I doubt it very much. They've always seemed like folk tales to me. But then, I suppose there's plenty of stories I'd thought were folk tales that had proven themselves to be true, so I could be mistaken on this one too.
It's just been Hap and I for the last seven years, up until when we recently came to Buckkeep Town for his apprenticeship. It's been an adjustment, but I do miss him more than I'd thought I would. I'm sorry that you're missing your parent though. I hope you'll be reunited.
That's... incredible, I suppose. Were there no native plants or animals there before?