Skywatcher, Tiamat's Bane
Before Zhendul settled the Southern Continent and formed the Kingdom of Drang, he sought to protect the greater world from the machinations of Tiamat, the Evil Queen of Dragons. Being a devout follower of Bahamut, Zhendul felt that it was his role to protect all innocents from the chromatic dragons who would wish to bring harm. Tiamat would learn how dangerous her brother's allies were when the Black Dragon Kalmeera, chosen daughter of Tiamat attacked and slaughtered Zhendul's family while he was spending time among mortals.
Zhendul was nearly overcome by his anger and grief, and proclaimed that Kalmeera and the rest of Tiamat's brood would never harm innocents again. He poured his emotions into the crafting of a brass bow, he plucked a long golden hair from his own mane and crafted a bowstring. For years, Zhendul would wield the bow that is said to have such strength it can strike a dragon out of the sky, bringing it down onto the earth. It was thus named Skywatcher.
Long after the Kingdom of Drang fell into despair, and Zhendul had gone mad, seemingly fled or died, the bow was lost.
Summary
The story of Tiamat's Bane is a mythological tale of the Drang Founder King Zhendul in his early life. The events of Zhendul's conflict with the Black Dragon Kalmeera led to the death of his family and the creation of one of the most powerful artifacts in Korrisia, the Skywatcher Bow.
Historical Basis
The creation of Skywatcher is believed by most nobility and commonfolk of Korrisia to be entirely mythological, and explain why Dragons are not so commonplace in the world. In truth, the bow does in fact exist, and was created by King Zhendul of Drang to face Tiamat's children.
For centuries there was no evidence that this bow in fact existed until it was discovered by a group of adventures who named themselves after the Bow, the Skywatchers. After their demise at the hands of Rak Tullkesh, the Bow had once more fallen into obscurity.
Spread
The story of Skywatcher is not widely spread, and only stands as a common story in the lands of Drang. The people of Drang, no matter how deep they had fallen into despair their reverence for Zhendul never falters. When children are educated on the history of their kingdom, the story of Skywatcher is guaranteed to be included.
Variations & Mutation
The most significant variance of the myth is that written in scholarly books in any of the major colleges of magic. Scholarly wizards believe the bow was not crafted in some "emotional fit of anger towards one particular black dragon beast" but in fact was created by mages who were employed by or followed Zhendul in his adventures before he settled as the first King of Drang.
Cultural Reception
For the most part, the legend is only fully remembered is by the people of Drang. It is one of the defining events in Zhendul's history, and they believe it is the first step in what drove him to step into the role of a true leader, fighting against the evil of Tiamat and eventually building the great kingdom in order to protect the thousands of innocents in his lands.
In Literature
Drang Bards often learn the song of Tiamat's Bane as one of the first ballads after leaving their bardic college. It is seen as what those could consider as a national anthem, celebrating the heroics of their founder king.
Mentions of Tiamat, Bahamut are from Wizard's of the Coast's Dungeons & Dragons Tabletop RPG.
Date of First Recording
Shortly after approximate date of the event
Date of Setting
Approx. 1100 DB
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