Deep within the Black Forest of Germany lies a village, hidden from the modern world by magical means, built by fairy tale creatures of all sorts. Here you will not find anything of the modern sort; no guns, no internet, no cellphones, and no television. The homes are made of wood, except for those that are actually made of gingerbread (though no one remembers why and how this trend started). The streets are mostly dirty, though the village center has cobbled roads. At the center of it all is a rather large, run-down wishing well.
Magic is present, though a bit peculiar. It seems as if everyone has one supreme talent, or gift, that no one else shares. Some are great, some are small, and there really seems to be no rhyme or reason to any of it. Beyond these talents, there is no lack of magic in world, what with talking toads, flying witches, mischievous fairies, and unnumbered magical creatures.
The realm is ruled by the Pied Piper who is peculiar and strange in his own way. He rules fairly, though there are suggestions that he sometimes looks the other way when the dark factions of his realm raid the real world...or even the village residents. It is also rumored that the gingerbread children were his gift to the witches in exchange for the magical wards that hide the village away.
Sometimes, new people appear in the village, claiming to have been called there by music that only they could hear. When they arrive they find themselves posed with this question: “Are you good...or are you bad?”
Whatever they choose, everyone tends to take up residence at the Piper's castle, where they learn the strange ins and outs of The Black Forest. And those who choose otherwise find themselves in a place outside of the village called Handel's Tears where a cluster of dark, gloomy houses dwell. There, they have the choice…make yourself useful, or the witches will find a way to do it for you.
|
