Auctumnus

Auctumnus was never born, at least not in the common sense of the word. One day, he just came into existence and opened his eyes to a world filled with beauty. Curiously, Auctumnus set out to explore this new place that lay before him. He discovered forests and plains, wastelands and meadows. Wherever he went, the world around him started turning from green into vivid red and golden colors. Leaves fell from the trees like an endless rain of color, and each of his steps made a rustling sound. The air smelled a bit sweet and still earthy, an amazing scent Auctumnus would never get tired off. It was a wonderful place to be.

But soon he realized he was not alone in this world. While wherever he went, the air was warm and sometimes even damp, he noticed that after he had left a place, the air would grow colder and soon after, glistering snow would cover anything with a white blanket. Intrigued, Auctumnus decided to stay in one place for a while to see who it was that came after him. This is how he met the god of winter, another deity, just as new to the world as Auctumnus himself. The two spiritual beings began to talk, their voices filling the air like a melodious humming. Auctumnus understood his role back then: He was the one to prepare the world for the long sleep winter would bring.

For a while longer, Auctumnus continued his travels, going wherever he felt like, knowing that winter would follow soon. One day, he encountered the god of summer, who was resting before continuing his own journey. Again, Auctumnus was driven by curiosity, asking the god of summer all the things he wanted to know. He learned that summer was a phase filled with life and warmth, in which plants would spread their seed to be reborn after their winter sleep.

Again, Auctumnus continued his travels peacefully. One day, however, something changed. He felt it before he could see it, pressure spreading in his chest and a cold hand clenching his heart. His surroundings were bright, so bright it hurt his eyes. The air was still to cold to be the doing of summer, but too warm to be cooled by winter. Plants were sprouting, but they looked weird to him, small and weak. Auctumnus was unable to continue his path. Even though he had not met the god of spring yet, he realized that he had to avoid them at any cost.

But Auctumnus also understood that if he continued his arbitrary travels, he’d encounter the god of spring sooner or later. So he contacted his friends, the gods of winter and summer, and presented them an idea. Instead of travelling through the world in any direction they wanted, each of them should have their own time, with a set circulation so that Auctumnus would never have to meet the god of spring. The other two agreed and included the god of spring in their planning. This is how nowadays, each of the seasons lasts for several months, all of them following in a pre-defined order.

While Auctumnus is free of his duty to prepare the world for the long sleep, he enjoys spending time exploring its wonders and creatures. He has learned to keep his powers subdued until his time of the year has arrived. He lives together with other dragons, who admire him for his kindness and open mind. However, Auctumnus will never be found during spring, when his enemies roams the plains.