Triptych

Triptych is a strange, ancient entity, having passed into legendary status many centuries ago. It is a being with three heads, or it is three bodies which are all controlled by the same mind, or it is three beings which are so in tune with one another that they might as well be the same. Regardless of their nature, Triptych has a small number of worshipers across Earhion, sparking strange and vague forms of reverence.

Summary

Long ago, three snakes lived in a den on a nobleman's estate. One was white, one was green, and one was black. The nobleman wished dearly to rid himself of the snakes, but could not do so himself, and so he hired a hunter. The hunter did not return. Concerned, the nobleman hired two more hunters. Still, these two hunters disappeared. Finally, he hired three hunters to rid his property of the snakes once and for all. Lo and behold, they returned within the hour, each holding the headless body of a snake: white, green, and black. The nobleman was ecstatic, and asked how he could ever repay them. It is simple, said the one holding the white snake. All we ask for it your name. Though he thought it a strange request, the nobleman was too grateful to say no, and so gave them his name. As soon as the words left his lips, they nodded. And what is your wife's name, asked the hunter holding the green snake. Again, the nobleman gave them his wife's name. Finally, the hunter holding the black snake asked for the man's daughter's name. When he gave them her name, they smiled, and stepped into his house as they drew their blades. Less than an hour later, three people stepped out of the manor. One was a nobleman, one was a noblewoman, and one could have been their daughter. The nobleman's eyes were clouded as if blind. The noblewoman's eyes were as green as emeralds. The child's were as black as the night.

Historical Basis

Scholars have uncovered evidence of a noble elven family who were indeed killed by a trio of hunter that they had hired. However, it is uncertain what the men had been hired to hunt.

Spread

The story is fairly well-known, existing in a myriad of forms, and is often told to children.

Variations & Mutation

Occasionally, the snakes are rabbits or toads. Some versions of the story also have a red snake instead of a white or green one.

Date of First Recording

122 AM