Rataxa, and the Theft of the Eternal Forgelight
Rataxa, The Deceiver, early in the Third Era, found out about a prized possession of Aeshlir’s: the Eternal Forgelight. It is known to be hotter than any dragonfire, and Aeshlir used it in her personal forge. Rataxa (who may have been mortal at this point; scholars disagree about the specifics) convinced Evelia to speak to Aeshlir one day with him, convincing Evelia that her armor was not bright enough, and that she should go to Aeshlir to get a more fitting set crafted and polished.
While the two of them discussed fit, prices, and such, Rataxa reached into Aeshlir’s forge and stole the Eternal Forgelight, though it burned his limbs to hold it. Delighted by his feat, but unable to think of a place where neither Aeshlir nor Evelia might find him, he went to Layoya’s domain.
He hid in her house for 9 years. Layoya, upset at Aeshlir for her absence while Cevena was wounded, gladly helped Rataxa hide, so that she may enact petty revenge upon Aeshlir.
During this time, he found that her servants, the Kenku, had learned mimicry, but not speech. Rataxa spent his time secretly teaching the Kenku of Layoya’s domain how to speak, and how to form societies of their own wills and voices. The foremost of these, Agaya, stole a pair of wings from Layoya, and led her compatriots back to the Material Plane; however, their fates and destinations remain unknown to this day.)
Upon finding out that Rataxa had given her Kenku voices of their own, Layoya became weary of his presence, and told Evelia and Aeshlir of Rataxa’s location. They arrived, and pursued him all the way up to the Material Plane, hurling stones at him for his wickedness. In this way, Rataxa was slain eight times, and only after this eighth mortal wound did he drop the Eternal Forgelight, and did the other gods leave him be.
Fortunately, Donar was nearby, and took pity upon Rataxa. He brought Rataxa to his famous healing fountain (the World Fountain), and lowered him into the soothing water. With this, Rataxa was healed, and some scholars claim this to be the moment at which he ascended to godhood.
Variations & Mutation
As mentioned in the story itself, it is a point of scholarly disagreement over whether Rataxa had ascended to godhood at the beginning of this story, or if his theft of the Eternal Forgelight proved sufficient to infuse his essence with divinity.
Many cultures have myths that follow a similar form to this one, in which Rataxa steals something shiny or powerful that belongs to Aeshlir. In many variations, Aeshlir lures Rataxa out of hiding by presenting an even shinier object, or by crafting cozy-looking resting spots in sunny locations such that Evelia may help find him.
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