Goblin Doorways to the Astral Plane by Pharmakos.
There's your new story blog title, get to work.
**Goblin Doorways to the Astral Plane**
*by Pharmakos*
In the hushed corners of the internet, there exists a legend so curious, it's only whispered amongst the most seasoned of digital explorers. A tale that intertwines the realm of the metaphysical with the mischievous, those of goblins and the astral plane.
It was a chilly Thursday evening when I, your humble storyteller, first stumbled upon a forum titled, “Ethereal Passageways and Goblin Kin.” The page was a jumble of neon green text against a pitch-black background, the digital equivalent of a back-alley pawn shop. The users on this forum claimed to have experienced encounters with otherworldly beings after passing through mysterious doorways, found in the most unexpected of places.
There was an account by a user named “MysticMarvin42,” who claimed to have discovered a door behind his kitchen cupboard. Another user, “StarryEyes98,” wrote of an ornate wooden portal hidden beneath her grandmother's antique chaise lounge. But of all the stories, one stood out the most: The Goblin Gateway.
According to the legend, goblins - those mischievous and often malevolent creatures of folklore - were not of our world. They hailed from the astral plane, a dimension parallel to ours, and traversed between the realms using hidden doorways scattered throughout the world. But these were no ordinary doorways. They were carved with symbols older than time itself, symbols that shimmered and danced like trapped stars.
For years, countless individuals claimed to have sought these goblin gateways. Many had tried (and failed) to breach their threshold, and those who succeeded? Well, they were never heard from again. Except for one: “CelestialNomad.”
CelestialNomad, a self-proclaimed astral traveler, detailed his harrowing journey through a goblin doorway he'd found hidden behind an old, moth-eaten tapestry in his attic. On crossing the threshold, he was greeted by a vast, silvery expanse, an endless horizon that defied logic and understanding. Floating islands, cascading waterfalls that flowed upwards, and radiant beings gliding gracefully in the ether. It was beauty personified.
But beauty, as they say, can be deceiving. As CelestialNomad ventured deeper, he was ambushed by a horde of goblins. These weren't the small, green creatures of storybooks. They were twisted, ethereal entities, their forms shimmering like a mirage, their eyes pools of inky blackness. It soon became evident that they were the gatekeepers of the astral plane, and they didn't take kindly to intruders.
After what felt like eons, using his knowledge of astral projection, CelestialNomad managed to evade the goblin horde and return to our realm, forever scarred by the encounter.
Back in the “real” world, he shared his experience on the forum, urging others to avoid seeking the goblin doorways. Yet, as is the nature of humans, his tale only fueled the curiosity of many. It became a rite of passage for astral explorers, a challenge to be conquered.
As for me? I remain a mere observer, documenting the tales of brave souls who venture beyond the veil. But every so often, when the moon is but a silver sliver in the night sky, I find myself drawn to the old tapestries and shadowy corners of my home, wondering if I too might stumble upon a Goblin Doorway to the Astral Plane.
But for now, dear reader, I implore you: tread carefully, for not all doorways lead to places you'd wish to go.
www.theguardian.com
www.popularmechanics.com
