Vingkotling Age
Vingkot was famous for allying with the On Jorri Folks, most of whom joined the Vingkotling Tribe without any fighting at all. He also continued the great Northward Migration that had begun in Dini long ago. Many successes were seen, many enemy tribes exterminated or enslaved. They inhabited Sylila, Saird, and Zarkos. The people went until they could go no more, and then stopped.
The people of the Vingkotlings were our ancestors. They are the children of the mixed Storm Tribe and Earth Family. Our human race are thus not only like the gods, but we are descended from them. Whatever happened to the Vingkotlings happened to your ancestors.
The earliest part of the Vingkotling Age was spent driving back the outrageous seas that had tried to take over the land. As the poets say:
What Lands did Vingkot conquer?”
The Victor took first Sivilis, to please the forest;
Then Sevid for Ernalda and her daughters to live in.
Adoren and Bilon revealed their rich valleys.
Selus and Velun, on the bitter Chormal Sea were the last.
The Vingkotlings
After death came into the world, the men and gods were separated. The difference was clear: men were small and died, and the gods were great, though they too died.
Orlanth proved that he was a good god because he helped any people who agreed to obey him. He sent his winds in all directions, bearing an invitation to all people to come to him. They gave instructions for all interested people to assemble at the foot of Kero Fin.
Many clans came from all around to join Orlanth’s tribe. They traveled by air, riding upon winds or astride the backs of birds or flapping their own sturdy feathered wings. They came by land as well, by chariot and upon horseback, by foot and often with their herds of sheep or cattle, with wagons groaning with children and goods.
Orlanth and his household knew nearly all of the leaders who assembled there. They kept peace among the warlike clans. And Orlanth related his plan, which organized the nation of the Orlanthi into a peaceful tribe. He made the laws that let men live together. He made the first weregelds, courts, and tribal ring. Everyone agreed to these rules, which are the laws of Orlanth.
First, Orlanth declared that peace would come among his followers with payment of weregeld instead of simple revenge. He declared that he would set the values of weregeld values to be paid by the killers, if they were found guilty by their king’s court of judgment.
Then Orlanth declared that there would be a noble man to lead everyone, and who would act among men as Orlanth acts among the gods.
Vingkot was the first king of men. Vingkot was one of Orlanth’s many sons. He was a great warrior and leader, ranking as the fourth best sword fighter in Orlanth’s house (Humakt, Orlanth, Vadrus, Vingkot). He was also just, trusted by all, and he could bring angry men to peace with each other. Orlanth put the torque upon his neck, proving that Justice resided in that man. His weregeld was set at 500 cattle.
This was not met with universal agreement. At that time there lived in the sky a great monster that was called the Sky Bear. It thumped to the ground right in the middle of the ceremonies, and it challenged Vingkot to the rights that Orlanth gave to it.
Vingkot said, “This is a place of peace. We have agreed to speak here first.” But the Sky Bear growled back. “I am not one of you.” And it attacked.
However, Vingkot was a doughty warrior, and he drew his sword and fell to against the bear. It was a fierce struggle, but Vingkot was more fearsome and so he finally slew it. Its body was so huge that it lay like a great hill upon the earth. Vingkot claimed that spot as his own sacred land. Orlanth was pleased with this resolution.
Orlanth declared that men, like the gods, deserved to have a Ring which would guide over them, and whose members would bring the counsel of the people to the king. He gave to Vingkot the power to choose the wise and powerful among all his followers to serve upon the tribal ring. Vingkot then and there chose his first ring.
Vingkot chose three men: Khalmon as Lawspeaker, Hantrafal as God-Talker, and Dagordi as Warrior. He chose three women: Kerona as Food Keeper, Hohenla as Midwife, and Ebfurya as the Herd Mother. Since then this has been the membership of the Staple Ring. Orlanth gave to these leaders their sacred tools of the council: notched stick, tattoo needle, spear, sickle, sack, and distaff. Orlanth declared that these leaders would all have a weregeld that was equal to 300 cattle. We call them thanes today, the companions of the king.
Orlanth thirdly declared that all other worthy men and women in the tribe would be free and equal, one and all. We call ourselves carls, which means Free. Barntar and his wife Mahome were the first carls, and they lent their wisdom to everyone who would want it. Their weregeld was declared to be equal to 100 cattle.
All of the clans of Orlanth then were given herds and lands according to their preferences, and some of them went away to live in the valleys, some in the hills, some upon the seashore, and some in the forests. A few even flew away into the mountains to live. No one lived underground, or in the water.
That is how the first tribe was organized, and we still are today. Vingkot built his stead near the place where everyone had assembled. He called it Stead of the Ram and his long house stood atop it, while his great herds grazed upon its slopes as a village pasture.
King Vingkot
Long before the Dawn, in the lands around great Kero Fin, Orlanth had many mistresses amongst the goddesses and mortal women. One such mistress was Janerra Alone, of the On Jorri people. She was sent by her folk to persuade great Orlanth to protect them from the dark men and the icemen, from Orlanth’s brothers and from the foes of that great tribe. This was a most dangerous time for folk, for it was the Storm Age, and Orlanth and his brothers rampaged across the world, knocking over the crumbling edifices of the unjust Emperor.
Other On Jorri folk had tried to threaten Orlanth into protecting them, but the Thunderer simply slew all the warriors they sent against him. Their elders tried to purchase Orlanth’s protection, but they had nothing to give. Janerra Alone climbed up the sacred peaks and offered him something new – her love and that of her people. Orlanth was impressed with her gift because love was rare in those frightening days and agreed to protect her. He gave her a son, whom he named Vingkot.
Vingkot grew up tall and strong. It was his father’s gift that none could stand against him in battle, but Vingkot sought more than just war-prowess. He gained his true fame and power by undertaking the Three Tasks. He proved himself more than mortal by succeeding where all others had failed. As a result, he won for himself the Twin Wives, the daughters of Esrolia and her consort Tada.
Vingkot saved his people from the dark men and icemen. He looted the citadels of Peloria and forced them to pay him tribute. By these deeds and more he earned his place as King. The people under his protection called themselves Vingkotlings in honor of their King, and Vingkot Lawmaker brought peace between all the tribes and races of Glorantha.
One foe refused to have peace brought to him. This was Chaos Man, a demon of the Pre-Dark. Chaos Man knew no law and respected no life – not even his own. No army could defeat Chaos Man, and the even the brave Council of the Vingkotlings were afraid. Some suggested that the Vingkotlings leave for other lands, but Vingkot refused to leave the sight of his Grandmother. Some suggested that they pay tribute to Chaos Man, but Vingkot refused to pay tribute to anyone – particularly Chaos Man. Finally, the Council asked Vingkot what he thought should be done. The King told them that he would go off and fight Chaos Man, alone.
King Vingkot was armed by his companions and blessed by his Council. He traveled alone beyond the realm of men to fight Chaos Man. Vingkot sacrificed himself for his people and was mortally wounded by Chaos Man. However, the divine spark that resided within Vingkot could not die. Rather than suffer forever, Vingkot ordered that his body be burned while he was still sitting upright in his throne. Every bit of ash was burnt away – proof that his divine soul went to Orlanth’s hall. Since that time, all kings have been burned.
The Tribes of the Vingkotlings
Vingkot was bearer of Divine Blood, and his descendants were all blessed with this capacity to rule. The bloodline of Vingkot the Founder was unique, and necessary to be king in his nation. But some of the men were more famous than their wives, and so their tribes were called after them.
With his Summer Wife, Vingkot had three sons and two daughters. In order, they were Kodig the King, Hengall the Second Son, Vestene (who married Goralf Brown), Korol Kandoros, and Orgorvale (who married Ulanin the Rider). Their descendants were called the Summer Tribes. They were the Kodigvari, of Esrolia, the Vestantes of southern Aggar, the Koroltes of the Grazelands, and the Orgorvaltes of Quiviniland.
With his Winter Wife, Vingkot had two sons and three daughters. In order, they were Penene (who married Kastwall Five), Janard “Lastralgor,” the twins Infithe (who married Porscriptor the Cannibal) and Jorganos Archer, and Redaylde (who married Bereneth the Rider). Their descendants were called the Winter Tribes. They were the Penentelli of north Aggar, the Lastralgortelli of the Oslir Valley, the Infithetelli of northern Tarsh, the Jorganostelli of the Upper Oslir and the Berennethtelli of Upper Saird.
Following the death of Vingkot, the Summer Tribes and the Winter Tribes developed many differences. They had different customs and laws and quarreled about who to fight and who to follow. The Winter Tribes hated the folk of Dara Happa and fought many great wars with them. The Summer Tribes had many troubles with the dark men. The differences remained until King Heort reunited the tribes of the Vingkotlings and abolished their differences.
Kodig the King
Kodig was the first son of Vingkot and the Summer Wife. He was born at Kena and was blessed by the Thunder Brothers and his mother’s kin. Kodig was born wise and just, in both word and deed. After Kodig proved himself, Vingkot took Kodig to Arrowmound. There Vingkot marked Kodig with the same secret runes of power that Orlanth had marked Vingkot with. By doing this Vingkot shared with Kodig with his powers of kingship.
After Vingkot confronted Chaos Man, the mortally wounded Highest King assembled his children. Vingkot divided up the world for his sons and daughters to rule. Vingkot gave the northern highlands to his daughter Vestene; the pleasant valleys near Kero Fin to his son Korol; the Engizi valley to his daughter Ogorvale: the rest of the northern highlands to his daughter Penene, and so on. Vingkot gave his very richest and favorite lands, “Grainland” [Esrolia], to Kodig.
Vingkot then was Immolated by Orlanth’s liberating bolt and ascended to Orlanth’s Hall. The Vingkotlings met to determine who would wield the Sword and Helm of Vingkot and thereby lead the people of Orlanth. Each son and daughter tried to take the sacred regalia but could not grasp it. Each time they tried, they’d flinch or stop. Kodig then revealed his sacred markings that bore the power of Vingkot’s kingship. Kodig took the Sword and Helm and was acknowledged by all the Vingkotlings as their king.
Kodig marked his sons and daughters the same way Vingkot marked him. When Kodig grew old he gave the Sword and Helm to his favorite son Bibidos, saying, “It was given to me, it is mine, and I will give it to whom I please.”
The Treasures of the Vingkotlings
- White Hilt, the Sword
- Head Saver, the Helm
- Speak and Spoke, the Chariot of Mastakos
- The Horn of Drink
- The Green Basket
- Finval’s Dish and Cup
- The Mantle of Stars. This was woven by Orane. Whoever wears it cannot be seen. It was lost in the Darkness
- Thorn Basket
- The Peace Blanket
Related Pages
- Excerpt – Ernalda the Magician (2009)
- Excerpt – Ernalda’s Holy Days (2009)
- Excerpt – Finval and the Magic Game (2009)
- Excerpt – Heler, the Great Rain (2009)
- Excerpt – Some Gods (2009)
- Excerpt – The Plundering of Aron (2009)
- Excerpt – Appendix D Orlanthi Pantheon List and Runes
- ISS3011 The Book of Heortling Mythology – Contents
- ISS3011 The Book of Heortling Mythology – Index
Page Last updated: 2024-02-07 13:48:11