Mythology of Tarnith

Mythology of Tarnith

Tarnith, a land of rolling hills, misty moors, and ancient groves, is steeped in mythology drawn from the interplay between nature, magic, and the ethereal realms. Its myths center on the balance between mortal life, the Fae, and the enigmatic cycles of death and rebirth, overseen by a divine pantheon and mystical spirits.

The Divine Structure

The mythology of Tarnith revolves around the Sacred Cycle, a harmonious flow of creation, growth, decay, and renewal. Central to this cycle are the Elder Triad, three deities embodying life, death, and the space between, alongside a host of fae spirits and ancestral guardians who enforce the natural balance.

Deities and Major Figures

Eldara, the Verdant Mother

Domain: Growth, fertility, and creation
Symbol: A blooming tree encircled by vines
Myth: Eldara is the lifegiver who sows the seeds of creation across Tarnith. She is said to breathe life into the forests and ensure the land’s prosperity. Her presence is felt in every spring bloom and golden harvest.

Thaldrin, the Silent Shepherd

Domain: Death, endings, and peace
Symbol: A black staff crowned with a silver crescent
Myth: Thaldrin oversees the end of life, guiding spirits into the Ethereal Glen for rest. He is a solemn but compassionate figure, ensuring that death is a natural and peaceful transition.

Myria, the Twilight Keeper

Domain: Balance, magic, and transformation
Symbol: A pair of entwined crescent moons
Myth: Myria governs the twilight between life and death, where magic flows freely. Her role as the Keeper of Balance ensures that the Sacred Cycle remains unbroken. She is both revered and feared for her role in wielding transformative magic.

Subpantheon and Other Spiritual Entities

The Wild Hunt

A spectral force led by fae lords, the Wild Hunt roams the moors during the dark half of the year. Mortals caught in their path are tested; the worthy may earn blessings, while the unworthy face eternal servitude.

Sylris, the Spirit of the Sacred Groves

A guardian of Tarnith’s ancient groves, Sylris is depicted as a shimmering stag with golden antlers. It protects the groves from defilement and grants visions to those who respect its sanctity.

Naelara, the Veil Weaver

A fae spirit associated with the shifting mists of Tarnith, Naelara is said to guide mortals across the thin borders between realms. She appears as a shadowy figure wreathed in fog.

Cerridwyn

An enigmatic force tied to the Cauldron of Eternal Wellspring, a sacred artifact said to hold the power of life and rebirth. Cerridwyn is a shapeless entity that speaks in whispers and dreams, testing those who seek its aid to ensure they are worthy.

The Creation Myths

The Song of the Sacred Cycle

It is said that Tarnith was created when Eldara, Thaldrin, and Myria sang the first harmony of life, death, and balance. Their song gave rise to the land’s rolling hills, sacred groves, and ethereal realms. From harmony came land, sky, spirit, and season—woven into the natural balance of existence.

The Pact of the First King

King Branoc the Bold, long before Caedryn, forged a pact with Queen Lyris of the Blooming Empress during a war against otherworldly invaders. In exchange for protection, his bloodline became the Wardens of the Verdant Veil, bound to guard the harmony between realms.

The Fall of the Broken Crown

In the distant past, a mortal king sought to conquer the fae realms, upsetting the Sacred Cycle. In retaliation, the Wild Hunt shattered his crown and scattered its fragments across Tarnith, each shard cursed to bring ruin to any who dare claim it.

Mythical Creatures

The Moonhounds

Pale, spectral wolves that roam the moors under the light of the twin moons. They are said to hunt restless spirits and protect sacred sites from intruders.

The Thornkin

Fae creatures resembling humanoid brambles and vines, the Thornkin guard the groves and serve Sylris. They are fierce protectors of Tarnith’s natural balance.

The Moor Wyverns

Small, winged drakes that dwell in the misty moors. Legends say their breath can summon visions or reveal hidden truths, but they are elusive and distrustful of mortals.

Notable Legends

The Legend of King Caedryn

Caedryn, a mortal hero blessed by Myria, sought the Cauldron of Eternal Wellspring to save his dying homeland. To prove his worth, he faced the Wild Hunt, solved Sylris’s riddle, and overcame the mists of Naelara. His sword, Fellbane, was forged with fae magic, allowing him to strike down the corrupted Thornkin and bring balance to Tarnith.

The Binding of the Cauldron

In ancient times, the Cauldron of Eternal Wellspring was used recklessly, threatening the Sacred Cycle. Myria and Cerridwyn bound its power, decreeing that only those who pass its trials may use it. This legend serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of disrupting natural balance.

Relics of Tarnith

Blade of Whispers

“It is not the strength of the blade, but the voice it carries.” Forged by ancient fae smiths and bound to the essence of Tarnith itself, the Blade of Whispers was once wielded by King Caedryn. It resonates with the voices of nature and spirit, warning its bearer of imbalance. After Caedryn’s fall, it was cast into the Mists of Avalonreach, where it is now guarded by The Green Knight.

Fellbane

“The blade that ends empires sings only for betrayal.” A cursed sword wielded by Dorian Nightshade to slay Caedryn. Forged from corrupted fae magic, it whispers treachery to its wielder and wounds with festering decay.

Cauldron of Eternal Wellspring

“Life eternal comes at a cost no mortal fully understands.” Resting in Wyrmwood Glade, this ancient artifact is protected by Cerridwyn. It grants resurrection and enlightenment—but only to those deemed worthy. The unworthy are cursed, becoming husks bound to the glade.

The Emerald Sigil

“Bound in blood, sealed in leaf.” A glowing talisman symbolizing the pact between King Branoc and Queen Lyris. Grants attunement to the Verdant Veil and summons fae spirits in times of need.

The Shifting Crown of Tarnith

“Nature has many faces—and so too does its chosen ruler.” Forged of living crystal and silverwood, this crown changes with the seasons. It grants the wearer influence over nature and the ability to interpret omens from the land.

The Aegis of Shadows

“It guards against harm, but not against what dwells within.” A black obsidian shield infused with twilight essence. It wards against harm, but each blow it absorbs inflicts hallucinations and mental strain upon the bearer.

Spiritual Realms

The Ethereal Glen

A twilight realm where spirits of the dead rest under Thaldrin’s care. Trees glow softly, illuminating paths of peace and finality.

The Faewild Moors

A chaotic, time-twisting reflection of Tarnith ruled by fae lords. Those who enter often return changed—if they return at all.

Avalonreach

A misty sanctuary within the Feywild, believed to house the Blade of Whispers. It is watched over by the mysterious Green Knight.

Festivals and Rituals

The Night of the Wild Hunt

Held during the autumn equinox, this festival honors the Hunt with bonfires, dances, and offerings for protection through the dark season.

The Grove’s Blessing

A springtime celebration where offerings are left in sacred groves to honor Eldara and ensure a fertile growing season.

The Twilight Vigil

Celebrated during the winter solstice. Participants invoke Myria to guide the world safely through the longest night.

Supernatural Phenomena

The Mists of Naelara

Ever-shifting fog that rolls across Tarnith, believed to veil the borders between realms. Travelers speak of whispers and illusions within.

The Starlit Blooms

Rare flowers that bloom under the twin moons. Their healing powers and divine symbolism make them highly sought after by druids and shamans.

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Tarnith’s mythology emphasizes balance, the natural order, and the interplay between life, death, and transformation. Its stories serve as a reminder of the importance of respecting the cycle and the ever-present influence of the fae.