The Phobes live on a dinky little world hidden in the arc of a rainbow. It is divided down the middle by a wide, dark river, across which there is a single old rickety bridge, which creaks all the time. On one side of this river, the lands are covered with wheat fields and small comfortable woodlands, within which, nestled in a small glade, can be found an old tower (scrabbling and thoughtful ‘hmm’ sounds can be heard emanating from within).

Moving away from the woods, and looking towards the open lands, animals frolic in the pastures and it is always sunny and bright. In the midst of this peaceful land a small village of little cottages surround a pretty little town square. This is the land of the Phobes, and it is normally a very happy place.

On the other side of the river, mountain ranges and dark pools stretch as far as the eye can see. Everything is in shadow, the mountain ranges reflect in wavy patterns within the dark waters, odd fins and tentacles appear and disappear further from dark pebbly shorelines. Strange noises echo from within the small caves dotted throughout the many peaks.

One in particular looms above all the others, a tall spindly column topped with a large, egg shaped rocky outcrop. It casts a shadow over all the other mountains, and from its summit, angry eyes peer over into the sunnier villages far away...

The Phobe Village is a light, airy place, surrounded by pleasant fields, with lovely woodlands in the distance. The cottages are small two storey affairs with thatched roofs, surrounding a tiny square, where the Phobes meet daily to play games and have fun.

They all look forward to when the Tower Keeper comes to town to tell them stories! Two small paths lead from the square, one leads into the woods and ends in the clear glade where the Old Tower can be found. The other travels away from the sunny glades and pleasant woodland, towards the bridge.

None of the Phobes like going near the bridge, as it eventually leads to the mountains, which they are all very scared of.

The bridge itself is old and wooden, built long before anyone can remember. It looks like the kind of thing that was built in a hurry and left to fall apart. It creaks constantly in summer or winter, and its railings and footpath have many planks missing.

Through the gaps, the rushing waters of the river can be seen and heard gurgling and splashing below. Only very brave (or stupid!) Phobes ever cross into the lands beyond.

The Old Tower is an ancient white stone cottage, with a rickety old tower built into the side. At the top of the tower is an overhanging room, where the Tower Keeper can always be found by any Phobe who wishes to talk to him.

At the top of the tower, which can be reached by a small spiral staircase, is a wooden door with a large brass handle that leads to the smallest room in the tower. This room is quite dark and cosy, the walls lined with bookshelves and an ancient rug, adorned with strange markings, covers the wooden floorboards.

In the centre of the room is an old sofa, and opposite - a study desk and chair, both weighed down with old books and magazines. The room is quite musty and dust can be seen hanging in the air by the light of the single skylight and is built into the conical rafters of the tower’s thatched roof.

Outside, birds can be heard singing in the trees, and there is a small old greenhouse where the Tower Keeper grows his prize vegetables and fruits, from zangberries, to the much coveted blue and pink potted potatoes.