06-05-2021, 09:36 PM
Mr Turnip Mudd explained thus:
The first time the hermit Gnome became aware of the problem at St. Martin's O' The Lawn were from legends he'd heard from
back in the days before the actual village existed. Back then, most of the land was forest, the coastal area where Durridge is
situated today was a stinking swamp where saltwater Wyrms waited to grab any unsuspecting creature that wandered too close
and the place where the redundant watermill now stood was just a mere crevice that trickled floodage from the high moors where
thirty-foot monsters grazed on the tough grasses.
The subterranean granite remained robust over the centuries and as the land around St. Martin's changed, a hill developed
where the towering conifers crowned its slopes. Due to the thick fur-snagging bramble bushes that also grew there, predators
rarely ventured into the shadows of the prehistoric cedars.
Humans were still waiting in the wings to evolve and the nearest relation to those few who would become St. Martin's residents
were the apes called 'Hiders' that wandered the woods and foraged for their food amongst the undergrowth. Although these
early forms of man would eventually succumb to those who wore animal-skins and harnessed fire, it was said that they decorated
their homes in the trees with colourful feathers and smeared the juice of the violet vine on their faces.
Staying close to the tall cedars, these painted hairy bipeds would perform antics that were assumed to be stories of entertainment
and history. Such presentations were rare, but for those of the Fae world, secrets seldom remain hidden for long.
Hiders lived in fear of any open spaces due to two terrors, one was the flying beasts that would sometimes pluck the unwary from
the ground and tear them to pieces with their wicked talons. The other was the ghost who stole the young simians when the moon
held sway over the forest.
Of course, Turnip Mudd never personally witnessed all this, his ancestors passed down the stories and Gnomes are known for
their accuracy when it comes to relating information. Hence their solitary existence, repetition isn't one of their pleasures.
As the apes gave way to mankind, the supposed 'ghost' continued its activity of collecting children. The abductions became part
of the legend and a name was given to the spectre that stole by night. The evil phantom was branded ''Gwydionel the Snatcher'...
The Bitch On The Hill.
When the Druids arrived and used their magic to level the mound and erect their orphic monoliths, it was hoped the child-stealer
would be cast back into whatever perdition she'd originated. But Gwydionel took the daughter of the head-Oracle a year after the
settlers finished their new homes of St. Martin's O' The Lawn.
Turnip's Great-Great Grandfather was picking wild strawberries near to where Peggy had seen the two apple trees on the Heron
property. It was late in the evening and the attentive Gnome believed he would not be obstructed in gathering the treats.
As the moon reflected the light from its daytime brother, Calico Mudd observed a grey female-form appear out of thin air and grab
a Druid girl who was returning home from her Straw Bear dance practice. An ancient ritual perfomed to celebrate a favourable
agricultural season
As a side-note, the poor girl was wearing a bright-green and red shawl.
...................................................
The scion of that sharp-eyed strawberry-picker checked the condition of an oak-apple he was boiling in a pot over the fire and
waited for any questions from the pair who'd visited his underground home. Peggy Powler set down her empty teacup on the
earthen floor and prepared her investigation.
The first time the hermit Gnome became aware of the problem at St. Martin's O' The Lawn were from legends he'd heard from
back in the days before the actual village existed. Back then, most of the land was forest, the coastal area where Durridge is
situated today was a stinking swamp where saltwater Wyrms waited to grab any unsuspecting creature that wandered too close
and the place where the redundant watermill now stood was just a mere crevice that trickled floodage from the high moors where
thirty-foot monsters grazed on the tough grasses.
The subterranean granite remained robust over the centuries and as the land around St. Martin's changed, a hill developed
where the towering conifers crowned its slopes. Due to the thick fur-snagging bramble bushes that also grew there, predators
rarely ventured into the shadows of the prehistoric cedars.
Humans were still waiting in the wings to evolve and the nearest relation to those few who would become St. Martin's residents
were the apes called 'Hiders' that wandered the woods and foraged for their food amongst the undergrowth. Although these
early forms of man would eventually succumb to those who wore animal-skins and harnessed fire, it was said that they decorated
their homes in the trees with colourful feathers and smeared the juice of the violet vine on their faces.
Staying close to the tall cedars, these painted hairy bipeds would perform antics that were assumed to be stories of entertainment
and history. Such presentations were rare, but for those of the Fae world, secrets seldom remain hidden for long.
Hiders lived in fear of any open spaces due to two terrors, one was the flying beasts that would sometimes pluck the unwary from
the ground and tear them to pieces with their wicked talons. The other was the ghost who stole the young simians when the moon
held sway over the forest.
Of course, Turnip Mudd never personally witnessed all this, his ancestors passed down the stories and Gnomes are known for
their accuracy when it comes to relating information. Hence their solitary existence, repetition isn't one of their pleasures.
As the apes gave way to mankind, the supposed 'ghost' continued its activity of collecting children. The abductions became part
of the legend and a name was given to the spectre that stole by night. The evil phantom was branded ''Gwydionel the Snatcher'...
The Bitch On The Hill.
When the Druids arrived and used their magic to level the mound and erect their orphic monoliths, it was hoped the child-stealer
would be cast back into whatever perdition she'd originated. But Gwydionel took the daughter of the head-Oracle a year after the
settlers finished their new homes of St. Martin's O' The Lawn.
Turnip's Great-Great Grandfather was picking wild strawberries near to where Peggy had seen the two apple trees on the Heron
property. It was late in the evening and the attentive Gnome believed he would not be obstructed in gathering the treats.
As the moon reflected the light from its daytime brother, Calico Mudd observed a grey female-form appear out of thin air and grab
a Druid girl who was returning home from her Straw Bear dance practice. An ancient ritual perfomed to celebrate a favourable
agricultural season
As a side-note, the poor girl was wearing a bright-green and red shawl.
...................................................
The scion of that sharp-eyed strawberry-picker checked the condition of an oak-apple he was boiling in a pot over the fire and
waited for any questions from the pair who'd visited his underground home. Peggy Powler set down her empty teacup on the
earthen floor and prepared her investigation.
Edith Head Gives Good Wardrobe.