For centuries, roaming among the leaves,
my ghostly voice, haunting and whistling, through the trees.
Rarely seen, but always my presence felt,
a lonely soul, trapped between life and death, condemned to dwell.
Here, in these woods, my spirit shall stay.
Until time will take this forest away.
A man of war, wearied and battle-stained,
then came my fate, by an arrow felled but here remained.
A sorry heart, my thoughts my only friend,
wandering on, and I fear my pain shall never end.
Some say they’ve seen me, floating from tree to tree,
hooded and clad in green, shrouded in mystery.
Some say they’ve heard me, singing my mournful song,
crying for anyone, to set my spirit free.
Here, in these woods, my spirit shall stay.
Until time shall take this forest away.
Wudugast, (Old English/Ingaevonic, meaning “Wood-Ghost”), are the spirits of slain Ingaevonic warriors, whose bodies have not been laid to rest according to Ingaevonic (Anglo-Saxon) Pagan tradition. These spirits haunt the forests near where they were slain. The reason behind their choice to dwell in forests is unclear, but likely has something to do with the Germanic people being closely associated with and drawn to the forests of Germania.
Appearance-wise, Wudugast all appear similar. Green and white hose and tunics, covered by a chainmaille hauberk, leather gloves and boots, green hooded cloaks cover their backs and heads. Either “Sutton Hoo” helmets with maille hoods underneath or almost-spagenhelm-like helmets with maille face-protection are seen in place of a human face, though human eyes can be seen through the helmets’ eyeholes. Wudugast are seen armed with bows, seaxes, swords, axes, spears, shields or any combination of said weapons.
It was long thought that the Wudugast were Migration-Era warriors, and were a phenomena exlusive to England, however, sightings of Wudugast in the forests of North America show that wherever Ingaevones may be found, regardless of century, the Wudugast can also be found. The Wudugast have been seen to watch over and guide Ingaevones who enter their forests and stalk those who are not Ingaevonic but the Wudugast have never been seen to harm anyone or anything, almost as if they are merely watching. It seems the Wudugast are timeless and seek only to be set free, so the may feast in Walheall. Perhaps one day they shall be laid to rest, but the day the last Wudugast disappear will be a sad one indeed.
