Astrid Waymaker

Written by IndigoMagus

This article is about the mythical figure Astrid Waymaker. For the historical Astrid Waymaker see the article Astrid Waymaker Some connections between the two is also discussed below.

Summary

Long before any nations had been created or lands explored nearly all people lived in what is today Pferiene. The people were few but the organized them selves into two tribes, the Daneka and the Feiner. They were always a war with one another but the Feiner were tricksters, they snuck up on Daneka villages and slaughtered the men, women, and children in their sleep. They cared nothing for the lives of their enemies and soon the Daneka were few.
One day, while fishing on the beach a young Danekan man found a woman washed up on the beach. He took her to his people so that they might heal her but for many days she did not awake. When she did awake she answered no questions but told the people her name was Astrid and she had come from the sea. When she heard of the Danekans plight she went to the Feiner and spied on them to learn their wicked plan. When she heard that they they planned to attack by night and kill every last Daneka she sped to warn the people of the attack. The Denenka were now few and could not fend off the Feiner and their many warriors. The Daneka were desparate for an escape but had nowhere to go. On the night before the Feiner were to attack Astrid came to the Danekan leader and told her of a mountain pass which would lead to freedom. That night the Danenkan left swiftly fleeing the terror of the Finer. Those who stayed behind were killed.
After Astrid led her people to freedom she was recognized as a profit made their chief. Her people became the Daneshi and founded Demksland. Her people spread across the continent and her decedents carry her blond hair with jet black roots as a sign of her continued blessing.

Historical Basis

Astrid Waymaker was a real, well documented person as were the Daneka and Feiner people. The Daneka and Feiner peoples were well known for fighting each other over the Lowsen river, the only major fresh water source in the area. In truth neither side really was ever a clear victor until the Daneka people disappeared. Though the Feiner may have been planning an attack the would not have greatly outnumbered the Daneka. Astrid Waymaker is well known for leading the Daneka people through the mountains that separate mainland Demksland from Pferiene although it is questionable as to weather or not she was actually made a chief for her actions. By the time her grandson, Astor made his way back across the mountains through a more southern pass he was not a chief. Neither did he have the escourt that would accompany the son of a chief.
Astrid's origins are not known. Though records are poor her's is not a name that has any records in Eklaran before her appearance. Additionally her hair color, astherr, exists exclusively in Demksland. It does not appear in any other nation. Additionally there are many cultural and linguistic traits which are prevalent in Daneshi society which cannot be traced back to any other cultures. These traits are not shared by the Pferdrin who have common histories, if not traditions, with the Daneshi for nearly all other such traits. Theories for why this may be vary from natural genetic variations to Astrid having been a mer transformed into a human.
A popular theory states that Astrid originated from a remote undiscovered tribe which lived in the mountains. For some reason, possibly because of her hair which was likely the result of a genetic mutation, Astrid left or was removed from her tribe. The theory goes that once adopted into a new tribe Astrid considered the Danekan people her own and so decided to help them. After a time, perhaps even many years after her death, Astrid's original tribe emerged from solitude and integrated unnoticed into Daneshi society due to their shared cultural traits which came from Astrid. This theory does have some merit. The adoption of defectors from one tribe to another, even between the Daneka and Feiner tribes who spent most of their time at war with one another, was not unheard of or even uncommon. Additionally, living in the mountains would have given Astrid the knowledge of the terrain she would have needed to find safely lead so many people through the mountains particularly so far in the north. Many tribes lived in the mountains and little is known about many of them.
However, there are problems with this theory as well. For one, Astrid's statement that she came 'from the sea', which is present in nearly every variation of her story, does not support her living in the mountains, over 100 miles inland. For another, the idea that Astrid's tribe could have successfully assimilated into Daneshi culture is nothing if not far fetched. Archaic Daneshi language shares far more linguistic traits with archaic Pfedrin language than it does with the irregularities linked to Astrid's tale. In fact roughly 300 years ago the two languages merged and Pfedrin is now spoken as a dialect of Danesh. It seems more likely, says Anthropologist Lionel Schmeck, that she lived on the coast in the far north. "Living conditions were treacherous [there] but servreal people were known to have lived there. Rather than assimilating into Danesh or Pfedrin society most of these tribes died out over time or continue to live in solitude. Because the climate is so harsh these people are nomadic, this means that they did not leave behind as many permanent structures as their southern cousins. It is difficult to learn about them." Even so Schmeck plans to mount an expedition into the northern tundra sometime in the next five years. "Knowing more about these peoples helps us to know more about ourselves," he says. He is hopeful that further research will prove a connection between Astrid and these northern tribes.
Astrid's decendents still live today. Notable decendents include the Marksway family who serve and advise in the king's court. Many Marksways have served as military generals, they are warriors like their ancestor. The Gebrigsonn family also claims Astrid as an ancestor. They are known as traders and explorers. They live in eastern Demksland in the Ghost Mountains and are known to deal in magic and prefer to live in solitude. Other known decedents of Astrid are the Wellen family who are well known seafarers and even have a few ties to the royal navy.

Spread

This myth is well known within Demksland. It is even taught as part of history courses and is wide spread among the educated and urban class of the nation. To a lesser extent the myth can also be found in La Mirquigure primarily in the north and among educated citizens.

Variations & Mutation

Because Astrid's story was largely passed down orally for a long time many small variations exist in her story. This has also led to the obscuring of true historical events such as the true nature of the conflict between the Daneka and the Feiner. It is likely that many details of Astrid's story have been exaggerated or falsified but exactly what those details are may never be known. Despite this, some clues can be drawn from the two major variations on the myth of Astrid Waymaker, the story told by the Pfedrin, and the story told by Astrid's decedents.
Pfedrin versions of the tale are in themselves varied. Many versions show Astrid as a hero, a mysterious savior who led the Daneka away from the land the Feiner considered rightfully theirs. A significant minority however start Astrid's story the same way but with her being discovered by a Feiner man instead of a Daneka man. In this story she actually lived among the Feiner for several years before betraying them for a Daneka man she had fallen in love with. She began to fight against them but felt guilty for betraying the people who had taken her in. As a result, instead of continuing the war she convinced the Daneka to flee as a last payment to the Feiner.
This story remains fairly consistent throughout traceable written records. This suggests that the Feiner and Daneka may not have always been as hostile towards each other as this story leads us to believe. That Astrid is seen as a hero by both sides of the conflict suggests that she was known and respected by both tribes. For this to be the case it is possible that the two tribes had friendly or at least cordial relations for extended periods of time between their wars.

Cultural Reception

Astrid's story is integral to the history of Demksland. One cannot talk about the founding of the nation without talking about Astrid. She is seen as the founder of the nation and savior of the people. It is from her that Daneshi draw their pride and identity as warriors. They pride themselves as a people who can survive harsh and unforeseen circumstances. Astrid was a warrior and it is from her that the Daneshi draw their self confidence and determination to defend themselves from perceived injustices. This has led to the Daneshi being known as stubborn, prideful, and unforgiving. Despite this they are also known as loyal, strong, and steadfast.
The myth is slightly less influential in the Pfedrin area of Demskland though Astrid remains an inspiration for all who fight for themselves, and a role model for many children
Outside of Demksland the myth has little influence or note, although it can be found in northern La Mirquigure.

In Literature

The myth of Astrid Waymaker and related tales have been complied into many books over the years for adults and children alike. As such details of the myth have changed and been lost over time. Related stories include myths about Astrid both before and after she left Pfedeine and a few speculating on her origins. Early sources of the myth come from journals of early Daneshi, in particular, Astor Waymaker. For the most part though Astrid's story was passed down orally for many years before being officially recorded for the first time in 1249 by Edna Jourgoff.

In Art

Astrid has been depicted in various artworks many times throughout history. One of this most famous is in Uprising of the Sea painted by Gregor Toeffkup in 4296. The painting shows Astrid leading a small army which rides on horseback away from the sea amid breaking waves. The sun rises above mountains behind her and the tracks of fleeing Feiner warriors can be seen in the sand in the bottom right corner.
A more culturally significant work of Astrid is her part in 'The Marksway Family Line' a painting which depicts every known head of the Marksways line dating back to Astrid. Every time a new lord or lady inherits the Marksway name the portrait is added to. The most recent person to be added to the painting is Lady Thelana Marksway who, unusually, inherited the title from her Great-Grandfather Jacobus Marksway instead of from her mother.

Date of First Recording

First official recording 3799 AD by Edna Jourgoff. Earlier recording by Wilhelm Waymaker in roughly 2450 AD.

Date of Setting

In the late 2400s- early 2500s AD.