Datu

Datu

Datu (Coastal Jutean IPA: [dɐtu], "beast"), known in Samwati as Skm Trz (Samwati IPA: [ʃkm tʀts], "Ruler of the Ether") and in River Jutean as Sekeem Texes [River Jutean IPA: [seke:n texes]) are large mythical lizards. Originally from Samwati mythology, they were adopted by Jutic cultures by the 6th or 7th century CE and have since become some of the most well-known mythological beings of the confederation.

Appearance

The Samwati traditionally describe them as a large, semi-transparent black lizards with four feet, two giant bat-like wings and scales all covering their entire body. This is also present in River Jutean mythology. The more widespread depiction that appears in Coastal Jutean mythology is however that of hybrid creatures that have elements of both giant lizards and the onikesat, the giant cursorial owl. The general body shape is that of a lizard with a scaly back and tail that is sometimes horned, whereas the head, belly and wings (two or four) are feathered and resemble those of an owl, as are the the clawed feet.

Abilities

In all traditions, the creatures are blind, but have a very keen sense of hearing and smell, and are feared for their capabilities of massive destruction.

Home

The creatures are said to be living in the ether in Samwati mythology, the plane of existence between the mortal world and the afterlife, while in River Jutean they live alongside other spirits in Lake Jehaadufi. In Coastal Jutean mythology their home is the immaterial space that exists as a realm of transition between the sphere of the natural world and the sphere of ideas.

Origin

Datu is said to have various origins. Below is the most well known origin story, widespread in Coastal Jutean communities.

Origin of Datu, Ruler of the Ether

Datu, a being of darkness, was born when humanity’s life energy was corrupted. When humanity had just learned how to speak, they were trying out their new language for all kinds of things. At first, they just used it to help and warn other people, as originally intended, then they began to describe things and times and terrors they had encountered and just wanted to share. Thus, stories were born. They have the power to transport memories, mentalities, motivations, and much more, bringing people closer together, even after they have left the world. But that was not all they could do. Soon, some let this power go to their head and a quickly darkness began taking hold of them. They started using language to badmouth, blackmail and bemoan people, places and parts of life. To make themselves and other people miserable, manipulative and a mockery. Their life energy had been corrupted and was now redirected into a cycle of negativity that affected more than just their personal lives. Bad beliefs and ill intentions now began to populate the sphere of ideas, the plane of the world that housed anything abstract, countless concepts, immaterial ideas and fundamental forces. It had been the origin of everything, what had given birth to the physical world. Overrun with all these negative notions they now began to form into something much larger and more terrifying. a giant vortex of destruction that was threatening to take over the entire sphere. As it grew and spun around faster it began to suck up everything in its way and was forcing its way into the physical world. A being was taking shape that was the very incarnation of humanity’s corrupted energy, and would now be spreading dread and despair everywhere it went. It appeared as as a giant translucent black cloud covering the entire sky, and in the form of a lightning bolt reached the ground, where it transformed a giant, flightless owl, the onikesat or Ornimegalonyx, into a giant ethereal beast, weightless and immaterial, its feathers now the same translucent black, wings gigantic, horns having grown on its head. Then, it began to move towards a human village, attracted by all the negativity in it that it could feed on. In the village, things had continued to worsen, with slighting and fighting and smiting everywhere. But as the giant bird-like creature became visible to the humans, it stopped for a moment as terror was carved into their faces. But almost everyone was frozen still and seemed unable to do anything. The beast flew down and began touching one human after another, sapping their corrupted life energy, leaving them as nothing but a broken shell. There was plenty to feast on and so it grew bigger and bigger, losing the body shape of the owl and becoming more like a giant lizard, with an additional pair of legs, a long scaly tail and scales also covering its back now. Then, a butterfly flew by a human. A particularly impressive and beautiful one, bright blue and green, it managed to grab their attention. It was a distraction from what was happening and reminded them of all the better things in the world, and a good thought filled the sphere of ideas. Then, another one. And as they pointed out the butterfly to those around them, these people, too, began to marvel and remember life before. Positivity began to fill the plane of abstractions, beliefs and concepts once more and like with negativity before manifested itself in the sky as a giant translucent white cloud that increasingly pushed out the black clouds that were still everywhere and then engulfed the beast, making it gradually disappear. Not being able to return to the sphere of ideas, it has since resided in a plane between the two, the ether, next to other immaterial beings that sometimes can appear to humans, depending on what they do.

In popular culture

The Coastal Jutean adaptation of the lizards prominently appear in the novel Datu.