Patron of the Ko Tor

As the Zirix established themselves on the coast and built cities and school the Ko Tor followed behind them. The new tribe had their sights set on a distant archipelago and need ships. The Zirix agreed, giving them a fleet in exchange for promises of trade and supplies. Leading the ships was the one who would become known as The First Captain and the patron of pirates.
Wave Rider was a wise and firm leader, she had led her tribe-to-be from the west seeking a haven across the sea. The fleet had been travelling for a week and on the horizon was the islands they sought, all they had to do was make it. The sky was clear and the water calm, then it wasn’t. Before them one of the islands was moving. There was still a lot of distance between them and it, but that's the problem with the ocean, there’s nowhere to run. Scrambling they scavenged together what weapons they could, in an era before ship warfare these were few.
Within the hour the moving island burst from the water, what would be known as the leviathan attacked the lead ship. A talon alone was the size of Rider’s ship, and it had four on each leg. The wood crumpled from the blow, flinging Rider into the cold ocean. She watched as the creature attacked the other ships. It had 8 legs, four ended in massive talons. It was easily the size of a dozen of their ship with smooth crisscrossing scales over leathery skin. Within moments the entire fleet was flinders and it was returning to its resting place, meaning it had to pass Wave Rider. Drawing her dagger from an arm sheath she doze, determined to take *something* from the creature in retribution.
As it passed she saw its head, huge and reptilian it reminded her of a crocodile, if crocodiles had hundreds of eyes and teeth larger than her. Undeterred she swam deeper, now with a target in mind. Clinging to a ridge on the base of its skull she brought the dagger down, not as easy task when holding it in one’s mouth while being drug under water, into the nearest eye. The beast recoiled in rage and pain, the ocean shook and roiled as it roared and the dagger came down again. In an attempt to escape this new sensation known as pain the Leviathan began to dive. Not one to die for revenge Rider pried out one final eye as a trophy and let go. But she had never heard of an undertow, no one had yet. Clinging to her dagger and her trophy the creature pulled her into the depths.
The blood of the Leviathan filled the water, it covered dirt making plankton, it coated rocks forming scavengers, it rolled in the sea foam making fish and collected on the flotsam making sharks and predators. Rider watched this as the blood surrounded her, accepting it was the last thing she would see and when her breath left her water filled her lungs… but the world did not go dark. She could breath! The weight of the water disappeared from her body, she wasn’t being crushed either. Kissing her new trinket that could only be the item that saved her she waited for the undertow to release her and swam to the surface.
Breaching the surface she found numerous Ko Tor had survived, many were trying to interact with the sea creatures forming around them. Working together they gathered what they could and set out to the islands. The Leviathan was never seen again, but now and then the water turns a deep red and the Ko Tor know it's only wounds have opened again. Once on the island they built homes and discovered rare herbs and bizarre fruits. In time they built a new ship and returned to the mainland with stories of their success. Wave Rider lived far longer than any Zebra before her, the blood of the Leviathan coursed through her lending its strength, longevity, and numerous other blessings. The few foals she bored carried these blessing as well and went to establish ports on the neighboring islands. Her family controlled the oceans until the day the bombs fell, and beyond.
When the plague came they isolated those infected and closed their borders. A few rouges helped during the war but no outsider saw the sands of their islands during the war and no one has since. How they fair and what goes on on the islands is known to only them.

Summary

Wave Rider led the fledgling Ko Tor into the ocean seeking new land. The fleet was destroyed by the Leviathan but they made it to the islands and flourished as a tribe.

Historical Basis

It is unknown how true this is, but the artifact made from the Leviathan's eye remains a treasured family heirloom and many of the port leaders claim relation to the long dead Wave Rider.

Spread

This is common knowledge among the Ko Tor and anyone wishing to understand them. It has been recorded by the Xei'el and is spread by them as a tale of triumph.

Variations & Mutation

Variations are few, and are quickly corrected when found.

Cultural Reception

This story is embraced by Ko Tor society as proof they earned they dominion over the sea and can triumph over any beast beneath the waves.

In Literature

The story has been written down numerous times. Some are children's books with bright illustrations, others are small pocket sized books carried as keepsakes and good luck charms.

In Art

Numerous paintings and statues have been made in homage to Wave Rider and her decedents. These are often made of flotsam and serve to remember and honor those who died in a ship wreck.

Date of First Recording

Unknown

Date of Setting

Unknown