Amaranth

From Cult of the Turtle Wiki

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A Rose and an Amaranth blossomed side by side in a garden,

and the Amaranth said to her neighbour,

"How I envy you your beauty and your sweet scent!

No wonder you are such a universal favourite."

But the Rose replied with a shade of sadness in her voice,

"Ah, my dear friend, I bloom but for a time:

my petals soon wither and fall, and then I die.

But your flowers never fade, even if they are cut;

for they are everlasting." -- Aesop

[edit] Legend of Amaranth

In the old days, when the lands of men were beset on all sides, and there was no hope, there lived a King of Strength and Courage. He prayed to the spirits to save his people, and to give them a new home. He offered himself to the spirits, and was ready to do anything to save his people. The Four Great Spirits came and saw that he was a strong and courageous king.

But the Spirits wondered, "Is he also Wise? Will he show great Wit in leading his people?" And so the spirits debated amongst themselves, and decided to give him a choice. They would save him, but he must choose where his people would go. They showed to him a vision of two lands they could transport him to.

The first was a fertile valley, with a nearby river, filled with rose bushes in full bloom. Their scent was beautiful and intoxicating, and the King felt the valley was a good place for his people to live, with all they needed nearby. Then the Spirits showed him a hill, surrounded by dangerous lands that needed taming. The hill was covered in amaranth, a pretty flower, but not as beautiful as the roses. The King wasn't particularly wise or canny, but he was wise enough to know this was a test, and one he didn't know the answer to. He begged the spirits for a moment to consult with his best advisor, and they gave him four hours to make his decision.

And so the King went to his wife, the Queen, who was known for her wisdom and charm, as well as her love of flowers. He told her of his vision, and his wife said. "Roses' beauty is great, but lasts for but a short time, and yet the amaranth never fades. How would you like your kingdom to fare?"

And the King knew his decision, and the kingdom of Amaranth was founded.

He had portraits made of his visions, by a great artist of the realm. Many generations later, his grandchildren found the rose valley, overrun by orcs and goblins, the roses nothing but thorns.

[edit] Links for Amaranth

• The D&D Rules Hub -- organized more for gaming
• The World of Amaranth
• The Kingdom of Amaranth
• The City of Amaranth, capitol of the Kingdom