Kylinarr's Tale from the membership drive 7-09-05
logged by Mourdeyan


This is a Tale Kylinarr Tourilaf told to those gathered, in a tent near the north gate of Wehnimer's Landing to the amusement, and amazement of us all on the occasion of a membership drive on the evenin of Koaratos 9, 5105 sometime after 8 of the clock elven as I reckon it...it has no bearing on the tale anyway cept to help me fix it in my mind, here is the Tale as Ky set it forth, as close as I can recollect it (without of course, most of the interruptions and how'd'ya do's and so ons and so forths...) may any lack of tale telling be attributed to my cramped penmanship, as Kylinarr's tale telling ability was far from lacking had you been present...you'd have sworn you could feel the heat of the battle described....

Kylinarr says, "Ok that does it...gonna make me go back in the dregs of what's left of my mind and regale ya of something...if i can remember what it was."

Matti nods to Kylinarr.

Balantine beams happily at Kylinarr!

Kylinarr says, "I'm not real good at telling so bear with me."

Sadiyah smiles at Kylinarr.

Kylinarr says, "One night many MANY years ago, we were on Teras...by we I mean me and whoever chose to hunt and try and survive on that rock...when the volcano...known as the Eye of V'tull, started spewing forth more then just ash and soot. A loud whistling was heard and the sky was full of great black dots."

Kylinarr says, "Ok...they weren't so great...they looked tiny cause they were so far away."

Sadiyah begins chuckling at Kylinarr!

Kylinarr says, "But they quickly became great...or terrible...and were heading our direction. Most people, being what they are...did what they usually do when something out of the ordinary happens...they went about their business, ignoring em...and still others...myself included...gaped and goggled. In retrospect...it probably would have been better to run. The dots became huge fiery boulders headed our way...still none of us sought cover...we were on the isle...and by the Arkati we owned the place. With a huge shudder and shaking of the ground the dots...now gigantic boulders...began falling all around...exploding and splashing those of us foolish enough to have remained outdoors with gobs and gobs of lava."

Sadiyah gasps and buries her face in her hands before attempting to hide her head behind her fluttering wings.

Mourdeyan shudders.
Kylinarr says, "Those of us who managed to survive the onslaught heard a great booming voice demanding all of us remaining alive to grab the bodies and leave the isle...or be scourged from the surface. Ok...the lava bombs had our attention...so this warning wasn't ignored."

Mourdeyan nods.

Sadiyah nods.
Kylinarr says, "Instead...most of those who weren't involved in the healing and resurrecting of the dead...headed toward the source of the sound...the very gates of Kharum Dzu itself. Again in retrospect, probably not the best of ideas."

Kylinar looks at the faces of each listener in turn as he continues his narrative, gesticulating occasionally to animate a point...
Sadiyah gasps and shakes her head.
Danodros snickers to himself.
Kylinarr says, "But the lone figure standing there didn't look that dangerous. A fiery robed, shrunken man stood pounding at the gates - with Magic! he never TOUCHED the gates...Yet he made them reverberate with a booming noise."

Sadiyah gasps and speaking in broken common, exclaims, "Magix scary!" before once more attempting to hide her head behind her fluttering wings.

Kylinarr says, "Magic is something I understand a bit of...so quickly speaking amongst ourselves...we came to the conclusion that he MIGHT be a mage. Again he repeated his demand. "Leave or perish." So coming up with the most intelligent response possible...I replied 'Make us!'."

Balantine winces.

Kylinarr says, "Not a good day for Great ideas apparently."

Danodros nods to Kylinarr.

Kylinarr says, "Within moments his robes had flared with crimson, orange and amber hues of flame...the very ground buckled and cracked. As if that weren't bad enough...things began pouring forth from the cracks. Ugly things...trollike things...fiery things...things that still give me nightmares."

Balantine says, "Fire things I reckon."

Kylinarr says, "Fire sprites, fire elementals...krynches...umber hulks...stone and earthern trolls...and other less identifiable things."

Balantine nods.

Kylinarr says, "And...the pixie."

Danodros blinks

Kylinarr says, "Gossamer wings of flame and a huge two-handed sword of serrated edge and composed of obsidian sheathed in flame."

Sadiyah buries her face in her hands.

Danodros says, "Something to be concerned about." and nods to Kylinarr.


Kylinarr says, "Studiously ignoring the carnage that was beginning to take place around me...companions falling right and left...others retreating...creatures being quenched with magically hurled water...i followed the pixie...because at the beckoning of the flamed robed figure...she seemed to be leading the forces. I could barely fend off the continuing hoarde that was pouring forth from the earth...a small group of us decided to put an end to things...the town was being ravaged...it wasn't my town...but was my home for the time being and this would definitely put a damper on finding sleeping arrangements. With great effort and loss of life...we managed to drive back the initial onslaught...and then began a state of siege...anyone heading outside the gates was quickly beset by these creatures...to go outside the town was to quickly be killed or driven back within the protective safety of the walls."

Sadiyah gazes in amazement at Kylinarr.

Kylinarr says, "Ignoring the fact that the gates had been closed for protection...the mage walked right through...waltzed into the center of town and a third time repeated his demand...this time with the addition of letting us know that the attack had been but a smidgen of his force. Greater minds then mine parlayed late into the evening and early into the morning...discussion of how to rid the isle of this unwelcomed guest varied from surrender to an all out assault. He wasn't interested in either option. For weeks anyone standing out of doors stood the risk of being caught up in either one of the explosions from the lava bombs or a quick ambush from a burrowing creature...or several. Eventually a lone, baby fire elemental peeked from around the fountain in town...since we couldn't understand it, communication was at best difficult. Mimicing our limbs...it beckoned for us to follow....was it a trap...a savior...hungry...no one knew...but we followed."

Speaking in broken common, Sadiyah exclaims, "Trap!"

Kylinarr says, "It led us to the remnants of journal page."


Kylinarr says, "Mostly consumed and charred, a few words were decipherable. Quickly searching the remainder of town...over the course of days other half-destroyed pages were recovered. Piecing together the bits of writing...it seemed that an expedition for gems and other treasures had been ill-fated several hundred years before. But the most interesting tidbit that came from it...the expedition had found quite a bit more then they bargained for. A sentient gem...it was alive...it was malicious...it was.....crimson. And it had a name. Fir'dracus. The members of the expedition had not survived...but the gem and snippets of the journal had."

Kylinarr says, While this sleuthing was occuring...the fiery-robed figure had not been inactive. Planning his next attempt at driving the citizens and visitors from the rock of Teras...he launched an all out attack of the town. This time we had a plan...all the warriors and rogues would attack as fast as they could swing their blades...all the spellcasters would try and knock off any magics the figure had managed to cast upon himself....it was a sound plan...yet it still failed. After collecting the pieces of bodies strewn in the streets and scraping off what parts could be found clinging to windows...and reassembling the troops....a different tactic was attempted. A few of us were going to go after his general...the pixie.The tactics that were going to be attempted varied...and in hindsight...it turns out mine was best...although none of us knew that at the time. Everyone else was trying to attack or trap her...i just started talking...those that attacked she had her minions utterly destroy...even incinerating their bodies."

Ermione gasps.

Khistian cringes.

Balantine says, "I learned down in 'Haven, metal weapons nae a good idea against fire critters."
Kylinarr says, "Yet her troops refrained from attacking me...I think over the course of several meetings we'd developed an....affinity....for one another.Turns out that she had much to tell. The fiery-robed figure was a plain old fire elemental gown awry...name of Avregol. The pixie, and the other creatures...were doing not his bidding...but the bidding of the sentient gem...the Fir'dracus. It wanted the fiery creatures to take over from those of flesh...to destroy anything that wasn't based upon the elements of earth or flame. And it had imbued Avregol with powers much beyond those he would have normally been able to obtain on his own. Avregol was totally under the influence of the gem...and he liked the power it gave him.The pixie was by default also under the gem's power...albeit unwillingly...ok...maybe she was under it willingly...but other then those flaming wings and the way she swung the sword and lopped off my friends' heads...she WAS kinda cute...but I digress."

Ermione giggles.

Khistian grins.

Danodros looks over at Kylinarr and shakes his head.

Kylinarr says, "Avregol showed up and saw us talking. He wasn't very happy about it. Within moments I found myself surrounded by a ring of creatures I cannot even name...for I never discovered what they were. Things ended...poorly."

Sadiyah buries her face in her hands.

Kylinarr says, "So lying there on the ground...dead...I kept talking to the sprite. Told her that as she saw her sword as a toy...I too collected toys. Told her about my dribble glass...my wand that changed colors when you turned it over...and my collection of stuffed animals. When I told her of my fascination with dolphins...she screamed and fled. We'd been trying to meet the force of the elements with magical force of our own...not with water."

Khistian takes a drink from his dark ale.

Kylinarr asks, "A commune was conducted to Charl...who better to ask about the sea? He responded...quickly...strongly. And within a day a...thing....arose from the waves. It had no definite shape and light glimmered in the most fantastic ways from its surface. Yet the most fascinating thing about it...or him...was he spoke."

Balantine takes a drink from his dark ale.

Kylinarr says, "He told us of the ancient battle between himself and Avregol...of the creatures and elementals of the sea and those of the Eye of v'tull and other fiery locales. And that he WOULD stop Avregol...and that even us short-lived, little-power creatures of flesh could help. He told us that he'd send forth the denizens of the deep...protecting by magic that would allow them to fight for a short time upon the earth...yet beware...for they'd not recognize friend from foe...and to protect ourselves as best we could from their arrival.By this time we weren't beyond believing what various elementals told us...at least in part.Protecting ourselves with spells, or prayer, or whatever means available...the attack began anew. This time it would be different...we WOULD win...we WOULD defeat Avregol."

Kylinarr says, "Nope. It was a slaughter. On both sides. The dead were so numerous that their decaying corpses made the town stink for weeks afterward. Which didn't do much for the appetite around mealtime. Everyone was at a loss...Nelemar included...the Fir'dracus had given Avregol too much power. Yet...hope came from the most unexpected source."

Balantine takes a drink from his dark ale.

Kylinarr says, "Now the baby fire elemental peeking out from behind the fountain in the middle of town, had been joined by a companion. Made of water."

Khistian smiles.
Kylinarr says, "The water elemental was much easier to touch...the fire elemental would invariably injure you...the water elemental never so. And they were lost in conversation with one another...what they said I'm sure only they or those of their ilk will know. For days they talked...in the meanwhile Avregol had withdrawn back to the safety of the very center of the volcano."

Kylinarr says, "Nelemar's help had at least done that much...the town wasn't assaulted every few hours...people could sleep...bodies could be buried...rebuilding could be done...although it wasn't...we were all way too tired...plus the lava bombs would pretty much destroy any attempts at rebuilding. Those trying to figure out Avregol's defeat came upon a most interesting discovery.It was while I was asleep, so I missed the carnage that ensued following their find. A crack had opened up...one that was exactly like the one described in the journal pages the hapless treasure hunter had inadvertently left as his epitaph. At the bottom of the crevice were the remains of his corpse...nothing but a few charred bones and some fairly melted mining equipment."

Mourdeyan gulps.

Kylinarr says, "And of all things...a wall of ice."

Sadiyah peers quizzically at Kylinarr.


Balantine acts puzzled.


Kylinarr says, "Melting it with fire didn't work. It was immune to blade and spell."

Mertyn's jaw drops.


Kylinarr says, "It was translucent. Protected by the wall was the most amazing gem I've ever beheld. It pulsed with the rhythm of the earth."

Mourdeyan blinks.

Kylinarr gesticulates grandly to illustrate his point as he says, "Crimson...huge...faceted beyond measure."

Kylinarr nod and continues, "We'd found Fir'dracus."

Khistian smiles.

Mourdeyan shifts her weight.

Kylinarr says, "Accompanying the pulsing...a sense of presence so alien that it was beyond our reckoning."

Mertyn hugs his knees and sways side to side.

Kylinarr says, "We'd discovered the gem...but with no way to reach it...we could do nothing except hope Avregol wouldn't recover enough to try to make good his promise to destroy all life on the isle. Some people began to despair. Ok, I'm sure we all probably were despairing...but some hid it better then others. The two baby elementals never despaired...they didn't breathe either...but they did...something. For those of us who were awake enough to be somewhat attentive...we felt a sense of urgency. Of need...follow the elementals...they would lead us to the wall of ice...and possibly to the Fir'dracus...and it MIGHT be ok. Faster than it's possible to run...they headed out. We followed as quickly as we could climb the rocks and leap the streams of lava. into the crack, down to the wall, where we were stopped yet again.

Kylinarr says, "Only this time two things were different. One of the differences was that the impervious wall of ice...was thinner...it was melting."


Kylinarr says, "The two fire elementals had begun...eating it...probably not eating...but whatever fire and water elementals do to walls....and this time both blade and magic DID help destroy portions of it. The other difference had a fair sense of urgency associated with it, and quite a bit of unpleasantness."
Kylinarr thows his arms up, hands wide and his voice deepens and grows louder for just a moment as he says; "Avregol's voice...booming...and extremely angry."

"Flee or perish, I am coming!" Kylinarr Booms!

Kylinarr's voice returns to normal as he continues; "I don't know about the others...well I do know...I'm sure they all had the same look as I did. Not-very-well controlled panic. My fingers flew...I cast spell after spell at the wall...those hewing at it with blades put forth extra effort to make their swings swifter and strike more true. A rumbling was heard at the entrance of the crack...and the first of the creatures began pouring through. Just in time the wall was destroyed...the elementals wasted no time - they bridged the gap over the lava...to the pedestal the gem rested upon. We crossed it and tried to destroy the gem...trapped on a small island in the center of the lake of lava...creatures beyond measure itching for our lives..."

Balantine's jaw drops.

Kylinarr says, "They leapt up to the gem and combined...the gem pulsed faster and faster...humming...throbbing...not a good sound.Kylinarr says, "It sounded like it was going to explode...and looked like it. Yet with a wall of fire creatures to wade through...there was no way to escape. We'd be sacrificed when the gem blew up. The initial shockwave when it exploded...missed us... that didn't seem right...yet it happened... when the baby Fire and Water elementals leapt together and combined, they sacrificed themselves...destroying the gem...in the process."

Mourdeyan blinks her complexion blanching

Matti says, "Wow."
Mourdeyan says, "Gads."
Ermione's face turns slightly pale.


Kylinarr says, "With a great wrenching and no time elapsing...the ground spit us out...into the center of town. No one knew what had happened...only that Avregol's cry when the gem was destroyed could be heard even across the sea in the landing. Shards of the Fir'dracus rained down upon town...upon the victorious and safe defenders of the isle....minutes later the same shrunken, dishevelled form of Avregol walked back into town, this time spouting no threats...only remorse. He'd been taken by the power of the gem...it consumed him...and normally he would not attack the town...Nelemar also showed...he let us know that it was he who'd saved us from being destroyed in the gem's destruction...for our bravery and courage...and certain sacrifice when we knew the gem would destroy us.

Kylinarr says, "I keep a remnant of the gem as a keepsake to remind me when choices are difficult that although a course may seem uncertain, if it's right that that's the way to go."

with a smile and a slight flourish Kylinarr says, "Thus ends my tale."

Kylinarr pants.
Ermione applauds Kylinarr.
Mourdeyan applauds.
Mertyn applauds Kylinarr.
Danodros applauds Kylinarr.
Balantine turns to Kylinarr and cheers!
Khistian applauds.
Balantine applauds.
Danodros says, "Good story."
Mertyn raises his dark ale in a toast!
Danodros nods to Kylinarr.
Mourdeyan gives Kylinarr a lingering kiss on the hand.
Matti applauds.
Speaking to Kylinarr, Khistian says, "Thank you for the amazing tale."


this is the tale recounted as well as my memory serves,
recorded and posted Koaratos 9, 5105
By my hand
Mourdeyan Tourilaf scribe for Kylinarr Tourilaf