Esmeray's devotion

This is the story of the Moon's first love, how it came to be and how it ended.

Summary

A long time ago, when history was young the Lower Being Moon became interested in the affairs of the mortal world. Most of all they took an interest in their sibling's creation, the humans. They were amusing creatures, with their cities and their laws, their structures and feelings.
Moon, who did not understand the affairs of mortals decided to explore their world and enjoy their beauty. They left their celestial body behind and took on a mortal guise to blend among them. Their disguise was that of a beautiful girl, with skin like ivory and hair like an abyss. With big grey eyes that seemed to reflect light. She took on the name Esmeray.

Moon as Esmeray traveled through the land and it was in one of these travels than she met a very special young man. He was a soldier who came to her defense when she was harassed in the city he lived in and ensured she made it safely to the place she was staying in. She was interested by his kindness and wit, deciding to establish a friendship with him.

Esmeray's time in the city flew by as she learned more about the lives of mortals and the young man she considered her first friend. The years passed and he courted and proposed to her and Esmeray, not seeing any harm in entertaining him, married him.

They lived happily together, Moon in her mortal shell, coming to love him as well. She even blessed him by having his children and putting him and the city under her protection.

Unfortunately all things come to an end, a war broke out and Esmeray's lover went out to fight as was his duty. During one of the battles he was mortally wounded and Esmeray, feeling her lover fading away, intervened in the fighting. She annihilated the enemy with her celestial power and rushed to his side. He died in her arms, professing his love for her and their children and asking her to protect their home. Esmeray heartbroken promised him and as he took his final breath announced herself as the Lower Being Moon, the one that illuminates the night.

She put the city under her protection and blessing, bidding her mortal children as its rulers and protectors. Finally she discarded her mortal shell and returned to her celestial body, leaving behind a changed world.

Historical Basis

This legend has some basis in reality, as can be proven by the city of Esmer existing today under the protection of Moon, as well as the fact that the argenuer walk the planet. However it is unclear why Moon decided to take a mortal identity and travel the Earth, how the two lovers truly met and even if their relationship was as described in the tales.

Spread

The legend is common knowledge and especially treasured by the silvered as the tale of their origin.

In Literature

The legend of Esmeray's devotion is a classic and has been adapted and rewritten countless times as books, plays, poems and so much more. It has inspired a great number of romantic tales and novels as well as many tragedies.

In Art

The city of Esmer, as the place where the legend took place has many works of art inspired by it. For example, in the ruler's residence there is a mural of Esmeray revealing herself in the battlefield and in her temple there are tapestries of different scenes from the legend, as well as a statue of Moon holding her lover in her arms with her children behind her.
Every year when the time comes for the lunar festival there are countless songs and hymns sung in honor of Moon, her lover, their story and the city.

Related Species

• Argenuer

Related People

• Moon