Virvsatshkra of Skafrontse

Virvsatshkra of Skafrontse was a kranmosh Thanatomancer who allegedly lived in the 12th century in the Circle of Skafrontse, during the wars with the Eirean empire. Tales of their selflessness, which ultimately led to them sacrificing their own life for their enemies, became a legend that still has a huge cultural weight on the Skafrontseshk society.

Summary

At the end of the 12th century, the Eirean empire had conquered about half of the Circle of Skafrontse in less than two months, and nothing seemed to be able to stop them. Eirean was too big of an empire, and their mages too powerful for the Skafrontseshk army to stop. The battle for the capital was particularly bloody, due to the Skafrontseshk culture considering that dying is better than losing one's own land.
Virvsatshkra was not part of the army, but they refused to leave the city when the evacuation was ordered (like most of the citizens). Instead, they helped to heal people inside the walls of the city. After some hours, the Eireanai force broke through the gates. The Druids, mages from Eirean, killed anyone who got too close to them, solider or civilian. They quickly arrived at the royal palace, where Virvsatshkra and the surviving civilians had retreated. It was defended by barely twenty men, the reserve from the royal guard, while the Druids were still some several hundred, although most were hurt and tired.
However, before the Royal Guard or the Eireanai army could begin the last charge, Virvsatshkra stepped forward, standing between both armies.

The Healer spoke, their voice loud and clear as if God himself was standing behind them. Everyone fell silent, listening to their words of power. "You have profaned our land with your violence, you have disrespected your own god, who gave you magic as his most precious gift to humanity. My name is Virvsatshkra, and you shall remember me as the one who Healed Eirean."
Virvsatshkra spread wide their arms as if embracing the whole world, their body shining with godly light. Virvsatshkra screamed in terrible pain as they received the wounds from the enemy. And then, Virvsatshkra died, covered in their own blood, and the enemy, healed and bewildered, retreated in awe.

— Copied from a 13th-century record.

After Virvsatshkra's death, the Druids retreated from the capital and the Skafrontseshk army took the opportunity to fight them off the Circle of Skafrontse.

Historical Basis

Several records attest the existence of Virvsatshkra, including a list of students of the Skafrontsesh School of Thanatomancy. They reportedly were a powerful Thanatomancer with a good understanding of the inner workings of magic. This suggests that the legend has at least a small part of truth in it.
This legend has also caused long discussions about the nature of magic. According to the current understandings of this power, what Virvsatshkra did shouldn't have been possible, as it hardly followed the Law of Magical Proportionality (a single body can't possibly hold so many wounds at the same time). The most accepted theory is that the legend is just an exaggeration of what really happened, which is entirely possible.
In any case, those who knew what happened are long dead.

Cultural Reception

It's certainly interesting to see that, even though one of the greatest Skafrontseshk legends is an anthem to peace, their culture is still regarded as one of violence and closed-mindedness.

— From Min-aniara Laita's travel journal.

The tale of Virvsatshkra and the way they used Thanatomancy, transferring all wounds to their own body (and, consequently, causing their own death) is a huge influence on the way the Skafrontseshk thanatomancers see their power. Although most of them wouldn't sacrifice their own lives in this way, Virvsatshkra is still a role model for many of them.
If anything, this legend is also a clear example of how Skafrontseshk people view death. Virvsatshkra's death is not regarded as heroic because they actually died, but because the people who were healed were their enemies. Had they sacrificed their life to heal their own people, no one would have really batted an eye.

Date of First Recording

13th century

Date of Setting

12th century

Related Locations

• Circle of Skafrontse

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