Myths & Stories

[Yichimet]

Across the fire from you, Yichimet sits and smokes his peacebloom pipe. "There are many stories of the old times, when the world was new and the people young," he says. "I will tell you one, if you will hear it."

[Yichimet]

Long ago an old shu'halo man and woman lived alone on the plains. The old bull hunted game and his wife kept their home and tended to the corn and squash. It came to be that the rains did not visit them for seaoson after season, and the crops would not grow, and the game left the area. The old bull had to go farther and farther to hunt for deer and there were no kodo herds to be seen anywhere.

On one of his long hunts, the old and hungry man came upon a big patch of blood on the ground, with a blood clot in the middle. The clot was big enough that it looked like a bladder or a big blister. The old man wrapped it in his shirt and took it home, thinking his wife could use it to make a soup of some kind.

He brought it to her and she, who was also very hungry, was happy. She put water on to boil but when she was stoking the fire she accidentally kicked the clot with her hoof. It rolled on the ground a short ways.

Now I will tell you this--the shu'halo believe in something called Takuskanskan. It is the spirit of movement. Or maybe it is right to say the magic of the spirit of movement. It is one of the powers that animates all life, from the fastest pouncing cat to the smallest growing cactus. When the clot rolled on the ground, the motion, the spirit in the motion began to give some life to the blood. The old woman saw this and pushed it again with her hoof and the spirit in the blood and the dirt of the floor mixed and the woman heard a heartbeat. She pushed it again and the clot grew legs and arms, and she pushed it again and there on the ground of her teepee was a crying little shu'halo boy.

The old couple were happy with their new son, and held him and cooed and went to sleep hungry. When they woke in the morning the baby was crawling and smiling at them, and they were happy.

The next day when they woke he was now a small boy, and he started pointing at things and saying their names: "Mama," and "Papa," and "Sun" and "Wind" and "Dirt."

The next day the small boy was bigger still, a boy on his way to his naming rites. The old shu'halo saw this and carved small arrows for the young boy. "Your name is Blood Clot. Take these, son, and go out in the world."

So the boy went, and came back the next day with a small animal in his hand, brown and lean. "I have hunted this prey," he said, and his mother cooked the prairie dog into a soup and they ate for the first time in many days.

The next day the boy returned from his hunt with an animal with soft fur and big ears, and they ate rabbit.

The next day the boy brought home a bigger animal, with sharp claws and teeth, and said "This badger will be our supper."

The next day he brought home a deer, and they tanned the hide and made a better bow for Blood Clot.

The next day he brought home a mountain lion, and they made a necklace of its claws for him.

He was now a young man, and his parents were grateful for his prowess in the hunt. He said to them, "I must go and find the village where our people live. But before I leave I will go on one last hunt so that you are never hungry again. Now, you must go inside your teepee, and fasten all the sides and the door, and stay inside no matter what. Do not be scared for me, and wait until I tell you it is safe to come out."

They did as he told them, and for the morning they sat in the tent. In the afternoon the wind howled and pulled at the tentflaps and a storm came upon them, so strong and so fierce they thought they would die. The old man said "I have to go save our son!" but the woman reminded him what Blood Clot said, and so they stayed inside the teepee all afternoon and all night while the wind howled around them and thunder crashed through the sky.

In the morning the storm had stopped and they heard their son's voice. "It is safe to come out." And when they did they saw their son and a whole herd of dead kodo.

"Now you have enough to eat," he said. The old man set to skinning the great beasts And the old woman pulled out the racks to cure the meat and the hides. They thanked their son and gave him a warm, sad goodbye and he walked into the land to find his people.

-----

(( Heavily inspired by/stolen from this book. ))

[Yemana]

Yemana reaches her hand out for the pipe.  "The story of Blood Clot is known among many of our tribes.  My mother was Runetotem, and I fell asleep listening to it whenever the storms came upon us."  She blows the sweet-smelling peacebloom smoke across the fire before continuing in her deep, rich voice.  "Here is another she used to tell me - a story older than our people, for it does not tell of shu'halo, but our animal brothers and sisters."

-----

Many, many winters ago, long before our ancestors were born, the Earthmother gave life and breath to her children who are older even than we are.  She birthed Fox and Owl and Salmon and Bear, and all the rest of the animals - and she created them all the same.

Among the animals was playful Rabbit, who was liked above any other animal.  He had many friends, and they all played and ate grass together.  However, the children of Rabbit were many, and they continued to multiply until there were as many of Rabbit's children as there were stars in the night sky, and soon there was no more grass for the other animals to eat.

Earthmother heard her children groaning at the emptiness of their bellies.  She found Rabbit among his many offspring and said to him, "Brother Rabbit, if you cannot control your people, I will have to do so.  The other animals are starving, and they will die if you do not do something."

But Rabbit was very proud, and would not listen to her.  "Phah," he scoffed.  "Why should I care what happens to them?  They are not as strong or as smart as my people."  And he turned his back on Earthmother, pointing his nose up into the air and marching away.

This made Earthmother rumble with anger, and all the animals ran and hid.  She was determined to teach Rabbit a lesson.  After she quieted herself, she called each animal to her and gave each one a gift.  To Heron, she gave the gift of long legs for wading in deep water.  She gave large, flat feet to Kodo and shiny, slippery scales to Fish.

When Fox came to her, and other animals like Coyote and Cheetah, Hawk and Wolf and others like them, Earthmother gave each of them a fierce desire to hunt and kill Rabbit and his children.

And so they did.  They used the gifts Earthmother had given them to seek out and slay many of Rabbit's children, and they were no longer hungry.

When Rabbit saw what was happening, he knew then that Earthmother was too wise for him, and he was frightened.  He had never thought that any of his children could be killed, for he thought that they were the smartest and strongest of all the animals.  In his fear, he ran away to hide, but he could find no cave to shelter in - so he started digging in the ground to make a place to hide himself.

Earthmother found Rabbit burrowing into the ground and smiled to herself.  "Little one," she said, "have you seen Brother Rabbit?  I wish to give him a gift, as I have done for all the other animals."

But Rabbit was still frightened, and he continued to burrow down into the ground, hoping that she would not know him.  "No," he said, shaking his tail back and forth.  "I do not know where he is.  I have not seen him at all."

"I see," said Earthmother.  "Well, I wish for -you- to come out, and I shall bless you instead."

Rabbit only shook his tail back and forth again.  "No!  I must hide underground, for Coyote and Hawk are coming, and they will kill and eat me if they catch me.  If you must bless me, you will have to do the best you can, for I will not come out."

"Very well," said Earthmother.  And she laid her blessing upon the only part of Brother Rabbit that was not yet underground - his hindquarters.  Rabbit's tail became soft, snowy white, and his back legs grew strong and powerful.  Amazed, he pulled his head out from the hole he had dug and began racing across the plains and through the forests - faster than any other animal.

"All the world will be your enemy, Brother Rabbit."  Earthmother watched Rabbit and his children running and digging holes to make homes for themselves.  "Fox and Weasel and Cheetah and many, many others will hunt you - and when they catch you, they will kill you."

-----

" 'But first,' " finishes Yemana, " 'they have to catch you.' "

The druid smiles at the memories of childhood glowing softly in the eyes of the other shu'halo, and at the other Grim who are now only hearing the story for the first time.  She puffs on the pipe once more and turns to her left, offering it to you.  "Let us have another tale, my friend."


((Completely ripped off of Watership Down.))

[Inzema]

Qarosimae passes the pipe, not taking any for herself. She adjusts her glasses and leans back, resting her weight on her elbows, felfire green eyes focused intently on the crackling flames.  "I did not grow up on stories.  You don't get stories from parents who are dead, and you don't have time for them when you're more concerned about your next meal.  When I started reading, however, I picked up a few."  She adjusts her glasses and looks up from the flame, towards the stars above.  "I learned this one from a troll."

-~-~-

Once, long ago, there were no stories in the world because the Sky-God had them all.  The Spider went to the Sky-God and asked what they would cost to buy.  The Sky-God, thinking he could discourage the Spider and keep his stories, set a difficult price.  He asked for the Python, the Leopard, and the Hornets.  The Spider was not discouraged.  He was smart and determined.  He told the Sky-God that he would have his price, and immediately set off to capture the Python, the Leopard, and the Hornets.

First, the Spider went to the home of the Python and stood outside, arguing with himself.  He said to himself "My friend is wrong.  Python is longer and stronger than a tree branch.  There is no way he is right."  Python, hearing Spider, emerged from his home and asked Spider what he was talking about.  Spider explained to Python that he had had an argument with a friend, who had claimed that Python was not longer and stronger than a tree branch.  Python, prideful of his length, told spider to bring a tree branch and they would prove that Python was indeed longer and stronger than the tree branch. 
Spider brought a tree branch to test against Python, but they soon discovered that when Python tried to stretch out entirely, either his head or his tail would move away, so Python agreed to allow Spider to tie his head and tail to the branch.  Once done, Spider tied him further with his webs, securing Python to the branch so tightly that Python could not escape.  He took Python to the Sky-God and left again to catch the Leopard.

To catch the Leopard, Spider dug a hole in the ground in a place he knew that Leopard liked to walk and waited.  When Leopard came along, she did not notice the hole and fell in.  She tried to escape, but could not jump high enough to climb out of the hole.  She called for help and Spider answered.  "What has happened to you, Leopard?" he called down.  "I am trapped in a hole" she replied.  "Help me out, Spider."  Spider agreed and lowered a net of webbing to Leopard, telling her to climb in and that he would pull her out.  Leopard climbed into the web, and true to his word, Spider pulled her out.  By the time she was out, however, Leopard was hopelessly entangled in Spider's web so that she could not move at all, and Spider was able to take her to the Sky-God with no trouble at all.

To catch the Hornets, Spider collected a gourd and a large leaf.  The gourd he hollowed out, leaving a small hole, and filled it with water.  He held the leaf over the Hornets' nest and poured the water onto the leaf, calling out to the Hornets that it was raining.  The Hornets do not like the rain and asked Spider if he knew a dry place for them to hide and avoid the rain.  He told them to hide inside the gourd, and once the last of them had flown into the gourd, he sealed it tight with his webs.

The Spider carried the gourd to the Sky-God, who was surprised by the Spider's success.  The Sky-God granted the Spider his stories, for Spider had held up his end of the bargain.

-~-~-

Qarosimae adjusted her glasses, smiling.  "And that is why when one tells a story, it is also called "spinning a tale.""

((A version of Anansi gets his tales))

[Frygyd]

Frya spills some red wine on the floorboards as she sways drunkenly over towards the circle.  It seems she drank more than she did anything else these days and her normally immaculate robes were stained and rumpled as she offered a wide lipped leer, "Is it story time?" she asked breathlessly, "I just loooove story time. All the learning and knowing and passing on of this's and thats's." she was slurring her words more often now a days too.

"I .. have a story." she promised expansively as she flourished her wine goblet carelessly spilling more of its contents.  "You have to promise ..." clasps her free hand to her chest, "... never to tell it again though." she giggles, drops into a snorting cackle and then coughs to clear her throat before taking another drink, "Oh bugger it! Who cares right?!?" some wine dribbled down her chin onto her dulled jewelry about her neck as she begins the tale.

=====

In the beginning everything that was anything was everywhere and all at once known and understood. You would think this was not possible but imagine if you will a closet and upon entering that closet and looking around; there it all was right in your face just hanging on their racks, lined on the shelves, written on the walls and all crowded in but taking up no space at all because .. in the beginning there was no space.  There was also no time so you could take in everything all at once in that closet and it was just immediately known and understood. A stock managers dream come true. The wet dream of the administrative assistant! And what a foolish question.  Of course they existed way back then. Everything that ever was or will be has always been and shall be since that very first moment.

What seriously tossed the salad was somebody's insistence that they needed a little elbow room and perhaps a little time to themselves.

Well if you've been paying attention to the tale you already know that everything that was anything was everywhere and all at once and now with this new thought it decided to just bugger off and do it's own thing everywhere else.  Space and time were not unlike two salad forks flinging the vegetable bits here and there.  Some stayed in the bowl, some scattered on the counter and other bobs and gewjaws splattered on the floor or who knows where else. Probably even behind the couch. You know how salad tossing goes.  Those little cherry tomatoes really get a roll in their gait when they get going.

And now with this tossing all of a sudden everything that was anything was everywhere and all at once unknown and barely understood.  Well those grey bearded sorts who sit around in the afternoon in dusty halls with big tomes will certainly tell you that without a doubt they understand it all but they're really just studying the croutons if you catch my meaning.  A little stale, kinda crunchy, could use more seasoning.  Imagine if they found the slice of cucumber!

=====

It wasn't all too clear if that were the end of the story or not but at that moment Frya held up a finger and muttered the magical word "Think-gonna-be-sick." and then collapsed on a nearby couch.

[Gint]

Arrachtas arrives, his heavy plated footsteps thudding with a purpose that bespeaks a man who is accustomed to disciplined conduct. With a slow and easy movement, he removes his horned helm with an icy gauntleted-hand, and places it upon a nearby table. Throwing his cloak over his shoulder with care, he takes a seat upon a nearby chair, heavy chains rattling at every movement, but does not draw near to the fire.

- Arrachtas and his heavy burden.

"Tales of bravery and days of old are my strength. Without the lessons of those who came before us, our own lives are baseless, and do discredit to our honoured fore-fathers. While I would prefer to regale you with a story of some fantastical feat of bravery, I would instead tell you a tale of my own life, in order that you might better come to know me. I am still new amongst your ranks, and it is important that you know a man as much for his prowess with wit and blade as you do for his failings. We are not perfect, we men of Lordaeron - we Forsaken."

Drawing his cloak somewhat closer about him, Arrachtas leaned forward, one elbow set upon his knee, the other arm raised above his head, as if clasping a weapon.

"When I was a young man, raising a mace in the service of Lordaeron was all I cared to do. Young and impressionable, I was raised by my father upon the same stories I would prefer to share with you - stories of glory, battle, and great feats of daring. All of the stories I learned were centered upon my homeland of Lordaeron. There are those who would credit it as being foremost amongst the Human kingdoms... there are also those who would credit it as having been the most arrogant. It is my belief that reality may lie somewhere between these two extremes.

I was but a young man when I first sought to join the Silver Hand; a Paladin's life was my father's wish, and who was I to question it. I was, however, a poor excuse for a Paladin. While none would question my devotion to duty and to the brotherhood, my faith in the Light was always tenuous at best. Indeed, I asked too many questions. Challenged too many in authority. The truth of the matter was that I was as Lordaeron was - arrogant. Instead of seeking to learn from my betters, I sought instead to challenge their authority.

[center]

- A page from the Scarlet Crusade's holy text.

When Lordaeron fell, I became a man enraged - my temper has always been swift and impossible to wrestle with - a failing, but also a strength at times; great passion is often responsible for the mightiest acts. It is because of this temper that I sought redemption for my sahttered nation by whatever means possible - the Scourge had robbed me of everything I knew - lost or dead were family, friends, and a home. It was in the call of the Crusade that I found the answers to my curses, for in the Scarlet banner, a chance for victory - for revenge - seemed almost tangible.

As the months went by, and as I unswervingly served the Scarlet banner, I came to learn that altruistic and selfless pursuit of freedom was not a reality in our world. All men - all men - forever are guided as much by their own interests as by noble intent. It is perhaps in the Scarlet Crusade that such philosophy was best seen, for while we sought the liberation of our home and the protection of those few remaining souls of Lordaeron, we were guided just as much by blind anger, and the smug arrogance that we alone knew best. I was aware of this dichotomy as a mortal, but I accepted it as invariable truth - merely the way of all life. Some things, such as freedom, were worth any price.

[/center]

- Arrachtas, his chains hidden by the darkness of night.

When I at last fell in battle, and was raised by the Lich King, I found myself adorned with heavy Scarlet chains. Arthas, my former Prince, spoke to each and every one of his risen champions, and to me, he said little but this; "Know that I too felt as you did - that freedom was worth any price - even a curse. The chains you now wear will forever remind you of your choice to bind yourself with the shattered souls of those who stood in your way - in the way of your Crusade. Each link represents a life broken by you. Perhaps you see that we are not so different, you and I, and it is why you will serve me well.""

Arrachtas leaned back from the fire, retrieving his helm, and replacing it atop his leathered and decayed skull.

"I have no regrets. I did what had to be done. I will always do what has to be done."

Without another word, Arrachtas stood swiftly, and stalked away from the gathered company.

((Feedback welcome. For those that catch the reference - yes - the Scarlet chains Arrachtas wears is an homage to Jacob Marley from "A Christmas Carol", one of my all-time favourite stories.))

[Pincus]

"Hmm... Those who do forget their history are doomed to repeat their mistakes. It is... pleasing... that there are some who realize this fact, Arrachtas."

The long bony fingers of Lord Dorian creak as they gesture as he speaks. His voice heavy, he continutes in his usual calm monotone.

"There is a story I remember from my days of living about a capable mage. His talents were considerable even as a child. As he got older, his skills improved, buy not just from his natural gifts, but through hard work and mental rigor. It was not enough, however. Due to his... enterprising nature, he sought out new knowledge. He scoured the lands for information, artifacts, any minute item that could improve his talents."

"His tenacity for gaining knowledge frightened some, fearing that he would threaten whatever perilous structure of order they seemed to control. Others, however, were drawn to him. Not just from this land, but from outside of it"

Pizloz, the insubordinate imp minion of Lord Dorian, begins to cackle gleefully.

"One evening, this mage was approached by a mysterious figure. A shade, an agent of The Deceiver, appeared to the mage. He offered him two things; the first was teaching the mage more perverse magics, darker, more sinister, yet more powerful. The second was the shade was to serve the mage while he still breathed on Azeroth. The payment for this bargain was that in death, the soul of the mage was to become a token of The Deceiver. In death, the mage would become a servant for The Deceiver.â€