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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:48 pm
Here is a compilation of the folklore and superstition within Muranthia. More stories and bits of superstition will be added as time goes on
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:51 pm
Origin, The Rokkei, and the Nazaroth
The biggest and more well known pieces of lore found in the land. The Rokkei/6 Embodiments Legend has it that ages ago when Humakins and Kulgenki first came about, there were six powerful creatures, each embodying one of the elements. Supposedly, the embodiment of fire is a great phoenix by the name of Houzen. The one of water is a leviathan named Mizaru. The one of earth is a kirin by the name of Doshii. The one of wind is a Quetzalcoatl known as Kaziruk. The embodiment of light is a dragon by the name of Hikynti. And finally the one of shadows is a hydra called Kagin. Now, Kulgenki each naturally have an affinity to an element, but these six creatures were different. People aren’t quite sure what they are exactly; some believe they’re just exceptionally powerful Kulgenki. Others believe that they’re gods, which would kind of explain how there have been some sightings of these six today. And they have never known to have a Humakin tied to them. Because of this belief, there are several shrines around to worship them. But it is said that if a Kulgenki were to find the embodiment of their elemental affinity, they may become stronger with the wisdom and help of the creature. Houzen: A phoenix of the fire element. Legend has it that he is a bit on the temperamental side. However, he has a great deal of pride and does not get along with Mizaru all too well. People believe that he created the dessert. Both rage and love are associated with him. Mizaru: A large leviathan attuned to water. She is known to have no set mood, swaying from a calm mindset to one that is violent to one that is bitterly cold. Shipwrecks along the coasts of Muranthia are sometimes said to be her doing. Sailors will often attempt to appease her because of this. Doshii: A kirin of the earth. Said to be stubborn but generous. He is a rather steady being who can also be rather nurturing. Farmers of the land often pray to him for hopes of a good harvest. People also look to him to take care of the dead (essentially making him the god of death in a sense) as the bodies of the dead return to the earth with time. Kaziruk: A quetzalcoatle of the wind element. They say she is rather lofty and seems to have little care for what goes about around her. Gentle most of the time, but still powerful altogether. She is also said to be the messenger of the embodiments. If someone gets an idea or inspiration, they say it is her doing. Hikynti: A dragon who represents light. He is often presented as being noble, bold, and virtuous, if not a bit naïve at times. Humakins often look to him for guidance, as they tend to see him as being the ‘leader’ of the six to an extent. However, he does have a struggle with Kagin. People believe that when an eclipse happens, it means that the two are currently battling. Kagin: A hydra of the shadows. Depicted as being mysterious and cunning. Though she is also seen as being very reliable. She does have a bit of jealousy for Hikynti, and as a result she tends to butt heads with him now and then. In no way does she actually hate him though. Those who work in the shadows or in the night such as thieves or assassins will often ask her to aid them. The Nazroth Aside from the Rokkei, there is another group. However they have no well known individuals, nor do people really know what they look like or what they are exactly. They are simply known as the Nazroth. What is known is that they are rather powerful. The six and the Nazroth are said to be sworn enemies to an extent. It is hard to say as no one quite knows the true motives of the Nazroth but many will say that their intentions are evil. Some Humakins seek out the Nazroth for their own reasons, usually for power. These encounters tend to not end well. Origin of Kulgenki They say long ago, Humakin originally had no Kulgenki companions. These original Humakin were far more powerful than the ones around today. And at first there were no issues with this, but a few individuals began to hunger for more power and wealth. Battles broke out amongst them, in an attempt to prove who was the greatest of them all. This displeased the Rokkei greatly, and as a result they tore the souls of the Humakin; pulling out their power quite literally. A large amount of the Humakin died from the trauma of this. However, with the remnants of magic they had, a small group managed to tie the severed soul fragments to themselves, but not completely. They had to bond the soul pieces to various artifacts that they kept, and eventually these soul pieces manifested into different creatures. The Humakin found that with these creatures, they still were able to tap into their lost power, but they weren't nearly as powerful as they once were. After all, they are no longer whole. This kept up as generations went on, and later still, the Humakin learned something new. After spending considerable time with these creatures, which had been called the Kulgenki, they found that for a short time, they were able to combine with them, causing their soul to be whole once more. With the soul in tact, the Humakin were able to unleash greater power; the potential they always had. But it never lasted long. Afterlife The people in this world believe a few things when it comes to what happens after death. As with here, they believe that if someone were to be killed with 'unfinished business', the spirit will remain behind until they are able to rest in peace. If the Kulgenki did not die along with the humakin, then the Humakin will remain on their own without the companion. If the Kulgenki died as well, then both would be wandering about together in spiritual form. And as with many societies, what a person does in life will affect what happens afterwards. When a Humakin dies, they are first brought to the rest of the Rokkei by Doshii. From there the actions and decisions they make throughout their life are judged by the six. Those who have lived causing harm to others and doing horrible things over all are believed to be taken by the Nazroth. What people say that happens from there varies. Some believe that the Humakin's soul (along with their Kulgenki) is devoured, thus giving the Nazroth more strength. Others say that the soul would be tortured and corrupted until it becomes one of the Nazroth (also giving them more strength). Another belief is that the soul is transformed into a monster; a minion for the Nazroth (... again giving them more strength). It is believed that those who dare to make pacts with the Nazroth are doomed to this path. For the rest, a less daunting future. Again there are a few different views on what happens. Many believe that the Kulgenki will merge permanently with the Humakin's soul. The Humakin then lives in an etherial world, as a complete being. However, a few believe that if they had done well enough in life, they would be given a second chance. Again in this case, they would be one with their Kulgenki as they are reborn into the world.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:56 pm
Superstition
Old wives tales that deal with luck, health, and so on. Luck Don’t rub me the wrong way: People say that you should never pet a dog’s fur “against the grain”. Doing so will bring bad luck. Cat's attraction: It is believed that cats (real ones) attract lightning. So carrying one in the storm will make lightning strike you Other Clean up that mess!: Messy rooms give Nazroth hiding places so they could snatch your soul (or Kulgenki) ... this is something often told to children by their mothers.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:57 pm
General Lore
Stories and legends that may or may not have some truth to them. Varsht Desert The desert is quite hazardous, as many deserts tend to be. Most people try to go around it if they could, while others may decide to attempt to trek through in hopes of traveling a shorter distance. Some foolish travelers go in unprepared, and ultimately pay with their lives. But some manage to survive. These who have claim that a beautiful woman and her fairy Kulgenki have guided them to a lush oasis, essentially saving their lives. Strangely enough, no one has been able to find this oasis on their own. Nor has anyone seen this woman when they didn’t need the help, causing a good number of people to doubt these miraculous stories. But to those who believe the oasis and the woman exists, she is known as the Lady of Varsht. Inskilio Kulgenki are completely devoted to their Humakin bond for the most part, and they would never do anything to intentionally harm them. They are, after all, essentially a piece of the Humakin’s soul. However, there is one occurrence that goes beyond this. As legends tell it, one gryphon Kulgenki, Inskilio, simply turned on his Humakin one day, slaughtering her in a most brutal fashion. The reasoning for this sudden attack is uncertain, but it seemed that Inskilio had gone feral without the Humakin dying first. As far as history dates, there are no other known times where a Kulgenki had done something such as this, so it seems to just be fiction. The myth doesn’t quite end there though. Around the Arock Mountains, and especially in the Zanz Valley, people claim that they have seen a white feral gryphon, with black speckles and blood red eyes roaming about. Several corpses in the same regions have also been found, with their bodies mutilated in an uncannily similar fashion to how Inskilio’s Humakin died.The descriptions over all match Inskilio perfectly, but there is no way a Kulgenki can remain on Muranthia for 1000 years after their Humakin has died…. Right? Mutk Swamp Mutk was once a rather lush forest ages ago before the war began. The people of Vthin were able to enjoy the rich woods that bordered the town, prospering as well. But there was a bit of a dark side to their wealth. Any perpetrators charged were often taken to the heart of Mutk, where they were slaughtered. Or at least that’s what they said. Over time, the heart of Mutk began to degrade. Some said it was because of all the wicked souls that lingered there. Then, once the war broke out over the land, the woods became one of the many battlegrounds in Muranthia. Bodies soon littered the forest ground, seeping the earth with blood. No one quite knows how many lives were lost total, but as time went on, the once lush forest became a rather dangerous swamp. The soil in Mutk today still has a hint of red within it, giving the swamp a nicknames of “the Crimson Swamp” or “the Blood Marsh”. The second nickname has a second meaning to it as well, as the people of Vthin vouch that the swamp is cursed. They claim that screams from the lost souls could be heard from the swamp. Not to mention that the area seems to have a fairly high concentration of feral Kulgenki. Most people who enter Mutk today do not return whole, if at all. Riddle Masters Several hundred years ago, around the town of Paf, were once an Orc and his manticore Kulgenki. Their actual names have since been lost with the times, but to many they are simply known as the Riddle Masters. The reason was simply because they were known for taking people captive and putting them through rather twisted situations. To them, it was simply a game for amusement; placing living beings in life or death situations where they must solve a number of challenging riddles in order to survive. Most did not for rather obvious reasons. The Riddle Masters were never caught, leaving some people to believe they still might be around, despite the amount of time that has gone by. Every now and then, someone will go missing, never to be seen again. The people who believe the Riddle Masters still exist think that they are the ones at fault for these disappearances. The creature of Pelu Mutk isn't the only swamp with its legends. There have been some reports of sightings of a strange creature roaming around these marshy areas. It doesn't seem to be hostile at all, but not much is known about it in general. Though, whenever there is a sighting, there tends to be several fish bones strewn about the area where it was seen. A Martyr of Death People have told tales of the spirit of a young woman who has been said to comfort those dying. She is one who will weep for them, as they pass onto the next world. If you see her, it usually does not mean that good things are headed your way. However, she is not the one that brings it; simply one who happens to be around before and when it happens. Lust and Seduction Two creatures of similar purpose. One is said to seduce women, the other to seduce men. In both cases, the victim is almost always drunk when it happens. And for both creatures, they end up stealing some of the life-force from their prey. Sometimes, the victim ends up dying from the whole ordeal however. The White Wolf Many folktales are spoken around the tavern on stormy nights. But one of the most prominent is the roaming white wolf. It's fur a sleek, almost translucent color. It's eyes, as red as blood. The setting is almost always a blizzard. Offer the wolf a smile, and luck is almost guaranteed on your travels. But beware of attacking this beast, because those who have meet with a grim fate. Golden Warrior No one in this world is a stranger to war. Just as no soldier with burning passions in fighting for what he believes is a stranger to the Golden Warrior. In the heat of battle, when all seems lost, many a soldier refuse to give up. And, to those braves souls, a figure appears. Standing tall, with long flowing black hair, is a glowing man with the eyes of cool crystal. He tells them "Don't give up." He tells them "Fight for what you believe in." And, as their spirits are rekindled, he fades out with an almost sad smile. As if it was what he'd been told before... As if, he'd died for what he'd believed in.
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