THE BELSTONE CLEAVE COVEN

The Start of My Witchfinder General Project

Phoenician traders made a permanent trading camp on the northern edge of Dartmoor around the year 1,000 BC. These particular traders were worshippers of Baal, a weather god, who had particular power over lightning, wind, rain, and fertility. Judging by traditional Dartmoor weather, Baal must be in a pretty bad mood most of the time. Eventually the settlement became known as Baal's Ton. Now, in the enlightened 17th Century, the settlement is known by the locals as Belstone. In nearby Belstone Cleave, a coven of witches have made their home. All sorts of evil happenings are occurring and the local villagers have sent a message to the Witchfinder General, pleading for help. The coven are able to summon and control the terrifying Ghouls that inhabit Taw Marsh. These Ghouls were probably once human and were living in the marsh even before the Phoenicians arrived.

The Ghouls of Taw Marsh

The Witchfinders will need to be very careful to avoid an encounter with Old Dewer (as the Devil is known around these yere parts). Dewer the Hunter rides out from Wistman's Wood on his headless black horse with his pack of Wisht Hounds. Human victims are either lured or driven to the Dewerstone where they are forced to leap over the precipice into the gorge below. It is said that their fall is accompanied by maniacal laughter, the sound of thunder and blue forked-lightning. The next day there are no bodies to be found below. It is also said that anyone who witnesses these events will die within the year. Lonely travellers passing that way have often seen cloven hoof prints at the top of the Dewerstone.

One of Old Dewar's Wisht Hounds