9: Peter Pan
Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie was created as a stage play in 1904 with a book following in 1911, so it takes a more modern look at various fairytale motifs. Peter Pan himself is mercurial and possibly dangerous, needing some sense talked into him, while opposed by the clearly rotten Captain Hook. A group of children are taken to Never Never Land and they have decidedly different views about this situation. Flying is clearly fun, but that needs some help from fairies who function on belief and audience participation.
In 1929, Barrie gave the copyright to Great Ormond Street Hospital for children, so Peter Pan is actually doing good for kids to this day.
The name comes from Pan pipes, connecting him to Pan, the Greek god of nature and shepherding and folk music, and Greek gods are generally trouble.
Green men and satyrs often appear with pipes and flutes. One of the most famous M. R. James stories is about blowing an old whistle. The Wind In The Willows features The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, a Pan figure who recently got someone asked to take off a shirt showing him in Westminster Abbey so this is still a thing. (Much to the delight of the Hellebore sales team who made it.)
And he also connects to the idea of fairy abduction, changelings and the like. Compare the Pied Piper, a story where some versions end where this begins.
Also, pirates.
The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
The sun has not risen. The PCs have to find out why.
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