The Danger of the Jungle Myth in Evera | World Anvil

The Danger of the Jungle

In the jungle all deep and green,
Beware the leopard, wild and keen,
With eyes that pierce the darkest night,
Stay safe my child, stay out its sight.

Remember, don't wander night,
Stay within my loving sight,
When it's roar will fade away,
We venture on our joyful way.

- Surta elven nursery rhyme

Történelmi Alap

Once upon a time, on the land of Damus, giant Cephalan cats hunted around the Surta elven settlements, and when there was no other pray, they often broke into the elven villages. Thy nursery rhyme did more than simply scare the disobedient children, it drew attention to a real danger and taught young children to hide, if the leopards were around.

The most horrific incident took place in today's Lost Garden region. A group of young Cephalan leopards broke into Unfelin, a small, Surta elven hunting community, and slaughtered the fourteen families living there. They were so bloodthirsty, that at the end, druids of the Council of Life had to intervene.

Variációk & Mutációk

Bena elves still sing the song today, although its melody and mood have changed a lot over time (much more sinister and dark). In this version the lyrics has been changed: "Beware the Beastman" and "don't wander off".
What's really terrible about this, is the Segaii don't care about the Elven children, but the Bena elf scouts and hunters regularly capture the wandered off Beastman cubs, to rise them as slaves, to serve their people.
Környezet Dátuma
Damus' First Age.
Kapcsolódó Etnikumok
Kapcsolódó Fajok
Kapcsolódó Területek
Bena elf huntress


Cover image: by Lia Felis (with Adobe Express)

Megjegyzések

Author's Notes

Unfortunately, my English is completely self-taught, but I tried very hard. I apologize for typos and spelling mistakes! Whatever I find in the meantime, or what has been indicated, I will definitely correct it!


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Jul 22, 2023 14:25 by Molly Marjorie

I love this because it's so realistic--keeping children out of danger was a common purpose for nursery rhymes and fairytales. But the last section is particularly striking. It says a lot about the cultural conflicts of your world.

Check out Natural Magic : a coming of age fantasy novel, because life is hard enough when you're fourteen, even without saving the world. Or listen to it in podcast form .
Jul 31, 2023 10:30 by Lia Felis

Thank You!

Aspiring fantasy writer and part-time Dungeon Master. Dragon Goddess of Evera.
Aug 22, 2023 10:43

This reminds me of a number of nursery rhymes and fairy stories that were recited to me from the 'old country', and felt extremely real. As the other commenter stated, it makes the world feel more natural and lived on. Doubly intriguing is the possibility that this might still be a thing despite the animal in question going extinct.

Check out my homebrew worlds: The New Frontier: Legacy of the Cataclysm and Getninia
Aug 22, 2023 19:48 by Lia Felis

Thank You!

Aspiring fantasy writer and part-time Dungeon Master. Dragon Goddess of Evera.