The Venmaida

As translated from the Vlasirion Ewit by the historian Pergannic of Ios

The Venmaida is not good, and yet not quite evil, though she will surely kill you if you find her. In the day, she takes the form of a man woven by the branches of a tree. Antlers of wood also she has, and she is far taller than any man. her eyes bear heavy lids of bark and her irises glow amber. On her fingers are rings of gold and silver and amber, and she smells of melons left too long under a hot, summer sun. She eats grapes off the vine in their season, for her vineyards stretch far and wide and are unmarked. Her wine is fire to men’s lips and is greatly sought after, for it is said to bring good fortune and long life. In her right hand is the power of the air and all that pass through it. In her left rests the power of all things green and growing. Her dwelling place is in the open field and on the high mountain. Her dominion stretches over river and forest and the festering marsh. Her mind has power even over the hearts and minds of men, drawing them to her presence, or striking fear into their hearts. Do not approach her during the day or you will surely die. So also leave her to herself when the sun has set, for she becomes far more deadly. At the setting of the sun, her form shifts to that of a great bear, far surpassing all other bears in size and speed. If she may be called frightening by day, then she is the epitome of terror by night. There is only one way by which a man may escape her great wrath, and that is by fire or water, which she cannot cross. She is very powerful, very ancient, and very angry. Long ago there were others of her kind above the ground. She had a match among them, and he was called the Venkarach. In the time before the fair folk came to Deklonia, they were lovers among the Titans. But when the elves came across the sea, they in all their craft and knowledge of magic sent the Titans into the Underdark, the abyss. Venmaida and her lover alone remained. The elves captured Venkarach to learn of more magic through him. His body wasted away until only his soul remained, but even that could not escape the fair folk. The absence of her partner sent Venmaida into a violent rage of madness and grief. In her anger, she slew many elves and retreated to the northern reaches of Deklonia to wander alone. Since that time, anyone resembling an elf who enters her dominion is subject to her terrible wrath. That is why the elves do not settle in the north.