The Folklore of Akia

Threforfar is a land rich of stories, legends, and traditions. While we won't have enough time to go into all of the stories from all over the Empire, we will touch on some of the local flavor that surrounds the town of Akia. Some of it might be based entirely in truth and some of it might be completely ficticious. Who is to say? A lot of the locals believe in the stories and isn't perception as powerful as reality? Of course, what will prove these things aren't true?

The Grugach: In the Verde Woods which surround the town of Akia, there is a small tribe of people known as the Grugach. Some say they are elves while others say they are forest fae. People report spotting them occasionally, as often as once or twice a year, someone will be in Kiltin's Rest or Drake's Store relating the tale of how they spotted on of the elusive folk in the forest. The Grugach fled as soon as it realized it had been noted. Supposedly, they are experts at woodlore and, due to their magic dust, cannot be tracked even by the best hunters. It is said that they are spirits of the forest and that the Verde Woods works to hide its children. Speaking of children, it isn't uncommon to overhear a parent warning a bad child in Akia that, if they don't shape up, the Grugach will come, steal them away, and turn them into a tree. Often, they are described as small, thin, and nimble, but, if they do exist, no one has ever claimed to really get a good look at them. Well, Old Man Centa claimed to have talked to a few of them, but everyone knows he's as crazy as they come and, besides, he's been missing for three years. They probably turned him into a tree, someone will occasionally joke.

The Red Wolf: A similar tale is that of the Red Wolf. This mystical wolf hunts alone in the foothills of the Westworld Mountains. He never loses site of his prey. On windy nights, the wind carries his howl down from the mountains and you can hear him all the way in Akia. Supposedly, to see the wolf is good luck. Akia Moonsong, according to legend, was hunting the wolf when he found the grapes growing near what is now the Moonsong Winery. The Red Wolf rewarded Akia for his skill and the town was founded as well.

Akia Moonsong: Supposedly an elvin hunter from Elvinhome, far to the north and west, around the Blue Sea and in the Great Forest, Moonsong (which is just a human translation of his elvin name) settled the winery. No one really knows if he is elvin or not. The family denies it, saying it is just a story, but a lot of the locals just think they're embarrassed about the potential mixed heritage. Such things are generally frowned upon by most of society. Of course, elves are supposed to live for over a hundred years and Akia seems to have died normally a long time ago. It is said that Akia used his elvin magicks to help the grapes grow and, now that he is gone, the magic slowly wears thin, making each new crop just a little bit weaker than the one before until now that they're just normal grapes that make normal wines and this is why Moonsong Winery isn't quite as popular in the cities as it once was.

Ogopogo: Affectionately called Ogo by local fishermen, this sea monster supposedly wanders the waters of the Blue Sea, hunting what it can. Occasionally, on a stormy night, Ogo will drift in close to shore and will be seen by a drunk fisherman or sailor. It is a long serpentine creature that swims with its head out of the water in typical sea monster fashion. Yarns have been spun about Ogo eating and fighting whales. He is also not above sinking the occasional ship to eat the tastey sailors on board.

Hummingbirds: Hummingbirds have magical properties. The Verde forest was planted by a hummingbird that filled his pants with seeds and went on a long journey, across the Blue Sea. A storm ripped the bird's pants and, when he got to the far shore, the seeds started dropping out, planting the Verde. Being he didn't have enough seeds to get back across the water, the hummingbird stayed in the area. A hummingbird wing kept in a leather pouch is said to bring good luck, something like a rabbit foot is. It is also supposed to help attract members of the opposite sex.

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