#The Teachings of Stuhn to Mortals
As told by Aeda Branch-Hand
In the early days, when the bones of Shor and the et'Ada were still warm, war was chaos. Men and mer shed blood without discretion. They fought aimlessly, killing anyone they came across. The blood of the slain seeped into the ground, sowing violence in the soil. Generations were born and died that knew nothing but senseless war and vengeance. Like beasts, they preyed on the strong and weak out of bloodlust, hunger, and fear. Eventually, the blood flowed down streams and into the ocean.
The blood filled Stuhn's nostrils, and he wept tears of rage and sorrow. The Great Whale rose from the ocean and appeared to the men and mer as they waged war. And Stuhn said, "Mortals! The blood of your victims cries out to the gods. Why do you spill blood indiscriminately? Do you not know that the bodies of the gods have been broken so that you may live? Why, then, do you slaughter yourselves like animals? When you fight, do so rightly, and with honor. So I say to you:
Do not harm women, children, or the lame, for it is dishonorable to murder the defenseless.
Take prisoners in victory, for there is no honor is slaying a defeated opponent. Treat them justly, that you may win them over to your cause.
Offer your enemies ransom, that you may win without unnecessary bloodshed.
Surrender if the battle is lost, for senseless death serves no one.
Make treaties and keep them, for allies strengthen each other, but a traitor has no honor.
"I tell you these things so that you may live and fight in such a way that respects the life that has been given to all mortals. If you treat your enemies justly, they shall do so to you. And if they they do not, know that you are vindicated, for they shall be treated likewise." Thus said Stuhn, the God of Ransom.
When the men and mer heard this, they drew up for themselves documents of war and peace, that they might wage war with honor and dignity, and thus prove their quality. From that day forth, they were able to do battle with courage and order, rather than with fear and chaos like the wild beasts.
Author's notes:
This is a lore book I'm writing to include in a mod I'm making. As such, I would appreciate your input for future revisions. Lore on Stuhn is basically non-existent, so I thought it was a great opportunity to be creative with a blank canvas. All we know about Stuhn is that he was a shield-thane of Shor and that he was
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