Chapter 3:  The Kings of Irrkengrond

When the gods had parceled out their gifts to the mortal forms, Ikata, Architect of heaven, gave to the mortals the city of Irrkengrond. Built in the shape of a great hexagon and centered around the great tower, high walls marked the perimeter of the city with a large gatehouse tower at each corner and at the center of each side. Between each corner tower and each tower in the center of the wall, there were three lesser towers, marking each mile on the walls. Between these are yet smaller towers marking the quarter mile. Working out from the central tower, there were concentric rings of roads. In the centermost ring there was the divine spring that provided water for all of the city.  Outside of the central ring, the city was divided into many, many districts with quarters. Straight and wide roads divided the city into blocks, including large main thoroughfares that run directly from each gate in each wall to the central tower. The walls and towers and roads of the city were all made of white stone. Each tower of the city was capped with amber in the shape of a dome that sloped up to a fine point.

Ikata gathered all mortal forms who speak and learn and discern the ways of the earth to live in her city. She did not set a ruler among them as there seemed to be no need for a ruler. She only asked that they would honor the gods and the goodness of the forms, those who made them. However, after the second council of the gods, when Silnethren drew to the attention the plight of mortals, Ikata, conceding to the insistence of Milyos, god of magic who deemed his wisdom greater than hers, searched among the mortals of the lands around the city for one whom she could set over to rule them. One by one she searched the hearts of mortals, testing their compassion,  seeking one who would work for the benefit of all who lived in the city and the lands surrounding it.. She sought in till she came across Jirnan, an elf, blue taupe in hue, like still waters in the night. She found him when he was building a home for himself and his kin. Long into the night he labored shaping wood and stone into a simple round dome that kept the wind at bay and warmth inside.

When his work was finished, he went in and sat in peace with his family, his wife, Pernandra, and daughter, Selliana. Round the fire in the center of their simple hut, they shared a simple meal of what they had foraged from the woods. Mushrooms and roots are a simple meal but the loving warmth of the home drew Ikata to this dwelling on the edge of the forests of Irrkengrond.

In the guise of an old halfling woman, Ikata came to the doors of this hut. With a tentative knock, she crowed, “Hello? Is there anyone in there? Might an old maid rest her legs for the night?”

Jirnan, cautious to protect his young child, slowly approached the door, “Who goes there?”

“Only an old woman, who means you no harm, just looking for a place to sleep for the night.”

Slowly opening the door, Jirnan saw the old woman and welcomed her in. “Please, come in, then if all you wish is to stay the night. You can partake in our meager meal if you like. There is plenty to go around though it is nothing one would find in the mighty halls of the city.”

So Ikata entered into the home of Jirnan, in the guise of a halfling. That night she slept in his home and all was peaceful.

In the morning, before any awoke, Ikata left the family, and again set out to search the hearts of mortals. But before she had traveled far, Milyos’ swirling cloud descended from heaven, booming, “surely it does not take a god so long to find a ruler amongst men? Who have you selected for a ruler?”

“I have selected none, Milyos,” replied Ikata, “for only one has shown kindness and I do not wish to choose from amongst a selection of one.”

“Bah,” responded Milyos, “why is that your measure? Have you not seen the great mages that fill the city? Why not select one of them for your purposes?”

“Their interests lie not in ruling but in magic. I understand why that may appeal to you. I would have my arts explored to the fullest in the great city as well, but when I came to your great scholars they turned me away.”

“Well, if you must choose one who has this trait you so desire, why not choose the one who has shown you compassion?” Now Milyos had it in his heart to gift the ruler of the city great prowess in magic so that they may rule in strength but also that the might of magic would be seen throughout the world. So he pressed Ikata to choose Jirnan. “Surely this elf is the ruler you have sought. Why not try his kindness again. Surely he will pass and you will have your king. Let us not forget their need for a ruler to direct them.”

“Fine. I shall twice more test him,” snapped Ikata. “Watch and see.”

So Ikata took on the guise of a man, fine and noble in his demeanor, a man of wealth and standing, a noble of the city. That night she approached the tent once more, and knocked strongly on Jirnan’s door. “I wish to stay the night here! I am a noble of the city and am traveling far. I wish to rest here!”

Cautiously again Jirnan approached the door. “Who goes there?”

“As I have said, a noble of the city! I mean you know harm! Allow me to stay the night with you and I will reward you greatly with wealth and standing in the city.”

Opening the door slowly, Jirnan peered out.

“I see you are of noble birth sir, and that you wear the signet of the city, my lord. But you need not promise me wealth and standing. You may stay with us tonight. We even have some of our humble meal that you can partake of if you so desire. But please you need not give us anything. We have what we need here in our small home. Stay, that is enough.”

So Ikata again stayed in the house of Jirnan, warm and safe.

She left early in the morning and neither Jirnan nor any of his kin saw her go, the same as her prior visit.

As she crested a hill just beyond the site of Jirnan’s home, Milyos again descended to meet Ikata.

“See?” Milyos chided, “Is he not kind enough for you? He turns down the rewards of standing and money. Is that not enough for you? What further test could you have for him?”

“I want you to go to him. In all your glory go to him and offer him power, and all the magics of the world, command of the elements and storms, the fire above and below, to shape and form the world as he sees fit. If he turns you down, he shall be king of Irrkengrond. If he accepts it, he shall not rule and you will strike him down, lest he becomes a tyrant.”

“Ha! He will not refuse my power,” scoffed Milyos “I will go, and I will strike him down when he accepts my offer.”

So Milyos contained his mighty swirl and took the form of the dragonkin, covering himself in golden scales and with great curling horns like those of a ram. That evening, Milyos came to Jirnan’s home and bellowed, “Jirnan! I have come to stay in your home! I am the mighty Milyos god of magic. Behold, If you let me stay tonight in your home I will give you whatever power you desire. Magic to control the weather and elements, to change the body, to bend the knee of foes. All might will be yours!”

Startled by the booming voice of a god, Jirnan approached the door filled with fear and caution. Peeking through the cracks of the door, a puzzled Jirnan spoke; “My lord, I do not know why you are here, or why you require a place to stay for the old stories describe Milyos as a swirling cloud of smoke, so I know not why you would need a place to stay. Yet, I see a form like a gold dragon upright on two legs. I have seen dragonkin, yet never one of gold. Are you truly Milyos?”

“Indeed I am!” boomed Milyos, smoke swirling around him the shadow of his true form breaking through his vale of flesh.

“I see now my lord!” Cried the elf, “Please, come stay with us, but… keep your powers. What use have I for them? Are they not yours and do you not wield them? No, it is not for me to charge you for a space I have and would gladly give you!”

At that very moment the clear voice of the Architect, Ikata sang clear through the night, descending from the sky in a form like that of a woman, with raven hair and fiery white eyes, and skin like a citrine stone. “See Milyos! He is fit to rule! You were so certain that he would take your power. What a fool you are, Milyos! Begone! I must speak with the elf.”

So Milyos billowed back to the heavens, pride stung.

Now Ikata offered her hand to Jirnan. “Come let us walk. I have a proposition for you. I would have you rule the city of Irrkengrond. I know that you are a simple man but that you are perceptive. That you revere the gods and seek to be kind to all who you see. Let us talk.”

And so through the rest of the night, the two wandered the woods and discussed the proposition of Jirnan ruling the city. So Ikata spoke clearly,

“You may refuse my offer if you so desire, but it would bring great joy to my heart if you and your family would take on the rule of the city. This is my gift to you should you accept it.”

“I must ask those whom I love. May I give my answer tomorrow night?”

“You may,” smiled Ikata. So Ikata returned to heaven and waited there for a day. She returned to Jirnan’s hut the next evening. Knocking on the door, she called out, “Jirnan? Have you made your choice?”

Cautious as ever, Jirnan approached the door, opening it slowly, “My lady, please come in, my family has an answer for you.”

Ikata entered into the dwelling, and sat on the floor across from the family likewise seated.

Jirnan spoke then words that have shaped all that has followed that day.

“My lady Ikata, my family has consulted, and we will accept your gift. I will rule your city, with my family. I have but one request.”

“Whatever you name, it is yours,” replied Ikata.

“I would have you set in the center of my citadel this home that I have made, so I may not forget that this seat that you have given me is just that, a gift. So I may rule with wisdom and kindness, and not turn the lowest away, nor those who seem fierce or frightful. Instead, I hope to see what each of them does, not what they appear to be.”

Ikata’s joyous laugh filled the hut, “Of course! This is the reason you were chosen!”

And at that very moment, the hut of Jirnan rose through the air and settled in the center of the city, and around it, Ikata raised a great citadel, where the kings of Irkkengrond would dwell in their might and power. The domes and the spires of that citadel know no equal, yet in its base, in a great marble hall, sits a simple wooden hut, the place where a simple man became king of a great city.

Now, when Kilomond sought to destroy the mortal forms, Irrkengrond was the last place of refuge. And Jirnan welcomed all who sought refuge in the city so that no form was lost to Kilomond’s fire. Elves, humans, dragonkin, halflings, orcs, dwarves, and all other forms one could meet found refuge in that city. And Jirnan ruled the city wisely and well for three-hundred and twenty-two years, till he grew old and faint, for the soul fires unleashed by Kilomond slowly wore the forms to oblivion. When he passed, his crown was given to his firstborn, Selliana, queen of the city. And the city prospered under her rule as it had her fathers.

When she had ruled for one hundred and fifty-five years she passed the throne to her niece, Soluna. Soluna, who expanded the walls of the city, ruled for one hundred thirty years. She chose as her heir, the human man, Trel-agon, captain of the citadel. He ruled for eighty years, and passed the throne to Helodran, half-elf, half-human, and great-grandchild of Jirnan.

Helodran ruled for one hundred and seven years, and passed his throne to his son Seldon, whose children were taken by the twins of one body Mertran and Meltraw.

Seldon ruled for forty years before he was driven to madness. A council was convened to choose his heir and they selected Son-tol, a human man, who ruled for thirty-three years. He passed his throne to the dragonkin Dorozul, the first of the bronze kings. The Bronze kings ruled for a combined two-hundred and nineteen years, Dorozul fifty, then his brother Corzulel forty-four, Eluzal son of Corzulel, seventy-three years. Eluzal passed the throne to his sister Zulgrazel who ruled for thirty-seven. She passed the crown to her cousin Travotav, who was the final of the Bronze kings and ruled for fifteen years before she was killed by an assassin who was later traced to the lady of war, the dragodass Acretia. A council was again convened to select who would rule next, and the council chose San-ba-tera, a human man. He ruled thirty-two years and passed his crown to Tera-ta-sata who was besieged by Acretia. Many are the tales of how the lady of war came to be and of her war with Irrkengrond. Tales of heroes and death, grief and victory.