Legends and Lore – The Sun, the Last of the Gods

This month’s RPG Blog Carnival is Legends and Lore hosted by Endarra.  As I like to contribute to the Carnivals when I can, here is my addition:

When the dragons went to war with the gods, the Empress had a plan, she had studied the gods for hundreds of years, preparing weapons and magics for this confrontation.  She knew that the majority of the gods were too dangerous to let live but one god, the Sun, could not be killed for then the world would be plunged into eternal darkness.  The Sun had to be captured, chained and convinced to keep up his tasks.

She had prepared chains made of black steel and platinum quenched in dragon’s blood, imbued with the essence of beings of the deep frost, reinforced with draconic magic to survive even the raging of the Sun.  But more importantly, she had a plan.

The Sun was overpowered and bound, it was almost the first act of the war, and left to rage in the sky as the dragons and gods battled and died.  He was able to see his sister, the Moon, escape from the dragons as she tried to rescue him fleeing swiftly away from the grasping claws and teeth of the Empress’ guard.  He struggled and raged until the Empress appeared leading one hundred and one of his high priests and priestesses each with a golden collar around their neck.  The Empress explain that each time the Sun tried to break his bonds, the heat and fury would be transmitted to the collars in sequence.  Not trusting the dragons word, the Sun released a flare of solar fire against the chains . . . and the two eldest high priests collapsed into glowing ash under the radiant flame of the Sun.  The Empress has the collars cleaned and set around the necks of two more of the Sun’s followers.  He bowed his head as asked what she wanted.

Only what you have done since the world was young, bring light and warmth to the world and its people, she said.  Serve as you always have and your temples and followers are safe.  Chafing but seeing no other way to keep his worshipers safe, he agreed and since then has served at the Empress’ will.

The Empress ensures he is well tended with servants, good food and drink, books and music; The Sun is a pampered prisoner but a prisoner all the same.  The rare child from his dalliances with the servants are raised in the Imperial household and each wears a golden collar.

Notes: Image of Apollo from the Rijks Museum and is in the Public Domain.

Additional Notes: Endarra has taken itself offline so the links to the L&L Blog Carnival are no longer functional and the link to their main page is just an announcement that they are closing down.  A bit sad.  You can visit the site is it heyday via the Internet Archive here.