Rhodantine Mythology

Rhodantine Mythology is the body of myths commonly told by Umxoxi of the Umzambalo tradition. These stories concern the origin and the nature of the world, the lives and activities of spirits, heroes, and mythological creatures, and the origins and significance of Rhodantine ritual practices.

The historical starting point of Rhodantine myth is hard to pin down, and may indeed trace back to the start of human settlement in the area, around 250,000 years ago. Aside from limited record by Zusean traders and settlers, the mythology would not be written down and codified until 1785, with The King's Record of Nkosana Oluwaseyi.

Creation Myth
According to tradition, the world began as a barren place, nothing but dust and an unending cycle of day and night. After an eternity of this cycle, Inkoyase desired to have a garden, and created the first grasses and flowers. He tended this garden for many years, creating wondrous landscapes, until Inkomnyama grew jealous of its beauty, and sent the first weeds and insects to strangle and devour his rival's creation.

Inkoyase then responded with his own creations, the first animals, to preserve the garden. This cycle of creation and counter creation continued for millenia, the gods making countless attempts to seize control over the other, influencing and changing existing creatures while designing more and more of their own.

Eventually, Inkomnyama struck upon an idea, he would create a creature in the shape of a god, and give them the same powers of creation and destruction. These were the first humans, and when they emerged from caves deep underground, they succeeded in devastating the world, spreading fire and death. However, as time went on, the pair grew to realize the evil they were embodying, and resolved to better themselves, and fight for life and light. These were the first faithful of Umzambalo.