The Vescent Orb

For underneath the trees, the young idol found herself embroiled alongside a mass of colours and shapes. Till fruit she ate imbued her with the clearness of mind that helped her see the truth of all. Her path forward was clear, a gift was sat above her head to deliver to The Reaper.
— Ancient religious text

The Tale of The Vescent Orb tells the story of how Xivarin discovered a new form of Clarity in her mortal form before ascending to her deific form. The tale stems back further to include Yldrivon and his hunt for a specific creature. It also is one of the few mythologies that discusses Xivarin's combative abilities, giving a different perspective on the often belittled deity. There are many who believe that the fruit known in this tale as The Vescent Orb managed to survive through The Shatter. These people often search for its possible existence looking to gain the insight that was given to Xivarin. Others believe this is just a tale to remind people that there is often a path ahead, regardless of it can be seen right now or not.

The Vescent Orb

General Information

Type	Tale of the Gods
Deities	Yldrivon Xivarin
Legendary Creatures	The Tenemas Deer Maldranik, the Reaper

Sociocultural Information

Plane	Material Plane (Nonvyrox)
Continent	Ossalimar
Cultures	Ossalimarian Empire Daunka Province

The Myth

This myth is presented in the order it is typically written in ancient texts. However, there are many different variants of this story told all throughout Ossalimar and Nonvyrox.
No one story is necessarily the truth, or a lie.

Placeholder Flower by Owen Davies

It is said that some time ago, during The Dawning, Yldrivon was in search of an elusive creature known as The Tenemas Deer. A large stag that it is said was able to traverse the lands so fast that not even water could halt its speed. Tales tell that Yldrivon chased the beast for five days and five nights until he was successful in piercing the hide of the creature on the lands that would become modern day Ossalimar. When the deer was struck down, Yldrivon came over to the creature and blessed it for its immense speed and gave it a proper burial in the grassy hill where it lay. Over the course of many years, a tree grew atop this grassy hill that was said to have a dark brown bark that over some time would occasionally "bleed' with a thick red sap that poured from its branches. Regardless, over the years it became a focal point for a town that built up around the knoll. This village was said to be guarded by a powerful serpent known as The Reaper. Many scholars have identified this serpent as a creation of Ilvyr known as Maldranik. As the village grew, Maldranik became increasingly aggressive towards the villagers, demanding payment through food and riches that it could take to its den.

During this time, a young girl was born in the village with a special marking. Both of her eyes were a different color and yet also a swirling kaleidoscope. Many believed that she was the patron deity of their village, the Dual Idol of Frenzy. Since she was a young child, Xivarin was a wild child, performing daring acts and finding ways of mischief. As she grew older, she was seen as absent minded and confused due to her strange words and mannerisms. At some point, Xivarin found a way to annoy and disturb The Reaper. He carefully looked upon the child and told her that she must return with payment of something more valuable than anything they had received before. The villagers were extremely concerned as this was a nearly impossible request, with most of their prized possessions given to The Reaper already. Xivarin, almost seemingly unaware of the situation, decides that she is going to go sit under the tree at the top of the hill, to contemplate her next movement.

Placeholder Flower by Owen Davies

It was for a time that she laid here, her eyes heavy, until they dropped, leading her to sleep. In her faint dreams, she heard the voice of a strange creature in the pattern of all things tell her to eat the fruit that grew upon what had become known as the Bleeding Tree. When she awoke, whether following the voices commands, or pulled by her own curiosity, Xivarin pulled one of the strange fruits from the tree. It was shaped like a pear, and yet was peeled like an orange. its pulp though a blood curdling red. Xivarin took a breathe before they consumed the fruit in one piece. Suddenly, the power of the fruit overwhelmed her, leaving her senses with a powerful clarity that she had not faced in all her life. With the freedom of mind that she was now granted, Xivarin picked another fruit to take with her as the reward for the supposed guardian of this village. When she delivered it, she coyly smiled and offered it directly for consumption by the giant serpent. After but a single moment, the Reaper was aware that their presence was causing disaster for those around them, and that in any moment they could be struck down and killed due to their avarice. It was at this moment, that Xivarin took her blade and, like a flash , slit down the side of the serpent, releasing the many treasure it had kept within. The villagers were happy and proud of the one who had grown up in their city and was now such a powerful warrior. However, this jubilation was not to last. Xivarin in finding the balance between the two sides of her coin, had rediscovered many of her memories. Previous lives as the form of Frenzy, and Clarity, which would grant her the wisdom to be the deity they were always determined to become. At that moment, she took on the divine form she was always supposed to take. In doing so, she granted a mercy to The Repear and made him into a constellation that still is said to hang above the sky of Ossalimar, searching for its final meal.

History

The story originates as far back as the beginning of the Age of Creation, but has been passed down both orally or written to this day. There are many parts of the mythology that have been contested, for example, Xivarin was being selected to be a member of the Dual Idols. All of these questions still remain unanswered, leading to a general sense of distrust. By the time that people reclaimed the continent of Ossalimar, the lack of any specific additional resources, meant that the priority was food and shelter. There are some who had heard the story of The Vescent Orb and wanted to find the knowledge and clarity for themselves. However, this still has not been the case, as several scholars believe the truth of the world is enough to make you mad, which is why many people have determined themselves not to find the end of this path, just to keep it both a surprise, and also keep them alive. In the modern day, any set of fruit, that has a connection to a powerful tree in the continent of Ossalimar, is sometimes considered to be a variant of The Vescent Orb, with some people believing that such a fruit is being hoarded by a specific group such as the Veritas Convention. Another strong belief, especially in the Ossalimarian Empire is that the tree upon which The Vescent Orb used to grow, was stolen by the Sovereignty and is now held in the southern reaches of their lands.

Placeholder Flower by Owen Davies