The Gnarled Guardian
Summary
Wandering the lands of the Sirean peoples is an elderly half-River Ohruk bearing the scarf of Qhymos, bringing protection and new life in his wake. If encountered the Sirean are encouraged to offer him food and shelter for the night. It has been said that the Guardian has held great dangers at bay and, some even say that he was partially responsible for their ancestors survival at Sinaes. To this point, some Sirean communities worship him as a god of protection and healing, though if ever encountered he will deny this, saying he is only a servant to a greater power.
Historical Basis
After the Battle of Sinaes, Gnarl Elaris would spend the rest of his life aiding the Sirean people, helping them find new homes and keeping them safe as they rebuilt. As the years went on, and after the entombing of his close friend Alejandro, Gnarl would become known as the Gnarled Guardian, and he didn't seem to mind the name change. Eventually, he took on a gnarled appearance as the years were not too kind to him, finally becoming this object of legend. It should be noted that it is not currently known if Gnarl Elaris is alive or not, though every year Sirean communities claim to be visited by the Gnarled Guardian.
Spread
Due to Gnarl spending most of his life in the lands of the Sirean, the legend is widely known there, though it is also known in Ashnor, the Protectorate and as a cautionary tale by the Laylos.
Variations & Mutation
As previously mentioned, for the Laylos, the Guardian is more of a boogeyman than a Guardian, as when their ancestors attempted to raid the Sirean, the Guardian would often arrive and interfere, sometimes even appearing in their camps at night. This has since developed into paranoia and into a symbol for the Sirean, the arm of a Rive-Ohruk holding a bladed scarf.
Cultural Reception
To the Sirean the Gnarled Guardian is an incredibly important tale, as the individual within is revered as a Guardian spirit by most and a god by some. All Sirean, within their lands and abroad, pay their respects to the Guardian often, and celebrate Gnaralis, the day that the Guardian defended them from the Mad Legend. On this day they construct effigies of the Guardian and perform a grand festival around it, to give the Guardian energy to keep them safe for another year.
In Art
In the city of Vixeres a grand statue of the Guardian stands at the center of town, constructed from bronze and depicting the Guardian holding the Mad Legend in a headlock, both of them heavily wounded. For many Sirean, various symbols of the Guardian are used as protective wards, aristocratic house symbols and even in town heraldry. On the Bowstaves of the Sirean Fian a single, long tusk is engraved in down both sides of the bow, and is thought to bring protection during battle.
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