the legend of Náma and Aldirin

The legend describes the story of Náma and Aldirin. Náma and Aldirin were a woman and a man who lived in Tordisti when the continent of Aimane was discovered. They were both young, and lived in the small town of Bordá, on the eastern shores of the continent far south, were there was no hunger for a long time. But more of their kin, of the Etaliri tribe, entered the region that was relatively untouched by the destructive nature of mankind, and there slowly the old trees were felled to serve humans in buildings or tools, and the rivers were dried to make room for the new people, and the crops were eaten by the humans, but also the beasts and the birds, who could find no more food when the woods were gone. Thus also the lush region around Bordá descended into desolation. It was at this time that Náma and Aldirin fell in love. only twenty years they were when the continent of Aimane was discovered, and joy filled their hearts when the news came to their town, for they loved their home no more and whished to depart for the fertile lands in the east. However, Náma lived in with her father and younger sister, for her mother had died long ago from the hunger, when the harvest was bad. Her father, Dimon, was a noble man, who had saved the town from destruction many times, as of every three farms that was around the town of Bordá, two were owned by Dimon. His mastery of trade and farming always caused the majority of the city to survive. Every year, it was getting harder, however. Even though the forests and the farms were withering, Dimon believed in the gift of Tordisti still. He thought Aimane to be far and dangerous, and would not risk his daughters to travel to the land beyond the water. Aldirin lived on his own, however, and had no more parents. His father died on an expedition to the east, and his mother had passed away when giving birth to him. He had no one, save for Náma. But Náma could not come with him. She felt deep sorrow, and wept for ninety days after her father forbade her to go. He, however, was upset by his daughter's sorrow, and he made her a promise. "If all of my farms have withered away, I shan't keep thee here in the blessed land any longer." And so it was. Aldirin passed out of the withering lands to settle Aimane with his kin. On the docks of Bordá, a ship lay waiting for the departure of the Etaliri settlers. a rough map of the coast of Aimane lay before Aldirin and Náma while they bade farewell. The news of the new land was made known only five years ago, so not much was known beyond the coast. But Aldirin pointed on the map to the southeast, and spoke: "When thou comest to our new lands, find me here." and he put his finger on her cheeck and caught a tear. he let it fall on the spot on the map he pointed towards. the salty water spread out and made a stain, that drowned the settlement. She looked up and said: "wait for me there, Aldirin. I love thee."   Summers came and went, and Dimon's farms were withering with speed. all perished within two years, save for three fields that always bore corn, wheat and hemp. In these years the town emptied and emptied, and many houses were abandoned. after five years of waiting, none other than Dimon, Náma and her sister Lydia remained in Bordá. Every morning Náma strode to the three fields to see wether they had withered. But every day, she spoke: "Corn, wheat and hemp. I behold all three cursed plants!" Every day, her father ate less and less, so more corn and wheat was left for his daughter. And after these seven years, on the particularly cool summer day of June 13, Náma strode not to the fields of Corn, wheat and hemp, but to the barn where the food was stored. There she carried a large sack of rat poison away from the cellars, which was made from the vile plant called the Black Sting. That morning Náma poisoned her father's farms with tears in her eyes. three days later, all corn, wheat and hemp that grew there had withered. Her father and sister were devastated, for they still believed in the magic of Tordisti. Náma had destroyed that hope.   Her father let her go. Náma rode north, to the city of Baldarion in the tropics of Tordisti, from where ships would still sail east. Not many left the shores these days, however, and for two months Náma stayed with an elderly woman in Baldarion, who was at ease with passing away in Tordisti. After two months, an Etaliri ship left the shores of Tordisti, and Náma sailed with it. she was filled with hope and joy, and she kept gazing at the map, at the dark spot that her tear wet so long ago. Her fellow passengers, mostly men who stayed behind to manage the departure, mocked her. They did not understand why a young and fair lady like herself stayed behind in a withering land. They could not understand how a young and fair lady like herself could bear so much sorrow.   It took many weeks and a long stop in Elpis before the ship reached Balmane, the new capital in the lands of Etaliron, of the Etaliri tribe. From here, she simply had to travel northwest, along the coast. There her love was waiting for her. However, the old coinage of Tordisti had become worthless here, and she had no horse while the road was long and dangerous. So she had to stay in Balmane, and earn money to buy a horse some day. Long she toiled in richer homes, cleaning and cleaning. However, she used all her money for food, and she could barely spare any for a horse. Thus she made the decision to sell her body. Not often did she do this, for it earned her alot, and it made her miserable. However, she quickly earned enough to buy a horse and ride northwest, to her love's settlement. She followed the map of the tear and slept on the road for twenty nights. Then, she came to a small village by the sea, at the exact spot of the tear. In the town she asked, asked for a man named Aldirin. None knew his name, safe for one. a middle-aged man called Ard son of Nard gave her the tidings of her lost love. "I know of whom you speak, fair lady. Aldirin was a noble man." "I need to find him. dost thou knowest where he dwells?" Náma asked desperately. "I do, but the answer will most likely not greet thee with joy. Aldirin passed further east, into the vast lands of Mirvania, to find new riches. None here know now where he is." This news devastated Náma. She could not understand how He left without telling her where to find him. Vast indeed was Mirvania. She had no chance of finding him. As she looked out from the balcony of the house of Ard, she saw the fields around the village. They held many animals who grazed in the green grass. large forests she saw from here, decidious in the east, and pine in the north, on the slopes of large mountains. and the village had only three crops; corn, wheat and hemp. When she beheld these plants her tears fell on the floor, thus drowning the village.   For the rest of her years she waited there for Aldirin, and she wept manyfold. And while she lived there, the village noticed some very worrisome development; more and more Black Sting, a poisonous plant, grew in the fields with the crops. And no matter what they tried, every time Náma wept, new sprouts of Black Sting seemed to grow. after a short life of a mere threehundred and fifty-seven years, she passed away. The Black Sting dissapeared from the village, yet it always seemed to come back to grow on her grave. And to this day, the village is small, and produces the three evergrowing crops: Corn, wheat, and hemp.

The legend of Náma and Aldirin is popular among the citizens of Aimane, and they do not question it's authenticity. however, scholars from the Academy of the Hill in Kur-Horia doubt some of it's events. While it is true that around the turning of the ages and the beginning of the first passing the great migration happened to the east, no records exist of the town of Bordá, while many noteworthy towns have been mapped by cartographers. The towns of Baldarion and Balmane are very much known, as Balmane still remains the capital of Etaliron to this day, and many historical records of Baldarion are still written down, the last one being far into the first passing, from a treasure hunting ship looking for riches left behind in Tordisti. The most noteworthy evidence of the legend is the small town of Karingi, however. This is thought to be the unidentified village where Náma lived and died, waiting for her love. This is because the village has grown corn, wheat and hemp since the elder days, and sold it all around the waters of the bay of Estidan. additionally, there is a large graveyard where Black Sting grows abundant. From far and wide people visit the graveyard to pay respects to Náma. This tourism has now become Karingi's main source of income. Although many parts of the story that play out in Tordisti are heavily doubted, Scholars agree that there once was a woman looking for her beloved in Etaliron, and that she passed away in the town of karingi.

In Etaliron, the legend is taught to all children, and is known by every good citizen. Outside of Etaliron it is also widespread, but mostly for those who live in cities, or regularly come to inns, where the story is performed in song or poem on occasion. Backward farmsteads and remote hamlets do not know the story.