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// Rumour 
// Story: Tears for Mercy 
// by daOtterGuy 
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There were many tales that circulated in Hayseed Swamp. Such a murky and dreary place was bound to have them. Stories about fearsome beasts and ghastly spirits with hidden warnings about the more dangerous parts of the swamp. One such tale, however, was always told in private, away from the crowds so as not to be overheard, its meaning more explicit than others.



The tale of Somnus, and his gift of sleep.



He went by many forms. A skeletal earth pony. A pale apparition. A spirit of vine and water. The appearance changed with the teller, but three features were always consistent.



A long wispy cloak of vines. Ghostly, pale blue eyes. A missing snout.



He was said to appear in the dark of the night, waiting for passerby to happen upon him. He would whisper in their ear, inviting them to rest upon a bed of flowers. He would promise to protect them, to ensure they would have a pleasant sleep, uninterrupted.



Should the victim fall for Somnus’s sweet lies, they’d rest their head, promising that they would only be a moment. That they would be on their way shortly. 



Then they would sleep.



And sleep.



And sleep, never to awaken. 



By dawn, both Somus and his victim would be gone, never to be seen again. 



He was a legendary specter of the swamp, an entity to be avoided at all costs. Should one come across him, one would be wise to carry on, ignoring his sweet words lest you become another victim of sleep.