Tales of Urth

The Ice Giants of Balsharel

Urth is a world not dissimiliar to Earth during the middle-ages. Only one player character, Kaine Orgath, has lived and adventured there and below is a brief chronicle of his deeds.

Urth is probably best known for it's war against the Ice Gods of Tarot (a.k.a The Ice Giants of Balsharel); twisted and deformed giants who serve Chaos and take delight bringing perpetual winter wherever they go.

The Ice Giants arrive on Urth in the far North and quickly begin raising their army. As they move southwards, a terrible winter comes with them, hiding their troops and spies until it is too late.

Kaine is but a young man when the Giants descend on his world but in a few short years he not only stands up against the Gods of Tarot, but defeats them with the help of the Blue sword of Law. Of course none of this happens without its complications but Kaine remains to this day one of the most successful player characters to ever be played in Eldahar... why? Because he actually wins and doesn't die in the process.

Lands and Cities of Urth

Shada, Pax, Wane and Atahwa in the east and Dulcia (Kaine's homeland), Felris, Phoon, Oarse, Vivas, Trane, Sorin, Veil, Rune and Muskony in the west. South lays Org, home of the 3 Chaos Blood Barons; Azuah, Boshog and Pratu. (See Map of Urth).

The Ancient cities of Eshwane and Naradran.

Country of Dulcia - Castle Storm, flag - White arc on a blue field. Lorded over by Baron Orgath, a mighty barrel chested man with a loud booming Brian Blessed like voice. A well love and respected Lord Later became home of King Kaine Orgath.

Country of Muskony - Riverstone the border keep. Home of Sterk von Grinvitch and the God of Rivers - Taur.

Kutalan - Capital of Polnark.

Venture - The Dreaming City - Taken over by the witch Evetta Nirvaniel; its 4 princesses charmed and cursed; its 4 princes turned into animal husbands.

Races on Urth

The Ûthel - A giant 10 foot plus tall elven race with tremendous magical knowledge. Their cities once stood with gleaming spires of glass that pierced the very clouds but now they lay in ruins, shattered and picked clean by scavengers and the passage of Time. It was their protracted war with the Nadragh that brought them down and ended their civilisation.

The Nadragh - Human sized Elves. Originally the children of the Ûthel but who grew jealous of their creators and rebelled against what they saw as slavery.


Humankind - The Children of Arum. The most widespread race on Urth.

Frundi men - A race of short hairy humanoids from the Mireva mountains who keep to themselves and do not normally mix with humans. Kind of like the Scotts but a lot stumpier and furry. Very skilled at construction. Dougal of Frundi is a bit of a quirky character in so far that he longs for adventure and travel. Hence why he ends up tagging along with Kaine.

Artefacts of Urth

Ancient items of the Ûthel - Many exist but the most famous are The Bodiak of Brython, the Goliah Stone, the Tabar of Tehwa, the Saddle of Hered, the Cup of Mugdar, the Cincture of Shinobi and the Bloom of Ja'Dagna.

People

Chau Ta Chune - King of Polnark (circa 640).

Chee Jun Ronin - Sorceror of Polnark from 635 to 643.

Faith O'Beau and her sword Misery. Daughter of the Mage, Gaflin. A plane traveller and all round bad girl she likes to intimidate people, wear tight leather and beat the crap out of men with her sword skill. Faith and Kaine definitely have a thing going on throughout most of their time together but in the end Faith just isn't for him and goes her separate way. She asks him to go with her but Kaine has a duty to his people and says no.

Finarfin Fey - Last of the Ûthel. Stands 14' tall and wields the sword "Justice" on his giant steed "Lalaith" (meaning Little laughter). Finarfin comes across as a light hearted and gentle soul but contrary to this proves himself lethal in battle.

Sterk von Grinvitch - Mighty warrior of Muskony with bright blonde hair who becomes a loyal friend to Kaine.

Princess Celeste of Arcana - A lone survivor from a decimated world, Celeste is freed by Kaine in the city of Jeopardy and promises to help him save Urth. She later falls for Lucitan and the two become married.

Lucian the King of Eshega - One of Kaine's later confidantes and best friends.

Juna the 'Dwarf' - a half Ûthel standing over seven feet tall and with colossal strength. He hides from the world quietly tending to his gardens on the Isle of Horros.

Finfane - A servant of the Blood Barons of Chaos (see below).

Eiflur Gunn - The Eternal Companion. A flambouyant man with a lot of skill using a rapier. See Minnow of the Balance for more information on The Companion.

The Gods of Tarot

  • Gralgorfim - Strongest of the giants with a terrible breath. The unofficial leader and Lord of the Giants, Gralgorfim is also the most outspoken. Loving the hideous sound of his own voice it is he who issues final demands to Kings and countries. He wields a giant hammer called Throfarganheim that inflicts x5 damage vs stone.
  • Ilcahnak - A pillar of living ice with one arm. This giant moves through ice as if it is water. It remains guarding Balsharel and the gate from Urth but occasionally wanders the glaciers looking for victims.
  • Breógh - Hideously hunched giant with one freezing eye. The Eye of Breógh is a terrible weapon. Normally closed, leaving the giant all but blind and reliant on hearing and scent, the eye is covered by a giant iron trap door. When the door is winched up Breógh's eye acts like that of a beholder, firing a mile long cone of freezing air that can literally turn men into blocks of ice.
  • R'Liloch - Swiftest and most cunning giant with large ears. This giant is an incredible tracker able to follow a scent over any distance. Impossible to confuse, R'Liloch can anyone and anything as long as he has had close contact with it before.
  • Mungel Gesek - Lord of the Hunt, Pine men and Ice Hounds. Mungel is perhaps the most devious and intelligent of the giants. He is their ritualist and responsible for replenishing troops in their armies. As such he seldom engages enemies directly, preferring to stay back and let his creations and pets do that for him. He carries a horn that allows him to send commands to large packs of Ice Hounds over many miles. His one passion being the hunt.
  • Soothrool - Most vicious giant and only female. Soothrool is by far the ugliest and foullest of all of them. With a bloated body, gap toothed mouth with the occasional misgrown fang and wild tufts of blood matted hair she actually considers herself quite desirable - especially as some of the giants often rut with her.
  • T'Yannsir - Lord of the Frozen word. A master of power words and communications. It is T'Yannsir who scies over distances and transports himself upon ice cold winds.

7 mishapen and hideously deformed giants from the World of Tarot. Before arriving on Urth the Ice Lords have already led devastating campaigns across 11 other worlds by turning them into lifeless balls of ice.

Balsharel

In the far north of Urth lies an ancient city - The Lost city of Balsharel. Legends speak of the 12 Fallen Eves who fell to Urth and became standing stones of such height and depth that they reached from Heaven down to the world's heart. This place, called "The place of the moon" by the local tribes of Tarot now serves as a graveyard for all the worlds the Ice Giant's conquered.

Giant Trophies

The Steam ship Ice Wind - Buried under snow and ice, it's front end only partially exposed, the great steam ship "Ice Wind" is all that remains of the world of Hellas. Brought to Urth on the back of the Ice Giant Ilcahnak, the Ice wind is but one of over a 100 huge trophies scattered in and around Balsharel.

Servants of the Giants

Ice Hounds - giant dire wolves the size of donkeys that have a freezing breath that can stop a man's heart. The hounds are used as part of Mungel Gesek's hunt.

Pine Men (a.k.a Shakra-de) - These are normal human beings transformed by Mungel Gesek into living tree men. They are cold, lifeless, totally without fear and do not need to sleep. They experience no pain and can lose whole limbs without slowing. Fire however deals them double damage.

The Tribes of Tarot

Plucked from their conquered home world of Tarot for the amusement of the Ice Giants, the Tribe of Tarot now live near Balsharel. When "The Deliverer" - Kaine Orgath comes unto them they accept him as their leader and follow him south into more warmer and prosperous climes. They follow "Daya" the Earth mother, "Kublai" the damned and "Ektra" the sky god.

The Blood Barons of Chaos

As if the Gods of Tarot weren't enough, in the southern lands, beyond the sea, three Barons of Chaos have also staked their claim upon Urth and the relics of the Ûthel. Acting in concert (an uneasy alliance though).

Azuah - A frog-like demon lord that can swallow beings whole and spit them out again. He is also the Lord of Poisons.

Boshog - A huge pig creature with a ravenous hunger and the power of causing earthquakes with his hooves. Also known as the Lord of Consumption.

Pratu - A hideous bird man that feasts upon the eyes of its victims. Also comes across as more than a bit of a squarking loon.

See Lords of Chaos for more information.

The Year 611 to 632

611

The 3rd Age of Wendor.

The Ice Giants arrive at Balsharel from their latest conquest of the World of Tarot. Balsharel is a frozen city perfect for their needs. They reach out with their magics to spy upon the lands to the South and begin swelling their army with local beasts and people.
621

7/7 : Kaine Orgath is born to Quentin and Jalaina Orgath in Castle Storm, Kyngir, Dulcia.

30/12 : Polnark is paid a visit by the Tarot Gods; they offer the King of Polnark wealth and power that he gladly accepts in return for the use of his lands and additional bodies for their army.
625 Slatvia is invaded by Polnark (aided by the Giants).
631

2/4 : An old woman gives Kaine a mask to wear before disappearing.

4/4 : Castle Storm is attacked by minions of the Ice Giants. The young Kaine is lured by Nynsagul into one of his inter planal doors to safety. Kaine arrives at the Castle of Law where he meets Sararli, Lady of Law and her servant Berniece.
632

After a year of training and study, Kaine follows Nynsagul's instructions and takes the Tableaux of Law from the Castle. Nyn transports Kaine, as promised, to someone who can help him.

Kaine on Eldahar

Kaine arrives on Eldahar the 30/4/2594 and stays with the Guardian, Mercy, for 3 months. When Nyn returns, Kaine accompanies him to the City of Jeopardy, losing 4 years of time along the way due to inter World time distortion.

Once in Jeopardy he meets the plane traveler Faith O'Beau and rescues Celeste, Princess of Arcana from the Unmade Prison. She rewards Kaine by bestowing upon him the Blue Sword of Law and together all 3 of them travel back to Urth.

The Year 636

19/4 Kaine visits Gaflin's tower in Crewe Wood; Gaflin being Faith's father.
6/5 Kaine and Faith arrive at Castle Berib.
16/5 Journeying to the "Isle of Horrors", Kaine encounters Juna the "Dwarf", half Ûthel and only one of his kind. At first Juna tries attacking Kaine and running him off the island. But the two warriors quickly learn respect for one another and forge a strong friendship. Juna tells Kaine about the Lost Relics of the Ûthel.
29/5 Kaine arrives in the Chaos infested lands of Org - Ruled over by the 3 Blood Barons; Pratu, Boshog and Azuah.
5/6 Kaine is attacked by Finfane, Servant of the Blood Barons.
7/6 Kaine recovers the Cincture of Shinobi, but doesn't realize it.
16/6 Kaine leaves Org, disguised as an Inquisitor called Tiesa, sailing north with the Chaos invasion fleet.
22/6 Prince Kar is slain at sea.
23/6 Kaine is denied the Ark of Law around his neck - because of his decision to not help the allies being slaughtered by the Chaos fleet.
26/6 A depressed Kaine lands in the southern land of Rune.
12/7 Kaine arrives in Veil, crossing friendly lines in search of a horse.
14/7 At Castle Berib, he meets Dougal, a hairy man of Frundi. Dougal introduces himself as a servant of Luaci, Sararli's co Law Lord on Urth and offers his services. Kaine takes an instant liking to Dougal's honesty and peculiar mannerisms.
16/7 Kaine finally arrives at Eshega to begin planning his defense against the advancing Ice Giants. He now has Celeste, Juna and a new warrior of Luaci called Eiflur at his side.
17/7 If the Ice Giants in the north weren't enough to worry about, Org and the Blood Barons continue advancing from the south. Kaine decides to lure the Org army into a confrontation with the Ice Giants, allowing both of his enemies the chance to wipe each other out. To do this though he has to lead an assault on the men of Org.
20/7 Kaine charges the men of Org at Keep Costa, slaying hundreds of them in a surprise attack.
26/7 Kaine arrives back at Eshega with the army of Org in hot pursuit. Already though, the northern mist approaches, heralding the Giants and their army of Pine men.
30/7 A terrible storm blows against Eshega's walls. Greeg'Hakun of the Pine army delivers an ultimatum - Surrender of die.
2/8 Kaine's plan pays off. Org arrives at Eshega only to find itself facing the army of Pine men. If that weren't enough, the Ice Giant Breogh, lifts the patch over its single eye, freezing the entire Org army in it's terrible gaze.
3/8 Faith returns from the land of Oarse, bringing Brian of the Conclave to Kaine's aid.
10/8

Death of a Friend

Besieged by T'Yannsir and Breogh, Kaine, Juna and Eiflur secretly leave the safety of Eshega's walls and infiltrate the Pine army. Wielding the Bodiak of Brython (one of the Ûthelian relics), Kaine slays T'Yannsir. The Bodiak impales so deeply in the giant's body that it defeats T'Yannsir's power of regeneration. However it remains firmly stuck, resisting Kaine's desperate attempts to summon it back. Suddenly the 3 heroes find themselves set upon by hordes of the enemy. They fight a valiant fight but tragedy strikes; Juna dies shielding Kaine from a death blow.

As Kaine and Eilfur prepare for death Celeste uses her crystal rings to conjure a huge white eagle that lifts the two warriors to safety.
13/8 Faith, Eiflur and Kaine cross the Gamera mountains. Halfway across they encounter a fearsome Ice Drake. Kaine only just manages to kill it, but Eiflur dies from his wounds.
15/8 Faith and Kaine make it to Luaci's Mountain Lodge.
20/8 Sailing towards the eastern continent on the Dawnrazor, Kaine sights the Ice Army afloat at sea on gigantic icebergs. The Dawnrazor overtakes the army, leaving only days to warn the east of the impending invasion.
21/8 The Dawnrazor weighs anchor off the coast of Olahenes.
25/8 Faith and Kaine stay at Fort Katherine. Faith is wooed by the local Lord.
27/8 Ilvir the Damned and Reynaud the Magician ambush Kaine's group. As Kaine is
engaging Ilvir in a horseback swordfight (Red sword of Chaos vs Blue sword of Law), Finarfin Fey, last of the Ûthel, throws down his mighty spear, felling Ilvir's steed. Ilvir retreats from this new threat.
30/8 Finarfin arrives at Ashawane.
2/9 Kaine arrives at the magical Dreaming City of Venture after travelling on Finarfin's flying horse - Lalaith. He rescues Captain Molt and Princess Iolinda.
4/9 Reynaud enters Ashawane & barely escapes alive, losing all of his Shakra-de... Pine men.
5/9

Venture awakens; the curse of Venture lifted when Faith slays the witch Evetta Nirvaniel and Kaine frees the remaining 3 princesses. King Sven lends Kaine the Rose of Dhamar (also known as the Bloom of Ja-Dagna).

Back at sea, Kaine and his companions are blown off course to the Isle of Jundar. There, Coeus "Principle of Fear" (a disimbodied spirit of considerable power) possesses Faith.
6/9 lvir attacks Ashawane with 3000 of the walking dead Shakra-de. Kaine makes a stand, using the Bloom of Ja-Dagna against Breogh. The purity of the Bloom blinds Breogh, making the squat lumbering giant an easy kill. After losing his most powerful weapon, the Eye of Breogh, Ilvir and his army retreat to regroup and reconsider.
8/9 Using Lalaith again, Kaine flies west across the sea back to Eshega.
9/9 Faith and Kaine face some hard truths about their relationship. The way north beckons... Kaine must now take the fight to Balsharel - Home of the Ice Giants. If he doesn't, they will recover and attack again. This time though, Eshega will fall and with it, the whole of Urth.
12/9 Kaine, Celeste and Finarfin fly Lalaith into the far north. Traveling at incredible speeds they traverse thousands of miles over 3 days and nights.
They discover "The Icewind", a strange metal ship lying rusted and buried in snow with only it's prow exposed, pointing towards the heavens.
While sleeping near it, they are awakened by the People of Tarot... refugees from the last World the Giant's conquered.
13/9 Kaine and Celeste meet Polatane, the Tarot Elder and learn more about Balsharel.
15/9

Kaine enters the frozen city of Balsharel wearing the Mask of Tarsis. Climbing up the winding ice stairs of Balsharel's tallest tower, he encounters two of the Pine armies greatest leaders... Teheed A'Grin and Vathimm'Hakun.

With heroic swordplay Kaine dispatches both Pine men and frees the captured wise man, Syracuse. Then carrying the wise man, the Cup of Mugdar and the Storm stone, Kaine flees Balsharel and Ilcahnak's wrath. Glancing back over his shoulder he witnesses Ilcahnak's 400 foot high pillar of living ice tearing through Balsharel's streets. Coeus is reunited with his lost love Asia.
27/9 Kaine arrives at the Place of the Moon (aka The Fallen Eves). This is where Coeus and Asia fell to Urth as Fallen Gods)
28/9

The Final Battle

Kaine summons the Oak Woman who returns Syracuse's lost mind. Within the Fallen Eves (two circles of standing stones), Kaine, Celeste, Finarfin, Coeus, Asia and the Tribe of Tarot stand for the last time against the Tarot Gods...

Finarfin and Lalaith are slain but manage to take Gralgorfin, greatest of the giants with them. The other giants are then unknowingly lured into the Place of the Moon by Coeus and Asia's powerful illusion. Once inside the circles, Syracuse banishes them to limbo, freeing Urth and any future worlds from their tyranny and evil.

At the same time, Coeus and Asia bid farewell, leaving for another World too; they are both tired of Urth, seeking new sights and pleasures to rekindle their love. The war against the Ice Giants is over, but Kaine has a whole world to rebuild.

The Years 637 to 638

637 Kaine becomes the leader of the Tarot tribe, choosing to lead them back south with him to Dulcia. He takes two wives, Ispa and Dayoni, but Dayoni dies in childbirth.
638 15/2 : Kaine and his people arrive in the land of Ohm and stay with chief Vega.
638 26/7 : The strange old woman returns, taking the Mask back from Kaine.
638 11/12 : Kaine and Ispa are officially married (according to Dulcian and Tarot custom).

The Year 639

24/4 A strange cage is dropped on Sterk of Muskony.
5/5 Kaine and Ispa's first son, Flint Atone Orgath is born.
15/5 Flint's name-giving ceremony. Shortly after, Kaine travels to Eshega to see Celeste.
16/7 Kaine meets Dougal en route.
2/8 A week of banquets begin in Eshega, celebrating Kaine's victory and return from the north.
9/8 Lucitan, King of Eshega and Celeste get married. The Prophecy of the Ring begins. Faith meets with Kaine. They both get very emotional, especially when she learns of his marriage to Ispa. She finally decides to leave on a life of adventure, kissing Kaine goodbye.
27/7 Kaine returns to Kyngir. Jadian, King of Arv-Randa (now married to Kaine's sister
Kettri), travels east to bring order to his Kingdom. Dougal accompanies him.

The Year 640

1/2 Junan Ethann "Swiftcloud" Orgath is born.
6/2 Kaine attends Dougal's trial in Frundi; Dougal is charged with shirking his duties as Wise Frundi to the Frundi people and walking out on his goats to boot. Dougal is forced to stay in the Mireva Mountains for a year.
12/2 Descending from the mountains, Kaine runs into an old enemy - Reynaud the
Magician. Without his Ice Giant allies, Reynaud strikes a new deal with Kaine. If
Reynaud can win over Polnark, getting it to side with Kaine's new alliance, Kaine will contemplate trusting Reynaud again. Reynaud agrees and sets off.
20/3 "King Lucin" of Dulcia meets King Kaine of Dulcia. Lucin steps down from the throne, becoming a Baron.
15/4 Lucin takes his eldest daughter Milicea to Castle Storm, hoping for her to marry
Kaine, but she falls for Sterk of Muskony instead.

The Years 641 to 642

27/3 Visiting Keep Faith, Kaine encounters the Tale brothers, two superb archers. They accompany him back to Kyngir.
15/4 The Blue man, Perecos, returns from being lost.
23/4 Chau Ta Chune of Kutalan Polnark comes to Storm bearing gifts.
18/4 Exploring his new land (granted to him as a gift by Polnark), Kaine encounters the great spirit of the Urens river, Vordan. Polnark hopes Vordan will kill Kaine, but Kaine and Vordan come to a settlement as long as Kaine promises no blood will be spilt in the Urens from war.
19/5 Dulcia's exploration party encounter Kalatin the Mage.
10/6 Sterk returns with news from Polnark and his dowry for Milicea's hand.
20/6 Lucin lets Sterk and Milicea marry at Castle Tamarg.
27/6 Eiseltarla and Ryselova take Perecos away. Kaine follows, meeting Dougal on the way again.
1/7 Kaine enters a gateway to the land of Perecos' people and helps free them.
5/8 Dougal and his wife Marla visit Kyngir.
18/8 Using Vordan, Kaine crosses the Urens and infiltrates Kalatin's castle Opula. Inside Kaine finds Faith and the intelligent cat creature Sasaabi as prisoners.
20/8

Kaine begins experimenting with the Blue sword - he enters his own imagination and that of the sword. Things suddenly take a turn for the odd when something or someone starts knocking on the "back door" of Kaine's mind.

He opens the door and goes through dropping off of Urth all together and travelling to another world - Kaine undergoes a strange physical change when he arrives on the World of Eternium and realm of Dûlon. Kaine becomes Teah Dolagne (a female high elf of tremendous power) who leads a group of heroes against Chaos. Only after defeating this foe does Kaine find his way home to Urth. Why? Because the real Dolagne Corum has already been defeated and Eternium lacks a Sword of Law to reinstall Law's power base. Returning from the mystical Law city of Shan'Ra'Le, Kaine finds many months have passed.
23/8 Samosa the Buccaneer King steals Celeste and tries to woo her. Furious, Lucitan storms off to Samosa's Isle of Wreaths only to find Celeste in complete control of the Pirate King, having him eat out of her hand. Knowing how a treaty with Samosa could secure trade routes across the whole south peninsular, Celeste arranges with Lucitan that she visit Samosa for two weeks every year... The Pirate King realizes he'll never possess her but can't get enough of her company and readily agrees. The two Kings drink to peace and get very drunk.
10/12 Kaine is visited by Nynsagul and taken on a strange adventure to the Castle of Lady Nox. Click here for more information.

14/4

 Mercia, daughter of Lucitan and Celeste is born.

10/5

 Lucynda Randa, daughter of Jadian and Kettri is born.