Ornjack and the Serpent (Ourn-yack)
Ornjack the terrible is the oldest mythical figure in human history. His foil, the (unnamed) serpent, is in constant strife with him. Ornjack, in this story, represents stasis and preservation of Laminarum. The serpent is a deity of hatred and destruction.
For eternity, Ornjack weaved his webs around the stars, connecting the universe into one greater whole. His goal was one of knowledge and unity at first, but greed overtook him when he found Laminarum. He weaved the world in his webs, treasuring it for himself. He planted his brood within his web, nurturing so that they may grow strong and make Laminarum their home.
When caring for his brood before their hatching, a wild serpent from the heavens came down, entangling itself in his web. Angered, Ornjack crawled to the serpent, seeking to kill it for bringing harm to his grand web.
When meeting, however, the serpent appeared in great distress and fear. It claimed it had followed the webs amongst the stars, seeking for the great "architect." Flattered at the kind words, Ornjack released the serpent.
After achieving freedom, the serpent asked if it could have but one orb of the architect's web. "It would be grand to have the industrious children of Ornjack across the waters of Taev." He said that if they were hatched in the serpent's home, it would only serve to spread Ornjack's family across the stars. Ornjack, being vain in his young years, complied. The serpent left with his trophy.
Unknown to Ornjack, he had been tricked. The serpent put his vile poisons into the orb, placing it back in the web during Ornjack's rest. This poison began spreading throughout the web, poisoning the children of Ornjack. The poisoned, vile eggs, would give rise to the reptilian, amphibious, and elvish races of Laminarum. The pure eggs gave rise to humans.
Ornjack awoke from his rest, seeing his children being soiled. He caught the serpent within his web, torturing it for a thousand years before finally killing it. He then made the Snow-Rock Isles for the humans, so that they may not interact with the tainted races of the world. He then cut the strands of web connecting Laminarum to the stars, so that no other devils would be led to the world.
The serpent's body sat in the web, becoming the metaphysic streak, as it is called today.
For eternity, Ornjack weaved his webs around the stars, connecting the universe into one greater whole. His goal was one of knowledge and unity at first, but greed overtook him when he found Laminarum. He weaved the world in his webs, treasuring it for himself. He planted his brood within his web, nurturing so that they may grow strong and make Laminarum their home.
When caring for his brood before their hatching, a wild serpent from the heavens came down, entangling itself in his web. Angered, Ornjack crawled to the serpent, seeking to kill it for bringing harm to his grand web.
When meeting, however, the serpent appeared in great distress and fear. It claimed it had followed the webs amongst the stars, seeking for the great "architect." Flattered at the kind words, Ornjack released the serpent.
After achieving freedom, the serpent asked if it could have but one orb of the architect's web. "It would be grand to have the industrious children of Ornjack across the waters of Taev." He said that if they were hatched in the serpent's home, it would only serve to spread Ornjack's family across the stars. Ornjack, being vain in his young years, complied. The serpent left with his trophy.
Unknown to Ornjack, he had been tricked. The serpent put his vile poisons into the orb, placing it back in the web during Ornjack's rest. This poison began spreading throughout the web, poisoning the children of Ornjack. The poisoned, vile eggs, would give rise to the reptilian, amphibious, and elvish races of Laminarum. The pure eggs gave rise to humans.
Ornjack awoke from his rest, seeing his children being soiled. He caught the serpent within his web, torturing it for a thousand years before finally killing it. He then made the Snow-Rock Isles for the humans, so that they may not interact with the tainted races of the world. He then cut the strands of web connecting Laminarum to the stars, so that no other devils would be led to the world.
The serpent's body sat in the web, becoming the metaphysic streak, as it is called today.
Historical Basis
This story is used to explain the world as it exists to the Snow-Rock Isle natives. The metaphysic streak is explained by the serpent's body. The glow of the stars are there as a result of Ornjack's orbs wrapping over them. It also gave reason as to why humans originated in such an isolated location.
Variations & Mutation
This story is not told by mainland humans anymore. There are aspects of it, but the snake is removed entirely. Ornjack is depicted as villainous in modern versions as well. Ornjack is depicted as arrogant, using his strands to bring opponents which he could feast upon. In his hubris, he led Taopin to Laminarum, who killed Ornjack with the bow of his ship. From here, he led the other gods to Laminarum, forming the physical world itself.
Cultural Reception
The story is despised by any non-human races, as it depicts non-humans as "vile races." It is followed by the Snow-Rock Isles today and mostly abandoned by the extended empire, who use the modern human pantheon to describe the world. There are some idiosyncrasies, as the webs of Ornjack are still used to describe the universe by human historians.
Date of Setting
Dogun
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