The Dunes is a very eerie and beautiful area of Treadleonia. It is regarded with almost mystical reverance by the inhabitants. These shifting sand hills, with their strange, wind carved rocks, are said by legend to be tied to the very earliest history of Treadleonia. This story goes back to a time so long ago that no one can vouch for it's truth, but this is the legend…

Long, long ago, before the first stitch was taken, there was a small island, peacefully resting in the sun, somewhere in what was then known as The Sea of Nowhere. It was widely accepted that if you ventured too far out onto the Sea of Nowhere, you would be swallowed by sea monsters and never heard of again. Sailors did not venture far out, and the island was undiscovered and (almost) uninhabited.

Eventually, in the fullness of time, stitching was discovered, and sewing machines joined humans in occupying the world as it was known. Unfortunately, the people of that time and place were filled with hubris, and did not acknowledge the true role and status of the sewing machines. They began to force the machines to develop in strange ways, making them complicated and unreliable. The sewing machines, and a few of the humans as well, resented this, and longed to be free to follow their own destinies and beliefs.

Among the humans, a leader appeared. He was a rather nasty, irascible old pirate captain named Dick… not a nice fellow at all. He was quite insistent on doing things his own way and being independent. His First Mate and good friend was a hulking big sewing machine named Arnold. Arnold was a fairly simple fellow, but loyal and true.

One day, the government issued an edict that all of the sewing machines must be modified to make crooked, as well as straight, stitches and that they must do so by some strange means of automatic power, rather than by treadling or cranking. Some of the sewing machines, including Arnold, were terrified at what effect these modifications might have on them. Would it hurt? Would their personalities change? They had been practicing straight stitching all of their lives and firmly believed that this was "The Correct and Given Way". The humans wondered how they could truly relate to their sewing machine friends if they did not personally provide the power for them… they felt that the bonding this produced was a critical factor in their relationships.

Being the independent and bold soul that he was, Captain Dick gathered his crew and those sewing machines and humans who were willing to defy the government edict and attempt to flee. He offered to take them all in search of someplace new, someplace that could be their own, but only if they were willing to sail with him across the Sea of Nowhere. Most of the machines and humans were terrified. What a choice, to sail the Sea of Nowhere or be modified and continue living under tyranny! Many were not willing to take the risk, but a small, intrepid band signed on for the voyage.

On a cold, foggy morning, Captain Dick addressed the ship's company. "Friends," he said, "we are about to embark on a long and dangerous journey. I know that you are afraid. Long have we all feared the Sea of Nowhere. However, I want you to change your thinking. That which has been the cause of fear is now the source of our hope. The very fact that others fear to sail this sea makes it for us an Ocean of Opportunity. We shall cross that ocean and find a new home… a place where we can live as we want to live, and follow the true way… the Way of the Straight Stitch and the Treadle!"

The good ship "Sunday Morning" left the world, as they knew it, and sailed ever westward, hoping to find a new land. After many storms and travails, including encounters with the dreaded sea monsters, they sighted land… a small island, floating in the sun. They landed on a beach of rolling sand dunes, and Captain Dick claimed the island, naming it "Treadleonia".

For many years, the small group prospered in their new home, exploring, building homes and raising families, developing trades and specialties. It was true that Treadleonia had hazards… there was the occasional dragon, and some natural dangers like caves and swamps, but for the most part, life was good.

There was one odd situation. When they discovered the island, the brave adventurers found that there was one resident, a rather strange being… He seemed to be human, much of the time, but there were those who swore he changed shape and became other creatures at will. They called him "The Wizard". He lived by a beautiful waterfall on the edge of a bay. Over time, it was noted that he did not seem to age, and it was assumed that he was immortal. For the most part, he was tolerant of the humans and machines, though when upset he could be quite nasty and mischievous. It seemed to depend on his mood, and he was quite moody. However, he also helped from time to time by providing herbs and medicines or perhaps casting a small spell or two. He seemed to relate especially well to rebellious teenagers. It was claimed that he was capable of great magic, but no one really knew.

Things went along well for quite awhile, then one day, a fleet of ships was sighted, coming from the east. It seems the government back on the mainland was not happy about a band of subjects fleeing and becoming independent. As long as there were rumors of a place where straight stitchers and treadlers prospered, there was a cause of unrest in the land. The government sent an army of sewing machine salesmen out to capture the rebels and bring them back!

The invading armada anchored off the beach and the army landed on the dunes. The settlers were in a quandary. Other than the pirates, they had no weapons and no fighting experience. It seemed they were doomed.

No one really knows what happened then… some say The Wizard had a hand in it. A strange thick mist rolled down from the hills. It covered the beach so thickly that nothing could be seen. There were claps of thunder and flashes of lightning. A wild, fierce wind arose that seemed to circle only the sand dunes, yet it did not clear the mist. The wind seemed to cry and moan and scream as if expressing the agonies of a thousand lifetimes! It is said that the dark and the wind lasted for three days and three nights.

When the wind died, and the mist cleared, and the dark departed… the ships were gone and there was no sign of the army that had been on the beach. Instead, just off the beach were some tall new islands and the beach itself was covered with strange, wind carved upright rocks that had never been there before.

The Treadleonians never heard from their old government again, and continued to prosper. Over time, the story was passed down from generation to generation, becoming in its passage "The Legend of the Dunes". The strange rocks are, to this day, called "The Salesmen" and the offshore islands are called "The Ships".