Inspired by patron Saints and assorted mythologies, I've started to play around with ideas for what the patrons of Endless Deer would be like. This blog will contain art and short stories featuring these entities. If you have an idea for a patron saint feel free to mention it!


Above from left to right: Patron of Sparring (and other manly endeavors). Patron of Narrow Escapes (trickster of hunters). Patrons of Play (the twins).


Above from left to right: Patron of Plenty. Patron of Motherhood (The Grand Mother).


Above: Patron of Magic

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A Tale of Three Young Bucks, some Dogs, and a Very Irate Hunter...

One day, under the shade of the great trees of The Forest a group of bucks lay dozing. The peaceful ambiance was lost on them, for they wished only for excitement and adventure. Lamenting their boredom the three young stags finally settled that if adventure was not going to arrive on their doorstep, they would set out and find it!
The three bucks each set off and after some time came upon an odd scent on the wind. Nodding gleefully to one another they followed it until suddenly they were set upon by barking, snapping hounds! Panicked the bucks shot away through the trees, with the hounds snapping at their heels.
“How I wish we were still lying about in boredom, this was a horrible idea!”
“You say that now but it was YOU who came up with it!”

So the bucks raced on, arguing between pants. Little did they know a hunter sat waiting, bow drawn in the clearing ahead. The hounds drove the bucks towards their master and as the three gracefully bounded into the clearing they saw the hunter raise his bow and let fly his arrow. The youngest of the bucks cried out but not in pain, another deer had bounded over their heads. Golden hooves danced eagerly on the grass and the deer laughed, seemingly unperturbed by the arrow shaft protruding from his chest.
“Well?! Off with you then!”
The three young bucks, not needing to be told twice, raced off into the safety of the trees. The youngest, risking a look back, saw the strange golden deer prancing round the glade, leading the hounds on a merry chase.
“What do you make of that!?”
“I don’t know, did you see his antlers; so bright and shiny, like sunlight!”
“Idiot, did you see the arrow in his chest, he’s dead for sure!”

Later, while lazing their sore legs in the pond, the tree bucks were shocked to see the very same stag who had saved them earlier. They knew it was him by his golden hooves and antlers, but more importantly, by the collection of arrows sticking out from his hide.
“You were the one who saved us from the hunter!”
“Who are you?!”

Laughing, for the stag seemed in mighty fine spirits, he pranced around the bucks and said;
“I am the patron of narrow escapes; I help those who get themselves into tight spots. Antlers caught in branches, fawns in rivers, that sort of thing, but my absolute favorite thing to do is trick hunters!” The three bucks were, rightly so, amazed at their good fortune. The oldest however, knowing a bit more of the ways of things, was quick to ask if there was some way they could repay the patron’s kind gesture. “Oh not necessary, I have what I wanted!” With this, the patron dipped a bow (mindful not to snap any of his arrows off in the process) and with a flurry of golden hooves, was gone.

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Wooing Plenty

Now as you have likely guessed there are many Patrons whom protect and care for the deer of The Endless Forest, the Patron of Narrow Escapes being only one of many. He is however, one of the more outlandish; his morbid fascination with being made a deer-pin-cushion odd, even by Patron standards. There is in his mind, however, a perfectly sound reason for his arrow collection. Her name was the Patron of Plenty.

On many a sunny day she can be found, toddling through the forest, bowlegged under her plump figure. It is always easy to know when Plenty has passed through for she leaves in her wake berries, fresh and ripe, mushrooms moist and tender, or leaves young and green. It is because of her that the deer will never go hungry. As you might have guessed, Plenty was a charming doe, kind and eager, especially where food is concerned.

As mentioned, the Patron of Narrow Escapes was very fond of Plenty, often accompanying her on her rounds through the forest. On one such trip, as he strode along confidently (being sure to puff out his chest to show off his newest arrow) Plenty turned to him and ask a very concerning question;
“Are you sure you don’t want some help with those?”
“What, with my arrows? Why...has one fallen off!?” Dismayed he looked about himself, counting his prizes. Plenty giggled, the large horn about her neck dropping several fresh pinecones to the ground.
“No silly, I mean take them out...must be hard to do things with them all stuck-out like that.”

Now this was, as I am sure you can understand, not the answer he was looking for. He had in fact, hoped Plenty would be impressed with his collection...he rubbed his back legs shyly.
“Do you not like them? I thought you would like them...I mean they show how fast and cunning I am. I am fast and cunning you know...hunters and dogs are no match for me! But if you really don’t like them...” As he rambled on, Plenty frowned and, munching a pinecone thoughtfully, popped one into her companions mouth, effectively cutting off his worried tirade.
“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, honest.” She said finally; all together ignorant of the other Patron’s struggle to dislodge the pinecone from his wind pipe. “I guess I never really understood the arrows...a bit creepy to be honest, but now that I know the story of them they’re sort of ... um; cute?” Having finally rid himself of the pinecone, the Patron of Narrow Escapes caught his breath and laughed.
“Really?! I can get more if you like!” Not giving Plenty a chance to get a word in edge-wise, he bolted off. Plenty heaved a sigh and popped a strand of grapes into her mouth, deciding that she could get used to the arrows eventually, even if she would have preferred he collect mushrooms, or blue berries.

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As with any of my writing, if you spot a grammar or spelling error, please let me know so I can fix it!