Craftsmen of Life - of Varl and Men

Това е история, която бях изпратил на Stoic за тяхното състезание за истории написани от фенове. За жалост не беше избрана, но получих полезна обратна връзка и съвети, така че си заслужаваше. Пускам я тук, за да я видят повече хора. Историята и събитията в нея, докато са базирани на статии в официалната уики на Banner Saga, не са канон по никакъв начин. Приятно четене.

Craftsmen of Life – Of mеn and varl

 The day was clear, but cold. Strong wind was howling above the icebound land. But that was not troubling the four travelers as they were comfortably snuggled between the two pieces of Dundr's Godstone and around the crackling fire with stomachs full of warm food and hot wine. Well, the three of them felt comfortable, the fourth not so much, in fact he was barely controlling his shivering, because you see, unlike his companions he was a simple scrivener while they for sure were bandits. "True," thought Skveli the scrivener "they gave me

food and still have not robed me, but surely...” His thoughts were interrupted by harsh voice which startled him.

"Say, good friend..." the harsh voice begun and when Skveli managed to calm his racing heart saw that the man speaking was who he thought to be their leader - broad shouldered man with dark, messy hair and clothes which you can hardly say if they are made of patches or are just patched so many times there was no good place on them.”...did not mean to scare you friend. But come closer to the fire. Come, come." Skveli moved closer to the fire, not daring to oppose the bandit leader. "Feels better, right friend? Say now, while we are taking a break from the meal, you look like an educated fellow do you by chance know any stories to pass the time?"

Skveli nodded, despite the fact that his brain was numb from fear and no stories came to mind.

"Wonderful!" exclaimed the leader and broad smile split his face in two, showing crooked, yellow teeth. The other two moved closer too. Skveli resisted the urge to move back again.

"So, fellow traveler, what story it would be?" asked one of the other thugs while filling his pipe from poach on his belt.

"Uhm...well..." Skveli mumbled and looked around in search for inspiration. "…how about the legend for the creation of men and varl? Have you heard this one?"

"No, no we have not!" the bandits replied in almost excited chorus. There was strange glow in their eyes. Is that curiosity, Skveli wondered while trying to remember how the legend was.

"Uhm…good, good, so…" he began.”...aham, listen then...oh, thank you" he said as one of the bandits passed him the tobacco and poured him a cup of hot wine. “After the Gods created the World, they decided it needs to be populated with something which will live on it and see what beautiful land they have created. The Loom-Mother took it upon herself to create the first men." with each word Skveli changed. His eyes brightened. His shoulders straightened and his speech became stable and he mumbled no more. “Loom-Mother wanted beautiful creatures and smart which will appreciate what was created by her brothers and sisters so she used all

her skill, wisdom and knowledge to create beings worthy of the Creation." Skveli sipped from his wine and looked at the bandits. They were enthralled. If he jumped and ran now, he will probably have few seconds before they go after him...

"Go on, fellow, do not leave us waiting!" one of the bandits interrupted his thoughts, the two others nodding impatiently.

"I will, I will!" answered Skveli. "A moment good men, to warm my throat. Where was I? Ah, yes...To make her creations The Loom Mother gathered water from the waves of the Vetur Sea, because the new creatures will need to be masters of the sea, but also strong and relentless as the water and waves of the sea, if they want to survive. She also gathered dirt from the most beautiful glades hidden among the slopes of Brattabreck Peaks. These places of course did not have those names back then. Once she gathered all she needed she turned the materials into fiber and with her Loom she weaved the first humans into the tapestry of Life. The men were tall, smart and strong. And because The Loom Mother is also goddess of women, the women were beautiful, brave and wise as the goddess herself. These first men and women were like storms

and fires and the seas and forests quickly became theirs... "From water and dirt?!" interrupted in disbelief one of the bandits.

"So the story goes. I am just telling it to you, the way my grandmother used to tell it." answered Skveli

"Those are Gods and Goddesses he speaks about. They can do anything!" - interrupted the other one.

"Pft! This seem to include dying..." grimly remarked their leader. The other two fell silent at his remark. "Go on, good friend. What happened next?"

"At that time though two other gods - Dundr and Hadrborg also wanted to leave their mark on the world." resumed Skveli and spread his arms pointing at the Godstone around them “The two of them were also interested in creating living beings and so they became Loom Mother's apprentices."

"Dundr?! Are you sure? My father told me that Dundr is the god of songs and drinks!" laughed one of the bandits and poured himself full goblet of wine.

"Why this is not wrong according to the story. But another bit of the legend says that he also created a race which had long beards and were master smiths and craftsmen."

"The varl?" mused the bandit leader.

"They are not bad smiths and craftsmen" answered Skveli "but so are men. Not to forget that the varl were created by the other god - Hadrborg. No, this race if it has ever existed, it does not anymore or is so secretive that we have never seen them."

"Aaah, nonsense!" exclaimed one of bandits.

"Shut your trap, idiot! That is just a legend!" said the other and hit his comrade on the head. "Continue food fellow and don't mind this dimwit."

"You..." tried to object the "dimwit", but their leader cut him.

"Shut it you two, I want to hear the rest of the story. Please, good friend, continue."

"Khm, there is not much more." said Skveli. "And your friend is not alone in his opinion" at those words of the

scrivener the mentioned bandit looked at his fellows mockingly, but they did not notice or pretended that they did not. "as some educated men and varl think that instead of another race Dundr created men." this confused the bandits and Skveli explained further. “The Loom Mother did not create all humans, she created only women" one of the bandits sneered. “because for her they were the perfect creatures. That is why she is the patron goddess of women. Later on Dundr took part of those women and created the men, by giving those beards, teaching them how to....well all things men do."

"Hehe to sing, drink and..." started one of the bandits, but was interrupted by their leader.

"Last warning..." growled the big man.

"Sorry..sorry!." said the bandit and raised his hands, but no blow came.

"If I may...?” аsked Skveli and the bandit leader nodded. "That is why in some places he is the patron god of men. But whichever variant of the myth you choose the result is the same - men and women were created and they started to explore

and tame the land and seas. While The Loom Mother and Dundr were busy with their creations Hadrborg created many animals. Great animals – small and big. Every animal you have seen is his creation. At first he began with small and simple animals and with time he learned and made bigger, better and more beautiful animals. But he was impatient god and seeing the beings created by Dundr and the Loom Mother he wanted something greater than animals.  He too wanted his own race! With mind fixated on the idea he went to The Mother and asked for permission to create his own race, but she denied him, explaining to him that he is not ready for such task and has much more to learn. This angered him, but the mocking glow he saw in the eyes of Dundr infuriated him and he stormed out of The Mother's house. Three months he secretly experimented in the deep caves of the mountains. It is said that hundreds if not thousands of people and animals suddenly disappeared never to be seen again. The Mother knew that the disappearances were Hadrborg's doing, but despite all her efforts she did not manage to find him nor managed any of the other gods. So deep under the mountains he was hidden. And there he did terrible things to humans and animals in an attempt to combine the two and create his own race. The Mother was right and Hadrborg lacked a lot of power and

knowledge, but he compensated with relentlessness and brute force. Many died in his hands, some in great pain and suffering. Seeing that he will be unable to achieve his goal without help, Hadrborg went even deeper in the Mountains, and deeper still until he reached the Caverns of the world and even deeper than that, until he did not reach the primal fires which Bygglaerer used to create the caverns and mountains of the world. There after even more deaths and suffering and with the help of the primal flames he managed to create his own race of creatures.

"The varl..." said one of the bandits.

"Indeed. It is said that the pain of the first varl caused by the primal fires, was so great that the fear of fire flows in their veins until this day. Happy of his success and eager to show his achievement to all who underestimated him he hurried back to the surface, leading the varl with him. The moment he went out of the mountains and in the open he was quickly spotted by Irynx and the god brought the news of Hadrborg's resurface to the other gods, which hurried to catch him. "Skveli stopped talking only for a moment to take a sip of his already cold wine, but did not

manage even that as one of the bandits reached and shook him
by the shoulder spilling all the wine over the poor scrivener.

 “What happened then?!” the bandit asked impatiently.

"Good man!" exclaimed Skveli "What are you doing?!" as he jumped and tried to save his clothes with snow, but it was all in vain. At this moment Skveli himself was so busy to clean himself that he did not realized that the ashamed bandits are just sitting there hoping he will continue the captivating story. The best opportunity for him to escape. But he did not notice, instead after few futile attempts to save his coat he sat back, sighted, mumbled something that the coat is old anyway and he needs new one and continued. “When the gods met….thank you, no, no it’s fine, really" said Skveli when the bandit leader passed him new cup of hot wine and tried to apologize for his companion’s actions. The scrivener sipped and continued “When the gods met with Hadrborg and saw the varl many of them protested that the race should be destroyed and their creator banished forever. But the Loom Mother was wise and foretold that before the end of time the valor of varl will save the world, but they and their creator will be punished. Among the varl there never

will be a female and only he Hadrborg will be able to create new if he wants his race to survive. And he will have to, because his children will be warlike and many will die." finished Skveli and looked at the bandits. Two of them were looking down at the snow. Their leader was studying the godstone of Dundr. "And that is the story of how were the men and varl created.”

“I have heard that there is another race." said the bandit leader. “The Horseborn."

Skveli nodded and said "Yes and I can tell you about them too for they are too creations of Hadrborg." added the scrivener suddenly remembering that his life is in danger.

"Pity, but we cannot stay more. This was a good story, my friend." the two other bandits nodded as all of them were standing. "If someday you are near Skogr find us. We will make you a new coat and hear your story for the Horseborn."

"You are not going to kill me...rob me?" mumbled in disbelief Skveli. The three men looked at him in shock, then looked at each other and suddenly started laughing.

   "To rob you?! Why would we do such thing?" asked one of them.

"If we wanted to do such thing we wouldn't waste time and food on you, friend." said their leader. "No, no, we are
simple trappers. We are returning to Skogr after great hunting season and even greater success on the market." After these words the three men picked up their bags, patted the still shocked scrivener and went on their way

“Gods..." said Skveli."...I should go to Skogr one day." and smiled, looking at the godstone of Dundr.