In the Great Darkness Odayla was one of the Thunder Brothers, sons of Orlanth.

When Ernalda fled to the Underworld to hide from chaos and Orlanth set off on his great quest Odayla stayed behind under the command of Elmal. Without Ernalda's bounty food grew scarce. Odayla asked Yinkin, who alone remained well fed, where food might be found. Yinkin then showed him how to hunt rats, but these would not be enough to feed all the starving people.

Odayla set out with Yinkin, armed with bow and javelin, to seek larger prey. With Yinkin's aid he brought back boar deer, rabbit and other game. Ty Kora Tek then showed him the secret of sending the animals back to be reborn and hunted again. He himself learnt how to make the best use of all the prey, so that no more than was needed were killed.