Myth of the Broken Hammer

The Myth of the Broken Hammer tells the story of the Belina Caverns and why they are so sacred to the people of Peregrine.

As the story goes, the clans were once in a never ending war, without peace or end in sight. A young man grew up wishing to be a blacksmith like his father had been, but found that when he put his hammer to the metal to make swords, what came out instead were fantastical shapes and pieces of art. He was ridiculed by his peers for being unable to provide the tools to wage their war and so he left and took up his tools inside the caverns, using the light of the moon to create the pieces his heart yearned to share with the clans.

Eventually, the light of his fires drew members of his clan to the caverns and, in anger at his defiance, they cut him down where he stood, making a beautiful hammer. It clattered to the ground, the handle breaking in two, and rolled into the lake in the center of the room. As his blood too flowed into the water, the full moon appeared crimson in the water and the caverns shook as if in anger. The men were struck by what they had done and could suddenly see the beauty around them, as if a veil of bloodlust had been lifted. They swore on the hammer in the lake to protect all artisans from that day forth. Thus was the tradition of creation in Peregrine born.

Summary

In the days of the Great Calamity, the earth trembled at the rage of the Dragons and the people of Peregrine sought to take cover in the Belina Caverns in the hope that the cave system would help them hide away from the dragons who sought to set the world aflame.

Historical Basis

The Myth of the Broken Hammer takes place during the Great Calamity, which is a recorded event in history. Many myths sprung up in the wake of the calamity and this story is no different, however the caverns remain along with depictions from close to that time.

In Art

As Peregrine culture revolves heavily around art, many depictions of the myth show up in paint or thread, with any medium the creator could think of for their art. Since they prefer oral tradition in retelling, art is perhaps the only way to have a visual recording of the events.

Date of Setting

The year of the Great Calamity

Related Locations

• Belina Caverns
• Peregrine