Legend of the Four Birds

The Legend of the Four Birds is a myth told throughout the world, explaining the origin of the four continents. It is also a cautionary tale about trusting the bad advice of others. Across the continents, some variance exists with the telling. Here is the most commonly accepted version:

The myth
In the beginning was absolute darkness. No one could see anything. The Unnamed Gods and the titans all wandered in the darkness, bumping into each other, which made the great migration nearly impossible. (Among the scholars and drunkards, there is much discussion about where the titans are heading.) However, as titans became lost, they drifted away and got caught in the firmament, turning into the lesser light. These lights helped guide the way of the other titans.

One day, a raven, as he was flying, saw a great darkness, much deeper and more terrifying than the surrounding darkness. He recognized this was an unnamed god. And since the raven was clever, he had an idea. “I will land upon the unnamed god,” said the raven, “and then I can rest my wings.”

Then, along came an owl. The owl was wise. She saw the raven resting, and believing it to be a good idea, joined him.

Next, came the crane. The crane saw the owl and the raven. As a cautious creature, he decided it was better to follow their lead.

The eagle saw these birds and scoffed. The eagle was the strongest of the birds, and did not need to rest. But the other three birds mocked the eagle. And since the eagle was a proud creature, she relented and also landed on the great darkness to avoid further insult.

The four birds stayed upon the unnamed god for so long that they forgot how to fly. Each of the birds began to worry. The crane alone spoke that fear aloud, “We cannot fly. What will happen to us when the other titans leave us behind?”

Ignasi, the primordial fire, took pity on the four birds. It formed a greater light, the sun, to journey around the unnamed god to keep them warm.

Aylo, the primordial water, also took pity, and gave the four birds water to drink, which became the many seas.

Cael, the primordial air, was ashamed of the birds’ foolishness. As punishment, it gave them the wind—a reminder of flight and how they gave up the sky. The four birds suffered greatly.

But Terron, the primordial earth, showed mercy. It lulled the raven, owl, crane, and eagle into a deep sleep, and then covered them, to keep them safe from the taunting of the primordial air.

These four birds became the four great continents known as “Efre Ousel.” The raven became Raustfweg. The owl became Amon. The crane became Karkasse. And the eagle became Lunthal. All four of them slept. And while sleeping, they dreamed of flight.