The Wicker Man

The Wicker Man is a figure of dread in duckfolk lore, a looming embodiment of their suppressed fears, despair, and inner darkness. Said to have first appeared centuries ago during a time of famine and strife, this eerie being rose from the collective despair of the duckfolk, born out of their failure to confront their own pain and suffering. The Wicker Man terrorised the wetlands, spreading fear and misery, until a group of brave young duckfolk confronted it. While they succeeded in banishing the entity, their own lives were sacrificed in the process.

Since then, the Wicker Man has become a cyclical curse. Every 13 years, as the collective grief and negativity of the duckfolk reach a tipping point, the Wicker Man rises once more. The only way to banish him is through courage, unity, and a willingness to face the darkness within themselves.

Description

The Wicker Man is a towering, humanoid figure constructed from twisted reeds, woven branches, and dark swamp moss. Standing over 10 feet tall, its form is grotesque and angular, with limbs that creak and groan as it moves. Its "face" is an empty hollow, save for two glowing orbs of light that burn like distant fireflies, cold and unfeeling. The air around it is heavy with despair, and it leaves an unnatural stillness in its wake, silencing even the wetlands’ usual hum of life.

Its movements are deliberate and relentless, as though driven by an unseen force. At times, its body appears to shift and grow, drawing more reeds and moss into its form, making it larger and more menacing the longer it lingers. Legends speak of whispers emanating from the Wicker Man - taunting, despairing voices that sap the willpower of those who hear them, turning their own insecurities against them.

The Wicker Man by Tillerz using MJ

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The Rising of the Wicker Man

Now, the cycle begins anew. Strange occurrences have been reported across the wetlands - crops wilting overnight, eerie whispers in the reeds, and an oppressive fog that rolls in without warning. Elders of the duckfolk warn that these are the signs of the Wicker Man’s return, and with each passing day, the evidence grows clearer.

The duckfolk are preparing for the inevitable confrontation. Ceremonial fires are being lit in the village square, and songs of courage echo through Paddlewick, meant to rally strength and remind the people of past victories. Yet, fear lingers. The Wicker Man thrives on doubt, and his power grows stronger with every unacknowledged worry and every unspoken pain.

Outlook: Facing the Darkness Once More

Ducklings and the Wicker Man by Tillerz using MJ

The return of the Wicker Man challenges not just the physical bravery of the duckfolk but their ability to face the emotional burdens they have buried.

A group of young duckfolk, inspired by the legends of those who first banished the Wicker Man, has stepped forward to lead the fight. Armed with courage, wit, and the teachings of their elders, they must uncover the means to weaken the Wicker Man and drive him back into the void. Some believe the key lies in the Whispering Reeds, where the duckfolk's deepest fears are said to echo; others think the ancient Feathered Shrine holds a forgotten ritual capable of severing his connection to the wetlands.

With the Wicker Man’s presence looming over the wetlands once more, the duckfolk’s future hangs in the balance. If they fail to confront the darkness within and without, the wetlands could fall into despair, the vibrant life of Paddlewick drowned in shadow. But if they stand together, finding strength in unity and hope, they can overcome the Wicker Man and secure 13 more years of peace and prosperity.

Each time the Wicker Man has been banished, the brave souls who confront him vanish without a trace, their fate shrouded in mystery. Whether they are consumed by the Wicker Man’s power, lost in the ritual, or taken to some unknown realm, no one knows. Their sacrifice ensures the safety of the wetlands for another 13 years, but it leaves a lingering question: what truly happens to those who face the Wicker Man, and will anyone ever return to tell the tale?

GM info / spoilers / plot hooks.

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