Inasleepycoastalvillageacurselieswaiting.Legendhasitonenightcenturiesagowhenasmugglerwasdeliveringhisillicitwares,theexcisemenpounced.Oneofthevillagershadbetrayedhim.Thesmugglerwascaughtandquicklyhangedasanexamplebut,hiswidowwasmorethansheseemed,thepractitionerofanancientreligionofmagicandsorcery.Thevillagersformedamobtohuntherdownasawitch,theybrutalisedher,tarredandfeatheredher,butbeforetheycouldkillhersheputonelastcurseupontheland;thatnothingshouldflourish,nolifeorlove,beforetakingherownlifeandspillingherbloodupontheland.