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Alys' treasure [source: Viran, from a bard]
Alys was a baron of the Greylands and, when he died, he told his best friend Erath to hide his greatest treasure for someone who was capable of using it wisely, for Alys' son had grown up a wastrel and indulger of unwholesome tastes. Accordingly, Erath took Alys' gift and wove a great magic around it, then buried it. Since then, many have passed its hiding place without realising; for it could only be found by those who could truly use it for good. The legends also say that it has been found several times by those who were pure of heart, but each time they had used it, they reburied it so it could remain in the area until someone else had need of it. As it was originally meant to have been buried near Morainis, it would be fairly nearby. Another tale, though, tells that its location was a secret of the Karmanos cult - and the Black Karmanians took it with them when they withdrew.
Alys and Yolande [source: Gelert]
Alys was the last of the Five Foes of Yolande, and some say the greatest. It was he who rooted out the last Yolandeans in Bindle and put them to the flames. No one knows how many he killed, but the stories speak of him personally killing five of their Masters in just one fight. But finally, they dealt him a blow crueller than any he could expect. The last few Yolandeans seduced his own son with promises of fulfilling all his unwholesome lusts. With the treasure they had aquired and hidden over the years, they wooed him. With the promise of power, they tempted him. With their dark rites, they filled his weak soul with greed and fear. All he could imagine, they promised him, if he would sacrifice his own father to Yolande. In his twentieth year, the lad, under threat of blackmail, gave his father a cursed mirror whose reflection greatly aged all who perceived it. As he lay dying, Alys ordered that his son be burnt as a traitor, but the boy had disappeared.
Allis meets Erath [source: Agvan, from old codgers]
Allis was travelling his lands one day, when he came across a rogue by the name of Erath blocking his path. Erath begged Allis to stop and listen whilst he tell of a terrible crime that had befallen the people of the area. "What crime is this?" asked Allis. "My Lord," cried Erath, "they are sore oppressed by a tyrant, a bandit who steals from all in this area". "How does he steal?" asked Allis. "He demands heavy taxes which steal the very bread from their mouths". "Know you," said Allis, "that I am that tyrant." "Ah, I knew you were a good man the minute I set eyes upon you," said Erath. "You are obviously unaware that your, er, tax collectors are robbing the people blind in your name." "I am unconvinced by your facile tongue, vagabond. Leave me, before I have you whipped." Erath left hurriedly. It was several miles further on that Allis realised that he, too, had just been robbed - of his purse.
Elys - a personal view [Source: Gelert]
Elys wuz a bastard. 'Liberated' the Droods indeed! They were better off under the Yolandeans. At least they allowed spirit worship and, if the peasants got ill, they tried to keep them alive. Elys was notorious for the way he put innocent people to the Question, then when they finally admitted to knowing something about Yoland, burning them at the stake. He was cruel, zealous, unreasoning. He even unnerved Rokaris with his fanatical devotion to the Empty God. He burnt woods, destroyed naiads, razed shrines. The only person who dared stand against him was that woman Erath, who said that he was possessed by a spirit of madness. Finally, she cornered him in his castle and made him face the truth about himself, which killed him.
Alyz and the Five [source: Hap Tinkerson]
In his younger days, when he was still a noble warrior rather than a despot, Alyz was one of the Five Heroes who expunged the Yolandeans from this area. Nowadays, no-one knows exactly what was wrong with the Yolandeans, but they were pretty nasty folk. The Five were Syranthir, Alyz of course, Rokis - he was the leader - no, hang on, Syranthir wasn't one; um, Iruth, and Kalikos. I remember my grandma telling me to get to bed or Yoland would get me, and about how the Five fought Yoland and that's why we can live here without being eaten by horrible monsters all the time. The Five were all part of Syranthir's army and he sent them to fight the kingdom of Yoland because they worshipped demons. Rokis became Shah of Karmania when Syranthir died, and Alys was one of his nobles I guess. They sometimes call Kalikos 'Icebreaker'. The Five had an enemy called Numon, I remember my Gran telling me stories but it always seemed to me that though she said the Five won each time they faced him, their victories seemed to consist of mainly managing to run away to fight again another day. He was a magician who unleashed a great curse, 'Nubimon's Gift', on this land.
Allis - general [Sources: Agvan, from OAP's; Manish, from bards]
Isn't there a monument to him and his works in Alliston? Some say he's buried there, though others think Cleftwood. And I suppose Alliswood must be named after him.
Inscription from the Alliston monument, translated from Karmanian by the Magister.. "Here lies Alys, last and greatest of the Five. Born 710 in LOSKALM, died 770 of treachery. Entered Karmania 729 in the army of Syranthir Forefront, fought with Rokaris, Menkar, Hyalor and Ulathor against Mortarex, destroyed the Black Wyrm, enforced the worship of the Invisible God upon the heathens, granted these lands after purging them of Yolande. As Baron, converted thousands to the One True God, built roads and the villages of Alyston and Alys' Way, introduced modern agriculture, opened Alys Pass, built Alysbridge and the castle at Morainus." [ Rest is eroded to illegibility ]
Alys of the Greylands [source: Marcus,library research at The Magister's]
A soldier of fortune who entered Karmania in 729 in the service of Syranthir Forefront, came to prominence as one of the Five Warriors against the country of Yoland. Died 770 of a curse. There is a monument to him and his works in Alliston, telling of his life and works. His career seems to have been motivated more by self-interest than any religious or political reasons, and once he became baron of Northmarch his behaviour deteriorated to the point where Rokaris was said to be considering having him executed. Folk legends of the area still tell of his oppression of the populace almost a thousand years later, combining religious persecution and self gratification. On the positive side, he exterminated the Yolandists, who had enslaved the local Droods and used them as fuel for necromancy, if we are to believe Karmanian records. His most famous accomplishment was undoubtedly the destruction of the Great Daemon of Yoland, though modern analysts suspect Alys was simply a useful warrior around at the time used as a tool by the real motivator, probably Rokaris. Unfortunately for historians, Alys outlived the rest of the Five and was expert at accrediting deeds to himself. The accomplishment which most affected the area, though, was probably the opening of a route through the Grey Mountains (Alys' Pass),which greatly influenced trade and contributed enormously to Northmarch's strategic importance. Alys died of some kind of curse, variously attributed to his son, his daughter or Erath the Riddler. He attempted to lift it by improving his treatment of the commoners, but to no avail.
Alys and the Drood sisters [source: the Stones]
When Alys was a young man, not long come into these lands, he was smiling and fine of form and face. Many a woman who saw him let her eyes linger longer than her husband thought seemly.... and even so,and tho' Alys was one of the conquering people's, he was regarded by those who met him as just and fair. One time, when Alys had risen to a position of command, he and his men stayed for some time with a Drood commune. Because of his good nature and respect for their customs, Alys was afforded every honour and treated well by the people there. He spent much of this time learning of their ways and in particular made a good friend of the local Drood 'priest'. Now this man had two daughters and all who saw Alys together with them knew they had lost their hearts to one another. And when the time came for the strangers to leave all were sorry to see them go... but the sisters wore ashes and wove birch bark in their hair. Many seasons passed and, as is the way of this world, trees grew . Now one day as Alys was hunting far from his lands he came once again upon the glade. He called out to the friends he had known but the change was plain to those not blinded and all were afeared of him and hid among the green. He railed at them and screamed his rage around the forest, firing their huts and hacking at the trees....until finally, exhausted, he grew quiet. Seeing him so and recalling happier times the two sisters left their place of safety and went to Alys' side calling his secret name. At their touch his face became calm and he wept and the sisters wept with him. They led him into the forest and did not return for three days. Alys was not seen again in those lands. The two sisters never wed but some time later they each bore a child. The elder had a son whose name is not remembered, the younger had a daughter called Erath.
A great black Wyrm came to Bindle and scoured the land. Reports came that it had settled in the Grey Mountains, and Alys went to meet it with his soldiers. The troops went north to the mountains, where they spied it upon a rock above the Great Glacier. The soldiers wished to run away, all but one man by name Navga, who volunteered to distract the creature whilst Alys prepared an ambush. Alys agreed, and the men deployed and awaited the Wyvern's approach from places of concealment. Navga approached the great serpent, but it ignored him. He walked right up to the glacier, but still it ignored him. Bravely, he stumbled across the ice, or perhaps he was just mesmerised by the powerful gaze of the creature. The army watched as he came right up to it and said something. What he said no-one knows, for quick as a snake, the Wyrm's head shot out and swallowed him whole. This is where the phrase "doing a Navga" comes from, that is, it is one thing to be brave, another to be foolhardy. Or some say it means, thoughtlessly saying things that get you in big trouble. Alys tried to trap the Wyrm several times, but after several attempts he realised it was too smart and maneuvreable for him. So he went home, and hired a mercenary from the Land of Many Peoples who was skilled in fighting Dragons. This sellsword tracked down the Wyvern on a winged mount of his own, and killed the creature for Alys. Moral: know your own limits.
Some time later, Allis was visiting the court of Rokaris when he noticed a familiar face among the entertainers. Looking closer, he realised it was his old aquaintance who had chastised him about the unequal distribution of wealth back in Northmarch. He went to see Rokaris about it. "Why don't you give him into my charge," he suggested. "I could use him as an example to the populace." Rokaris concurred, and bade Erath come forward. The fellow boldly strode forth. "Do you know who this man is?" He asked Erath. "Certainly," said Erath boldly. "He is a Fool." "How do you come to that opinion?" asked Rokaris, taken aback at the man's omission of titles and manners. "He thinks he has everything: title, treasure, women, an army. But he lacks wisdom, for he has not sought the greatest treasure of all." "And what is that?" asked Allis, bristling at the man's arrogance. "Why, Love, of course," said Erath. "You glory in war and conquest, but what is it for? The people of this area got along better before you came and 'liberated' or 'civilised' them. Now they go hungry more and have to send their sons to fight in your armies and die against their own kin." Allis said, "let me have him. I will make sure he is a good example to the people," meaning, execute him. But Rokaris had other plans. "Certainly you shall have him. He will be your Fool, for you have long needed a head wiser than your own to help you manage your lands. And if I hear of any harm befalling him, I will put you and all your family to the Question, and scorch your line from this Earth." Allis knew Rokaris was telling the truth, for he had just extinguished one great house, and was angered at Allis' worsening treatment of his subjects. And so Erath joined Allis' retinue for several years and sought in all things to moderate him, until Rokaris died and was replaced by his weak son Kyloris, who was terrified of Allis. Then Erath left in a hurry, you bet!
Towards the end of his life, Alce was persecuted by a man called Earth, who claimed he spoke for a spirit named Ormis which had taken umbrage at Alce's suppression of the Old Ways of the Greylands. Earth had a gift: when he spoke, he spoke in questions and riddles, and all who heard him felt at peace. Alce was greatly feared of this man, and when he heard Earth was approaching his castle, he sent out a patrol to cut him down. The soldiers rode out and found Earth walking up the road. "Greetings," called Erath, "Wherefore art though come?" "We have come to bear your corpse to Alce," replied the captain of the guards, a man whose reputation was almost as fearsome as Alce' own. Earth spoke then to the men, and asked them to whom were they loyal, Alce or Karmania? A man of hate and cruelty, or the noble ideals of Karmanos and the Invisible God? The captain made to strike Earth from behind, and his own men hacked him apart. Then they followed Earth to his reckoning with Alce. The soldiers arrived back at the castle. "Show me the head of he whom you have killed," said Alce. They showed him the head of the captain, and now Alce knew his nemesis had come. Earth entered the great hall, and Alce threw a spear at him. But Earth spake a Word, and the spear shattered into fragments of ice. Earth, instead of a sword, held a mirror in front of himself. This he held up to Alce, and said, "What do you see?" To this day, no-one knows what Alce saw in the mirror. But he uttered a great shriek, and collapsed. No-one dared to touch Earth as he walked out. Alce never spoke of what he saw, but from that day on, he changed. He ruled his lands justly and lightly, and allowed the folk to practise their old ways. But it was to no avail, for he died within a year, aging 30 years in the space of one.
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