Lore of Devoria

Creation myth from 2011 developed for a mobile game. The game itself was nothing special, but I still have dreams about this world once in a while.

Act I. Speak of Legends

In the beginning, there were none but the Creator.

He was a shy man, but of good temper and manners. This man's existence was never felt but only implied, as his actual presence has been witnessed by only a precious few over the years. Hence, legend describes him as "The impressive but forgetful one." He spent all of time in his humble workshop of diminutive size and abundant tools. One had to squint to see him with the naked eye, as his robe blended colors cleverly with his background, leaving only his head and cap visible.

In the center of the workshop stood a thick but only knee-high tree trunk that looked from a distance like a tea table. With the words “Timmi” inscribed on the side of the trunk, or tea table, it's branches and leaves upheld a pool of wavy waters that whirled, splashed, rose, and fell at the Creators' whim, while land also rose and sunk at the wave of his large-fitting glove.

This glove, of very special quality did not come in a pair but only the left hand. Simple, strong, yet varied were its powers, as each finger was different. Fire, of various sizes burnt from the index finger. Water, gentle or violent, spewed from the middle. Wind, both cold and hot, blew from the ring finger, and Earth, of ever-varying shapes arose whenever the pinky was tapped. The thumb, however, was quite special. Along its side was inscribed the mysterious words: "OB DIGITUM" which meant the "finger of consequence." With this glove on his left hand, the Creator merely had to quench his fist and imbue it with his own will to have lands or beings appear on Timmi’s surface.

Meanwhile, the Creator had but one companion in his pet crow Ovin which he created from within the waters of Timmi with his four fingers and thumb. Instead of keeping Ovin inside Timmi, he let her out so she could freely fly about the workshop as the only true companion to the Creator.

One day, out of loneliness or boredom, one does not know, the Creator created a vast land within the pools of Timmi named Devoria, and filled it with subjects he naturally named Devorians. The subjects of Devoria were very needy folk, ever expressing their need for new things. The Creator responded by giving all that they wanted. When food or water was needed, they were created in abundance. When the subjects grew lonely, they were given mates to play with. When arguments arose over resources, the Creator brought peace by simply creating more.

In the meanwhile, the gentle crow Ovin, who'd been ever obedient toward its master, soon grew jealous of his master's new subjects--in particular the time his Creator spent with them. Hence, no longer able to keep her emotions in check, Ovin decided to fly far away from the Creator and his workshop.

This took the Creator by surprise, as he fell into regret and depression. After spending many days in agony of losing his oldest companion, the Creator left his workshop to embark on a long journey--the long journey to find Ovin and bring her back home. As a result, all that was left of significance in the Creator’s workshop was the Creator’s glove and the land of Devoria atop the tree trunk Timmi.

For the Devorians, the Creator's absence was disastrous, as his guidance which they have relied upon was no more. Hoping that the Creator's leave was temporary, the subjects waited for the Creator to reappear. Meanwhile, food and other resources in Devoria grew scarce, and the Devorians fought amongst themselves to steal and stay alive. 

But amidst this absolute chaos rose a wise and noble few who would take responsibility for the tasks once committed by the Creator. Armed with none but their intellect, will, and might, these few were forced to take matters into their own hands. They would organize farming to feed the hungry; train military men to squash invaders; and provide spiritual attainment through developing the arts. All for the purpose of protecting and providing for the residents of Devoria.

In time, the subjects of Devoria forgot about the existence of the Creator, as he became a distant memory only to be remembered in old scriptures or legends. Instead, the Devorians in need turned to the men and women amongst them who won respect of their peers by providing leadership in procuring resources and security. These were eventually awarded a special title and were referred to as “My Lord.”

Act II. Fate Finds You!

Scene 1. Chaos Abating!

Soon feudal lords appeared everywhereCompeting for the loyalty of Devorians.Yet, with every Lord's rise to fame,There would be another who lost everything.

The Lord's defeat also meant chaos for the defeated subjectsAnd many who did not fit under the new Lord's ruleWere banished into the wilderness.Resulting in the age of chaos, full of refugees and outlaws.

"You" foresaw the chaos that was to envelope DevoriaThus rather than place hope in a particular LordYou chose to become a wanderer in the far away landsFar from the conflict of Devorians and their power struggles.

Alas, as fate would have it...The winds of change would not leave you alone:

Far deep into the northern forests,A cry in the wind draws you near a wellDown which a young boy was screaming for help.

You rescued the boy, named Thomas.A fellow refugee from the southern plains,Who was kidnapped by raiders and held for ransom.Though his parents paid all that was asked,The raiders never came back, and left him for dead.

"Noble sir (maam), my name is Thomas.For saving my life I offer you my services.Until the day I am reunited with my parentsMy eyes and ears shall guide and protect you from harm."

Quick in learning, fast in intuition, and humble in nature,Thomas is also extremely learned, coming from a lineage of scholars.But more importantly, his fate was to be written in Devoria's historyAs your lifelong comrade and lieutenant.

The search for Thomas' lost parents proved very difficultAs evidence of their whereabouts was scarce.However, they did encounter a refugee caravanTraveling in often miserable conditions:

Wearing worn out clothing and covered in dust,They looked no better than the recently dead.Hungry for food and beaten by the wild,But most of all demoralized without a reason to live.

"We are a group of scholars and artisansWho's crafts could yield not quick food nor riches.Hence, deemed useless by our respective Lords,We've been banished to these hinterlands."

Disturbed by the tragedy of men,You feel the need for a long-term planTo help these poor folks find food and defend themselves.

Thomas, noticing your intentions gave the following advice:Thomas: "I believe the first order of businessIs to find fertile ground and build a fortressWhere food can be stored and the refugees may be sheltered."

Thomas: "Next is organizing farming for steady yields.This also allows for development of better farming techniques."

Thomas: "The final task is to build watchtowers far away from the fortressIn order that advance warnings can be had for approaching dangers."

You take Thomas' advice to heart and start organizing the refugees.What they lacked in spirit and physical strength,They made up by quick learning and innovation.

Soon, with the stability in food and security satisfied,Chaos in the wild region finally started to abate.Hence, born was the village of refugees, outcasts, and orphansAs of yet hidden from the other Lords of Devoria.

Scene 2. Brains Over Brawn!

Many weeks have past since the establishment of the fortress.However, the lives of the refugees involved more than mere protection.

Thomas: "Dear Sir, we cannot be in hiding forever from bandits and wildlife.Our numbers are small as is our capacity to survive.

Thankfully, I have found the right person to assist with our growth.His name is Smithy, a master builder and expert in metals.Though he is highly sought after by the Lords of Devoria,He abandoned his post when he found out in horrorThat his true love had been banished by his Lord."

Smithy: "I am grateful, as is my wife, for saving our lives.I pledge my allegiance to you, our dear leader.And offer you my knowledge of construction and metal craft."

Smithy: "My first advice as master of technologyIs to clear out the living quarters in our dear fortressTo become a governmental affairs office.Cottages shall be built in the vicinity of the fortressTo properly house the growing refugee, outcast, and orphan population.

"A laboratory shall be built to research technology,Both military, agricultural, and scientific,While military barracks constructed to raise an army.

"Finally, with the affairs of us requiring debate and consensus,A small meeting hall shall be built to accommodate large numbers."

Scene 3. Culture Shock Accepted!

With the fortress now grown to become a village,The villagers sense of siege was also replaced by leisurely activities.

You take your subjects on a hunt in the wilderness.In midst of chasing a stag through cold thick fogYou find a radiant white figure laid on a rock beside a pond.Upon approach, you find her to be a lovely maiden,Though her elaborate clothing much worn by the wilderness.

She speaks,Agatha: "My name is Agatha, court musician and storyteller.My family has served a noble Lord for generationsAs storytellers and educators of the royal family.But when the evil servant murdered the Lord and took power,He forced me into love by threatening my family and peers.As I could not bare to see those I love suffer because of meI had no choice but to fake my death and leave the life I had before.

"Yet my talents of knowledge and the artsWere no match for the wild winds and hunger in the wilderness,Thus I collapsed after reaching this pondAfter many days without water.
Thomas: "Dear sir, I believe she has much to teach usAbout the ways of cultural prosperity and spiritual bliss.Hence, I advise you to take Agatha inAnd give her the task of enriching the lives of our brethrenFor they are in need of not only security but also of spiritual fulfillment."

Agatha: "I thank you, sir, for your kindnessAs I pledge my loyalty to you and your brethren.

"I recommend that your government office be expandedTo accommodate the cultural welfare needs of the public.A garden to rest the tired mind would be helpful,As would a proper performance hall for entertainment.

"Schools would be needed to educate the young and old,As would a library as a depository of information.All to better prepare the public for the many challenges in life."

Scene 4. Lord of the Northern Winds

With Smithy and Agatha aiding alongside Thomas,Your village grows at an exponential rate.Not only are you stronger in mightBut also in public morale as culture reigns supreme.
More refugees, outcasts, and orphans arrive,As the wars among the Lords become more intense.They came by way of rumors of a noble "leader"Who would not only protect themBut also allow them settlement and prosperity.

One day, they were visited by a gentleman,Of noble attire and wise looks,Mounted upon a horse with elaborate decor.He approached the villagers and requested audience with the "leader".

Niccolo: "Noble leader of the North, my name is Niccolo,Until one moon cycle ago, I served as Chancellor to a Lord.A gentle and passive Lord he was until one dayHis queen was lost to a spy sent by a rival Lord nearby.Since then he's become suspicious of all his subjectsAnd ordered their execution based upon none but his whim.

"For months I've tried to reason with himWhile smuggling the wrongly condemned out of jailAnd letting them free in the wilderness.Alas, when I, too, was ordered for execution by the LordI had no choice but to leave the mad Lord and ride many days to you,The noble and benevolent "leader" I've heard so much from those I helped.

"I come to you with no specific craft but the one of governance.I see that you have built much and provided much for yourselves,But only because your presence was shielded from the knowledge of other Lords.Now that your story has reached the southern dominionsLike the winds carrying pollen from afar,I assure you that many a Lord will see you as a threatAnd seek to nip the bud before it adversely affect them.

"As a fellow refugee, I empathize with your peopleAnd hope to protect them as much as you do.Though your leadership is without equal in Devoria,You need someone who understands the evil within your rivals,Has the ability to to spot their weaknesses, andTurn your adversaries' strengths against them.These are the rules that our age requires of our leaders.

Thomas: "It is true, dear sir, that you are in need of such a person.I propose that you appoint him as your ChancellorAnd seek understanding of what threats we face in present and the future.

Niccolo: "My first recommendation is ...To construct structures that signify strength and unity,For public morale is essential to growth and defense.A Ceremonial hall should be built for public functionsWhile a large Coliseum would celebrate strength and fortitude.A great wall should be constructed to shield our villageWhile a market should be provided and encouragedAs the tax from such would help with public projects.A canal flowing through the village would help with transportation.

"When all is accomplished, we shall no longer call our domain a village but a proper "city." And while you will be revered by all for achieving this, you must become more than a leader, but one who is infallible and unwithering as the sun. A symbol of strength, benevolence, salvation, and hope. In short, a "Lord."

"And while you are already known in Devoria by many names, you will let it be officially known henceforth to others by the proper title "Lord of the Northern Winds."

Not all Lords would be the same nor pursue the same path of development, for Devoria was diverse in natural and magical resources, not to mention, full of unknown dangers and wonders that even the Creator himself did not know of.

Aiding Devorians in their path of self-development were Gems: items of magical power that burst from the Creator's glove as shards of the elements overflowing from the glove of Creation. These shards were littered across the land, made available for those who would find it.

For the Devorians, the task of managing a fiefdom is not easy as no fiefdom excelled in all crafts needed for governance.

Hence, following a series of great wars and heavy losses, arose a custom of Lords lending expertise to fellow Lords, a series of alliances and sharing arrangements as visiting friendly Lords would be given the title of Minister, to look after the fiefdom while the Lord is absent or exploring other lands.

As burdensome as this system of alliances may seem, survival in Devoria requires complexity at a level the Creator had never envisioned.

And now begins the age of the Lords of Devoria.