A Field Guide to the Mirrorworld

A Field Guide to the Mirrorworld
Beyond the mirror, you may feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. But beware! Reality
is always much worse. The purpose of this guide is to arm you with information that
might protect you in your travels. But the Mirrorworld is a dark place, and nothing can
guarantee safe passage. Good luck!
Dragons:
SAFE. Long since hunted to extinction, Dragons are merely a rumor in the Mirrorworld these days.
These dangerous creatures once flew over the lands in search of prey, and built their nests from
bones of previous meals (mostly humans).
Dwarves:
CAUTION! The Dwarf city of Terpevas may be 1200 years old, but it is bustling with today’s
modern Dwarfish businessmen. Nothing pleases a dwarf more than successfully swindling a human.
Dwarves are surprisingly strong for their size, so you must use silver chains to restrain them.
Interesting fact: they are very proud of the legendary story of Snow White––the beautiful girl who
left her royal human husband for a dwarf!
Elves:
SAFE. Tiny winged creatures,
Elves can often be found flitting
among wildflowers or spinning
shimmery thread that makes lovely
golden fabric. The sparkling dust
left by Elves can cause deep sleep,
filled with enchanting dreams. It is
best to wipe it off your skin if you
want to keep your wits about you
(which is always a good idea in the
Mirrorworld).
Fairies:
DANGER! Fairies are born, fullygrown, out of the water of a
mysterious lake protected by
vicious unicorns. The two most
distinctive physical features of the
Fairy are that they have six fingers
on each hand (one for every curse)
and no hearts in their chests. This
makes them immortal, but it
doesn’t mean they can’t fall in
love. Residents of the Mirrorworld
say that men who fall in love with
Fairies lose their minds. It is best
to keep your distance––Fairies can
turn people into thistle or fish. Or
stone.
Must-Read Grimm Stories:
The Fairy Tales collected and set down by Jacob and
Wilhelm Grimm are available in many versions. Go to
Project Gutenburg at gutenburg.org to download entire
collections, or browse the tales at Grimmstories.com.
Here’s a short list of some of the tales that play a special
part in Reckless.
• Little Briar-Rose (Dornröschen)––More
commonly known as “Sleeping Beauty.”
• The Frog-King (Der Froschkönig)–– Also known
as “The Frog Prince.” This is where Jacob’s golden
ball comes from.
• Little Snow White (Sneewittchen)–– the origin
of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.”
• The Wishing-Table, the Gold-Ass, and the
Cudgel in the Sack (Tischchendeckdich,
Goldesel und Knüppel aus dem Sack) ––Some of
Jacob’s treasures are featured in this tale.
• Cinderella (Aschenputtel) ––Jacob Reckless found
the slipper that the princess left behind.
• Rapunzel ––The girl with incredibly useful hair.
• Hansel and Grethel (Hänsel und Gretel) ––A
forest, a gingerbread house, and a child–eating witch.
• The Robber Bridegroom (Der
Räuberbräutigam) ––The Grimm’s version of
“Bluebeard.”
• Thumbling (Daumesdick) ––Also known as “Little
Thumb” or “Tom Thumb.” A tiny boy who
(depending on the version) uses his small stature to
play tricks on evil-doers and steal things.
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Giants:
SAFE. Like dragons, giants have also been hunted to extinction, largely due to the efforts of past
Emperors of Austry. Descendents of Giants (those who can prove direct ancestry) are always in
demand as guards and mercenaries. Unfortunately, these Giantlings are known more for their brawn
than their brains.
Gingerbread House:
DANGER! What better place for a child-eater to live? Smelling of honey and cinnamon, covered
with candy and surrounded by poisonous plants, it’s the perfect trap for children. Once they pass
through the gate, they can never leave. And inside the house is a very large oven.
Gold-Ravens:
CAUTION! Attracted by magic gold (like the kind that grows on trees), these crows whisper
curses into the ears of passersby, and can drive people insane with their cawing. Beware!
Goyl:
DANGER! Fierce golden-eyed warriors armed with dangerous claws, the Goyl live in underground
cities and have been hunted by humans for years. Recently, a new King and a new weapon have
given them strength to fight back and emerge from the darkness. But they always prefer the shelter
of rock between them and the sun. Goyl are raised by their mothers, fully-grown at age 10, and
ready to fight in the army by 14. Their skin is made of stone, in a fantastic array of hues: malachite,
onyx, bloodstone, jasper, moonstone, carnelian, and the rarest jade. The Goyl fear only one thing:
the sea.
Heinzel:
CAUTION! In spite of their crabby dispositions, Heinzel can sometimes be found sitting on the
shoulders of human companions who give them food and clothing, including tiny pairs of shoes.
Hungry Forest:
DANGER! Although it is no longer infested with child-eating witches, travelers will still find many
dangerous creatures in this dark wood. Barkbiters, Mushroom-Wights, Trappers, and Crow-Men
may be valuable for their skins, horns, or teeth, but it is far better to keep your distance. Visitors
must also guard their ears against the hum of the will-o’-the-wisps, which will lead them off the
path until they are hopelessly lost. Worst of all, the Tailor snip-snaps among the trees, looking for
more human skin to complete his wardrobe. If you must pay a visit to the Hungry Forest, make it a
short one!
Lorelei:
DANGER! The song of the Lorelei is very beautiful and very dangerous. It runs through men’s
brains like honey-coated knives, luring them into the water, where the scaly creatures will devour
them with their sharp teeth. Earplugs recommended.
Ogres:
DANGER! These bluish-skinned creatures are hungry for flesh (they prefer human over Goyl).
Their caves are littered with leftovers, as you can tell by the smell.
Stilts:
CAUTION! Tiny thieves with wizened faces and spindly arms and legs, Stilts are mostly interested
in stealing from the other residents of the Mirrorworld. But they are also known to viciously protect
their territory. Their bites can cause a serious infection, so watch out!
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The Tailor:
DANGER! The legends surrounding the Tailor are as old as the Hungry Forest itself. Only one
thing is known for sure––he earned his name by cutting his clothes from human skin. The legends
say his fingers are blades on one hand, and needles on the other. They also say bullets only make
him stronger––and running does no good.
Thumbling:
SAFE. These small human-like creatures build their nests in hollow trees and hoard treasure stolen
from unwitting victims. They breed snails for waneslime, and have pearls in their stomachs.
Unicorns:
DANGER! Who would guess that such beautiful animals could be so deadly? The legend says there
is a secret way to safely walk past a herd of these vicious horned horses. If you don’t know the
secret, the herd will charge and impale you in order to protect the land of the Fairies whom they
serve.
Waterman:
CAUTION! The scaly skin of a Waterman is quite valuable, because a scale held under the tongue
allows anyone to dive very deep and stay underwater for a long time. But ladies, watch out!
Watermen drag female victims into underwater caves. They’ll feed you and bring you presents––but
they will never let you leave.
Witches:
CAUTION! There are two kinds of witches in the Mirrorworld: healers and cannibals. Healers can
stitch wounds and restore sight. They race to emergencies on flying brooms. Child-eaters live in
gingerbread houses designed to lure their prey, sealed with poisonous spells. Approximately two
years ago, the good witches declared war on the child-eaters and helped drive them out of the
Hungry Forest. Witches’ spells are not as powerful as those of the Fairies, but they still make bad
enemies.
http://www.get-reckless.com
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