As the sun set over the village, its warm glow fading into twilight, the villagers gathered around the central fire. Children jostled for a spot close to the flames, their faces lit with eager anticipation, while the adults settled onto benches and logs, their expressions a mix of curiosity and reverence. In the center of the circle stood Elandor, the village elder, his silver hair catching the last rays of daylight. Leaning on his intricately carved staff, he raised a hand for silence.
"Come closer, young and old," Elandor intoned, his voice rich with the weight of years. "Tonight, I shall tell you the tale of our world’s birth and the gods who shaped its fate. Let me tell you of Seraphine, the Mother of All, who wove the Weave that binds all things, and of the gods who walked the lands in ancient times. Hear of the Divine War, where light clashed with darkness, and the Rebirth that scattered our ancestors to the winds. Listen well, for these are the stories that shape our past and guide our future."
The crowd leaned in, entranced by the elder’s words, ready to journey back to the time of gods and heroes, when the fate of Tavomia hung by the slender threads of the Weave.
In the legends of Tavomia, Seraphine, known as the "Mother of All," is revered as the creator of the world. It is said that she wove the Weave, a mystical fabric that binds reality and allows magic to flow through the land. The Weave is believed to be the foundation of all life and magic in Tavomia, a gift from Seraphine that connects everything in existence.
From Seraphine's creation emerged the first gods: Ang, the Oak Father, and Rashida, the Raven Queen. Ang represents life and nature, nurturing the world's growth and vitality, while Rashida governs death and fate, maintaining the natural cycle and balance. Together, they shaped Tavomia and guided its earliest inhabitants. From their union came three more gods. Ketos, the Lord of Storms, was the firstborn, embodying the wild and untamed elements of nature. Later, the twins Lul'nir, the Light Bringer, and Sune, the Seeker, were born, each taking on roles that further enriched the world with their divine influence.
However, not all divine beings were directly created by Seraphine. Dashiva, the Dark Mistress, and Morgesh, the Mad God, emerged from origins unknown to mortals. Many see them as embodiments of chaos and corruption, spreading darkness and discord across Tavomia. As Dashiva and Morgesh sowed chaos, Lul'nir and Sune rose to oppose them, driven by a desire to protect Tavomia. Their zeal for vanquishing evil led them to ignore Rashida's warnings about the dangers of unchecked fervor. This conflict escalated into the Divine War, a devastating battle that nearly tore the world apart.
The war culminated in an event known as the Bleeding, a cataclysmic rupture that threatened to annihilate all of Tavomia. To save her creation, Seraphine sacrificed herself, using the last of her divine power to seal many of the gods away in what are now known as the Divine Realms. This act is remembered as the ultimate sacrifice, where Seraphine gave her life to protect the world she created.
Seraphine’s sacrifice marked the beginning of the Rebirth—a period of destruction and renewal. The Rebirth shattered Tavomia, scattering the mortal races to the winds and leading to the collapse of civilizations. What was once a world of order and structure fell into chaos, with knowledge lost and cultures fractured. This era, known as the Dark Ages, was a time of rebuilding. Survivors of the Rebirth struggled to rise from the ruins of their shattered societies. With many gods sealed away and the world reshaped into something both familiar and strange, the people of Tavomia faced the daunting task of reclaiming their lost heritage and forging new paths in an uncertain world.
The Divine Realms, where many gods are now confined, are seen by most mortals as the celestial homes of the gods—places of divine presence and reflection. However, some sages and scholars speculate that these realms are actually prisons, designed to contain the gods’ powers and prevent them from causing further harm. Within these realms, gods like Lul'nir and Sune are believed to contemplate their past actions, seeking redemption for their roles in the Divine War. In contrast, the realms of Morgesh and Dashiva are often referred to as profane realms, corrupted places that embody their chaotic and malevolent natures. These realms are feared by mortals and are thought to be filled with darkness, madness, and corruption, reflecting the gods who reside within them.
Not all gods were sealed in these realms. Ang, the Oak Father, entered an eternal slumber deep within the earth, his presence still felt by those attuned to nature. Ketos, the Lord of Storms, became the very storms that rage across the land, embodying freedom and the untamed elements of nature. Rashida, the Raven Queen, continues to preside over the underworld, guiding souls to their rest and maintaining the balance between life and death.
Among these tales lies the mystery of Saitas, the Lost God. Born from a union between Ang and Dashiva—when Dashiva took on the form of Rashida to deceive him—Saitas vanished with his people halfway through the Divine War. His fate remains unknown, adding another layer of intrigue to the divine history of Tavomia.
To the people of Tavomia, these myths are more than just stories; they are moral lessons that emphasize the virtues and vices that define the human experience. They teach the importance of balance, humility, and the dangers of letting ideals and emotions cloud one’s judgment. Through these tales, the gods continue to play a vital role in the lives of Tavomia’s people, guiding their actions and beliefs as they strive to honor the world Seraphine gave her life to protect.
Comments