Taraxian Folklore #13
Liberimer -
Liberimers are a type of creature primarily alluded to in old Calyptran texts, though in recent years word of their existence seems to have spread to Melyr as well thanks in part to Calyptra’s growing influence in the region.
Liberimers, otherwise known as “Crossroads Cubs” are most often described as looking akin to ordinary children from afar, some witnesses even going so far as to report them seeming gleeful and friendly, though their faces are almost universally defined as growing more sunken and desperate the longer that a traveler may speak with one. Others, by contrast, claim that these creatures never look “quite right” and that something about their bodies will generally appear to be twisted or vaguely grotesque in many other subtle ways, rather than ever viewing them as proper “children”.
Liberimers are traditionally encountered by small caravans or travelers traversing country roads, generally where one road splits into two or more paths. Legend states that these cubs were once victims of highway robberies, and that regardless of whether or not they are acknowledged by a drifter they will always approach initially with a simple request for food. Superstitious persons will thus often pack extra food or small gifts when preparing for travel as it is usually agreed upon that a Liberimer may be satisfied by something as simple as a piece of fruit, and that disregarding one would almost certainly result in immediate death or eventual tragedy on the road. Exactly how a Liberimer may inflict death upon its victims is generally debated, with some citizens claiming that they are to blame for the many corpses found drowned in shallow pools of water in the Calyptran countryside.
Another lesser-known fact of Liberimer lore encourages travelers - upon spotting one - not to let their eyes leave those of the cub for even a moment, and to approach them before giving them the chance to put forth their fabled request. It is said that if a lone traveler, especially, offers sympathy to a Liberimer and dares to kiss them on their forehead these peculiar cubs may offer up the name of said traveler’s oldest ancestors as well as how they died. Whether or not this information could be useful to anyone involved is widely left to debate.
“dance a reel around the pool drink the water, play the fool the children call, you lose your breath your grin spreads wide, even in death
liberimer, crossroads cub hiding in the marsh's shrub spare us now, oh hollow child the games you play are far too wild
a gift of food from me to you to keep me on the pathways true”














