The Nain Rouge - Harbinger of Doom Quiz

Answer: Detroit

The legend says the Nain Rouge was a protector of the lands that Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit was eventually founded on in 1701. The founders, including Antoine de La Mothe Cadillac and 51 others, allegedly were rude to the creature and forcibly removed it from the confines of the fort. That slight caused the creature to curse them all, and their descendants.

Later the fort became known as the City of Detroit.

Answer: Battle of Bloody Run

Chief Pontiac's tribe killed 58 British soldiers and watched as the Detroit River ran red with blood.

It was reported that the creature was seen dancing on the banks of the river prior to the battle.

Answer: Marche Du Nain Rouge

Each spring the residents of Detroit gather on the Sunday after the vernal equinox to drive the Nain Rouge and all that he represents out of the city.

The little devil appears and taunts the assembled crowd, speaking of everything he has caused in the previous year. Then, eventually the people chase him out of the city.

The party then continues all weekend with dances and other celebrations.

Answer: Lost Girl

Hayley Nault portrayed the character in five season two episodes of the long-running series.

Within the confines of that show the character is forced to witness major events throughout history, but is not limited to just Detroit.

Answer: True

The books, written for young adult readers featured real research and legend reporting spattered around a fictional tale to help readers relate to the subject matter.

Bastian also developed a mobile application to teach users about the Nain Rouge and other regional folktales.

Answer: War of 1812

Gen. Hull became the first American soldier to be sentenced to death for military incompetence.

Hull surrendered Fort Detroit to a contingent of British soldiers and Shawnee Indians despite having a superior number and better weapons.

The fort was recaptured about a year later by American forces.

Answer: The 12th Street riot broke out

The 12th Street riot was one of the worst riots in recorded American history, lasting more than five days.

The riots broke out after police raided an illegal after-hours bar and brutally beat some customers and employees.

The riots resulted in 43 dead, 1,189 injured, more than 7,200 arrests, and more than 2,000 buildings looted, damaged and destroyed.

Both the Michigan militia and the U.S. Air Force were called in to help restore order to the city.

Answer: Major ice storm struck the city

A major ice storm hit the city of Detroit, knocking out power to more than 250,000 buildings in the metro Detroit area.

The storm started in the late hours of March 1, and lasted several days, hitting it's peak on March 3.

A state of emergency was declared by Gov. William Milliken, which allowed the National Guard to be called in.

Water and sewage service was also affected for much of the region.

Answer: The Great Fire of 1805

The Great Fire of 1805 is thought to have started in the horse stables near Harvey's bakery, though an official cause was never determined.

There were about 600 residents of the city at that time, but no full-time fire department. Several wooden buildings near the stables caught fire and continued to spread the fire as the "bucket-brigades" were unable to keep up.

The entire city, minus one stone building and a few stone chimneys was leveled during the fire. No fatalities were reported though.

A new plan was designed and the city completely rebuilt.

As a direct result of the fire the city adopted a new motto. "It will rise from the ashes."

Answer: France

Marie Catherine d'Aulnoy was the first author to use the term Lutin in her 1697 book "Le Prince Lutin".

She described a Lutin as a creature with no physical boundaries.

A description in her own words:
"You are invisible when you like it; you cross in one moment the vast space of the universe; you rise without having wings; you go through the ground without dying; you penetrate the abysses of the sea without drowning; you enter everywhere, though the windows and the doors are closed; and, when you decide to, you can let yourself be seen in your natural form."

The legend of the Nain Rouge is thought to have been carried over with the French settlers who founded Fort Detroit in 1701.