The Creation
The Creation is a mythological telling by the Dwarves of the creation of the universe at the hands of Boldur.
Summary
Before time and existence began, the All-Father named Boldur found himself in the void. He would then, out of nothing, take upon the act of creation, forming a hammer. With this tool, the embodiment of his act, he melded his greatest love: his daughter, Time. Shining brilliantly she spread across the universe and brought order while her father began creating what was.
What first was became the celestial. The creation of more children, such as Brigid, Maclir, Amagus, Morganine, Leginlog, and Flibberoloo. He asked them to create as well while he formed the last of the material: Talamh, the world that mortals would walk upon. Unfortunately, Brigid and Maclir would disrupt his process with their creation of life and caused Talamh to become chaotic. Boldur thus was angered with his children. He would show them how to do it properly: he would create the Dwarves, life found in his own image.
As the chaos grew, Time found herself holding the material and celestial together. Unfortunately, out of the chaos spawned celestial beings that were perversions of what Boldur intended. Loxelel, Morganine, Ilsensine, and Calypso were these. They began to twist Talamh to their liking. Eventually Boldur would have enough of it and force the gods into their own personal realms so they would never again disrupt Talamh. But it would be too late: Boldur's dwarves fell in love with the chaos of the world instead of creation. Thus, they were stricken with death.
It was a terrible loss for Boldur. Time wondered if there could be a restoration between Boldur and his creation. Boldur knew there was a way, but it would be long and hard. But he would restore it.
Historical Basis
Dwarven and Human chroniclers generally agree with the myth as history, considering it is a concise and easy to explain answer for the conflicting and complementary myths in both of their societies. Then again, the Elven Chronicler Yllara Sylvi has another explanation on this agreement. "Humans and Dwarves ever since their first meeting have intermingled each's religion. When sea-faring dwarves first met humans in Faraway in the 8th century the humans took it as a divine encounter. When they finally came to Keller in the 10th century they were lawless until Melekh-Navi introduced them Dwarven law. That is where their myths intermingled. It is no wonder they agree upon this creation legend while the Elves find it insulting and contradictory."
Elves and other humanoids find the myth to be false. The Gnome mythologist Bunyen Snibble regarded that "all the gods we follow have their own creation myths. Boldur's is just popular and has grown widespread acceptance. But it is filled with contradictions and old myths that passed away. For example, the so-called goddess 'Time' was an archaic goddess from early Dwarven cave histories. Yet she is no longer worshiped. We cannot regard her as divine truth unlike the gods Brigid, Boldur, Amagus, and even Flibberoloo." Snibble has gone on to say that the legend should be modified to fit other chronicler's information of past history from their divine questioning instead of asserting it's own.
Cultural Reception
For the dwarves, this legend gives them meaning and understanding to the world around them. Once, before there was chaos and destruction, the world only created. It has influenced Dwarven thinking, with them creating and making wonders that would impress any civilization. The dwarves have been led to believe they have potential to be great.
Humans also follow the myth. For one thing, it has helped human society get rid of the bondings of draconic influences, a plague on their early history. It also compliments the teachings of Amagus and Cardia. The law created by Boldur helped form human achievements and created greater kingdoms to come into their own. As such, humans and dwarves coexist under belief that Boldur created Talamh to be greater than the terror before them.
For the elves and others who have heard the myth, it is almost insulting. They don't believe that Boldur is the divine all-creator, but rather the gods were joined together to form the universe. As such the myth has been seen as self-indulgence from those outside of Dwarven religion and culture.
Date of First Recording
~10th century when recorded on the Lawstone.
Date of Setting
0 First Age and beyond
Related Species
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