederInge Best was a controversial Xurugwi leader from Oron, who called for a movement away from traditional Xurugwi Funeral Rites. Though she also argued against burial, she was herself buried, and it is unclear by who, though her grave is well known. Some argue Best's opponents had her buried, to prevent her soul from escaping this world, and therefore punish her. As such, her burial site is sometimes called The Grave of Tears. Others, however, believe her soul returned to the First Home, and the burial of her body will allow her to rip a hole between the realms to lead everyone back. Thus, with a slight change in pronunciation, the Grave of Tears takes on a whole new meaning.
A Little Hope
For those of us with natural magical gifts, there are few places on Nideon creepier than Linakra, where wizards have been known to be tortured and murdered. But this Athion, I want to talk about something a little more hopeful. In our research on the The Staves of Airrin Underwood, Olive and I struggled the most to track the history of the Raining Staff of Keys, which seems to return to Linakra over and over. Most notably, the first leader of Kel's Rebellion bore the staff, but at least two others have carried it, using the gift of access to help imprisoned wizards escape.
Shadow Spirits
Among the people of the Danos faith, spirits can be benevolent--as long as you don't look at them. Shadow spirits live like normal people in a town of their choosing, and as long as they live there, they will bring the town good luck. But should anyone look them in the eye, they will see that these people are made of darkness. Different versions of the story tell of different consequences for discovering a shadow spirit. At best, they will dissolve, either due to their nature or their dislike of being identified. At worst, they will seek revenge on the person who outed them, or even that person's hometown. This is why Danos followers believe that to look someone in the eye is equivalent to telling them you do not want them in your life.
A similar version of this story from Florarova tells of spirits that live in the mountains and lost travelers, especially children, by hunting for them and leaving them food. But they will brutally murder anyone who poaches in their territory.
A Very Huxoth Athion
by ArtbreederIf you travel to the Great Northern Desert this month, you are unlikely to find anyone interested in the Eve of Krourin. But the Huxoth have their own reason to celebrate Athion. Here, the 22nd of Athion honors the god of cloth. For according to Huxoth legend, when they first lost their feathers, the Huxoth had the misfortune of living in the desert with no coverings. So the god of cloth spun the 16 winds together and created the first cloth. The Huxoth god of cloth is similar in many ways to the Calistian Stjin, though the Huxoth call him Dheng.
Near the south-east tip of Fyrmae, is the Blood Swamp, which is considered the most haunted area in the country. The story is that it was once a crystal clear pond, until one of the queens of Fyrmae executed prisoners in it. She drowned so many people that their angry spirits made the water turn into a thick, black slime. The pond overflowed with the spirits' vengeance, and began to swallow the land, consuming anything it touched and turning the country into a desolate wasteland. In the end, in order to protect her people, the queen gave herself up and drowned herself in the swamp. And her spirit will spend eternity fending off the others, protecting the land. Or, perhaps, one day, she will lose the battle and blood swamp will consume the entire country. Whose to say?
A Restless Husband
But while we're on the topic of Fyrmae, I'll let this woman's diary entry speak for itself
I suppose it was a bad idea not to tattoo my husband on our wedding day. My mother criticized me, said he would run off with another woman if I didn't claim him properly. I told her it was a barbaric practice. And we were so happy. Until the queen demanded him as a "gift." Said if I wouldn't claim him properly, she would. They found him in a tree last week. I don't know if he did it to avoid his fate or if someone did it to him, to punish me. But the house has been unquiet since, as if his spirit rests in every board. I cannot stay here much longer, and how I hope he will follow me, rather than wallow in the house. I do not think he would hurt me. But I fear the vengence he might carry out on someone else.
Early Morning Mistwalk
Traditionally, in the Danos faith, when a person comes of age, they fast for a day and afterward are ritually bathed and led to a room with no light, where they must navigate a maze in order to escape. In some cities in the mountain provinces of Alaj, however, the person is instead led into the wilderness and must find their way back to the temple. The light provided by the moon and stars is often counter-acted by the dense fog in the area. As an added challenge, the person coming of age is typically not allowed to speak from the time they begin the fast until they return to the temple. In stricter temples, a person who does speak during this time is considered to have failed and not allowed to return. Some stories say that those who fail the challenge transform into Kip Pem (see sidebar).
A Self-Fulfilling Ghost Story
This one comes to me from Zenxon University, by way of my nephew, Nic Carter. The students sometimes tell of a roofer who fell and died while helping build the astronomy building, and that his ghost still haunts the place. One night, a graduate student, working late, locked up the building and heard a banging on the door from the inside. Frightened of the ghost, the student left as quickly as possible without investigating. The next morning, a freshman was found dead in the building.
Apparently, the freshman had been studying in the building and had been locked in. Likely fearing the ghost himself, he had banged on the door to get out, and died of fright in the night. Now, the door will open and close and lock and unlock of its own accord. Some also say they can hear the student's frightened screams echoing down the hall, and one professor even sited this as a reason for their resignation.
Dream Nets
by Agto NugrohoThe Vitnu tell the story of the Night Fisher, who challenged the Forest Walker for his land. Originally, the Night Fisher ruled over the realm of the night and the ocean. He taught the people to catch fish and to sustain themselves during the dark times. But he grew jealous of the world that the Forest Walker inhabited, and believed the people did not worship him enough. So he challenged the Forest Walker to a game of hide-and-seek, declaring that the winner would rule both domains.
They played the first round over the Night Sea, believing the Forest Walker would never find him among the millions of fish. But the Forest Walker transformed into an owl and caught the Night Fisher. In the forest, the Night Fisher transformed into a bear and sniffed out all the living creatures, but could not find the Forest Walker, who again transformed into an owl to sleep high in the branches of a tree. The Night Fisher was so angry that the Night Sea churned and became only a realm of nightmare. Then he set a curse on all the owls of the Forest, that they would be burdened to carry these nightmares to the people of the mortal realms.
But the Forest Walker would not have his creations hurt. So he took the nets the Night Fisher had taught the people to make and show them how to change the knots, so that they could catch the bad dreams. This was how people learned the art of making dream nets, which could catch the dreams without damaging the owls, who could fly through them. Dream nets are still an important artform among Vitnu followers, and frequently made for children to guide them in their good thoughts. Some people say that the Night Fisher schemed this on purpose, to trick the Forest Walker into teaching people magic.
The Grave of Tears
by ArtbreederInge Best was a controversial Xurugwi leader from Oron, who called for a movement away from traditional Xurugwi Funeral Rites. Though she also argued against burial, she was herself buried, and it is unclear by who, though her grave is well known. Some argue Best's opponents had her buried, to prevent her soul from escaping this world, and therefore punish her. As such, her burial site is sometimes called The Grave of Tears. Others, however, believe her soul returned to the First Home, and the burial of her body will allow her to rip a hole between the realms to lead everyone back. Thus, with a slight change in pronunciation, the Grave of Tears takes on a whole new meaning.
A Little Hope
For those of us with natural magical gifts, there are few places on Nideon creepier than Linakra, where wizards have been known to be tortured and murdered. But this Athion, I want to talk about something a little more hopeful. In our research on the The Staves of Airrin Underwood, Olive and I struggled the most to track the history of the Raining Staff of Keys, which seems to return to Linakra over and over. Most notably, the first leader of Kel's Rebellion bore the staff, but at least two others have carried it, using the gift of access to help imprisoned wizards escape.
Shadow Spirits
Among the people of the Danos faith, spirits can be benevolent--as long as you don't look at them. Shadow spirits live like normal people in a town of their choosing, and as long as they live there, they will bring the town good luck. But should anyone look them in the eye, they will see that these people are made of darkness. Different versions of the story tell of different consequences for discovering a shadow spirit. At best, they will dissolve, either due to their nature or their dislike of being identified. At worst, they will seek revenge on the person who outed them, or even that person's hometown. This is why Danos followers believe that to look someone in the eye is equivalent to telling them you do not want them in your life.
A similar version of this story from Florarova tells of spirits that live in the mountains and lost travelers, especially children, by hunting for them and leaving them food. But they will brutally murder anyone who poaches in their territory.
A Very Huxoth Athion
by ArtbreederIf you travel to the Great Northern Desert this month, you are unlikely to find anyone interested in the Eve of Krourin. But the Huxoth have their own reason to celebrate Athion. Here, the 22nd of Athion honors the god of cloth. For according to Huxoth legend, when they first lost their feathers, the Huxoth had the misfortune of living in the desert with no coverings. So the god of cloth spun the 16 winds together and created the first cloth. The Huxoth god of cloth is similar in many ways to the Calistian Stjin, though the Huxoth call him Dheng.
Traditionally, in the Danos faith, when a person comes of age, they fast for a day and afterward are ritually bathed and led to a room with no light, where they must navigate a maze in order to escape. In some cities in the mountain provinces of Alaj, however, the person is instead led into the wilderness and must find their way back to the temple. The light provided by the moon and stars is often counter-acted by the dense fog in the area. As an added challenge, the person coming of age is typically not allowed to speak from the time they begin the fast until they return to the temple. In stricter temples, a person who does speak during this time is considered to have failed and not allowed to return. Some stories say that those who fail the challenge transform into Kip Pem (see sidebar).
A Self-Fulfilling Ghost Story
This one comes to me from Zenxon University, by way of my nephew, Nic Carter. The students sometimes tell of a roofer who fell and died while helping build the astronomy building, and that his ghost still haunts the place. One night, a graduate student, working late, locked up the building and heard a banging on the door from the inside. Frightened of the ghost, the student left as quickly as possible without investigating. The next morning, a freshman was found dead in the building.
Apparently, the freshman had been studying in the building and had been locked in. Likely fearing the ghost himself, he had banged on the door to get out, and died of fright in the night. Now, the door will open and close and lock and unlock of its own accord. Some also say they can hear the student's frightened screams echoing down the hall, and one professor even sited this as a reason for their resignation.
Dream Nets
by Agto NugrohoThe Vitnu tell the story of the Night Fisher, who challenged the Forest Walker for his land. Originally, the Night Fisher ruled over the realm of the night and the ocean. He taught the people to catch fish and to sustain themselves during the dark times. But he grew jealous of the world that the Forest Walker inhabited, and believed the people did not worship him enough. So he challenged the Forest Walker to a game of hide-and-seek, declaring that the winner would rule both domains.
They played the first round over the Night Sea, believing the Forest Walker would never find him among the millions of fish. But the Forest Walker transformed into an owl and caught the Night Fisher. In the forest, the Night Fisher transformed into a bear and sniffed out all the living creatures, but could not find the Forest Walker, who again transformed into an owl to sleep high in the branches of a tree. The Night Fisher was so angry that the Night Sea churned and became only a realm of nightmare. Then he set a curse on all the owls of the Forest, that they would be burdened to carry these nightmares to the people of the mortal realms.
But the Forest Walker would not have his creations hurt. So he took the nets the Night Fisher had taught the people to make and show them how to change the knots, so that they could catch the bad dreams. This was how people learned the art of making dream nets, which could catch the dreams without damaging the owls, who could fly through them. Dream nets are still an important artform among Vitnu followers, and frequently made for children to guide them in their good thoughts. Some people say that the Night Fisher schemed this on purpose, to trick the Forest Walker into teaching people magic.
The Grave of Tears
by ArtbreederInge Best was a controversial Xurugwi leader from Oron, who called for a movement away from traditional Xurugwi Funeral Rites. Though she also argued against burial, she was herself buried, and it is unclear by who, though her grave is well known. Some argue Best's opponents had her buried, to prevent her soul from escaping this world, and therefore punish her. As such, her burial site is sometimes called The Grave of Tears. Others, however, believe her soul returned to the First Home, and the burial of her body will allow her to rip a hole between the realms to lead everyone back. Thus, with a slight change in pronunciation, the Grave of Tears takes on a whole new meaning.
A Little Hope
For those of us with natural magical gifts, there are few places on Nideon creepier than Linakra, where wizards have been known to be tortured and murdered. But this Athion, I want to talk about something a little more hopeful. In our research on the The Staves of Airrin Underwood, Olive and I struggled the most to track the history of the Raining Staff of Keys, which seems to return to Linakra over and over. Most notably, the first leader of Kel's Rebellion bore the staff, but at least two others have carried it, using the gift of access to help imprisoned wizards escape.
Shadow Spirits
Among the people of the Danos faith, spirits can be benevolent--as long as you don't look at them. Shadow spirits live like normal people in a town of their choosing, and as long as they live there, they will bring the town good luck. But should anyone look them in the eye, they will see that these people are made of darkness. Different versions of the story tell of different consequences for discovering a shadow spirit. At best, they will dissolve, either due to their nature or their dislike of being identified. At worst, they will seek revenge on the person who outed them, or even that person's hometown. This is why Danos followers believe that to look someone in the eye is equivalent to telling them you do not want them in your life.
A similar version of this story from Florarova tells of spirits that live in the mountains and lost travelers, especially children, by hunting for them and leaving them food. But they will brutally murder anyone who poaches in their territory.
A Very Huxoth Athion
by ArtbreederIf you travel to the Great Northern Desert this month, you are unlikely to find anyone interested in the Eve of Krourin. But the Huxoth have their own reason to celebrate Athion. Here, the 22nd of Athion honors the god of cloth. For according to Huxoth legend, when they first lost their feathers, the Huxoth had the misfortune of living in the desert with no coverings. So the god of cloth spun the 16 winds together and created the first cloth. The Huxoth god of cloth is similar in many ways to the Calistian Stjin, though the Huxoth call him Dheng.
This one comes to me from Zenxon University, by way of my nephew, Nic Carter. The students sometimes tell of a roofer who fell and died while helping build the astronomy building, and that his ghost still haunts the place. One night, a graduate student, working late, locked up the building and heard a banging on the door from the inside. Frightened of the ghost, the student left as quickly as possible without investigating. The next morning, a freshman was found dead in the building.
by Agto Nugroho
The Vitnu tell the story of the Night Fisher, who challenged the Forest Walker for his land. Originally, the Night Fisher ruled over the realm of the night and the ocean. He taught the people to catch fish and to sustain themselves during the dark times. But he grew jealous of the world that the Forest Walker inhabited, and believed the people did not worship him enough. So he challenged the Forest Walker to a game of hide-and-seek, declaring that the winner would rule both domains.
They played the first round over the Night Sea, believing the Forest Walker would never find him among the millions of fish. But the Forest Walker transformed into an owl and caught the Night Fisher. In the forest, the Night Fisher transformed into a bear and sniffed out all the living creatures, but could not find the Forest Walker, who again transformed into an owl to sleep high in the branches of a tree. The Night Fisher was so angry that the Night Sea churned and became only a realm of nightmare. Then he set a curse on all the owls of the Forest, that they would be burdened to carry these nightmares to the people of the mortal realms.
But the Forest Walker would not have his creations hurt. So he took the nets the Night Fisher had taught the people to make and show them how to change the knots, so that they could catch the bad dreams. This was how people learned the art of making dream nets, which could catch the dreams without damaging the owls, who could fly through them. Dream nets are still an important artform among Vitnu followers, and frequently made for children to guide them in their good thoughts. Some people say that the Night Fisher schemed this on purpose, to trick the Forest Walker into teaching people magic.
The Grave of Tears
by ArtbreederInge Best was a controversial Xurugwi leader from Oron, who called for a movement away from traditional Xurugwi Funeral Rites. Though she also argued against burial, she was herself buried, and it is unclear by who, though her grave is well known. Some argue Best's opponents had her buried, to prevent her soul from escaping this world, and therefore punish her. As such, her burial site is sometimes called The Grave of Tears. Others, however, believe her soul returned to the First Home, and the burial of her body will allow her to rip a hole between the realms to lead everyone back. Thus, with a slight change in pronunciation, the Grave of Tears takes on a whole new meaning.
A Little Hope
For those of us with natural magical gifts, there are few places on Nideon creepier than Linakra, where wizards have been known to be tortured and murdered. But this Athion, I want to talk about something a little more hopeful. In our research on the The Staves of Airrin Underwood, Olive and I struggled the most to track the history of the Raining Staff of Keys, which seems to return to Linakra over and over. Most notably, the first leader of Kel's Rebellion bore the staff, but at least two others have carried it, using the gift of access to help imprisoned wizards escape.
Shadow Spirits
Among the people of the Danos faith, spirits can be benevolent--as long as you don't look at them. Shadow spirits live like normal people in a town of their choosing, and as long as they live there, they will bring the town good luck. But should anyone look them in the eye, they will see that these people are made of darkness. Different versions of the story tell of different consequences for discovering a shadow spirit. At best, they will dissolve, either due to their nature or their dislike of being identified. At worst, they will seek revenge on the person who outed them, or even that person's hometown. This is why Danos followers believe that to look someone in the eye is equivalent to telling them you do not want them in your life.
A similar version of this story from Florarova tells of spirits that live in the mountains and lost travelers, especially children, by hunting for them and leaving them food. But they will brutally murder anyone who poaches in their territory.
A Very Huxoth Athion
by ArtbreederIf you travel to the Great Northern Desert this month, you are unlikely to find anyone interested in the Eve of Krourin. But the Huxoth have their own reason to celebrate Athion. Here, the 22nd of Athion honors the god of cloth. For according to Huxoth legend, when they first lost their feathers, the Huxoth had the misfortune of living in the desert with no coverings. So the god of cloth spun the 16 winds together and created the first cloth. The Huxoth god of cloth is similar in many ways to the Calistian Stjin, though the Huxoth call him Dheng.
by Artbreeder
Inge Best was a controversial Xurugwi leader from Oron, who called for a movement away from traditional Xurugwi Funeral Rites. Though she also argued against burial, she was herself buried, and it is unclear by who, though her grave is well known. Some argue Best's opponents had her buried, to prevent her soul from escaping this world, and therefore punish her. As such, her burial site is sometimes called The Grave of Tears. Others, however, believe her soul returned to the First Home, and the burial of her body will allow her to rip a hole between the realms to lead everyone back. Thus, with a slight change in pronunciation, the Grave of Tears takes on a whole new meaning.
Shadow Spirits
Among the people of the Danos faith, spirits can be benevolent--as long as you don't look at them. Shadow spirits live like normal people in a town of their choosing, and as long as they live there, they will bring the town good luck. But should anyone look them in the eye, they will see that these people are made of darkness. Different versions of the story tell of different consequences for discovering a shadow spirit. At best, they will dissolve, either due to their nature or their dislike of being identified. At worst, they will seek revenge on the person who outed them, or even that person's hometown. This is why Danos followers believe that to look someone in the eye is equivalent to telling them you do not want them in your life.
A similar version of this story from Florarova tells of spirits that live in the mountains and lost travelers, especially children, by hunting for them and leaving them food. But they will brutally murder anyone who poaches in their territory.
A Very Huxoth Athion
by ArtbreederIf you travel to the Great Northern Desert this month, you are unlikely to find anyone interested in the Eve of Krourin. But the Huxoth have their own reason to celebrate Athion. Here, the 22nd of Athion honors the god of cloth. For according to Huxoth legend, when they first lost their feathers, the Huxoth had the misfortune of living in the desert with no coverings. So the god of cloth spun the 16 winds together and created the first cloth. The Huxoth god of cloth is similar in many ways to the Calistian Stjin, though the Huxoth call him Dheng.
by Artbreeder
If you travel to the Great Northern Desert this month, you are unlikely to find anyone interested in the Eve of Krourin. But the Huxoth have their own reason to celebrate Athion. Here, the 22nd of Athion honors the god of cloth. For according to Huxoth legend, when they first lost their feathers, the Huxoth had the misfortune of living in the desert with no coverings. So the god of cloth spun the 16 winds together and created the first cloth. The Huxoth god of cloth is similar in many ways to the Calistian Stjin, though the Huxoth call him Dheng.
1. I know most copies of The Death Witch say that Bella sent a snake after the nightmares, but recent research indicates a better translation is that Bella herself became a snake.
The Glass Girl
No collection of Krourin Eve stories is complete without at least one from the Burch Twins, and the popular story of the Glass Girl is perfectly suited for this. Not only does it include the lovers' bodies shattering when they fall from the tower, but also their resurrection afterward.
The Shadow Thief
This story is from a publication lesser known than The Death Witch (and Other Stories), but is nevertheless one of my favorites about the Calistian gods. Flicker had a daughter, named Shadow, who loved children. She saw that many children died young, and so she wove them cloaks of light and darkness to protect them. These cloaks were called shadows, after their creator, and soon everyone had one.
But Shadow made a mistake in the weaving of one of her cloaks. A stray loop of darkness became stuck on a tree branch, and hung the child. Thinking she had done this on purpose, the community chased Shadow back to the Calistian realm, and in revenge, she vowed to take back every shadow she had made. Now, she returns in the night to steal the shadows of humans and rip them to pieces, so they can no longer use them. But we have become so attached to our shadows, that in tearing them apart, the Shadow Thief tears apart their owners in the process.
Virginia Bleek
I feel like this story serves double-duty because it tells of Bleed mysteriously vanishing, as well asa gruesome murder (or two, depending on the version).
Midnight Mary
by Artbreeder
Midnight Mary hails from our very own Stonewall. The story tells of Mary Wilde, a time wizard who decided to settle the Astromythological debate of our origins on Nideon. Unfortunately, she never woke up from her time trance and, thinking her dead, her family buried her in Cedar Grove Cemetary. After a nasty dream, her mother insisted they exhume the body, only to discover evidence that the (now dead) Mary had been buried alive, and spent the night trying to claw her way out of the box.
The most famous portrait of Mary was drawn by up-and-coming artist Wren Dragonbone, who claims to have seen Mary's ghost in the cemetery one night.
Kip Pem
by Racheal Loma
The country of Saas has a variety of myths centering on the Kip Pem, a monster that wanders the northern tundra and feasts on human flesh. Though the origins vary, from the story of men who lost their minds in the middle of blizzard to those who have been transformed by particularly horrendous works of magic, a Kip Pem always begins their life as a person who is transformed. In some stories, the Kip Pem change their shape, while in others, they look, at first, as normal as your own reflection. The most terrifying stories of the Kip Pem, however, are those told by the residents of Prisonkeep about their own neighbors, who were broken by the The Rift of 1920.
Twilight Grim
I can't leave out this Athion favorite. According to the Mun tradition, there are two afterlives--that for those who follow the Book of Blue and another for those who follow the Book of Orange. Those who fail to meet the requirements for either find their spirits trapped in the land of the living. Despite their name, the twilight grim can be seen during any time of day, but only in mirrors.
Fire Hollow
Fire Hollow is considered the most haunted place in Nefrale, and everyone in the country seems to have a different explanation for the stillness of the hollow and the strange lights for which it is named. Sprite say too many dead were buried there. The Mun believe the balance was overthrown, and the Xurugwi believe it is heavily guarded by tricksters. Whatever the answer, it seems for now, that only the Flicker Cats know.
The Wailing Chasm
There is some debate in Atlinthaia as to whether the unusual rock formations of Crow Canyong are a natural formation or the ruin of an Atlinthaian temple carved in homage to their death goddess, who took the form of a crow-woman. Regardless of its origins, the location is more commonly known as the Wailing Chasm as the wind whistling through the area typically sounds like whispering or crying. The Atlinthaians believed that the goddess's spirit caused the wailing, and they say that if you hear your name in the wind, you will be soon to die. Listen at your own risk!
And while we're on the subject of old Atlinthaian goddesses, I ought to mention Neripon, the Atlithanian goddess of life. Traditionally depicted as a tree-woman, Neripon was known to have many lovers, though always one at a time. It was said that if her lover told her he wanted to pursue another woman, she agreed to end their relationship and give the man her blessing, that he might always have love. But if a man cheated on her, she would run him through with a three foot thorn, the same fate she would deliver to adulterers and rapists.
Auras Pond
Tourism in Auras always increases around the Eve of Krourin as visitors come to visit the strange pond, surrounded by an unknown binding pattern. No one knows just what the early Aurans were trying to contain, but every version of the story says it was highly dangerous. In one version, the Aurans disposed of their dead in the pond to lock their spirits inside. In other versions, the pond holds only one spirit, but it's that of an ancient deity or demon. Some followers of the Een faith even believe that the pond in the gateway to the realm of the Great Tempter.
Igbi and Lowoni
According to Xye folklore, the god Igbi fell in love and slept with a mortal woman, Lowoni. After discovering his adultery, Igbi's wife threw Lowoni off the edge of the world, into the abyss that surrounded it. But Igbi, truly in love, went after her and rescued Lowoni, bringing her back up, and vowing never to leave her. Igbi and Lowoni live on as the volcanoes off Xye's southern coast, and the unique plants and animals there are their children
The Perpetually drowning Castle
Finally, what collection of spooky stories would be complete without that of Diamondheart's Verti Castle? Built in a desert valley, the castle fills with water every year during monsoon season. Those who have visited the castle especially during the rain, claim they hear a voice calling, "no more." No one knows for certain if it's the voice of the admiral who died there, or the of the castle itself, asking for an end to its annual torment.
This story is from a publication lesser known than The Death Witch (and Other Stories), but is nevertheless one of my favorites about the Calistian gods. Flicker had a daughter, named Shadow, who loved children. She saw that many children died young, and so she wove them cloaks of light and darkness to protect them. These cloaks were called shadows, after their creator, and soon everyone had one.
But Shadow made a mistake in the weaving of one of her cloaks. A stray loop of darkness became stuck on a tree branch, and hung the child. Thinking she had done this on purpose, the community chased Shadow back to the Calistian realm, and in revenge, she vowed to take back every shadow she had made. Now, she returns in the night to steal the shadows of humans and rip them to pieces, so they can no longer use them. But we have become so attached to our shadows, that in tearing them apart, the Shadow Thief tears apart their owners in the process.
Virginia Bleek
I feel like this story serves double-duty because it tells of Bleed mysteriously vanishing, as well asa gruesome murder (or two, depending on the version).
Midnight Mary
by Artbreeder
Midnight Mary hails from our very own Stonewall. The story tells of Mary Wilde, a time wizard who decided to settle the Astromythological debate of our origins on Nideon. Unfortunately, she never woke up from her time trance and, thinking her dead, her family buried her in Cedar Grove Cemetary. After a nasty dream, her mother insisted they exhume the body, only to discover evidence that the (now dead) Mary had been buried alive, and spent the night trying to claw her way out of the box.
The most famous portrait of Mary was drawn by up-and-coming artist Wren Dragonbone, who claims to have seen Mary's ghost in the cemetery one night.
Kip Pem
by Racheal Loma
The country of Saas has a variety of myths centering on the Kip Pem, a monster that wanders the northern tundra and feasts on human flesh. Though the origins vary, from the story of men who lost their minds in the middle of blizzard to those who have been transformed by particularly horrendous works of magic, a Kip Pem always begins their life as a person who is transformed. In some stories, the Kip Pem change their shape, while in others, they look, at first, as normal as your own reflection. The most terrifying stories of the Kip Pem, however, are those told by the residents of Prisonkeep about their own neighbors, who were broken by the The Rift of 1920.
Twilight Grim
I can't leave out this Athion favorite. According to the Mun tradition, there are two afterlives--that for those who follow the Book of Blue and another for those who follow the Book of Orange. Those who fail to meet the requirements for either find their spirits trapped in the land of the living. Despite their name, the twilight grim can be seen during any time of day, but only in mirrors.
Fire Hollow
Fire Hollow is considered the most haunted place in Nefrale, and everyone in the country seems to have a different explanation for the stillness of the hollow and the strange lights for which it is named. Sprite say too many dead were buried there. The Mun believe the balance was overthrown, and the Xurugwi believe it is heavily guarded by tricksters. Whatever the answer, it seems for now, that only the Flicker Cats know.
The Wailing Chasm
There is some debate in Atlinthaia as to whether the unusual rock formations of Crow Canyong are a natural formation or the ruin of an Atlinthaian temple carved in homage to their death goddess, who took the form of a crow-woman. Regardless of its origins, the location is more commonly known as the Wailing Chasm as the wind whistling through the area typically sounds like whispering or crying. The Atlinthaians believed that the goddess's spirit caused the wailing, and they say that if you hear your name in the wind, you will be soon to die. Listen at your own risk!
And while we're on the subject of old Atlinthaian goddesses, I ought to mention Neripon, the Atlithanian goddess of life. Traditionally depicted as a tree-woman, Neripon was known to have many lovers, though always one at a time. It was said that if her lover told her he wanted to pursue another woman, she agreed to end their relationship and give the man her blessing, that he might always have love. But if a man cheated on her, she would run him through with a three foot thorn, the same fate she would deliver to adulterers and rapists.
Auras Pond
Tourism in Auras always increases around the Eve of Krourin as visitors come to visit the strange pond, surrounded by an unknown binding pattern. No one knows just what the early Aurans were trying to contain, but every version of the story says it was highly dangerous. In one version, the Aurans disposed of their dead in the pond to lock their spirits inside. In other versions, the pond holds only one spirit, but it's that of an ancient deity or demon. Some followers of the Een faith even believe that the pond in the gateway to the realm of the Great Tempter.
Igbi and Lowoni
According to Xye folklore, the god Igbi fell in love and slept with a mortal woman, Lowoni. After discovering his adultery, Igbi's wife threw Lowoni off the edge of the world, into the abyss that surrounded it. But Igbi, truly in love, went after her and rescued Lowoni, bringing her back up, and vowing never to leave her. Igbi and Lowoni live on as the volcanoes off Xye's southern coast, and the unique plants and animals there are their children
The Perpetually drowning Castle
Finally, what collection of spooky stories would be complete without that of Diamondheart's Verti Castle? Built in a desert valley, the castle fills with water every year during monsoon season. Those who have visited the castle especially during the rain, claim they hear a voice calling, "no more." No one knows for certain if it's the voice of the admiral who died there, or the of the castle itself, asking for an end to its annual torment.
by Artbreeder
Midnight Mary hails from our very own Stonewall. The story tells of Mary Wilde, a time wizard who decided to settle the Astromythological debate of our origins on Nideon. Unfortunately, she never woke up from her time trance and, thinking her dead, her family buried her in Cedar Grove Cemetary. After a nasty dream, her mother insisted they exhume the body, only to discover evidence that the (now dead) Mary had been buried alive, and spent the night trying to claw her way out of the box.
The most famous portrait of Mary was drawn by up-and-coming artist Wren Dragonbone, who claims to have seen Mary's ghost in the cemetery one night.
Kip Pem
by Racheal Loma
The country of Saas has a variety of myths centering on the Kip Pem, a monster that wanders the northern tundra and feasts on human flesh. Though the origins vary, from the story of men who lost their minds in the middle of blizzard to those who have been transformed by particularly horrendous works of magic, a Kip Pem always begins their life as a person who is transformed. In some stories, the Kip Pem change their shape, while in others, they look, at first, as normal as your own reflection. The most terrifying stories of the Kip Pem, however, are those told by the residents of Prisonkeep about their own neighbors, who were broken by the The Rift of 1920.
Twilight Grim
I can't leave out this Athion favorite. According to the Mun tradition, there are two afterlives--that for those who follow the Book of Blue and another for those who follow the Book of Orange. Those who fail to meet the requirements for either find their spirits trapped in the land of the living. Despite their name, the twilight grim can be seen during any time of day, but only in mirrors.
by Racheal Loma
I can't leave out this Athion favorite. According to the Mun tradition, there are two afterlives--that for those who follow the Book of Blue and another for those who follow the Book of Orange. Those who fail to meet the requirements for either find their spirits trapped in the land of the living. Despite their name, the twilight grim can be seen during any time of day, but only in mirrors.
Fire Hollow
Fire Hollow is considered the most haunted place in Nefrale, and everyone in the country seems to have a different explanation for the stillness of the hollow and the strange lights for which it is named. Sprite say too many dead were buried there. The Mun believe the balance was overthrown, and the Xurugwi believe it is heavily guarded by tricksters. Whatever the answer, it seems for now, that only the Flicker Cats know.
The Wailing Chasm
There is some debate in Atlinthaia as to whether the unusual rock formations of Crow Canyong are a natural formation or the ruin of an Atlinthaian temple carved in homage to their death goddess, who took the form of a crow-woman. Regardless of its origins, the location is more commonly known as the Wailing Chasm as the wind whistling through the area typically sounds like whispering or crying. The Atlinthaians believed that the goddess's spirit caused the wailing, and they say that if you hear your name in the wind, you will be soon to die. Listen at your own risk!
And while we're on the subject of old Atlinthaian goddesses, I ought to mention Neripon, the Atlithanian goddess of life. Traditionally depicted as a tree-woman, Neripon was known to have many lovers, though always one at a time. It was said that if her lover told her he wanted to pursue another woman, she agreed to end their relationship and give the man her blessing, that he might always have love. But if a man cheated on her, she would run him through with a three foot thorn, the same fate she would deliver to adulterers and rapists.
Auras Pond
Tourism in Auras always increases around the Eve of Krourin as visitors come to visit the strange pond, surrounded by an unknown binding pattern. No one knows just what the early Aurans were trying to contain, but every version of the story says it was highly dangerous. In one version, the Aurans disposed of their dead in the pond to lock their spirits inside. In other versions, the pond holds only one spirit, but it's that of an ancient deity or demon. Some followers of the Een faith even believe that the pond in the gateway to the realm of the Great Tempter.
Igbi and Lowoni
According to Xye folklore, the god Igbi fell in love and slept with a mortal woman, Lowoni. After discovering his adultery, Igbi's wife threw Lowoni off the edge of the world, into the abyss that surrounded it. But Igbi, truly in love, went after her and rescued Lowoni, bringing her back up, and vowing never to leave her. Igbi and Lowoni live on as the volcanoes off Xye's southern coast, and the unique plants and animals there are their children
The Perpetually drowning Castle
Finally, what collection of spooky stories would be complete without that of Diamondheart's Verti Castle? Built in a desert valley, the castle fills with water every year during monsoon season. Those who have visited the castle especially during the rain, claim they hear a voice calling, "no more." No one knows for certain if it's the voice of the admiral who died there, or the of the castle itself, asking for an end to its annual torment.
There is some debate in Atlinthaia as to whether the unusual rock formations of Crow Canyong are a natural formation or the ruin of an Atlinthaian temple carved in homage to their death goddess, who took the form of a crow-woman. Regardless of its origins, the location is more commonly known as the Wailing Chasm as the wind whistling through the area typically sounds like whispering or crying. The Atlinthaians believed that the goddess's spirit caused the wailing, and they say that if you hear your name in the wind, you will be soon to die. Listen at your own risk!
And while we're on the subject of old Atlinthaian goddesses, I ought to mention Neripon, the Atlithanian goddess of life. Traditionally depicted as a tree-woman, Neripon was known to have many lovers, though always one at a time. It was said that if her lover told her he wanted to pursue another woman, she agreed to end their relationship and give the man her blessing, that he might always have love. But if a man cheated on her, she would run him through with a three foot thorn, the same fate she would deliver to adulterers and rapists.
Auras Pond
Tourism in Auras always increases around the Eve of Krourin as visitors come to visit the strange pond, surrounded by an unknown binding pattern. No one knows just what the early Aurans were trying to contain, but every version of the story says it was highly dangerous. In one version, the Aurans disposed of their dead in the pond to lock their spirits inside. In other versions, the pond holds only one spirit, but it's that of an ancient deity or demon. Some followers of the Een faith even believe that the pond in the gateway to the realm of the Great Tempter.
Igbi and Lowoni
According to Xye folklore, the god Igbi fell in love and slept with a mortal woman, Lowoni. After discovering his adultery, Igbi's wife threw Lowoni off the edge of the world, into the abyss that surrounded it. But Igbi, truly in love, went after her and rescued Lowoni, bringing her back up, and vowing never to leave her. Igbi and Lowoni live on as the volcanoes off Xye's southern coast, and the unique plants and animals there are their children
The Perpetually drowning Castle
Finally, what collection of spooky stories would be complete without that of Diamondheart's Verti Castle? Built in a desert valley, the castle fills with water every year during monsoon season. Those who have visited the castle especially during the rain, claim they hear a voice calling, "no more." No one knows for certain if it's the voice of the admiral who died there, or the of the castle itself, asking for an end to its annual torment.
According to Xye folklore, the god Igbi fell in love and slept with a mortal woman, Lowoni. After discovering his adultery, Igbi's wife threw Lowoni off the edge of the world, into the abyss that surrounded it. But Igbi, truly in love, went after her and rescued Lowoni, bringing her back up, and vowing never to leave her. Igbi and Lowoni live on as the volcanoes off Xye's southern coast, and the unique plants and animals there are their children
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