Goddess of Nujel'm
Title: Goddess of Nujel'm
Author: Aurum Oakmoor
There once was a
peasant girl who lived
on the outskirts of
Nujel'm. Her father
was the only family
she had, and he was
what some thought of
as a mage or seer of
strange visions. Many
feared him, and for
this they feared too
his small daughter.
Yet, for many years
they found happiness
together as a loving
family.
A strange plague had broken out across Nujel'm, which, at the time, was a far darker place than the Nujel'm of today. This plague was killing the livestock on the isle. Many citizens thought this to be the work of demons or evil spirits, or possible magic. Many thought the strange magician and his daughter were to blame. A group of locals banded together and stormed the small villa where the old mage and his daughter lived. The mage urged for his daughter to flee, asking the spirit of the ancient Living Goddess to protect her. The child fled, unharmed, into the unforgiving desert night. In the distance she heard her father as he was slain by the mob.
The young girl had never travelled far from her small home, especially the expanse of the desert. Hours became days, and the wind, sand and heat tore into her flesh. She became weak, clinging onto life. Her time was near, this she was certain of. This was not to be, however, as she caught sight of something... a silver oasis in this distance. Somehow she managed to find the last reserve of strength to the oasis. Once there she greedily drank from the cool water. She then saw the most amazing sight... a beautiful, dark skinned and silvery haired woman emerge from the oasis itself.
"Who.. who ARE you?" the child asked.
"I am the Living Goddess, the Lady of the Oasis," she replied, her voice hypnotic and sweet. "Your father's last request was for my hand to guide you, and that I have." The girl had heard of the Living Goddess. Ages ago she was, according to legend, the protector and very essence of the magic of Nujel'm. During her rule, Nujel'm itself had prospered into a beacon of brilliance on Sosaria.
"I have granted your father's boon, and saved your life. Yet, Nujel'm and Sosaria have grown dark in my absence.." she said, silvery tears welling in her eyes. "I would wish to give you one final gift. The gift of the Living Goddess."
The child mutely nodded in agreement. With that, the woman merely kissed the child on the forehead. Magics shook the foundation of Nujel'm, and when all was settled, no sign of the oasis existed. The child found herself alone, but with all the memories and powers of enchantment that the Living Goddess had.
Thus was born the new Living Goddess, ruler of Nujel'm. She took the mantle of 'Silverbrook' in homage to the very oasis that saved her life. Silverbrook took up residence in the Visiting House (as it has come to be known) and the Palace of Nujel'm.
This story is merely legend and hearsay, yet interesting and very possibly true (as much as a tale passed through generations can be). Since the Living Goddess' return, however, Nujel'm has once more become a shining example of hope, strength, and unity within the lands of Sosaria....
