Tale of the Forest Ghosts

Do not go too deep into the woods, my children. Wicked spirits lurk within to steal you away. Stay close to the village, do not let the fences leave your sight, and never follow the lights.

An old Cynian tale that began around the time of the Fall of Magic, this story is still passed around by parents to keep their children in order. Part xenophobic propaganda and part cautionary tale, this story's prevalence within the Kingdom of Cynia is actively encouraged by the Astralan Church and often spread to newly conquered areas by the Mystwalkers.

Summary

The tale of the forest ghosts is often told to young children to keep them from getting lost in the woods. The story will usually include some young one wandering into the forest against their parents warnings and getting lost. Mysterious lights will appear as the sky darkens, tricking the child into believing home is near or that there are people searching for them, leading them to become further lost. The story ends with the child either learning their lesson or meeting a horrible end.

Spread

This myth has spread with the growth of the kingdom, but has only very rarely surpassed its borders. The story is really only effective in the Eastern Arm region.

Variations & Mutation

Endings tend to vary between the child being led forever in circles by the mysterious forest lights, the child meeting some gruesome end at the hands of the forest ghosts, or the child realizing the error of their ways and escaping back home.
What the ghosts truly are is also different depending on the teller. Some believe that they are just that, restless spirits, while others believe them to be some kind of monster or Fey creature that feeds on human children. Often the form the ghosts take is reflective of whatever anxieties a community has at the time, whether it be wolves that have gotten too bold or even whatever demi-humans happen to be passing through town in a given month.
Some stories forgo the child entering the woods altogether and simply state that those who don't follow their parent's rules will be taken away by the forest ghosts in the middle of the night. This version is most often used to keep disobedient children from acting out.