Author: Adelyn Belle'rose
Rozen Chalice Publishing, a division of East Arelith Trading
Original Publication: 169 AR "Skull Crag Schism"
Revised & Updated Edition: 175 AR "Arelith: Skull Crag Schism"
"The Arelith Antiquarian Society is instituted to examine, preserve, and publish all antiquities as connected with the art, language, literature, and history of the Arelith Archipelago. Articles bearing this notation have been selected for conservation regardless of race, faith, alignment, or affiliation. While all efforts have been made to ensure the information within is accurate regarding the subject matter covered, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any other inconsistencies herein, whether such errors or omissions are the result of negligence, accident, or any other cause. If any such errors, inaccuracies, or omissions are discovered please contact the author who will address the issue."
Contents
FOREWORD
The great tragedy of mortality is the loss of truly exceptional individuals. The ogre Ikarus is one such creature. Having known him in his life, I feel compelled to not only record his great deeds, of which there were many but comment on the Elder himself. He was one of the few to stop and speak with me rather than simply resorting to a blade. A rare and treasured state of mind in this realm of constant bloodshed. Where many want to outcast and exile on rumor alone, Ikarus would seek to understand the matter before passing judgment. He was Andunor's greatest strength, possessing a mind of wisdom and contemplation. As such, I found it hard to pinpoint what of his many endeavors should be recorded in-depth for such a soul. For he has fought in many conflicts, the last of which was the flooding of Cordor's sewers with oozes and slimes. So, ultimately, I asked Ikarus himself which he wanted saved for prosperity. Of his many feats the one that brought him peace was his retribution upon Guldorand. So that is the tale I record in these pages. A last request granted for a friend. While I adored our conversations and games of 'Tit for Tat' your absence in this world makes me thankful I can no longer feel such things.
I. THE GRUDGE
Hostilities between the frontier logging village of Guldorand, known as Westcliff, and the Ogre tribes of the Skull Crag Mountains began the moment settlers first appeared in the area. A policy of human expansionism and logging forcing the two factions into conflict. This animosity was ingrained in the Crag tribes by the time the ogre Ikarus was born. Growing in both size and prowess the young Ikarus rose in favor among the Gods to eventually claim the mantle of shaman. Standing beside Chief Dadaluk, they led their tribe in continued warfare against the invaders of Guldorand. This feud waged until the winter of 131 AR, when the mayor of Westcliff, Alice Highfen, ordered a daring assault upon the ogre clan's cavern home amid a blizzard. The settler's militia attack fell upon the unprepared tribe and what followed was described as slaughter. Shaman Ikarus, guarding the birthing chamber where his wife Brunnk had just given life to his newly born son, fell gravely wounded and left for dead. His mate and the females within the chamber were slain, while his unnamed son was speared.
With their Chief fallen in battle, home destroyed, and shaman lost to despair those that survived the slaughter scattered. However, within this moment of personal torment Ikarus was given a vision of purpose, offered by his God Vaprak, to travel below and guide a new war chief who was on the rise. Making the sojourn, Ikarus found himself in Andunor and in the service of Chief Karstaag.
II. UPRISING
Years after he arrived in Andunor, now old in age, Ikarus learned the magic of far-seeing from the magi of the Erudite Arcanum. Once again able to view the surface, he observed his old homeland in passing until the events of 167 AR. The scried actions of Guldorand's Shield leader Axeman Derristan Barley stirred the old flames of loss within the ogre shaman. Even now, the settlers of the logging village raided the Skull Crags, slaying the tribes for writ and gold. Never a coward, Ikarus strolled to the gates of Westcliff and declared that "doom was comin' from my horde".
Shortly after the declaration, the Guldorand Elder Angela Amana approached the ogre to speak of peace in the Undergarden. While unsuccessful, her action was respected by the shaman for few surfacers ever bothered to ask the most important of questions . . . "why". Angela Amana was rewarded for her courage by learning of Ikarus' past and while her tear-filled pleas fell on a heart hardened by loss, she did earn the Elder's admiration.
III. WAR
With the city of Andunor in a period of relative calm between the various factions, Elder Ikarus sent out a call to battle. Bounties were placed on the Shields of Guldorand, the village's militia force, and a declaration for a city-wide war moot was made. Many answered the call of the new Warchief, though not all from Underdark city. Pirates from the isle of Sencliff, Banites of the Black Host, and demon kin from the Black Citadel swarmed to the ogre's banner by the scores. Reminding us all that nothing can bring such natural enemies together as that of mutual hate for a shared adversary.
The campaign was launched after the war moot established leaders and roles. Strike packs moved on outlying ranger stations and outposts of Guldorand. The encampments leveled and totems placed to mark the fall. Warbands roamed the trade routes, ambushing patrols and caravans alike.
To help ensure triumph, Warchief Ikarus spoke with Archdruid Raven Burin of the Heartwood Grove. As Guldorand had been logging the Skull Crags far and wide for years, he felt the Druids might take a chance to level the field in the ogre's favor. Unfortunately, the Archdruid replied that it was a fight between two peoples and not Nature. He did agree however, to keep the Grove out of the conflict.
IV. WESTCLIFF BURNS
Roughly half a year into the fighting, Warchief Ikarus led a war party into the Guldorand coal mines. The strategy was to blow the tunnels with powder kegs and open the way for the Crag orc clans to reclaim the passageways. The raid went as planned, though it took most of the night, and the sun had risen above the mountain peaks. An issue arose when several Drow members of the raid failed to come prepared and were trapped in the surface caves with no lens to return below. Using his supplies and magic, Elder Ikarus was able to return the Drow to the safety of the Underdark. Unfortunately, before those that remained could rest and recover their spent powers, the shaman felt the eyes of scry magic upon them. Unable to rest and having lost their wards, the three who remained decided to run for the Weather Stone and its portal. A task they nearly completed before a party of Cordor and Guldorand soldiers intercepted them.
Knowing victory was out of grasp and unwilling to gift the honor of his death to humans, Ikarus and his escorting warrior named Frank surrendered. The third group member, a goblin named Sham, managed to fight his way free past the heavily armored shins of over a dozen soldiers. It was stated to be one of the goblin's "finest scraps".
For the next two days, Warchief Ikarus was imprisoned and interrogated. The clever ogre managed to send a message via magical means to the Drow Zilka during his captivity. This drow slaver, renowned for her charm and lust for slaves, spread word to the city of the shaman's situation. First Keeper Schezalle of the Erudite Arcanum led negotiations for their freedom, securing the human Frank's release during a Shadovar Trade Post meeting.
While some spoke of prisoner release, Matron O'annir of House Z'ress rallied a force from the city and her guard to take more direct action. When night fell, they struck the logging village of Westcliff. The torture of elder Ikarus at the hands of Samantha Goodman and her dwarven subordinate Frida Vintergrad was interrupted by the sounds of chaos. The Duergar Pani led the way into the settlement with an axe held high as the Matron of House Z'ress followed with the war party. In an echo of Guldorand's raid on Ikarus' clan so many years ago, the undertakers waded into the unprepared logging village to bring retribution and vengeance. The fighting that followed was vicious and wanton. The Shaman Ikarus, freed from his cell, was rushed under guard to the Matron's created portal in the town's tavern.
When the dust settled, Andunor had secured eight prisoners among which were Guldorland's Second Axe (Second in Command) Reina and Cordor nobleman Markus Hawkwinter. Gathered in the Treadstone Locks, the prisoners were enslaved or exchanged. Warchief Ikarus secured his totem staff, taken from him as captive, and Guldorland called for mercy. Accounts from the time state First Axe (Commander) Derristan proclaimed Warchchief Ikarus mightier than himself to the chancellor of Cordor as part of the prisoner release.
[The children of Andunor Prevail over Guldorand]
"On a dreaded nightfall during the last tencycle period, the audacious settlement Guldorand took captive two favored sons of Andunor: a retainer to House Z'ress and Elder Ikarus of The Sharps. Their efforts were in vain."
"Promptly, and decisively, a joint coalition with the Archpriestess and Matron Mother Oannir Z'ress at the helm as Field Marshall led the forces of House Xel'vraxa, Z'ress, Xun'viir, Ril'ynervs, The Erudite Arcanum, The Temple of Lolth and citizens of each district; we marched upon Guldorand with purpose and conviction in pursuit of reprisal, with intention to retrieve Elder Ikarus from enemy grasp."
"In our wake, much destruction and death was wrought in Her name and our enemies settlement razed to the ground. Elder Ikarus was subsequently rescued from their jail in the aftermath of the battle and a decisive and overwhelming victory was firmly in our grasp."
"I wish to congratulate and commend all whom participated in this landslide victory. If anything is to be inferred thus on reflection of this overwhelming and successful conquest it is this: to take a son or daughter of Andunor will only result in severe consequences; in this respect, you captured two and all the sunlands consequently achieved is a ruined settlement and the decimation and capture of The Shield; moreover, the capture of your allies, such as affluent figures in Cordor. Do not provoke the ire of the dark, nor underestimate that which can bind us; this reaction was spontaneous and I encourage your imagination as to what can be achieved premeditated.... "
"Whilst I derive great gratification in the First Axe of The Shield, Derristan, pleading for mercy in the aftermath - he must know that Lolth is merciless, for She has none. However, we will not be gratuitous. Yield to reason and concession, for perhaps an accord can be reached."
"I urge the coalition of the sunlands to see reason and accept certain realities: the will of Lolth is inevitable. End this indiscriminate and gratuitous slaughter of Elder Ikarus kin; concede to defeat and yield to the demands of Elder Ikarus and the unison of Andunor in this conquest."
"Praise Lolth, for She will test us all. May the Ilythiiri reign."
<> High Priestess Chenizra to The Temple of Lolth and Matron Mother of the Noble House Xel'vraxa <> (Day 9, Month 12, Year 167)
V. REPERCUSSIONS
Several small encounters were fought after the sacking of Westcliff, including a failed surface attack on Warchief Ikarus' celebratory victory feast hosted in Andunor. Surface raiders' second attack in the Underdark's Petrified Forest also met a similar end. However, it did give a chance for the mage Emily Bitterbloom to increase her fearsome reputation in battle. These counterattacks by the surface would break the uneasy peace that settled after Wescliff's fall in 168 AR.
[Da Hunt's Back On]
"I'z'll give 'em dis: da Sunners is real scrappers, ain't no doubt."
"Da forces o' Andunor united crushed 'em in Guldorand ta free me from deir clutches. Da Church o' da All Shadow sent 'em packin' when dey tried to bust into da Plane o' Shadow. An' when a scraggly bunch o' 'em came right inta da cave o' my kin an' crashed our feast, we sent 'em runnin'. But *still* dey fight on - as if dey had a hope!"
"I was finkin' ta let my foes, da Shields o' Guldorand, stew in fear after all dese losses, but it's bein' clear deyz wantin' more! So let da word go out - my bounties is back on. I'z payin' good cash an' my best healin' brews fer Shield heads an' Shield prisoners. My war-board in da Hub's got all da details - look fer it across from da kobold banka."
"Dis war rises to a burnin' heat. Soon'll be da time fer a ranky strike, one dat'll grind dem manky Shields inta paste. But 'til ya hear word from me, all dere's ta do is hunt - so hunt on!"
Said but ain't read by Elder Ikarus (Day 3, Month 3, Year 168)
VI. THE GREAT MOOT
After several years of warfare, Warchief Ikarus received word in 169 AR that the ruling chiefs of the Skull Crag tribes wished to speak. The Jarl of the Giants, The Shaman of the Orges, and Chief of the Orcs met with Elder Ikarus and bellowed he did not speak for them, nor fight for them, nor did they wish him to. He had been gone too long from the mountain and was no longer an Elder of the Skull Crags but Andunor. Despite attempts at reason, the tribes of the Skull Crags denied Elder Ikarus and his war on their behalf. With his revenge over the loss of his family fulfilled and the reason to wage war for the sake of saving the Skull Crag tribes no longer his concern, Warchief Ikarus called for a Moot of Peace with Guldorand.
[War's Soon Ta End]
"Oy all,"
"My warrin' 'gainst dem o' Guldorand is soon ta end. Dere's peace ta be forced, an' gains fer us ta be made in it. All my bounties on da Shields is over an' done. Dem chiefs in my horde I ain't spoken to yet - keep ya ears peeled fer my messengers, an' call fer me if'n yaz seein' me! Dere's words wez needin' ta have."
Said but ain't read by Elder Ikarus (Day 7, Month 9, Year 168)
The meeting was held in the infernal city of Dis between both sides. A five-year peace between Guldorand and the Mountain Tribes would be agreed upon from this accord.
[Da War o' Guldorand is Settled Fer Good]
"Last tencycle, a pack o' my chiefs an' I were meetin' wif da leaders o' Guldorand an' some o' deir allies - from Brightburst ta Gauntlet an' more in between. Much words was spoken back an' on, an' in da end da war were settled."
"Da Shields o' Guldorand' ave sworn ta stay well out o' da caves o' my kin in da Skull Crags fer a time o' five years, 'til da end o' da first month o' AR 174. Da chiefs in da Skull Crags ain't much happy fer makin' deals wif humies, but mebbe dis time'll show 'em dere's good ta be had in keepin' da humies outta our caves, an' lettin' our younglings grow up wifout gettin' stabbed in da cradle."
"So be standin' down, all my chiefs an' warriors! My war-board in da Hub is taken down an' my rage against Guldorand is bein' settled, leastin' fer now. Bring yaselves instead ta feastin' an' arms-sharpenin'. Dere's merriment an' war both ta be had yet - but not against Guldorand."
Said but ain't read by: Elder Ikarus (Day 16, Month 2, Year 169)
While not the end Ikarus desired, his army managed to defeat the military of Guldorand and, at least for a time, bring peace to the younglings of the Skull Crag clans. A victory earned and claimed by all but Ikarus himself.
VII. A LIFE'S CULMINATION
Ever a servant of the Gods and feeling his age, Ikarus challenged General Arak of Andunor to single combat after releasing his beholder familiar Ghazghul back to the depths.
[Ritual Death by Combat]
"Da time 'as come fer my passin'. I ain't neva were one ta go down from age - a death by da blade is what I claim! Arak, General o' Andunor's armies, will be da one darin' ta best me in battle an' give me a warrior's end...since fer all da war I'z waged, dem Sunners ain't neva managed ta get da job done!"
"My last battle'll be in Andunor's colosseum in da Devil's Table. Come if'n yaz wantin'. Still, my road ends even if'n its just Arak an' me."
Said but ain't read by: Elder Ikarus (Day 10, Month 8, Year 169)
At the appointed time, citizens of Andunor gathered in the benches above the arena sands to bear witness to the great ogre's final moments. With the count done by the Drow Zilka, Ikarus charged Arak in what was to be his last battle. In a final blessing, the Gods saw fit to remind the shaman why he had first been chosen and the mighty warrior Arak fell before the Elder's feet to the spectator's astonishment. Not one to be denied his rest and reward, Elder Ikarus challenged those from the stands the honor of fighting him. From the crowd stepped forth the Minotaur Mar'grath Bloodhorn, Remembrancer Adelyn Belle'rose, the slave Ilith Ilyana, and Imp Xarmarir Karxus. Another count was given and Elder Ikarus faced the gathered foes in battle. While ferocious, it ended quickly. The Elder of Andunor lay upon the sands bleeding, where his life was ended by his friend Arak with a warrior's stroke of a blade.
Thus on the nineteenth day of the ninth month of 169 AR, Elder Ogre Shaman Ikarus and former Warchief of Andunor died in ritual combat upon the sands of Andunor's colosseum. Earning his place among his Gods after a long life of service.
[Upon the next page of the book is a detailed illustration]
A blue-skinned ogre, whom is clearly no spring chicken, is center of the page. Hunched over, armbands appearing to jangle as he would sway against his staff. He resembles a huge, wrinkled prune more than a savage beast. Eyes sharp with wisdom stare back upon the reader. Sprawled across his chest is a large brand in the shape of a taloned claw. The claw on his chest is the symbol of Vaprak, while his armbands are engraved with the icons of a number of beast blood deities: Baphomet, Gruumsh, Kurtulmak, Laogzed, and Yeenoghu.
Hoovering next to the ogre is a young beholder. His eye stalks gaze about, while his central eye is marked by vague annoyance, its mouth set with a dry expression.
FIN
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Written Records:
[1] Matron Chenizra, "The children of Andunor Prevail over Guldorand"
[2] Elder Ikarus, "Da Hunt's Back On"
[3] Elder Ikarus, "War's Soon Ta End"
[4] Elder Ikarus, "Da War o' Guldorand is Settled Fer Good"
[5] Elder Ikarus, "Ritual Death by Combat"
- Interview:
[1] Elder Ikarus, War Chief
- Dedication:
"This book is dedicated to the Elder Ikarus. While Andunor stands, so shall you. Crack On!"
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
[The modest portrait of a young vermilion-haired lady with pallid flesh is positioned next to the paragraph below. Her emerald gaze looks intently at the reader, betraying the aspect's alluring facade with callous indifference. The suggestion of a predatory smile appears hidden within the corners of full upturned lips.]
"The Vampire Adelyn Belle'rose has been charming readers with her historical works upon the island of Arelith for years. As the former curator of the Cordor's Museum, she helped bring the past to life through exhibits and displays. Later, as a member of Andunor's Erudite Arcanum, she would lead the research team to investigate Shadow Wharftown's Third Iteration. Through the founding of the Arelith Antiquarian Society and the East Arelith Trading Company, she continues to advocate for the preservation of knowledge across the archipelago."