Urtni
by TeufelTed
Urtni [Ordana]
There are many myths and legends surrounding the goddess Urtni, patroness of the Shelash, the Sheyallia Elves who inhabit the Eastern Borderlands of Taymora. According to legend, Urtni was a nature goddess who represented the solemn, ritualistic aspect of nature, rather than the wild and untamed aspects often associated with other nature deities.
One legend tells of how the Shelash, under the guidance of Urtni, encountered the humans of Taymora for the first time. It is said that the humans were wary of the elves at first, but that Urtni appeared to them in a dream, urging them to welcome the Shelash as kin. The humans heeded her words, and the two groups were able to live in harmony, with the Shelash teaching the humans about the natural world and the humans sharing their knowledge of agriculture and craftsmanship.
Another legend tells of how Urtni helped to mediate a dispute between the Shelash and the humans over the use of a particular piece of land. It is said that the humans wished to clear the land for farming, while the Shelash believed it was sacred ground. Urtni appeared to both sides in a vision, revealing a compromise that allowed the humans to farm a portion of the land while respecting the sacred sites of the Shelash.
There are also stories of how the Shelash and humans came together to celebrate the festivals of Urtni, with both groups participating in rituals and offerings to the goddess. These festivals were seen as a way to strengthen the bond between the two groups and to give thanks to Urtni for her guidance and protection.
It is said that when the Shelash were in danger of being attacked by giants, Urtni appeared to their leader in a vision and gave him a magic spear that would strike down any enemy that it touched. The leader used the spear to defend his people, and the Shelash were able to defeat their enemies and emerge victorious.
There is a legend that tells of a young Shelash warrior who was cursed by a rival tribe and turned into a wolf. The warrior's family begged Urtni to lift the curse, and she agreed, on the condition that the warrior undertake a quest to prove his worth. The warrior set out on the quest, facing many challenges along the way, and ultimately succeeded in earning the favor of Urtni. She lifted the curse, and the warrior was restored to his human form.
It is said that Urtni once protected the Shelash from a terrible winter that lasted for months on end. The elves were running out of food and were on the brink of starvation when Urtni appeared to them in a dream and showed them where to find a hidden store of food that had been preserved by magic. The Shelash were able to survive the winter thanks to this gift from Urtni.