Attention:

!!! SPOILER !!! SPOILER !!! SPOILER !!!

If you haven't finished reading The Grimm Dossier,

I advise you not to read this chapter!!!

Dyowls Hollow - The Devil's Pit

The Three Bears Caves inspire Dyowls Hollow.

The hollow with its cave passages in the middle of the forest has inspired famous writers. For example, the site was the inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle - Sherlock Holmes 'The Hound of the Baskervilles, and the film scene of the series Sherlock was also shot at this location. The demon himself also brings a direct allusion to the urban legend: 

The Black Dog of Richard Cabell, who supposedly sold his soul to the devil. After he died, phantom dogs appeared to howl at his tomb. 

The Red Feather

The red feather appears in several stories in connection with the devil. The devil usually wears a red cock feather on his head or hat. A red feather on the hatband was a medieval symbol for the devil.

In the story Krabat, the red feather is mentioned when the devil collects the bone meal from the mill, and in the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale "The Burial Mound" the devil is also mentioned with the red feather.

Kyle's True Sex (& Secrets)

(Character art Image copyright: TheKomorSan & BellOfSilence)

The clues to the Reveal at the end are scattered throughout the book, including the first time in the chapter 'The Magician' in Kyle's first appearance.

Kyle always dresses himself, which was unusual for the time, as servants usually helped you. His smooth skin and narrow shoulders are highlighted, as is the fact that he feels pressure around his chest despite the loose clothing (alluding to the bandages used to bind the chest). Whenever he is touched - especially in the area of the chest or the lapel - he or she reacts sensitively and keeps people at a distance.

It is often mentioned that Dr. Archer shaves or - towards the end - don't find time to shave and his beard shadow becomes more obvious. This is not mentioned with Kyle, he always has 'smooth skin'.

In the chapter 'Hall of Silence,' it is mentioned that the Doctor advised him to wear high collars. This has its origin in the missing Adam's apple. His sensitive reaction to the allusion and his difficult relationship with the Doctor is also based on this.

Elly's spell, among other things, does not affect Kyle because he is simply not a man. This is another reason why he does not respond to her flirtations.

In the last chapter, there is also another reference to the fact that he has to be doctored by the doctor. This is due to his charade, which would be exposed if a normal doctor were to care for him.

The scar on Kyle's left hand continues to play a larger role. In some chapters Kyle feels a tingling in his left hand, scratching or rubbing it. Toward the end, the mark of blood magic is mentioned there.

Kyle still has a lot to hide and a lot to discover. But that will be revealed in the following books ;) You can be curious!

Dr. Benjamin Archer's secrets

Benjamin, like Kyle, has a lot more to hide. In the first volume, there are the first little grains of sand in his story (heck, grains of sand). Benjamin Archer is scarred by the war in Sudan and the events in the skirmishes.

His dreams, however, are not just the aftermath of his PTSD. It is the dreams that alert him to one of the first events at the inn (The Night - Earth in Progress). The amulet he carries has a deeper meaning.

It is an amulet of the Ba. In ancient Egypt, the "Ba" is comparable to an embodiment or form of our soul - after death, the Ba flew to heaven to dwell with the gods and accompany the sun barque of Re on its day and night journey. When the sun barque passed through the afterlife at night, he would reunite with his body so that he could be resurrected. The Ba is depicted as a bird with a human head or as a ram.

That our dear Benjamin is still 'hanging in the wilderness' is hinted at several times. It is particularly emphasized in the final chapters, as is the fact that he has the attention of someone or something. The sand plays a big part here with Ben again and again.

The Doctors apparently returned from the dead holds a few more surprises. But this is also a theme that will run through the following volumes ;) 

A few smaller, less important sources of inspiration

The Wistmans Wood

In The Grimm File, Wistmans Wood is mentioned by the new priest in the first chapters (the chariot/ silence of the night) on the journey to St George. This is really in Dartmoor and is a well-known and popular tourist destination. The name may be from the Devonshire dialect word "wisht" meaning uncanny or sinister. I was inspired by this forest for the eerie forest around Dyowls Hollow :)

Lancaster Gate, London (Kyles House)

Kyle lives in Lancaster Gate, a rather chic residential area in London. I was particularly captivated by the beautiful houses with stucco art and archways, which is why I put Kyle in this rather rich area :)

The  Hall Of Silence

It was inspired by the beautiful railway stations in Russia. The splendor that can be seen in the stations there impressed me and was used in the presentation and description.

The Train Ride  

The earlier trains had an extraordinary charm. They were all impressive in their way (at least the first class) and I didn't want to miss the chance to bring in a touch of that at least on the return journey - when the poor saps have already been through so much ;)

I hope I haven't forgotten anything. These chapters can be expanded later if necessary ;)If you have any questions, feel free to contact me! 

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The pictures used in this chapter are from the internet. The rights belong to the artists, I do not claim any rights to them.