Generic Rumours

“The Gloomwood is Growing Darker”

Source: Mira Ashford, the village herbalist, is concerned that her herbs gathered from the Gloomwood have started to wither unexpectedly, even after careful preservation. She believes the forest itself is turning darker.

Accuracy: True – A creeping corruption is indeed spreading through the Gloomwood, tied to the dark entity that influences parts of the forest.

Widespread Belief: High – Many villagers believe this, especially as animals from the forest have grown more aggressive, and plants near the forest's edge seem strangely stunted or twisted.

“The Gallows Tree Calls for Blood”

Source: Tilda Whittaker, the eccentric trinket-seller, claims that the Gallows Tree on the hill occasionally lets out groaning sounds, as if calling for more blood to be spilled.

Accuracy: Superstition – The Gallows Tree has no sentience, but it’s rooted in a grim history of past executions. The creaking is likely from wind through its branches.

Widespread Belief: Moderate – Some of the more superstitious villagers avoid the Gallows Tree altogether, believing it’s cursed, while others dismiss it as Tilda’s wild imagination.

“The Ravenstone’s Power is Stirring”

Source: Brother Lyle, the village novice monk, mentioned to a few villagers that he felt a faint vibration when he placed an offering near the Ravenstone.

Accuracy: Partially True – The Ravenstone holds ancient, dormant power, which may be stirring due to recent disturbances in the forest.

Widespread Belief: Low – Only a few villagers have heard this rumor, mostly those who frequent the temple. Many dismiss it, though others treat the Ravenstone with more caution.

“The Faelan Girl is Cursed”

Source: Ivy Holloway, the innkeeper’s cousin, whispered to some regulars at the inn that Liora Faelan is acting strangely and is “not right.”

Accuracy: True – Liora is indeed cursed, transforming into a beast at certain times. The Faelan family is trying to hide it.

Widespread Belief: Low – This rumor is still a whisper, as the Faelans keep to themselves and their daughter’s condition well-hidden. Only a few villagers are suspicious.

“Vane Manor is Haunted”

Source: Martin Fletcher, the butcher, claims that he once saw a faint light moving through the upper windows of Vane Manor on a moonless night. He says it could only be a spirit.

Accuracy: Partially True – There is no literal ghost, but Gregor Vane’s declining health and his dealings with the dark entities in the forest may be manifesting in strange ways.

Widespread Belief: Moderate – Many villagers consider Vane Manor mysterious, and rumors of a haunting circulate frequently, though most see them as entertaining tales.

“Something Lurks in Fenrow Farm’s Marsh”

Source: Oswin Granger, the fisherman, claims that while passing Fenrow Farm, he saw strange shadows moving near the marshy pond, describing them as “not quite human.”

Accuracy: Superstition – The shadows are likely caused by the odd angles of trees and light near the marsh. However, the marsh does carry a feeling of decay and unsettling energy.

Widespread Belief: Low – Most villagers consider Oswin a bit paranoid, though some wonder if the marsh might indeed hold something unnatural.

“A Creature Hunts in the Night”

Source: Harlan Dovell, the village guard and carpenter, claims to have seen fresh, large claw marks on the village outskirts and heard strange howls on full moons.

Accuracy: True – Liora Faelan, under her curse, has occasionally escaped her confinement and left signs of her presence in her beastly form.

Widespread Belief: High – Many villagers have noticed strange marks and heard disturbing howls, though they attribute it to wolves or wild animals.

“The Market Offerings Are Vanishing”

Source: Tamsin Holloway, the innkeeper’s daughter, mentioned to her friend Liora that offerings left at the market square’s fountain have mysteriously disappeared on certain nights.

Accuracy: True – Something is indeed taking the offerings, though whether it’s a person, spirit, or animal remains unknown.

Widespread Belief: Moderate – Some villagers believe that a mischievous spirit or a fey creature has taken a liking to the offerings, while others think it’s simply the work of hungry animals.

“Mira’s Remedies Have a Strange Power”

Source: Tilda Whittaker, the trinket-seller, insists that Mira’s herbs are imbued with “extra strength,” possibly by ancient forest spirits, and that her remedies work “too well to be normal.”

Accuracy: Partially True – Mira’s remedies are carefully crafted and sometimes enhanced with small blessings from the old gods, though no spirits are directly involved.

Widespread Belief: Low – Only those who visit Mira frequently know of her skill, though a few superstitious villagers avoid her remedies, fearing they may be “enchanted.”

“The Briar Needle’s Tapestries Tell Prophecies”

Source: Edwin Holloway, the innkeeper, claims that the intricate tapestries in the Briar Needle shift and change slightly, as if foretelling events in Ravenshollow.

Accuracy: Superstition – The tapestries do not actually change, though their detailed designs may give that impression in dim light.

Widespread Belief: Low – Most villagers see it as an interesting curiosity but not a true prophecy, though Iona Briar herself encourages the story, enjoying the mystique.

“The Thornfield Well is Cursed”

Source: Eadric Barrow, the young hunter, claims that water drawn from the old well at Thornfield Farm tastes strange and that people who drink it fall ill.

Accuracy: Partially True – The well water is indeed slightly tainted, though from natural minerals rather than a curse. However, a faint dark energy has been noticed nearby.

Widespread Belief: Moderate – Many villagers avoid drinking from the well, especially as Thornfield Farm is rumored to be affected by the forest’s influence.

“The Woodworks Carves Protective Charms”

Source: Ivy Holloway, cousin to the innkeeper, claims that Harlan Dovell carves charms that can protect homes and fields from evil, though only if they’re made during certain moon phases.

Accuracy: True – Harlan does indeed carve protective charms, following old family traditions, though the protection is modest. However, the village reveres his craftsmanship, and his charms are believed to have mystical qualities.

Widespread Belief: High – Villagers generally believe in Harlan’s protective charms and often buy them to hang near doors and fields.

“The Spirits Visit the Temple on the New Moon”

Source: Brother Lyle, who has hinted to a few trusted villagers that the Temple of the Old Gods sometimes feels different on nights of the new moon, as if spirits of the forest come to visit.

Accuracy: Partially True – On certain nights, the temple’s air does feel charged, though it’s more likely due to the village’s belief in ancient powers rather than true spiritual visitors.

Widespread Belief: Moderate – Villagers with strong ties to the Old Gods take this rumor seriously and often avoid the temple during the new moon.

“The Mill’s Water is Bewitched”

Source: Cedric, the village elder, told a story of how the river feeding the mill can reflect not just the present but glimpses of past or future events, especially around twilight.

Accuracy: Superstition – This is mostly legend, though odd reflections in the water are common around sunset, adding an eerie charm to Cedric’s tale.

Widespread Belief: Low – Few believe this, though some children and travelers enjoy the tale and gather at the mill hoping for a glimpse.

“The Wrenwood Trees Are Fey-Touched”

Source: Helga Thornfield, a superstitious farmer’s wife, believes that the orchard trees at Wrenwood Farm are touched by fey magic, explaining their twisted, old growth and unusually vibrant fruit.

Accuracy: Partially True – The orchard trees do carry an unusual energy, possibly tied to ancient spells meant to bless the land, but no actual fey inhabit them.

Widespread Belief: Moderate – Many villagers view the Wrenwood orchard as strange but harmless, attributing the lushness of the trees to mystical influence.