Sinaunang Lupain (The First Kingdom)

In order to understand the different factions, races, and cultures of Kaluban, One must first be aware of the legend of Sinaunang Lupain. Sinaunang Lupain, or "The First Kingdom" is a legend passed down throughout centuries about the origin of the Races and The Wilderness. This legend is arguably the most important piece of Kaluban literature, being the justification for many territorial conquests. Details of the legend, however, can vary with different sources. But the main story is always the same.

Summary

Long ago in the middle of the mainland, there was only one kingdom: Loban. The ruler of the kingdom was the Datu Bathala. He was a powerful and benevolent Datu. When the people wanted food, he created orchards of ripe coconuts and pineapples. When enemies approached, he created mountains and oceans to keep them away. When the night was too dark, he took a star on his hand and with its fire, lit up his entire kingdom. Datu Bathala gave everything his people wanted. But one day, Bathala can no longer be the Datu of Loban. So one day, he approached a family of foresters, three brothers: Yagit, Butlag, and Mayma. He recognized their ability to take care of the trees and said "Take care of my kingdom as you took care of your trees. Just as the forest, let it grow and expand. If a tree is preventing other trees from sunlight, cut it so that the other trees may grow as well" Bathala weaved a long cloth from a piece of the sky and gave it to the eldest brother and appointed him as the Datu of Loban. He wrapped it around his waist and suddenly he possessed Bathala's mighty power. Bathala said his goodbyes to the rest of the kingdom and ascended to the skies to be the Datu of all. The people welcomed the new Datu and the he did everything Bathala told him to do. His two other brothers, however, got jealous of their older brother's power. Why should he be the Datu just because he's the eldest? Soon enough, jealousy turned to hatred. The two brothers decided they're not allowing their older brother to be higher than them. So in the dead of night, while their brother was sleeping, they snuck into his room, stole the magical cloth, and ran away. With the cloth on their hands, they know they can possess the power of Bathala as well. But they got into an argument over who should wear it first. Accidentally, they both rip the cloth in half and dropped it on the soil. Suddenly, huge deformed trees quickly grew out of the soil, snakes and bugs grew in size, and monsters sprout out from the ground. Almost immediately, the town was destroyed and everyone had to run away from the growing trees and monsters. The brothers ran in different directions: Butlag ran northeast, Mayma ran Northwest, and Yagi ran south. The cloth continues to create monsters and trees and the brothers are forced out of their own home. But one day, A descendant of the oldest brother, the rightful datu, will return to rule the first kingdom.

Historical Basis

Until the wilderness has been explored, it is still uncertain whether or not the events of the legend is actually true. Specifically, if there ever was a first kingdom or a magical cloth that started the monster population. It is worth mentioning however that trees in the wilderness jungles have been seen to grow faster than normal trees, and that monsters do reproduce on or underground. And the names of the brothers closely resemble the names of the races, but that may be a detail that was added later on in history to use as justification for hostile actions. There have also been relics discovered throughout the mainland that suggests ancient civilizations have already lived in the wilderness. Generally, there are some truths to the legend, but mythical elements and specific details like which was the older brother are still up for debate.

Spread

The legend was first only told orally through families and travelers. It wasn't until the mid 6th century that scribes began to document the legend into tablets for royal families, and soon at the beginning of the second millennium, began inscribing into tomes and scrolls. Different versions of the legend were circulated throughout the land, versions like the short story from the "Alamat'mga at antula'mga" (1102), the Southern Tigyagi play "Luphang ting Unha" (1270), and the race-neutral and most popular version, "Sinaunang Lupain" (1423)

Variations & Mutation

The story of Sinaunang Lupain has had many variations from the different factions, from different publications, different characters, and different outcomes, and those aren't even covering the versions from oral tradition. There have been variations where they had a sister who became the older brother's bride, and the two brothers kidnapped her instead of taking the cloth. Another version, Bathala returned after the two brothers took the cloth and cursed the land for their dishonesty. And of course, different versions where the names were changed. The older brother representing the race where the particular version originated. There have been versions where it was written in one faction who named the older brother as another. However, those have become deemed treasonous by their rulers and were burned or destroyed. It is believed by some that the original story was not meant to be allegorical to the races. There is a possibility that the implementation of political themes was made for propagandistic reasons. Either way, there is no denying that this legend had an impact on culture, being cited as casus belli for starting wars.

"...Manghaka-kamangha gawai'nang Bathala'ni ting Datu. Dagarakat nung lawakpina'ay higit'ng mapalayo para labankina'ang at pang'isdamakapag."
"...What amazing miracles our Datu Bathala has done. He stretches the oceans so that our enemies may not reach us and that we may fish peacefully"

-from the third short story on the "Alamat'mga at antula'mga" (1102)

Datus of Butaklag 

The story of Sinaunang Lupain became a crucial element in Faction Politics during the 12th century, especially for the Butaklang race. The Anthological Tome "Alamat'mga at antula'mga" became the first of many Butaklang literature that started the cultural renaissance of Honor-based chivalry that became a staple of Bukatlang tradition. It was this short story that first inspired Bukatlang factions that they hold the rightful claim to sovereignty over all of Kaluban, this ideology quickly spread to other factions outside of their region and soon enough became a mindset for most faction rulers. It also inspired the Butaklag to use the ancient word "Datu" to refer to their royal families, instead of the more common "Hari/Reyna"

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