Adachi Firequencher

The Legend of Adachi Firequencher, Hero of Hivokia, First of the Aki, The Dragonslayer

Summary

In ages past, before the dwarves carved Hivokia into baubles to hang round the necks of Lords and Ladies, this land was shared between the people and the Dragons. Dragons were capricious and often malevolent beings, more intelligent than the most learned Lorekeeper, more cunning than a Fox, stronger than a Brachiosaurus and more charming than a Fey spirit. We existed together, often side by side and other times stalking our own corners of the island lest our prides become scuffed.
For one dragon, named Yamata, co-existence was not enough. Only our subservience would appease her sensibilities. She demanded a sacrifice from each of the tribes surrounding her domain as well as a tithe of their metals, grain, cattle and riches, be presented to her on the eighth day of the eighth month every year. At first the tribes people refused and when Yamata found her tribute lacking she took to the skies and laid waste to each tribes fields, collapsed their mines and pillaged their riches. Before long they began to fall in line. 
This continued for years until Adachi, a Gith warrior skilled in magic, from the island of Shinzu arrived. Adachi had travelled for many days without the comfort of a hot meal or a roof over his head when he came upon an old man and woman crying. Adachi asked them what troubled them and they revealed that their daughter was soon to be sacrificed to Yamata and there was nothing they could do to save her. No one was strong enough to stand up to the dragon. Adachi offered his help to the couple but he was tired and in need of food and rest first. The couple readily agreed.
First he used his magic to transform their daughter into a comb which he hid in his hair to keep her safe. Then he trekked to the dragons lair at the top of a mountain. Outside Adachi called dragon out from her lair. He told her that he was there to offer tribute from the tribe at the bottom of the mountain in the form of a song. Yamata sneered that such a tribute would not satisfy her. She would fly down to the bottom of the mountain to collect her sacrifice and riches just the same. Adachi agreed but sighed, lamenting that his song would be wasted when his words were the only ones that came close to exalting the Great Yamata as she deserved.
Yamata grew curious as asked to hear his song. Adachi took out his koto and started to play for her. As he did he wove magic into his words making his praise a lullaby, he began to coax the dragon to a sound slumbar. When Yamata finally drifted off into a contented sleep Adachi struck, carving her head from her body. The dragons blood was so hot that it melted his sword when it passed through. With Yamata slain the region was free of her terror. As his prize Adachi took the dragons tail which was sharper than any edge he had ever seen, as his new blade.
Adachi then opened the dragons mouth and smashed out twelve of his teeth. He took these with him down the mountain and he planted them. The teeth grew into warriors who pledged themselves to Adachi and became his generals, who would go on to fight by his side against the dwarves when they came seeking conquest.

Spread

Widely spread amoung the Aki Tribes

Variations & Mutation

The Hivokians have a similar myth about a famed warrior named Susano. In their version of the myth Susano constructs a shrine gate outside of the dragons lair and lures its head through the gate to strike at him. When it passes through the gate it loses its protection and Susano is able to slay the dragon

Cultural Reception

• The Aki Tribes who have an oral historical tradition, take this story as truth
• Hivokian scholars claim that this story was originally about one of their folk heroes but that the Aki adapted it to fit the legend of their founder

In Literature

The legend of Susano was originally penned in a treatise named The Records of Ancient Matters, the earliest known copy of which has been traced back to the 26000's. The story is referenced in many subsequent texts

In Art

On the side of the cliffs of Bronze Top, the mountain that is rumoured to be the dragons lair some art sculptor has carved the rock to tell the story of Adachi Firequencher. The age of the sculpture is not verified

Date of First Recording

24737 CZ

Date of Setting

24730