The Legend of Gwyneth Kin-seeker

Legends have a way of being timeless, and most are completely without a frame of reference in regards to actual historical events. Just such a legend is the epic story-cycle of Gwyneth Kin-seeker. The events recounted in these four tales could have happened a thousand years ago, a hundred years ago, or in the last generation. The legend is popular among many people, and it has traveled from one end of Tarnaclese to the other.

There are several versions of the legend - some are clearly tailored to regional tastes, and some changes seem to reflect the storyteller's own preferences for more (or less) gory details. The following is a synopsis of the story cycle; the most common variations are mentioned parenthetically. Each part of the legend can be related as a story, as a song, or as a combination of the two forms; so it is appropriate to refer to them as stories, songs, or story-songs.

Part One: Gwyneth’s Lament

            In this very sad story-song, we’re introduced to Gwyneth, the loveliest maiden of her village (in some versions she’s a princess, or at least daughter of the local nobleman). No sooner do we comprehend that she’s pretty, sweet natured, and loves her younger sister Sarah, than the village is attacked by vicious raiders. Gwyneth is ravished (in some gentler versions, she is struck on the head instead), and left for dead. When she awakens, the village is ruined, and everyone is dead; except for the beloved sister, who is missing. The story ends with Gwyneth falling into a swoon of grieving, a "sleep like death."

Part Two: Gwyneth’s Promise

Gwyneth Kin-seeker.

            The story opens with Gwyneth receiving a vision from a goddess (in some versions, a god, in other versions, the ghost of her parents). She is told that Sarah is alive, but that she has been enslaved. Gwyneth awakens from the “sleep like death,” and vows to find and free her sister. Several versions also add “exacting vengeance” to her oath.

Part Three: Gwyneth’s Road

            This is the most popular of the four songs, and has the most variations. It is a classic “adventurer’s epic,” following Gwyneth as she travels far and wide, meets strange people, gets stronger as an adventurer, and gains friends. She essentially trails the raiders, following clues and gathering information, until she learns (at the end of the song) where her sister was ultimately sold – a foreboding place called the Blood Fortress,  at the edge of the Red Desert. The song ends with Gwyneth reiterating her oath to rescue her sister (and get revenge).

Part Four: Gwyneth’s Battle

            This is a very martial song, very battle oriented. It is full of action sequences, lots of “cleaving their heads from their shoulders,” and is positively gory in comparison to the other three songs. It’s the second most popular of the tales, and has versions that vary from genteel to downright barbaric in terms of the gore level. After many fights and a couple daring escapes from “certain doom,” Gwyneth manages to rescue her sister and save the day. Not to mention vanquishing and eradicating all the raiders, and in some versions, winning herself a life-mate as well. Of particular interest to certain adventurers is the fact that in many versions of this story, Gwyneth battles a Beholder.