[b]Community Garden Scarecrow Contest[/b]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Part 2: Steps to building a scarecrow[/font][/color]
[b][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]The way to construct this scarecrow is perhaps not as much a construction plan, as it is a dabble into magics that should perhaps have remains sealed away.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]It is not a mere creature constructed of straw and plant, but very much part of the land as much as the plants that it has been chosen to protect.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]I shall now divulge what I know of the ancient ritual. Forgive me if my words choices are at times strange to this realm, but I am working from memory, not from the 2 week experience I have here. Read these [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]papers[/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent], but guard them carefully.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]I’ve underlined the ingredients as I guide you through these ancient steps.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]One shall need a clear [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]patch of ground[/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent], void of plants yet, unlike perhaps the more common order of things. Two pieces of [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]ancient wood[/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent] should be tied similar to a T, the older the wood the better, for it forms the connection to the earth. [/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]It should be placed in the middle of the patch, with the [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]shovel [/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]one drags small gullies into all directions, north, northeast, east, southeast, and so on. At the start of each gully we place an [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]enchanted stone[/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent], to channel the power that shall flow into them more fully back and forth between land and scarecrow.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]And for those of you with faint hearts, I suggest this is where you halt.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]As now we would need to bind it to the land, allow it a connection with the ground that it protects. For it we need bones and blood.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]A creature from the earth and a creature from the shade are needed, to bind it to the land and allow it to use these blood links. Perhaps one of these [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]knators [/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]I have heard about and a [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]unholy priest[/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent] should fill the roles. Both should be hung from the T ...and then a [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]knife[/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent] plunged into their bodies. The blood will flow, it will follow the gullies and drench the land, as it drenches the wood the sacrifices hang from.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]Once drained, intestines and such should be removed, buried at the foot of the to be scarecrow.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]Place some [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]aconite[/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent], [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]wolfsbane [/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]and [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]monkshood [/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]within their bodies, any part of the plant shall suffice, for all carry poison. It will keep predators from feasting upon the cadavers.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]The remains should then be covered in [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]ash[/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent] and [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]sawdust[/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent], to soak in what moisture remains and left to dry out for some time. [/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]Now separate limbs and head from the two dried husks. The body of the scarecrow shall be the knator, it’s limbs shall be formed and filled by that of the priest. A thick [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]needle [/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]and [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]sinew [/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]should be able to pierce the dried skin and form this new monstrosity.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]Don it in whatever ragtag clothes you might have, but anything that flows and flaps under the spell of the wind has an added effect, visually. [/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]Now, the head is just a [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]jute bag[/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent] , filled with [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]straw [/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]or any other soft material you can find.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]Fill it with STRAW. STRAW.. I cannot stress this enough. There are legends, legends best left untouched, which speak of using the head of a person, the rope with which he or she was hanged added as a collar. [/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]It has been reported to work … to well. You must use straw, don’t give it a head, the result might be more than you bargained for.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]Bind this to the pole and bind it tight. Perhaps even add some thick iron [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]nails [/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]just to be sure. [/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]Now lay a circle of [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]saltpeter[/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent] and [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]sulfur [/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]around it, mixed in with small grinded [/background][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][u][background=transparent]coals [/background][/u][/size][/font][font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]to slow the burn. Light it after ensuring the circle is closed and speak the following incantation, “Terra, spiritus, sanguis manare tibi terram. A vinculum fuerit composuerunt. A custos oritur. Cibos terra sicut te pascit. Vigilate et state in aeternum.”[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]Be warned of what others might tell you here, if the words vinculorum hoc anima, messor or vindictam appear in their versions, do not listen to them. Kill them if you must, for those words belong to the ritual that involves not filling the head with straw.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]That is what i remember. Or someones memories told me. [/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]But if it is not what you seek, I implore you to burn these papers and not let other eyes see them.[/background][/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=4][background=transparent]Dante Lionheart[/background][/size][/font][/b]
