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Conjuring up the some of the most feared and fascinating images in all of Elanthia is the tropical, semi-volcanic island known as Teras Isle. Teras Isle at one time was the cornerstone of coming of age. It was quite common to see newly titled adventurers seeking out the dock where the Glaesen Star is moored in Wehnimer's Landing to take the ocean voyage to Teras Isle. Of late, this has become diminished somewhat owing to the discovery of places more easily (and cheaply) traveled. But even so, the exotic appeal of Teras still makes it one of the most popular destinations of folks soon after entering their noble years.
The history of Teras Isle is relatively obscure, not much is known of its more ancient history. The first written records of some of the events on the Isle were only recorded a little over a year ago. By scouring the dusty libraries and seeking out some of the older adventurers within the Lands I hope to shed some light on the storm shrouded past that hangs over the history of Teras.
Explorers undoubtedly found the Isle of Teras some years prior, but in 5100 Sage Deinirius Antroydes of the Lost Tower recorded the following:
"In 4997 the founding of Kharam-Dzu by Ghorsa Borthuum. The town began as a small Dwarven settlement to support the Borthuum Mining Co.'s mining claim on the great peak known as Stormbrow. While this was not an imperial expansion, trade with the Borthuum Mining Co. was primarily with imperial merchants and provided a small boost to the imperial economy"
Several years later, after the founding of Kharam-Dzu, conditions around the Isle had deteriorated owing in part to continued unrest in the Turamzyrian Empire. An even greater factor in the decline was the constant attacks on the mining community by extremely powerful creatures native to the Isle. These attacks were causing great concern to the dwarves in Kharam-Dzu, many lives had been lost and so during a town meeting it was decided to seek help in Wehnimer's Landing.
Of course, being the enterprising folk that they are, the dwarves would not simply send a plea for aid. They devised a simple plan to attract worthy adventurers to their fair city by advertising all the beauty (not the least of which was a brewery) their town had to show along with the rich spoils to be found outside of town. Additionally, ever able to find a place to make profit, the dwarves conspired to charge outrageous sums of silvers to even take the trip by boat! With this plan they figured to have adventurers swarming the town and with one stroke reap large amounts of silvers all the while protecting their mining operations. Craftily they sent several secret emissaries to Wehnimer's Landing to spread news of their coming.
Rumors in Wehnimer's Landing of a Dwarven contingent coming to visit baring tales of rich adventuring were soon running rampant. Allowing the tension to mount, the dwarves took their time sailing the Glaesen Star to the docks at Wehnimer's Landing. By the time the gangplank dropped, it was getting quite late in the day. The Dwarven contingent met with the elders of Landing to invite them to visit their fair Isle. Of course, by then folks were overjoyed to shell out the exorbitant prices (over 3 times the prices they charge today) the dwarves were charging for the boat ride to the Isle.
Some of the first adventurers to cross the gangplank and walk the decks of the Glaesen Star were Dartagan, Kodos, Ruriko, Guilliame, Ransom, Kyala, Berr, Giantsheild, Mithadris, and Strom. Many, many others also crowded onto the Star's decks to brave the voyage. The gangplank was drawn up and the voyage began.
Overall the voyage was relatively uneventful, with the exception being the sighting of a krolvin slaver ship. But seeing so many armed and ready on the Star, the slaver steered clear. Also, the dwarves spent more time tacking and basically making the trip last far longer than what it could have. The adventurers finally caught their first glimpse of Teras Isle as it slid slowly over the top of the horizon. They saw the Stormbrow peak shrouded in a felstorm's thunderhead and a hush fell over the crowd.
At this point it seemed only moments passed as the Isle loomed larger and the Star found itself drifting southward into the mouth of a large river, canyon walls rising now on either side. They then passed between a rock garden to port and the brewery to starboard just before gliding past the town walls to either side. Finally they slid past the pearl-grey granite and inlaid glaes of Bentock's Adventurers' Rest and came up to the dock.
The self-satisfied dwarves helped the rabble disembark and pointed them to the gates of the town knowing folks would be anxious to make up the lost silvers they had spent on the voyage.
Being hearty and intelligent adventurers they formed into several large groups and headed out the gates. One of the larger groups quickly found themselves in an area known as the Floranthian Village, which was one of the areas that had been overrun by the denizens of the Isle. Led by the intrepid Dartagan and his wife Luciana, they stumbled upon a group of creatures called Sand Devils. Multiple attack abilities, including a command of many offensive spells, make the sand devil a most dangerous adversary. Its name comes from the appearance of its leathery, yellowish, reptilian head crowned with two long, upright, black horns. The sand devil swirls in and out of areas, constantly rotating to keep the wind and dust whipping around it. The Sand Devils quickly slaughtered the group.
Most of the recollections of the adventures that were on that first trip echoed a similar theme, excitement, anxiety, followed by the boredom of the long voyage, then excitement again as they reached the Isle culminating in a quick and painful death. Once the adventurers learned the tactics the creatures were using though, the tide was turned resulting in many fewer deaths.
One final and sobering note was that at the time of the first voyage to Teras, many of the final adventurers were younger than 30 trainings. Over time, in some cases a mere matter of days, the creatures also adapted to the folks killing them and thus became much harder to kill.
Travel to Teras at your own risk, it's very much worth the price. The sights and sounds of Kharam-Dzu, the challenge of the creatures right outside the gates result in some of the most action packed and fun tempered with frustrations the wondrous land of Elanthia has to offer.
As recorded by Lorekeeper Valdarrow neCedra, day 12 of the month Lormesta in the year 5101
Cinder Wasp
With a body length of nearly 1 foot, and a wingspan of 18 inches, a cinder wasp is without a doubt, the biggest wasp you've ever seen. The body is black with iridescent blue highlights. The wings are like soap bubbles, clear with rainbows of color shimmering across them. Large redly glowing compound eyes and a stinger large enough to make a nasty stiletto give this creature a distinctly threatening appearance.
Cinder wasp nests
Smooth black basalt forms a squat cone, taller than many giantmen. The rock looks almost to have been molded or poured into shape, lacking any sign of having been worked. The top is apparently open, allowing the wasps access to the interior. A deep hum radiates from the nest, implying a feverish level of activity inside.
Pyrothag
The pyrothag is a huge creature, towering over the tallest of giantmen. Scorched black by the heat of its environment, its thick skin protects it from blows and the hostile lava flows. The most striking thing aside from its size, is the lack of facial features. A smooth face matching its smooth black skin leaves you wondering how such a thing could have evolved.
Skayl
Flame suddenly hisses and spits from thin air, which shimmers in the resulting smoke like reflective crystal. Then abruptly, the air roils and begins to take on form. In mere heartbeats, it becomes obvious that the transparent bubble of conflagration is a sentient being. The skayl opens its gaping maw of fire and bellows a malign growl that is more felt than heard. In the next instant, the skayl melts down then reforms a short distance away, leaving a drift of smoke in its wake like a fraying shadow.
Red-scaled Thrak
A red-scaled thrak is nearly twice the size of its mundane relative, the common thrak. Armed with heavy claws on all four feet and a nasty set of long razor-sharp fangs, it appears rather well equipped for offense. Its skin has a rough pebbled texture, dark gray to black on the back, with a brilliant red underbelly and tail.
Sand Devil
Mutiple attack abilities, including a command of many offensive spells, make the sand devil a most dangerous adversary. Its name comes from the appearance of its leathery, yellowish, reptilian head crowned with two long, upright, black horns. The sand devil swirls in and out of areas, constantly rotating to keep the wind and dust whipping around it. This allows its sharp claws to remain hidden, emerging suddenly from the sandstorm to slash at
Mud Wasp
With a body about the size of a human hand, and a wingspan approaching a foot, the mud wasp is a rather intimidating sight. It is a superb example of camouflage, with a brown body covered in splatters of mud, and eyes the color of muddy water. The wings are the only exception to the brown color scheme, being transparent with a faint touch of blue.
Siren Lizard
The siren lizard has multicolored pastel skin which appears to be rather scaly, a long, blunt snout, sharp teeth, and a swiftly moving tail.
Fire sprite
At first glance, the fire sprite looks like nothing more than a ball of whirling flame, spitting smoke and ricocheting about the rocks like a dervish. Gradually, her form coalesces, extending elongated arms and fingers, and short gnarled legs from the sphere of fire. The fire sprite's hideous features are pulled into a grimace of hate, and her eyes are like two glowing coals, which spout sparks as the creature wavers in and out of her tenuous configuration.
Miriweather says, "I was sayin'.. long ago, this sleepy town was the home of a burgeoning colony of dwarves."
Miriweather says, "Now then.. there was in town a family of dwarves."
Miriweather says, "they was known for their mastery of rock formin' over all tha lands."
Miriweather says, "they could make sheer poetry from stone.."
Miriweather says, "Twas as if they could work the stone like a sculptor works clay."
Miriweather says, "They's family name was McKyren."
Miriweather says, "Ye knows those dwarves.. who knows where they gets their names."
Miriweather says, "Master McKyren had a grand family of which he was verra proud."
Miriweather nods.
Miriweather says, "He had 8 sons and 5 bonny daughters."
Miriweather says, "He and his lady wife were proud of their chillens."
Miriweather says, "Old Master McKyren had his eldest two sons help him in his forge.. and found apprenticeships for the others with notable craftsmen."
Miriweather says, "His daughters were as fair as they were smart. They quickly found both husbands and/or professions to keep their interests. I hears tell one became a notable wizard."
Miriweather says, "Then.. one day, Lady McKyren found she was again with child."
Miriweather says, "She happily told her Lord, ole Master McKyren."
Miriweather exclaims, "He was confoozled!"
Miriweather exclaims, "He had used up all his favors placing all tha rest!"
Miriweather says, "He didnae knows what he'd do with the newcomer.. and he and his Lady were late in life by then."
Miriweather says, "Anyway.. time marched on."
Miriweather says, "It drew near the time when Lady McKyren would deliver the new arrival."
Miriweather says, "She came to labor on a stormy night.. the sea blew in on screaming wind. The trees were bent to the ground."
Miriweather says, "Well.. tha lady labored all through the stormy night."
Miriweather says, "When dawn at last drew the sun to shine on the debris-cluttered beaches of this isle.."
Miriweather says, "..it found McKyren the new father of a baby boy.. and his Lady dead of the birthing.
Miriweather nods to you.
Miriweather says, "Twas a sad and bleak day."
Miriweather says, "Tha leetle boy was sickly from the start.. and grew slowly. Always smaller tha' he should be.. but cheerful in the face of all."
Miriweather says, "Anyway.. tha lad's father could never look on his face without tha sadness of missin' his wife preying on his mind."
Miriweather sighs.
Miriweather says, "While, tha lad's brothers and sisters adored him above all elese."
Miriweather says, "They found his cheerful smile tha only balm to sooth tha missin' of their ma."
Miriweather says, "Well.. tha lad grew, although not much. He was always smaller than all tha other dwarves."
Miriweather says, "finally tha day came for him to choose a profession."
Miriweather says, "He had longed to join his brothers and dad at the forge alla his life."
Miriweather says, "However, his dad didna share his conviction that he should."
Miriweather says, "So.. he began to spend more and more time roamin' tha cliffs and valleys of this island.. and practicing tha craft he saw his family performin' in secret out there."
Miriweather takes a drink from her 75 year old cognac.
Miriweather grins.
Miriweather says, "His da' was a true master.. however, tha older brothers could never seem to quite 'get' the knack of the art."
Miriweather says, "Leetle McKyren watched his da' form works of pure poetry from stone..."
Miriweather says, "..and he would go to the hills and caves and try to echo what he had seen his da' do."
Miriweather says, "One day.. he found a cave."
Miriweather smiles.
Miriweather smiles.
Miriweather says, "In tha cave.. he began to work in earnest. At last finding a place to work the marvels he found within his imagination.. fueled by what he'd seen his da' before him do."
Miriweather says, "And there.. he began to feel the pressence of something else."
Miriweather furrows her brow.
Miriweather says, "A strange... old..... conciousness."
Miriweather says, "He began with something simple.. something pedestrian."
Miriweather says, "he began to build.. a road."
Miriweather says, "He formed the rocks.. he called the sparkle of the heavens down into his road."
Miriweather says, "As he worked with the stone.. the strange pressence began to talk to him."
Miriweather furrows her brow.
Miriweather says, "At first he ignored it. He thought it was merely his own imagination."
Miriweather says, "His own longing to become so in-tune with the rock that he could form it to his designs."
Miriweather says, "But gradually.. he realized, that it was indeed.. something else."
Miriweather takes a drink from her 75 year old cognac.
Miriweather smiles. You ask, "Yes?"
Miriweather says, "finally... "
Miriweather says, "He acknowledged the pressence.. and asked..."
Miriweather says, "'Who are you?'"
Miriweather says, "Softly.. he heard an answer."
Miriweather says, "Fangthryn."
Miriweather says, "An old voice.. a voice so low, it's utterance was like the shifting of the earth."
Miriweather furrows her brow.
Miriweather says, "As he heard the name, at once he felt as if he'd known it all his life. And at the same time, it was as foreign as a demon is to a dwarve."
Miriweather furrows her brow.
Miriweather says, "He was afraid."
Miriweather says, "So he tried to ignore the voice, working all the harder on his road."
Miriweather says, "It began to wind its way through the tunnels, like a snake."
Miriweather says, "It began dark in color.. but as it grew, it became the color of salmon.. vivid pink.. and full of the sparkle of mica, like stars in the heavens."
Miriweather says, "He soon realized that the strange ore he was using was tinting the road."
Miriweather says, "He found it littered about the caverns.. and he used it."
Miriweather says, "he was proud of his road.. it was beautiful and smooth and seemed to grow from his hands like a living thing.
Miriweather smiles.
Miriweather says, "Then one day.. as he was working.. he looked up."
Miriweather says, "The road had come to the entrance of a great cavern.
Miriweather furrows her brow.
Miriweather says, "He'd never explored the caverns that far."
Miriweather says, "The place was big.. the ceilings high above and invisible."
Miriweather says, "And in the center was a well."
Miriweather says, "It was a hole and he could nae see the bottom."
Miriweather says, "but he heard voices from it."
Miriweather says, "Well.. one voice really."
Miriweather says, "The voice that had become a constant companion."
Miriweather says, "by this time, his family hardly saw him."
Miriweather says, "When he would return, his siblings would ask him where he spent all his time.. but he felt a strange reluctance to disclose his endeavors."
Miriweather says, "'I'll wait till I'm finished,' he told himself."
Miriweather says, "Then.. he thought, "I'll show them that I'm good enough to work with my da'!""
Miriweather says, "Upon reaching the cavern, he became astounded at the beauty he found there."
Miriweather says, "And there, he saw the truth of the reddish colored ore he'd been using."
Miriweather furrows her brow.
Miriweather says, "Shards were there.. only in that cavern.. they were a bright ruby red."
Miriweather says, "Finding such an amount of it.. his road continued."
Miriweather says, "finally, it covered the entire floor of the cavern, in its pristine smoothness and finish."
Miriweather says, "The last section he finally finished.. in the southwest corner of the cavern."
Miriweather says, "And here.. it ended at a wall. Upon the wall were incised strange symbols which he could not read."
Miriweather says, "he sat upon the perfect surface of his incredible road and gazed at the symbols."
Miriweather says, "They were beautiful.. their forms were graceful, looping across the wall in an endless dance."
Miriweather says, "As he gazed upon them, he began to hear his companion.. the voice.. and it began to translate the meaning of the glyphs."
Miriweather furrows her brow.
Miriweather takes a drink from her warm golden brandy.
Miriweather slowly exhales and the warm scent of brandy drifts past you.
Miriweather gets a languid grin on her face and falls over.
Miriweather coughs.
Miriweather furrows her brow.
Miriweather exclaims, "Oh my!"
Miriweather says, "Finally.. hearing that voice.. he gave into it."
Miriweather says, "As he tumbled into its depths.. he was overcome by the sheer beauty and agelessness of it."
Miriweather says, "He was drawn into it, as a lover is drawn into the embrace of his partner."
Miriweather says, "And as he gave himself up to it, he began to understand what he'd made his road from.."
Miriweather says, "What it was." You stare at
Miriweather.
Miriweather says, "Well.."
Miriweather says, "At the point of his understanding.." .
Miriweather says, "Suddenly, the little dwarf felt a shift.. as if a shift in the very 'being' of reality."
Miriweather says, "And in that moment.. he felt a second pressence.. like the one who'd become part of himself.. but different."
Miriweather says, "And this one was definately not friendly."
Miriweather furrows her brow.
Miriweather says, "The dwarf's kindly pressence coiled into the center of his being, as if biding there to protect him."
Miriweather says, "While, the... 'other'.. seemed to lift itself up from the well like a huge viper."
Miriweather says, "The dwarf was terrified."
Miriweather says, "Suddenly, he felt the being within him rise from his chest.. and confront the malevoelent being approaching from the well at the center of the cavern."
Miriweather says, "The conflict began. The dwarf wasn't sure if it was within his mind.. or actually taking place. All he could do was cower at the base of the carved wall and watch the conflict."
Miriweather says, "The being he knew as Fangthryn battled relentlessly."
Miriweather says, "However, his adversary was both immense and tireless."
Miriweather says, "Finally, he felt the sweet essence of his companion begin to weaken."
Miriweather says, "Slowly he drew himself up, until he was standing." Haelra frowns.
Miriweather says, "He watched as clouds of vapor and static light circled the cavern as the imortals battled."
Miriweather says, "He walked a few paces toward the center of the chamber."
Miriweather says, "Suddenly, behind him, he felt a throb of air.. and turning, he beheld the wall at which he had marveled explode.
Miriweather says, "It was as if the explosion was in slow motion.. he watched huge pieces of rock slowly glide past him."
Miriweather says, "And in that moment, he had an idea."
Miriweather says, "In that moment.. he knew that his love for the being Fangthrym was what was dooming it."
Miriweather says, "As the immortals battled.. he slowly walked forward."
Miriweather says, "Each step seemed to take every effort he could summon."
Miriweather says, "He walked forward.. toward the center of the cavern."
Miriweather says, "And finally.. reaching its center.. he stopped."
Miriweather says, "He turned and conected his conciousness with that of the being he knew as "
Miriweather says, "Fangthryn.. he sensed the mystery and the beauty of his friend."
Miriweather says, "then.. he confronted the other."
Miriweather says, "He laughed in its face."
Miriweather says, "He jumped about.. he made rude gestures to it."
Miriweather says, "And he sensed its gaze slowly turn toward him."
Miriweather says, "It was terrifying and horrible in its power."
Miriweather says, "It was everything he could have feared in every nightmare imaginable." Haelra's face turns slightly pale.
Miriweather says, "And it was slowly coming toward him."
Miriweather says, "All of a sudden, it leaped, clutching him in its endless and timeless abyss."
Miriweather says, "And at that moment.."
Miriweather says, "He leapt into the bottomless pit he knew as the well at the heart of Fangthryn's Cavern."
Miriweather sighs.
Miriweather shrugs.
Miriweather says, "They say.. somewhere.. McKyren's Folly will be found."
Miriweather says, "His brothers and sisters mourned him."
Miriweather says, "His father said he was never meant to be."
Miriweather says, "Time will tell.. if he came to his end by falling into the ocean after too much grog."
Miriweather says, "No one's ever been able to find what his brothers and sisters said he spoke of."
Miriweather says, "However.."
Miriweather says, "Tis said.."
Miriweather says, "later.. occasionally.."
Miriweather says, "his siblings were said to mention visitations.."
Miriweather says, "Something would come to them.. saying that their brother was special.."
Miriweather says, "and tis said that every sibling that dwarf had was blessed with such good luck as to make them wealthy and fat all their days."
Miriweather grins.
Miriweather says, "So.. thas an old story."
Lady Bronnwyn (my loving and adoring beautiful wife, whom without I am lost)
Lord Keric
Lord Setzier
Lady Luciana
Meriweather
Lord Kree
Lord Mithadris
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