Zaxh And The Ahim (zɐtʃ ɑnd ði aχim)

Ages past, long before the age of Zuzyuta, the Qealin High Elves were a lost and uncivilised people. The sky gave no answers and the path belowfoot no direction, and the Qealin were scattered to the five winds in their nomadic families.
One such family were the Ahim. This travelling family spent many years in the high mountains of Norway, traversing the hostile winters with little more than the skin on their backs.
One such winter, the Ahim were greeted by an ancient elf with moon-silver hair and a face lined deep where the rivers of his knowledge had travelled. Though the colour in his skin had darkened over time, the sunlight reflected the shimmer of his divinity like so much snow.
"You are lost," the old elf spoke, and his voice crackled with the words of centuries past, "in my home."
The Ahim were to apologise for their tresspassing -- they did not know this land was owned and saw not any sign of life -- but the old elf stopped them before a word could leave their lips.
"I have lived atop this mountain for three centuries now," he told them, beckoning to follow him along the path. As he told his story, the family followed him around the mountain to a warmly-lit cave, leading them through with the light he conjured in his hands. "I have watched the snowfall greet me and pass along; I have seen the clouds and been touched by their grandeur. The rock formations change in such subtle ways and I have mapped their curves and jagged edges. I know these lands as I know myself and I know how to survive here. I can teach you, if you will it."
The Ahim were grateful for the old man's offer, but wondered: what would this cost them?
"I ask for naught but your happiness," he insisted, his voice echoing in the cavern walls like a dozen consciousnesses offering their kindness, "It has been many moons since visitors have travelled through these peaks. The company of your listening ears shall be enough, and to know there are others as one with the mountaintops as I."
And so the old elf, whose name was Zaxh, took them to his home: a great and lonely manor in a secret alcove hidden amidst the mountain peaks, where the sun rose each day to perfectly meet the middle of his home like a heavenly spotlight. He taught them how to search the stone for precious minerals to build strong homes; to find and weave the correct fibres to create the most protective clothing and to weave the sunlight into its threads. He taught them to make food of the birds and small creatures; which herbs were safe and succulent.
Eventually the Ahim were one with the mountaintop as Zaxh had promised, and there was nothing left for him to teach. When they woke inside their sunlit mansion, the ancient elf was gone.
He never returned, but over time the Ahim spread word that the Qealin could make their home among the mountains. Their little community grew and spread to civilisation, and Zaxh was forever known as the Generous Father of the Mountain Qealin.

Historical Basis

While little is known about Zaxh himself, the Ahim family did exist and their story was passed from generation to generation. The first Scribe within the Mountain Qealin came at least a hundred years after their initial settling so while we know the Ahim family existed and founded the Norwegian Mountain Qealin settlement, there is no real evidence to suggest Zaxh's existence -- though some argue that there are early carvings in the old man's cave that suggest he was there.

Spread

The legend of Zaxh and the Ahim is largely told throughout those Qealin cultures who have evolved to live in high places, with the story being less common among desert Qealin. There are even a few variations told by other mountain-dwelling Qealin in which similar old travellers were taught in similar ways, with each of these cultures claiming to be the first.

Cultural Reception

The opposing culture with the most personal insight into the story of the Ahim is possibly the Fili-Thin, who also originated in and around the mountains described. These elves do not dispute the origin of the Mountain Qealin, but assert that due to his affinity for the stone and mountains he was in fact a Dark Elf himself -- though some are more inclined to believe him to be a Halfling of Dark and High blood and use this to assert that there should be peace between the peoples.

In Art

Paintings, mozaics and sculptures of Zaxh and the Ahim can be found in most major Qealin settlements, especially in the central hub of activity within that settlement. The figure of Zaxh is said to bring good fortune and prosperity when captured on the first foundations.

Related Species

• Qealin High Elves