[Theme music: Hope & Inspire from Purple Planet]
[00:11] 1b: Extras from Eftra
[00:13] I think I mentioned in my first Wandering Mind episode that there have been several alleged sightings of Traiell, the spirit of Mount Eftra. Some are almost certainly just double-exposed photos or people’s mind playing tricks on them, but there are a few that seem just weird enough to be credible.
[00:30] The earliest record of a human encounter with Traiell comes from four centuries ago, and is the account of an unnamed Treeman – that is, a member of the forerunner of the order later known as the Guardians of the Sacred Tree and now, more commonly, the Order of Eftra. He describes how he went up the mountain one dark and blustery night – alone but for his faithful Silk Cow – to check for lost travellers, and came across a huddled form on the path. Offering his assistance to the stranger, he turned to fetch a blanket from his mount’s back – but when he turned back, the figure was gone. Traiell revealed themself in a dream later that night, not only to the Treeman who’d met them but also to the Root, the head of the Order. There are rumours that this is actually the story of Limb Tijan, who ascended to the level of Limb at around the same time without any particular explanation being given – but if that is the case, why keep it a secret? What is a matter of record is that the harvest was especially bountiful that year.
[01:27] More recently, a shaky video clip seems to show a shape coalesce out of the mist on a moonlit night – but the climber who filmed it claims that it was recorded during the day. While she remembers that it was unusually overcast for a while during the climb, she doesn’t remember it being quite so dark, nor seeing any such shape until she reviewed the footage later. Arguments rage on as to whether it’s a hoax or some sort of coincidence, but no consensus has been reached.
[01:54] Traiell has been credited with countless small blessings over the centuries, but there have also been some larger miracles attributed to the spirit. A severe drought 138 years ago prevented any crops from growing nearby – until harvest time came around, and all manner of fruit and vegetables grew in the space of a single week. About 30 years ago, a landslide rushed down a nearby mountain, heading straight for the Sacred Tree Museum – and stopped just at the edge of the museum’s land, causing no damage to the property. And, most famously, musical sensation Katya Nova visited the mountain when her doctors told her she would never be able to sing again. Though the spirit did not restore her voice, Katya claims that it was due to Traiell’s intervention that she suddenly learned to play the omiola, restoring music to her. Her recent run of concerts certainly prove that she can play – who can say whether it was because of Traiell’s gift?
[02:47] Traiell and their works aren’t the only fascinating local legends – I’ll tell you about some more next week. Until then, safe travels!
[Theme music]
[02:58] This is a tangent that didn’t quite fit into the main episode. Usually, you’d need to pledge to our Patreon at patreon.com/wanderingpodcast to get to hear all of them, but this month they’re all free to celebrate our launch. Thanks for listening.
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