The Lair of Àncéarmâr

Summary

The myth tells a story of Àncéarmâr's journey to the Forest of Autumn and how his Lair came to be.

After losing his wings, the once powerful King of Seasons was left with only the form of a Stag. It is said, that through his journey towards the setting sun, both plants and animals alike bowed down and fell asleep. When, at the end of the day, he encountered a forest, the trees had already blushed golden orange, each leaf succulent from the rays of the setting sun.

Within the forest there ran a widespread river, richly specled with small islands. Àncéarmâr gracefully entered it, slowly sinking deeper and deeper into the Forest's heart. As the day was coming to an end the Stag of Autumn ascended a dark island, generously specled with blooming stars. Thus, the Forest of Autumn became his kingdom and the island, now known as the Lair of Àncéarmâr, became his throne.

Historical Basis

The first information on the myth appeared during one of the first Gatherings, with the exact moment of the event itself long forgotten. Àncéarmâr was a big figure in the change of seasons' festivals throughout the Saveni, and every local culture shares similar versions of this myth, making it difficult to trace back the origin. Some suspect however that the answers could be found in Coedwig yr Hydref — the forest located between the regions of Gáláwá and Cymru. The land shares great resemblance with the mythical Forest of Autumn along with the abundance of small islands and a widespread river forming one of the biggest lakes in Cymru — the Golden Leaf Lake.

There is a strong resistance from the minds of the local communities to verify this theory during the Gathering. The myth and mystery of the woods are dear to people's hearts and many think it more valuable than the bland knowledge of truth.

Spread

The myth is widespread throughout all of the Saveni regions and its longevity made it prone to alterations in every each of them, the most pronounced being Gáláwá.

Variations & Mutation

Gáláwá

Since at the time of uncovering of the myth the Gathering took place in the Topaz Cavern, the latest alterations began to appear in the Gáláwá region. The local community thought the story very intriguing and found places that resembled it, well... metaphorically. Ancearmar would be seen as the one turning cold ashes and turning them into red embers of the rowan berries. The mountain ash is a tree dedicated to him.

Cymru

Cymrians understand the myth literally and believe the Lair to be situated in the Forest of Autumn. Typically the flùr foghair will be connected to its location as the mushroom itself is a symbol of autumn.

Cultural Reception

Gáláwá

Àncéarmâr's journey and the lair symbolize the road to maturity and stability. As the flames of the burning youth fade away, the soul is soothed with hot embers. And during the cold winter nights they shall outlive the flames and keep the heart warm.

Cymru

For Cymrians, the Lair is the final end of the journey each thought and emotion makes after being born in the mind and heart. The Forest of Autumn causes each of them to fall deeper and deeper, but in the Lair, the journey does not exist anymore. Hence, the legends say it would heal or curse the soul, granting its deepest desire by the blink of an eye.

In Art

Gáláwá

The mountain ash is the very symbol of the Stag's journey and so it plays a center role. Thus, his lair is potrayed as a pile of rowan berries, very much resembling the flameless embers. The motif is either painted on ceramic or weaved into bracelets, where red opaque stones would be used.

Cymru

Flùr foghair is the very symbol of autumn in the Cymru and this connection extends to the Stag's Lair as well. Very often, usually in a form of a lace. A single flùr foghair with black berry would be surrounded by numerous concentric fairy rings. The colour of the berries from subsequent rings would be lighter and lighter, until snow-white in the outer circle.

Originally written for the Summer Camp 2021.
Prompt #8: Somewhere in your setting describe a myth about a mountain, lake, cave or the other landmark.