The First Land Herald/434-09-14 (2)

Article Number: 35

Dateline: 434-09-14

S'KRA MUR INVESTIGATE THE KRA'HEI Led by Qihhth of Gold Clan and Yraggahh the Black, a group of investigators and the curious gathered in front of Raven's Court with the purpose of visiting the Kra'hei of Ratha to establish communications. It is thanks to Inauri that I learned so much of this event. The information presented here comes from an interview with her. The group was comprised of mainly S’Kra Mur, and it included Aislynn, Asherasa, Ashunara, Atuen, Dantia, Dytt, Fiasko, Inauri, Kitosaki, Kyoto, Muskapo, Selesthiel, Sorhhn, and Vikhhran. Perhaps the party was cursed from the start, for the last moon of the day, Yavash, set just before the beginning of their expedition. One could wonder, why are the S'Kra Mur gathering to investigate the Kra'hei of all things? It all began with Qihhth, who related her purpose and her tale before the group. She regaled them with her history: Hands blackened by the blood of Kra'hei she has personally slain, this journey to Reshalia became something of a penance. It happened once that as she slew them, her foot slipped and they gained the upper hand. It may be that a bit of an ice patch hurried along her destined meeting with the ground. The beastly people, for that is what the name the S’Kra Mur give them means in a way, took advantage of her and tore her throat out. Yet, even as she choked to death on her own blood, one of the Kra'hei knelt by her and wept. It caressed her face and asked for forgiveness, calling her “sister.” And so the spark was lit within Qihhth to discover if the Kra'hei were indeed worthy of forgiveness. If you are not aware, they look very much like deformed and wild Mur. Are they cursed by some god’s will for a vile act lost to time? Or is their condition the work of something far less divine, such as the Dragon Priests of old? This night, the group ventured forth to learn the truth of the Kra'hei and to find out once and for all if they were indeed related to S'Kra Mur. As the red moon set, the party set sail on the Jolly Roger for Reshalia's city of Ratha. Just as the passengers began to feel comfortable, a sloop was spotted in the waters! The group readied themselves as pirates boarded the vessel, fighting them back valiantly. Eventually, the pirates admitted defeat, having lost many of their numbers, and they broke away, letting the Roger pass. Smooth waters and strong winds brought the vessel into the Viper Dock. Together, the group ventured into the darkness of the sewers, choosing a relatively safe spot near the exit in which to begin. A handful of the attendees chose this time to join Qihhth in prayer to Peri'el. Now, it is important to mention that several measures toward safety were taken. Yraggahh had told the group that a single Kra'hei would be isolated away from the others. Once released, the investigators observed Qihhth utilize her Empathy to compel the Kra'hei to remain calm. The Bard Muskapo kept up the steady influence of Aura of Tongues as well, helping to translate for the others at Yraggahh’s request. The Kra'hei spoke finally, warning the group that it would never betray its Matriarch. It spoke of a Song that tells the story of their people and the S'Kra. Of Sroedan's folly and how those that have become the Kra'hei were left for dead. It spoke of a Priestess and how others in the past wished to study them. It was not long after that the Kra'hei broke free of the compulsion and fled into the darkness, crying out that “the Matriarch will not be studied!” The group followed the creature into the depths of the sewers, facing several waves of Kra'hei as they attempted to push the invaders out. A few deaths were unfortunately claimed by the Kra'hei, as many in the S’Kra group chose not to fight back. Eventually, the group came across the Matriarch herself after calling out to her to meet with them. She attacked several members of the group violently, her movements almost spider-like as she lept atop her victims. After a cry for mercy, the Matriarch eventually halted her attacks to speak with the party. Standing proudly, the Matriarch turned her eight yellowed eyes upon the group, each covered by a thin membrane. Her clenched jaw did nothing to hide the protruding fangs within her maw, and her crested head shifted with her movements. She lowered four of her six arms as she regarded the group, though her spined tail twisted in agitation. From the Matriarch, the group learned that the Kra'hei were once S'Kra Mur colonizers, trapped within the ruins of the Forsaken Island of M'Riss by King |Sroedan, who left them to wither and starve. The curse of the island took the Gifts of the Mind and the Heart from the Kra'hei, rendering them the creatures they are today. Among the S'Kra Mur, the Gifts of the Mind were bestowed by Hav'roth and are language, creativity, and magical talent. The Gifts of the Heart come from Peri'el and are honor, love, and pride. Approximately fifty generations passed since the withering of those Kra'hei before the Dragon Priests came upon them. The group learned that nineteen Matriarchs have lived since the coming of the Priestess that they dare not name -- though for our readers' sakes, I shall name her as the one known as Dzree, the Hag. The Priestess's followers promised the Kra'hei rescue and deliverance. Instead, they took them for study and sought to weaponize the curse. Even as the Priestess abandoned them, the Matriarch told the investigators that the Kra'hei came to the S'Kra of Ratha, seeking acceptance, and instead were studied and locked away into the sewers. The very name Kra'hei, or “beast people,” became another curse upon them, and they grew into it, “stalking and hunting those who could not wait on the lifts.” Aislynn made mention to her of the Elpalzi, and how they too were once in thrall to Dzree, but are now a free people. The Matriarch seemed curious. Then Yragahh asked, "Matriarch, if it were possible to heal your pain, return the Gifts to your people, and see you freed from this place, would you desire this?" She weighed the question, then responded, "The Priestess promised the same, with offers of honey and lies. You may kill me, but you will not end my line. My broodlings are safe, and one will grow to take up the mantle of Matriarch. There will always be a Matriarch -- and Hav'roth willing, my brood will grow and thrive such that a second Matriarch will form, and a third, until our home is no longer poached by Reshalians. You can either kill me or let me go, but you will never find my children." She began to back away. The group desperately wished to find a way to help the Kra'hei rise up from their plight and many beckoned to the Matriarch to come with them, to trust them, but in the end, the very history of their beginnings seemed to fuel the instincts of the Matriarch and she broke from the group. Suddenly, she straightened, extending to her full height. The crest of her head tilted backwards, and she gazed upward, calling into the distance. Awaiting a response, she listened, and a return call echoed from the distance. She quickly hunched low to the ground, and, with another gathering of mist, she disappeared, accompanied by a clattering of rigid keratin against stone. She left the group to stand in awe at the knowledge they had just gained. By this time, Xibar had risen and the Monk Selesthiel provided a Moongate for the party to return to the Crossing. The return was quiet and somewhat solemn as all seemed to be in a state of shock after learning the terrible truth behind the Kra’hei. Despite the setbacks of the night, Yraggahh the Black is still determined to find a way to help the twisted creatures and spoke of potential future excursions to the city of Ratha. Leyhan Mentin Assistant Reporter for the First Land Herald

Real Date: Unknown Date

Subject(s): Bard Dragon Priest Dzree Elpalzi Empath Hav'roth Jolly Roger Kra'hei M'Riss Peri'el Qihhth Ratha Reshalia S'Kra Mur Sraan Malk

Author(s): Leyhan