History of the Merry Mists Inn

You take a deep breath and notice that you are standing at the edge of a lake. The enormity of the lake is unknown to you as it is entirely covered with a dense fog. However, you sense that the lake is huge and the mists hide a magickal secret. You notice a small dock and you walk towards it. Tied to the dock is a little boat and standing in the boat is an elderly man. The old man beckons to you and you walk towards him.

He greets you with a smile and says, “I've been waiting for you. If you're going to make it on time, we must leave right now.” He gestures toward the boat. “Please get in.”

You begin to question the elderly fellow when he interrupts you, “Your passage has been paid in full. Please, we have no time to lose.”

At this, you step into the boat and sit down. The old man unties the tiny boat and hops on board. With a large pole, he begins to maneuver the boat into the fog. In no time, your vision is completely obscured. You begin to panic slightly. If you can't see then surely this old man can't either. Your panic is eased as the man begins to sing a lilting tune about an island of vast magick cloaked in the mist. As the old man continues to sing and steer the boat through the thick fog, you are lulled to sleep.

When you awaken you see the man has stopped pushing the boat and that it is now floating perfectly still on the water.

“This is nice,” you say. “Where are we?”

He chuckles and smiles at you. "We have reached the boundary. To continue, one must know how to open the door."

He points to you. “And that is entirely up to you. You must speak the words of power that will grant us passage.”

You begin to tell him that you don't know what he’s talking about when he interrupts you once again.

“Hush child and stop dallying! You know the words, as all witches know the words. Where we're going, all witches have been to, and all have parted this veil. Just relax and the words will come to you.”

You close your eyes and you ask the Lord and Lady for their help in discovering the words needed to continue the journey. Suddenly, your prayer is answered and you stand up in the little boat. You raise your arms and speak confidently.

“Veil of fog and barrier of mist, please lift thyself today.
This child of the Lord and Lady asks you clear the way.
I come in perfect love and perfect peace; open the door for me.
By my will and the Mother and Father, so mote it be!”

Instantly, the mist swirls and then disappears. In front of you floats a large, lush green island bathed in the warm sun. The old man claps his hands and congratulates you on remembering the words.

He begins to steer the boat toward the island. As you get closer, you can sense the power emanating from it. On the wind, you can hear the sounds of laughter and music but cannot determine where the joyous noise is coming from. Before you know it, the old man is mooring the boat to the dock. He climbs out and turns to hold his hand out to you.

“You best hurry, you don't want to be late! That won't do! Farewell, child of the God and Goddess.”

He hugs you and then points you to a dirt road leading through the woods on the island. You say your farewells and thanks to the kind old man and begin your journey on the path. You have reached the Faerie Isle of Sacred Mists!

Through the trees, you hear the sounds of birds and other animals that inhabit this magickal place. The bright sun filters through the trees and warms your skin. A light breeze cools you and invigorates you.

This breeze continues the sounds of excitement and revelry that seems to be ahead of you, so you continue. Along the road, you come across many creatures going in the same direction you are. They all greet you warmly as in this trek you are all family. You come to the edge of the woods and see a large hill a few hundred yards ahead. You follow the path to the foot of the hill, where the path ends. At the top of the hill, you hear much joy and music. You are eager to join in the festivities. You begin to walk up the hill.

As you near the top, you turn around and look at the view of the island which gets better and better with each step. At last, you reach the summit of the hill and you look back. The view of the island is spectacular. You turn back around and see the festival taking place on top of the hill. You see elves, faeries, witches, and numerous animals and other creatures all heading in the same direction…

There are flocks of peacocks and their hens wandering through the Faerie Glen. A welcoming cacophony from the Merry Mists Inn sounds ahead. You spot Queen Mab, Oberon, and the Seelie Court nearby. Your heart skips a beat at the beauty and joy that surrounds you. You then feel a tug on your robe and you look down. At your feet is a little gnome. He smiles, waves, and then speaks.

“Welcome to the Faerie Isle! My name is Grundel. I invite you to rest your bones just ahead at the Merry Mists Inn, where the ale is always cold and the wenches are not!"

You smile and nod your thanks, a little overwhelmed, but delighted.

Grundel leads you through the Faerie Glen towards the open doors of the tavern, and you can't help but notice a familiar site: the Faerie Ring where all Sacred Mists Rituals are held! Off in the distance, your eye catches the colorful pennants of the Faerie Glen Divinators whose wagons are drawn in a circle on the far side of the Faerie Ring. As you make your way up the wooden steps to the Merry Mists Inn, you notice an ancient dragon with an apron, sweeping the porch and cackling to herself. And then she spots you.

“Welcome and well met! My name is S’hauni Waterdragon and I am your hostess here in this fine establishment! Ye have familiar look about ye, but if you haven't been here before I would be tickled to give you a look-see around! Come on in!

Right in front o’ ye here is our Great Room, complete with an ogre-sized oak trestle table where we hold the Sacred Mists Sabbat Feast. Our stone fireplace is the pride of the tavern, big enough to hold a Cyclops standing up! You can always make yourself cozy on one of the many settees positioned around the fireplace.

Here is our stage, complete with footlights and a grand piano! Microphone privileges for those who would spin a tale or sing a ditty! The House Band, "Fly by Night" featuring Skeletina, sets up in this corner for rousing Celtic tunes and Elevendrum Circles.

Please observe our full bar featuring our very own Pantsonfyre Ale, our hand-crafted House Brew by our very own Brewmaster Fyre Draconis! Our bar features fully tapped kegs and bottomless mugs of your favorite magickal concoction! A full kitchen supplies the very best in Buffalo Frogs Wings and Gold Dust Ribs. All magickal food and drink at the Merry Mists Inn is completely calorie-free!

Step this way to the Bard's Corner, where the magickal musings of the Merry Mists Inn Bard, Saets y dDraig Glasgoch, and Friends adorn the polished wooden walls. Here you can find songs, poems, and stories to delight young and old!

If you peek under the rafters you will see the door to the Dragon's Den, where you can always find a copy of the latest Sacred Mists Sabbatical EZine.

As you move down this hallway you can see many pictures of the denizens of the Faerie Glen on the walls. Our Rogue's Gallery is a good place to see your witchy friends as well as many of our creature alter egos.

We circle back around to the Great Room, where you will find both our Announcements Board and our Tavern Menu. Along with our daily magickal offerings, we feature a special Sabbat Menu for our patrons!

There is always something good going on at the Merry Mists Inn and Publick House, where the ale is cold and the wenches are not! Don't miss Brat's Whipped Cream and Sundae Bar!

The Fare Thee Wellers will make you feel at home! The bartenders will fill your every libationistic desire! The entertainment will leave you gasping! And free Hoover vacuum rides home for those who overindulge!

The Merry Mists Inn and Publick House! Faerie Isle's Favorite Hot Spot! Home of the Witches of Sacred Mists and the Witches of Windermere; Honorable Purveyors of Pantsonfyre Ale, from a recipe by Ol' Granddad Pantsonfyre!

So there ye have it, the fifty-cent tour. Belly up to the bar and make your wishes be known! And have a grand time, at the Merry Mists Inn!”

Submitted this day by S’hauni Waterdragon, Proprietress
Merry Mists Inn and Public House
Faerie Glen Sacred Mists Faerie Isle
Gregorian Calendar 2002 AD

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