From: gfink@iris.ucdavis.edu (George Fink)
Subject: Myth for Tabolport
Date: 31 Mar 90 23:38:40 GMT

An old Anzarian myth:

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A long long time ago there was a kingdom of Anzaria, whose name is now
lost in the sands of time.  The ruling family of this kingdom was kind
and just, and the kingdom was a fair place for all.  Now it was
tradition for the heirs of this family to be taken away at birth and
to be fostered in some peasant's hut, and to be raised there,
unknowing of his heritage until he came of age.  This is a story of
the last Prince, his coming of age, what happened after, and what is
yet to be.

Jofat was his name, and it was his lot to be fostered by the widow of a
poor weaver.  Her name was Hannah.  She was also a priestess of Poma,
a nature goddess.  As Jofat reached his teenage years, he began to be
tutored in the craft of weaving, and also in the power and beauty of
nature.  But his was not the peaceful childhood that you all have had
the luxury to have.  For this was a tumultuous time in the world, and
great events were about to occur.

This was the time of the Blossoming.  {Ed note:  The Blossoming is the
popular name for the historical time of the expansion of the Church}
And this was not the peaceful growth of enlightenment that you have
been led to believe.  No, on the contrary, this was a time of disease,
famine, and war.  War, as the followers of the Church swept over the
land, bringing their faith to all, no matter what the cost.

This scourge had not yet reached the kingdom, but there were rumors
from afar of the exploits of the Holy Warriors of the Church.  And
there came a time, in Jofat's fourteenth year, that reports came to
the kingdom of war on the borders of Anzaria.  The Paladins of the
Church had come at last.  There was much unrest in the land, and
people grew fearful, as none had stood before the Paladins in the
past.  There was a great muster, and all men and boys strong enough to
carry a shield were required to train in the arts of war.

And so Jofat enlisted, and came under the tutelage of Kul-fat, a local
veteran of numerous foreign wars, along with many other village boys.
And Kul-fat taught them the martial skills, but also of honor and a
warrior's responsibility to the people.  And the years passed.

And Jofat grew, and he was now a strong young man, and he was happy.
And, as young men are apt to do, he had the friendship of a young
woman, Katara, a young priestess of Poma.  They were not yet betrothed,
but it was in their hearts that one day they would.

So one day Kul-fat declared their training complete, the boys now men
ready for battle, and on Jofat's eighteenth birthday they journeyed to
the capitol to join their regiment.  Jofat's parting with Katara was
tearful, but he promised that one day they would be together.  But, to
their sorrow, that day has not yet come, even now, as I tell this tale
to you today.

For soon after Jofat arrived in the capitol, an event was to occur
that was to forever change the course of Jofat's life.  Ambassadors to
the court of the King from the Grand Paladin had slain the King when
he refused to convert.  And the ambassadors, with their honor guard,
now held the castle against the troops of the King, in wait for the
arrival of the great armies of the Blossoming.

There was chaos in the city and amoungst the troops of the King, as
their generals had also been caught in the coup at the castle.  The
city-folk streamed from the gates of the city, fleeing in panic from
the approaching army, but days away.  And something stirred within
Jofat's heart.  Something had to be done!  He assembled his squad, and
told them that it was their responsibility to come forth and lead the
people.  And he went to the main square, and upon the shoulders of his
fellows spoke to the people who still remained in the City.  His words
that day are lost, but somehow people took heart, and led by Jofat,
they stormed the castle and rescued the generals.

So the war between the Church and organized Anzaria was fought.  You
all have heard accounts of this war, so I will not repeat that.  Jofat
was acknowledged as King, but he refused the title, remaining Prince,
until, he said, all of Anzaria would be free.  And he sent away for
Katara, that she would be at his side, but she was gone, and no one
knew where.

Jofat was distraught, and as he led the fight, he sent out spies
through the countryside in search of Katara, but to no avail.
Finally, as he was camped with his army on the banks of the river,
Katara came to his tent.  Jofat could hardly recognize her, she was
battered and bruised, and missing her left hand.  He opened his mouth,
to call for a surgeon, but Katara said "No, Jofat, I am fine.  I have
come to tell you not to search for me any longer.  I have chosen a
life of healing rather than a life of hurt.  The people of Anzaria are
suffering, they need a healer.  As your queen, I could not journey
amoung the sufferers, healing.  Perhaps, in a happier time."  And she left.

The war did not go well for Jofat, and his armies were steadily beaten
back, and whittled down, until at last the remnants were gathered in
the Locia Highlands, in a small town, surrounded by the armies of the
Blossoming.  The final attack came, and all was lost for the Armies of
Anzaria.  Jofat was injured, and he was laid down in the temple of
Poma while the fight raged on outside.  

So he thought he was delerious when Katara appeared to him, urging him
to rise.  The sounds of fighting came closer and closer, until they
were just outside the temple.  With Katara holding him up, he hobbled
into the altar room.  Katara laid him down on the altar.  "The armies
of the new God are here, you must not end your life here, it is not
fated.  Sleep, and you shall awaken when the time is right to restore
Anzaria."  Jofat was weary, and closed his eyes.  "I love you,
Katara.", he said.  "I love you," she said, as she started working the
magic to preserve Jofat's life.  The power of Poma ran through her
body, and a halo appeared around Jofat, and his body faded from view.

The warriors of the Church burst into the temple, seeking Jofat.  They
saw a great light surrounding the altar.  Frightened, they fled and
torched the temple.  The bodies of Katara and Jofat were never found,
but in the hills of Locia it is said amoung the Anzarian villages that a
ghost of a woman with one hand can be seen wandering the countryside,
aiding those in need.  And it is also said that someday, when the need
is great, heroes of great courage and honor will seek out the ghost of
Katara, and enlist her help in bringing back the greatest hero of
Anzaria, Jofat the Prince of Anzaria.