Greek theatre began as religious rituals for Dionysus; a masked figure adopted a persona to deliver a dramatic monologue. As the art form developed, other actors were added to the performances, and even secular topics were introduced. Masks remained important.

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In some Welsh legends, the little fairies eat poisonous mushrooms and a "fairy butter" found in the crevices of limestone rocks. Fey illusions make the food's appearance and taste more appetizing. More charmingly, fairy gloves are made from foxglove flowers.

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As the term "mancy" originally referred to divination, originally "necromancy" was less about raising zombies and more about using the dead to predict the future, such as by throwing bones, studying entrails, or summoning a prophetic ghost for questioning.
🎨 Ebenezer Sibley

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A hand of glory is an artifact of European sorcery: the dried and pickled hand of a hanged criminal that holds a candle made from that criminal's fat. Its candlelight temporarily paralyzes everyone save the person wielding the hand. This is very useful for robberies.

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In Victorian England, telling ghost stories at Christmas was a popular tradition. The sun setting so early in December, with families generally staying inside and huddling around the fire to keep warm, created an evocative environment for spooky tales.
🎨 John Massey Wright

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Tristan is by far the most multitalented of King Arthur's knights in folklore. As well as being one of King Arthur's best fighters, Tristan is a skilled poet, singer, harpist, hunter, swineherd, and master of disguise. The Welsh legends also make him a wizard.
🎨 Edmund Leighton

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The most powerful monster in Welsh myth was Twrch Trwyth, a man so evil that God cursed him to become a gigantic boar. King Arthur's greatest warriors attacked Twrch Trwyth to acquire the golden comb, scissors, and razor entwined in his fur, and the boar slaughtered many of them.

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In Welsh legend, the Awen is the divine force that possesses poets and bards to inspire their art, and possesses seers to give them visions of the future. However, if someone who lacks the proper will is possessed, the Awen can drive them insane.
🎨 John Hall

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In Norse culture, one of a lord's most important traits was generosity to his vassals. That's why one of the Norse god Odin's most precious magic objects was his gold ring Draupnir, which made eight copies of itself every ninth night. Odin gave these rings as gifts.

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