The Salka's Feast

"My mother used to tell me that story," Cian said conversationally. "But your mother probably left out the part with Dark Magic."
"She did," Vesper agreed. "But she'd say the Salka would eat me if I went out at night. But what story would your mother tell you?"

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"'It is said, at night, that the Salka will come for you,' my mother used to tell me gravely before bed. 'She is an old woman, a gnarled, warty crone, who waits in the forests. Or portals,' my mother would always add, to ensure that I wouldn't go near Portals as well as forests at night.
'She practices Dark Magic. Oh, such terrible Dark Magic that may kill or hurt you.' Her voice would lower and I would pull my blankets up around my chin. 'She will offer you cakes or other sweets and will lure you to practice Dark Magic.' I'd shiver. 'If you take her up on the offer, she will turn you into a bad witch.'
'And if I don't?' I'd ask, even though I knew the answer.
'She'll eat you,' Mum would answer matter-of-factly. 'If she has the chance. Otherwise, she'll mark you forever. Do you remember the boy from Cambria? In 1492, a boy around your age wandered out at night against his parents' wishes, and he met the Salka. She tempted him with all manners of sweets, and while he didn't succumb to practice Dark Magic, he did take a sweet. He was saved by his father coming to look for him, and so while the Salka did not consume him as part of her feast, she magicked his eyes inside out. He was never the same.'
Then, Mum would tuck me in and give me a kiss. 'Just stay right here, and you'll be safe. Your father and I and your sisters will protect you.'
When I got older, Bridget or Selene would shout at the end she wasn't real, but the Salka always seems to lurk in my mind when I go out at night. Don't want to be eaten, and all of that."
--Cian telling Vesper about his memories of the Salka myth

Summary

The story of the Salka's Feast is a myth told by parents of Europe (mostly United Britannia and Hibernia) to scare their children into not wandering around at night as well as to dissuade any interest in Dark Magic.

Historical Basis

The story of the Salka was first recorded in 1333. At the time, many witches (for an unknown reason), believed that Dark Magic could only be performed at night, and so, as long as a person did not wander at night, they would not practice Dark Magic (or in pregnant women's case, the child would not be born with Dark Magic). As time went on, more parameters were added, including warnings against forests and Portals at night.

Variations & Mutation

Like all myths, there are many different versions of the Salka's Feast. Usually, the child involved changes gender/age to match the listener's and the maladies that fall on the child change as well. Like the Twins myth, most witches have a memory of it being told by family and think their version is always the best.

Cultural Reception

Most European and Asian witch cultures have some myths about a wizened old lady who will trick and then consume people.
Because of the fear of Dark Magic (and the idea of someone being born with Dark Magic or succumbing to practicing Dark Magic), this myth is considered important to tell children to dissuade them from Dark Magic.

In Literature

The original story of the Salka appears in a 1300s children's book, and as such, has been printed in children's books since then. The Salka will sometimes appear in books meant for adults as well.

In Art

There are many sculptures and portraits of the Salka. The most famous portrait is housed in the Great Library; it is a life-sized portrait based on an eyewitness report of 1492.

Date of First Recording

1333 CE

Date of Setting

1492 CE

Related Species

• The Salka