The Epic of Rose and Violet
The story of “Rose and Violet” is a poem written in dactylic hexameter (–⏕ | –⏕ | –⏕ | –⏕ | –⏑⏑ | –X) regarding the lives of two famous Disciples of The First Cabal, Rozali and Violeta (often referred to in the common tongue as “Rose and Violet”). It was written in the year 55 DE by Andantino the Poeticule. It is the subject of much interpretation.
Purpose
According to the poem, which is a distillation of many folktales of specious and unreliable accuracy, Rose and Violet were the youngest of the Disciples, both taking up with the Cabal at the ages of 20. Studying under the “Binder,” the two were adept students in the ways of controlling the elements and shaping them to their wills. They do not fully comprehend what this power would entail when they began to learn it.
The poem tells of their care for one another as the war with the Faen breaks out, and how they fought together as partners throughout it. Following the war with the Faen, the two continue their study of magic before departing for the Heartlands together, where they found what will become the college that bears their names. They live out their lives on the lake their two towers stand by. Interpretations of the work vary; some argue that the two are depicted as sisters or allies bonded in combat, but there are several passages that contain subtext the two may have been lovers. This is in part due to the use of “the Binder” as their teacher – popular folklore tends to depict the Cabalist known as “the Binder” as a somewhat androgynous and lascivious sort, passionate and fueled by personal vendetta against the Faen. Some scholars argue it is Andantino’s omission of any lascivious behavior or humor on the part of the Binder towards the two (who are repeatedly depicted as beautiful and capable) that suggests they are already a romantic couple. This is reinforced by the Binders few appearances throughout the poem, which often depict the wizard as having an overtly sexual or scatological sense of humor. On the subject, Andantino only wrote, "Rose and her friend Violet, Violet and her friend Rose."
The poem tells of their care for one another as the war with the Faen breaks out, and how they fought together as partners throughout it. Following the war with the Faen, the two continue their study of magic before departing for the Heartlands together, where they found what will become the college that bears their names. They live out their lives on the lake their two towers stand by. Interpretations of the work vary; some argue that the two are depicted as sisters or allies bonded in combat, but there are several passages that contain subtext the two may have been lovers. This is in part due to the use of “the Binder” as their teacher – popular folklore tends to depict the Cabalist known as “the Binder” as a somewhat androgynous and lascivious sort, passionate and fueled by personal vendetta against the Faen. Some scholars argue it is Andantino’s omission of any lascivious behavior or humor on the part of the Binder towards the two (who are repeatedly depicted as beautiful and capable) that suggests they are already a romantic couple. This is reinforced by the Binders few appearances throughout the poem, which often depict the wizard as having an overtly sexual or scatological sense of humor. On the subject, Andantino only wrote, "Rose and her friend Violet, Violet and her friend Rose."
Type
Text, Literary (Novel/Poetry)
Medium
Vellum / Skin
Authoring Date
55 DE
Authors
Comments