In order to thrust our society into the future we must analyze its past. The decisions of our ancestors hold great significance for our survival today. As this is my first article in Clearcrest’s lauded Chronicle, I believe the best place to start is at the beginning:
More than three hundred years ago, Clearcrest’s human progenitors braved the temperamental Ocean of Arundel, expanding the reach and influence of the Elder Empire with the founding of Quest (Qu’lar Quest, for those elven purists…). With increased demand for raw ore, stone and skilled craftsmen, the dwarves and gnomes of Dolgan’s Pass traveled south, establishing the topside trading village of Kraz’drak. Far to the south, the Bastion Forest sheltered an ancient stronghold of the elves, known as the Alamir Spires. While they’d occasionally worked together, these three encampments would finally unite to defeat the hobgoblin incursion threatening their very existence during the Battle of Braided Armies, forming the beginnings of Clearcrest as we know it today—employing their diverse skills and capabilities for their mutual benefit.
While this story in and of itself is of the most fascinating variety, I’ve been cautioned a number of times that my columns here must remain succinct while relaying true tales of major historical significance in a way that entrances the reader. Or, to use the more plebeian phrasing of my editor, “Just tell the damn story in 1000 words or less. And don’t bore the reader!” During my tenure in the Archive, I’ve come across a tale of grandeur and adventure that I suspect might meet this criteria.
In Qu’lar Quest (elven for “small human settlement Quest”), one Yvain Pureheart valiantly defended against a continuous onslaught from the hobgoblins’ Thunderspear Kherek-nor Nying (goblin for “invasion force”, literally “attack-gift”) striking from the west—making their way towards the coast from what is now Chainlock Keep to raid the area and crush any resistance to their dominion. As resources dwindled and times became more challenging, Yvain began relying on the assistance of unaffiliated mercenaries and adventurers to help. In one case, when things were looking particularly grim for the denizens of Quest, Yvain was forced to draw reinforcements from the village’s local jail. Yvain enlisted the aid of his drunken dragonborn companion Torbrinn Twentystone, along with a band of mysterious travelers with an interesting story…
While originally found insensate in the secure vault beneath the law offices of Gris & Feldamoore (yes, the same offices existing in Questor’s View today), the travelers made strong claims of being wrongly imprisoned. They wove an intricate tale of having been given a letter and a brass key by Feldamoore himself and, upon opening the security deposit box matching it, unintentionally triggering a magical contraption of polished metals and floating gemstones, which emitted noises and light pulses before knocking them unconscious. As history tells it, the group consisted of a large brute of a man known only as “Tha-rin”, two small, fidgety halflings known as “Pymerik” and “Cae-bastyun”, and an even smaller gnome known as “Nesbit”. With the town coming under attack as he was questioning them, Yvain shrugged off their excuses and promised to return their equipment if they’d assist in defending the village. After they agreed, he unlocked the cell and led the way to the besieged gates.
As the alleged brigands made their way out of the prison and observed their surroundings, they realized the land itself was familiar, but the village on it was not. Though confused, the mysterious travelers quickly jumped into combat, knowing they’d get no answers from dead townsfolk.
While details concerning battles can become vague and muddled in historical context, rather specific details exist on the combat that ensued: the gnome used a form of magical mind control on an ogre loading a hobgoblin siege weapon while the large fighter, seemingly out of character, began casting magical stones at a second catapult in order to disable it. The two halflings displayed marvelous acrobatics as they launched themselves out of watch towers and onto goblins below. The battle even spawned the origin story of a legendary weapon of some small renown: apparently, one of the halflings cast a dagger into the chest of a hobgoblin while the other magically super-heated the metal, causing the beast to fall immediately. This armament is today known to weapon collectors as the fabled “Small Fry” blade.
After successfully routing the Thunderspear, the travelers met with Yvain, revealing that they carried a letter apparently written by Yvain to them, in his own hand. The letter was riddled with, well, riddles, none of which made sense, even to Yvain. The travelers believed Yvain somehow summoned them into the past to assist with a mysterious task. To validate their theory and discover a way home, they sought out an area magician known as Krikor Coilerbark. As legend tells it, Coilerbark imparted to the party many items of magical value and the knowledge that the group had been pulled through a temporal rift and would need to seek out power housed within a structure known as “The Tower” (alternatively the Shard, the Finger, Mageholm, the Skywell, Izzik’s Pillar, or simply as Best Avoided), far the northwest. While little is known about this mysterious location, some place it somewhere in present-day Philomath.
It is at this juncture that history becomes blurry and inconsistent. The party most certainly traveled towards “the Tower”, but what became of them? Did they dare cut through the hobgoblin-infested forest or did they turn north towards the village of Kraz’drak? I suppose I’ll have to keep researching and report my findings on that, fine scholar.
I will leave you with this elegant thought: while the stories that have built our history and made us the men and women that we are today are fascinating, we must also remember the decisions we make every day will someday influence those who come after us.
As for my editor and his 1000 word minimum, I say, “No man shall stop my tale while
The Clearcrest Chronicle 