Ella and Grigol

The art of love is largely the art of persistence

According to the Ellardian myth of creation, after Illa had ascended into the sky with her dragon, Élla was left with the task of building the very first empire of mankind, in which she chose as spot the eastern lands of Människar, just by the Kaspian Lake. It is said that there she had come across a man, named Grigol, a blacksmith and artisan, who feel in love with Ella the moment he had first seen her.
Yet, the woman was determined on her task of founding the very first city, where thousands could live in safety from the Gröni, from darkness, from any foe. However, it did not break Grigol's hopes, upon which the man started gathering followers, eleven workers that would help him prepare the land, all due to his love for Ella.

The Eleven Workers

• Otto, the Labourer, would level the earth, for a stable, wide city with spare room to grow.
• Bakur, the Lumberjack, would cut the trees, clearing the plains and gathering the wood necessary.
• Eduard, the Miner, would extract the coal, iron and gems from the mountains to heat homes, make tools and adorn the city.
• Valeri, the Quarryman, would extract and shape the stone necessary for building an entire city.
• Abel, the Carpenter, would work the timber and make up all the structures for the city, such as scaffolds and roofs.
• Daviti, the Architect, would plan and draw out the schematics for a harmonious and united city.
• Rouben, the Mason, would build every building, using the stone, wood and thatch the others had gathered.
• Pridon, the Farmer, would till the land and sow wheat and rye, for all needed to be fed.
• Mikhel, the Cook, would prepare the food and feed not only the workers, but the first citizens of Élla.
• Valerian, the Soldier, would patrol the surroundings of the site, protecting the workers from monsters and invaders alike.
• Adam, the Sculptor, would shape the marble into beautiful shapes, for the city to be the most opulent to have ever existed.

And together, they worked and worked ceaselessly, as some say it took over 10 years for them to finally finish, and Grigol showed Élla the city he had built for her, entirely for her to rule. The woman was speechless, for could a man dedicate so much effort solely for his feelings to her? With that, Élla surrendered herself to Grigol, becoming his bride and Queen.
By then, with so much work, thousands already lived in the city, migrating from other regions, drawn to the city, drawn to its opulence, to its grandeur. All citizens loved Élla and worshipped for whom she really was, the daughter of demigoddesses. As for Grigol, it was said that never another man like him would ever be born, so big and truthful was his love for Élla.
However, he refused such flattery and, humble as he was, he turned to his workers, the ones truly responsible for building Ellardia, upon which he went to his anvil and started working, making twelve rings, one for himself and for each of his workers.
The gods, astounded by such act of love, comradely and humility, blessed his hammer and anvil, and each ring he forged became magical in nature.

Variations & Mutation

A similar story is woven in the Tome of Aeons, describing the eleven angels Arior had sent forth to help mankind  build their kingdoms.

Date of First Recording

Around 3000 IL