~The serpentwigger~
by Olaf
From the recently found journal
of Olaf Gunderstruck, by a traveler passing through the hills of the Greenloche:
A newfound native of wooded
places, the so-named 'serpentwigger' is an animalistic creature that can
be a dangerous surprise to the unwary. Upon hearing reports from foresters
in town, I went out in search of this 'plant-like assassin' from which
several fox corpses were supposedly attributed to. My two sons accompanied
me along with our hounds. The forest was as dead as the winter that surrounded
it. As we trudged further inward, the birdchirps quickly drifted off into
the cold, snow-flaked air. Silence loomed with bad weight. Forlorn. The
oaks & elms were writhed in grey tones, branches spreading off &
taloned into the gloomy sky above. The clouds were thick and low this day,
the air was damp but crisp. Things didn't seem right.
In a quick, one of our hounds
was whipped by something I didn't even see. From the corner of my eye I
saw motion and the dog being slashed hard across it's flank, howling in
pain. The forest gave no sign of the attacker as my boys ran to help
the animal. I strained hard with my eyes to catch something, anything that
would give away the illusion . .......and I found it! Meshed tight
against a near tree, were what looked like mimicking vines, like a sapling
blended almost perfect to the tree it hugged. As I approached closer, it
lashed out, attacking both me and my sons who were standing some 30 meters
away! Like lashes of bark-bound rope, the thing's limbs whipped across
my chest, grappled Brein about the legs and made a deep slash upon Freiolo.
I took up my axe and forced my way through more attacks as the serpent-like
limbs tried to rope me down. With a hack, I freed my boy from his bond
and hurled axe at the tree that masked the creature. The shrill that came
from it nearly burst our ears and the dogs retreated from it. It quickly
ended, one last breath. My axe buried it's blade into the oak and through
the serpentwigger, severing it clean. The thing's limbs fell limp, a tangled
knot of thick rigid ropes about the ground.
Then quite suddenly another
took form and bolted for the deep woods! By Bewresha how it looked evil
as it ran like a dead rubbery tree caught in the wings of a storm. I know
not how many are out here or where they even come from, or what they even
feast upon, but it must be meat or blood. Something from the living. The
fox corpses were drained,
like husks of bone wrapped
in taunt fur. Are they plants?? The one I killed was filled with a sickly
sap the color of churned apples. It had no 'head' or 'face' to say, but
was warm to the touch. I could find no other evidence or clues and I am
left puzzled. Why did the hounds not sense it's presence? We lived through
the fight and even the dog is
healthy now. They seem to hold
no poison to be known, but their stealth and ability to surprise is definitely
a dangerous reality. Will try to research this further as I ponder such
a creature. Answers must be sought for the protection of the community
and our animal neighbors.
~Olaf
