The Whelklings of Woodwound River

Don't go too close to the river or the whelklings might get you!
— Often called after children going out to play

The tale of the Whelklings of Woodwound River is an old folk tale persistent to this day in Bannes and surrounding villages. The whelklings are mischievous amphibious creatures said to live in the waters of Woodwound Lake, but especially in Woodwound River. Strangely child-like, they look like a hybrid between a human and a whelk, even sporting shells on their backs and producing a rather sticky slime from glands on their hands, feet and tails. They are able to cling to the riverbed in spite of the strong currents and make their home in crevices and between rocks. While unable to leave the water, they are curious, but ignorant, of the world outside their home. They take every chance they can get to learn all they can about it and therein lies the danger. The whelklings are not particularly strong but certainly pose a danger to children, eagerly pulling them under the surface to better examine them. They are ignorant of the fact that this is harmful to humans. There are many tales of children being taken by whelklings, often gruesome and morbid enough to rile even adults. However, no reputable naturalist or explorer has ever managed to see a whelkling or any sign of them apart from these tales of warning. It is therefore thought that this is just what they are - tales to keep children safe near the temperamental and fast-flowing Woodwound River.

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