Bottled Emotions Unleash a Beast: South of Midnight’s Rougarou Tale

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In “South of Midnight”, players assume the role of Hazel, a woman newly aware of her unique supernatural talents. Swiftly, she comprehends that she is part of an extended lineage known as Weavers, individuals who use magic to alleviate the world’s distress by identifying and eliminating potent sources of turmoil and pain (referred to as Stigma).

Undeniably, Hazel’s Weaving odyssey finds her squarely in the midst of some somber and heart-wrenching narratives. The narrative in South of Midnight delves into various mature topics, from cruelty towards animals to fratricide, along with many other complexities. Many of these adult themes are intricately linked to the boss battles within South of Midnight, and the Rougarou is no exception, as his own backstory serves as a warning about the perils of repressing feelings.

The Cautionary Tale of South of Midnight’s Rougarou Explained

Becoming a Rougarou

In the past, prior to the narrative of “South of Midnight”, there resided a youth named Laurent, who dwelt with his parents in a modest settlement near a mill. Laurent’s father was employed at this mill, and he received scripts as payment for his work – a type of currency exclusive to the community that could be exchanged only for goods within the mill’s vicinity.

When Laurent was quite young, his mother fell ill. The manager of the mill wouldn’t provide Laurent’s father with the funds necessary for his wife’s treatment, and her condition worsened rapidly. The community came together to help, pooling some of their own earning vouchers known as scrips. However, no doctor was willing to accept those vouchers as payment.

Upon discovering that his mother was inevitably going to pass away, Laurent chose to flee from home. Alone in the forest, Laurent found a release for the growing rage and tumult within him. In the depth of the night, Laurent unleashed his emotions through screams. However, instead of allowing his son to vent his feelings, Laurent’s father urged him to suppress them.

In tragic circumstances, Laurent’s mom passed away, leaving his dad in profound sadness. Unable to care for them himself, Laurent stepped up and provided for their needs, scrounging for food to ensure their survival. Even as he faced this challenging situation, Laurent suppressed his own feelings, choosing not to mourn the loss of his mother.

In the heat of my sorrow and rage, the anguish I’d been bottling up over my mother’s demise threatened to boil over. I confronted the mill’s foreman, unleashing my accusations against him. The man didn’t take kindly to this verbal attack and retaliated by threatening me. My father, witnessing the altercation, stepped in to shield me. In that moment, as he stormed into the foreman’s office, he found them locked in a struggle. Upon seeing the commotion, he rushed to my defense. Enraged, the foreman grabbed for the gun hidden behind his desk and fired, striking my father instead.

As a young lad, Laurent collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness. Upon regaining awareness, he discovered his hands were stained with blood and his father was unresponsive on the floor before him. In that instant, all the buried anguish, guilt, and embarrassment that Laurent had suppressed burst forth from his body in a single, intense, soul-wrenching cry. This cry was so forceful it transformed him into a Rougarou – a monstrous creature resembling an owl, with piercing yellow eyes.

In Cajun folklore, a Rougarou is a werewolf-like creature.

Living as a Rougarou

Eventually, Laurent changed back into human form and, when a bit older, found himself among a group of bootleggers during the peak of Prohibition. In an attempt to lead a conventional life, he suppressed his emotions and tried to ignore his past experiences. However, such tactics seldom prove effective.

As a fervent admirer, I’d rephrase it this way: In an instant, even the slightest provocation could set me off like a powder keg, unleashing a torrent of feelings I had kept hidden deep within. At such times, I would metamorphose into something more beastly – a Rougarou. The remorse I harbored was so profound that it drove me to keep everyone, especially Hazel and her mother Lacey, at arm’s length.

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2025-04-12 03:05