Giants, Gods, and Assholes

I walk down the spacious hall towards the infirmary. I have questions and Ifran said he would be willing to answer them.

“Hello, Journeyman Thaltia?” I inquire as I knock on the door. The door opens to reveal the lautanese medic.

“Hello Yamakuma.” Ifran greets with a smile. “Come on in.” He continues moving out of the doorway. He walks over to the small desk against the wall by the door continuing “No one else is here so we can talk freely.”

“Hello Ifran.” I respond closing the door behind me. “I have some questions.” I explain while walking over to the desk.

“Ask away.” The medic responds pulling up a small stool for me to sit on. I sit down before I ask my questions.

“What are the giants and why did they enslave the people of Penato?” I inquire with a sigh.

“That is…” Ifran mutters just looking at the desk in front of him. “A lot to explain.” He finishes turning to look at me.

“Well Birta, my roommate mentioned it when she told me she was an ogre.” I explain shifting in my seat. “And in my intro to magic the instructor brought up the theory about Titannium.” I continue while crossing my arms, feeling like all positions were uncomfortable. The man sighs in resignation.

“I’ll try to keep it short.” He finally says before a silence can fill the room. “The giants they both referred to are from the elemental planes.” He begins. Elemental planes? “Why they came here, no one is exactly sure. There’s theories but none of them matter now really.” He continues before cracking his neck. “Due to their size and magic capabilities they overwhelmed the people of this world very quickly and used us all as laborers.” He says. “Well most of us anyways. The lautanese and troglodytes had some slip through the cracks.” He adds.

“So how did the people gain their freedom?” I inquire shifting once again.

“Dragons.” Ifran states. “Well the water giants decided to change their ways and freed all the lautanese also a little bit before dragons got involved depending on who you ask.” He explains with a shrug and a smirk. “The dragons were possibly stronger and also just as magical as the giants but of this world.” He continues “Thankfully most of the dragons did not feel like ruling us. They just wanted the giants gone.”

“And that answers my next question.” I reply.

“Now the giants also supposedly made ogres because they had us usually mining and needed overseers. Turns out it was easier for them to make an entire people than it was to have those slaves make tunnels large enough for the giants to follow them in.” He explains.

“So what happened to the ogres after being freed?” I ask the man leaning forward a little in excitement.

“They were distrusted for a long time.” The medic replies turning his head back to the desk. “Until maybe a hundred years ago they were basically just outcast wherever they went.” He adds with a sigh.

“I see.” I respond contemplative of the words. Of course they were met with prejudice…

“I hope that answers your questions.” He says somberly putting his hands together rather contemplatively as well.

“Actually I do have another.” I say shifting once more. This stool is just really uncomfortable. “Who are the gods?” I inquire.

The journeyman looks at me for a moment as if he is studying my face.

“They really taught you nothing at that orphanage, huh?” He finally says with that strange laugh of his.

“I did learn a little magic while I was there.” I retort. “But that was it besides how to make some meals.” I add. Ifran laughs again, I do not think I will ever get used to that laugh. Do all lautanese laugh like that?

“You already know of our patron, Skadi.” Ifran begins. The medic looks back at the desk while continuing “The goddess of hunting, winter, and the wilderness in general. Most associated with wood and water as well as sometimes shadow due to the winter solstice.” He opens a desk drawer. “Then you have the king of the gods, Indra. His domains being the sky, all things within it, and farming. Usually peaceful but ready to fight when needed. Associated with air, light, and metal.” He explains grabbing out a small book from the drawer. “Then you have Ryūjin. God of the waters. He is calm and wise yet tempestuous and greedy. He is associated with water and shadow.” He continues after setting the small book on the desk. “Anubis, the god of judgment and death. He is associated with shadow, light, and metal.”

“Is this the brief version?” I interrupt despite being interested I did not want to be sitting in this stool all day.

“Yes it is.” He replies.

“Okay.” I respond barely containing my annoyance.

“Then there’s Gula. The goddess of medicine and healing. She is often associated with light, water, and wood.” He continues. “Oh yes!” He exclaims flipping through the little book. What is that a children’s scripture or something? “Atar is the god of fire and purification. Associated with fire and light.” He drones on “Etügen the ground mother and goddess of spring and harvests. She is most associated with ground and wood but is also sometimes associated with water.”

“Is there many more?” I ask unable to hide my restlessness anymore.

“Two more.” He replies. Thank god! Or one of their gods maybe? He clears his throat for a moment, probably not used to talking so much.

“Of course! There’s the Devil.” He continues. The devil is real but God is not!? I hold my tongue and not ask about that. The medic continues “God of order and ruler of the endless pit Pandemonium.”

“I’m sorry. How does a deity of order rule a place called Pandemonium?” I inquire because there is simply too much to unpack from that info drop to not speak about.

“He went down to bring order to it.” Ifran responds matter-of-factly. “Then he saw that some souls were ending up there so he stayed.” He adds.

“That is surprisingly simple and concise.” I respond.

“Yes it is.” He says with a nod. “He is associated with fire, ground, and shadow.” He continues flipping through the little book once more. “And the last one we’ll talk about. Eris, the goddess of discord and war. She is associated with fire, metal, and shadow.” He finishes rather abruptly.

“And the one who sent me here.” I mutter.

“I’m sorry, what?” Ifran responds with a blink before turning his head to look at me. “The goddess of discord brought you back to life and sent you here!?” The journeyman exclaims unable to hide his shock. I meekly nod my head in confirmation. “Of all the deities to send you here…” He trails off while his gaze lowers to the floor.

A silence falls between us. Ifran clearly still trying to process that little lore drop.

“Thank you for all this information.” I say finally breaking the silence. “I’ll be heading out now.” I add as I stand up.

“Oh!” He responds. His gaze follows me while he speaks “You’re welcome. I hope you learned somethings that were helpful.”

-- -- --

I step into line at the cafeteria, waiting get some food. God, that conversation took a lot longer than I thought it would.

I groan in annoyance about the lost time as a familiar looking boy walks past and cuts the line in front of a few people ahead of me. I notice he has a weapon on his hip, that is not allowed.

“Hey!” I exclaim letting out some frustration “You don’t cut in line.” I tug the boy by his scabbard.

“How dare you!” The boy yells. Goodswell, the biggest asshole of course. “It is not your place to tell me what I can and cannot do.” He continues to prattle annoyingly. He turns to face me and draws the sword on me before he continues “Not to mention, this weapon is far more valuable than you are.”

Before I can say anything Goodswell thrusts at me. I thankfully dodge easily. But I can feel the anger emanating from the teen. A streak of gold clouds my vision for a moment.

“Fight!” One of the boys in line yells watching Goodswell continuing to try to hit me.

“Stay put!” The asinine noble complains while I simply dodge every strike he attempts.

“I don’t think I will.” I respond between dodges.

This continues until I feel something hard against my back.

“I have you now!” Goodswell proclaims with a thrust.

He in fact does not have me. I simply slide to my left and his sword hits the base of the statue. The angry teen drops his sword and grabs his hand.

“How dare you!” He says at me wincing in pain.

“What are you doing!?” Nadia’s voice echoes through the halls.