Previously: The Corner Game.
The Man in the Fields ritual game bears some similarities to a couple of other games we’ve looked at in previous installments of The Most Dangerous Games: Like the Candles Game, you have a task to complete after you perform the summoning (in this case, closing everything in your house that could possibly open), and like the Midnight Game, you’ll have to watch your back while you do it (here, you’ll meet the Man in the Fields if you’re not careful). But while the stakes for the Man in the Fields are roughly as high as they are for these two previous rituals, there’s also much more to gain; for that reason alone, the Man in the Fields ritual might be very attractive to some.
Although the game’s introduction notes that it has been “passed down throughout the centuries” and “originates from the British Isles during the Middle Ages,” I’m somewhat skeptical of this claim; I suspect that, like many of the other games and rituals floating around out there on the internet, it’s actually an invention of the digital age, an internet urban legend aged up to lend it a little more gravity.
[Like what you read? Check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available from Chronicle Books now!]
However, it is true that wicker men have long been burned in effigy stretching back to ancient times — so perhaps there’s something at the root of this ritual after all. Of course, it’s also true that we have little to no proof that these wicker men were used as tools for human sacrifice — the idea of them being used as such may have been a rumor spread by Julius Caesar in an attempt to dehumanize his enemies — but… still.
That scarecrow in your backyard?
It’s not a scarecrow.
As always, play at your own risk.
Players:
- One principal.
Requirements:
- A house with a back garden or backyard. Inside the house should be at least one room that has only one door. Ideally this room should be empty, and ideally, the sole door should have a lock.
- A non-electric source of illumination. A candle or lantern works well, as long as you have a supply of matches or a lighter.
- A crucifix.
- An analog watch or clock. Do not use a cell phone. It won’t work.
Instructions:
The Invitation:
- Begin after sunset, but before midnight. How much time you leave yourself is up to you, but it is not recommended that you begin less than one hour before midnight. See also: Additional Notes.
- Clear the house and backyard of other people. Make sure you have your crucifix on your person.
- Light your candle or lantern.
- Enter the backyard and turn to face the house. Repeat the following phrase seven times: “But who will scare the crows away?”
- After the seventh repetition, listen closely.
- If you hear nothing: The summoning has failed; do not proceed. Although there are no known negative consequences for simply returning to your house, it is recommended that you leave the premises immediately. Do not return until after 6am.
- If you hear a voice behind you (or perhaps in your own head): The summoning has succeeded; you may proceed. The voice will say, “That’s not your biggest problem.” Heed its warning.
- Return to your house and close the door behind you. Do not look back.
The Main Event:
- Go to the room with only one door. Ideally the room should be empty of all objects, but if it is not, close anything in it that might open — drawers, closets, windows, doors, boxes, containers, bags, anything. Do not miss anything. If it is able to be opened, and if it is open, you MUST close it. This will be your safe room.
- Leave the crucifix in the safe room. Continue carrying your candle or lantern.
- Exit the safe room.
- Everything else in your house that is capable of opening will also be open. Your task is to close everything — everything — before your clock strikes 12.
- If you see a man with ashen skin in your peripheral vision: Do not look at him. Do not make eye contact with him. However, there is no need to fear him. Simply go about your business. He is not the Man in the Fields.
- Do not look into the backyard.
- Do not look into the backyard.
- Do not look into the backyard.
- If you look in the backyard: Go immediately to your safe room and close and lock the door. Find your crucifix, and grasp it tightly. Pray you did not leave anything in the room open — anything at all. Do NOT open the door before 6am, no matter what you hear — or don’t hear — outside.
The Closing:
- After you have closed everything in your house — and you are positive you have closed everything in your house — go to bed and close one final thing: Your eyes.
- Sleep, if you can. Do not open your eyes.
- If you wake up in the morning, congratulations — you’ve won.
Additional Notes:
Although any house with a backyard or back garden will suffice as a location, a secluded house in the country with a proper field at its back is recommended. This location yields the strongest results.
Although you may begin the ritual at any point between sunset and midnight, no attempt performed before 9pm has ever succeeded. Additionally, no attempt performed less than one hour before midnight has ever succeeded, although for very different reasons. See also: The Winning Condition.
The Winning Condition:
If you successfully complete the ritual, you will be completely safe for one calendar year; however, what you are safe from will depend on when you began the ritual:
- If you began three hours before midnight: Your safety is physical. You will suffer no illness; you will suffer no injury; you will remain in perfect health for one calendar year.
- If you began two hours before midnight: Your safety is physical and financial. You will remain in perfect health, and you will never want for money for one calendar year.
- If you began one hour before midnight: Your safety is complete and total. Your actions will cause no negative consequences in any way for you for one calendar year.
It is unlikely that you will complete the ritual successfully in one hour.
Concerning the Ashen Man:
He is not the Man in the Fields.
He is more like a referee.
Concerning the Backyard:
If you look in the backyard, you will see a scarecrow that you’ve never seen there before. I say “scarecrow,” of course, but “scarecrow” is a loose term. It is much taller than any scarecrow should be, and it will be missing the same piece of anatomy as a certain horseman I could name.
If you see the scarecrow, he will also see you. And when he sees you, he will begin to climb down from his post.
This is the Man in the Fields.
From the moment he turns his gaze to you, you will have no more than 60 seconds to reach your safe room and lock the door. Do not, under any circumstances, open the door before 6am. If you do, he’ll take something of yours. Something you need. Something you can’t get… ahead without.
One Final Note:
Should you be forced to flee to your safe room, you’d also better hope that you didn’t leave anything in there open.
If you did…
…He’ll still be able to get in.
The Man in the Fields Ritual: FAQ.
***
Follow The Ghost In My Machine on Twitter @GhostMachine13 and on Facebook @TheGhostInMyMachine. And don’t forget to check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available now from Chronicle Books!
[Photo via The hills are alive*/Flickr]
Do vents count? Cause the ones in my house don’t fully close. Do curtains and windows count, also? Specifically ones leading to the backyard, cause you’d kinda have to look outside for that. If they do, are there any strategies to still win the game?
I tried the ritual and it worked. I miraculously survived, and, in short, got the heck outta there. I am currently living with my parents. I WILL NEVER TRY THAT AGAIN. EVER.
Did you win or hide in the safe room? And what kind of things did you have to close? For example, would I have to go through my cupboards to ensure every water bottle is closed?
lets not get “a head” of our self
Every time I come back here, this is one of the “guides” that makes my hair stand up no matter how many times I hear it (along with the Lady Spades’ guide final sentence). Moreover, if played right, this would be prime videogame material.
If I have blinds on the windows that show the backyard will they open as well?
Can I tape my eyes shut?
Yeah, I doubt that would work.
this reminds me of the horror game “Mr. Twigs”. How the game is played is very different but the thing you summon is really similar
Does.. does the toilet count? The bathroom is my safe room and.. I’m sorry that’s just really funny to imagine a scarecrow crawling out of a toilet to claim my head.
We have a maid and her family lives with us and their room is on the outside of my house, but is attached. My dad also has his office and both of these are located on the ground floor. Will these count?
This website has become my latest addiction! Thank you, Lucia for the creeps you give me every night!
Found out, said by looking at the ashen man will cause him to get more angrier as long as you stare at him. Concerning the man in the fields to be called in by him.
Can you play with another person, even if they do the whole ritual with you (saying the summoning statement with you and walking with you to close every object?)
No. You can only play by yourself.
What if you do the summoning but don’t go back in the house, just like, walk away, will you get followed by him or will it just negate the ritual?
Don’t leave any game unfinished.
Wow I wanna try this next time I’m home alone at night but my house is two stories and i would end up crying in my safe room until the next morning and you can be sure I would never set foot in that house again… but anyway cool story and the joke is just amazing.
What if there is another person inside the house besides me?
Then they would be at risk of being killed.
does that mean you have to close everything that could conceivably be closed? like rings, you’d have to tape over them? or if you have curtains on your bed you’d have to close the curtains? jewelry clasps?empty bottles?
Does anyone know of any games where you can’t look at a specific picture on the internet? I’d love to read about it!
Smile.dog or Smile.jpg is one of them. It is not necessarily a game, but it forbids the reader/participant to look at the picture.
And I never listened!
Can’t you just play in an empty house?
I imagine that you could. I mean, it isn’t stated anywhere that you have to play in a house with furniture. But do remember that even if there aren’t any objects that can be opened in the house such as jars, you still have to close things that are built into the house, such as cabinets.
1. Would it help if i pick a literal empty one bedroom bungalow with nothing in? And i’ll just bring along a lantern, a lighter, a bottle of drinking water, and a rosary (it has a crucifix so it’ll do) and a sleeping bag? So i don’t have to close anything?
2. If me and my friends would decide to play at exactly the same time, at different locations, would it work? Who would the MNTF go first?
3. Would it work if i play it in a tropical country, ie. Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam? Or would the MITF only cater to players in the western part of the world (airfare’s expensive, you know)…
1. Obviously it would.
2. Like the bullies in YanSim, he’ll pick randomly.
3. It would.
+Hermits Zozobrado My mom also has a rosary!
What if I can’t see him but he can see me?
It won’t matter; I believe he will still try to get you.
Every thing will be open after you’ve summoned him. This includes pop cans.
If you already closed everything in your safe room does it remain close or do you have close it again?
I believe once the ritual starts, it stays closed if you had previously closed everything within it. If you hadn’t previously closed EVERYTHING in there, you’d better.
You’re probably going to have to keep closing things, but maybe not.
“Something you need. Something you can’t get… -ahead- without.”
LMAO.. Made my day, totally ???
Also what is “a certain horseman I could name”?
That’s a reference to “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” a short story by American author Washington Irving. In the story, a spectral horseman (who is notably missing his noggin) terrorizes a hapless schoolmaster by chasing him on horseback through a dark forest and throwing his severed head in the schoolmaster’s face.
There’s also a novel called “The Headless Horseman” by Mayne Reid that apparently mentions a headless horseman, but the “Sleepy Hollow” legend is older and arguably better-known.
These are probably dumb questions, but will he still try to get you if you don’t look at him? Or will he just, like, stand around in the yard until midnight?
Also, what happens, exactly, if you do forget to close something in a room outside of your safe room? I’m assuming he’d get in through the opening and hang out* in your house until midnight/morning, right? If he does get in somehow, what guarantees that your safe room will actually keep him out?
(*i.e., horribly kill you)
I’ll answer your questions.
1. Will he still try to get you even if you don’t look at him?
Yes, he’ll try to. But unless you close all of your stuff, he will get you and take your head (poor you).
2. What happens if you forgot to close something outside the safe room?
He’ll get in. He’ll get your head and you’ll never wake up. Ever.
3. If he does get in, what guarantees that your safe room will keep him out?
If your safe room is closed, then he’ll not get in your safe room. He’ll probably just stay there banging at the door and begging you to open it.
Yeah. I had a friend who did it and the man supposedly does everything he possibly can to get in. He’ll bang on the door, plead you to let him in, she said he even promised her anything she wanted if she let him in. Just don’t, cause he ain’t gonna keep his promise, he’ll come out ahead of you. (Lol. Lame, already used puns ?)
Will the crucifix still work if I’m an atheist? Like, is the safety from the crucifix in my own personal beliefs or is the crucifix actually powerful in this one?
Probably I mean I’m an atheist myself but haven’t played the game so if it doesn’t then I’m screwed
If my phone is dead, but there were apps open when it died, does that count as having stuff open?
i take it as if your phone is dead, apps won’t be able to to open. besides im not sure he could get in through a phone. probably better safe than sorry though
I don’t think so because they aren’t technically open
This is the kind of ritual where you can never be too cautious. If you’re concerned about something, it’s better to just trust your gut and take care of it beforehand. Preparation is key with this one, so I would not attempt to start the ritual until you have charged your phone, closed the apps and turned it off again.
Can I put up a big piece of opaque material (I.e. really big piece of cardboard) between my house and the bulk of the backward so there’s no way I can actually see the Man In The Fields while closing stuff, is that cheating or anything?
He may consider it cheating. Or the piece of cardboard could fly off, cos using it may consider that window or whatever closed or whatever. So if I were you, I’d play in a house that doesn’t have like any huge bay windows that look out into the backyard
If you have to flee to the safe room, do you have to close your eyes?
After everything else is closed, you need to shut your mouth and eyes, then proceed to sleep
You have 60 seconds to get to the safe room, so I will dare to assume this;
That is the time you have before he starts attempting to enter your house. You have 60 seconds to get to your safe room and shut everything.
I have a see through door that leads to the backyard that has curtains on it. If I were to “play” the game, would the curtains be open from the backyard door? If so, would I have to close it? If you’re wondering, the curtains is on the inside of the house, not outside.
Maybe? I would think so because it says everything INSIDE the the house that can open should be open.
Is it alright to have a “go pro” throughout the ritual?
I wouldn’t. It might not work, technology and magick/supernatural rituals don’t always mix well. Why not just experience things as they are? Does everything need to be recorded? Sometimes, there are some things that are better off not being re-lived.
I guess safety isn’t everything
6: Do not look at the backyard
7: Do not look at the backyard
8: Do not look at the backyard
Is this too much? No?
They are stating the importance not to look in the backyard so no.
Should I close my nose and mouth too? Cause either way, I will die.
Yes, except your nose though. You can’t breathe if you close your nose.
Well, do you want him coming through them?
Like to read about these games.
But i would suggest anyone reading these to never try them
Sorry already did. Also did all the no don’t do it’s too when I played them. At least I’m still alive.
So would a crucifix still work even if you aren’t religious? I wonder if the power is within the beliefs of the beholder or if they have power on their own.
I don’t think it would work. Why bother relying on something to save you when you don’t even believe in the power behind it? That’s where most religions receive their power. The belief strengthens it.
I never expected a Buzzfeed video to lead me to such an awesome website. These rituals are fascinating. I know they’re just stories made up by mostly Reddit users but they still scare me. :S
Which video were you watching? They have HUNDREDS.
If the ashen man is just there to make sure you close everything then why exactly would he be the referee? Just curious if that’s his only purpose in the game.
Would the man in the fields go after other people in the house if you don’t live alone?
It’s possible. If you plan on doing it, nobody should be around
Will he take an object or one of your body parts?
Possibly a crucifix.
It’s the headless horseman. What do you think he’ll take?
Judging by the joke about heads he will probably take your head.
He takes your head
It says to sleep in your safe room in the instructions so I’m guessing yes
Thank you so much for posting this!!! (I am Swagturd101, I just forgot my password lol) Your blog is awesome!!!
what if you close everything or half of the things in your home to get a head start? can you still win?
It wouldnt work, everything in your house that was closed prior to starting the ritual will be opened
So if I open everything, will the ritual close it? Lol
Everything will be opened once the ritual starts. You can’t really cheat in that way.
The ashen man was there to open all ur things
People we need to make a movie of high schoolers doing this ritual (this is better than reading Creepypastas)
What if I film the apex with a gopro that is fixed on my back?
And if I leave the woods would the game stop after 24 hours too?
Wrong game, buddy
I mean, you probablyyyy could…but it’s not a very good idea.
Although you commented on the wrong article, I’ll answer your questions.
1. Viewing him in any way, shape, or form, will cause you to be permanently impaired.
2. Leaving the woods into civilization would cause you to bring it there too. The game does NOT end until the 24 hour mark, so don’t expect to be “out of the woods” yet. And that would also be considered cheating because you’re not supposed to leave. That’s reckless thinking and if you don’t think you could finish it out in the woods, you really shouldn’t participate in it at all.
What if your neighbor looks at the scarecrow?
hopefully the man will be too busy brutally murdering your neighbor to worry about you
This is the greatest reply i have ever read lmao
I came here just to read your comment.
Hahaha that is so funny xD.
I wonder who his boss could be tho.
Then……they’re doomed. But just, mind your own business and don’t mine MITF (man in the fields)
Your neighbor just looks to your backyard, sees a scarecrow, the thing starts going towards him and he screams his head off right before he gets killed. It would be kinda funny.
When I finish, do I have to sleep in my safe room?
No, you sleep in your bedroom. If you know you failed, get to the safe room before midnight, unless you looked at him. If that’s the case, then get there ASAP. Anyway, if in doubt. Sleep in the safe room. You won’t get anything.
Yup. It’s your safe room. You have to sleep in it.
This is probably one of the creepier rituals I’ve read. It almost seems like the risk is closing EVERYTHING. It requires absolute detail to everything in your home. Like the smallest thing could be overlooked and it would result in losing the game. There’s so many things that can be “opened”, that would need to be closed, especially in the kitchen. Also if your window was open that perhaps shows the back yard, you’d have to avoid looking at him but he only sees you if you see him right? Creepy. Don’t think I would chance this one, but gave me chills reading it. Nice!
… Hold my beer
You sir
Win at life
Beautifully said.
Can I be your best friend from now on?
So If I don’t win…. Does that mean I won’t wake up in the morning?
Yes… because your head will be attached to the Man in the Field.
You die. There is no other way to put it. But where you end up…….I cant answer that
I wonder if the game can be “cheated” by starting it with an empty house, minus a bed in the safe room, which would basically only require windows and doors to be closed. That would make completion in under an hour contemptuously easy.
What about vents, medicine cabinets, etc. Really think about it. It would be a shame if you got cocky and got in over your HEAD. Haha.
That IS possible.
Say there’s a giant box and a small box within. Do I have to close both? Do I have to close books or apps on my phone? What if the lid to something was missing or broken off? What do you do if you close something but it immediately comes loose and opens? Should I close my mouth and eyes when I’m done?
You better nail everything shut, and i mean EVERYTHING, although i doubt you have to close your eyes. But probably your mouth
What if you put the crucifix in your mouth and go to sleep with it in your mouth? Would you still have to close your mouth?
Yes.
Yes.
If possible, fix it before you attempt the ritual.
Close it then.
Yes except your nose.
Seal ’em. For example, a jar. Just try to find the lid, then if you did, close it tightly. If not, tape it with lots of tapes. He’ll get in if you don’t.
Hmmm, what if you have things in your backyard that can be opened or closed? For example, a box of gardening tools or a hose with a lid? I’d like to try this, but I have both of those things, and obviously I’m not supposed to go into the backyard. Will those put me at risk?
I would… STRONGLY suggest closing these. Just in case.
No, only things in the house will be open.
Since he gets in your home through open objects..he will be traveling to the yard again. Put a box on another box upside down..both open and maybe he’ll get trapped.,XD
Ah, scary! Even though the head joke made me giggle, this ritual somehow scared me more than usual. Thank you so much more making these posts, I love reading about this rituals!
What head joke?
OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
The one where she goes you can’t get AHEAD without it.
He will take your head if you fail the ritual. Ahead. A head, get it?
Don’t take it as a joke, AHEAD WITHOUT. After the whole challenge rules and notes, it says he has NO head. That is what he is looking for. Consider him a horseman. Try to found those words. Don’t plan to take this as a joke.
let us have our fun
why can’t you look at the man with the ashen skin? just curious.
I assume it will piss him off
It will cause you to lose time rapidly.
now, just outta interest… In the house I’m living right now we have a split up backyard pretty much; we have one small court pretty much surrounded by our house and then behind that there’s our garden.. Now when I would start this ritual and I start in the garden, the man in the fields should “spawn” behind me in the garden right? Cause to reach the rest of the house I would have to cross the court and I’d be pretty much fucked if I had to pass him wouldn’t I? 0_0
If it helps the court is open to the top no roof whatsoever
Should I close my mouth too?
I don’t think he’ll crawl out of your mouth…
Shut it. You don’t want to keep that open
Do I have to close books or apps on my phone? Do I have to close something that’s already in something closed like an open box within a closed one?
Close every. Single. Thing.
You bloody legend
As if my backyard doesn’t creep me out enough already…
I laughed too much at the head joke.
So creepy! I’d never attempt these but they’re such fun to read. 🙂
I agree so much poppyreid lol XDXD
Something you can’t get—ahead without.
Good one, good point
How about my girlfriend?