The Impersonator
| The Impersonator, as the name implies, is an unknown individual that masqueraded under the guise of a false identity. It, or perhaps they, would use the disembodied identities of Denpa and Riiji. These two gods were cornerstones of Yunbad and J'barri society respectively, prior to the Mountainfold. The Impersonator would use their influence to direct each society toward a path that would cross with magic, allowing individuals to wield these otherworldy powers for the first time in Laminarum history. Some blame magic itself for the terrible Yunbad-J'barri Conflict and subsequent Yunbad genocide, while others figure it is unrealistic to blame a mere tool, claiming it would have occured without magic either way, thanks to greed and lust for power. Some attribute the Impersonator himself with the tragedy, claiming each step was but a tool in the grander scheme of destruction. However, most scholarly sources today attribute "the Impersonator" to the passing down of themes and lessons over millennia. By that metric, there was no impersonator at all, and it is simply a storytelling cornerstone. |
The Identity Mystery
J'bar
J'bar, regarded as a prophet or god incarnate during his presence in Renad, would bring ideas of egoism and individualism to the otherwise collectivist j'arri. He was present when when the Epiket claimed fire magic and sought to guide them in it as well. Due to this, many think that this individual may have been the impersonator. Given his clear magical capability, it is not unreasonable to believe he could have communed with the Yunbad and j'barri across vast distances. However, if the theory of his mortality is to be believed, the concept becomes less feasible. Regardless, if he is truly not the identity behind the impersonator, then his motives are left with an unexplainable gap that must otherwise be researched.
Hod
Hod, the old Yunbad god of corruption and betrayal, is another viable identity behind the Riiji/Denpa impersonation. While little is preserved regarding the Yunbad religion, the mere reference of his domain raises suspicions. It is well recorded that Yunbad society was rife with corruption, paritcularly after the discovery of their healing magics. This theory was supposedly popular in the years surrounding the Yunbad genocide, as the "beast," that apparated from the dust and debree chose to make itself seen in the Yunbad mountains of Udundst. Perhaps its spiritual home was over the mountains, giving credence to the Hod theory. Unfortunately, too little is known about Hod to validate or deny this theory.
Imagination
The Impersonator and his deception is a major source of woe and regret for the j'barri, making him a hot topic when discussing the nature of sin, greed, and lust for power. As these themes in the story of the Mountainfold began to arise, many would theorize that the "Impersonator" was nothing more than a villain created to represent the themes of these culture forming myths. By that metric, the impersonator is a character also used to remove the sins from the j'barri themselves. While this is the most commonly accepted theory, it has led to troublesome movements.
Some scholars have used this theory to claim that the Mountainfold never occured in the first place, and there were no "yunbad;" by extension, there was no "yunbad genocide." This theory has several holes, primarily that it leaves no explantion for the state of the Udundst's mountains.
"The genocide of those in the west is a sin best not forgotten; however, it is the j'barri that remain after the incident. Is this not a divine right? Are we not to search for meaning in our own spared lives?"
Appearances of the Impersonator
| The Yunbad Pilgrimage to Hawumad Discovery of Fire Magic by the J'barri The Mountainfold |
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