#Myths of the Twelve

[winterdeepelegy]

Prompt #7 - Morsel

The last thing Deryk knew, he was on a path deep in the Shroud when he stopped to rest. He had already been slowly picking his way through the area with deliberate appreciation when he felt tiredness setting in and a nagging discomfort under his ribs. Had he fallen asleep? The place he was in now felt and smelled entirely different. It was dry, quieter, softer, and still smelled of fragrant woods and greenery, but it mingled with the sweetness of flowers. And was that the aroma of food nearby? Was someone cooking? The wanderer gradually coaxed himself to open his eyes and sit up. No, he was no longer amongst trees, but he was also clearly not far from them. This was someone's parlor, and whoever owned the place had brought him to rest on their sofa without his awareness if it, such was his exhaustion. His little opo-opo companion was nowhere to be found, nor did he see anyone else, but judging by the sound of gentle singing upstairs he was not entirely alone. Casting a glance around, this home belonged to someone who cared deeply for the Wood, so much so that their home was built to compliment it rather than stand out. Across the room, a deep green cloak hung from a hook on the wall with other travel supplies near it. With this cloak was a simple malachite pendant carved with the emblem of His former life. Ah, yes. The dawning realization of the home owner's identity made him smile. The stairs creaked slightly under Ciel's footfalls. Perched upon her shoulder was the opo-opo, and in the woman's hands was a tray of food and a pot of tea. At first glance, she looked concerned, but seeing Deryk was awake and sitting up gave her ease. "Thank you for your hospitality," he bowed his head. "Although, I'm not sure how I came to be in your parlor." Ciel knelt next to the coffee table and thereupon placed the items from the tray where he could easily reach them. "It looked as though you had passed out in the woods. Were it not for your tiny friend here, I shudder to think what might have become of you." Deryk opened his mouth with the intention of assuring her that all would be well until he remembered that his situation had taken a drastic change not too long ago. He was effectively mortal now, and that came with challenges he hadn't had to worry about in ages. "May I ask... when was the last time you ate anything?" she wondered. He blinked. That was a fair question. He had spent the better part of the last twelve thousand or so years not /needing/ to eat, relying upon the faith of his followers, and enjoying life vicariously through them. "'Tis still something I find myself struggling to remember after so long," he mused. The ache under his ribs fluttered and protested, this time loudly, at the sight of the food in front of him. "My apologies for troubling you so." Ciel shook her head, smiling, "Nonsense... you are a guest in my house - as you have ever been, in presence or in thought - and this means you get to break your long fast with me. 'Tis my honor." His jaw slacked again as if to say something, but she interrupted him with a tut, "And no, you needn't repay me. You were always there when I needed guidance, this is the very least I can do. Please eat." With no further protest, he took his time savoring each morsel of the delightful breakfast that his once devout follower had so generously prepared - soft-boiled eggs, toasted bread and jam, smokey bacon, and a cup of late summer berries drizzled in honey. The tea was an eastern blend of rich jasmine floral and vanilla, soothing and uplifting in equal measure. He couldn't remember the last time he had a breakfast so decadent, but once finished, he felt like he could cross the realm again from end to end without stopping for another sennight.

[ancientsstudies]

Ares

Cabin is scruffily painted with an angry red color, has barbed wire lining the roof, and a stuffed boar's head on the doorway.

[capriccio-ffxiv]

Screenshots of Deryk's descriptions of the Ancients that the Twelve were based on. I have included alt text on all images for ease of use.

At present, we have definitive evidence of two of the Twelve's names as Ancients: Althyk (Alkaios) and Nymeia (Maira). They appear in the quest chain that starts with "An Expected Guest." If you finish this quest chain, Althyk and Nymeia will comment on recognizing your Warrior of Light.

[balladingbard]

How Deryk Solved the Problem of the Ancients

When we talk about the Myths of the Realm finale, I think many of us went in expecting how the story would end.

We knew the Twelve were former Ancients from Venat’s faction. We knew they were getting ready to pass the torch to mankind. Heck, we even knew Deryk was Oschon.

But despite the predictability of the story, I think Myths highlighted a nagging problem Ancient society was plagued with and never could get over: the inability to enjoy life simply for what it was.

When we think about it, the Ancients based their lives on their work and purpose. Once that purpose was done, death awaited. We saw it in Ancient society with the Elpis arc. We saw it with the Ascians, like Emet-Selch and Elidibus and their speeches on duty. We also saw it with the Twelve, who after all these millennia of guiding mankind to stand on their own feet again, decided to call it quits and return to the Star.

Work becomes life, according to the Ancients, and once that work is done, what life is there left to live?

But then Oschon came along.

Like the rest of the Twelve, Oschon (or Deryk, as he called himself) was like the other Ancients. His work was wrapping up, and after a final test for mankind, he was going to return to the Star with his friends like the other Ancients before him. But unlike the rest of the Twelve, rather than observing and keeping communication to a minimum with mankind, he reached out and became one of them - joining their travels, breaking bread at the table, listening to their hopes and dreams.

Though still at work, he got to do something the other Twelve had little chance to do - see the newly created world not from the eyes of a protective deity, but of a man. And when he allowed himself to glimpse a life outside of his work, it awakened a desire to remain. While the other Eleven returned to the Star, Oschon decided to stay, embracing Deryk’s identity and finally taking the time to simply enjoy the world and people he’d spent lifetimes protecting.

In short, Oschon learned a lesson the Ancients ignored - how to see the beauty of life outside of work.

Though the Ancients weren’t wrong in celebrating their purposes and finding joy in what they did, we saw in the Elpis arc and Hermes how damaging it was to make life solely about work. Would Hermes have been as distraught in taking Fandaniel’s seat knowing it didn’t mean the end of his mentor? Could the Eleven have gotten to know their people had they stayed, and thus find new purpose in the world they helped shape? Menphina says in her final battle, “Let’s delight in the simple things,” but does she really allow herself to?

No. Instead, it’s Oschon, the wanderer…the loner. The one who really wasn’t supposed to be around people much, but chose them over his purpose as an Ancient anyways. And despite still having love for the Eleven, he allowed himself to do something no other Ancient (except perhaps Elidibus) could do: remember the Ancient world, but still embrace the new.

[evienroseffxiv]

Myths of the Realm Goddesses Updated and now fully vanilla so you can actually wear the glam!

Nymeia Azeyma Menphina Halone Nophica Llymlaen

[pelideswhore]

Someone: Greek mythology is boring.

Greek mythology:

[vogelspinne]

"Like the stormy seas, I'm a harsh mistress!"

[selenophiliiaaa]

got a new book from a local witchy store and i am So Excited to read it - its “Secrets of Greek Mysticism; a modern guide to daily practice with the Greek gods and goddesses” by George Lizos,,, im only a couple chapters in but it seems like itll be a really good read !!

[krintou-squids]

Chibi goddesses :^D

designs for merch (coming soon)

[bimu2ndo]

The Big Three

Aphrodite, Apollo, Dionysus

[winterdeepelegy]

Prompt #1 - Envoy

It wasn't often that something - or in this case someone - made Ciel's pulse quicken. Even as a bard, one who should be a hopeless romantic given to fits of infatuation, she seldom found herself carried away by fascination in one particular person. This was one such rarity, and while it didn't involve romantic ideations in the least, there was absolutely a level of fascination that she hadn't felt in ages. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but catching a particularly delicious morsel of information resulted in the woman's attention latching itself onto a certain Miqo'te and his pending excursion into parts heretofore unknown by mortals. More accurately, poor G'raha was a convenient means of introduction to a new and unfamiliar, but utterly magnetic, Hyran fellow wearing a cloak much like her own. "G'raha," she draped an arm around his shoulders, "You and our good friend weren't going to go off without at least introducing me, were you?" She grinned hopefully, daring to cast her emerald gaze toward the stranger in front of them. She knew this man, or so she felt she did, so strong was this attraction. Earlier that morning, the Skywatch had forecast the advent of a strong breeze from the mountains, and how very right they were yet in such an unconventional way. He was the very image of her Lord, the Wanderer; though he neglected to admit it, he made no effort to truly hide it either, and the intrigue surrounding his presence meant she had to stick around. She was obligated to follow the Wanderer's path, no matter what mysteries He may lead her to. And if he were not Oschon, Himself, in disguise then surely he was Twelvesent.

[ariscrimebrulee]

Greek mythology nerds, i need thaughts of my Hestia design

[wearebaldesion-ffxiv]

#33

Happy All Saints' Wake!

[wildstar25]

MiqoMarch Day 26 - Faith

Though she is constantly reminded of her status being blessed by the goddess- Hydaelyn's chosen, as they called it - Arsay maintained a reluctance to allow her fate to be subject to the will of any higher being. Instead it is her friends, her family, whom Arsay puts her absolute faith in. Their bond is the greater gift by far.

[snakesandstone]

actually what was up with loki being able to eat fast? literally it was brought up for one myth and was never relevant or even mentioned again outside of that. was there like missing mythological context or could they just not think of something for her to do? because for thor and thjalfi strength and speed respectively are their entire thing, lokis contest was very much the odd one out here