Artemis Gourd
Background:
Artemis Gourd is an ancient and powerful spirit who has long served as a guardian of the harvest and a protector of the innocent. His origins stretch back to the early days of the land, when the people of North America performed harvest rituals to honor the changing seasons and ensure the protection of their crops. Possibly connected to the Illiniwek tribe, Artemis is a manifestation of the seasonal cycle, embodying the magic of the harvest and the protection of communities during the vulnerable times of late autumn.
Throughout history, Artemis Gourd has been summoned in times of need, most often during the harvest season, when his powers are strongest. He is deeply connected to the land and its natural rhythms, watching over those who respect the balance between humanity and nature. His role is to guard the bounty of the earth from those who would disrupt it, whether through malicious intent or ignorance. His true home is in the Autumn Realm, a mystical plane that represents the heart of the harvest and where spirits of nature, fey, and seasonal magic reside.
In 1984, Artemis Gourd was summoned by the children of Mortimer’s Creek, a small rural town plagued by the Mortimer Witch, an ancient crone who had been abducting children. Desperate and with no help from the adults who disbelieved them, the children used an old spell book and performed a ritual to summon Artemis for help. The ritual succeeded when a young girl named Jennie gave him a face by handing him a pumpkin-carving knife. From that moment, Artemis took on his role as the protector of the children and the town, fashioning himself a mighty scythe and a suit of baroque armor made from the remnants of the pumpkin patch and farm.
Personality:
Artemis Gourd is a blend of old-world charm and rustic wisdom, carrying himself with the air of a knight from a bygone era. He speaks with a gentlemanly politeness, often making light-hearted comments or witty observations, but his demeanor becomes deadly serious when it comes to protecting the innocent, especially children. He is a spirit of honor and duty, bound by ancient pacts to guard those who call upon him during times of great need.
While his appearance is imposing and fearsome—standing seven feet tall with a carved pumpkin head and a body of twisting vines—he radiates a sense of calm authority. He has a deep respect for the natural world and the cycles of life and death that come with the changing of the seasons. Artemis can be warm and kind to those he protects, often comforting them with stories or humor to ease their fear. However, when facing dark and evil forces, he is a formidable warrior who will show no mercy to those who threaten the balance of nature or harm the innocent.
Artemis enjoys his role as a protector and finds great fulfillment in the work he does. His connection to children, in particular, drives him to defend them from the harsh realities of the world, especially during the vulnerable time of All Hallows' Eve, when dark spirits and monsters are most active. He embodies the spirit of the harvest—a time of hard work, celebration, and preparation for the winter to come.
Artemis Gourd is an ancient and powerful spirit who has long served as a guardian of the harvest and a protector of the innocent. His origins stretch back to the early days of the land, when the people of North America performed harvest rituals to honor the changing seasons and ensure the protection of their crops. Possibly connected to the Illiniwek tribe, Artemis is a manifestation of the seasonal cycle, embodying the magic of the harvest and the protection of communities during the vulnerable times of late autumn.
Throughout history, Artemis Gourd has been summoned in times of need, most often during the harvest season, when his powers are strongest. He is deeply connected to the land and its natural rhythms, watching over those who respect the balance between humanity and nature. His role is to guard the bounty of the earth from those who would disrupt it, whether through malicious intent or ignorance. His true home is in the Autumn Realm, a mystical plane that represents the heart of the harvest and where spirits of nature, fey, and seasonal magic reside.
In 1984, Artemis Gourd was summoned by the children of Mortimer’s Creek, a small rural town plagued by the Mortimer Witch, an ancient crone who had been abducting children. Desperate and with no help from the adults who disbelieved them, the children used an old spell book and performed a ritual to summon Artemis for help. The ritual succeeded when a young girl named Jennie gave him a face by handing him a pumpkin-carving knife. From that moment, Artemis took on his role as the protector of the children and the town, fashioning himself a mighty scythe and a suit of baroque armor made from the remnants of the pumpkin patch and farm.
Personality:
Artemis Gourd is a blend of old-world charm and rustic wisdom, carrying himself with the air of a knight from a bygone era. He speaks with a gentlemanly politeness, often making light-hearted comments or witty observations, but his demeanor becomes deadly serious when it comes to protecting the innocent, especially children. He is a spirit of honor and duty, bound by ancient pacts to guard those who call upon him during times of great need.
While his appearance is imposing and fearsome—standing seven feet tall with a carved pumpkin head and a body of twisting vines—he radiates a sense of calm authority. He has a deep respect for the natural world and the cycles of life and death that come with the changing of the seasons. Artemis can be warm and kind to those he protects, often comforting them with stories or humor to ease their fear. However, when facing dark and evil forces, he is a formidable warrior who will show no mercy to those who threaten the balance of nature or harm the innocent.
Artemis enjoys his role as a protector and finds great fulfillment in the work he does. His connection to children, in particular, drives him to defend them from the harsh realities of the world, especially during the vulnerable time of All Hallows' Eve, when dark spirits and monsters are most active. He embodies the spirit of the harvest—a time of hard work, celebration, and preparation for the winter to come.
Children
Comments
Author's Notes
I would like to thank my good friend fellow gamer and RPer Vanvorqs who first created the "Pumpkin Paladin" Artemis Gourd and gave me permision to recreate and use him in my Specials Universe.