Myths

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This article is largely unfinished. There's nothing you can do about this.

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Many stories are told in the homes and halls of Anoth Peras; some have basis in fact, some not.

Erin's Rhyme

Legend has it that this poem was recited by an elven child, after waking from a sleep which lasted six days. Although accounts vary, many believe she experienced some sort of prophetic trance.

Once more dawn breaks for one above,
His hand rest soft against his love
Beneath Anoth will spin and turn
Through the heavens, change shall burn
Where oft were many shall be one more
Between the rushes, above the moor
And then the blighters, both one and all
Crawled out and forth, to bring the fall
When we to heaven's cross were nailed,
The lords came forth on silver sails.

Of Sword & Shield

Attributed to the minstrel Andhrim Stalos

War loomed, and as it did so the people were afraid; for nothing is so frightening as the prospect of going to battle. But the time of conquest, though near, was not yet upon the world; and so it was that two knights, each from a different nation, came to drink wine and eat bread together in a tavern.

Late came the hour, and with the wine came philosophy. "I think," said the red Knight, "That the sword is surely greater than the shield; for a sword may miss its mark any number of times and yet still strike true. A shield, you see, must fail but once - and then no amount of prior success makes any difference to that warrior."

The green Knight smiled, and licked his lips. "A wise man," he declared, "are you. But I must, friend, disagree! For while a sword may destroy any number of things distasteful, a shield may instead protect what is precious; as you must surely recognize, no amount of destruction can equal a single worthy creation."

The red Knight laughed, and his eyes glittered in the firelight. "A wise man," he declared, "are you. I disagree, of course - for without a sword, no amount of defense will ever make truly safe what one holds dear - but you are a man of intellect, and I shall hold your opinion no grudge. Come, let us drink to friendship."

One year later, war had begun; and fighting side-by-side, many great battles were won. But one day, the red Knight screamed, for he saw the green Knight run through.

"Friend," said the red Knight sorrowfully, once he had dispatched the foe, "I am filled with regret; if only I were of the cloth, I would surely save you."

The green Knight smiled. "It is of no matter, for I have it on fairly good authority that what comes after is excellent. Worry not, my friend."

The red Knight returned the smile, although perhaps with a little less candor. "Perhaps you had a point all along."

The other raised an eyebrow. "Hm?"

"That the shield is greater than the sword, I mean."

"Oh, of course. I usually am, aren't I?"

And so, the green Knight died on the field of battle, and the two had many a merry evening's chat about it once the resurrection was paid at temple.

The First of Orc-Kind?

Attributed to the bard Halifax

The seas are a dangerous place, my friends - dangerous, and untamed. Monstrous creatures fill the waters, and many are consumed with desire for the flesh of men. Terrible beasts fill the sky, and many are filled with a thirst for blood. Among these are the harpies - terrible, winged women with strong legs which they clasp 'round sailors to carry them into the sky so they may be dashed against the rocks. The most evil and fearsome of these is Geninax, for they say she knows nothing but cruelty. And so every day she would pluck a sailor from his ship, and every day she would dash him apart against the rocks; and so it was that this day she snatched the sailor Edreth from the deck of his vessel, which they say hailed from Tameran shores.

The ship shrank beneath them, and the sailor Edreth was afraid. "Please, have mercy!" he cried, but Geninax paid no heed but to shake him as he dangled from her claw. And still, they rose higher into the sky.

The sea faded behind the clouds, and the sailor gripped the harpy tightly. "Please, have mercy!" he screamed, but still Geninax could have none. And still, they rose higher into the sky.

Soon they had nearly reached the stars, and the vile Geninax casted about for a place to drop the sailor. But once more, he cried:

"Please, have mercy!"

Geninax was angry, for she had heard this plea more times than have you and I have hairs on our heads; and yet, even as he cried for mercy she felt the stirrings of something within her.

"What," she snarled, "would you have me do, Man? I have snatched many of your kind before, and I have always carried them up to the stars; and from here, I have always let them fall to earth again to dash upon the rocks. Why should I let you live where so many die?"

The sailor thought for but a moment. "Have mercy, for I have a wife."

"Not good enough," says the harpy: "for I have killed many married men."

The sailor thought for but a moment. "Have mercy, for I have a son."

"Not good enough," says the harpy: "for I have killed many fathers."

Edreth thought for but one moment more. "Have mercy," he said - "for it has been one year since I have known my wife's embrace."

The harpy considered. "I do not see how it affects me," she said simply. "I am afraid I shall still dash you out against the rocks."

Frantically, the sailor tried to bargain with her. "You misunderstand," he said, a desparate plan forming in his mind. "It has been long since I have been home, and it should be unbearable to die without being relieved."

Geninax thought for a long minute, suspended over the heavens and earth. "Very well," said the harpy, and the sailor's heart lept; "I shall give you this choice: take your release in me, or be dashed upon the rocks unfulfilled."

The sailor's heart fell, for he did not wish to betray his wife; but still, he did not wish to die. "I shall take my release in you," he decided, "for you are not unpleasant to look upon." And so Geninax set him gently upon a cloud, and ministered to him, and afterward dashed him against the rocks just the same; but within Geninax' evil womb there grew a child that was green of flesh and black of heart; and when it grew to maturity it bred with an elf, and so was born the race of Orcs.

Linnorn's Poem

Although the origins of this rough poem are unknown, it is likely that it was invented to play on the minds of children and prevent excessive play after dark.
Play until it's dark
But then to bed you go
E're at night they find you
Yr' legs'll dangle to and fro
A dragon's jaws will find you
And in his stomach keep
But the dread linnorn'l find him
And still your mother weeps.

Great Paths

The Great Paths are subject of an exceptionally obscure legend detailing the means by which a being can increase its station.

See Main article.

Prayer of Admission

We fell each one to evil ways
On the day when we are born
With sick and sin we build our lives
And on that blade are torn

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