Thafus

Thafus, or rarely Thafu or Thafusu is one of the Embodiments and a figure in both Thafonic and Conconian mythology. He is described as a demi-deity in Thafonic mythology, while a (presumed) mortal king in Conconian. His familial relations are expanded upon in Thafonic mythology, where he was said to be the triplet brother of Orestus and Konius, son of the deity Tekes and the mortal woman Hanai, and father of Chonus, Pedus and Lemitius. He is the protagonist of most earlier Thafonic myths about him, often referred to as Embodiment myths, though in the Late Patriarchy Era, certain myths portray him more negatively.

Thafonic mythology

Thafonic mythology tends to be somewhat political in nature whenever it is written down, and the veneration of Thafus as a mythical figure in Thafonic literary works seems to be due to his status as a personification of the Thafonic Patriarchy. Most Thafonic legends speak of Thafus as a brave, gallant hero, who had defeated many evils and won many battles, founding the city of Thafon and naming it by his own name. One key aspect of Thafus' personage throughout all mythology is that he is inextricably tied to his land and people, ruling over them fairly and wisely and leading them into battle.

Various individual writings see Thafus come to blows with his brother, Orestus. Notably, Orestus is the protagonist in the 7th Century BCE Kathus manuscript, while Thafus is seen as a lazy, gluttonous King. However, in most works, Orestus is seen as a masterful manipulator and cunning schemer who, while often very intelligent, only opposed Thafus out of spite and jealousy. The third brother, Konius, variously supported and opposed Thafus, being seen as fickle and changeable.

Family relations

Thafus was born of a union between the god Tekes and the maiden Hanai. Thafus was one triplet, the other two being Orestus and Konius. Konius emerged first from the womb, followed closely by Orestus, and Thafus emerged last. Hanai was the daughter of Metilai, and the sister of Polai, who bore a son named Ecteus, making he and Thafus cousins. Of the generation, all were rulers, but Thafus' lands were the greater and far more prosperous lands of the Vizon river. Thafus married the maiden Raliai, and bore the three children Chonus, Pedus and Lemitius, as well as the daughter Paoniai, of whom Orestus was jealous.

Succession

When Thafus died, his children Chonus, Pedus and Lemitius were unable to keep together what their father had created. Chonus, the elder, tried to rule Thafon, but was immediately faced by an army of his two brothers, Pedus and Lemitius, who demanded he surrender the city and destroy it, sharing every bit of its wealth with both of them, saying that unless he did, they would do so by force. Chonus agreed to their terms, and the ancient city of Thafon was destroyed.

Conconian mythology

The Thafu(su) of Conconian mythology is not specified to be a demi-deity or a child of any deity, though lineage relating to deities is not a central feature of most Elmoric mythologies. Thafu is an incidental character named as the ruler of a Kingdom within the Sengilad, where Sengilu petitions him for assistance against the Galli, but he declines. He is also cited as a character in some other works, though usually little is mentioned of him. He is usually portrayed as a reluctant individual, only ever acting if persuaded to, and rarely ever persuaded to act.

Historiography

Whether or not Thafus did exist is up for debate, though the majority of the modern history community rejects the notion that Thafus was a real individual. There is a possibility that a monarch may have done some of the events attributed to Thafus, but it is likely, what with the rest of his family being named for people groups around the Thafonic region, that the story of Thafus is a later fabrication aiming to explain and influence the relations between the tribal groups. Also whether or not an ancient city existed in Thafon is a matter up for speculation. While a settlement on the Vizon river is believed to have existed prior to 1600 BCE, whether this could be called a city by any standards, or if it was otherwise distinguishable from the other tribes around Southern Vostau, is up for debate.