The Rage of Ferventi
The Rage of Ferventi is the legend of the death of Cryce, the God of Rabbits and their fall at the hands of the God of Badgers. Being the mate of the wolf god, their death caused Ferventi to fall into rage and bloodlust that couldn't be stopped until the Badger was killed.
Summary
Not long after leaving the care of the Fox, Ferventi branched to find his own kind deep within the Land of Gods. Still but a mere lad himself, looking for land to claim his own and fill with cubs; the wolf came across a dark burrow in which hid another god in the like of himself, so too was the rabbit within blessed by the moon. A scuffle of digging and tooth against claw led to an odd kinship and understanding between former enemies; the hare and the wolf.
For decades, the two found solace in one another’s dens, rearing their kind side by side and watching their cubs flourish under the agreement that predator and prey needed each other. For without the rabbit, the wolf kind would starve, and without the wolf, the rabbit kind would grow too many and slowly kill itself. In this friendship, Ferventi and Cryce shared their secrets becoming more than a bond between allies, more than friends, more than lovers. An entire clan sprang from their wild chases and gentle walks in the knotted wood.
This wild and untamed romance was not meant to last. Wolves not being the only predator to the rabbit, Cryce became doomed and cornered protecting the kits of the fresh spring by the Badger and suffered a cruel fate. An entire generation lost and the god injured beyond salvation, their corpse left uneaten to be found by their lover in the cold red snow. Maddened with a rage unlike any seen, Ferventi burned with hate for the badger, rallying his wolves he sought to slay his mate’s killer in revenge.
Just as he was blinded with fury, so too fate saw to punish the wolf and let the murderer strike his right eye, forever taking away his sight. Neither did the cold blooded god escape debilitating and humiliating defeat as well, losing her heir and having to begin again training from a new bloodline, only to fall to injuries by the next moon. Both gods retreated to lick their wounds and tend to their dead, leaving the land scarred from their wrath. Broken stumps and shattered stone are all that remain from the centuries old battle, hidden under moss that stenches of death like it so did so long ago.
It is said the wolf cries at the moon to this day, hoping and praying to one day be rejoined in the sea of the dead with his snow white hare, forever to be caught in a playful chase once more.
Historical Basis
The Rage of Ferventi is based in historical fact, as the wolf god did have Cryce, a fallen rabbit god, as his most famous mate and it is believed they did meet similarly to the myth's telling. It also is a historical fact Cryce did die at the hand of the fallen Badger god, although how many casualties and in what fashion they died in is hotly debated. As the myth was primarily an oral retelling and not written down until hundreds of years after the latest possible date, it is unknown how many details have been changed.
Many gods have their own opinions about the myth and are often secretive about the finer details out of fear of Ferventi. As the only one left alive who was personally involved in the event, Ferventi himself has not been forthcoming about the details either, still mourning his mate. It is rumored he kills anyone who pressures him about the subject, although this too is hotly debated.
Spread
The Rage of Ferventi is known globally, even in the territory of dragons, and particularly popular with werewolves, centaur, and omnia. It is also a popular myth among the cults of life and death.
Variations & Mutation
Among werewolves, who, Ferventi is a direct (if distant) ancestor to, the legend of Ferventi's rage paints the wolf god in a much more sympathetic light. While not shying away from the destruction caused by the god, much of the blame of it is shifted to the God of Badgers, and their attack on Cryce often said to be unprompted. The destruction from the battle is generally attributed to the sheer force of the wolf's mourning.
As the legend is so well known to of become common place among even the dragons, they too have their own variations. Rather than Ferventi's initial meeting of the rabbit being by chance, it is attributed to that wolves and rabbits are considered lunar creatures in draconic culture and naturally drawn together. Ferventi's rage following the death of Cryce is said to be caused by Neia inflicting him with bloodlust herself, due to the killing of one of her denizens. Any and all association between the gods and lunar dragonflight is circumstantial at best, however, and there is no evidence that such actually occurred. The two gods involved just happen to share much of the symbolism with the lunar flight.
The legend is often used in schooling and an introduction to the ways of the gods and their cultural norms. Many 'tamed down' versions of the myth are used, often omitting much of the sex and details of violence between Ferventi, Cryce, and the Badger, and instead focus on the narrative, symbolism, and impact on modern culture. Tellings used in higher level of schooling, such as in high schools or colleges will begin to reintroduce these aspects of the myth to various degrees. What remains common, however, is that almost all variations used in schools regardless of level almost always omit that Ferventi and Cryce are both considered to be parents of the Werewolf race.
Cultural Reception
The Rage of Ferventi being based heavily in historical fact- As the Rabbit God Cryce was the true mate of Ferventi, and did fall at the hands of the God of Badgers- has been the subject of many documentaries, history books, and been incorporated into the culture of followers of the gods involved in the myth.
Werewolves, who are direct decedents of Ferventi, often view the legend in the light of Ferventi's dedication to his mates and lovers, and the protectiveness he holds to them. Ferventi's followers are much in the same mindset, but also take the myth as part of Ferventi's dedication to his own followers being considered his pack and family.
Followers of the Badger god tend to view the legend with scorn to the Wolf God, as war between the gods is commonplace, as is the killing of rivals and their heirs. Most view that Ferventi becoming involved in the conflict was a crossing of many cultural norms, such as that gods only should involve themselves as far as their own territory and followers- not that of their allies no matter how close.
Other gods tend to give Ferventi a wide berth as a result of the legend, knowing his violence and rage can be far spread and not willing to risk being subject to his fangs.
Date of First Recording
6214
Date of Setting
Assumed 5768 to 5892
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