Intermission - Ancient Legends
When the companions returned to the village of Kemend, there was a general sense of relief and joy as the party recounted their tale. Given that the threat of the vampire is gone and spring is arriving, the villagers decide to throw a party in honor of their new heroes. While the village prepares for the celebration, the heroes prepared for the next phase of their journey.
Zerkestor the healer set up a temporary clinic to help any ailing villagers. In his spare time, he sought to gather more information about the ancient myths and legends.
The Creation Myth
An elderly man from one of the outlying farmsteads limped into Zerkestor's clinic; supported by those Zerkestor would guess to be the old man's grand-children. During the process to examining him and healing him, Zerkestor talked to the old man, who introduced himself as Aldbras. Apparently, Aldbras used to be a book maker in the city of Averdale, making mostly holy books for the temples. Now, needing someone to care for him, he lives with his son’s family. Unusual among the poorer commoners, Aldbras has spent much time reading books. Most of these were the book he was making – for he could afford to buy only a few books.
His eyes light up as he spoke to you of the written words – and Zerkestor felt some sorrow that Aldbras probably has few to speak of such things. Despite his age, Aldbras has a remarkable memory, and long did Aldbras spoke to you, reciting the ancient legends written in the various holy books.
“Before time even came to be, there was the One and the One was the holy void. From the One then came the Many – first the Elder Gods, then the Younger Gods. For a while, the Gods went their separate ways, with their words and songs, they gave forms to the void and created their separate creatures and dwelled in their own domains.”
“Then the Gods had gathered to work together. They sang in chorus and the divine choir gave a new form to the void – first the lights in the void that we call stars. Then from the threads that could-be stars, their voices weaved threads into the world and the elements, and all that lived without thoughts or speech. The Gods named their creation ‘Sidrea’ meaning ‘weaved of the stars.’”
“But then, when it came time to create that which thinks and would have independent will, the Gods quarreled. The quarrel grew heated, and eventually the Gods went their separate ways into the land. A small group of Gods work together still. Among these Gods are Pelor, Eleema, Selene, Hextor, Heironeous, Alioch, Zerkestor, and others, and they made Men.”
At that point, Aldbras chuckled, “I suppose that is why we Men are so different, even from one another – the Gods couldn’t make up their minds when they made us.”
“Corellon made the elves. Moradin made the dwarves. Garl Glittergold made the gnomes. Yondalla made the halflings. Grummsh made the orcs, the goblinoids, and many other creatures of savage disposition. These are some of the creations of the Younger Gods.”
“The Younger Gods, pleased with their creations, dwelled among their children, took mates among them, and taught them.”
“The Elder Gods, whose names are lost, made the Giants, the Titans, the Dragons, the Krakens, and other great creatures of terrible power.”
“When the Younger Gods learned of the creation of the Elder Gods, they were exceedingly wroth – for should the children of the Elder Gods prosper and multiply, the children of the Younger Gods would surely perish.”
“So the Younger Gods went among the Elder and asks that the children of the Elder Gods be few in number and slow to multiply. Of the Elder Gods, none but he who made the Dragons consented. In anger, the Younger Gods made war upon the Elder Gods.”
“The Gods arouse great spirits of fire, water, air, and earth to do battle. Mountains were toppled and fertile lands were burnt to deserts. In the end, the Younger Gods were victorious and they banished the Elder Gods, save for the maker of Dragons, back to their own domains, their name forbidden and forgotten in Sidrea. Their war won, the Younger Gods cursed the creations of the Elder Gods so that they are few in number and slow to multiply.”
“However, Sidrea itself was grievously wounded and the Younger Gods realized that should there be another war among the Gods, their creation would not long survive. So the Younger Gods, too, departed from the world. Save that the names of the Younger Gods shall remain for the mortals to call upon, and the memory of their deeds shall remain for mortals to reflect.”
Aldbras paused, then sighed, “I’ve heard from some others of legends concerning the Elder God who made the Dragons, it was said that he was betrayed – but I did not come across an account of the tale.”
The Tale of Zethunor and Shadira
“Hmm, you are a priest of the old Surf-raiser, huh?” Aldbras thought for a second. “Have you ever heard of the tale of Shadira? No? What do they teach you in priest school nowadays? Wait, don’t answer that.” The old man paused for a moment, “Let me collect my thoughts for a bit, I think you’ll like this tale.”
“Before the war that sundered the lands, when the light of Pelor was still young, the Gods walked upon the lands, took upon themselves mortal guises, and dwelled among their people. Among the Gods was Zethunor, whose people were the sailors and the settlers of the coastal lands.”
“Zethunor was a brooding God, and his moods and tempers are famed even among the Gods. He was sudden and terrible in his anger, yet easily pleased and quick to forgive. His people both fear and love his mercurial and unpredictable ways. Ever restless, Zethunor did not long dwelled among his people, but rather he wandered the land – only occasionally did he return among his people. Sometimes he returned among his people as a wind and sometimes as a wave.”
“One day Zethrunor returned among his people to find them gossiping of a young maid named Shadira – who would not wed.”
“Shadira was the most beauteous maid on the coast, trim of ankle and comely to the eyes. Yet, she had a tempestuous mood and a restless spirit, even as her God. When her father, a priest of Zethunor, commanded her to wed, she would not, but demanded that her would-be husband best her in sailing, in swimming, and in diving. Many young men sought to win Shadira’s heart but all failed.”
“Then Zethunor took upon himself the mortal guise of a young fisherman – and went among those who wish to best Shadira and win her heart. When he beheld Shadira, Zethunor was smitten, for she was greatly pleasing to him, being much alike him, yet not him, and his heart went to her.”
“It is said that when Shadira saw Zethunor in his mortal guise, her heart went to him as well. So secretly she prayed to Zethunor that she would lose to none but the young fisherman.”
“So it was that, in the guise of a young fisherman, Zethunor bested Shadira and she yielded to him, only to discover that her husband was none other than her God and there was great bliss among them. Zethunor so loved his human bride that he gave her the gift of agelessness and longevity, that she would retain her restless spirit and stay but longer with him.”
“So Shadira gave birth to Wynmira, her eldest child, and who had webbed hands and feet and became the mother of the merfolk. Too, Shadira gave birth to Sayel, the greatest mariner of ancient times.”
“Yet, eternal are never the days of bliss, even for the Gods. Too soon the days of war approached, and Zethunor left to join the Younger Gods against the Elders. The war lasted many years, yet Zethunor remembered his beloved, and thought that he could return to her when the war ends.”
“However, when the war ended, Zethunor found the lands sundered, and much that once was, is no more. Where there once were seas and coastal land is now deserts. Zethrunor searched the four corners of Sidrea yet did not find his love. His mood grew ever mercurial, unto this day.”
“It is said that the lands are swept with rain and snow when the Surfraiser felt his loss, and the clouds part to admit sunshine and gentle breeze when the Surfraiser remembered his bliss. So ever the waves come forth to lap the coastal lands, in hope of curling around Shadira’s trim ankle. So ever the winds whisper among the mountain passes, dreaming to caress Shadira’s face again.”
At this moment, Aldbras paused, and his voice grew deeper and more coarse, “Forgive me, milord, but there is a darker side to this tale as well. For they say that when mortals are too full of Shadira’s spirit, then would the Surf-raiser stir the weather so that they may pass quickly from this world into his embrace.”
Zerkestor the healer set up a temporary clinic to help any ailing villagers. In his spare time, he sought to gather more information about the ancient myths and legends.
The Creation Myth
An elderly man from one of the outlying farmsteads limped into Zerkestor's clinic; supported by those Zerkestor would guess to be the old man's grand-children. During the process to examining him and healing him, Zerkestor talked to the old man, who introduced himself as Aldbras. Apparently, Aldbras used to be a book maker in the city of Averdale, making mostly holy books for the temples. Now, needing someone to care for him, he lives with his son’s family. Unusual among the poorer commoners, Aldbras has spent much time reading books. Most of these were the book he was making – for he could afford to buy only a few books.
His eyes light up as he spoke to you of the written words – and Zerkestor felt some sorrow that Aldbras probably has few to speak of such things. Despite his age, Aldbras has a remarkable memory, and long did Aldbras spoke to you, reciting the ancient legends written in the various holy books.
“Before time even came to be, there was the One and the One was the holy void. From the One then came the Many – first the Elder Gods, then the Younger Gods. For a while, the Gods went their separate ways, with their words and songs, they gave forms to the void and created their separate creatures and dwelled in their own domains.”
“Then the Gods had gathered to work together. They sang in chorus and the divine choir gave a new form to the void – first the lights in the void that we call stars. Then from the threads that could-be stars, their voices weaved threads into the world and the elements, and all that lived without thoughts or speech. The Gods named their creation ‘Sidrea’ meaning ‘weaved of the stars.’”
“But then, when it came time to create that which thinks and would have independent will, the Gods quarreled. The quarrel grew heated, and eventually the Gods went their separate ways into the land. A small group of Gods work together still. Among these Gods are Pelor, Eleema, Selene, Hextor, Heironeous, Alioch, Zerkestor, and others, and they made Men.”
At that point, Aldbras chuckled, “I suppose that is why we Men are so different, even from one another – the Gods couldn’t make up their minds when they made us.”
“Corellon made the elves. Moradin made the dwarves. Garl Glittergold made the gnomes. Yondalla made the halflings. Grummsh made the orcs, the goblinoids, and many other creatures of savage disposition. These are some of the creations of the Younger Gods.”
“The Younger Gods, pleased with their creations, dwelled among their children, took mates among them, and taught them.”
“The Elder Gods, whose names are lost, made the Giants, the Titans, the Dragons, the Krakens, and other great creatures of terrible power.”
“When the Younger Gods learned of the creation of the Elder Gods, they were exceedingly wroth – for should the children of the Elder Gods prosper and multiply, the children of the Younger Gods would surely perish.”
“So the Younger Gods went among the Elder and asks that the children of the Elder Gods be few in number and slow to multiply. Of the Elder Gods, none but he who made the Dragons consented. In anger, the Younger Gods made war upon the Elder Gods.”
“The Gods arouse great spirits of fire, water, air, and earth to do battle. Mountains were toppled and fertile lands were burnt to deserts. In the end, the Younger Gods were victorious and they banished the Elder Gods, save for the maker of Dragons, back to their own domains, their name forbidden and forgotten in Sidrea. Their war won, the Younger Gods cursed the creations of the Elder Gods so that they are few in number and slow to multiply.”
“However, Sidrea itself was grievously wounded and the Younger Gods realized that should there be another war among the Gods, their creation would not long survive. So the Younger Gods, too, departed from the world. Save that the names of the Younger Gods shall remain for the mortals to call upon, and the memory of their deeds shall remain for mortals to reflect.”
Aldbras paused, then sighed, “I’ve heard from some others of legends concerning the Elder God who made the Dragons, it was said that he was betrayed – but I did not come across an account of the tale.”
The Tale of Zethunor and Shadira
“Hmm, you are a priest of the old Surf-raiser, huh?” Aldbras thought for a second. “Have you ever heard of the tale of Shadira? No? What do they teach you in priest school nowadays? Wait, don’t answer that.” The old man paused for a moment, “Let me collect my thoughts for a bit, I think you’ll like this tale.”
“Before the war that sundered the lands, when the light of Pelor was still young, the Gods walked upon the lands, took upon themselves mortal guises, and dwelled among their people. Among the Gods was Zethunor, whose people were the sailors and the settlers of the coastal lands.”
“Zethunor was a brooding God, and his moods and tempers are famed even among the Gods. He was sudden and terrible in his anger, yet easily pleased and quick to forgive. His people both fear and love his mercurial and unpredictable ways. Ever restless, Zethunor did not long dwelled among his people, but rather he wandered the land – only occasionally did he return among his people. Sometimes he returned among his people as a wind and sometimes as a wave.”
“One day Zethrunor returned among his people to find them gossiping of a young maid named Shadira – who would not wed.”
“Shadira was the most beauteous maid on the coast, trim of ankle and comely to the eyes. Yet, she had a tempestuous mood and a restless spirit, even as her God. When her father, a priest of Zethunor, commanded her to wed, she would not, but demanded that her would-be husband best her in sailing, in swimming, and in diving. Many young men sought to win Shadira’s heart but all failed.”
“Then Zethunor took upon himself the mortal guise of a young fisherman – and went among those who wish to best Shadira and win her heart. When he beheld Shadira, Zethunor was smitten, for she was greatly pleasing to him, being much alike him, yet not him, and his heart went to her.”
“It is said that when Shadira saw Zethunor in his mortal guise, her heart went to him as well. So secretly she prayed to Zethunor that she would lose to none but the young fisherman.”
“So it was that, in the guise of a young fisherman, Zethunor bested Shadira and she yielded to him, only to discover that her husband was none other than her God and there was great bliss among them. Zethunor so loved his human bride that he gave her the gift of agelessness and longevity, that she would retain her restless spirit and stay but longer with him.”
“So Shadira gave birth to Wynmira, her eldest child, and who had webbed hands and feet and became the mother of the merfolk. Too, Shadira gave birth to Sayel, the greatest mariner of ancient times.”
“Yet, eternal are never the days of bliss, even for the Gods. Too soon the days of war approached, and Zethunor left to join the Younger Gods against the Elders. The war lasted many years, yet Zethunor remembered his beloved, and thought that he could return to her when the war ends.”
“However, when the war ended, Zethunor found the lands sundered, and much that once was, is no more. Where there once were seas and coastal land is now deserts. Zethrunor searched the four corners of Sidrea yet did not find his love. His mood grew ever mercurial, unto this day.”
“It is said that the lands are swept with rain and snow when the Surfraiser felt his loss, and the clouds part to admit sunshine and gentle breeze when the Surfraiser remembered his bliss. So ever the waves come forth to lap the coastal lands, in hope of curling around Shadira’s trim ankle. So ever the winds whisper among the mountain passes, dreaming to caress Shadira’s face again.”
At this moment, Aldbras paused, and his voice grew deeper and more coarse, “Forgive me, milord, but there is a darker side to this tale as well. For they say that when mortals are too full of Shadira’s spirit, then would the Surf-raiser stir the weather so that they may pass quickly from this world into his embrace.”
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