Legend has it that the lake of Seljord in Telemark (Norway) is home to a sea serpent. The stories and mysterious phenomena twining around this centuries-old legend have become an integral part of local culture.

Seljord and its surrounding communities have been relatively poor farming areas for ages – a fact that shines through in the local heritage of modest timber shingle-thatched houses and the – in comparison to the flourishing Norwegian boom towns and picture-postcard tourism spots – somewhat more dire economic prospects of the area.