General Folklore and Stories of Arden

Many superstitions and folk stories exist within the Kingdom of Arden. These are typically found in more rural locations, although those living in towns and cities do pay attention to such stories when travelling out of their urban lifestyles. Each Province tends to have its own beliefs and tales to tell, but those written below are typically found in all corners of the Kingdom.

Superstitions

• Cats are often considered the favoured pet and companions of witches. It is said that one should never kill or harm a cat, as doing so risks bringing bad luck. There's no telling if a cat belongs to a witch, so in hurting it, you will likely get cursed. Cats are also often said to ward of evil spirits due to this bond with witches. As they are inherintly magical, spirits tend to avoid them.
• To guard from evil beings, you may use a line of salt. Evil cannot cross over salt as it will be purified if it does. In this way, you may also make a circle of salt to stand in the middle and be protected from the evil outside of the circle. Some believe that silver also has the same effect.
• Along the coast, you may find many flowers. It is thought that if you pick red flowers along the coast, you are risking bringing a storm and bad weather to sailors nearby.
• When setting sail for a voyage at sea, ensure you have an even number of crew. If you set sail with an odd number, you are risking bad luck.
• Coastal towns and villages tend to snuff out candles instead of blowing them out. When a candle is blown out, a sailor at sea will die.
  

Black Dogs

Many small villages and country roads tell tales of a large, black dog with glowing red eyes appearing to travellers. The dog moves with a ghostly, ethereal mannor, appearing and disappearing in the blink of an eye. Seeing one of these Black Dogs is thought of as an omen of death or misfortune, and many legends and tales of those that met a terrible fate after seeing one of these creatures exist across the land.