Re: Seven of Vistur from Stewart Stansfield on 2004-03-18 (Whitewall)

From: Stewart Stansfield <stu_stansfield_at_...>
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 22:16:05 -0000

> Talking about peat bogs: I think I have found a clue what makes the

> of Vistur Darjiinites useful as ramp constructors:

> There must be some Darjiinite myth about raising land from out of

> swamp (other than the history of the Yolp Mountains). The

> dry places and even hilltop cities. Do the Seven of Vistur perform

> similar to the Pharaoh's raising of the Building Wall?

Hi all,

Apologies for increasing trend of ignoring list! Will increase exponentially now, sadly...

Joerg, I have one such myth sketched out/started, which focuses *exactly* on that trend; I intimated so earlier in a mail to Simon. I'm also halfway through jotting up a heroband write-up which works from this basis. I'm afraid I can't state exactly when I can get it up--it may be a week or so, but I shall endeavour to do so soon. It's growing in the telling/plotting, so please don't be offended if I post it in a week and a half's time in seeming ignorance of what people might have discussed in the meantime! :) (It's just a little hard to finish off at the mo...)

Basically, the legend (IMHO) involves the creation of a magical heroband in ages past, to intervene in a war between the Manimati cities of Erlez, guarded as it was (is) by the mystical UrSardu Rock, and King Gorgormesh of Oricas, who sought to take the city. Failing many times to take the hill-top city, he sought the aid of the greatest magic workers of his age, of whom seven were assembled in distant Vistur.

Each of the Seven had their own abilities for the siege, and each day saw one of the Seven come into their own... from the draining of the marshes, to the scouring of the battlements and... the ultimate dramatic development... the building of the great ramp by all the spirits of the earth, up which the Black Snake banners of Gorgormesh charged. And ultimately triumph, treachery and tragedy.

The Seven were the greatest magicians of their (at present indeterminate) age, ranging from the sorceries of KhalabNoor and regimented excellence of Ukkarrab, to the finesse of Jharzeeb and brute force of BalKondor [don't worry Jane and all, there *are* female members :)]. Together they contributed an element of their expertise, and together (IMG) defined the heritage of the Seven of Vistur, named in their honour. Exactly how this occurred will be told in their tale...

This situation has been chosen as the basis for the myth simply because it has so many great parallels with Whitewall, and therefore the actions of Seven in the siege are full of mythic resonance and, even, finality.

Best,

Stu.