The Wooden Duck of Luck

Date: circa. 2800
Origins: This artifact most likely belonged to a selkie child who lived in Ostarith before The Great war. Toys like this were not uncommon in the pre-war era but most were destroyed and few now remain.

History

Magical Heritage

Luck ducks originally were just carved pieces of wood with sentimental value to the owner. However, around the year 2600, a powerful magician found a way to animate them using a form of magical runes, similar to the ancient language Rea. Since that time, it is common for luck ducks to come alive and speak to their owners, often providing them with company and advice.

Naming Traditions

Wooden luck ducks truly have no official name and if they did it is no longer recorded or remembered. They are often named by whomever they are gifted to and so names can vary wildly. However, their names are often linked to the ocean in some way or another as this is a common naming convention of the selkiefolk.

The Tale of Lyla and The Wooden Duck of Luck

Here follows a common children's tale among the selkiefolk:
Back when the sea was young, there was a little girl named Lyla. She was curious, and loved to explore both the sun-blessed coasts, and the dark, depths of the ocean. She dreamt of one day finding a great treasure or discovering a new creature, and so she'd wander away from her family, seeking the wonders of the sea. Every day, her parents warned her of the dangers of straying too far from home but she ignored them. The ocean protected her, it would always protect her.
One evening, as the sun began to set, and sent shimmering sunbeams through the water, she caught a glimpse of something shimmering in the darkness of the sea. Maybe she thought it was the light catching on buried coins or gems, or maybe she was just bored, but whatever her reason, she slipped away from her family to investigate. Before long the darkness had all but surrounded her, but she persisted, focusing only on the shimmering light ahead. When she reached her prize, she found only a small fragment of sea-glass that was catching the faint light of the setting sun. Disappointed, she turned to return home, only to realise, she no longer knew where to go. She was lost...
For the first time on any of her adventures, Lyla was scared and the darkness that had once felt exciting, now filled her with an unimaginable fear. Just as she really began to panic, a small voice piped up and the water around her began to glow with a magical light. Looking down, she saw that the voice came from the carved wooden duck she always carried. The voice reassured her, explaining it was there to help and that if she listened, it could take her home. Lyla was still unsure (maybe she was imagining things) but she also knew, that to trust the voice was the only way she could find her family again.
She let the duck lead her through the darkness, it's faint glow lighting the way. It spoke little, but when it did, it was reassuring. Eventually, Lyla found herself back home. Her parents were beside themselves with worry and were overjoyed that their daughter had returned home unharmed. Lyla, however, was more interested in showing them the wooden duck that had saved her life. She told her parents over and over how it had led her home but they didn't believe her. It was shock, they said. A figment of her imagination. For all her life, Lyla remained true to her story, but the duck never did speak again.

Significance

Wooden luck ducks are often presented to young selkies at birth. They are traditionally passed from mother to child over the course of many generations. However, due to the prevalence of large selkie families, new luck ducks are often carved and given as gifts at a child's first or second birthday. There are many stories of adventurous young selkies being saved by their luck ducks, and so parents often ask their children to take their duck's with them if they stray from home; in order to ensure their safety.
Whether there is any truth in these tales or not, luck ducks are regarded as much more than a magical toy. They represent the bond between a parent and a child and are treasured by the family they belong to. As luck ducks are handmade, their style often differs between families, reinforcing the personal significance of these items.

Table of Contents

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Entry for...

Badge by Tillerz using MJ

Weight

approx. 500g

Dimensions

approx. 30cm x 30cm

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