The Tables of the Histories of the Stoneborn of Dynkyr - Table XVI

In the days when Kranig ruled Dynkyr alone, the Vyrum Alds became the greatest powers in all the world. For the strength of the Fairies had been broken, and in their place the Alds rose in might. The Primum and Alternum of those dominions grew wealthy beyond compare, and the tread of their armies was said to shake Erenth itself.

Kranig did not trust that even the Bastions of Dynkyr would stand secure against such strength.

So it was that when Larifon Emeratus was Primum of Ald Saloren, he rode at the head of a great host and came before the Curtain set between Mir Vath and Mir Nahr. His banners were many, and his ranks stood in ordered silence upon the plain. There he called for Kranig and demanded his obeisance, declaring that by just tribute the Stoneborn of Dynkyr would know safety and prosperity beneath the protection of his Ald.

Larifon was known to be as measured as he was powerful, and his word, once given, was seldom broken.

Kranig weighed the matter long within the Deepwards. At last he walked forth from the Bastions and passed through the gate in full sight of both hosts. Before the Curtain, and before his own people upon the ramparts, he bent the knee to the Primum of Ald Saloren.

Thus tribute was agreed, and peace secured.

Under Larifon’s protection Westrun knew long quiet, and Dynkyr did not suffer want in those years. Trade flowed freely. The Deepwards remained inviolate. No army laid siege to the Curtain.

Yet the Stoneborn did not look kindly upon the memory of that day. Though they did not want, they did not forget. In the Arvanaith the tale was recited without ornament, and the bending of the knee was counted as necessity, not honor.

Kranig the Kneeler was Regn for four and two hundreds of years before he died. He was succeeded by Thorlin the Regn.

A Song of Wine

(Verse 1)

In vineyards green where grapes do grow,

The winekeeper tends row by row.

With careful hands and loving care,

He tends the vines with utmost flair.

(Chorus)

Oh, the wine, so sweet and fine,

In every bottle, its secrets entwine.

With every sip, our troubles fade,

In the magic of wine's serenade.

(Verse 2)

From sun-kissed hills to valleys deep,

The wine flows in a gentle sweep.

With every harvest, the grapes do yield,

The nectar of the vine, so richly sealed.

(Chorus)

Oh, the wine, with hues so bright,

In crystal glasses, it brings delight.

With every taste, we raise a cheer,

To the wine that brings us near.

(Bridge)

In cellars cool where barrels age,

The winekeeper tends his heritage.

With oak and time, its flavors blend,

In every glass, a tale to send.

(Chorus)

Oh, the wine, with bouquets bold,

In every bottle, its stories unfold.

With every pour, we honor the vine,

In the winekeeper's grand design.

(Outro)

So let us raise a toast today,

To the wine that lights our way.

For in its depths, we find our song,

In the winekeeper's legacy, forever strong.

The Hendriad

(Verse 1)

In lands of fire and mountains tall,

Cavaliers heed the ancient call.

For in our hearts, a longing burns,

For wine, women, and songs, we yearn.

(Chorus)

Oh, the wine, like liquid gold,

In goblets raised, our tales are told.

With every sip, our spirits rise,

To reach the stars, beyond the skies.

(Verse 2)

And in the arms of women fair,

We find our solace, without a care.

Their laughter rings like silver bells,

In their embrace, our hearts do swell.

(Chorus)

Oh, the women, with beauty rare,

Their gentle touch, beyond compare.

In their eyes, we see the stars,

As we dance beneath the moonlit bars.

(Verse 3)

And let the songs, like soldiers roar,

Echo through the mountains, evermore.

For in their melody, we find our voice,

And in their rhythm, we rejoice.

(Chorus)

Oh, the songs, with power untold,

In their embrace, our hearts enfold.

With every note, our spirits rise,

To reach the heavens, beyond the skies.

Wine, Women and Song

(Verse 1)

In castles tall where treasures gleam,

We Vyrum bask in golden dream.

But above all, our hearts do soar,

For wine, women, and songs galore.

(Chorus)

Oh, the wine, so rich and red,

With flavors bold, like fire spread.

In goblets raised, we toast the night,

To pleasures sweet, our hearts take flight.

(Verse 2)

With arms outstretched, we take to flight,

In search of revelry, pure delight.

For in the arms of women fair,

We find our solace, without a care.

(Chorus)

Oh, the women, with eyes so bright,

Their laughter fills the darkest night.

In their embrace, we find our rest,

In love's embrace, we are blessed.

(Verse 3)

And let us not forget the songs,

That echo through the castles long.

For music lifts our spirits high,

And fills our hearts, up to the sky.

(Chorus)

Oh, the songs, so sweet and true,

With melodies that ring anew.

In harmony, we find our peace,

As our joyous voices never cease.

The Wardens of the Underdark

A True History of the Wardens of the Underdark

being the third tome of Hodryl the Sage

When the evil of the fairy was finally revealed, and their foul machinations were at last thrown down, the good peoples of Erenth pledged that it would never be allowed again. By the Proclamation of Celede, the Drow faction was imprisoned in their home of Dravomalas. The Lords Continuous appointed three races to watch over them: Vyrum, Gnummor and Stoneborn. The Vyrum selected the faction of the Altom (also called the Deep Ones); the Gnummor chose the Svirfneblin faction; and among the Stoneborn the Derro were assigned the task of Alfwarden. 

On a high peak near Dravomalas, the Vyrum built the Ebon Citadel to watch over them. The Gnummor established Neblodi in the hills to the North; and the Derro foundedt Dun Dalurdig in the mountain pass. Of these, only the Svirfneblin remained true to their task. What happened to the Altom, none can say, for they disappeared in the darkness. As for the Derro, they were corrupt. Both the Ebon Citadel and the Dun are windswept and abandoned to this day. Only dread things reside there. It is said that the Derro relocated their Dun to the Underdark and the Vyrum are gone completely from the face of Erenth.

As for the Derro faction, much has been written, but little is known for sure. It is certain that they are a degenerate people. Wherever they reside, all trace of being true Stoneborn has been driven from them. It is assumed that many of their numbers are depleted and those who remain have made common cause with the Drow they once meant to warden. Some claim that their   that they have been skulking in the Underdark. It is said that a Derro lives for just two things: to witness the slow, humiliating death of surface demihumans, and especially humans; and the perversion of knowledge to their own dark ends.

The Heralapix in Ald Ciula

Ald Ciula, the Provincials call it. The Bard's College, others say... but everyone who has attended there calls it, Heralapix. That is an insider's nod to the school's founding during the glory days of the Vyrum Empire.

The road there leaves the shores of the Dagger Sea and winds along an artificial river flowing down from the mountains. The Way the road is called and it sweeps wide just before coming to the city gate. There travelers can see that the granite face of the mountain has been carved and shaped into the massive visage of the Glorious Woman. Her arms are stretched out before her and she seems to greet all who approach.

It would be wrong to grant this monumental carving to the Vyrum. Great artisans and architects were they, but the sculpture predates the 6th Age. Indeed, some say it had its origin before even the First. That would be the Age of Chaos when the elemental powers were tamed and the first of the celestial beings gave up their estate to join themselves to this world.

But it was certainly the Vyrum who turned the sacred place to a place of learning. In those bygone days, the Vyrum took humans from the uncivilized tribes of nandi and taught them. They taught them to read and write. They introduced them to art and music and poetry. They gave them gifts of sculpture and architecture. They gave them philosophy and religion. It was the Vyrum who first called them meni. But there was one Practice that the Vyrum were not prepared to share with the younger race.

The Practice of Llor, or what the Dwarves call majk, was forbidden to all but the great matriarchs of the Vyrum race. Ceding such power to others was widely prophesied to mean the end of their people. The Vyrum remembered that their civilization was built on the ashes of the Elven Empire, and that those Elves had squandered their right to rule all Erenth by unleashing Llor-created monsters on the world.

Still the highest Practice of the Vyrum was expressed in their three-fold philosophy... ciur, ciura, ciavala (wine, women and song.) In recognition of that, they sought to make the most talented of their meni servants into skilled Llorvala (or lore speakers) who could embody the highest order of their hendiatris.

Generations of meni were schooled at Heralapix before the Vyrum Empire was brought low. Then the rule of mankind rose on the ruins of the Vyrum. From the wilds the rest of the nandi came, settling into cities and taking what they could salvage from the civilization before them. They had the meni to teach them. Over centuries they grew, some of the descendants of the meni became nobles and kings among their barbaric cousins.

Since the Vyrum vanished from the face of Erenth, only scattered ruined monuments of their culture now remain, but there is none so enduring as the Heralapix. Seemingly untouched by the passage of time, stepping foot on the campus is like returning to a bygone age.

Even now, in the 7th Age, a student may only be admitted by the Practice of Legacy. That is, they possess the written recommendation of a previous graduate of the College. All true bardic practitioners, not the mere pretenders (minstrels, jesters, troubadours, mummers and other prostitutes) which set up shop in every tavern across the Four Lands of Erenth can boast an broken line of succession from the first of the Llorvala. And even the lowliest skald of Northrun can boast this pedigree.

Graduation is not granted to all who attend. For after a period of study (usually between one and four years) every Bard must compose a Opuscule and perform it to the satisfaction of the Professing Masters. Not a few of those works have been inspired by the beauty and wonder of their beloved Ald Ciula and the campus of Heralapix -- or perhaps by the sorrow of having to leave it.

If his Opuscule is favorably graded, the Bard leaves and is forbidden to return to the campus until he has made his Practice of Tenure in the world -- that is, "the Way is closed" to him. Not just closed to the graduate without Tenure, either. The Way is permanently and irrevocably closed to the many, many former students who either drop out of the Bard's College or find their Opuscule unfavorably graded.

For this reason, the sons and daughters of many lords have found admission to the Bard's College for a year, or more; and are considered Poetasters -- perhaps highly skilled and well-instructed, but not full Bards in any true Bard's estimation. Some families even consider the Bard's College a finishing school of the arts, and feel no shame that the "Way is closed." Neither they, nor their children had any real bardic aspirations in the first place. So winning the favor of an old cadre of singers, dancers, musicians and actors means no more to them than the approval of any commoner.

For the graduate, however, there is nothing more important than proving his Practice of Tenure is complete. After his sojourn in the world is up, the Bard may return to Heralapix and present his Magnum Opus. If it is favorably graded, he gains the approbation of his peers and the Professing alike. He may even be invited to join their ranks and live out his life in the idyllic city.

On the other hand, if his Magnum Opus is unfavorably graded, the Bard must return to the world and may only attempt to redeem himself in the students he manages to produce. He would hope to send them under the Practice of Legacy to the Bard's College.

The Five Epochs of the Vyrum, 1st Epoch

1st Epoch: The Diarchies (1807ey - 2331ey)
From the days of the first epoch, there were thousands of noble houses of the Vyrum. Over all of the noble houses were the Diarchies -- two princes in each province who wielded supreme executive power. 

The Vyrum were still immortal in that time, and could not taste death, unless they were slain. For they had not yet squandered their immortality as had the other Besnir before them. 

While the many houses and their names have fallen into obscurity and nothing is remembered of their deeds, the existence of these houses were kept by the Bards -- learned men to whom all the Vyrum entrusted their knowledge and records. And eventually, all of Erenth would do the same. The Houses were:  

Erythron

Kyanon

Prasinon

Chryson

Argyron

Melaon

Leukon

Prochalkon

Deftchalkon

Trichalkon

Topaon

Amethon

Smaragdon

Krystalon

Zaferon

The Five Epochs of the Vyrum, 2nd Epoch

2nd Epoch: The Republic (2331ey - 2954ey)

The Diarchies gave way to a council of Princes who ruled a great republic under a treaty called the Pax Vyruma. 

In this 2nd Epoch rose the Cavaliers, keepers of peace and justice for their lords. The Cavaliers had tamed and trained the horse and rode them into battle for honor and glory.

It was during the 2nd Epoch that the Vyrum first began to capture the wild humans who then lived like beasts. They washed them and educated them -- teaching them their ways, giving them the gifts of art and architecture, music and poetry. It was the Vyrum who first called them Meni. These humans gained great advantage over their uncivilized kin. They became loyal servants and the tutors of their children. Many rose to great prominence among the Vyrum.

Under the previous races, Erenth had struggled for many centuries. Minor wars were waged as each people strove with the other, but Vyrum civilization brought peace, growth and prosperity. Eventually great works of art and music and architecture were made. The vast metropolises, called Alds, were raised. In time, each of the Alds would become a showplace of luxury and learning.

The Five Epochs of the Vyrum, 3rd Epoch

3rd Epoch: The Principalities (2954 ey - 2972 ey)

The 3rd Epoch dawned with the rise of the Old Ones and the War of the Deep. The republic shattered into individual principalities. 

By unknown means, great powers were released from the depths of Erenth. These were beings of inestimable strength that time had forgotten. They strode across Erenth and flattened its inhabitations, destroying all who opposed them. 

It was the Vyrum cavaliers who led the defense and these were joined by their lords and princes. After a long and valiant struggle, each of the Old Ones were eventually thrown down -- being either slain, or imprisoned once again. However glorious the victory, it had come at great cost. Many Vyrum lost their lives and those few remaining were slain at the Battle of the Dry Rift.

With the loss of their grandest and mightiest, the old order of civilization was imperiled. Even the human Meni outnumbered the remaining Vyrum and few remained of any noble blood. Then by mutual agreement the surviving mothers and wives of the Vyrum nobles took the reins of power from their fallen sons. 

The Five Epochs of the Vyrum, 4th Epoch

4th Epoch: The Matriarchy (2973 ey - 3000 ey)

This epoch was marked by the Great Civil War which engulfed the matriarchy.

Three noble ladies, Tiamet, Praextoria, and Berylia, managed to throw down their rivals and assert themselves as a triumvirate of queens. But among them there was betrayal and sacrilege. In the end, only Tiamet held power. She declared the end of the diarchies and asserted herself as the Queen Mother of All Erenth. Under her rule was peace once more, but also a great sacrilege. In gathering her power she had instituted the practice of cannibalism. 

Lord Drasch was exceedingly angry for what the Vyrum had done. So he cursed the remaining Vyrum and called out to heaven to bring vengeance. The remaining armies made war against the Titans of Heaven, but did not prevail. All of the Besnir were defeated and those still loyal to Tiamet were led away in chains. 

Under the curse of Drasch, the remaining Vyrum became great scaled beasts. Their very visages inspired fear among their former subjects, many of whom drove them into exile, taking their Alds and domains. Therefore the children of the Vyrum, though long-lived, lost their immortality and knew at last what it was to live for a fixed time upon the face of Erenth.

The Time of Strife has been called the War of Four Nations for it involved Northrun, Southrun, Eastrun, and Westrun and many of the races. Revenge and recriminations were waged and entire peoples were destroyed. In this time, the greatest of all heroes was born. He was Prince Ionitoreon, called Io the Great, of the House Shardis.

Though Io the Great was changed as the other Princes had been, he loved justice and sought to win peace once more. One by one he gained the loyalty of all the princes of all the peoples and houses of Erenth. He became the Dragon Emperor of all the known world. But, he contended always with the Faction of Tiamet and the Cult she would inspire, until he was assassinated and was consumed. 

Civilization was at last shattered and the cities unmade. The monuments of the former glory of the Pax Vyruma were cast down. It was said that no stone remained atop another. And all the world fell into the Dark Epoch.

The Five Epochs of the Vyrum, 5th Epoch

5th Epoch: The Darkness (3010 ey - 3300 ey)
During the Dark Epoch architecture was forgotten and art was forsaken. Each of the peoples ruled themselves as they might. Each avoided one another, keeping the borders of the Lands and Provinces as the Vyrum had marked them.

Into this time of darkness came those who are now called humans. They were like children and brutish in those days. They had no skill at farming nor at the making of tools, nor of the crafting of weapons, nor of the bending of Llor. They had neither culture nor civilization, but lived as herd animals upon the plains. Yet, for all that they lacked, Erenth marveled at their fecundity. For it seemed wherever this young race settled that the screaming of children were heard, year after year until their numbers were greater than all the other races combined.

Some of the elder races sought to teach the humans what they lacked. This they did in penance for their failures. The humans appeared to be ready, if ungrateful, pupils and learned quickly from the elders. In light of this many of the learned believed that the Sixth Age had come to an end and the Seventh Age was beginning.

But among the dispersed Vyrum came those who called themselves the Chromos Nesting. They blamed the humans for the loss of the greatest age the world had known. Among them was Chronepsis the Dark. He rallied the dragons about him and sought to destroy the humans outright. He wanted to remove them as a blight from the face of all Erenth, and only those remnant of Metalos Nesting withstood him. And it came to pass that the Great Internesting was waged.

In these two decades of War, great heroes among the Besnir and humans arose, fighting alongside of the Metalos. Dragons of renown fought and died, some heroes others scoundrels. These were called:

• Bahamut the Goodly Wise
• Aasterinian, mistress of play, invention and pleasure -- the herald of Io the Great
• Hlaloreon called Hlal the Bard
• Tamara Lightgiver
• Lendys the Judge.
• Astilabor the Hording
• Chronepsis the Dark
• Faluzure the Deathless
• Garyx of the Flame
• Sardior of Oplios

When the war was at an end. The Chromos Nesting was fallen. None remained that called themselves noble or Prince. Few of any Vyrum were left alive. Those that remained hid themselves from the other races, and especially from humans, and so they remain until this day.

Vyrum

Like the Urok, the appearance of this People can only be based on drawings and bones. Unlike the Urok, however, we have many extant examples of them to draw upon. They appear to have stood no fewer than 76" tall. At 250 pounds, or more, we know that they were considerably robust, with a strong build, long collar bones, wide shoulders, and a barrel-shaped rib cage. They would have had a long neck, an ovoid head, a bowed shaft of the thigh bones, plus a long torso, but proportionally shorter legs.