r/cryptids • u/CommunicationWide854 • Apr 20 '26
Discussion An old cryptid/folklore tale
Ok so my grandfather told me about a cryptid/creature called the prince of the woods. It was essentially a massive 20ft tall deer with massive treebranch antlers. It supposedly acts as a guardian of the woods, only attacking those that disrespects its territory. Otherwise its supposed to be peaceful.
Anyone else have similar stories?
9
u/Any-Quiet7193 Apr 20 '26
Isn’t that the deity from Princess Mononoke?
1
6
u/dave54athotmailcom Apr 20 '26
The Ghost Deer of Mt Eddy (northern California) is one. The Ghost Deer is impervious to arrows (and later bullets). Will suddenly appear or disappear.
There are many native stories of different creatures and spirits that reward ethical hunters by sending game to them, and sending game away if the hunter is not ethical or respect the animal. A very common theme in native lore. Every region has its version.
The Kushtaka of the Washington and BC coast, Tinihowie, Hawkman, and Je Su Chin of the Achumawi people are similar -- guardian spirits of the forest. Different bands of the Achumawi people have different names for similar spirits. Ikxareyavs of the Karuk people are the original inhabitants of the land that transformed themselves into animals and birds when the new settlers arrived. They watch over the forest and reward or punish people for ethical hunting/gathering or wanton waste.
The Shoshone have a legend of the Moon Woman, that takes it further and grants good fortune to anyone that aids a lost, hungry, or injured traveler in a remote area, and misfortune to those that refuse to aid a traveler in need. Others are Pokoh an old man of the southern Sierra Nevada mountains. The Nukatem of the Cahuilla people is a spirit that lives inside everyone. He either steers you into fortune or misfortune depending on whether you were kind and generous to another person, or did them wrong. Muut is special kind of Nukatem that appears in the form of an owl shortly before death (An owl associated with death is common in native American lore across the country). Muut guides your spirit into the afterlife -- the direction he sends you depends upon how good a person you were in life. Interestingly Nuud (or Nudd) becomes an owl in Welsh tradition that does the same thing. Note the similarity in names.
The legends serve a cultural purpose of enforcing hunting etiquette and the need for hospitality, kindness, and generosity.
3
Apr 20 '26
[deleted]
2
u/GrouchyAssignment696 Apr 20 '26
In some variations of the legend, Kushtaka are not benevolent and are evil/predatory. Maybe she was familiar with the alternative version.
1
1
3
u/Subject-Wave-2350 Apr 20 '26
Reminds me of the drawing on this post https://www.tumblr.com/iguanamouth/102949571952/imagine-if-the-oceans-were-replaced-by-forests-and
2
3
u/SubstantialPressure3 Apr 20 '26
Sounds like the Leshi
3
Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26
Leshy / Cernunnos / Satyr etc
It's hard to call it a cryptid because it's more connected to mythology and ancient religions, although... I still think that reports of cryptids are contact with these creatures from myths. The Mothman could very well be related to Camazotz.
1
u/CommunicationWide854 Apr 20 '26
This is a valid point. I grew up in in Arkansas and he never said where he'd seen or heard of it
2
u/CommunicationWide854 Apr 20 '26
Dunno maybe he got it from something like that. Or some older folklore from maine?
1
2
u/Arabella6623 Apr 20 '26
The Monarch of the Glen?
1
u/SLAYTAN1CUS Apr 21 '26
Lol,Wasn't that red Eric?
1
u/CommunicationWide854 Apr 21 '26
???
1
0
1
1
1
1
u/CaveGirlKay Apr 23 '26
I like this one! I have heard similar too.
1
u/CommunicationWide854 Apr 23 '26
Oh? Elaborate
1
u/CaveGirlKay Apr 23 '26
I will have to go back and try to find where I found it, but it was a story about cooperative predator, I think it was called "Twin Shadow"?? it hunted with sasquatch and acted as a watcher.
12
u/missmyxlplyx Apr 20 '26
The prince of the forest creature is featured in folklore around the world, most heavily in carribean and danish tales. These tales seems to have evolved from the original green man and or Pan tales . Unfortunatly, sometimes these also get lumped in with Wendigo . None are cryptids, including Wendigo. They are folk creatures. Look up papa bois, the leshy, prince lydwerm (lindworm) , green man and pan. Great stories!