Ohborn Castle Pt. One (Last year's NaNoWriMo)

Ohborn Castle, Charlemagne referred to it as the great heaping pile of rock. His comment is understandable. Ohborn isn't much to look at. Not even by plain castle standards, but within it conceals a treasure sought after by Kings and peasant's alike. Ohborn was built and completed sometime between 504 and 900 CE. Although the oral tradition around the castle goes back much further, to the history of the rocks themselves. To put it in perspective here is an excerpt from one of the oldest known documented record of the castle's origins.

“Before the god's sang their song. Before there was day or night. There was the rocks of Ohborn. Life giving light shined from them. For theses rocks were from the ONE.”

For centuries scholars would argue who the “one” referred to. Many believed it to be some kind of supreme deity. Others claim it as more of a concept than an actual being. Whatever it meant the local populace took it quite seriously. They would ceremoniously coat the rocks with tar as early as the year 24 BCE. When the Roman's took control, in the early first century, they commented on this.

“The barbarians have a sacred place where they dump pitch as an offering to their gods. It is to be covered due to its bright color. The rocks have been investigated and are not precious, merely unusual. Their rites will be allowed to continue.”

That is the only known reference to the rocks having any color, until 600CE. When The Artist appeared. Modern scholars dispute The Artist's existence, but for the sake of impartiality both the traditional and the more critical view will be taken into account.

The tradition claims that in the year 504 CE. a warrior King discovered the rocks of Ohborn. He had conquered the surrounding land and either decided to build his stronghold upon the rocks or a temple to honor the rocks, or perhaps both theories are true. Either way the early date for the castle's erection took place by that warrior King, as told by The Artist over one hundred years later. The Artist claimed he was a descendent of that warrior King, and therefore the rightful owner of the castle. The local lord of that time did not take keenly to the lowly peasant's claim. However, his fears were diminished when The Artist claimed lordship solely over the castle and not over the people.

This peace did not last long for although it is said that that the castle had been abandoned for over 70 years, the tar and pitch ceremony had carried on and the locals did not appreciate The Artist's assertion that he knew what was behind the layers of tar.

The Artist mingled among the people making figurines and, spinning wool, and singing songs. His works were splendid, but his words cut to the heart. The Artist proclaimed that the pitch rituals must come to an end, and the rocks must be revealed. The people argued that the tar was a coating to protect the image on the rocks, and that the ceremonies must continue. The artist said:

“The castle walls protect it now, and they have since the King's day.”

The people were then divided. Some believing in the authority of The Artist and others believed him to be a fool. The rocks were only to “Bless those that honor the tar-pitch ways, and curse those would dare look upon its bare face.”

Then The Artist is said to have said. “You are right when you say those that added the tar were blessed. They persevered the rocks for this day. For it is on this day the tar will come down.”

At this, the people raged for they knew his plan. They seized him and struck him until his last breath. The pitch ceremony carried on just as it had done each and every year. They carried the tar up Ohborn hill ready to spread the pitch inside and out. However, when the crowds arrived at the castle there they discovered the artist's followers, with their faces alight like stars. The Artist had already removed a small portion of the tar, and his followers had seen the unadulterated rock's surface. The people shook with fear, but the chief among the followers said, “Fear not for we are blessed. We will live among you just as The Artist did, and you will reap rewards from our company though you curse us, but if you join us you will provide for yourself and those around you as well.”

This is the story traditionalists claim proves that the rock painting of Ohborn Castle bears the image from “the One” himself. And that upon looking on that image would bless anyone, and make them into a great artist. In fact, many followers, to this very day hold this belief as literal. However, modern skeptics and debunks-ers claim that this 8^th century manuscript is at best heavily altered, and at worst a downright fabrication. Indeed, scientists have analyzed the image and found it contains traces of paint particles dating back to the middle ages. Traditionalists argue that the paint they found was added by misguided followers thinking they ought to add to the artists discovery. Traditional leaning scientists claim that the age of the cut away is proof of image's validity. That it confirms the cutting took place in 600 CE. as the manuscripts states. While that assertion is widely disputed it does not debunk the claim that the image itself was not painted in the middle ages.

Indeed, many liberal followers accept the notion that the artist cut away the tar and upon discovering the wall to be blank, painted his own masterpiece and by that he was blessed. In the same way, the Artist's followers must practice their craft in order to become great artists.

No matter what one chooses to believe there is no doubt that Ohborn castle has forever changed how the world does art. There is nearly no famous artist in post Ohborn existence that has not seen or at the very least studied the image on the wall. All of the Renaissance painters made a pilgrimage to Ohborn. That is a powerful proof for traditionalists. Skeptics disregard this by citing the thousands of others that have not become great artists. Still that does not stop the flow of people that come to Ohborn, climb down that pitch lined tunnel to see up close, or those less brave to see from the top of the cutting to see the image. They come to Ohborn during the traditional month of pitch, but instead of adding tar to wall, they climb up the hill and down at a hole to be "inspired."

“Cut!” Yelled an indignant documentary director.

“Finally! How long do I have to keep up this English accent?” Asked an agitated Austrian-American.

“As long as it takes to shoot, and it will take forever if you keep up this sarcasm.” Gritted the director.

“That jab was sincere.”

“Not everyone is a cynic like you. People take this stuff seriously. We are to respect their beliefs.”

“What about mine? Impartial my ass!”

Thus is the sentiment of the Ohborn documentary’s narrator. His name is Dr. Eric Wall PHD. He is an expert in art history. Heavily respected in his field, and ought to be teaching in some high class educational institution, but he is not. Instead, he is in a forgotten region between Germany and Austria shooting a documentary on a subject that has entangled his entire life, and even before then. His parents met at Ohborn Castle. His American Father was apprehended for trying to get inside the castle. He would have had criminal charges brought against him if it were not for his future wife. She persuaded the arresting officer to releases him, and the rest is history. Eric was to be born in Austria and raised in between there and the US. His adult years have been spent studying and traveling the globe. However, his steps always lead him back up the hill to Ohborn. This has happened so often that if he was a follower of the Artist he would have a Geneva tekonology.