The Creation of Gallorea

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Of the coming of the Gods and the creation of the world.

Excerpts and paraphrase from the Galloreon, Book I:

When the Triad, known as the Esh-Ilum, returned from the Beyond they came upon the Chaos. They saw the Chaos was unfit and therefore set about to bring Form, as is Good.

Baelthor, the Stonehands, molded out of Chaos earth and stone, so the Creation might have a foundation upon which all else could be built. Betshaba looked upon the stone of the land and saw it cold and barren. She let herself bleed upon the land; her blood became the waters of the ocean. Lord Ptharos looked upon what his children had wrought and smiled, for he knew it was Good. He blew upon the world, giving it air and wind.

Creation was whole and Form was wrought from Chaos, as is Good.

It was then that the accursed brother Dagon returned from Beyond, and gazed at what his brother, nephew and niece had wrought. He was enraged at the beauty, and envious of its majesty. He tore his fury from his breast and threw it to their creation. Baelthor opened the earth, Betshaba parted the sea, and Ptharos pulled back the winds. Dagon's fury struck the center of the Triad's creation, and was enclosed under earth, water and wind. Dagon’s Hate was the first Evil, and through that Evil, he sought to unmake Creation and return to the Chaos. Though he failed, his Hate rages still.

Thus it was our world, given form in the act of Creation and marred by Hate, was made imperfect. It was named Gallorea.

These were the Shalushtu, the First Gods.

Enraged by his failure, Dagon created the Daganu (Children of Dagon): Taltos, the Deepdweller, to stir Betshaba's blood, Enosigaois, the Vile Roarer, to shake Baelthor's land, and Maelphegor, the Crimson Wyrm, to swirl Ptharos' winds. These were known as the Inimicures, also the Kur-Dengur.

Dagon then waged war upon the Triad. Ptharos and his children did engage Dagon and his children. Though all were grievously injured, the battle was fought to stalemate. Each gained seven wounds before the battle was finished, and from these seven wounds sprung forth new gods.

First from the wounds of Lord Ptharos fell Aridnus, the Fair, who manifested the Father’s judgment.

Second from the wounds of Lord Ptharos fell Galea, the Triumphant, who manifested the Father’s zeal and determination.

Third from the wounds of Lord Ptharos fell Majestas, the Lawgiver, who manifested the Father’s wisdom in Order.

Fourth from the wounds of Lord Ptharos fell Paelemona, the Spinner, who manifested the Father’s foresight.

Fifth from the wounds of Lord Ptharos fell Tempus, Hoarbeard, who manifested the Father’s eternal perception.

Sixth from the wounds of Lord Ptharos fell Terpsichore, the Reflection, who manifested the Father’s memory.

Last from the wounds of Lord Ptharos fell Zelos, Goldenhand, who manifested the Father’s leadership and guidance.

These manifestations were the Ilum Taran (literally, Gods from Ptharos in a long-lost tongue).

First from the wounds of Baelthor sprang Mulciber, the Forgemaster, who embodied the Brother’s ingenuity and creativity.

Second from the wounds of Baelthor sprang Evander, the Vaunted One, who embodied the Brother’s watchfulness.

Third from the wounds of Baelthor sprang Faunaros, the Mongrel, who embodied the Brother’s loyalty and cunning.

Fourth from the wounds of Baelthor sprang Gyges, the Herald, who embodied the Brother’s booming voice.

Fifth from the wounds of Baelthor sprang Innus, the Shem, who embodied the Brother’s camaraderie.

Sixth from the wounds of Baelthor sprang Alcyoneus, the Yul, who embodied the Brother’s innocence and generosity.

Last from the wounds of Baelthor sprang Virtus, the Hand, who embodied the Brother’s courage and bravery.

These embodiments were the Ilum Balthoran.

First from the wounds of Betshaba came Adrasteia, the Handmaiden, who expressed the Sister’s beneficence.

Second from the wounds of Betshaba came Selene, the Vermilion, who expressed the Sister’s beauty and love.

Third from the wounds of Betshaba came Podalirius, the Gnarled Man, who expressed the Sister’s vitality and plenitude.

Fourth from the wounds of Betshaba came Clementia, the Dove, who expressed the Sister’s mercy.

Fifth from the wounds of Betshaba came Cebren, the Piper, who expressed the Sister’s pelagic voice.

Sixth from the wounds of Betshaba came Orestea, the Chalice, who expressed the Sister’s forgiveness.

Last from the wounds of Betshaba came Thea, the Muse, who expressed the Sister’s inspiration.

These expressions were the Ilum Bet-sha.

First from the wounds of Dagon erupted Alcina, the Withered Hag, who evinced the Dark One’s hatred for bounty.

Second from the wounds of Dagon erupted Alecto, the Scourge, who evinced the Dark One’s hatred for comfort.

Third from the wounds of Dagon erupted Pothos, the Glutton, who evinced the Dark One’s hatred for temperance.

Fourth from the wounds of Dagon erupted Kratos, the Steelhand, who evinced the Dark One’s hatred for peace.

Fifth from the wounds of Dagon erupted Ruminus, Wormtongue, who evinced the Dark One’s hatred for happiness.

Sixth from the wounds of Dagon erupted Tethys, the Crone, who evinced the Dark One’s hatred for life.

Last from the wounds of Dagon erupted Thanatos, the Dweller in the Darkness, who evinced the Dark One’s hatred for truth.

These evocations were the Dengur Dagana (translated as 'Wicked Gods from Dagon').

First from the wounds of Maelphegor blew Amphitritus, the Goldmiser, who personified the Wyrm’s greed.

Second from the wounds of Maelphegor blew Cottus, the Archer, who personified the Wyrm’s vengeance.

Third from the wounds of Maelphegor blew Mania, the Half-Eyed, who personified the Wyrm’s madness.

Fourth from the wounds of Maelphegor blew Themis, the Child, who personified the Wyrm’s corruption.

Fifth from the wounds of Maelphegor blew Nelestrix, the Insect Queen, who personified the Wyrm’s destructiveness.

Sixth from the wounds of Maelphegor blew Megarea, Greeneye, who personified the Wyrm’s covetousness.

Last from the wounds of Maelphegor blew Pelactere, Bloodtooth, who personified the Wyrm’s rage.

These personifications were the Dengur Maal-peor.

First from the wounds of Enosigaois formed Bellona, the Collector, who materialized the Roarer’s callousness.

Second from the wounds of Enosigaois formed Cardena, the Whore, who materialized the Roarer’s lust.

Third from the wounds of Enosigaois formed Britomaris, the Rogue, who materialized the Roarer’s irreverence.

Fourth from the wounds of Enosigaois formed Phlegethon, Ironfist, who materialized the Roarer’s tyranny.

Fifth from the wounds of Enosigaois formed Polydorus, the Beast, who materialized the Roarer’s barbarity.

Sixth from the wounds of Enosigaois formed Thryope, Addleshod, who materialized the Roarer’s infirmity.

Last from the wounds of Enosigaois formed Mormo, the Deceiver, who materialized the Roarer’s fear.

These materializations were the Dengur Eno'sigal.

First from the wounds of Taltos poured Empusa, Lady Death, who realized the Deepdweller’s murderousness.

Second from the wounds of Taltos poured Epimetheus, the Drowned Wyrm, who realized the Deepdweller’s perniciousness.

Third from the wounds of Taltos poured Fraus, the Hyemal Lord, who realized the Deepdweller’s rigidity.

Fourth from the wounds of Taltos poured Tisiphone, the Despoiled, who realized the Deepdweller’s vengeance.

Fifth from the wounds of Taltos poured Orthus, the Stormrider, who realized the Deepdweller’s turmoil.

Sixth from the wounds of Taltos poured Podarge, the Destroyer, who realized the Deepdweller’s destructiveness.

Last from the wounds of Taltos poured Stheno, the Stillborn, who realized the Deepdweller’s malignance.

These realizations were the Dengur Taltori.

Though the battle was hard-fought, it achieved nothing for Dagon or his creations. Regardless of this fact, Dagon celebrated victory with his descendants. Lord Ptharos built a great hall upon a cloud, named Anadimtu. Betshaba planted vines upon the cloud that yielded the sweetest wine, to provide sustenance to the Gods. Baelthor constructed a sturdy vault at the heart of Anadimtu, into which Lord Ptharos placed the Seven Great Secrets, known heretofore only to him. Once Anadimtu was complete, Lord Ptharos called the First Council to discuss details on the defense of the World. Never again would Dagon be able to directly attack Lord Ptharos and his children.

After the First War, the descendants of the Shalushtu and the Kur-Dengur went forth to explore Gallorea. It was during the Roaming that Selene, the Vermillion, came upon Kratos. Though they had opposed one another in the First War, Selene was smitten with Kratos and pursued his embrace. Not understanding her intent, Kratos initially fought Selene, driving her away. Yet still Selene yearned for the Steelhand and went to her mother, Betshaba, in search of a gift that she could use to appease Kratos. Betshaba refused, reprimanding her daughter for seeking the affections of an enemy, but Selene was cunning and stubborn and would not be refused. She stole into the Vault of Anadimtu and stole the Second Great Secret, that of Procreation. Selene wandered the world again until she found Kratos and, before he could raise his hand, told him of the Secret she had stolen. Selene finally seduced Kratos, with the help of Cardena, and the two laid together. Their Lust was the Second Sin.

Selene and Kratos begat Erato, the Redheart, god of love. He was the first of the Iuvenes (in the Imperial Tradition), also known as the Ammelsilu.

When Selene’s Sin was discovered by Betshaba, the Vermillion was brought before Lord Ptharos for judgment. For releasing the Second Great Secret and her dalliance with Kratos, Selene was placed as subject to her brother Podalirius, considered the ugliest of the blood of the Shalushtu. Despite Selene’s initial hatred for her mate, she and Podalirius eventually coupled and begat Drames, the Many-Sheaved, goddess of fertility.

The Secret of Procreation was released, however, and the other gods soon began to conceive more Ammelsilu.

Evander, the Vaunted One, pursued Majestas, the Lawgiver, and laid with her, begetting upon her Sarpedon, the Shieldsman.

Gyges, jealous of his brother’s success, sought out Orestea, the Chalice. Though Orestea refused his advanced, Gyges forced himself upon her in a fit of rage and upon her begat Melpomene, goddess of the clouds.

Zelos, Goldenhand, was known to be the most stoic and remote of the gods, but he grew restless in his loneliness. Clementia pitied her cousin’s solitude and laid with him, and upon her he begat Thalia, the Hearthwoman.

Clementia was also smitten by the generosity of Alcyoneus and laid with him also. Laestrygones, the Healer, god of health, was the result of their dalliance.

Selene, not to be outdone by her sister, strayed from Podalirius’ oversight and seduced the stoic Zelos. Taygete, goddess of childbirth, was the result of their union.

Meanwhile, Mormo, the Deceiver, took on Zelos’ form and lay with Clementia. He begat upon her Orchus, Bluefeather, god of luck.

Zelos was left alone again, but for his daughter, Thalia, who tended to his needs. They too came to embrace and he begat upon her Ladon, Stronghands, god of work.

Thalia was called to tend the hearth of Lord Ptharos in Andimtu, leaving Zelos again alone. This time, Terpsichore came to his embrace to sooth his loneliness and upon her he begat Vitulus, the Architect, who would become god of cities.

Majestas, the Lawgiver, was stirred by the beauty of Laestrygones’ form and laid with him. Veritas, Heartbinder, goddess of marriage, was born to them. Majestas, realizing her Sin, then gave a law stating that the Secret of Procreation should only be expressed under a contract of law between god and goddess and granted Veritas oversight over such unions.

As self-imposed punishment for her Sin, Majestas wed Zelos, Goldenhand. Meliboea, the Farseer, goddess of justice, was the result of their union.

Meliboea was wed to Innus, the Shem, and he begat upon her Fides, the Oathbinder.

Virtus, the Hand, wed Adrasteia, the Handmaiden, and the two gave birth to Pavor, Longshanks, god of travel. Pavor, in turn, fell for the beauty of Bellona and the two were wed. He begat upon her Minos, god of commerce.

Aridnus, the Fair, finding no other mate suitable for him, wed Terpsichore, the Reflection, and they begat Abaris, the Enscribed, goddess of magic.

Cebren, the Piper, wed Thea, the Muse and Himere, the Poet, was the result of their union.

The descendants of Dagon, seeing the Order and Good brought about by the Law of Marriage, conspired to undermine this new law among the gods.

Alcina, the Withered Hag, captured Evander and forced him to lie with her, producing Ophion, god of the sun. Ophion rebelled against his mother, released his father and returned him to Anadimtu. In recompense for his mother’s treachery, Ophion agreed to bear the Truth of Ptharos across the heavens each day in his chariot, becoming the Truthbearer.

Maelphegor himself pursued and raped Melpomene, begetting upon her Picus, the Redcrest, god of birds.

Mania, the Half-Eyed, tricked Cebren the Piper into believing she was Thea and lay with him, bearing Furinus, god of wine.

Pelactere, Bloodtooth, bested Virtus in combat through treachery and forced him to lie with her. Thallos, god of strength, was the result of their union.

The Ilum themselves, however, were not beyond breaking the Law themselves. Alcyoneus, the Yul, and Thea fell in love and Phemos, god of sport, was the result of their dalliance.

Furinus enticed Melpomene to drink of his wine to ease the pain of her rape and, when the goddess was drunk from drink, he lay with her, begetting Hypnos, goddess of dreams, upon her.

The Dark One, in a fit of pique or rage over the birth of Hypnos, commanded Thanatos to bed Mania and he begat Zephyrus, god of nightmares, upon her.

To appease the Dark One’s rage, Furinus hatched a plan to help Dagon against Lord Ptharos. Furinus gave his wine to the Father and, once he was hazy with drink, allowed Mania to come into his chambers and she lay with him. Luna, goddess of the moon, was the result of their union.

Mania claimed in the halls of Anadimtu that Lord Ptharos had raped her and, before the truth could be discerned, Lord Ptharos commanded that Mania may claim any one of his Court to join her. She chose Aridnus, the Fair, Firstborn of the Father’s blood. Lord Ptharos severed Aridnus’ marriage to Terpsichore and bade him go with Mania, who gave him to Dagon, who commanded he wed and lay with Tethys, the Stillborn. Cthos, god of the Underworld, was the result of their unholy union.

With Mania’s deception uncovered, Lord Ptharos issued an edict that none other among the gods would be allowed the Secret of Procreation, even those who were wed. Unfortunately, prior to this declaration, Fides, the Oathbinder, had already laid with his own mother, Meliboea, and she was great with child. The two lovers fled the wrath of the Father (it is said upon a flying ship), but Lord Ptharos knew all and was able to find them as Meliboea was giving birth to a son. Lord Ptharos intended to destroy their offspring, but held his hand upon seeing the bright face of Vortumnus, god of honor. Lord Ptharos forgave the lovers, but Vortumnus would be the last god born.

According to Koramic belief, it was then that Lord Ptharos realized that he had become a tyrant at that moment and turned over his scepter, crown and orb of rulership to Vortumnus, so that the world would have a True King who was truly just and noble.

Dagon, of course, tried to break the Law of Procreation. He captured and attempted to rape both Meliboea and Betshaba at the same time. Unfortunately for Dagon, Vortumnus discovered his treachery and pulled him from Meliboea and Betshaba in his final moments of ecstasy. Dagon's waters fell upon the Triad's creation, forming where they landed half-gods, known as Demons. They would become the army of Dagon, seeking to destroy the creation of the Triad. The first globule of Dagon's water to strike the creation struck at a seashore next to a lava flow, where Earth, Air, Fire, and Water met. He rose up the most powerful of all his fellow demons, and called himself Ashtoreth. His first lieutenants were Chemosh, who fell into a volcano; Lilith, who fell into the waters; Asmodeus, who fell into a tornado; and Mephistopheles, who fell into the earth. Literally thousands of other demons, of varying powers, rose up from the spilled waters of Dagon, and served as his generals in Hell. Unfortunately for the Dark One, Ashtoreth and his demons are a strong-headed lot, and do not take well to commands from Dagon. In fact, they have rebelled against him several times with Ashtoreth often taking, for a short while, the Broken Crown of Dagon.