The Journeyman

This article is a work in progress!

Summary

The legend of the Journeyman states that one is never alone on the road, because just ahead around every bend wanders the Journeyman. If you're lucky he'll assist you on your travels by shortening your path, leading you toward beauty or food, or by strengthening your spirit and body. He's not always in the mood to be helpful, however. If one desires a place in his good graces they should be kind to their travelling companions and thank the road at the end of a journey. He often aids the lost and the lonely, primarily in subtle ways, though there's no shortage of accounts claiming a physical encounter. In these stories the Journeyman is described as a goat-like humanoid in a tattered cloak. He always wears his large hood up, which drapes over his horns and obscures his face in shadow. He's said to have a soft voice a calm manner. Many only realize whom they'd met after the fact due to his incredulous visage. The Journeyman's presence is signalled by the gentle sound of distant wind-chimes, as well as seeing glimmering stones on the road. It is also said that you may hear him whistle along to travel-songs.

Historical Basis

Tellings of the Journeyman go back centuries. Mysterious encounters on the roads of Padvasj have never been an uncommon occurrence, and within these happenings patterns emerged that solidified in the Journeyman character. Stories of people losing time while travelling or being helped by a cloaked stranger are particularly common and influential in regards to the legend. Evidence of the Journeyman's existence is found within the commonalities of these tales. Many also claim a historical foundation in the Travellers—a group of mercenaries specializing in traversal—which existed for the stretch of a couple decades at the end of Möniq rule. The organization facilitated trade all over the continent through their expertise in efficient and safe travel, which stemmed from the culturally nomadic heritage of the Vàidlòi people. The Journeyman may be an artefact of the Travellers, or the Vàidlòi—historically, magically, or perhaps both.

In Art

The Journeyman legend is often told in the format of song. The two most well known pieces are The Journeyman Rhyme and The Road Song. The rhyme is a common chant among children, while the song is passed along through bardic tradition. Both have many, diverse versions and variations. Two common interpretations are recited below.

The Journeyman Rhyme

The Journeyman's on the way!
The Journeyman's on the way!
The Journeyman's on the way so tie your laces or you'll stay!

The Journeyman's saying hi!
The Journeyman's saying hi!
The Journeyman's saying hi so bow your head down or you'll die!

The Road Song

Your mother to the mountain she will fare
On tired legs uphill she spots a toad
She follows it the wind tussles her hair
Pray for the Journeyman to lay her road


Your father to the forest he will fare
Diverted from the river as it flowed
He finds a different pathway in the air
Pray for the Journeyman to lay his road


To burning empty deserts you will fare
While hurried on your way you hear an ode
Listen a little closer if you dare
Pray for the Journeyman to lay your road


On Guitar
Key: G Major
Chord Progression: G C/G G D
Strumming pattern:↓↓ ↑↓↑ (on 'Pray for the Journeyman...': ↓↑↓↑)