Bugbears
Civilization and Culture
Common Myths and Legends
Myth of Creation
According to bugbear legend, it came to pass that Hateful One, more commonly known as the Emperor of Scorn, sought for himself a race worthy of his name. Goblins, orcs and gnolls he had created in his image, yet these creatures were flawed. They warred on the races of good, but they were cowardly and afraid of the sun, and became like maggots, burrowing deep beneath the earth.
From the very darkness of his soul, Hateful One crafted the bugbear form. Stronger than any other race that had gone before, they were created to crush the lesser breeds in his name.
Hateful One was about to release the bugbears on the world when Taker of Sight (known to many races as the Dark One) approached him. "I see you have crafted a new race," he whispered from the shadows. "It is strong, and its lust to dominate is palpable, yet it has weaknesses." Unused to being challenged, Hateful One flew into a rage, and the heavens shook. Unperturbed, Taker of Sight spoke again. "The creature you created cannot defeat the other races, for it is incomplete. Hear me before you shake the skies again, oh spirit of spite. Oh, yes I see them hunting other races and crushing them; but only by day. At night they are as blind as humans."
Hateful One thought on Taker of Sight's words. "What do you propose?" he asked. Taker of Sight smiled as he spoke. "Let this new race worship my name, and I shall gift them with eyes that can see in the dark. I shall give them dominance over night, as you have given them dominance over day."Seeing the wisdom in these words, Hateful One agreed to the terms, and so it came to pass that bugbears could operate equally in day or night, unhindered by shadow or light.
Again Hateful One prepared to unleash his creation, but again he was halted. "What manner of beast have you made that lumbers across the earth?" asked Growling Stomach (called the Locust Lord by most races). "Listen, oh hater of life, and do not strike me dead for my wisdom. Your children are strong and can see at night, but they are mindless brutes. Let me aid you."
Hateful One thought on Growling Stomach's words. "What do you propose?" he asked. Growling Stomach rubbed his bloated stomach and spoke forth. "I can give them the gift of the hunter. With stealth and strength they can hunt any prey, and all life shall be their food. In return for this gift, I require their worship. They must feed me flesh." Seeing the wisdom in these words, Hateful One agreed to the terms, and so it came to pass that bugbears would hunt all living creatures as food.
Then, another visitor came to his domain. "What pitiful creatures are these that stand before me?" asked Blood Storm, the frenzied berserk of the gods (known primarily as the Battle Rager). "I see strength, I see stealth, but I see weakness as well." Hateful One thought on Blood Storm's words. "What do you propose?" he asked. It is said that the gods of good wept as Blood Storm spoke on. "Let these creatures praise my name and I will gift them with ferocity unmatched by any other race. Let my fury into their veins, and they shall be fearless warriors, unafraid of any creature that walks, swims, crawls, or flies."
Seeing the wisdom in these words, Hateful One agreed to the terms, and so it came to pass that bugbears would know no fear and would be fighters without equal.
Thinking he had finished, Hateful One prepared to send his creation forth to fulfill his desires. "What do we have here?" asked Collector (commonly called the Harvester of Souls), who had heard of this race and came unbidden to the great fortress to see it for himself. "A race that kills without reward? Oh yes, they may become dominant, in time, but I can strengthen them beyond measure." Skeletal fingers rubbed together as Collector spoke. "In return for worship, I can give these creatures the power to empower themselves through death. If they prove their worth to you by slaying powerful foes, I shall make their power grow."
Seeing the wisdom in these words, Hateful One agreed to the terms, and so it came to pass that bugbears would collect trophies, through which their power would grow.
At last the bugbears were ready, or so thought Hateful One. As he readied them for battle, another voice called out to him. "What have you made this time?" asked Screamer in Darkness (known primarily as the Prince of Terror). "Another race of darkness to be mocked by the races of good, by the looks of it. Grant that these fiends shall honor my name through deeds most foul and I shall give unto them the gift of true terror. Let their name be synonymous with fear itself, let the lesser races tremble at your creation."
Seeing the wisdom in these words, Hateful One agreed to the terms, and so it came to pass that bugbears would cause terror among all the races.
The Hateful One waited, but no more voices called to him. He called out into the darkness, asking what other gods would join him in creating the perfect race, but none answered. Gathering his creation from his dark bosom, the bugbears came to Tellene, and fear and death walked beside them.
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