Votank the Ancestor
Votank was born during the Darkness. As was the custom among his people at the time, he was Abandoned on the plains to see if he would shrivel and die or survive and prosper. He was found by Grandmother Sky, who the hunters also knew as Hearth Mother. She fed Votank the Three Hearty Meals and he grew to be a healthy and vigorous man. Votank looked around him and saw that the people were hungry. He asked Hearth Mother what was to be done and she said to look outside for help. He travelled through the forests and plains and asked for help for his people, but everyone turned their backs as they had their own problems. Eventually Brother Bear told him that he could not help but that he had asked Rigitania for her help. Votank went to find the Hunting Nymph and, after much effort, found her and obtained her help. She reached into her Red Pot and brought out a handful of carved figures that she put into a leather bag and gave to Votank, making him promise to return to her that which she had given to him. He agreed and left for his people. When he returned he showed the people the bag that he had been given but they laughed and asked what use that was. He reached in and brought out a clay figure of a bison and breathed on the figure, painting a picture of a bison on his chest and on the floor. He ran to the plains and brought back a slain bison that he gave to the people to eat. This was how Votank invented hunting, but for every creature he killed he made a prayer to give back the soul of the creature slain to Rigitania. From that day onwards the people of the area thought of Votank as their Chief and called themselves the Votanki.
Votank and Grandmother Sky had several children, one of which was Firshala. He also sired a daughter on Rigitania, the first of the Wild Women. He sired a number of children on Firshala, each of whom founded one of the clans of the Votanki.
Votank performs a number of functions for the people of Balazar, he is the Hunter and the Chief. He is the role model for all Votanki Hunters and his myths give examples of how Votanki should live.
Votanki is said to be a son of Hunter and Hearth Mother by most people. He was wed to several different wives or mistresses and founded a widespread batch of sons. Ancient accounts say there were 25, but only ten sons are now known. Each of these is credited as the founder of one of the clans. In any case his descendants were numerous enough to name the region Votanki - a name which lasted until the coming of Balazar, and which is still used by the more traditional natives. Although legend declared him to be the true father of the Balazaring peoples, the Hero/god is not as popular as the later Hero, Balazar. Even so, most clans will usually have a Priest or Shaman who devotes part of their time to the mysteries of Votanki.
The worship of the minor Hero Votanki is ancestor worship, similar to Daka Fal. It is typical of hero cults. Votanki, though, impounds no special power or honor, but instead is an eponymous ancestor who defines the community and social order. The limited nature of this cult allows on the following Rune spells: Discoporation, Divination, Extension, Mind Link, Warding and the cult special Rune Spell, Summon Son of Votanki.
