The Arterium Lords - Creation Myth

After many centuries of chaos, the Lords of Arterium came down and restored the planet with the core tenents of study, these were Commerce, War, Politics, Art, Agriculture, Language, Thought and Alchemy. These Lords used their respective powers to bring gifts to the people of Eturia, however some of these gifts would be turned to evil means. These gifts are sometimes shared by Lords due to their nature and are both the base of intellectual study and everyday life.

_{The Book of Arterium}

Summary

In the final part of the creation myth, the eight Arterium Lords are created by the Lightbringer, before the Lightbringer leaves Eturia. Who takes charge of them in this period can vary, and where it starts. Eventually the Lord's through their gifts to the people of Eturia bring about a new golden age for it's people out of the chaos, beginning the AE period in history. The gifts are sometimes given as a combination of the Lord's patron studies and sometimes come from one, however each gift gives humanity the means to live as they do now. A key part of this is that each Lord is a patron of a form of study, which reflects the added importance of these aspects of learning in how people live.

Historical Basis

The studies that the Lords all are Lords of were long regarded well in the distant past of Evantian, before the Dark Times. Many of the characteristics of the Lords as creatures also has come many folklores across Evantian, being merged into more uniform ideals of the Lords.

Spread

The story of the creation of Eturia by the Lords is known all over Evantian in some form, however it has not had the same impact and place in culture in regions like Hindelia as the religion has not taken a majority presence in these lands.

Variations & Mutation

While the myth has the same plot in regards to the Lords, the details tend to change where you are. The most common variations being where the Lords came down to end the chaos, and who the driving force/leader of the Lords is.

Cultural Reception

The cultures that have a large following of the Arterium faith place the Lords in extremely high regard, as they are the base of the values of these people's in the modern day. However Dithmarburg is by far the strongest of these links as it has most of it's pre-Arterium folklore mutated into the modern religion compared to other areas.

In Literature

Along with the Book of Arterium, the Lords link to intellectual studies means that they're an important part of most works of any intellectual capacity. The Lord of Art however is unique in their role in fictional works and more artistic works.

In Art

Many statues of the Lords can be found, most of the grandest in places of learning, as well as countless songs, paintings and other works of art. The Lord of Art, by virtue of their patron study is of particular focus in artistic works.

Date of First Recording

312 ME

Date of Setting

2612 AE