nce upon a time, not so
very long ago, somewhere
outside a small Flemisch
village, mysterious signs
and symbols were discovered in the
bark of The Old Oak-tree of Mierth.

n the year 1928, this strange phenomenon was studied by a group of young scientists of the University of Leuven and Paris and dubbed The Myth of Mierth.

fter many long months of hard work and research, the scientists, weary from their efforts, deciphered these strange symbols and found a secret message. It told the fascinating and thrilling stories of a forgotten tribe of little people called The Erthels and their journeys from the Enklaverth of Ley, lying behind the mountains of Rooverth, through the landscape of Flanders. These stories became better known as The Ley Chronyckles.

n their long journeys, Erthels enjoyed their special drink, Urthel, which was brewed by the Leyerth, the druid of these little men. Urthel of Ley was believed to possess healing characteristics, and was wellknown by young Erthels, called Greenlinghs, as a medicine against baldness.

rthels have been the object of research since the end of the 17th century. One of the most important researchers, or Cronyckers as they call themselves, was from Antwerp, Belgium. His name was Mr. Walter M. Vandendoornyck (1599-1675).
cording to this Cronycker, an average Erthel is between 35 and 40 centimetres tall, with a round but powerful body, a thick beard and a big funny nose. Erthels are bold and can most often be found in a good mood. They enjoy poetry, music, singing and dancing. But most of all, Erthels always like an excellent meal of mushroompetôzzie, with lots of walnuts, onions and, of course, a handful of red garlic from the valley of Ley.

ate in the evening when darkness fills the sky, one can find Erthels dancing and laughing around an old oak tree in the middle of a grassy clearing. Their festivities often leave large flattened circular patches in long grass. Do not confuse these circles with the marks of burned grass left by witches.

 

he shiny copper vessels of the brewery of Ley are hidden in the green forrest of the Enklaverth of Ley It's easy to find the brewery. You just have to follow the hollowed road to Elsewhere. Then cross the wooden bridge of Tweygh and go left. It's as simple as that! Good luck...
 

 

rthels can reach the blessed old age of 275. At 80, puberty for Erthels, The Boldh, a fluffy downy beard, will cover the chin of the Greenlinghs. In exchage for a full beard, they lose the hair on the top of their heads. Although an old saying of Yrrah, the Tynth Leyerth of Ley, tells them "The Wishdom we share, comes with the loss of our hair...", Greenlinghs are very proud of their hair and they try to keep it as long as possible.


 

ome Greenlinghs think that by gently rubbing Urthel (the beer!) on their heads, baldness will be prevented. This is a serious mistake. The only correct application of Urthel is by drinking and enjoying it.


                               "Thou who speak says a lot,
                   Thou who speaks with signs says a lot more..."
                        Yrrah, Tynth Leyerth of Ley

rder your Urthel the way Erthels do. Be polite, sincere and confident in your choice. But most of all use the sign language as the Erthels do. Body language and signs are very important methods of communication. Now you learn how you can order Urthel in eight steps, the way our little friends allways do.


rink Urthel from its special "Paché-glass" whenever possible. When you drink Urthel by yourself, its magic will come over you and will solve all your problems. However, if you drink Urthel with company, you should tap the glasses in a toast with your compatriots while calling out...
                   ...Paché...
This is the traditional Erthel toast which means "I wish you all of the luck, love, health, happiness and riches in the world!"

                  Winter 1620.
   The coldest winter for many years.
 Somewhere in the dark woods of Ley...

erlo Bher and his gang of sinister henchmen, better known as The Bockereyders of Ghorp, terrorized the southern territories of the Enklaverth of Ley toward the end of the coldest winter ever. Riding their black goats across the dark and cloudy sky they tried everything to get their eager hands on the secret of Urthel.





ith the secret of this special dark ale, called Vlaemse Bock, they would have the power over the Erthels and the Enklaverth of Ley. Nothing and no one would be spared in their brutal hunt for this remarkable drink. These evil Bockereyders dared even to kidnap the Leyerth, the druid of the Erthels and brewer of Urthel.
ut it was nothing more than an endless battle of strange and silly skull-wearing creatures on goats, trying to find something that can't be found. Because the Secret of Urthel, and that is a fact, is the secret of Urthel.


o this everlasting quest will continue. Forever and ever... Always...