Duil Legends and Folklore

## History

Most of Duilintinn’s folklore centers around Feadhainn oral tradition, which has been passed down through the centuries and evolved into countless variations of these ancient tales. Only the most dedicated scholars of Feadhainn culture can even attempt to distinguish which of these stories were once true accounts of ancient history from simple myths and legends.

More recently, tales and legends have begun to spread about The Quest for Duilintinn and the mysteriously absent Noble Lords. Since they are based on more recent events, most of these tales are fairly consistent across Duilintinn. However, with so much uncertainty surrounding the lords’ current whereabouts in recent years, many stories have begun to evolve from historical accounts into attempts to fill in the gaps of our knowledge with new legends about these heroes.

King Sean actively encourages the spread of such tales, seeing as how they raise morale. Educational programs are even encouraged to use these materials since they are popular enough to actually increase literacy rates, at least in younger generations who revere the Noble Lords as heroes.

## Themes

Common themes in tales originating from Feadhainn culture are the mysteries of magic, the inscrutable nature of the Fae Folk (often called “fairies”), the achievements of heroes, and the power of individuality and self-discovery.

Legends stemming from the Waldren Occupation Era often focus on themes of progress, exploration, conquest over natural forces (e.g. wildlife, the sea, even the power of life and death itself), and typically end with the protagonist earning power, prestige, wealth, or a combination of the three.

Modern stories in Duil culture largely pull from the themes of growth and self-discovery found in both Waldren and Feadhainn Era tales, but with additional emphasis on the power of community and of a place to belong. Another common theme is the conflict between a person’s past and present, also seen as tradition and history versus progress and growth. These stories are typically resolved in favor of acceptance of both, with characters coming to terms with their relationship with their origins while looking with hope to the future.

## The Meta (OOC)

The stories that touch our hearts in the games that Sean plays are represented in this AU by the myths and stories told throughout the kingdom and are preserved on magical records. There’s a reason that many of the mythological creatures in the forest that I intend to incorporate into this universe (see my to-do list) are based on creatures in the games that Sean plays!

Of course, some of these “myths” (especially the sci-fi ones) will be slightly adapted from their original form. For example, Connor, “the android sent by Cyberlife,” would instead be something along the lines of, “the automaton sent by the Life-Makers’ Guild.”

If you have a specific game you’d like to be one of these stories, but aren’t entirely sure how it would apply, send me an ask! I would love love LOVE to see what series/games you guys love and how I can incorporate them into the world of The Watch!

So far, the official, canon legends in The Watch AU so far are based upon:

* Shadow of the Colossus
* The Last Guardian
* God of War (aka DAD OF BOY)
* Detroit Become Human
* Undertale

Of course, there are also stories in Duil culture that are entirely original, written by myself or others based solely around the world of The Watch AU.

## Your Soul, My Child

“Your Soul, My Child” is a story that dates back to the early Waldren Occupation. It was primarily told orally as a way for the indigenous peoples of Duilintinn to preserve their culture and history in the wake of Waldren’s arrival.

The story has evolved over time, being updated with new names of kingdoms and regions as the continent of Tirónar slowly shook off Waldren’s rule. Several variants also exist, with different descriptors of the soul-bearing species depicted in the tale or different ending statements. However, they all feature some sort of moral, which chiefly distinguishes the variants of this tale from other, similar stories about Tirónar’s soul-bearing beings.

### Text

> The Age of Souls began shortly after the Fae Realm and the Mortal Realm collided. Magic spilled into the Mortal Realm for the first time, and permeated the land upon which it fell. This is the first time a new force of nature would sweep our world... but it wasn't the last.
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> Through means we cannot fully understand, some of this magic concentrated itself into physical vessels, forming into a soul These souls and the vessels they resided in worked in harmony. At a first glance, these new beings seemed similar to the animals that already populated the Mortal Realm, but this was not the case. These beings with souls were full of life, personality, and vigor in a way previously unseen among mortal creatures.
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> And thus, the Age of Souls began.
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> These beings took many forms, many of which we can still meet in the lands beyond Duilintinn to this day. The dwarves were born under the stones of the mountains, forever destined to fear the open arms of the sky. The unicorns came to be among the bright flowers of Tandeli's southern reaches. The giants towered high above all other creatures in the plains of Borrike, where only the northern forest and mountains beyond reach further towards the sun. The merfolk of the salty sea swum beneath the waves that had never been touched by the ships of trade of war. The dragons of Haneul, Lantraeth, and Halennor, now only remembered in the eyes of kings, ruled over the sky and craggy heights of the mountaintops. And, of course, humanity, frailest of them all and full of strife, spread over the land.
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> Different vessels. Different forms. But all souls, all from the same magic.
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> You have the power of the Fae Realm in your soul, my child, the same magic that lives in the hearts of legends.
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> Do not let anyone try to quench it.
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### Trivia

“Your Soul, My Child” is an original story written by the author of the Watch AU and is not tied to any external media.

## Souls of Form

“Souls of Form” is a story written by an anonymous mage from the Interim Years. As the story goes, the tale was written as a way to explain the concept of souls, magic, and other sentient beings to younger mages. Since magic was still stigmatized in some regions of Duilintinn prior to the kingdom’s founding, the tale was also written to help normalize the concept of magic as something natural and intrinsic, rather than superstitious or dangerous.

The author of this tale, whoever they were, was clearly extremely well-educated on the sentient species of Tirónar, the mechanics and science behind magic and souls, and the history of the continent. They were also seemingly influential, as several identical copies of the tale have been discovered across Duilintinn, implying that the story was intentionally published and distributed at some point.

Today, the tale continues to serve the purpose for which it was made; educating people about magic, sentient species, and souls while sparking their curiosity to learn more.

### Text

> Many ages ago, when magic first entered the Mortal Realm, a great many beings were given souls. While they were all made of the same magic, these souls differed between thinking races of the world.
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> The souls of dragons were wound up like a serpent within their majestic winged frames. Tightly coiled magic, like a spring waiting to burst, their souls were tireless, ambitious, and restless. The ceaseless burning in their hearts for greater power, knowledge, and strength pushed the dragons to legendary heights of power, until they had nothing but themselves to burn into ash.
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> The souls of the merfolk are fluid, ever changing. The shimmer of their scales is said to be the soul flowing across their bodies as they glide under the waves. Like the sea itself, merfolk are unpredictable, changeable, and uncompromising, their ideals and alliances shifting with their souls as they travel the vast, unexplored ocean depths.
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> The souls of unicorns are light and quick, like the precise steps of a dancer bound within their very essence. They pass through the world like a needle through cloth, leaving barely a trace of their presence behind. The soul of a unicorn is unchanging, yet adaptable. It clings firmly to its values, attachments, and habits. When life stands in the way of that pattern, the soul of a unicorn simple side steps around the obstacle, continuing as if nothing had occurred.
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> The souls of the dwarves are heavy and firm, bestowing a perseverance that has weathered darkness, danger, and isolation for thousands of years. Like the rock that divides the rushing river in two, their souls force adversity to bend to their will, not the other way around. The dwarves are anchors that will hold their position in the high and low tide, and their souls are the weight that keeps them from the from floating away.
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> The souls of humans are loose and unformed, like a ball of clay waiting to take shape. They do not overpower life's trials like dragons, ebb and flow with the tides like merfolk, evade obstacles like unicorns, or stand unflinchingly like dwarves. Instead, humans allow the trials of live to mold their souls into the unique shape that defines every facet of their personality. They can resemble the souls of any of these beings, or all, or none, yet remain eternally unique and unmistakably human.
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> The souls of mortal beings as many, diverse, and powerful, yet they are nothing compared to those who came before. For the souls of the Fae Folk are boundless, unconstrained, and infinite. They respect nothing but the physical constraints of the Mortal Realm and the strict boundaries of agreements. As mist is to a stream, so are the souls of the Fae Folk to those of the Mortal Realm.
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> Such things cannot be comprehended.
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> Yet, not matter their shape, all souls are curious...
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### Trivia

“Souls of Form” is an original story written by the author of the Watch AU and is not tied to any external media.

## The Ranger's Tale

“The Ranger’s Tale” is a story originally written in the Feadhainn Language that was recently discovered, translated into the Common Tongue, and published in the mid-1610s by members of The Watch.

Due to the tale’s connection to the strange magic used by The Enemy, the discovery of this story was considered a major breakthrough within The Watch, as well as a massive cultural and scientific discovery for scholars of Feadhainn and magical studies.

### History

“The Ranger’s Tale” was collected and translated by Mage Morgana Spewraith and Bard Scholar Autumn Green of House Jameson, and written by Bard Scholar Autumn Green of House Jameson.

This is an ancient tale from the days of Feadhainn, the ancient civilization that lived in these lands centuries before Duilintinn existed. Recent discoveries have uncovered that this tale may hold major implications for The Watch, specifically regarding The Enemy’s powers.

However, due to the linguistic patterns of the Feadhainn language, this tale is extremely dense and difficult to read for those unfamiliar with the language and/or the original story. Therefore, a vernacular translation of the tale was also compiled by Bard Emily Keyes for easier reading. In the second version, certain implied elements of the original tale are emphasized, but nothing is changed from the tale’s original intent. It is meant to help new readers become familiar with the tale, and should not be seen as equal to the source material. Any conclusions drawn from this tale should be based solely on the original translation.

### Original Text

> The falcon had been following them for years, and they had gotten used to it by now. To anyone who asked, the falcon was their familiar, but they knew that a relationship of that sort was supposed to look different. That was all right, they thought. The falcon had been faithful, had protected them, and often led them to clean waters, nourishing meals or dry shelter. The falcon was all the companionship they needed, and with its intelligent demeanour that sometimes even could make it appear humanoid, they were happy roaming (the Western Woods).
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> They did not know their own age. The seasons came and went in a steady cycle, as did the glorious sun, however difficult it was to keep count, when it does not matter in the end. They could see their family grow like them when they did visit. They knew that one day, age would consume them, but they expected this in every day as much as the next, so knowing how many they could have left is of no importance to them.
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> It was a night in the bleak and cold winter, and the falcon had found a cave that wound behind rock and was thus shielding from all weather. They had taken to bringing a many animals of the Woods to this shelter, for many could not find the necessary means to survive, and even with their help, they were slowly going away to a better land. Their any settling was far away but they did not feel the cold loneliness of the season creeping in, but safe with the purest beings that they were giving a peaceful rest. The falcon was discontent with their work, however, seeming to want to tell them not to waste their own power while lessening their own, but in the night, it would be close to them and it would rejuvenate all their spirits to make worth the troubles of the day and give fresh meaning to the next.
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> It was around this time that they saw every such tree the falcon touched to give off the mists of the night, but in an ever such calm way as they had never seen before. They would often run from the mists, and the danger they bring to body and soul. But in this winter, when the trees breathed and the snow was a comfort, its effects appeared entirely reversed, and it gave life to them, and they felt it was for them to give. It was on this night that they felt safe to go out into the mists. If they were to help and give to them, they could attempt to ask them for further than what they had already provided, for the wood’s creatures in their cave were not taking well to the cold. And the dale was filled with the fog thick with water and legend, and as they descended, the falcon flew overhead and before them, and it spoke.
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> “You are ready,” it said. “Ready for the gift of nature and to accept and use it. This is your purpose, so do not be afraid.”
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> And they were surprised and not afraid, but glad that their companion was with them. And they held their hand out for the falcon, and it took it, and they walked into the mists to embrace the night.
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> This was the night, and the day followed as they returned to their shelter to find that the animals going to the light had turned back to them and were awaiting, and those in the ground came from below to greet their saviour, and spring came.
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> The forest lived, and all creatures new and ancient would live, and they would live for them.
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> And while they knew that not every day would see their passing as much as the next, their village shall live large, and when they felt their time had come, they laid down and turned to their falcon and said,
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> “I am aware that this was not my purpose, to give humanity all of nature’s gifts and then give it away, but I was not to live my eternal life as their pawn with all their power, to live out someone else’s mistakes in someone else’s game. I shall give all the power to the forest and those that live in and off it, and hope you can understand and forgive me, dear falcon. You have done well in your purpose to find me and guide me. And you have guided me well, no matter where, old friend. My time has come, I can feel it, and it is to you to return to your people as it is to me to return to my mother. ”
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> And the falcon returned to its people never to speak again of their lost friend and their power’; not only their magic, but power of will.
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> And they lay deep in the forest where it’s creatures have their power ‘long as none shall pass
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### Translator’s Annotations:

This is an account of the legend put together by multiple oral and written accounts. What I have accumulated and translated here cannot be found in one single tale. I have done my best to only take parts of the story that appear in at least two separate accounts. Thankfully, most versions of the story itself are the same in its basics throughout.

The Western Forest is not explicitly mentioned as the location of this tale, but considering the geography described in the context as well as the origin of the legend itself, we can safely assume that this does indeed take place in the Western Forest.

The line “and they would live for them” is very much up for interpretation. It is lost to time if the creatures lived for “them,” or “they” lived for the creatures. This can point to a possible codependency through a usage of magic or life force by one side upon the other.

The usage of certain phrases and pronouns in the original Feadhainn are clearly meant to imply that the falcon is a Fae shapeshifter. Unfortunately, these linguistic distinctions have no direct translation in the Common Tongue.

Recently The Watch has noticed that the “powers” vaguely described in this tale share some similarities to those of The Enemy. Both are believed to relate to the Western Forest and Fae Magic, and both deal with the giving and the taking of life forces, aka souls.

The human’s monologue is arguably the most illuminating part of the tale. It implies that the powers were originally Fae in origin, but somehow the result of a mistake, prompting them to lock them away in an eternal human.

This tale has many concerning implications about The Enemy’s powers, but more interpretation and research is required before The Watch can draw any conclusions.

Finally, I’d like to credit Mage Gardener Margret Green, with the inspiration to make this tale the first- as well as the oldest- account known to be passed down within the Watch, as a major help on this project.

### Vernacular Text

> The falcon had been following them for years, and they had gotten used to it by now. To anyone who asked, the falcon was their familiar. Yet in their heart, the ranger knew that this bond was something different.
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> This concerned them little. The falcon had been faithful; protecting the ranger on many occasions and leading them to clean waters, nourishing meals, or dry shelter. With its intelligent demeanour, it even seemed humanoid at times, and that was enough for them. The falcon was the only companionship they needed, and together, they were happy roaming the Western Forest.
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> The ranger’s life was full of such mysteries. They had long forgotten their own age. The Seasons came and went in a steady cycle, as did the glorious sun. Why bother to keep count, when it does not matter in the end?
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> The cycles were clearest when the ranger returned to their family, rare as these visits were. They could see the time passing in the worn lines upon their parents’ faces, in the gangly length of their cousins’ limbs, and in the final homes of their grandparents’ bodies.
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> One day, age would consume them all; the ranger expected it each day. It was irrelevant, questioning how long until they would fade into the forest soil.
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> The ranger pondered such things no more, as the bleak, cold winter night fell around them. The woods were harsh, and growing harsher with each passing year. It was time to move on.
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> Faithful as ever, the falcon led them to a cave, hidden behind a rock that shielded them from the weather. Here, the ranger worked their secret craft, sheltering the woodland animals that couldn’t survive on their own. Yet despite the aid they offered to these creatures, their numbers were dwindling. The ranger hoped they were going away, to find a land where they could thrive.
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> They did not allow the alternative to speak itself into their mind.
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> Though they were far from any settlement, they did not feel the cold loneliness of the season creeping in. Safe with the purest beings of nature, the ranger was content.
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> However, the falcon was unsatisfied with their work. Each day, it would stare piercingly at the ranger as they poured their soul into saving the creatures that were doomed to fade away. It seemed to be judging them, imploring them to cease wasting their life in such futile efforts as this.
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> It was this creature that prompted the ranger’s thoughts of time and death.
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> And yet, when the ranger finally laid their body down to rest, the falcon would settle close to them throughout the long night. No matter how hard the ranger had worked, they would awaken with their spirits rejuvenated. With the falcon at their side, the troubles of the past day were worthwhile, and each morning was given fresh meaning.
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> No, whatever being it was that accompanied them, the ranger knew it had power beyond that of a simple familiar.
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> They cast their gaze to the cave entrance. In the darkness, a sliver of moonlight illuminated a gauzy tendril of mist, another constant companion of the ranger in the forest.
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> It had been long since the mists had started to appear, pouring out dark as the night from whatever tree that the falcon had touched. The ranger had fled from this darkness, knowing it was dangerous to both body and soul, yet they could never escape it. Wherever they went, the falcon followed, as did the mist.
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> It had ceased to concern them years ago; it simply was. Like all such mysteries, the ranger did not bother to question its existence, nor their own normalization of such things. .
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> Yet this year, something was different. The mists still emerged from the trees, but calmly, in a way the ranger had never seen it manifest itself before. Wherever the mist appeared, the skeletal trees would breathe with new life, and the deadly snow felt like the comfort of a warm blanket.
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> The ranger did wonder at this, for nature is not one to change her ways so suddenly. Yet the creatures under their care were not taking well to the cold, and if this mist could help them save them…
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> The falcon’s eyes shone with pride as the ranger arose to meet the tendril of mist. That alone was enough to convince the ranger that this mist was now safe to take into their lungs and breathe out into the world.
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> And breathe they did.
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> No longer a hallmark of death, the mist had bestowed life upon the ranger. Not just for their own mortal form, but for them to give and bestow to others of the forest.
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> Unafraid, the ranger pressed onwards, descending from the cave to the forested dale below. Thick with water and legend, the mist grew into a heavy fog, called into being by their faithful companion soaring behind them.
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> Suddenly, a voice called to the ranger, both familiar and strange.
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> “You are ready,” it said. “Ready to accept this gift of nature and use it. This is your purpose, so do not be afraid.”
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> As the falcon lighted onto the ground in front of them, the ranger realized that it was the faithful creature that had spoken. Though surprised, they were not afraid, and felt joy that their companion was with them.
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> And they held their hand out for the falcon, who took it, and together, they walked into the mists to embrace the night.
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> This was the night, and the day that followed was young when they finally returned to their shelter. Awaiting them were the animals, alive and well, even those that the ranger had been unable to dissuade from their final journey into the light. The creatures of the ground came from below to greet their saviour, and spring came.
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> The forest lived, and all creatures new and ancient would live, and they would live for them. The ranger who had been given new life, and gave it out in return.
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> Finally, the falcon was content with their work. No longer would age consume the ranger. Each cycle left its mark on their family’s descendants, yet they remained untouched to watch them fade into the forest soil. Their old village prospered amongst the life the ranger had breathed around it, and yet that was not enough for them.
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> When they felt their time had come, the ranger traveled deep into the forest, laid down, and turned to their faithful companion.
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> “I know that this was not my purpose, to give humanity all of nature’s gifts, and then give this power away. But I will not spend an eternal life as their pawn, living as a vessel to hold the mistakes of someone else’s game. I shall give this power to the forest, to those who live in and off of it, and hope you can understand and forgive me, dear falcon. You have done well in your purpose to find me and guide me. And you have guided me well, old friend, no matter where it led. Yet now it is your time to return to your people, as it is my time to return to my mother.”
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> And so it was. The falcon returned to its people, never to speak again of their lost friend and their power of both magic and will.
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> In their final resting place, deep in the forest, the ranger passed their power on to the winds of nature. There it will remain, dark and unknowable, never to be stirred from the mists again, as long as none shall pass.
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### Trivia

“The Ranger’s Tale” is an original story written by tumblr user @autumnleafauthor alongside @shamrockace and is not tied to any external media.

## Frisk's Choice

“Frisk’s Choice” is a fictional tale written in the early years of Duilintinn’s founding that surged in popularity almost immediately after publication. It’s themes of relationships, choice, and healing from the sins and hurts of a past that may or may not be your own resonated with the young nation of Duilintinn.

Thanks to this success, the author has published several other, more detailed stories about Frisk’s adventures, including a new tale published as recently as 1616, all of which were equally well received.

### Text

> Once, long ago, humans and monsters fought a war against each other. The humans emerged victorious, and banished their foes underground, further down than even the deepest of dwarven halls. To ensure that they did not escape, the humans’ greatest mages cast a spell that trapped the monsters underground forever. Only with the power of a human soul could this spell be broken.
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> Years later, a child by the name of Frisk fell into this underground world. There, they met many monsters. Some wanted to fight Frisk and use their soul to break the spell, but others were quite friendly. Frisk had a choice to make. They could fight their way through the underground and escape, or they could take the time and effort to learn about the monsters within and try to help them all escape together.
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> However, no one knows what choice Frisk made. Some tales say that they fought all of the monsters and escaped, but their soul was so warped by these actions that Frisk would never be the same again, as if a part of their soul was left behind or taken away. Others say that Frisk freed the monsters, and they all lived together on the surface for the rest of their days.
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> What’s that? You want to know what actually happened? Which one is the “true” ending?
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> Let me tell you a secret. Frisk’s tale is the tale of everyone who ever lived. We all have to make the choice whether to fight against our obstacles or learn from them. To say that only one choice is the true one is to say that no one has ever made the alternative. There will always be good and bad people in the world, just as there will always be two sides to Frisk’s story.
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> The question is… which will you choose?
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### Trivia

“Frisk’s Choice” is based on the hit 2015 video game “Undertale,” developed by Toby Fox. It was chosen as inspiration for one of these tales due to the incredible popularity of the Undertale playthrough on Jacksepticeye’s youtube channel.

## Other Tales

These are tales that do exist canonically in Duilintinn, but haven’t been given an official write-up. Most of them currently only exist in context, describing the gist of the tale and the reason it’s important to the kingdom. The headings are named after the real-world content that inspired them.

### Shadow of the Colossus

Long ago, a young mortal boy was given a quest to destroy the giants that walked the land. He was aided in this endeavor by a member of the Fae Folk who took the form of a water horse named Agrona. However, the boy called her “Agro” for short. A streak of light from the boy’s sword marked Agro’s path, and she followed the brightness toward the next creature, bringing death and slaughter with her in the form of the mortal on her back. When the boy died, Agro used her abilities as a Fae to bring him back as a changeling with small horns. This legend inspired the name of the Agrona River in House Marvin and the symbolic animal (a Water Horse) of House Jameson.

### Dad of Boy

This popular variant of the legend of Kratos and his son Atreus was a favorite of Lord Brody’s children, who helped their father name many of the landmarks in their new home.  It is fundamentally about a man struggling with the grief of having failed and destroyed his family and harnessing that regret into resilience and renewed promise to protect those he cares for, and is therefore extremely significant in House Brody. There’s even a river named after it: the Pa’Gille River.

### The Last Guardian

Many tales have been told of the griffin named Trico and his young human ally. The tale, told to a young Lord Jackie during his vigilante years, inspired him to take the griffin as the symbol of his house and name the river flowing through his new land after the “guardian” of legend.

### Detroit Become Human

The cool thing is that the tale of “Connor, the automaton sent by the Lifeworkers’ Guild” is basically a science fiction tale, exploring what would happen if the mages, inventors, and doctors of this guild found a way of creating life. It’d probably be a cautionary tale, reminding others to not play god and to respect all forms of life. The latter would be especially important in this fantasy universe, since humans aren’t the only sentient species out there…

### Bloodbourne

The sort of story spoken around campfire late at night, with the purpose of scaring your audience witless. Heavily based on Fae shenanigans.

### Spiderman

Focuses on an acrobatic Mage, known colloquailly as 'The Mage Spider', who uses a mask in the style of the traditional mage masks, specifically of a spider. He operates in Cordoire, with one town crier having particular issue with him. This story has had a resurgence with The Enemy's activity, reminding everyone that power is not bad, just requires responsibility.