Book of Lovers
Overview
The Book of Lovers is a not a single book, but rather a collection of books that are filled with stories of romance, both failed and successful. Unlike the romance stories of many other races, the stories within the Book of Lovers are often written so as to teach a lesson or to inspire deeper thought on difficult subjects such as interracial relationships. These specific stories are typically referred to as stories of Forbidden Lovers.
Many tales within the Book are noted as historical documentation while others are simply accepted as little more than legends, fables, and folk tales.
Known Stories
Ashalhh: Night Huntress
- Noted to be a fable.
- Excerpt
Ashalhh's brother asks plaintively, "Sorsha'la ae'q'alrin? Pon'zh'laar ru'at?" ([[S'Kra Mur Lexicon|Why do you q'alrin me? You do not speak (with me) as ru'at?)
Sons of Hav'roth
The tale of the Three Brothers is a very popular and well-known story that is retold throughout Muspar'i as part of the tale of Mhalush. It's story is of Mhalush, Dhrakhh, and Zaarin that each fell in love with the Maiden of Peri'el, Norayaz.
Three S'Kra brothers emerged within this early civilization as the leaders of their people. They were called the Sons of Hav'roth, and were named Zaarin, Mhalush, and Dhrakhh. Zaarin was the eldest brother, and Dhrakhh the youngest.
Each of the brothers fell in love with a young woman, she who was called Norayaz, the Maiden of Peri'el. She was the gentlest and most beautiful S'Kra, and it is said that when she sang... but that is not a part of our story.
The three brothers each wished to wed Norayaz. Zaarin, as the eldest and leader of the S'Kra Mur, possessed most of the tribe's land and wealth, and so in the end, he won out. There was a great ceremony, which the entire tribe attended, and it was to be the start of a Malk Akom, blessed by the gods as the Maiden of Peri'el wed the Son of Hav'roth. Mhalush was pleased for his brother.
But not so the vain and spiteful Dhrakhh. He could not be happy. The younger brother claimed to a group of the S'Kra Mur that it was an evil bonding, that it would bring down the wrath of Ushnish, and so Dhrakhh took up the q'zhalata. He would kill the woman and save his people from the curse. Or so he said. But Dhrakhh knew his true motivations. If he could not have the Maiden of Peri'el, then no one could.
Dhrakhh's q'zhalata failed, however, and instead of Norayaz sipping the poisoned wine during the Smo'kku'par Ceremony, Zaarin drank from it instead. The eldest brother, blessed of Hav'roth, fell over dead.
The earth trembled, then. It was the fury of Hav'roth. For Dhrakhh had violated his Ru'at, Hav'roth's own Ru'at. The furious god quaked and shattered the S'Kra lands, splitting them asunder. This was the birth of the Reshalian archipelago. And Norayaz was filled with the spirit of the warrior goddess Peri'el, and she drew Zaarin's sword and severed the tail of Dhrakhh from his body, naming him Smozh.
The fates of Norayaz and Dhrakhh after that point are the source of legendary tales.
The Tale of S'Ren and S'Ra
Likely containing some altered names, this is a story of how a King attempted to trick two lovers.
By this time, S'Ren and S'Rra were acquiring reputations as learned practitioners of the alchemical art. They knew their services would be in demand; indeed, they knew that their services might even be commandeered. For in their many journeys the Sk'ra Mur couple had much opportunity to observe the less pleasant side of Elanthian nature, as has been told before.
Therefore the alchemists made plans against such eventualities, should they come to pass. And fortunate it was that they did so, for it was not long before their plans, their love and resolve would be severely tested.
It happened as they entered the rugged domain of Faturthir III. This monarch, heir to the once-prosperous Altib Soldain, had lost much of his wealth and land in futile battles waged against his neighbors. Faturthir was a violent warrior; so were others of his time, and before, and since. He differed from most in this respect: he did it poorly. A terrible strategist who executed his generals, overtaxed his people and betrayed his friends, Faturthir yet had one redeeming feature. He saw a good thing when it appeared on his doorstep. And when two good things appeared in the shapes of S'Ren and S'Rra, his eyes glistened, and he sent out a small, elite band of rangers to secure captives.
All was done as ordered. Under cover of darkness the lovers were taken and separated, then each brought to a separate dungeon within Castle Soldain. There, Faturthir III paid them independent visits.
Is my lover alive? he was asked. Yes, he replied. -But only as long as you do as you are told. What do you wish? he was asked. To convert this scrapmetal into gold, he smiled, pointing at a huge pile of rusted weapons, armor and building materials. It cannot be done! he was told. It shall, he said calmly, or your lover will be impaled upon a spear before my drawbridge as you are cast out, minus your hands. You have 30 days. When finished, I shall give you the greatest gift I can find.
Then Faturthir was handed a list of supplies and asked to procure them most urgently. And he smiled, and nodded. Thus did Faturthir play upon the love of S'Ren and S'Rra for one another, knowing that what they feared not for themselves they feared for that they most loved.
At the end of 29 days the dungeons glowed beneath their shut doors with unearthly lights, and powerful bewitchments were heard from within. At the end of 30 days the doors were thrown open, and each dungeon stood revealed, laden from top to bottom (and they were very high-ceilinged dungeons, too) with all manner of golden wealth. There were coins, and bracelets; anklets and chains. Golden statuary stared from the corners, and golden necklaces dropped like snakes from the rafters.
Without a word Faturthir reentered his throne room and summoned the two S'kra Mur thence. You have fulfilled your part of the bargain, he declared solemnly to the overjoyed couple. Now I shall fulfill mine: the greatest gift I can give you is your freedom. Go, and never return to my kingdom again! Alchemists are dogs, and I have been lenient thus far, but my patience shall not last. Then S'Ren and S'Rra bowed low, and left swiftly, so swiftly, it seemed, that alchemical means must have been employed.
But the story does not end there. For Faturthir called forth all his guards, and had them move the two piles of gold into a gigantic Treasure Chamber created especially to house his new, enormous wealth. -However, as the two mounds of gold touched, a muffled explosion occurred, and a cloud of heavy, noxious smoke arose.
When it cleared, the gold was gone-- and in its place was a pile of fresh yak dung as large as the two golden hordes had been, filling the Treasure Chamber to overflowing.
King Faturthir roared and demanded its removal, but yak dung is notoriously slippery; and the Treasure Chamber stood at the farthest end of a long castle corridor that lay past the throne room, the dining hall and the royal bedchambers. Another two weeks were to elapse between removing it and scrubbing away the smell...though wind of this got to the Aldibian people, first. Faturthir's reputation was never the same after that, and the tyrant became a laughingstock who was shot from his throne through a noose in less than 3 subsequent years.
Hhshal's Revenge
Hhshal's Revenge is a tale of the clever Hhshal, the strong Mariq, and Isna'le, the lovely daughter of Sarkhhl.
Tale of Forbidden Lovers
The best example currently given of this style is in My Grandmother's Stories, which tells the tale of a Human and a S'Kra Mur and their ill-fated relationship.
Player Written Stories
- The Tale of Pasha is a layered folk tale in the style of the Forbidden Lovers.