The Birth of Enkur

Summary

Far back in the mists of time, before the rise of the great nations of Midara, an embodiment of the desert storms named Enkur roamed the deserts of central Eira. The nomadic tribes that dwelled within these deserts paid the storm giant tribute in the form of a maiden sacrifice, offering Enkur a wife in exchange for safety from the brutal thunderstorms that rolled across the sands.
This tradition went on for some time, Enkur amassing a larger and larger harem (though none of the sacrifices were ever seen again), until one particularly headstrong sacrifice refused to be taken by the storm giant. The tribe feared they would be destroyed by Enkur's wrath, but he was so struck by the maiden's strength and resolve that he acquiesced to her demands, and from the ground raised a great stone palace that he would share with the maiden as their home.
The two were wed as equals, and lived out a long life within the palace's stone walls. Enkur knew that his queen would require retainers and servants, so called forth a grand oasis near to the palace, so that their mortal attendants would be able to live alongside them. This small cluster of houses grew as other nomad tribes came to pay their respects to the storm giant, becoming the first permanent settlement in Eira.
Despite her proximity to her divine husband, Enkur's queen could not live forever, and eventually passed away. Her servants found her on the shore of the oasis, as the palace behind them began to crumble. The stone sank back into the ground it had sprung from, leaving only Enkur's throne still standing. They say that on nights before a thunderstorm, Enkur can sometimes be seen sitting on his throne, mourning his departed wife.

Historical Basis

The ancient stone throne does indeed still stand in the center of Ab-Enkuri, though whether Enkur himself can still be seen sitting on it has yet to be proven. It is also true that one of the nomadic tribes of the Eirean desert settled near a grand oasis, but there is no proof that it was raised by a lovestuck storm giant. However, the faith of the Enkurine in this myth is nigh-unshakable, and is accepted as truth with as much conviction as the natural laws of the world.

Spread

The story of the birth of Enkur is known by heart across the Kingdom, and is such a popular tale that many individuals of the other nations of Eira will know at least the general concepts. Across the ocean it is far less well-known, with those who do know the story almost exclusively found within ports frequented by travellers from Enkur.