photo insert: legend as told by the AbuBA tribe queen Acscraiial the last
Some parts of the legend seem to have faded over time. However according to the legend the warrior, Al Elk Tan, was part of the most southern clan of the tree dwarfs. This dwarf clan was responsible for the preservation of plant species. It is rumored that the dwarfs chose the area as the biomes of the (now) City is very unique and boasts 5 of the 7 Biomes found in South Africa. The area also boast a significant amount of endemic species i.e. species that are only found here and nowhere else in the world. Such a concentration of biomes, particularly within a city, is unparallel in the world and results in an extraordinary diversity of landscapes, plants and animals.
It is believed that the Tree Dwarfs might have disappeared around the 1820's when British invaders settled in the area. It is unclear if they still exist. The tree dwarfs all decided to leave the area, apart from Al Elk Tan, who defiantly tried to resist. He however failed and lived a pretty lonesome life in Doncaster Road whilst continuing the good work the tree dwarfs did. Until one day he just disappeared.
photo insert: Prestor John's Kingdom and the Dwarfs of Doncaster?
What happened to Al Elk Tan isn't to clear and will most probably stay a mystery. According a unknown witness, he left his tree early one morning talking about going to see an old friend and murmured about a mirror through which every province could be seen.
His lifeless body was found close to a memorial built honoring Prestor John in 1986, 100 years since his disappearance, and the other dwarf clans were informed. Prestor John was known as a generous ruler and a virtuous man, presiding over a realm full of riches and strange creatures. Was this where the Tree Dwarfs originated from?
The legend also tells that before the arrival of the British invaders, on the 30 June 1647 to be specific, he caused a Portuguese ship to sink in an area further south. Al Elk Tan feared an invasion from these men and hated the fact that they used trees to build their ships. Most of the ship's men perished, not all on the ship, and a Portuguese invasion was halted. However some of their spirits still linger in the area.
The rest of the dwarf clans felt it good to honor Al Elk Tan with a burial spot fit enough for his bravery not to far from where this happened.
photo insert: Sinking of the ship
It is said that every time someone finds his tomb one of the ships restless spirits are set free and that a tree will sprout in the area the spirit was the moment the tomb was found. It is also foretold that you cannot visit his tomb unprepared and could perish by touching his tomb. Is the legend true? Why not go and find out?
It is believed that in order to get his final resting place and not perish when you find him you will have to visit Doncaster road and touch his soul tree.
Also in order to decrypt the final location of his Tomb you will need to do the following:
Visit the listed coordinates, Find the second part of the name of the building by the white tree that is named after the road, then use the below decryption key.
Decryption Key
Row 1:
A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|
1|3|2|4|5|6|8|7|9
Row 2:
J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R
1|3|2|4|5|6|9|8|7
Row 3:
S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z
2|1|3|4|5 |6|7|9
Then go to the spot he was found before his burial in order to work out which of the below is South and East.
The symbols on the cross will help you with this, stand on the side nearest to the road. Then use the word to work out the below.
Rhino: (row3; letter3)(row1; letter1).(row2; letter2)(row2; letter2)(row3; letter3).
Lion: 0(row1; letter1).(row3; letter3)(row 3; letter 5)(row 2; letter 4)
Those who find him might also figure out the missing parts of the Legend. Try figure out your own theory by researching each of the stories and then do the geocheck to get the full story. Would love to hear your theories.
