The Creator and The Fortune Teller Myth in World of Arsteria | World Anvil

The Creator and The Fortune Teller

Ahan, the Great and Powerful God of Creation, was out one day on a journey through their domain. They had finished their work of creating, and were now basking in the joys and wonders around them. Ahan had passed numerous peoples and travelers along their path, had stayed with kind people in small villages against the sapphire waters of rivers, and ridden along with singing men of war celebrating a bloodless victory. Ahan was proud of the people, though the division amongst them was infuriating, and doted upon those they passed. It was during this journey that Ahan had decided to have a spot of fun, and disguised themselves as an Old Mardan Man. As an old man Ahan traveled along the well trodden paths, but found the number of travelers lacking and disheartening. It was while thinking that, that a pretty young man appeared from beyond the hill. Excited by the prospect of talking with someone, Ahan made their way quickly to the young man and approached warmly. The young boy greeted the old man with reserved actions.   Surprised by this Ahan questioned the young man "Why do you greet me so coldly sir? Have I offended you with my age? You are so young and so pretty, i'm sure it must be quite a pain on your eyes."   "No sir," the boy said "I meant you no offense. I am burdened with such power, and some days I wish it were not so."   "Should that be why you treat me so?"   "Yes."   Ahan crossed their arms and sat on the ground in frustration. The age of the body took its toll in the Old mans form, and the need to rest had made itself known. "What is this power that weighs you so?"   "They call me Seer, for I alone can see distant past and possible future. They demand I do this daily, I am bothered daily with requests from Kings and City Elders. Even the Great Creator has visited me for aid."   Ahan perked up at this, for if he had done so he would surely have remembered it. "The Great God of Creation? Visited you for aid? Your talents must be great then."   "He did and my great talent is often a burden. Such is why you find me in this state today."   Ahan suddenly hatched a plan to put this boasting young man to a test. Surely his talents were all bluster and without proof. He would create strange phenomenon to happen, with such uncertainty no one could predict. "Say, would you care to give me a show of your talent? Perhaps you could tell me whether it shall rain soon? Or perhaps if a cart may pass soon?"   The young man sighed and looked up the sky. It was blue and without a cloud. He made to tell the old man as such, but instead he felt an urge that it would rain suddenly. "It will rain, though I am not sure I believe it."   Ahan was surprised, their intention had been to cause a sudden downpour during the young mans answer, but in the surprise they only caused a small pocket to appear nearby.   "Ah, I am right again. Though I understand my confusion on certainty now. I feel this is a good example, yes? A sudden shower now is a wonder to be sure."   "Hmm, a surprise to be sure. Perhaps you do have a small talent for it as you say."   A small talent?" The young man grew upset at this and raised his voice "I offered you a show of a service Kings and the God of Creation have sought. I have more than a small talent for seeing the future!"   "Then what will happen when I stand? Shall I fall or shall I stand proudly?"   Frustrated, the young man turned to ignore the Old mans blathering and walk away but a sudden spike of fear shot through their body. A sudden sight of a figure of immeasurable power and deference being in the place of the previously frail Old Man froze him in place. Slowly the young man turned and say that, indeed the Old Man had been the God of Creation. In their truer form the God stared down at the pretty young man.   "I am the God of Creation. I have not seen you nor heard your name until this day, but your talents are impressive as you say. I shall give you this gift, may you and your descendants cherish it." The God of Creation then placed a hand atop the Young mans head and placed within him a small portion of his power. He drew forth the Young Mans ability to see the Future and infused it, then vanished into the day.   The young man returned his kingdom and King to tell of his encounter. The Seer was heralded as a wonderous and benevolent teller of possible futures, and with their guidance innumerable disasters were avoided.

Summary

The God of Creation is out observing their domain disguised as a old man when they are accosted by a strange pretty young man who claims to see the future. The God of Creation puts the Fortune Teller through a number of tests before acknowledging their talent and bestowing them with the gift of premonitions.

Historical Basis

Some ancient paintings depict a frail young man being hailed by Kings and Rulers, but what for is still unknown. Certain members of the Mental aspects of Arcane Study do have talents verging on future sight, but the effects are quite limited and much more restrictive.

Spread

The Seer in question was only mentioned in the South Western region of kingdoms originally. Their influence with the Desert Peoples and distance from the Original Five Kingdoms caused the story to be fairly limited in telling. Once the Empire had expanded across the western bay and along the eastern desert line, the story was transposed and shared more frequently.

Variations & Mutation

The only variation that exists depicts the encounter between the young Seer and the Old Man form of the God of Creation as far less beneficial for the Seer. This variation, originating from within the Desert societies, depicts the Seer as a less than appreciative and arrogant member of nobility. They used their abilities only for themselves and to benefit only themselves, during the encounter the Seer discovers his mistake of being charged by a God but is given a curse of seeing possible futures for all time. Descendants would go mad from the power and would commit horrid crimes to stop the visions.

Cultural Reception

"Seer" as a title is fairly ignored. Its basis is speculative at best and the actual use of the Mental Arcanists with such power are limited to more mundane features of the possibilities. That is ignoring the actual study required to channel the ability into something beneficial.

In Literature

The story is recorded in a few journals from the early age of expansion, but it was originally a more oral tradition. Variations exist, but are largely treated similarly.

In Art

Certain paintings depict a frail young man being hailed by tall men and a beautiful women, but later being "blessed" by a being of glowing light.
Date of First Recording
22
Date of Setting
-300
Related Species

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