Forest Beings and Mountain Spirits

Corsica's forests, dense and ancient in the interior, shelter beings found nowhere else in France.

The Orcu: Corsica's Cyclops

The Orcu represents Corsica's version of the ogre—massive, one-eyed, dwelling in mountain caves, but more complex than simple monsters. Orcus possess: - Great strength but also cunning - Appetite for human flesh but also for riddles and games - Treasure hoards but also ancient knowledge - Most surprisingly, occasional benevolence to those who outwit them fairly

Orcu stories encode survival lessons for mountain life: - Cave locations and safety - Weather signs and avalanche warnings - Which plants heal and which harm - Most importantly, that intelligence trumps strength in hostile environments

Children still learn Orcu tales that map real dangers onto mythological landscapes, ensuring cultural transmission of vital knowledge.

The Folletti: The Little People

Corsican folletti (related to Italian folletti but distinct) inhabit the space between helpful and harmful. These small beings—rarely taller than a child's knee—maintain relationships with specific locations: - House folletti ensure prosperity if respected, cause mischief if ignored - Field folletti protect crops but demand portion of harvest - Forest folletti lead hunters to game or in circles depending on their mood - Most powerfully, threshold folletti guard passages between spaces and states

Folletti rules remain consistent: - Never thank them directly (breaks their power to help) - Leave offerings without acknowledgment - Maintain traditions they establish - Most crucially, never try to see them clearly—glimpses from eye-corners suffice

Modern Corsicans might not admit believing in folletti, but they still: - Leave bread crusts for "mice" that never appear - Avoid certain house modifications that "never work out" - Plant specific flowers folletti favor near doorways - Most tellingly, blame folletti for missing objects that reappear in impossible places