The Girl with a Crown

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Let this Crown of thorns on my head prove that what I say is true. For, as it held Gulrik to his word so too shall it keep me to mine. I came to serve the people of Gulmire as he did the people of Maloth and not even death shall stop me from that

— Saint Elain when she arrived at Gulmire

Summary

The Girl with a crown relates to the story of Saint Elain returning to Gulmire to save it's people from an attack by an army of barbarian that was sacking the city. Just when the people of the city had lost hope a great light descended across the city and from the harbour came a girl with Gulrik's Crown of Thorns on her head. As she moved through the city she rallied its residence and sent the attackers in a mad panic. Soon the city was free and its enemies scattered.
When asked for her name, she did not give her name, instead simply saying that she was merely keeping to the vow she made long ago to serve and protect the people of the city during their time of need. She then told them to rebuild and that she would deal with what was left of the attackers. With that she walked out of the city never to be seen again. However, it is noted that the remaining forces located on the island were also never seen again, with multiple versions of the story, each differing with what happened to them.
The Girl with a Crown is believed to be Saint Elain due to their resemblance and the fact that Saint Elain was the last known holder of the Crown of Thorns: considered the 6th royal item of Gulrik. However, it was never given to any of his children so many thought it was lost until Saint Elain appeared in Gulmire with it. However, like Gulmire, when she passed away the Crown could not be found. Another link between the Girl with a Crown and Saint Elain is the fact Elain was, by her request, buried where the River Helv flowed into the Haedren Bay.

Historical Basis

While little written evidence exists about Gulmire at this time due to it simply being a far-flung colony of the more developed Maloth Kingdoms. There has been evidence that a great battle was fought during Gulmire's early history before the collapse of Maloth and the exodus of the Thaumen to Alvania.
While Saint Elain is well known and has a following back in Maloth, it is unknown if the Girl with a Crown was real or simply an over-telling of some important leader who helped defend the city during the attack long ago. However, most people within Gulmire believe the story to be true and attribute the events to Saint Elain, the patron Saint of the city. Although, it should be noted that many outside the city do not, and think that, if anything the girl was a warrior sent by Tyen to defend his children.

Variations & Mutation

Depending on who you ask, the story of the Girl with a Crown can vary in some key areas. Most use the story of the Girl with a Crown to support their world view, with the aggressor being a group they don't like currently and the Girl with a Crown being from their demographic, using methods they see as agreeable. For example the denizens of the Old Docks known as the Butterflies will say that the attackers of the city were corrupted nobles who came from Maloth to rule over it's people as tyrants, and that the Girl was a local citizen, who was then called upon the river itself to drown them. This freed the people of Gulmire from the tyranny of far away lands.
Some fanatics within the Church of Saint Elain will often say that the girl was an avatar of Saint Elain herself, and that the attack was by the aquatic Mau'toko who wished to destroy the Thaumen like the Old Races did. Also, instead of the river being used, they believe she made the all the statues in the city come to life and fight for her.

Related Items

• Gulrik's Crown

Spread

The myth is incredibly popular in the city of Gulmire, with it being common knowledge among its populace. Outside of the city however, the story is far less circulated. On the island of Sotin the story is known however often differs from the version told in Gulmire proper. Finally, once one gets to the mainland of Alvania, the story is known only by those that have had regular contact with Gulmire, otherwise the story is considered unimportant and not told.

Art

The tale of the Girl with a Crown has been portrayed in multiple forms of art. There is a great statue of her, faced covered with a veil located in the center of the mouth of the River Helv. On top of this, a great many smaller statues of her exist across the city, each showing a different moment. All of these statues have the faced covered with a veil in order to prevent tension rising from between the different groups within the city. Finally within the cathedral of Saint Elain there is a tapestry showing the churches, telling of the events of the Girl with a Crown. However, like with the statues, to keep her true identity secret, her face is veiled.