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 Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:43 pm
In all of my years of traveling Avryn, I have found many representations of its resident spirit. So, I have compiled them in this tome. I hope that the results of my research are of some use. --Signed, the Wandering Sage Table of ContentsI. The Mother II. The Youth III. The Lady IV. The Elemental V. The Zahdl
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:50 pm
I. Chapter the First: The Mother
The Mother is the most common representation of the living spirit of Avryn. Most people prefer to think of their planet's spirit as protecting and nurturing them, which certainly isn't an incorrect assumption. After all, the spirit of Avryn was the one responsible for summoning the guardian spirits, the elementals, and the Zahdl to protect this world. Even though she personally created some of her children from her own spirit, it is assumed that the Mother loves all of the peoples and creatures of Avryn equally.
The Mother is usually represented, in paintings and statues, as a long haired woman with gentle eyes. She wears a simple dress and a long white sash. In some representations she also has an ornate butterfly pin in her hair, as the symbol of the cycle of death and rebirth.
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:55 pm
II. Chapter the Second: The Youth
The Youth or the Child is a secondary representation of the spirit of Avryn. Some claim that the spirit takes the form of a younger child in order to represent its innocence and purity. Others claim that the spirit took this form after weakening its power creating the Zahdl and the elemental spirits. In any case, many have claimed being visited by the child, whether it be in strange water reflections, a whisper in the wind, or in strange dreams. They also claimed to be filled with renewed energy and inspiration afterwards, often able to finish old projects or use magic that they had been unable to before. We can only assume that the child enjoys helping others, sharing their power with the peoples of Avryn.
The Youth is rarely represented as having a specific gender, although their appearance tends towards a more feminine look. They are either portrayed naked, with just a long sash floating about them, or wearing a simple white shirt and pants. Their hair is usually down to their ankles.
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:02 pm
III. Chapter the Third: The Lady
Quite frankly, the Lady is a creature of legend and myth. During the Dark Shadow Wars of the past, the Zahdl were lead by a legendary warrior known as Pelru. Many claim that the spirit of Avryn entered Pelru herself, granting her the power to drive back the creatures of darkness. Since Pelru disappeared soon after the battle had ended, there were none to confirm whether this rumor was true or not. Some even claim that Pelru ascended to the heavens to watch over the planet, and will return to it in times of need.
There is little historical evidence to back up these claims. However, many worship the Lady as a valid spirit of Avryn, thus I have included her.
The Lady is most commonly represented as a short haired woman in armor. Elegant butterfly wings extend from her back, as Pelru was said to have been a butterfly Zahdl.
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:15 pm
IV. Chapter the Fourth: The Elementals
The Elementals are often considered as the precursors to the Zahdl. The spirit of Avryn created them first to battle the dark shadows that threatened Avryn, and later used them as a template to create the Zahdl.
The Elementals, as their names suggest, were created from pure elemental power. As such, they had extremely strong and volatile magic. However, this pure, unrestricted power also had detrimental effects on the Elementals themselves. Their bodies were extremely fragile because of the unstable magic coursing through their veins. This same magic also caused unstable effects on their emotions.
The Elementals had some success in driving back the shadows, but too many of them died in the first wave to have any effect. By the end of the war, there were only seven surviving Elementals. Their names are Kaelyn (wind), Griely (water), Seedle (fire), Yakiyuma (ice), Riske (lightning), and Fios (earth). There seventh spirit has an unconfirmed name and element.
It is said that the survivors have spread out to the edges of the earth. However, it is possible that they may visit at times...
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:23 pm
V. Chapter the Fifth: The Zahdl
Well, I am certain that there are those who are more capable of describing the Zahdl than I. And many people already know about the Zahdl from word of mouth.
One could say that they are the "final" children of the spirit of Avryn. The animal spirit that they are created from acts as a buffer for the pure elemental magic. They were also given baby and child life stages to allow their magic to develop slowly and to prevent it from playing havoc with their physical bodies and emotions.
The first generation of Zahdl were responsible for saving the world from darkness in the Dark Shadow War, two hundred years ago.
However, a new generation of Zahdl is being produced today! I was very surprised to come across one of these children in my travels, a boy with blue hair, pale eyes and the wings of a dove. Although I cannot say much for the manners of his guardian, the boy himself was a pleasure to talk to.
Whether these new Zahdl are being born because the spirit wishes to bring children into the world once more, or whether there is a new threat is unknown at the moment. We can only speculate.
Of course, this tome will be updated with new information, should I find it in my travels. I'm sure that the librarian, Cirre, would be happy to allow me to edit my book.
Until then, I'm off!
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