The Tale of Ognij

Long ago, many winters before the rise of the great chiefdoms, there was a clever little spirit named Ognij, the spirit of the hearth. Ognij was quite the fastidious worker, tending to all manner of things concerning the hearths and homes of the Sevnóni, from sweeping the floors to keeping milk from spoiling. In return, Ognij expected a small cup full of brandy to be left out for him every new moon, to aid in replenishing his strength. For untold winters this agreement was upheld, but over time the Sevnóni began to falter in upholding their side of the bargain. Payment wavered, and Ognij grew tired of serving those who could not keep their word. As an outlet for his anger, the little spirit thought to pester the women and girls of the homes he guarded, with an assortment of detestable tricks. He tied their hair in knots while they slept, tore at their newly-sewn dresses, and heckled them from trees as they bathed in the stream. This went on for some time, even after payment was once again offered, until Ognij stepped on one too many toes. A humble innkeeper by the name of Berzyl was helping his wife set the table for their supper when the little spirit tripped the innkeeper’s wife, cackling as the stew she had been holding was spilled all across the floor. At this newest offense, Berzyl shook his fist at the unseen sprite, grabbing his cloak and storming out into the night. He marched straight into the temple of his village, fell to his knees, and prayed to Myrvûs for aid until the sun rose in the sky. Hearing the innkeeper’s prayers from his palace in the heavens, Myrvûs tasked two of his faithful crows with restoring order by bringing the renegade spirit to justice. On wings as black as night the crows soared down to the Inn, where they found Ognij sipping the innkeeper’s finest wine in the cellar. As punishment for his crimes, the crows tore out the spirit’s eyes with their beaks, leaving him blinded for the rest of his days. He has served the homes of our people faithfully ever since, but without the aid of his eyes cannot distinguish those who enter into a home as friend or foe. So we Sevnóni tap on the doorframe as we pass through, lest little Ognij mistake us for foreigners and slay us in our sleep.