Mythos for Felarya

So we have a thread about general rumors, but what I'm thinking of is more along the lines of Stabs' brilliant story about cookies, and the origin of humans - the Fairy story he wrote a while back.

That's something Fairy children might hear from their parents, and I'd love for us to be able to come up with stories like that - stories parents would tell their kids. Human stories, naga stories, etc. I think this is what helps establish a deeper universe.

Tolkien understood it with Lord of the Rings (I dont thin a world exists with more stories within stories, and more depth)

JK Rowling understood it with Harry Potter. Now, I mention this again because its something I think we need to put some effort into. Its really hard to come up with a good mythos within a universe. So if anyone has any tips or input then feel free to post - or any stories themselves.

These stories, myths, etc all stem from a basic idea, like in the cookie story - creation. Or a moral  or interaction between friends, or lovers. I imagine stories could be told about King Kerume and Chani at this point since that was over 1000 years ago lore wise.

A particular character quality that the society values, maybe, then you turn it into something a little more abstract.

Edit: Here's a pretty good guide sheet if anyone is confused how to really write one. I should give it a go myself soon. However, it seems to be more of a worksheet for a school project, but the basic idea should be helpful.

https://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/~/media/ArtsEdge/LessonPrintables/grade-6-8/writing_myths_writing_a_myth.ashx

I support this idea. I mentioned something like this in a thread someone recently posted an idea for "the creation of Felarya" in, though that person seemed more interested in creating a 'canon' explanation rather than a myth. Once I get my head out of games, I hope to put myself to work coming up with at least one thing that'll contribute to Felarya's mythos like you've suggested here. ^_^

Hey I'm not against it but let me ask the obvious question. How do you make up Mythos in place where not only does magic exist but the Square Cube Law is given a daily smack to the forehead? XD Me I'd focus on comparisons between areas. Like creating base Myths that the Sagolians have, besides the one of their Messiah, and then ask myself what Negavians would interpret and embellish. Ofcourse then you have to compare time-line wise what people were talking about right? Either way it's allot of work. ^^;

Well its not related much to the square cube law, or the fact there's magic. Actually come to think of it, magic should make it easier to come up with stories. There's more opportunities for ridiculous things. Its usually some aspect of nature anyway.

It can also be related to something more artificial.

Has anybody seen Avatar The Last Airbender, the Great Divide?

Or The Legend of Korra, Avatar Wan? Stories right there that are good.

(Great divide is the one with two villages warring on both sides with one person from each side falling in love, yes? Good premise.)

Let's see how long it takes for this thread to die

give it a week i'd say.

Well its not meant to post ideas. Mythos themselves should probably go in new ideas, its a suggestion to people looking to create new things.

The problem is what kinds of stories would go well in Felarya? For negav I imagine, what sorts of myths and stories would they tell each other?

Alright I got some myths!

Mermaid and her Friend

There was a fish and a bird, once upon a time they were friends. However, the fish often loved to joke around and play pranks. The bird was of a more serious mind though, and the fish wanted to show her pranks could be fun. One day, the fish decided to play the ultimate prank on her friend, but it went badly. Instead of helping her, it hurt her wings, and she was afraid she would never fly again.

The fish was unsure of what to say or do, so they went their separate ways, with the fish playing pranks on others to prove she could do so safely without hurting others. The bird flew off and tried to start a family, but when her children were born with no wings, she felt she was cursed, and so she cursed the world. However, deep down they still wanted to be friends, but when they met up, instead of words, the bird only spoke in cursewords. To this day, the fish plays pranks on others, and the bird curses at all she talks with, even if she really cares.


The Mage that Knew Too Much:

Once upon a time there lived a powerful mage. He knew much, and had a massive library that everyone came to visit. The snakes, the birds, and the horses all visited for knowledge.

The mage had no real friends, they thought, but all the mage needed were his books. His books spoke to him, and he spoke to his books, helping him discover knowledge and travel to many new places where he could find out many new things. As his knowledge grew the mage started growing addicted to the pursuit of knowledge, deciding to continue in pursuit of the ultimate piece of knowledge that no mage should pursue. This time the books seemed to warn him, telling the mage he should stop before he gets himself hurt.

The mage did not listen.

So when the mage was confident he could find the ultimate knowledge, he pursued the clues, and cast his spell upon the world. The mage thought he knew everything now, but as time went on he was driven slowly insane. His friends the books were left to watch their friend be helplessly devoured by his madness until they decided one day they had to protect him from himself. The books then devoured the mage, sealing him tightly within their pages to keep him safe forever, where they hope to eventually heal his terrible self-wrought curse.

Heh the book devouring the mage to protect him.. it was an unexpected ending and yet pretty fitting for Felarya XD

The mermaid and harpy one is kind of sad, although in this case it should be probably something else than the wings being hurt triggering the curse language ? since they still have them today.

The Mermaid and friend myth seems to suggest that all (or almost all) Mermaids are pranksters and all (or almost all) Harpies are foul-mouthed. Amrine's mannerisms suggest that the Harpy language we know and love is actually more specific to the local Harpies and not a constant among all harpies, and nothing in the wiki states that mermaids are naturally impish. We really can't take Anko as an example of a "typical" mermaid.

Karbo wrote:

Heh the book devouring the mage to protect him.. it was an unexpected ending and yet pretty fitting for Felarya XD

The mermaid and harpy one is kind of sad, although in this case it should be probably something else than the wings being hurt triggering the curse language ? since they still have them today.

Yeah that's a good point, it could, and possibly should be changed. I have to admit I was finding it a bit difficult to figure out what to do there, I'll have to give it some thought. Feel free to suggest anything though.

@Xion - well meiramines are naturally impish. I would gather to say mermaids love to joke and flop around cheerfully, sometimes possibly not realizing it may hurt others. Anko is actually mean spirited (from what I gather), and I think there's a difference there.

That's more of a rumor than a myth. A myth should be more of a story with a theme, and possibly a moral.

Ohhhhh, this seems like a fun idea. I...don't really have any good ideas at the moment, but I think I could come up with something eventually.

So here's another story I've been thinking about.

Heads and Tails

Thousands and thousands of years ago existed two tribes, a Naga one and a human one. Both of them had settled near each other, and tolerated each other's existence. It was fairly peaceful, and the children played on the occasion when one or more of the Nagalings came over to visit. The human children played with each other though most of the time, mixing in very rarely. One day, however, a Nagaling and a human were playing together and got into an argument, which offended the Naga. Unfortunately they were unable to resolve the matter, and over time grew an increasing dislike for each other that eventually turned to hatred - despite playing with each other back when they were young.

So the Naga was hanging around with her friends when she mentioned how she really hated the human she had known for so long, and joked off about it.

"Sometimes I think he should just go get himself eaten." She proclaimed, and laughed nervously to shield her own complicated emotions about it.

Later that week, however, the human tribe in question had suddenly gotten riled up when they mentioned the disappearance of the Naga's friend, right around the same time another Naga was seen exiting his home. It was dark, and so there was difficulty in discerning whether or not there was a bulge in the Naga's tail.

Now, this particular human had grown to be quite sour, but he was still human, and they still thought the Nagas did it, and rightly so. As discontent grew, the tribes began to hate each other in turn, despite a few people trying to hold on to the relationship between the two tribes. As time went on, other Nagas began eating the humans who grew more disruptive until the humans banded together one night, and marched to the Naga Village, driving them away.

---

Now, this story differs depending on who tells it. The Nagas tell this as well to their children, but with a twist on, favoring their own species as the ones receiving the injustice. It is a good tale with many morales, of which include: not jumping to conclusions, being careful what you wish for, making sure you know the consequences your actions will have, and more.

It is commonly told by humans to children to make sure they know how dangerous the predator races can be, and usually tends to promote the general fear of them, instead, which is a common problem in Negav and other places - instead of trying to get along with them and treat them equally.