The Riddle of --------
The River of Secrets and Revelations
“My beginning is not far,
My end is not high,
Between them, I show where hidden truths lie.”
A question the river kit asked of all who would cross,
Vowing to aid their journey with his riddle the cost.
But none could solve the clever beast’s riddle,
‘Til Som came near to the river’s wide middle.
“Lo, Great Creator,” the river kit hailed, “allow me to aid you across!”
“But child of water, what of your rhyme? What of revealing your cost?”
The river kit turned wry and said, “No cost for you, my King.”
But Som said, “Nay, it would be unjust not to tell me the thing.”
So the kit said, “My beginning is not far, my end is not high.
Between them, I show where hidden truths lie.”
“This riddle is simple despite its great fame.”
“Oh, yes?” “Yes, child; the answer’s your name.”
The river kit gasped and howled and laughed. “How did you know?”
“How could I not?” said Som the Creator. “Twas I who named you so.”
- Ragyle Fitz Allerdyne, Songster of Fymtonstahd
This song, such as it is, leaves out a portion of the legend of the Riddling River Spirit. The rest of the story suggests the entity named Som promoted the creature into the ranks of His first so-called “Heralds.” It is said that the creature was tasked with keeping and revealing secrets.
In that, we are alike.
- A note from the restricted section of the Great Library, penned by Selos Drah, Archivist Prime
Thanks for reading! This episode from The Herald of Som introduces us to another of the mythical creatures in Som’s employ. But his name is mysteriously missing from this account… hmmm.
Well, if you can solve the riddle, then you might be able to find out more about him! And if not, you can always look forward to the eventual reveal when my book is finally finished.
OR! Check out this spoiler section of additional clues if you just can’t wait!
The following section was previously restricted to paid-subscribers.
Some clues for the riddle below!
The answer to each line of the riddle sounds like a portion of the Herald’s name.
If you can figure out the 3 words and put them in the right order, you can say them together to say his name.
The actual spelling of the name is different than the result you get from the riddle; the riddle is just so you can figure out what it sounds like.
The name consists of 4 syllables.
The three answers actually appear in the song, but two of them are in different forms than they should be for the riddle.
The answers are in the same order in the song as they are in the riddle.
And now for some background info on the Herald’s real-world, mythological counterpart!
In the myths of the indigenous folk of Chile, there are stories of foxlike creatures with bodies long like snakes. They live in rivers and trick people into trying to cross, only to make whirlpools and drown them.
The “river kit” in The Herald of Som is mischievous but not treacherous. He takes delight in bartering for information with Tyruc, the protagonist of the story, and the first deal is to solve the riddle of his name.
In appearance, he looks like a teal-furred otter with fishlike features, including numerous fins and a long pair of barbels. He commands water with ease, but his avatar can also fight against monstrous foes with fang and claw.
I am so excited to share all of this with you. My dreams of getting the epic fantasies out of my head and into the heads of readers is gradually coming true, and I can’t thank you enough for being part of it.
Blessings,
S.M. Osborne