Amulet of Ela'k
Few figures are as prominent in traditional Útel ancestor worship and folklore as Ela'k, a culture hero whom the Útels venerate for introducing what would become the basis of their caste system, as well as emphasizing the role of agriculture in favour of hunting and gathering. Other people in Útel history, such as Zynai -who played an integral role in replacing the rule of tribal chiefs with that of elder councils- and founders of the various castes, are well known but generally only worshiped during specific circumstances, while every Útel child knows stories of Ela'k and can focus their prayers on him at any time.
Tales related to Ela'k are so diverse that little is actually known about him with certainty, but virtually all of them mention his amulet at some point. Made of wooden beads and copper, it was believed to have been given to him by spirits of the forest as a token of appreciation for the great respect Ela'k held for them1, but what became of it after his demise is a mystery.
The most common legend about the Amulet of Ela'k originated among the Valúnites in the northeastern part of the forest, in which it was divided into six parts by the children of Ela'k after his sudden demise and resulting quarreling about who would become the new chief. Over the next centuries, the amulet pieces became fiercely guarded heirlooms and symbols of authority among Útel chiefs descended from Ela'k, up until Zynai convinced the remaining ones to make peace and create a new society. After Zynai's death, the pieces were gathered, mended and finally placed on her funeral pyre, thus symbolizing that the rule of chiefs had come to an end.
However, some Útels believe that the amulet was hidden somewhere around the ruins of Nanaþ'alinei, where Ela'k once ruled, and a few have even ventured there -despite the risk of being torn apart by wild animals or Þóvaríans- in search of this treasure, though so far none have been successful.
Whatever became it, the Amulet of Ela'k continues being a symbol of protection against all sorts of ailments, accidents and, ironically enough, nature spirits, whose worship has since been mostly supplanted by ancestral veneration. The most common ways to invoke its power is to write or carve six glyphs in a circle, representing the different pieces, each of which is believed to stave off certain dangers such as drowning or being attacked by wild beasts.
Tales related to Ela'k are so diverse that little is actually known about him with certainty, but virtually all of them mention his amulet at some point. Made of wooden beads and copper, it was believed to have been given to him by spirits of the forest as a token of appreciation for the great respect Ela'k held for them1, but what became of it after his demise is a mystery.
The most common legend about the Amulet of Ela'k originated among the Valúnites in the northeastern part of the forest, in which it was divided into six parts by the children of Ela'k after his sudden demise and resulting quarreling about who would become the new chief. Over the next centuries, the amulet pieces became fiercely guarded heirlooms and symbols of authority among Útel chiefs descended from Ela'k, up until Zynai convinced the remaining ones to make peace and create a new society. After Zynai's death, the pieces were gathered, mended and finally placed on her funeral pyre, thus symbolizing that the rule of chiefs had come to an end.
However, some Útels believe that the amulet was hidden somewhere around the ruins of Nanaþ'alinei, where Ela'k once ruled, and a few have even ventured there -despite the risk of being torn apart by wild animals or Þóvaríans- in search of this treasure, though so far none have been successful.
Whatever became it, the Amulet of Ela'k continues being a symbol of protection against all sorts of ailments, accidents and, ironically enough, nature spirits, whose worship has since been mostly supplanted by ancestral veneration. The most common ways to invoke its power is to write or carve six glyphs in a circle, representing the different pieces, each of which is believed to stave off certain dangers such as drowning or being attacked by wild beasts.
1Similar stories of gifts from the spirits exist among the Útels, though they are mostly local legends at this point.
Date of Setting
~8000-7000 years ago
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