Imga
One of this world's most elusive and misunderstood peoples, the Imga live in distant judgement of the other squabbling cultures who desecrate their sacred continent. These ape folk have been caracaturized throughout history, particularly by the Aldmeri cultures who interpret their habits as imitation and veneration of their elven betters.
The most common stereotype is of Imga calling themselves "duke" or "baron" or "lord" despite owning no land. In reality, this is a common joke when in the particular presense of visiting gentry, in mockery of the very idea of owning land. This belief in the equal stewardship of the world is held sacred in Imga culture, but it is one they have been forced to defend with their lives. Though their culture once spanned much of the continent, they now live secluded lives along the border of Elsweyr and Valenwood and will readily defend it from those who would lay claim.
An Imga craves decisiveness in all things. They do not deal in half measures. Making them appear intense and impulsive to the standards of other races. Extreme opinions. Extreme action. The number one motivation in the heart of an Imga is to live without regret.
With that singular moment, infinite possibilities erupted from his chest. Light and time and space. Death and birth. Growing old. Work and play. Making changes. A fountain of new ideas came into being, and then there were stars.
The brightest star, he named Pel'n'esh, Questing-Killing-Healing. And she was beautiful to him. In this bright star, Ak'a'zesh poured all his new, intoxicating ideas! Upon her back, he created the mountains and the soil and the trees. He created fruit to eat and rain to drink. And to protect and enjoy these gifts, he bit his finger, and scooped up the soil of Pel'n'esh, and it mixed with his blood and became Imga.
Filled with the idea of Pel'n'esh, the Imga swore to keep their star safe for as long as they lived. And they would live and work and play and make children to teach the idea of Pel'n'esh, and would go on for as long as she did. Which should have been forever.
When his work of art was done, he realized that his creations needed ways to keep time. He knew not every star was suited to be an idea on their own, and would get up to mischief. So, he decided to give them better purpose. He grabed another star filled with strange ideas that did not-quite-work and brought it close to warm the day. He grabbed two more who were filled with bad ideas, and assigned them to guide the seas and light the night. He brought others close, his best ideas, and had them circle Pel'n'esh to watch over her and whisper their good ideas to her.
Other bad ideas grew jealous and swarmed in close to whisper their bad ideas to her. But this was okay, because Pel'n'esh had the Imga, and the Imga could protect her from their lies. And when all was done, he was satisfied, and basked in the brilliance of his creation. And waited. And waited some more. And he wondered if that was it? Did he have every idea there is? Were there no more ideas left? What would become of him now?
And his heart glowed again. One more idea. But it did not burst forth in radiant brilliance like before. It stuck in his chest and grew and burned. It agonized him. An idea that he could not describe. Not in song. Not in art. Not in words. Nothing could adequately hold an idea so big as this. It was the idea of himself. He dug his hands into his heart, clawing, boring, scratching to get it out, because nothing is as painful as the need to be understood.
Finally, he pulled free his heart, and with it the idea of himself. As they stood there, Ak'a and Zesh, the Dreamer and the Dream, connected by a hemmorhaging blood vessel, the idea was born that there are acts that cannot be taken back. Blood spilled from the artery between them, raining down on Pel'n'esh, becoming writhing, unfocused ideas in desperate need of guidance. And Zesh smiled and offered to be that guidance. Ak'a need only let him go.
The final idea Ak'a ever had, and his worst occured to him in that moment. It filled the empty chamber of his heart, a sickly pale yellow light. He knew what was to come. The idea of it occured to him already, and he thought it beautiful. But he did not expect it so soon! He was scared.
A little of this idea spilled out of him, a few drops falling into the world below to joint the shapeless masses surrounding the Imga. The idea was caustic. Sticky and consuming, eating his mind alive.
Ak'a could not let Zesh go. He tried to take back his heart. And Zesh resisted. He knew their shared heart could not survive in that pool of fear. He begged his creator not to let this one moment of weakness destroy them both. But fear had gripped the Dreamer, and he held fast to his heart as they both pulled until..
The heart of Ak'a'Zesh broke free of them both and fell out of the sky. Ak'a was alone when he died. The idea of him was already gone. Replaced by the taint of regret.
But Hope is the natural state of the world. For it is full of life and light and possibility.
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