Two Generals, One Soul
This is the founding myth of an ancient elven empire, which was one of the precursors of Eladeria.
The story begins with the tyrants of two small elven nations. Both rulers had clawed themselves to power on the backs of others, and kept a grip on their nation with iron fists. The one in the North, the other to the South. It is said that the lords recognised something of themselves in their counterpart, and rightfully saw the other as a threat. After a year of growing tension, it came to a head when the Northern lord publicly insulted the Southern lord in a public declaration. War was declared soon after.
The armies from both nations had been at the ready for the better part of half a year now, and were quickly mobilized. At the head of the Northern army was general Shu. His Southern advesary was Lord Tang. Both of their first names were regrettably lost to time. Shu traveled South, while Tang traveled North. The two armies met at the site of present-day Elarion, which was not a flying island back then.
As was customary at the time, the two generals met before the battle in a tent set up between the armies. Usually this meeting was used to try and intimidate the opposing commander into surrendering, and if that failed, at least cause them to make mistakes. Shu and Tang however had never met each other before, let alone on the battlefield. They therefore used the time to get to know each other, in order to asses their opponents skill, way of thinking, and likely tactics. According to the legend, the meeting went on for quite a bit longer than was customary, and the bodyguards of both generals were very tight-lipped about what had been discussed.
There was no battle that day. Instead, the two armies promptly turned around and marched towards their own capitals. Messages were sent ahead to their rulers, which detailed a fictional battle and announced an overwhelming victory for their side. Elated, the Northern and Southern rulers were taken completely by surprise when their respective armies didn't go for a victory tour, but instead marched straight for the palace. The tyrants and their closest allies were the only people to die in this very short war.
The people of both nations had no problems with their oppressors getting beheaded, and Shu and Tang were declared Emperor and High Lord respectively.
After a year of stabilizing their respective teritories, the two now-rulers traveled once more to the place of the battle that never happened. Here they declared that the two nations would be merged into one larger nation, and thight where their first meeting had occured. The two former generals ruled this new empire with wise hands until their deaths, many years later. It is said that they died not one hour apart, and that after their deaths a golden dragon was seen taking off from the palace and ascending into the heavens, where it disappeared into the radiance of the sun.
Variations & Mutation
Several variations on the myth exist. One variation asserts that it was not two generals who united the nations, and that there was never a war in the first place. Instead, the story goes that the daughters of the two tyrants were in love with each other, but knew they could never be together while their fathers were still alive. So in true noble fashion, they had their fathers assasinated, took over their nations, and promptly married.
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