Tamriel Data:Songs of the Reaver Clans, vI

Book Information Songs of the Reaver Clans, vI
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Locations
Found in the following locations: Karthwasten, Cassius Manor Karthwasten, Jauffre Layancel's House Karthwasten, Red Palace, Upper Floor

Songs of the Ghost Sea Reaver Clans

Compiled by Johannes Silvanus,
Chairman of the Committee for the Transposition of Indigenous Oral Traditions, Imperial University

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Volume One

Introduction
These volumes are intended to serve as a record of the song-myths particular to the Nordic reaving clans of the Sea of Ghosts. I have devoted much of my scholastic life to studying and cohabitating with these groups, who although literate do not devote much time to recording their own traditions. It is my hope that through these works, I will be able to disabuse the popular conception of these groups as savage raiders worthy only of extermination.

[Note from the author: This first song concerns the very first arrival of the gods in their new home, and is typical of the style. I have tried to retain the use of alliteration and repetition, which allows the skalds and rememberers to retain the same flow and wording between tellings. The strange metre and lack of rhyme, although harsh to more "civilised" ears, is consistent with the song's original form.]

'Fore the proud world-hall was filled with gods and men
There was but the crashing surf and sturdy rocks
The empty sea above and the extant land of 'neath
And e'er did they clash, as e'er they will, those two

It was to that battleground that staunch Shor
Father to all that is worthy
Did sail downwards, following the plumb line
Of clever Jhunal, clever-man of gods

And as the keel of Sovngarde beached on that sideways shore
Where the hot waves of never-above
Break on the frigid capes of always-below
Staunch Shor leapt from the prow and shouted:

"This place, somewhat-up and almost-down,
This seething shore of possibilities
This will be known to us as Sky
The posts of our hall shall enter it lovingly"

All his clan did love staunch Shor
And at his crafty words they followed
First crazed Kyne, War-Wife and warrior
Leapt screaming into Sky's shined surf

Next the Shield-Thanes, Stuhn and Tsun
Twins to test Men, came ashore
Follow'd Dibella, lustful Bed-Wife
[Frigging?] and teaching the children-to-come

And mournful Mara, Brood-Wife to Shor
Descended determined and dour
Lastly clever Jhunal, wide-eyed and wise
Came scratching his runes that are yet to be found

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