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.”
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.
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