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What to do When You Come Across the Midnight Parade

Stay away from the docks, for that is where it comes. It appears first within the light of the waning sun, mile long processions oozing out from the shadows, drums and horns blaring magnificently, announcing the arrival of the Midnight Parade. 

Masks are worn by all, each more monstrous and uncanny than the last. You think for a moment, that they are made from material; stone or wood, some even gold, but then they move, lips curling into grim and exaggerated smiles, teeth long and dripping. You wonder, then, if they are masks at all. That is, until a Pierrot lifts its porcelain face. You cannot even find it in you to scream at the sight but find yourself relieved when it lowers the mask once again with a wink. 

There are boats that follow it, though none in the shapes that you are familiar with. They bulge and shift, elegant drapery hung along the sides. Many come to watch the parade, travelling through the Known and Unknown, Monarchs and Gods, Magi, Oracles, and Monsters alike. They wave from their boats, strange and uncanny faces peering bashfully from behind curtains. One sees you and beckons you towards them. Will you pass through the parade and join them? No doubt you could see it all much better from aboard their boat.

Do not approach the Grand Marshals. They lead the procession in all its manic and terrible glory and have been doing so for millenia. They are weary and will offer you their banners to hold. Do not accept them, do not even touch them lest you wish to take their place, guiding the endless parade, the banner of a god that is not yours held tightly, fiercely in your hands. 

It was the singing that lead you, wasn’t it? The strange howling and whooping that filled the air nearby where you walked. Do not let your mind linger too long on the heavy rhythm of the drums nor the crooning of the songstresses. Their song is meant to entrance and soon you will find yourself amidst them, another voice singing in joyful harmony as the procession moves on with you at its center. 

If you see it disappear, though very few have, I would advise against following it. The parade comes and goes with the sun and should you choose to foolishly chase after it, driven no doubt by your seemingly insatiable curiosity, you will find yourself someplace Beyond, where the colours burn your eyes and sound has become only laughter. Catch up with the parade, follow it and perhaps you will return to your own world, though the time between sunrise and sunset can be very long indeed and the parade makes many stops. 

Do not let yourself become addicted to the Parade. Do not wait night after night for it to arrive or its performers may take notice of you. It is dionysian in its mania, much like the feasts of the fae and its multitude of grinning clowns and frenzied dancers will not hesitate to drag you bodily into the horrendous depths of the procession until you are lost in the deep beat of the drums and the twisting arms of the tumblers. 

If you do become lost to the Midnight Parade and follow them as the night shifts into morning, do not try to leave. You are the part of the caravan, you have been given your mask. You feel it as your eyes shudder and your lips curve up into a grin. You do not know for what you march or for who you promenade but your blood has turned to delight and you cannot turn it back. Even if you could, why would you want to?

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Ymir

In the abyss Ymir was created by water drops. He is the air, trees, mountains and he is the earth. All giants and Gods are descendants of Ymir. Ymir's name means screamer. A six headed being sprouted from Ymir's legs. Buri one of the first God's of Aesir was born from Ymir eating a salt stick. Buri's son Borr is father of the God Odin. The divine sons, Odin, Vili and Ve slaughtered Ymir. They used his body parts to create Earth. From chaos they created a kingdom, from a scream they created words. His blood is the sea, the ground is his flesh, his bone is our mountains.

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Selkies

Dancing in the moonlight, soft skin and warmth similar to the sun. Selkies like mermaids are mysteriously bewitching. Stories speak of alluring maidens sitting on rocks by the sea combing their hair. Shapeshifters who shed their skin. It is said if a lady cries seven tears into the ocean a selkie will grab her by the chin and take her places much more enthralling than her own. Once a Selkie loses their skin they're stuck on land. Men looking for a twisted way into a selkie's heart would simply steal their seal skin. Once a selkie finds their skin they're immediately drawn back to the tides.

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Kraken

Immensely vicious with a tatse for human flesh. The Kraken attacks with whirpools bubbling and bursting behind him. Entrapping and tangling itself around ships he feasts on the crew descending everything down to the abyss. Quite possibly the largest sea monster to swim the oceans. Sightings date back to the 12th century.

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Lessons

There’s a senior, Spirit, who takes more clueless first years under their wing, carefully teaching them the basics like how to speak in riddles or who to seek out and the places to avoid. It always goes the same. The first years get their moodrings, told only to look when they wont be seen looking, and Spirit turns their back and the first years, not out of suspicion but excited to try the sight out, peer at their senior only to see very literal and massive black wings encompassing them. Most run. They fear the creatures as they should. The few who stay hold the truth close to their hearts, that to run would be insulting and to insult is worse than the risk of being taken.

None of them are taken which is stranger still and the runners got a spill of bad luck, the only textbooks they could grab were the unprotected ones. Enough to make sure they know this oddity is indeed how they saw it and merciful enough to make sure they know they made a mistake.

Keep reading

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Sirens

The daughters of Achelous the River God in Greek Mythology. Humanoids half bird half human similar to Harpies. Reside in caves filled to the brim of human remains. Odysseus with the help of sorceress Circe used wax to close up the ears of his crew from their hypnotizing voices. If one escapes their enchanted singing the Siren will die in place of the human. It is belived by some that Demeter gave them bird wings to help look for Persephone.

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Mermaids

Taking men by their hands either to destroy them or give enchantments. The Merrow walk amongst us with knowing smiles and whisper beautifully into the ears of men who listen. People of the sea, mermaids are humans from the waist up and fish waist down. Mermen are their male counterparts, often effeminate in beauty. Cornish mythology speaks of beautiful maidens full of curousity for humankind with supernatural abilities. Their voices may lead a man to commit suicide. You can hear their distant humming from above the waves.

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Sea Serpent

Legends whisper dark secrets of enormous beings who swim the deepest parts of the ocean. Marduk a God of Babylon literature fought the three headed serpent dragon beast Tiamat. Norse sea serpent, South Asain Naga, and Japanese Ryujin prove these mystical creatures live all across earth. Naga is the God of the oceans, tides, floods and waves. Men at sea worry a perilous fate. Many say they've seen odd happenings lurking the sea.

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Aziza

Fairfolk from the Dahomey people in West Africa. The Aziza are essentially african faries. Unlike in Norse mythology these beings are purely benevolent and produce light. Shy amongst humans, these enchanted beings are superhuman in intelligence, power and ethereal beauty.

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Freyr

Freyr also known "Frey" is the king of Alfheim. God of fertility, peace, rain and sunshine. A casanova of sorts, dabbled in numerous love affairs with goddesses and giantesses alike. Bewedded to Gerd daughter of the Giant Gymir. Held as a prisioner of war, persuaded his way into being a God of Aesir ruling side by side Odin and Thor. Laying their arms down and iron objects in the name of Freyr when he visited these offerings would bring peace. Skidbladnir, a ship crafted in the furances of Svartalfheim and an enchanted self wielding sword are of Freyr's possessions.

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#fair folk #aesthetic #art #magical creatures #magic #enchanted forest #enchanted

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Freya

Freya is a deity in norse pantheon. She is a goddess of love, lust, fertility and blessings. Seidr is a form of magic that can change the future Freya introduced to the Gods. She made home at the palace of Sessrúmnir in the feild of Fólkvanger where dead soliders stay for eternity. Enchanted items were held dear to Freya, such as her necklace brìsingamen crafted by dwarfs and is considered her most prized possession. The goddess turned her ex lover into a familiar hog named Hildisvíni. Hildisvíni and her ride on a stunning chariot pulled by two black cats. Njord a God of the Vanir and sailing, fishing, fertility of crops and wealth is her father. Her brother named Freyr is God of male virility, wealth and prosperity. Freya married Odr also believed to be Odin. After the war of Aesir and Vanir Freya become a member of Aesir and lives in Asgard with Odin. She taught Vanir magic of the Gods to Aesir.

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Trolls

Trolls are magical creatures with big ears and noses. Commonly these beings live in packs on mountains, isolated rocks and inside caves. Often trolls have a nasty reputation for being violent and unintelligent. Like all beings there are many breeds of troll. Cave trolls are rather tiny meanwhile mountain trolls are very large. Never challenge one in an eating contest! They're known to turn invisible and crash big feasts. Some trolls have tusks, only one eye and shrap teeth. Their homes are made of stolen gold, treasure and crystal. Trolls partake in slavetrading. To be bergtagen is not only to be enslaved but many suffer from insanity and intense apathy.