Horned Hermit

Do not stray to far from home little one or the Horned Hermit will take you away. - Old Women

Summary

According to the locals of the region, the Horned Hermit is an old man with horns that live alone in the Great Forest. It is said that he was once a powerful wizard and practiced Dark Magic that he used to enslave others. But when he made a deal with a Demon, he was tricked and lost his power. Growing a set of horns on his head as well. The fear of retribution from those he wronged soon saw him flee into the Great Forest. It is said that he lives in a mound under the earth when he tries to regain his power. But he was struck with madness instead and often sits on a large boulder where he talks to himself. He no longer wears clothing and has painted magic runes a patterns all over his body. Muttering to himself until he finds someone who crosses his path, which he uses as sacrifices for his ritual. Children are his most valuable offerings as they are pure and make the ritual stronger. Those who enter the forest will often become his next victim is they come across him and be thrown into boiling pot.

Historical Basis

It is believed that the story has some truth to it as the Horned Hermit is similar to a Druid as they have been associated with Human sacrifice in the past to feed their power. The horns on the hermit are a possible relation to the use of Wild Magic that are also associated with Druids.

Spread

It is a tale told around the settlements near the Great Forest so it is only local story that they tell to one another.

Cultural Reception

The story is nothing more than a way to have children to behave themselves and not wander into the Great Forest as it is a dangerous place and many children have enter it never to be seen again. Naughty children are often told that the Horned Hermit likes bad children the most as make his rituals stronger to make them clean up their act..