Estella of a Thousand Swords

Estella of a Thousand Swords is a traditional myth based on the murder of the Imperial smith years ago. Few people are aware of the myth outside of Chevalia and Meladia. The myth is a common oral tradition; being told as a feminist tale, cautionary against becoming overly controlling of your child's life, or ignoring a woman's free will.

Summary

It is said that in the years of the Empire, before the current political landscape of the Isles, all royal swords were graded by one smith; without his passing, a sword couldn't be used by the nobility. Estella was the daughter of this legendary smith, and as such was a target of courting.
Estella was approached by almost a thousand suitors, each offering a sword up to prove their worth as a smith, but her father rejected each one of them, keeping her under his control.
On the morning of what is now known as the Night of Blades, he was found impaled by 999 of them, still breathing. He uttered one last word: "Pass."
The last sword was smelted in his own forge, by his own daughter.

Historical Basis

The myth of Estella of a Thousand Swords was based upon the historical murder of a smith of the First Forges of the Empire. It is unsure how much is historical, but it is obviously impossible for the smith to have spoken with almost a thousand swords impaling him, or for him to have survived long enough to be seen alive.

Spread

The myth of Estella of a Thousand Swords is known widely in Chevalia and Melada, as the land the first forges were based on. The myth is most popular among feminist movements and the smithing community.

Variations & Mutation

There exist several variations, mostly involving what happened to the thousand swords. In the most popular variation, each sword spawned one of the various monstrous races of the world when it impaled the smith. Other variations state that the swords created the quills of a porcupine from a godly curse, or the smith's soul now inhabits his daughter's sword, still existing to this day.

Cultural Reception

The myth is interpreted as a feminist message in Chevalia and Melada, but it is not considered a very important myth in either. Chevalia focuses more on the mythology of their godly cycle, while Meladic myths are based upon the mythology of the queen more so.

Date of First Recording

130 AMN

Date of Setting

The Time of the Empire

Related Locations

• The First Forges