The Forgotten Hero: Liera of the Broken Tithe
In the annals of Comhlaidir’s history, Liera of the Broken Tithe occupies a peculiar place—a hero whose story has been largely forgotten, shrouded in mystery and overshadowed by more prominent figures like Maera Eiraim . Yet, those who seek out her tale find a poignant legend of loss, sacrifice, and resilience, tied deeply to the enigmatic artifact she carried: the Broken Tithe.
Liera’s story faded from memory for several reasons:
The Broken Tithe has inspired numerous stories, ranging from the plausible to the fantastical:
Origins of Liera
Liera’s early life is poorly documented, with most details surviving only through fragmented oral traditions. What is agreed upon paints a picture of a humble yet extraordinary individual:
Liera is said to have been a foundling, discovered as a baby at the base of the Aerolith Peaks, cradled by the wind in an unnatural calm during a storm. Some believed this marked her as blessed—or cursed—by the Aerithyr. Raised in the outskirts of the Eiraim Smiths’ domain, Liera apprenticed under a wandering smith who was unaffiliated with the guild. From him, she learned to craft with ordinary means, unaware of her latent affinity for elemental magic.
The Broken Tithe
The defining moment of Liera’s life revolves around the Broken Tithe, a fractured coin that radiates unstable elemental energy. Its origins and purpose are hotly debated:
Some believe the Broken Tithe was one of Maera Eiraim’s failed experiments, a coin that shattered under the strain of binding too much power.
Others claim it was deliberately broken during a betrayal within The Eiraim Smiths , rendering it unstable yet impossibly powerful. Another myth suggests the coin was fractured in a desperate attempt to trap a rogue Aerithyr spirit, which remains imprisoned within.
The Broken Tithe is said to be a double-edged artifact: It grants immense power, such as the ability to summon devastating storms or tear through space with violent gales. However, its instability causes its user to risk their life with every invocation, as the coin’s energy could backlash unpredictably. The fractured design constantly hums with a discordant tone, unnerving those who come near it.
The myths surrounding Liera are fragmented, but certain key events emerge as central to her legend:
Creation Myths
Its Properties
Liera’s Heroic Journey
- Finding the Broken Tithe Liera’s discovery of the Broken Tithe came during an expedition to the Windswept Spire, where she sought refuge from marauders who had destroyed her village. In a hidden alcove, she found the fractured coin, its faint glow and mournful hum calling to her. Despite warnings from her companions, she took the artifact, feeling an unshakable sense of purpose tied to it.
- The Windscarred Rebellion Liera became embroiled in the Windscarred Rebellion, a conflict between oppressed plainsfolk and the ruling class of the Sylfaris Dominion. Armed with the Broken Tithe, she led a ragtag militia in a series of improbable victories. Her mastery of the coin grew, though it came at great cost: each use left her physically and emotionally drained, and the coin’s unstable energy left scars on her body in the form of silvery veins that glowed faintly in the dark.
- The Last Stand at the Gale’s Edge The rebellion culminated in a desperate battle at the Gale’s Edge, a windswept plateau where Liera and her forces faced overwhelming odds. In the climactic moment, Liera invoked the full power of the Broken Tithe, unleashing a storm so fierce it tore through the enemy ranks but also consumed her entirely.
The Myth and Legacy of Liera
- The Coin’s Curse: The Broken Tithe vanished after her final stand, and those who sought it often met tragic ends. This gave rise to the belief that the artifact was cursed, and by extension, so was Liera’s name.
- Suppression by the Eiraim Smiths: Some claim the Eiraim Smiths deliberately obscured Liera’s story, embarrassed that a non-guild member had wielded such power. Others argue they sought to prevent the Broken Tithe from being found and misused.
- Cultural Overshadowing: Liera’s tale, while compelling, lacked the uplifting resolution of Maera Eiraim’s legend. Over time, storytellers focused on figures with clearer moral lessons, leaving Liera as a cautionary figure on the dangers of untempered ambition and unstable power.
Interpretations of the Legend
- The Tragic Hero
- The Cautionary Tale
- The Unfinished Legacy
Rumors and Sightings
- The Whistling Vagabond: A mysterious wanderer has been seen in the plains, carrying a coin that hums with an eerie tune.
- Aerithyr Guardianship: Some claim to have encountered Aerithyr spirits fiercely protecting certain high-altitude locations, suggesting the coin is hidden there.
- The Cursed Wind: In remote villages, elders speak of winds that seem to whisper Liera’s name, accompanied by flashes of silvery light.
What an intriguing hero and guardian! I wonder which of the theories will be right. I hope for the one where she waiting in the wind