The First People?: A Never Ending Argument
And A Theoretic Solution by Lorma Wells, Prof. of Improbable Histories, Cloakhaven University.
Despite having a mostly commonly shared creation myth amongst the various people of Xerth we immediately begin running into problems of historicity after day one of the universe existing. For while time, space, matter, physics, and magic were all ticking along followed closely* by life, there’s something of a debate on which of the various creatures that inhabit the world were first to win the race to sapience**.
Humanity makes a strong claim as they are the most numerous and can point to animals they claim to share common ancestors with (which frankly the other races find pretty weird).
Giants say it is they who came first for the ancient world was made for them to thrive amongst the massive trees and animals that used to cover the Xerth.
Dragons claim that they were the first, but dragons are born liars who love to fabricate self congratulatory narratives.
The Cold Bloods claim that since scales and feathers came well before fur that they will be*** the oldest among the races.
Elves may act like they were here first (and further act like they own the place) but even the most general level of historical knowledge belies this idea.
Dwarves know it was them and they will not elaborate.
Other peoples who know (or assume to know) their exact origin on Xerth, Goblins and their varying subspecies, the Cold Bloods, the Grimkin, the Orcs and others may maintain secret or heretical narratives that reimagine them into roles of the primeval intelligences.
Hobs, as a side note, think the whole debate is stupid.
But is there a way to truly know? No, but one simply has to look at the species that has adapted to each and every ecological niche on the planet to find the most likely candidate.
That species is Trolls.
Trolls run the gamut from tiny cupboard dwelling nuisances to mountainous roving forces of nature. They resist extreme heat and cold, both arid and aquatic environments, and have seemingly shown up in the historical records all the way till the time where the record simply becomes myth… and they are well represented there as well.
One cannot sail to any corner of the Xerth and not find a troll waiting under some bridge, a dark cavern, or in a forest to leap out and to try to eat you or bargain its local knowledge for your goods. Reports now say that on the continent of Vontar trolls represent up to 10% of the standing armies of its territories.Even in the grand city of Rookstone they have moved into the sewers and slums. Some have even been recruited by local businesses to act as heavy laborers or bodyguards.
This question of the first people will likely rage on in academic circles forever, but it is important to remember to look beyond the familiar and not blind oneself to the abundance of data that might be right in front of you.
*Literally billions of years. But what the hell I’m trying to be concise here.
**Sentience, the run-up to sapience, is generally ignored because people don’t like to think about how emotional their steak dinners might have actually been about the whole getting eaten thing.
***This odd turn of phrase has to do with the cultural prevalence of the worship of Zvarrann “He Who Waits At The Beginning And At The End” the reptilian god of cyclical renewal.
LORE24 Jan 3