Firmina and Far-Bright

As it was said long ago, heroism comes in many forms. The lady Firmina, faithful friend and companion to the great Diogene, was not, in most aspects, the hero. She followed and supported Diogene, later known as the Betrayer, as they journeyed across the place that came to be known as Agalenthia. Firmina was not without courage though, and fought with her friend through thick and thin; empowering his attacks, and protecting his back from harm through her trusty shield Far-Bright. And it was during one of these adventures that Firmina lost more than she ever thought she could, for Diogene, as powerful and mighty as he already was, was jealous of Firmina and Far-Bright and coveted the shield. Far-Bright was a gift, you see, from Tyr the Even-Handed. It was a representation of his love and justice, and Firmina was the one gifted to wield it. This fact infuriated Diogene. Why should he, the Hero, not wield this great gift? Why should Firmina, the one who followed him, use it instead? If Diogene was gifted with intelligence instead of looks and strength, he would have realised that the Even-Handed, through Firmina, was gifting him with such an artefact. But no, instead because Far-Bright was in the hands of another that Diogene secretly thought was his inferior, he was being slighted. And so, Diogene planned and schemed, and waited until such a time where Firmina was away from her gift. He stole it then, disappearing into obscurity, for nothing else was heard of him after that. And then it was that Far-Bright, Firmina's bulwark and solid defender, was lost to time and knowledge, and the one who Firmina thought was her dearest friend was in fact her greatest betrayer.

Historical Basis

It is believed that there is some historical basis in this story, as Tyr the Even-Handed certainly exists, although much more removed from the world than is suggested in the myth. However, what is unknown is whether Firmina and Diogene existed, or were rather characters fictionalised to represent a narrative and a lesson in trust for young Agalenthians. However, none of this has stopped adventurers and academics searching for Far-Bright and the remains of Diogene, even though the details are vague and non-specific.

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