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Kryll's
Dark Streams
Kryll
- a hollowed out battle moon fueled by a Black Light Drive based on the
physics of a Black Hole. The only way to travel in its interior is via
conduits of energy called "Dark Streams."
See Kryll for more details.

The
Raid on Anteev
THE HISTORY OF THE
DARK MASTERS
An account of the
rebel raid on Anteev during Kryll's Eighth Age and the Dark Master occupation.
In
the year 906, eighth age, at the height of Dark Master ruling, the Rebel
Freedom Fighters began work on a daring bid to infiltrate one of the enemy's
Mountains of power called Utarvius;
the other two Mountains being called Utiria
and Uvarta. Utilizing all the available equipment
of that time and the best Survival, Tactical and Military minds at their
disposal, the Rebels called the mission file, Anteev and security surrounding
it was extremely tight.
The
Rebel's base, hidden in the Travom Tunnels
of the city of Thartis, was the home for a few thousand dedicated people.
Dedicated to one cause, the destruction of the Dark Masters command over
Sulak.
Originally
a city of great renown and majestic beauty, with architecture surpassing
any previously seen on Kryll, Thartis was lost in the Battle of Karad-Arok.
Named by the Rebels and meaning 'Lost Light to Dark Souls.' The battle
itself was brought about by a concentrated Rebel effort to free the food
producing plants from rationing and redistribute it amongst the poorer
sectors of the city. But the Dark Centurions were not about to let this
Outer Rim City, at the edge of their expansions, out of their power and
therefore moved in extra troops after sophisticated monitoring gave them
information on the Rebel movements.
A
fight ensued and a pitted bloody battle took place across the Imperial
Vlisharn museum. With the aid of well known Rebels, Koglem, Afarius Brenthium
Blade and Damaskus Oneth of the Vlisharn Elite, the Rebels maintained a
hold around the cities heart. Using underground waterways and a chemical
glue called Metagluk, the Centurions were immobilized and in some cases,
destroyed. It was also discovered that covering the smooth featureless
helmet with something non transparent, caused the Centurions to become
very slow acting and incapable of firing any form of weapon.
Karad-Anok
was a disaster though as the Dark Masters refused to be driven out. Moving
from their mountain Utiria
some heavy flying artillery, they levelled Thartis and left in their wake,
thousands of dead and miles of distorted and twisted rubble and metal.
Scanning for survivors, the Dark Masters were satisfied to find none and
left Thartis as a huge monument to their unmovable power.
But
unknown to them, the Travom Tunnels of old, a form of transport of late
7th age technology were deep enough underground to provide shielding against
their scanners. Hidden in these tunnels were the refugees of the battle
and slowly they began rebuilding a world in the miles of long lost history.
Slowly the Rebels moved to Evara, Tunnels of hope and declared it their
new base of operations. From here was Anteev masterminded and a select
sixteen picked by vote and randomness, briefed on an almost suicidal plan.
The
time was 2nd winter in Sulak and the snow lay heavily across the ruins
of Thartis like a great blanket, occasionally broken by a remnant of past
glory, commemorating the cities past. The blizzards so common for this
time of year were to prove very useful as cover. The heating in the tunnels
proved ineffective against the extreme temperatures and people died that
winter from the exposure. But all the hardships endured by those in the
tunnels were nothing, for they had a contented life and they had trustworthy
friends. The outside world of the Inner Rim and Dark Master Control proved
very unattractive.
In
all, eight Tactical Commando personnel were to go on the mission accompanied
by two Tekkers, two Samagens, two LekFixers and two civilian volunteers.
These were gathered and Mission Anteev
was declared begun. It brought together five years surveillance reports
on Centurion activity near the Mountain Utarvius. The report was centred
around the regular groups of human males moved into Utarvius every month
under guard. These secret transportation's of innocent men into Utarvius
would be carried out late at night and under a huge security blanket. Apparently
by accident, the Free Men,
or FreMen, had stumbled across one of these 'shipments' and had recorded
it up to the moment of entry, via a small entrance at the mountain's base.
From then on, the routes taken by the Centurions and their prisoners were
monitored and found to contain a mathematical pattern that the Tekkers
deciphered. From hence forth, the pattern changed every month and the Tekkers
deciphered the new one. Some months, less men would enter Utarvius, others
many would be taken, E-LekBolted into the dark tunnel beyond the door.
After
thirteen months, a Statistics Tekker found a relationship between the number
of Centurions placed out of action and the number of men taken secretly
into Utarvius. Also, the number of Centurions destroyed each month, would
be replaced by the next, but would never exceed the number originally in
operation.
This
startling news brought forward many views and arguments. It had also been
noted at this time that the men were collected from anywhere in the Dark
Master Sphere of influence and that all were physically above the average
and over six feet in height.
The
puzzle became deeper and more complex. The only answer was to get inside
the mountain and examine the confinement process without the Dark Master's
knowing. This became the target for the project.
The
plan came into operation near the end of the second winter. The sixteen
commando's journeyed to the Inner Rim, navigating their way past Centurion
sentries and guard towers. Across the Sea of Magma and over the Cristlannon
mountains.
It
was in the mountains that their first confrontation came about against
a Centurion outpost. Five Centurions and a small group of WorkBots maintained
the installation, built for the purpose of protecting power lines to the
nearby city of RothDor.
Using
a combination of tactics, two TacCom stalked up to the outpost and surveyed
the layout. Finding nothing unusual and the Centurions occupied by their
scanning, the entire group passed by using anti scanning equipment produced
by ROGAN inc.
After
several more of these outposts, some unoccupied and automatic in their
tasks, the group began finding travel difficult in the extreme weather
conditions high up on the mountains. The blizzards became worse and reduced
their visibility to hardly anything. The cold gave frostbite and the medical
supplies were severely drained to keep everyone alive.
Whilst
crossing over a vast chasm of ice, one of the TacCom men experienced trouble
with his harness. After quick, expert attempts at trying to pull him in,
the harness gave way and he fell to his death on the jagged ice below.
With
spirits low, the group finally broke the peak and began their descent.
Slowly emerging onto the northern side of the plains on which the mountains
of the Dark Masters sat, squatting like great metal and rock statues, overcasting
everything around them and dominating the horizon.
The
sky was dark and churned with fire. Frequently, great balls of heated rock
would fall through the layers of the atmosphere, lighting up the sky in
their blazing fury. Leaving great fiery paths in their wake and crashing
down upon the pitted plains, causing explosions and craters ranging greatly
in size and concentration. Some scattering harmlessly, others burying themselves
deep.
It
had for countless years reigned such rock from the sky. Sometimes the chemicals
embedded in their hearts or on their surface would brightly burn across
the night sky in brilliant colour. Other times they would merely be blackness
moving across the blanket of stars visible through the haze.
Meteorites
were common. The largest recorded impact, the size of a small village,
which had devastated a vast area of land.
Finding
the predicted path for the Dark Centurion's shipment of slaves, the group
dug themselves in and awaited the time when the patrol would go by.
Sure
enough and regular as always, a heavily armoured Centurion scout ship,
thundered overhead and circled several times before embarking west. It's
ominous shadow playing across the uneven landscape and drawing into the
distance.
Travel
was slow and dangerous. The mountain Utarvius was closest to the group,
yet still several hundred leagues distant. Between them and their destination
would lie unknown terrors and no doubt, complex and high-tek Dark Master
surveillance equipment.
The
travel was carried out at night, but this proved equally as dangerous as
day. Centurion patrols in sky-ships and land-tanks were doubled. One of
the civilian volunteers accidentally stepped upon a well concealed distance
mine, that vaporized him instantly and then triggered a beacon, alerting
all nearby patrols and supplying a picture of the destroyed target. Within
a minute, the area was swarming with Centurions and strange two legged
metallic beasts spitting fire and burning light across the already scorched
and broken terrain.
The
group made their escape, but only just. It proved to serve as a reminder
of the extreme danger involved and stepped up the level of carefulness
exhibited by all.
Utarvius
proved more terrifying than some had imagined. It rose from the blackened
ground forming a crust like outer layer around it's base, high into the
air and seemed almost to contain a web like mixture of metals and shiny
surfaces underneath it's rocky exterior. Jutting off at varying angles,
sharp, pointed towers, hundreds of feet long and tapering to points, piercing
the sky and appearing like great shining pins dug into the skin of some
mighty beast. Breaking the darkness of it's unassailable heights, small
twinkling lights; green, yellow, blue; all winking on and off, showing
signs of habitation.
Great
jets of flame and steam, strange gasses and materials. All would be spewed
forth from countless metallic holes across the entire surface. Constantly
the lids would roll back and from some internal fire or mouth, the deadly
or poisonous substances would billow out into the atmosphere.
The
aroma of some of these gasses proved dangerous to the group, and one TacCom
who passed too close to the mountain itself; a mere five hundred yards;
got caught at the tip of a blast of unseen gas. He died a horrible death
as his lungs and internal organs petrified and turned to transparent jelly,
leaving his bones and outer skin in perfect tact.
Finally,
the slaves came. A rag tag, beaten group of men and women. Like untamed
beasts in their hearts, but broken physically into submission by the cruel
energy whips and guns of their captors. From all over the Core and the
Rim's they came and passed silently into the mountain. The great shielded
door of rock and metal rising to swallow them from the world outside. Plunging
them into the darkness of their nightmares.
The
equipment placed on the door, concealed and carefully installed, gave the
surviving group of six TacComs, two Samagens, two Tekkers and one civilian
the code for the door. Between the Tekkers, they managed to simulate the
incoming signal designed to trigger the door's rising. With a sense of
achievement, the door slid upwards and the brave group passed within.
Whether
the code had been noticed as false, or was inaccurate in anyway, they did
know. What to expect within was also a mystery. They went in without any
knowledge, but with plenty of courage.
They
encountered a complex of circular tunnels, manufactured of solid metal.
The metal being non-magnetic, smooth to the point of slipperiness and highly
reflective. Various intersections yielded no further information and no
markings were to be seen anywhere. Taking turns and wandering for several
minutes, they came upon groups of metallic doors, circular and twenty feet
wide. Also with no visible way of opening them.
Emerging
into a circular, domed chamber with strange sonic qualities and an apparently
bottomless shaft some hundred feet in diameter, the group navigated their
way around and down another identical set of corridors.
Slowly
delving deeper into the eerily quiet depths of the mountain, they experienced
insecurity and awe at the giant objects and extremely advanced, unknown
equipment they passed. The Tekker's, reluctant to leave the finds, were
in some cases forcibly dragged from their examinations.
The
farther they walked, the more ominous the closed, sealed doors became.
Still no sound, a constant temperature in the nineties and almost total
lack of light sources. The slightest sound, or whisper, carrying for hundreds
of feet due to the manufacture of the corridors and the unusual sonic resonance
and amplification.
Eventually
they came upon an open doorway. Fanning out to each side of the doorway,
monitoring the interior for any movement, the scouts declared the room
safe to enter and the Samagen's stepped forward to magically scry for triggers
or scanners. These too, gave the all clear and the Tekker's scanned the
interior for sensors or pick-up's, hidden visual or audio receivers, or
even Life-Moniters.
They
moved into the chamber, occupied by a single set of grooves on it's vast
empty floor, some hundred feet across and like wise wide.
Upon
closer examination, with troops outside watching the corridor, the Tekkers
concluded that the grooves were of a straight outline and apparently something
was meant to rise or lower. The Samagen's triggered the response by magic
and a control console of clear, transparent hue materialized like a transparent
hologram above the grooves, winking in from a centre spot, and exploding
into shape like a sun.
The
console, made up of sparkling stars, millions in number, appeared solid
to the touch, and visually depicted a strange runaic-like set of controls.
Passing his hand over one such symbol produced a glow, but nothing more.
They left the room, undecided upon it's purpose or it's possible use.
The
exploration continued, but no other rooms were seen until the group almost
found themselves back at the entrance that they had entered in from. Apparently
some form of psychic influence had taken place, or their instruments had
give false, or changed readings of their position.
Whilst
musing upon this phenomenon, a section of clear wall vanished in much the
same way as the console had appeared. A centurion stood in the space beyond,
obstructing view almost entirely to the room behind it. In it's strange,
deeply metallic tone, it declared intruders and then felt the full impact
of six rifles to it's head and chest area. knocking it backwards from the
force of impact and over into the room, the TacCom leapt into action and
continued blasting at it's shell armour in a vain attempt at halting it's
now continued, purposeful advance towards it's Stak-pistol. At point blank
it was assaulted. A TacCom fell, shot to the head by the powerful energy
blast from it's gun.
A
Samagen triggered the release of a spell, and held it in stasis whilst
another of the group linked a internal mine onto it's head. The spell cancelled
and it brought it's hand up to the Samagen's chin, shattering the jaw and
driving on into the brain. Two TacCom continued blasting at it, staggering
and disarming it in the process. Then with a shove, off balance and smoking
from several deep craters across it's exterior, it stumbled into the outside
corridor and a Tekker called Shorty closed the door.
An
explosion, muffled by the thick metal wall, reverberated and shook the
room, followed by a silence.
The
room contained strange metallic limbs and pieces of armour like that of
the Centurions. Robot arm's were stripping the body skin off a human subject
strapped onto a moulded platform. The patient was unconscious and the skin
stripping was done by a powerfully intense beam. In seconds, the body was
stripped, bones removed, internal organs cut out and almost simultaneously,
metallic limbs and artificial organs were placed back. Muscles became tight,
flexible metal strips. Veins and arteries were rearranged and replaced
with transparent tubing. Some organs were not replaced, such as the lungs
and kidneys. Soon, only the brain remained, kept in a transparent cylindrical
container, suspended in a fluid and connected by thousands of tiny lights.
The helmet came down and clicked into place.
Standing
in revulsion and shock at what was once a human, the surviving members
watched as two other similar operations began.
Acting
on impulse they fought to free the humans from their fate. Firing at machinery,
exploding consoles and monitoring equipment in a hope to stop the mighty
surgical arms surrounding their human patients.
Still
the machinery worked without pause. The bodies were stripped and rebuilt.
The first human, turned Centurion, arose and declared intruders. It was
wrestled by Haero, the strongest of the TacCom. For a moment, flesh and
bone met metal and pumps. The Centurion lifted Haero into the air and flung
him aside like a piece of straw.
The
arms were moving towards one of the men's faces now, but a strike by the
Centurion to Akorass's head, missed and passed onto the arm. Bending under
the inhuman strength, the arm found itself unable to strip down the man's
skull. The catches were freed and the man pulled free. His body gone and
replaced by Centurion armour and internal Tek. Only the head and mind remaining
intact. Unable to operate his new body, the man fell to the floor.
A
Samagen stepped forward and began casting a probing spell upon the man.
The
other man's head was stripped and the process, gone too far, was left to
continue.
The
first Centurion became buried in an explosion, as a grenade went off. The
half-human, bathed in Samagen magic, found his body begin to move. The
Samagen was linking metal to mind by powerful magic to perform the task.
The half-human moved and got up. Dazed and in shock, he saw the Centurion
as a threat and punched into it's helmet, repeatedly slinging his new mighty
sledgehammer like fist, denting and breaking the Centurion's helmet until
it collapsed, kicking it's legs in confusion. A high pitched screech emanating
from it's head, now surrounded by arc's of Lek.
The
group moved. Already the third human, now fully transformed had sat up
and become fully operative. They passed out into the corridor, over the
damaged body of the Centurion and on, down the corridor. Strange high-pitched
sounds, possibly sirens or communication, passed along each corridor. Stirred
to life, the mountain became a death trap. Doors appeared that weren't
there before. Corridors became blocked by invisible fields of energy. Someone
passed into one and became vaporized almost instantly. Centurions began
closing in.
By
luck, the entrance came into sight and under a blanket of fire, they exited
the door, seconds before the controls were Lektronically locked from some
unseen source.
The
flight was short. Centurion sky-ship's zeroed in and began firing upon
the small band. The Samagen's erected a protective mobile shield to deflect
the repeated blasts from cannons and missiles. The ground shook, and the
group became obscured.
The
Centurion's landed and disembarked, but smoke and magic obscured the group.
Under invisibility, the crept onto the sky-ship and took off, leaving the
Centurion's firing away into the air.
Another
sky-ship opened fire with it's auto energy cannon and struck firstly the
side and then caught the half-human called Shradis on the shoulder, sending
him sprawling to the deck, but otherwise unharmed.
They
made their escape and eventually returned to Thartis with a success story.
This was the first penetration of the Centurion stronghold.
Upon
the return to Thartis, a report was filed on the mission and the Half-human
called Shradis was examined and tested. A powerful magic was placed upon
his organic material to sustain life and prevent deterioration. But as
for his internal workings...
A
mystery...
The
information gathered from the survivors of the mission was to prove very
useful in later excursions and missions. The brave men that day were commemorated
and given special honorary positions in rank. The dead men were given customary
funerals and a period of mourning ensued. Though only for a short period
of time. For it was still war...
Many historical records
remain of Kryll's struggle against the Dark Masters.
This has been but one
of them.
Consult Archive 192482
on Solare for more information - Spectre Harris ID#2311.
The
Festival of Arvarda
An
account of the First Dark Master defeat
Lo,
did it come to pass that the Dark Masters and their black Centurions ruled
Kryll with a strong hand in that time known as the eighth age. It was by
deceit that they crawled into places of power and with shows of strength
did they build an Empire. Rebellion arose from the inner recesses of their
new world, but lacking in Technology and military knowledge and prowess,
the freedom fighters were driven underground and nearly to extinction.
Oblivious to outside turmoil's, the High-Born of the new cities continued
in their celebrations of luxury and peace under Dark Master ruling. The
Festival of Arvarda came upon them each year, and with great pride and
publicity did the event become a tradition and the guest of honour become
a Dark Master.
At
one such festival in the year 878, tradition was broken by an impromptu
competition. The festivities would involve carnivals, fairs and mechanical
rides to thrill the visitors. All manner of enjoyable things were available
at the festival and many would travel from across dangerous zones to attend.
This year it was held in the city of Pheon and a crowd surpassing those
of past years attended. Passes were distributed and the Centurions sank
back into the shadows and interfered little in friendly arguments. Still,
drugs were for sale, both legal and illegal as well as trading of black
market goods in the alleys. Despite the occasional accidents however, Arvarda
brought smiles to everyone's faces, and those with complaints would merely
be removed.
The
particular Dark Master to attend this years festival was Sar, a tall male
with flickering green eyes and bronzed skin. Between wooing the court ladies
and speaking with the men, Sar would open certain events and watch from
the Great viewing box.
Many
people from afar had never gazed upon a Dark Master before and some stood
awed in Sar's presence. However some did not and as the night drew nearer
to an end, drink and drugs had caused many a bystanding noble to mutter
hasty words.
The
Lord Alvian of Poknor, a small province to the far west had indulged in
many expensive things to abuse his mind that night. He looked upon the
Dark Master with contempt, for he believed them not to be invulnerable
and this he mentioned in a bold voice to the High-Born gathered. As silence
fell across the messy banquet tables and all eyes turned to Sar, Alvian
declared a challenge, despite urges from his consorts to apologize and
flee into the dawn. But Alvian, held by certain deep beliefs and overcome
with drugs, refused to back down and lose his honour.
Sar
stood and asked in a level emotionless tone, how he could prove to Alvian
that his words were hastily spoken and were without grounds. Alvian, unable
to think clearly, turned to his chief Magician and asked this question
of him.
Now
the Magician of Alvian belonged to a Sect of Magicians called the Odahar,
who had been waiting for a long time to compete their magic against that
of the Dark Masters. The Magician spoke quietly to Alvian and Alvian relayed
the words. By the next night, would the Dark Master, Sar, compete in a
test of wills and a test of Arcane power with the chosen of the Odahar.
A
gasp passed over the gathered crowd and all present began speaking of the
legendary Sect of Magic, but Sar raised a hand and quelled their bantering
gossip. He said that he would meet this chosen Magician and in fact, rather
than to waste the occasion as a poor spectacle, he invited all of the Odahar
to compete against him. With a graceful bow, he departed and left Alvian's
Magician fuming in embarrassment at the laughter directed at him. Alvian
collapsed unconscious and his friends carried him outside where much to
his horror, the evenings event was relayed, word for word into his sensitive
ears.
Alvian
attempted to flee the country the next day, but Government guards were
stationed outside his rooms, and the public ridiculed him at his stupidity.
His Magician made it clear that he could not escape and proceeded to gather
from the four corners of Sulak, the most power fullest representatives
of the Odahar Sect.
A
huge crowd gathered the following night to witness this challenge and the
festivities continued right up to it's beginning. Sar arrived on a transport
in grand style to the applause of the crowd and assumed his place on a
golden podium. He wore a plain black robe and appeared calm.
Alvian
sat in a guest of honour seat with the reassurance that should Sar win,
he would be thrown into a penal colony at the very least.
Announcements
were made and the first contestant of the Odahar entered through a black
lumak door opposite Sar. The man was introduced as The Arch Mage Quellion
Ard, raised on the edges of the Magma pits themselves and taught in the
arts of destruction and elemental conjuration. Quellion was known to some
and they recoiled in fear at the destroyer of cities. Draped in his power
items and clutching the Mace of Inversion and the amulet of Zerok, Quellion
Ard assumed his podium and faced Sar. With a formal bow from both parties,
Quellion stared from behind his bushy grey eyebrows and unleashed his pent
up power in mighty detonations. The protective screens positioned by the
other Dark Masters to ensure crowd safety, shook under the strain and glowed
under the impact of fire, ice and then chilling winds that ripped up the
floor and tore down the roof. Quellion hovered on a nexus of white light
and his hair flew wildly around his head. His face lighted in a fearful
rage, his eyes glowing with fury. But still Sar stood, unmoved by this
stupendous show of power, raising his arms and pointing towards Quellion
with grim determination.
A
brief series of detonations struck Quellion. The third ball of blue crackling
energy cracked Quellion's defence shield and hit his next. The following
ball staggered him and the next two knocked him prone. Still did Sar unleash
his power and Quellion reached for his Amulet. But in horror, it had been
melted to scrap at the end of the chain and Quellion signalled defeat before
he be blasted to the nether void.
The
crowd cheered when Sar let Quellion live and the next competitor entered
while Quellion was carried out. This proved to be Fentor of the Wastelands.
A demon summoner, rumoured in league with the princes of Devosagoth themselves.
Wearing a skull helm and various spiritual protections, Fentor requested
preparation time, and Sar nodded. After several minutes inscribing complicated
runes of power, hidden by wispy clouds, all within a circle of glowing
light, Fentor declared himself ready and began incanting his magic.
Sar
watched at first while Fentor continued, until a form began materializing
near Sar's podium. Standing over forty feet tall and also hidden by a wispy
cloud formation, it was evident that the creature inside had various spikes
and protrusions identifying it's horrific form as demonic in nature. When
it had almost entirely solidified, Sar raised his hand in a complicated
gesture and the demon howled in pain and disappeared. So did Fentor and
Sar exchange summonings of ever increasing might. Each demon surpassing
the last in size and power. Each form more grotesque and hideous than the
last. For flickering seconds the crowd held it's breath, recoiling from
the countless horrors appearing and disappearing before their eyes. Then
Fentor erred and his latest creation turned it's ivory fangs upon him and
the crowd withdrew in horror as the creature devoured it's former master
and trailed away with a satisfied licking of it's lips.
So
did four more of the Odahar Great Mages pass before Sar's eyes and the
evening passed by until finally in the early hours of the morning, no more
Odahar could stand against Sar. Apparently untired and fully fit, Sar announced
to the crowd that the Dark Masters were the mightiest magicians in the
whole of Kryll.
A
voice, at first unimposing, but gradually raised into a shout, came through
the crowd to Sar's notice.
"You
Sar are nothing but a boy playing with a toy... Your power is false. By
no right in the Universe do you call yourself Mightiest of Magicians."
"Come
forward bold man and stand before me." said
Sar. His Centurions moving protectively to either side of his podium.
A
man of average size and build, dressed in shabby tunic and trousers stained
black from age in the desert walked from the crowd and seemingly unaware
of the laughter and jibes from his surroundings, he mounted quite boldly
the opposing podium.
"I
have watched your pitiful display of crude magical prowess with distaste
Sar and I have taken it upon myself, Koglem, to show those gathered here
what true magic is. Will you fight me ?"
Sar
replied that he wouldn't and his Centurions advanced upon Koglem. But no
sooner had they moved one step, were they transformed to solid gold.
The
crowd roared in approval at this show of strength and shouted for Koglem's
defeat. Sar turned and resumed his podium without emotion and waited. Koglem
waited also. Eventually Sar conceded to begin and to the audiences annoyance,
the battle seemed to remain hidden from their eyes. Both figures stood
rigidly locked in their positions and the battle was one of the mind. Expecting
a short fight, the audience hung on the edge of their seats in expectation.
But after a about ten minutes, the excitement was almost unbearable. Both
the stranger and Sar showed no sign of tiring.
Koglem,
all the while clutched his black wooden staff with three metal rings around
the middle and a green fist sized transparent sphere held in the tip. The
sphere contained an inner pyramid, always pointing in the same direction
no matter which way the staff was.
Hours
passed and still no change had taken place, until the shielding in front
of the audience shattered and injured the front few rows. The area was
evacuated and first aid given before the medical teams arrived. With chaos
surrounding them, neither broke concentration for a fragment of a second.
Then
the sun began to rise majestically over the horizon and Sar began to visible
sway. As the sun gradually left, to become a part of the sky, Sar collapsed
and with gasps of amazement, the crowd went wild in exultation. Centurions
moved in to carry Sar away, hastily from the scene and others began controlling
the crowd. Of the stranger, Koglem, nothing more was seen as he had disappeared.
But this was the first Dark Master defeat and many swore it not to be the
last...
Many historical records
remain of Kryll's struggle against the Dark Masters.
This has been but one
of them.
Consult Archive 192672
on Solare for more information - Spectre Harris ID#2311.
The
Coming of the Leathiador
Origin
of the Fey on Kryll
At
the beginning of days, Leatheadorian history tells of the First
ones and their aid to the Twelve in making
the world out of nothingness. Using their skills and crafts spanning a
thousand generations, the world took shape and the creatures took life.
Being awed by the Twelve and treating them high in respect, the Leatheor
helped in anyway possible, but were not held as being any less in standing.
Through
the hundreds of years of labour, the Leatheor built themselves a great
fortress, the like of which no one on Kryll would ever see again. The Fortress
guarded the Hidden Paths and the way to the Knowledge of the Prophecy.
Containing all that was, is and will be. Taking great pleasure in the potency
of this Leatheadorian protection, the Twelve placed great trust in their
work and gave unto the Fortress the secret's of the Gods and the world
with also the power to destroy what they had begun.
And
so throughout many lifetimes and many generations of UnUrth, the Leatheor
stayed within their Homeland and took little interest in the affairs of
the God's latest creation... Man.
But
Man was a strange creature, living shorter lives than the Leatheor and
holding their sacred vows with contempt and fear, Man burned trees and
destroyed land, changing the face of the world for his purpose. Corrupting
the creatures and polluting the rivers with Human waste. Their sins even
taking root in the ground and their sorrow travelling to bring pain and
suffering even into the Leatheadorian Kingdom. Being highly attuned to
emotions of any sort, the Leatheorians retreated deeper into their trees
and avoided contact at all costs. Man destroyed man and his violence caused
great fear among the HomeTree's and Treefort's of Home.
Not
subject to quick changes of emotion and complex feelings, the Leatheorians
were confused and puzzled over the Twelve's creations. They pleaded with
the Twelve to change what they had done, but the Twelve said that they
could not undo the magic. So the Leatheor, or Elves as known by humans,
took it upon their shoulders to bare the load of human sin, good and evil
and to try to live with man, not away. Attempts were made, but man was
not to be trusted. After betrayals and deaths, man was Lawed as a creature
to be cast out and classed as unclean.
Time
passed and the Elven Kingdom prospered under new Kings and the Tree of
Life, placed to mark the arrival of the First ones from the Red Star, grew
to a stupendous height. It's seeds spread far and wide and lesser trees
took root all over the world. The greatest trees being around the Elven
Home and standing tall and strong, defying even the greatest storm or hardest
axe.
Life
continued and the Colonies culture developed. The First ones became faded
memories passed down to the playful young. The Eldar rituals became contorted
and changed. The arts and crafts of the First ones became unclear and finally
disappeared except for small bits of information or tools. These relics
of the First ones became treasured. Some were still great, like the Elven
Sword belonging to the Elven King. Or the Orb's of Power. The Rings of
Power and the ways of travel.
But
the forests still suffered and the rivers, clear and sparkling through
Elven magic, still flowed, but brought the scent of man to the land. He
warred and fought over powerful emotions beyond the forest. He killed,
loved and lost. He arose in power and then fell to betrayal. He became
known as danger to the young and was given pity by the old.
Other
fell beasts of darkness sprung from the afterbirth of the land. Ork's and
trolls. The Land giants of a bygone age. The Rock trolls who sat under
the mountains. All these and more threatened survival. But none dared enter
the Elven Kingdom. For death came swift and accurately to those who did.
The Forest was alive and the Elves a part of it's living entity. Being
able to attune to the land and sense intruders. No one could escape their
gaze, their arrow and their fear.
But
the Elves occasionally would need to bend the Laws of Leonor and only the
Keeper of the Kingdom could authorize such breaches of Law. The outside
world, boasted danger and wondrous sights. To some Elves the combination
of mystery and beauty beyond the forest was too strong to resist. They
travelled and seldom returned. But made their way in the world outside,
the world beyond the tree, and the Elves became less of a mystery to humans.
Some sought bargains and trade, but the Keeper forbade contact. Some sought
friendship, an ally in a war. But the Keeper refused it. The Elves knew
man and turned away from his imperfect image.
Let
it be known however that some humans became friends to the Elves and honoured
in their presence. For some humans this gift was extended to encompass
permission to wonder the Home and take in the sights of the First ones.
But none ever knew of the Fortress and the secrets.
The
secrets were apparently lost, as to where the Fortress stood and how to
avoid it's defences. But the Keeper of each generation would apparently
hold the answers and pass them on to each successor. In this, the Elves
remained content and lived in happiness, joy and peace.
Through
strange events and great works in the world outside, man took upon him
the labours of magic and wandered off the true path of Urth magic onto
the realms of unnatural magic. He caused changes in the world and upset
the balance of the land, thus stirring forces long ago forgotten. In the
gradual increase of man's knowledge, the Twelve and the Elves became worried.
But the Twelve had forsaken their bodies and could not halt the progression.
Man defied God and God took revenge. Magic was destroyed utterly and man
was lost. Melgok of the Nether Doe
was cast asunder in the Void and the people arose over centuries to stamp
out the corruption of the God's gift.
Some
individuals were gifted with magic, but the God's instructed these Sorcerers
to remain pure in their power and not to dabble in other aspects of it.
The
Elves remained impartial and kept their faith upon the True Paths. But
a few turned against the old ways and shook the world with their power.
Natural combined with unnatural and man trembled at Elven superiority.
As some pushed away the barriers of Elf to Man, their became those who
were not of one but of both. These had the human failings and range of
emotions, but also the power and thoughts of Elven blood in their veins.
But
the forest suffered greatly in a disaster soon to follow. After but several
more generations, the world was shaken in the Twelve's absence. The New
God's could not halt a mighty natural disaster that flattened mountains,
created seas and broke off coast land. As the land moved in ripples and
things were torn skyward towards the Third Moon, the Elven Kingdom suffered
a great loss of trees. Trees hundreds of Yarn old, wiped out through tremor,
fire or rock.
Many
Elves died with their trees and the Tree Homes. The aftermath was terrifying
to the Elves, who had never experienced such wide scale death and sorrow.
They mourned for a hundred Yarn over lost family and tried to rebuild their
shattered lives and culture. But the trees waned in life and the once great
people broke into separate groups and took up home in different areas.
The Leatheadorian Kingdom was shattered and the Keeper was dead along with
the secrets of old.
The
Rise and Fall of Elven Home - as written by
Errand,
Arch Angel and Scribe of Elondil.
History
of the Dunail
The
Dwarven Ages
Notes on the History
of those known to Surface dwellers as the Dwarves of the World beyond the
Sun
Ages (Of Varied
length dependent upon large Events)
1 Casting
- The Casting of the World and two Suns
2 Forging - Issilan
Forges Dunail and the Powers
3 Building -
The Dunail go below and build cities
4 Nations - The
Great Nation forms and prospers
5 Kings - The
High Kings rule over the Nation
6 Sorrow - Wars
break out with the Shukenyarem
7 Winds - The
Nation seperates into five tribes
8 Hardening -
The Tribes suffer great problems
9 Darkness -
The World shakes and Darkness falls
10 Tempering
- The Dunail learn greatness once more
11 Joining -
The Great Tribes reform a Nation
12 Glory - The
2nd Nation prospers deep down
13 Branding
- The Nation makes it's mark above
14 Steam
- The engines of power take shape
15 Sun
- The Nation occupies the surface
16 Heroes
- The Heroes of the Nation take action
17
DarkSun - The DarkSun is unearthed
18
Power - The PowerSmiths begin creation
19
Blood - The War of the Powers rages
20
Anger - The Might of the Nation trembles
21
Fall - The Falling of the Powers
22
Spurning - The Powers shun the Nation
23
Decay - The Nation crumbles
24
Shadow - The Nation becomes no more
25
Hope - Preparations are made for the End.
The Great Nation
split into five seperate tribes that in turn formed their own nations and
created their own lands.
Name
Moved
1 Sarrockim
NW
2 Kunwrath
N
3 Du-argar
Central Mallorea
4 Mallavir
W
5 Smir-nevar S
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