The Bôbla

THE LEGEND

Rooted in Vosges folklore, the legend of the Boblâ speaks of a powerful and elusive spirit, guardian of the massif’s vast forests. Master of the trees, he shapes the plant landscape as he pleases, favouring certain species while condemning others to wither in the shadows.
Benevolent towards those who respect the forest, he becomes fearsome to those who violate its laws. It is said he can unleash gusts strong enough to uproot trees in an instant, or summon swarms of insects to smother the foliage.
Gnarled and stunted trees are said to bear witness to his presence. Their twisted trunks and deformed branches form eerie shapes, and their cracked bark reveals the darker side of this ancient spirit.
At nightfall, he is said to emit a strange cry — both mocking and unsettling — echoing through the trees like a voice from another world.

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THE PUZZLE

In the deep forests of the Vosges, lumberjacks whisper of a strange creature lurking in the misty undergrowth: the Boblâ. A being made of branches, moss, and roots, born from forests that have been too greatly disturbed.
Long ago, a man made the mistake of cutting down too many trees in the Boblâ's forest. To calm the creature, he made a pact: every winter, the wood had to be transported without ever touching the ground, without noise, without falling.
For the Boblâ hates the crashing of mistreated trunks.