Legend of the Phoenix

Northern legends tell of the ancient warrior and his mystical familiar of fire. The man is known as Hazjemir Phoenix. Or the "Rising Fire of the Frozen North". Though it's unclear if the man was ever real, or perhaps multiple men carrying the legend on.

Summary

The legend goes that during the Skirmishes leading up to the Falsin War, a battlemage stationed at one of the Direland locations near an ancient Talman ruin to the north. On one of the patrols, he became curious and peered inside. inside, he saw a brilliant flame at the center of a large hall in a massive brazier. Within, the shape of a massive raptor bird writhed within the crackling blaze and spoke to his Mind with a shrivelled and sharp voice that hissed. "My body fades into the ashes, but in you, I will be born anew. Within you, I shall rest, and upon your cheek, you'll bear my chest. you will carry the strength of a thousand men, and never die. You Mana will burn a blazing red, and your words carry the weight of unquenched lead". and with that, the fire dove into his hear, and his skin coated in the brazer's ash. His heart went ablaze, and the Phoenix spoke from within him, as Hazjemir became the avatar of rebirth. He returned to find his small camp under attack. He single-handedly struck down the invaders with fire and red-hot steel. He went on to heroically soar above the vanguard in battles, raining and reigning in flame.

Historical Basis

There was a recorded recruit by the name of Hazjemir Phoenix, who discovered an ancient Talman ruin during a scouting mission. Though it is unlikely that he found anything significant or valuable. Though many battle mages were stationed behind the frontline to literally rain flames upon the wooden shields of the enemy's turtle tactics. Which proved extremely effective in the first dozen skirmishes, causing the Vampri army to change tactics and develop more complete and protective metal armours.

Spread

Though very popular war story to tell children and groups of friends in the days during the war as a boost of morale and faith amongst the Vearshed residents. But in the decades since, the legend has mostly faded into obscurity in favour of more recent and relevant legends.

Variations & Mutation

Though the legend is fairly isolated, it does vary in some ways. Sometimes it is told that Hazjemir was an older mage who took the chance to find the ruin himself. Other times it's told that he literally became a giant bird, while some say he had blazing wings or even flaming feet that allowed him to talk on air. Some variations of the tale say the Phoenix took his body as fuel and did everything itself.

In Literature

Going forward, many expressions including "from the ashes", "reign of fire" and "like a Phoenix". A few tried to adapt it into a full-fledged stage play and ballad, but the popularity died down to a point where contextually nobody knew what was going on, and it eventually died out.

In Art

Many apireing and famous artists alike have made paintings of the iconic events in the legend. But the most popular is probably "To Ashes we Ascend" by Ensalrie Motauns.