#folk legends

[charnel-grounds]

Maxmilián Pirner (1854–1924)

“Epilog cyklu o Hansu Heilingovi” (Epilogue to the Hans Heiling Cycle)

oil on canvas, 1886-87

source

[vhen-harel]

It is asked why we refer to her as Ame’len Fen'Vhenan. Why we invoke her in our darkest moments. Why, when we light our fires, we offer the first flame in our hearth to her.

I wanted an image to go with my folk legend: "Ame'len Fen'Vhenan" and who better than @heyitscuteway (Seriously, go commission this talented artist if you can.)

The concept is how I imagine my OC Saethre Lavellan might be remembered hundreds of years in the future by the Dalish - when the myth of her departure from Thedas has grown with each retelling. I imagine Solas' own legend would change yet again over time.

She is surrounded by flame - Andraste’s Flame, the Woman Who Blazes With Fire - but she is also a proficient fire mage. She bears two hearts: her own and the legendary Dread Wolf’s. Through every trial she carries them both, until the moment she can return his heart to him. However over time, the symbolism shifts, representing the strength and power of connection between souls and the connection between two worlds - the physical and the Fade.

The antlers evoke her Dalish roots: the halla, the harts - horns that symbolize protection, strength, resilience, growth, and renewal. It is a nod back to the times when the Emerald Knights rode the halla into battle alongside their wolves - horned and canine warriors together - Lavellan and Solas - fighting side by side.

The vallaslin, too, takes on new meaning as centuries pass - some may reject it, others may change it's meaning yet again and create new ones for new eras.

Those who choose her vallaslin mark it with a single flame over the third eye - honouring her mastery over fire, but also signifying vision beyond the material, intuition, and spiritual perception. The flame also represents her connection to spirits and the Fade - the Anchor that blazed like a beacon to spirits.

So that we know our own hearts may endure and shine like a flame through the darkness.

Thank you @heyitscuteway - thank you for giving vision to the story.

The full folk-tale can be read on AO3.

[vorpalfae]

The Scottish Baobhan Sith

The Baobhan Sith, in Scottish folklore, were said to be vampiric fairy women who appeared as beautiful women dressed in green.

They lured hunters and travelers into dancing, only to drain their blood. Their beauty concealed a deadly nature, making them one of the darker spirits of the Highlands.

[seemsnotstilish]

Illustrated folklore & folk horror map of the British Isles features filming locations from a host of folk horror and folklore-inspired films that were shot across Britain and Ireland.

[theunfairfolk]

IT’S OCTOBER FIRST SHOVE A WHOLE PUMPKIN UP YOUR ASS.

Or just listen to pt 1 of Exploring The Unknown, a mini series where we talk about each episode of Over the Garden Wall, and all the myths, folktales, and legends that inspired it.

[paperandsong]

Légendes rustiques, de George Sand, illustrées par Maurice Sand, Paris, 1858

A collection of twelve legends from the Berry region of France. Each story is accompanied by a haunting illustration by Maurice Sand, son of George Sand. I will post all twelve images separately under the tag légendes rustiques.

The Wikipedia page for Légendes rustiques describes each of the twelve legends. There is no English translation of this page or of the individual stories. But we’re working on it...

[storyteller7000]

Baba Yaga (Slavic Folklore)

Unpredictable, proceed only if other options are extinguished

A Fairy Godmother and child eating monster

lives in a house that has giant chicken legs and has been known to ride a flying pestle

Really doesn't like unwelcome and rude guests, be extremely polite

Seriously don't [push this lady's patience]. Not unless you REALLY, REALLY have to

[little-witchys-cottage]

Shhh it's tiny book time