> *Mask the face and snuff the flame,* > *Lest he come and call your name.* >*By root and rind, by frost and vine,* > *Let not the Pumpking cross the line.* > > - Traditional Thalrunian song believed to ward off evil The Pumpking goes by many titles: "The Father of Nightmares", "The Autumn Monarch", "The Grim Gourd". He is a powerful [[Shadowfell]] entity that has taken home on the Material Plane. He lives in [[Ravenholt]], inside the [[Blackwell Glade]]. Here, he creates tunnels into the Shadowfell and letting all sorts of dreadful monsters into the night. The Pumpking thoroughly enjoys games. Inside his domain, all manner of shadow beings gather for their own twisted versions of fun. It is said the Pumpking sometimes permits outsiders into the Glade, but only if they can keep him entertained. Most are not so lucky. ### *A Tale of the Pumpking* The famed muse Lymric was taken to the Glade several years ago, but he won the Pumpking’s favor through a contest of wits: each had to uncover the other’s true name before dawn. Throughout the long night, they exchanged questions and tales, weaving stories that revealed fragments of their souls. Lymric’s words were so mesmerizing that the Pumpking lost track of time, and by the time the first light touched the horizon, neither had guessed the other’s name. With no victor declared, the Pumpking smiled and, pleased by their stalemate, allowed Lymric to leave freely. So fond was he of the muse that he granted Lymric the rare privilege of returning to the Glade whenever he wished.