This is the story of Qell the Kind and their encounter with with the legendary Squonkle.

The first villagers told tales of the great Squonkle, a massive beast that lived in the forest surrounding the fledgling village. Its skin fit loosely over its frame and was covered in warts and mud. Many called it hideous, and though it was never violent or threatening, villagers would seek it out to mock and jeer. Whenever the Squonkle was found, it would cry streams of tears powerful enough to sweep away its tormentors before disappearing into the woods.

Years after founding the then-unnamed village, Qell the Kind outlawed the ridicule of the Squonkle. Seeking its forgiveness for years of torment, Qell journeyed into the woods to find the creature. For the first time in its long, long life, the Squonkle did not cry when human eyes laid upon it, for Qell was pure of heart, and saw only another living being worthy of respect, not a target of mockery. The Squonkle blessed Qell with eternal vigor and boundless luck, knowing that this was the first human deserving its boon.

Qell named the village after the legendary creature, and watched over it as mayor for many generations. Though the beauty never faded and the luck knew no bounds, Qell eventually stepped down as mayor. Nobody knows where Qell went after that, but the Squonkle forever remained a revered and respected creature.

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This is the story that is passed down through the generations. Nobody knows for sure if the Squonkle ever truly existed, or if it was just an allegory, for nobody has seen the Squonkle since Qell’s meeting so long ago. 

It is said that only the pure of heart can find the Squonkle again, for it will not stand for mockery, lest it burst into a deluge of tears that would wash the village away.

All of this is just backstory for the default setting of the game, Squonkle Village. It's some flavor to add a sense of history and legend to the world, and to the village itself. I plan on writing an adventure/story seed about the Squonkle itself, so keep an eye out for that in the future ;)

The Squonkle is very obviously based on the Squonk, my personal favorite folklore cryptid.