A Culture Hero Myth

[Susano]

This is something I'm developing for my Lost Worlds game. Thoughts?

 

 

[Marcus is doing something while Vilgerthr looks on.]

 

“Marcus,” Vilgerthr said, almost hesitantly, “do you mind if I tell you a story while you work? It will help pass the time.”

 

[rs]

 

“Oh, good!” She almost clapped her hands with excitement. “I’ll tell you the story of Hunter of Bees.” Settling herself properly, with hands folded in her lap, and back straight, Vilgerthr began: “Once, long ago, a boy was born to the Farming People. He was a marvel to behold, with skin as white as bone, hair as black as night, and eyes the color of the sky. As a mere babe, his bawled in hunger and his mother lifted him to her breast to suck. But he refused the offered nipple, and spoke.

 

“‘Give me mead,’ he cried. But the People knew not of mead. So he rose from his crib and went to the entrance of his parent’s hut. ‘I shall go into the forest,’ he said, ‘and find the secret of mead. And when I return, I will teach it to you.’

 

“So the babe went into the forest. He walked far and wide, until he found a nest of bees. Ignoring their stings, he dipped one hand into the hive and pulled forth a mass of honeycomb. ‘There,’ he said, ‘now I have the secret of mead.’ He returned to his village and displayed his golden treasure, and showed the People how to mix it with water, and how to make it into mead. And for this deed, he was named ‘Hunter of Bees’.

 

“Satisfied, Hunter of Bees sat down and demanded food, for he was hungry after his travels in the forest. Again he refused his mother’s breast. ‘Bring me meat,’ he cried, ‘and dark bread, and rich cheese, and leafy greens, and bowls of mead.

 

“The People brought him all he asked for, and as he ate, he grew into full manhood. Tall and strong he was, and well-shaped and comely, despite his strange coloration.

 

“After he had eaten his fill, Hunter of Bees went out from his parent’s hut and looked at his people. He saw them dressed in rags and living in huts of mud and straw. The People knew not of how to work metal, or how to sow grain, or how to shape wood. This was not right, he decided, and as he had taught them the secret of mead, he knew it was his duty to teach the People the secrets of other things.

 

“So Hunter of Bees stood and dressed himself in skins and furs, took up a bone knife, and a fire-hardened spear, and spoke: ‘I shall go forth into the world and learn all there is to learn. And when I return, I will teach you all I know.’ And thus Hunter of Bees went forth into the world. He walked far and wide, as far as his legs would take him.

 

“From the Hunting People Hunter of Bees took a wife. She taught him the ways of the hunt. Hunter of Bees learned to track prey, how to climb a tree, how to hide himself, and how to skin what he caught. She also taught him how to work with leather, so he may properly clothe himself. And the Hunting People taught him the ways of the bow, the knife, and the spear.

 

“From the Leaping People Hunter of Bees took a wife. She taught him the ways of the earth. Hunter of Bees learned to sow crops, how to tend them, and how to harvest what they gave him. She also taught him how to work with cloth, so he may properly clothe himself. And the Leaping People taught him the ways of the loom, and the needle, and the plow.

 

“From the Burrowing People Hunter of Bees took a wife. She taught him the ways of metal. How to find it, how to mine it, how to smelt it, and how to forge it into tools. She helped him make his new knife and spear, as well as an axe so he could work wood and sent him back out into the world.

 

“When Hunter of Bees returned from the Burrowing People he visited his other wives and showed them all he had learned. The Hunting People learned of cloth and metal and wood. The Leaping People learned of leather and metal and hunting. The Farming People learned of hunting and metal and cloth and grain and wood and in return taught the secret of mead. And so, as Hunter of Bee’s wives taught each other all they had learned, the secret of trade was discovered.

 

“And now Hunter of Bees looked up his People and found they grew crops and hunted in the forest and made tools of metal and homes of wood. And he took from the Hunting People a wife, a woman with skin as black as night, hair as white has bone, and eyes the color of the sky. And with is wives at his side, he spoke: ‘I shall go forth into the world and learn all there is to learn. And when I return, I will teach you all I know.’ And thus Hunter of Bees went forth into the world, with his four wives at his side, to find the other peoples of the world and learn what they had to learn, so the People would prosper.”

[Dreamstreamer]

Re: A Culture Hero Myth

 

I'm probably missing part of the context, but why is the skin color and hair color important? I would guess that it is different from the People. Perhaps you could explain why it is unique or at least why that is important? The same thing applies to his last wife. She is given a unique look, with the description of her eyes being a feature that is not mentioned with Hunter of Bees.

 

With that, who are his People? They aren't the Hunting, Leaping, or Burrowing People, so who are they? Ahh, it says Farming People at the end. maybe that should be clarified earlier. The "Farming People" know how to prepare "dark bread", but Hunter of Bees learns how to grow and harvest crops from the Leaping People? That seems odd. What kind of farmers are they?

 

Regarding the Hunting People, the wife he takes from them doesn't seem to teach him too much. After all, he already has "Hunter" in his name. For example, she teaches him to climb trees, but I would imagine that this skill is already known. While I am not entirely positive about it, aren't most bee's nests formed in trees? Wouldn't he have had to climb a tree in the first place to get the honeycomb? Additionally, he was already dressed in skins and furs, so learning to skin what he caught feels less useful. He also already has a knife and spear, so the only new tool he learns to use is the bow. Maybe it would be best to focus on the bow and camouflage skills he develops from that wife? Another alternative could be that he starts naked with no weapons and learns the skills as decribed from the Hunting People wife?

 

The Leaping People teach him (again) how to make clothing. It is different from the Hunting People's clothing, but seems to redundantly address the same problem. Do the two Peoples have different ideas of how to clothe oneself properly? Why is that important? Are these clothing transitions useful as a form of enlightnment (from Hunter to Agriculture)? Are all of the tools made without metal? Needles could be made from animal quills, but the plow would certainly benefit from it!

 

Ah, the Burrowing People! They seem to have many of the things that would make life easier for the Leaping People. Aside from the metal, the axe for woodworking would make a big difference when trying to construct a plow or loom. Unfortunately, this undercuts the end accomplishment of Hunter of Bees: the discovery of trade. I'm not sure there is an easy way to reconcile the usefulness of trade for the establishment of a particular People's "schtick" with the need for uniqueness between the Peoples. One solution may be to remove the Leaping People from Hunter of Bees travels and have his own people develop into the Leaping People, using what he learned from the Hunting People (the importance of clothing) and the Burrowing People (metal and woodworking)?

 

I'm surprised that the Burrowing People wife is the first one mentioned that sends him back into the world. I would like to see something similar from each of the wives. Of course, I like patterns, especially in oral tradition. I would think that it would be easier to remember. Unless, of course, there is a reason that the Burrowing People wife is different.

 

I found the end to be odd, as well. He took a second Hunting People wife and no wife from the Farming People? Why? I mean, I'm not sure why he took a wife that wasn't there to teach him something, at least in this story.

 

Just a minor quibble, but "And now Hunter of Bees looked up his People" at the beginning of the last paragraph should probably read, "And now Hunter of Bees looked up at his People". I don't think they are in the phone directory.

 

Overall, I like what you are trying to do. I want to know more! Granted, as an excerpt, there is only so much I can know going in. Perhaps if I knew more about the campaign, I could be more helpful in my suggestions. Anyways, I thought you might like some response, even if it is a touch critical.

[Susano]

Re: A Culture Hero Myth

 

I'm probably missing part of the context' date=' but why is the skin color and hair color important? I would guess that it is different from the People. Perhaps you could explain why it is unique or at least why that is important? The same thing applies to his last wife. She is given a unique look, with the description of her eyes being a feature that is not mentioned with Hunter of Bees. [/quote']

 

I realize that the fable I'm presenting here is without context. As in, when I presented it to the PCs, they were aware of the setting to a great degree, thus some of the elements that you are asking about they understood already. The hair and skin color of Hunter of Bees and his eventual wife are unlike that of anyone the PCs have met until now (which includes people who are blue, green, red, and so on.) His color is important for a culture hero as it marks him different from the get go. Also, I state that both Hunter and his final wife have eyes the color of the sky.

 

With that, who are his People? They aren't the Hunting, Leaping, or Burrowing People, so who are they? Ahh, it says Farming People at the end. maybe that should be clarified earlier. The "Farming People" know how to prepare "dark bread", but Hunter of Bees learns how to grow and harvest crops from the Leaping People? That seems odd. What kind of farmers are they?

 

First paragraph 'Vilgerthr began: “Once, long ago, a boy was born to the Farming People."' I also deliberately made the story at odds with itself in that how the Farming People live isn't clear. But then, this seems somewhat common for culture hero myths. I mean, Hunter asks for mead when no one knows what is it, and apparently knows how to make it despite being a mere babe.

 

Regarding the Hunting People, the wife he takes from them doesn't seem to teach him too much. After all, he already has "Hunter" in his name. For example, she teaches him to climb trees, but I would imagine that this skill is already known. While I am not entirely positive about it, aren't most bee's nests formed in trees? Wouldn't he have had to climb a tree in the first place to get the honeycomb? Additionally, he was already dressed in skins and furs, so learning to skin what he caught feels less useful. He also already has a knife and spear, so the only new tool he learns to use is the bow. Maybe it would be best to focus on the bow and camouflage skills he develops from that wife? Another alternative could be that he starts naked with no weapons and learns the skills as decribed from the Hunting People wife?

 

Bees can (and do) nest anywhere, and could have been in a fallen log. One doesn't need to be able to climb a tree to find bees. Also, in the setting, finding bees and hunting large prey are two different things. I think I should work on the going from raw skins to tanned leather idea, so it's clearer what he learns.

 

The Leaping People teach him (again) how to make clothing. It is different from the Hunting People's clothing, but seems to redundantly address the same problem. Do the two Peoples have different ideas of how to clothe oneself properly? Why is that important? Are these clothing transitions useful as a form of enlightnment (from Hunter to Agriculture)? Are all of the tools made without metal? Needles could be made from animal quills, but the plow would certainly benefit from it!

 

Hunting People teach him to tan leather, the Leaping People teaching him to make cloth.

 

Ah, the Burrowing People! They seem to have many of the things that would make life easier for the Leaping People. Aside from the metal, the axe for woodworking would make a big difference when trying to construct a plow or loom. Unfortunately, this undercuts the end accomplishment of Hunter of Bees: the discovery of trade. I'm not sure there is an easy way to reconcile the usefulness of trade for the establishment of a particular People's "schtick" with the need for uniqueness between the Peoples. One solution may be to remove the Leaping People from Hunter of Bees travels and have his own people develop into the Leaping People, using what he learned from the Hunting People (the importance of clothing) and the Burrowing People (metal and woodworking)?

 

One thing that's not clear in this little myth is that the X-People are different races. Farming People look like humans, Hunting People are humans with feline secondary characteristics, and Leaping People look like anthropomorphic ferrets/rats. Burrowing People are akin to fantasy dwarves. One of the side effects of the Hunter of Bees myth is he brings the people of the world together and explains the mixed-race villages in the local area.

 

I'm surprised that the Burrowing People wife is the first one mentioned that sends him back into the world. I would like to see something similar from each of the wives. Of course, I like patterns, especially in oral tradition. I would think that it would be easier to remember. Unless, of course, there is a reason that the Burrowing People wife is different.

 

She is. They tend not to leave their burrows/mines.

 

I found the end to be odd, as well. He took a second Hunting People wife and no wife from the Farming People? Why? I mean, I'm not sure why he took a wife that wasn't there to teach him something, at least in this story.

 

Wait, what? Crud. That's supposed to be a Farming Person. Well, I'll need to fix that.

 

Just a minor quibble, but "And now Hunter of Bees looked up his People" at the beginning of the last paragraph should probably read, "And now Hunter of Bees looked up at his People". I don't think they are in the phone directory.

 

And that.

 

Overall, I like what you are trying to do. I want to know more! Granted, as an excerpt, there is only so much I can know going in. Perhaps if I knew more about the campaign, I could be more helpful in my suggestions. Anyways, I thought you might like some response, even if it is a touch critical.

 

You pointed out a few things to consider. As I said, I'll admit to the myth being somewhat contradictory, but then, it contradicts other stories the PCs have heard about the origins of the peoples they've met (the game is a lost worlds pulp/fantasy campaign with PCs from right now (2010) lost in a strange environment.)

[Susano]

Re: A Culture Hero Myth

 

I've made some edits and cleaned up a few errors. Take a look now, keeping in mind that it's not meant to be 100% internally consistent.

 

 

HUNTER OF BEES

 

“Marcus,” Vilgerthr said, almost hesitantly, “do you mind if I tell you a story while you work? It will help pass the time.”

 

Intending to quickly glance up, Marcus' eyes were captured by hers. His hands, cradling a mass of glass and wire, clenched and there was a faint 'ping' as something snapped. Marcus blushed, mumbled "not at all" and hastily turned his attention back to his work.

 

“Oh, good!” She almost clapped her hands with excitement. “I’ll tell you the story of Hunter of Bees.” Settling herself properly, with hands folded in her lap, and back straight, Vilgerthr began: “Once, long ago, a boy was born to the Farming People. He was a marvel to behold, with skin as white as bone, hair as black as night, and eyes the color of the sky. As a mere babe, his bawled in hunger and his mother lifted him to her breast to suck. But he refused the offered nipple, and spoke.

 

“‘Give me mead,’ he cried. But the People knew not of mead. So he rose from his crib and went to the entrance of his parent’s hut. ‘I shall go into the forest,’ he said, ‘and find the secret of mead. And when I return, I will teach it to you.’

 

“So the babe went into the forest. He walked far and wide, until he found a nest of bees. Ignoring their stings, he dipped one hand into the hive and pulled forth a mass of honeycomb. ‘There,’ he said, ‘now I have the secret of mead.’ He returned to his village and displayed his golden treasure, and showed the People how to mix it with water, and how to make it into mead. And for this deed, he was named ‘Hunter of Bees’.

 

“Satisfied, Hunter of Bees sat down and demanded food, for he was hungry after his travels in the forest. Again he refused his mother’s breast. ‘Bring me meat,’ he cried, ‘and dark bread, and rich cheese, and leafy greens, and bowls of mead.

 

“The People brought him all he asked for, and as he ate, he grew into full manhood. Tall and strong he was, and well-shaped and comely, despite his strange coloration.

 

“After he had eaten his fill, Hunter of Bees went out from his parent’s hut and looked at his people. He saw them dressed in rags and living in huts of mud and straw. The People knew not of how to work metal, or how to sow grain, or how to shape wood. This was not right, he decided, and as he had taught them the secret of mead, he knew it was his duty to teach the People the secrets of other things.

 

“So Hunter of Bees stood and dressed himself in ragged skins and ill-made furs, took up a bone knife and a fire-hardened spear, and spoke: ‘I shall go forth into the world and learn all there is to learn. And when I return, I will teach you all I know.’ And thus Hunter of Bees went forth into the world. He walked far and wide, as far as his legs would take him.

 

“From the Hunting People Hunter of Bees took a wife. She taught him the ways of the hunt. Hunter of Bees learned to track prey, how to climb a tree, how to conceal himself, and how to properly skin what he caught. She also taught him how to tan and work with leather, so he may properly clothe himself. And the Hunting People taught him the ways of the bow, the knife, and the spear.

 

“From the Leaping People Hunter of Bees took a wife. She taught him the ways of the earth. Hunter of Bees learned to sow crops, how to tend them, and how to harvest what they gave him. She also taught him how to work with cloth, so he may properly clothe himself. And the Leaping People taught him the ways of the loom, and the needle, and the plow.

 

“From the Burrowing People Hunter of Bees took a wife. She taught him the ways of metal. How to find it, how to mine it, how to smelt it, and how to forge it into tools. She helped him make his new knife and spear, as well as an axe so he could work wood, and went with him back out into the world.

 

“When Hunter of Bees returned from the Burrowing People he visited his other wives and showed them all he had learned. The Hunting People learned of cloth and metal and wood. The Leaping People learned of leather and metal and hunting. The Farming People learned of hunting and metal and cloth and grain and wood, and in return taught Hunter of Bees’ wives the secret of mead. And so, as Hunter of Bee’s wives taught each other all they had learned, the secret of trade was discovered.

 

“And now Hunter of Bees looked to his People and found they grew crops, and hunted in the forest, and made tools of metal, and homes of wood. And he took from the Farming People a wife, a woman with skin as black as night, hair as white has bone, and eyes the color of the sky. And with his wives at his side, he spoke to the Farming People: ‘I shall go forth into the world and learn all there is to learn. And when I return, I will teach you all I know.’ And thus Hunter of Bees went forth into the world, with his four wives at his side, to find the other peoples of the world and learn what they had to learn, so that all of the Peoples of the world would prosper.”

[Dreamstreamer]

Re: A Culture Hero Myth

 

Also' date=' I state that both Hunter and his final wife have eyes the color of the sky.[/quote']

 

Whoops! Missed the first reference to the eyes.

 

Hunting People teach him to tan leather' date=' the Leaping People teaching him to make cloth.[/quote']

 

Right, I was referring to how, for both Peoples, it seems like the purpose of teaching him those skills is to show him how to dress "properly".

 

One thing that's not clear in this little myth is that the X-People are different races. Farming People look like humans' date=' Hunting People are humans with feline secondary characteristics, and Leaping People look like anthropomorphic ferrets/rats. Burrowing People are akin to fantasy dwarves. One of the side effects of the Hunter of Bees myth is he brings the people of the world together and explains the mixed-race villages in the local area.[/quote']

 

Excellent idea! Of course, that also opens discussion to interracial relationships (that I'm sure the players would already be aware of, right?) and the politics of marriage.

 

I'll admit to the myth being somewhat contradictory

 

Again, I like that, but it is still a little confusing for an outsider (like me). Reading the revised version, it is a lot clearer. There is another typo, though...

 

In the last paragraph, the part that describes the farming People wife has "hair as white has bone" where it should probably be "hair as white as bone"

 

You wouldn't happen to have world notes for your game posted online somewhere, would you?

[Susano]

Re: A Culture Hero Myth

 

Right, I was referring to how, for both Peoples, it seems like the purpose of teaching him those skills is to show him how to dress "properly".

 

Part of that was pure repetition, as is common in oral traditions.

 

Excellent idea! Of course, that also opens discussion to interracial relationships (that I'm sure the players would already be aware of, right?) and the politics of marriage.

 

The PCs have engaged in such relationships. They found that since the villagers all live in communal longhouses, sex was treated somewhat more pragmatically then they are used to. Also, it was recognized that young people would engage in cross-race relationships. This is accepted, but both parties need to recognize that at some point the needs of the village will come first and they will need to raise a proper family. It is also insinuated that you don't need to end your initial relationship.

 

Again, I like that, but it is still a little confusing for an outsider (like me). Reading the revised version, it is a lot clearer. There is another typo, though...

 

In the last paragraph, the part that describes the farming People wife has "hair as white has bone" where it should probably be "hair as white as bone"

 

You wouldn't happen to have world notes for your game posted online somewhere, would you?

 

I'll fix that.

 

I have some of it here

http://surbrook.devermore.net/worldbooks/well/well.html

 

Email me directly and I can send you more files.

[Dreamstreamer]

Re: A Culture Hero Myth

 

Thanks! Will do.

[Susano]

Re: A Culture Hero Myth

 

I sent out the file.

[phookz]

Re: A Culture Hero Myth

 

It's very cool Susano. You have lucky players.

[Susano]

Re: A Culture Hero Myth

 

Thanks.

[OddHat]

Re: A Culture Hero Myth

 

Enjoyed reading that a lot. Thanks for sharing it.

[Susano]

Re: A Culture Hero Myth

 

Enjoyed reading that a lot. Thanks for sharing it.

 

Thanks. There's an edited version on my website. I fixed some errors and made it more internally consistent.

[Barwickian]

Re: A Culture Hero Myth

 

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Susano again.

[Susano]

Re: A Culture Hero Myth

 

Thanks.