To find the icy beast
Poem
Deep in the mountains a dragon resides
Not many have seen him, for it is in a cave he hides
Some say his scales gleam with a crystal-like shine
While others say he has not scales, but rugged fur like twine
All agree, though, that it is a holy and majestic beast.
To find him, though, you must travel east
Take the path that most wont travel out of fear
and find the tomb of the manticores sphere.
Beware the direwolves ghastly howl, though.
And never pass the lake of the crow
You'll know your there when the bleeding bush cries
and the fairies seem to paint the skies
Continue up a mountain trail
And take heed to the banshees wail
There are dangers far worse than before that reside
in these mountains, many travelers have died.
Make sure to take the road less traveled
Even if this road seems raveled
And soon you'll see a shining shrine
for protecting it was the job he was assigned.
Trespassers are not welcome there
as thieves and villains are not inclined to share.
He protects his hoard without fear of man
and can eliminate you with a wave of his mighty hand
He does have a merciful quality to who he is
Which about sums up my analysis.
The dragon is mighty and feared and scary
But it is only because of man that he is wary.
If you show you mean no harm
And apologize for causing such an alarm
He'll allow you to rest for a little while,
Still wary, and he will never smile.
If you ask he will never speak
of anything other than the promise he is to keep.
He'll kick you out and wish you well
I would listen to the story I tell
For I have seen him, a gentle creature
but others will say I'm just some old teacher
But I can assure you, my children, that he is real
Line by line explanation
- Mithras resides in the mountain
- They are aware he lives in a cave
- Some glance and believe he has scales, they see his glittering pelt
- Others have realized that he has fur that's messy and rough
- They all know that what he does is sacred
- The mountains are east of where the tribe is located
- Due to the immense danger the outside holds, not many people travel to the mountains
- "Tomb of the manticores sphere" is an ancient ruins that once worshipped the creator gods, using sacrifices of the strongest beast of the area. The "manticores sphere" refers to the venomous sac that they possess that was seen as the most important sacrifice in a ritual. The tomb has long since been destroyed, leaving only an empty ruin of rubble.
- Direwolves are also common in the area, if you hear one they most likely have your scent. Run and hide, finding cover from them, or accept your fate and die.
- The lake of the crow is a sacred lake that is far beyond where they believe Mithras would be living,
- bleeding bush refers to a bush who grows flowers that are crimson red. These petals tend to fall around the bush, earning its name.
"Fairies paint the skies" refers to another myth they have where the fairies are responsible for the changes of day. Painting of skies refers to dawn or dusk, showing the journey took quite some time.
- banshees are creatures/spirits that warn of impending doom If you hear one, run.
In the mountains, manticores, direcats, dragons, and other dangerous wildlife thrive due to very little human interaction. Due to this, many travelers perish.
- you know he was assigned to protect the shrine
- He isn't a fan of trespassers, especially bc they tend to steal
- Most can't/won't/don't make the journey to his shrine so he doesn't usually worry
- however if you prove to be a threat he'll smack you with water and send you back outside
- he isn't completely heartless though
- Mithras doesn't like outsiders however if you show you mean no hard and you are sorry (you better apologize or he'll hold a grudge) he will allow you to rest awhile before you continue your journey
- He still probably won't talk to you though he still hates you
- The most he'd say is that he is the protector of the shrine etc
- After awhile you have to leave
- the speaker met Mithras, he's telling about his journey and how Mithras is real and not just a myth