Myths, Rumours and Legends
Ponce, an aged peasant of Quintin
In Autumn 1220, while
investigating sources of Vis, Iuris Perita and party attempted to interrogate
Old Ponce of Quintin, who was understandably reluctant to admit a large armed
party while he was alone: the party eventually retired to an ale-house until
the master and mistress of the house (his son and daughter-in-law) might
return from their business. When the party returned, armed now with jugs
of ale, they made note of several tales to be investigated further as time
permits:
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a Fairy Stone: the Roche-Longue Menhir, atop the hill by the road
which skirts the river and pool below the town. It stands some 14 ft tall,
but when visited, showed only the local Dominion Aura.
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the Crossroads where hanged criminals are buried
Other tales he recounted included one of
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someone who transformed into a Pig in the Marketplace, and ran squealing
through the crowds before disappearing
That tale caused concern in our Quaesitor, lest it be our resident Bjornær
disporting herself in public: but it proved to be an old tale, pre-dating
the Covenant. Still, it might yet have been an indiscreet Bjornær,
and worth some investigation if time is available.
Mai Coray, a venerable story-teller, in the woods outside
Plaintel
Mai Coray has been encountered previously: this time they sent a scribe to
take down more of her tales, since she seemed to have a broad knowledge of
the area. She described all of the following places:
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le Forêt de Broceliande
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the whole forest is magical, and of great renown: Merlin and the fairy Vivienne
once lived there
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the Château de Comper: Vivienne's castle, where she brought up Lancelot,
and where she herself was born.
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le Tombeau de Merlin, where he still lies sleeping
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la Fontaine de Jouvence - the Fountain of Youth - an ordinary looking water-hole
with extraordinary powers
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les Forges de Paimpont, where faerie smiths work their magic
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le Château de Trécesson, surrounded by a pool, with a striking
gatehouse flanked by corbelled turrets
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l'Etang de Pas-du-Houx - a lake flanked by twin castles
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le Val Sans Retour - the Valley of No Return - which can only be approached
on foot.
Morgan-le-Fae cast a spell over the valley preventing anyone who has done
wrong from leaving the valley. The Valley leads to the Fairies' Mirror and
False Lovers' Rock
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le Miroir de Feés - the Fairies Mirror - where there is also a Golden
Tree (l'Arbre d'Or)
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le Rocher des Faux Amants - the false Lovers' Rock
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le Perron de merlin - Merlin's Step - where water from a fountain may spill
over the step and unleash wild storms.
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there are also many Standing Stones, or Menhirs, within the forest, many
of which are sites of power.
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le Forêt de Quénécan
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deep forest abounding in game, and Fairy Stones, and glades surrounded by
Ancient Oaks.
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Les Forges des Salles - another faerie forge, with a Castle: the Thabor.
There are mines nearby, where gnomes and fairies toil.
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les Gorges du Daoulas - fast-flowing waters run in a narrow winding valley,
with steep sides, cutting deep through rock. Slabs of rock rise vertically,
some ending in curious needles.
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le Lac de Guerlédan - a Faerie lake, which comes and goes, and cannot
always be found. When it can be found, it is said there is a faerie landscape
submerged within, with underwater towns and castles.
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le Forêt Lorge
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at Jossellin, there is a great Fortress castle, and Our Lady of Brambles.
Some say there are Gargoyles there.
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la Roche-Longue, at Quintin, where an ancient fairy still lives, occasionally
emerging into the mundane world.
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le Forêt Duault
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les Gorges Corong - the river there disappears beneath the rocks, and later
re-emerges as a series of cascades.
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The Toul Goulic Gorge, where the river Blavet flows into a gorge, but vanishes,
leaving a rumbling mass of huge rocks. The landscape around is also studded
with great boulders.
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at Burthulet, there is a chapel, in melancholy surroundings. One does not
question the legend that says: "the devil died of cold here"
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the Menez Bré - a lonely hill, where the wind never stops. The land
slopes gently north to the sea, but to the south is cut by deep river valleys,
through a maze of hills.
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St. Brieuc
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le Val André - across from the Pointe de Pléneuf is a fairy
island: at certain times it it possible to walk across to the island. No-one
lives there, but there are many, many, birds there.
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Just north of the city, on the coastal path, is a magical oven, which glows
red-hot inside.
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Chateau de Hunaudaye - built in an isolated wooden spot, inhabited by fae,
who live a life outside time, feasting and partying.
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Lamballe - capital of the County of Penthièvre - famous for its
executioner, who lives at the Place du Martray.
Citizens of the Town, during a market-fair were happy to talk to the Grogs,
and provided the following tales:
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