Opens: Dec 2nd Closes: December 31st 11:59pm PST Judges: Green Minuet & Kivras
Before the maturity of modern science, the natural phenomena of the world were explained away by myths and legend. This nightmare has taken an interest in the old tales, and for this winter solstice they are reviving the stories for audiences across the Below. So, pull up a seat next to the hearth and lend your ears. The story goes something like this...
How this Works:
Choose one of the following prompts and write your own myth: tab Why the leaves fall. tab Where the snow falls from. tab Why the nights get longer. tab Why the constellations change. tab Or your own prompt! It can explain natural phenomena or a cultural custom, however it must relate to winter. Do not replicate an existing myth (similarities are fine, but make this myth your own!) For information on existing lore, please refer to A Guide to the World of Below (geography, history, religion), Magic, and The Zodiac. Keep your responses between 200-2000 words. A little under or over is okay! Please make sure to spoiler your entry.
Rules:
This contest is completely free. Please use the form provided. Anyone may enter, whether they are a newbie or not! Staff may NOT enter this contest! Whining, guilt-tripping, or generally misbehaving over the contest will result in you being disqualified. Winners will be quoted with an uncert. Please do NOT use the preview. Make sure you've read the Guide to the Worlds forum in its entirety! You may not gift or trade prizes from this event.
[b]RP Response:[/b] Your legend goes here![/quote]
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2018 6:54 am
Username: Micillia Character Name: Volva Seidr Myth: Where did magic come from...
RP Response:
"Every nightmare and daydream comes with magic in their veins. You might not see it all the time, it takes study, practice, or acts of bravery to make it appear, but its there. It all started one Winter Solstice day...
Before the time of the Ancient Elves, everyone lived without magic. It was a simple time, a harder time, a time when the people were vulnerable to the elements, especially in winter. They were a hard people tho, and they endured, until one day it was prophesied that a fierce winter would come and freeze everyone in the land. Many cowered and cried out in fear of the fateful day, some dug themselves holes in the ground to wait out the freeze, other left, traveling as far away as they could to try and avoid the storm. One person tho, a hero, decided they needed to save his people. How do you stop the cold tho? Well, our hero needed to figure that out. They went forth to seek out the Divine Nine.
First was Eleuthereus the Liberator. Our hero went to the god, bowed down, and begged him for help. The Liberator was in a good mood, and besides, he liked the people of the world, so he bestowed the hero with a spell called illusion. Our hero had no idea how to work this spell, and asked Eleuthereus for an explanation, but was turned away.
Next our hero went to Enyo, the Warrior, still unsure what exactly Eleuthereus's gift even was. The Warrior would surly help them fight off the cold with fiery battle passion our hero hoped. They should have gone to Enyo first! Enyo smiled down upon the hero and granted him a Curse. "Use this," She instructed, "And all will bow to your power." Before our hero could ask what the curse even was, or how to use, Enyo went back to her eternal fight.
Our hero, now equip with both Illusion and Curse was desperate to find out what these things even were. So, they went to Mnemosyne, the Wise. Surely she would have answers. Mnemosyne listened to the hero, and nodded. "You must collect them all, and then go to Kthonious." Then she granted our hero Divination and Invocation. Our hero managed to catch The Wise before she left, and ask her what these all meant. "You will know when you collect them all and see Kthonious." She said. "Now go, on to Oreia, the Protector, Asteria, the Magician, Kallistos, the Hunter, Cyllenus, the Facilitator, Eleusinia, the Empress, and finally Kthonious, the Emperor.
Our hero did as they were told, and went to the other gods of The Nine. From Oreia, the Protector they received Enchantment. From Asteria, the Magician they obtained Transmutation, Kallistos, the Hunter Nature Magic, Cyllenus, the Facilitator Charm, and from Eleusinia, the Empress Shapeshifting .
Still unsure what all these gifts meant, or how to use them, our Hero finally went to Kthonious, the Emperor. "Please, Emperor God Kthonious, what are these and how do I use them to fight the cold? My people need this!" Kthonious looked down on our lone Hero, and at the gifts they had been given. "I grant you one last gift." He said. "Magic." As a power entered our Hero, they understood what the gifts were. They were Spells.
With these new weapons, our Hero showed the rest of their people, and restored their hope. The freeze came, and with the magic they were able keep warm, grow food, and keep the cheer. It was an odd winter, but when the spring came magic let a whole new life flow into the world.
And that, is why we have magic." The nightmare finished.
Micillia
Dapper Duck
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irishgirl1017
Spooky Delight
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Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2018 4:54 pm
Username: irishgirl1017 Character Name: Yasuko Myth: why leaves fall
RP Response:
It has been a myth story that has been told in her family for generations, one that her father believes to be true. Although Yasuko was not in agreement with him, she dared not disagree for her father's honor meant alot to him.
The myth story goes like this:
One beautiful Autumn day a gentle breeze began to swirl. Slowly and steadily it began to gain in force until the trees and all kinds of flora and fauna were swaying back and forth in a rhytmitic dance that is now known as the Dance of the Autumn Breeze.
The leaves were stubborn and refused to do so, holding fast to the branches that gave them life. The leaves believed if they fell their life would be over and that was not something they were prepared to give as an offering to the Wind God. To them something that strong must be due to a God, this strong, fierce, cold breeze was not something they had encountered before.
Days went by the breeze became stronger and colder as the time went by. The leaves began to tire of holding on to the branch with all their strength, each one trying to outdo the other. In the mist of all the trying to outdo each other, one tiny leaf decided enough was enough and allowed themselves to drift towards to the ground. At first the leaf was moving at a fast pace then a soft breeze lifted the leaf and began to carry it about as if in a soft caress. The leaf was taken far away from it's home and nestled in a small clearing. The question was why? A few moments later another leaf, then another, and another and so on and so forth until the clearing was filled with different colored leaves.
The leaves wondered what their purpose was? Why did they come to rest here and not near their own tree? What was so special about this clearing?
It did not take long for them to receive their answers. As time went by the leaves became part of the soil, nourishing the others who later became bushes, and other trees. The wind was not trying to be devious only there to continue the cycle of life. Each leaf is needed and has their own path to take on this journey, each one is valuable as the next and each one is treasured by Nature.
The moral of this myth is twofold. Never underestimate the smallest among you and never assume that something is due to a extraordinary presence.
Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2018 1:44 pm
Username: Strawberri Stardust Character Name: Itsuki Myth: why nights get longer
RP Response:
Have you ever wondered why the nights get longer when the weather turns cold?
Well, gather 'round, younglings, and I'll tell you!
A long, long time ago - before the gods were gods - the twin spirits of the sun and of the moon were what made the world go around.
Solia, the spirit of the sun, ruled over the hottest months of the year and made our days warm. She filled our days with sunshine and helped the plants to grow.
Nyxara, the spirit of the moon, ruled over the coldest months and made our nights cool and refreshing. Our nights she filled with stars for us to create stories about.
For a time, all seasons were equal in duration and intensity. Then one summer when the Nightmares and Daydreams were celebrating in honor of Solia, she went to her twin to ask if perhaps they could do things a little different. If Solia's days could be longer for the celebrations to continue.
Nyxara seemed to think about this. If the days were longer, it would make her nights shorter. The people already slept through much of her time as it was, why should she give her twin more time when she already had so little in comparison? No one celebrated her nights the way they celebrated for her sister.
In the end, Nyxara relented. On two conditions. Solia's days could be longer in the summer if Nyxara's nights would have the same time in the winter and they would continue to share spring and autumn equally. Solia agreed, and that's why nights get longer in winter.
