The Hangman's Shadow

Summary

THe myth of the Hangman's shadow comes from the areas surrounding Hangman's Swamp. It is said that a terrible beast walks the swamps devouring any who would dare intrude on its domain. Some describe it as an enormous snake while others call it more of a dragon with legs as big as tree trunks.

Historical Basis

While most officials do think there is a beast in the swamps the official stance at the mages guild is that it is a normal beast. The only sighting recorded officially was done when a man sentenced to hanging ran off into the swamps. By the time the search party found him his body had been torn to shreds and he was ranting and babbling about the Hangman's shadow.

Spread

The criminal's story spread quickly in the surrounding region and for a while all entry into the swamp was forbidden. Eventually the mages guild sent in a team to investigate but they could find nothing that shown signs of enormous beasts, magical or mundane. They had cleared out a few bandits groups however, so they turned the story as the work of these bandits. This did not stick with the villagers and to this day the region of Goldenknock all know the story of the Hangman's Shadow.

Variations & Mutation

In some versions of the tale there were a group of criminals who had attempted their escape into the swamp. When the search party went after them they found each member of the group more mangled and torn up than the last. Ending with the only man still alive who had been using magic to keep himself alive solely for the purpose of spreading the tale.

Cultural Reception

Most people outside of Goldenknock think the legend a silly myth from the crazy locals on the outskirts of the country. The story of the Hangman's shadow is often told in exaggerate tones to show how rural and backwards the people of Goldenknock are. There have been a few adventurers or hunters who have made a mission of killing or proving the existence of the beast but all have ended in failure. Whether by the swamp itself or the bandits.

Related Locations