The Lightbringer

The term "lightbringer" comes from the ancient legend surrounding the founding of Darnia's first Kingdom, an event that kickstarted the First Age. The term also holds significant importance in Solianism. However, as time passed and Solianism spread, the term found it way outside Darnia and has since taken on multiple meanings that, while individually being original, still follow the general theme of the first iteration.

Summary

"In the far past, in times immemorial, we lived in a land, far far away. A land beyond the sea, the white wastes and the mountains. And we lived there in peace and harmony. But tragedy struck. Saol had been wounded! The skies grew dark and the land turn to dust. Fear gripped the heart of the people, while their minds were clouded by hunger, but then, things got even worse. Monsters came. Monsters from another world. Aknesis could do nothing and a critical realization dawned on us. We had to flee. But to were, we did not know."
"That is until a man appeared, his name lost to history now. He gathered all the Darnians he possibly could and spoke from atop a large rock. Claiming to have received a vision from Saol, he promised that he would guide them to new lands, where food and sunlight were abundant and where monsters couldn't reach them. The people, however had lost faith. They didn't listen. Just as he was about to lose hope for his people, the sword he carried with him at all times started to glow. He triumphantly raised his sword in the air, so all could see it. It glowed so bright that it was as if Saol had come down himself to give us his word and none could ignore him. Their faiths were restored and upon seeing his sword, gave the man the name of Lightbringer."
"We followed him, out of our devastated homeland, in search of a new one. We marched through the desert, mountains, white waste before reaching the other side of the sea. There they found a rich land, filled with fruits, fresh water and animals and Saol told him that this was to be his new home. At the end of the delta, where the green forests and marshlands transitioned into harsh sands and rocky outcrops, Lightbringer spoke. He declared that Hurys, the eternal city, was to be founded here and that it would be a fitting home for Saol's faithful. And it is here that we stand to this day. All thanks to Saol, who protects and love us."
-Elder recounting the myth to a crowd of children in the city of Hurys, in Darnia

Historical Basis

Climate Change: likely the reason for the exodus

The current theory around the basis for this myth is that there seemed to be a period of drastic climate change in Hysal, even before the Long Winter, between the years of 6000 to 4000 BC. Its believed that during that time, much of central Mahador turned into the harsh desert that we know today. It would seem that the Darnia peoples came form this region, and with the resulting changing climate, had to escape or die. This can be safely assumed thanks to specific geographic locations descriptions contained within the Myth like the the White Wastes, which refers to the salt flats of Northern Samaria.

What were the Monsters?

The "monsters" mentioned in the myth are unknown, but numerous theories have risen to try and explain what those could be. The most popular being that these monsters, whatever they are, are the same ones that attacked the City of Sorom during the Long Winter. however, unlike for the Lost city of Ashgoraan, no proofs can be obtained to prove or disprove this theory. A more sensible, but less popular theory is that these monsters were Wyverns. However, no explanation is given to them wanting to flee a shrinking jungle in Northern Mahador to a harsh desert in Central Mahador. From what we know of Wyverns, this does not make sense. The last major theory is the most recent, and has been gaining popularity. It suggest that the Blight Monsters were responsible. a big part of that theory is that it is specifically said in the mth that Aknesis (Magic users) could not do anything against them. While not, that is no longer true, for a civilisation in the stone age, this is quite reasonable to believe.

What the Lightbringer was holding

It is fairly obvious that swords were not around at the time, and if the legend is to be believed, she instead likely carried a spear, with a tip possibly made of Obsidian. Some believe that she carried nothing at all and that the sword was added into the story later on, as texts that mention this myth and that are translated from Old Darnia to Essania sometimes omit this detail. It may be possible that the sword was added/solidified into the story during the Log Winter to reflect the hardship of the Darnia people during those times and during the dark age that followed it.

Spread

While most people outside of Darnia know of the term Lightbringer, even people who do not adhere to the Solian fate, most dont know any specific details about the myth itself. In Darnia however, most who have receive a basic education or know someone who did, also knows about this myth. It is also widely believed by the populace to be a fact, not a myth.

Variations & Mutation

As the myth spread to places like Gysia or the Carathegan Empire, it lost most of its original content, mainly due to a lack of proper translation, the historical differences, and event that occurred during or after the term made its way to Arros.
For example, in the most recent instance of the term being used widely across Arros, was during The Fall, when Eremir the Great lead the forces of humanity against The Blighted. However, the title and theme stuck and combined with the heavy influence of Solianism in those regions transformed the original story into vastly different tales.
In its current iteration, the popular Gysian children story known as The Little Light Bringer, talks about a boy, the lightbriger, who defeats a man with a heart full of darkness, presumed to be representing Uxal  . The Story is a child friendly account of the events of The Fall, and Eremir's actions to save humanity. In Solianism beliefs, the Blighted are said to be Uxal's minions, hence the mention of a single man; representing Uxal, instead of multiple monsters.
And this is not just a recent phenomena. King Oura II, at the time king of Lyras had been dubbed Lightbringer by his followers when he managed to unifie all the petty Darnian kingdoms, risen during the dark ages that directly fallowed the Long Winter, and subsequently pull the now unified Kingdom out of its dark age.

Cultural Reception

In Darnian culture, this myth is part of their identity, while in other places, not so much the term is popular, but for different reasons.

In Literature

The popular Gysian children story: The Little Lightbringer.

In Art

In Darnia, the interior of the Great Solian Temple in the City of Solthar  had numerous frescos depicting the events of the myth that were painted during the years right after the Temples's completion. However, these have been destroyed during The Fall by a mob of Blighted that stormed the city and Temple. However, some Frescos were restored in the years following The Fall.

Date of First Recording

Around 4200 BC

Date of Setting

From 4800 BC to 4400 BC

Related Ethnicities

• Darnian