Kel Jora

Even 200 years after the Mallus scorched the Heavens and laid waste to the world, humanity pushed to survive the chaotic plane they've created. Many gathered in large cities under banners of power that offered both safety and enslavement. Others braved the wilderness in nomadic settlements.

In the northeastern forests of Grazoth, humans founded a settlement called Denevyr. For two decades, Denevyr grew to be a great livestock town where travelers would come for food and rest. Warriors and scouts protected the settlement from gnolls, mure, and other endangering beasts. To ensure the town's security, they would plot offensives on waring groups, particularly gnolls. After several disappearances of travelers and Denevyrans, scouts confirmed the kidnappings pointed toward a gnoll camp south of Denevyr. Warriors rode through the camp slaughtering gnoll after gnoll. Sacking their camp, the warriors found what was left of the kidnapped people and a few lucky survivors yet to become hyena dinner. Among the survivors was an infant of pale green skin and pointed ears.

On the road back to Denevyr, one warrior named the Elfish infant *Kel Jora*, the names of two warriors who died saving him - Kel and Jora. Kel Jora was brought to Meredith Clanrock, an orphan mother that looked after the children the other townsfolk couldn't. Meredith had a partial hatred for the Half-Elf boy she took care of, never looking past his Elven complexion. However, Kel Jora's experience in the Orphange wasn't completely atrocious. Kel was able to make friends with an elven boy named Amrynn. Meredith singled out Amrynn likewise for being a wood elf; this only pushed Kel Jora and Amrynn to form a botherly bond.

Kel Jora and Amrynn spent most of their days roaming Denevyr, away from the Orphanage and their sordid orphan mother. They snuck out of Meredith's custody into the town to tip cattle or perform scam street shows for coin. The boys enjoyed their mischievous thrills together and grew very close throughout their twelve years together.

## The Night of the Gypsies

One night, after Kel Jora had spent about twelve years living under the oppression of Orphan Mother Meredith, something happened that would change Kel Jora's life forever. A band of preforming gypsies happened to pass through Denevyr. That same night, Amrynn and Kel decided to travel into town and spend some of the gold they had made from scamming Denevyran citizens.

The two, after leaving the orphanage heard word from people around town that the band of gypsies would be putting on a show in Denevyr's town square. Excitedly, the two boys hurried down to the town square to enjoy the spectacle of the gypsies. They had many exciting and enticing acts. There were fire-eaters and belly-dancers, jugglers and poets, fortune-tellers and a ringleader. Most impressive of all to Kel Jora was a magician, Drathomos, and his mysterious showmanship.

Drathomos held his show in a tent next to the town square. Kel Jora brushed by the tent's entrance to find a venue packed to the last seat. Two men with shaved heads wearing chainmail jewelry stood on either side of the stage, holding torches enlightening the spectacle.

A black-bearded man with dark eye shadow and numerous face markings entered the stage. He wore simple brown robes with the exception of his turban, which was inlaid with beautiful and shimmering rubies that shone a deep and satisfying red. He welcomed the crowd with open arms; doves flew out from each hand. As they flew over the gasping crowd, the man laughed confidently while his magnificent ruby sparkled like red wine.

Even his voice was entrancing as he addressed the crowd, commanding the attention of rambunctious spectators. "For my next trick, I will take a chicken from your local livery and transform it into a flying pig!" The crowd began to laugh, mistakenly believing the gypsy to be joking; however a hushed silence befell them when Drathomos led a chicken by leash from behind the stage's curtain to an elevated box. As Drathomos smiled, ruby shining proudly, the crowd looked on in amused skepticism. The plain box was placed on a wooden stool at about chest height, with a ramp leading up to a trap door that had a large lock on it.

A torchbearer walked to the center, turned to the crowd, and revealed a key hidden between his teeth. He unlocked the trap door, and Drathomos led the chicken up the ramp and into the box. Drathomos closed the box and turned to the torchbearer, who handed him the key. Drathomos, with a smile and a wink, inserted the key into the lock and turned it. He handed the key back to the torchbearer who again ate the key, and returned to corner of the stage.

Drathomos walked around to the other side of the box and gave another confident smile to the crowd. He pulled a lever locking the trapdoor on other end of the box. Down the trapdoor swung; a pigeon-winged pig shot out of the box as if fired out of a cannon. The avian pork made several twists and turns in the air before flying straight out the entrance of the tent. Everyone was amazed at the sight of the fabled pig on wings. Everyone, but Kel Jora. It was as if Kel could see right through the pig, like it was almost and empty entity. Kel Jora recognized it was an illusion casted by Drathomos. The spectators whispered and gasped amongst themselves, convinced of the flying pig.

After an array of magnificent spectacles, Drathomos' show came to an end. Kel Jora approached Drathomos outside the show tent. "Those weren't tricks, Drathomos. You were using magic! Real magic! How did you do it?" Drathomos laughed, "You certainly have a keen eye for magic, boy. What is your name?" "I am Kel Jora." Said with gusto, "Kel Jora? Kel Jora is a wonderful name! Don't you know, *Kel Jora,* that a magician never reveals his secrets?" Drathomos' rubies shined ever so brightly. "That is, unless you wish to learn a few secrets. You see, I had an apprentice who quit to join this 'Iron Legion' army. Seems he had more interest with a sword rather a book. I am in need of a new apprentice if you are so willing. I can see great potential in you, though your family my not approve." Kel Jora's face froze, until a wide grin streched from one pointed ear to the other at the thought of leaving Denevyr, leaving the orphanage, and traveling to new places. "Yes! Of course I will go with you! I...I don't have a family but.. my friend, Amrynn, can he come as well?" Rubbing the hair beneath his lip, "I suppose we can use another stage hand." Kel Jora with haste, "I will be right back!"

Rushing to the center of town square, Kel Jora spotted Amrynn pickpocketing a few chumps watching a man swallow a burning torch. Kel pulled Amrynn aside, "I'm leaving Denevyr. Drathomos, this magician, he offered me and you a place-" Amrynn mocked Kel, "With a band of freaks? I don't think so Kel." Kel with a great sigh, "They are not freaks, they are very talented people offering us a chance to get away from here. Away from that bitch Meredith." Amrynn shook the stolen coins in his purse, "Look Kel, your talents will be useful to them. You were always good at distracting people from their miserable lives. But me, I steal and lie and steal again. I'm fine on my own, I don't need to work for a bunch of gypsies." Kel Jora embraced Amrynn, the closest person he would call family. Amrynn returned the embrace half-heartedly, perhaps a little angered by Kel's sudden revelation. Amrynn put both hands on Kel's shoulders, "You were meant for this. Go." Kel with a tear rolling down his face, "I know you can take care of yourself, Amrynn. Maybe we can see each other again one day."

Kel Jora returns to the tent where Drathomos resided.

"Boy! Hm, where is your friend?" Kel Jora wiped his cheek, "He's not coming with me." "No matter, no matter, he made his decision and you made yours. 'Tis life. Something I should tell you, boy, something you may already know is I am not just some old magician. I am a wizard!" The tent began to fill with sand under their shoes and water came rushing over them. Before Kel Jora could comprehend what was happening, he found himself on the sandy ocean floor, but breathing normally. Something knocked into him from behind; a great white shark appeared with a glimmering ruby atop its nose. With the voice of Drathomos, the shark spoke, "I can make the unimaginable happen with the snap of my fingers!" The shark coughed with bubbles floating up from its mouth. "...I mean fins."

## The Firebrands

From there on, Kel Jora studied under Drathomos, Master Illusionist. Drathomos managed all stage performances such as comedians, dancers, singers, and his very own magician show. Kel often stared as Drathomos' assistant, wearing a red vest with gold lining and tan beeches held by a gold rope, all of Jeishuan style. Kel's studies began day in and day out reading books on science, history, and simple Arcana. Drathomos taught Kel how to use illusion spells effectively, drawing from arcane forces around him to simulate both sound and image. While on their travels from town to town, Drathomos also taught Kel magic that can help him survive and hold his own in the dangerous Malachite Isles. Kel was exposed to most kinds of magic, but none no greater than illusion magic. Drathomos mentored showmanship and extravagance on the stage as well as distraction and deception for defense. Often on the road, the traveling band of performers ran into the usual trouble: Gnoll attack parties, greedy highwaymen, and various monsters. Kel and Drathomos were able to hide the band's wagons while misleading their attackers away. Their father-son dynamic proved them to have a strong relationship that strengthened Kel's personality and his attentiveness to expand his intelligence.

The Firebrands became a family Kel Jora never had before; he built some relationships with his fellow "gypsies." Isomon the Longtusked was a Loxodon Ringleader of the circus acts: animal trainers, acrobatics, and contortionists. A very close friend with Drathomos, Isomon was considerably an uncle to Kel. Mother Marimore, as she was formally called by patrons and Firebrands, was a Jeishuan fortune teller of great esteem. Her tent draped beautiful cosmic tapestries and held a magical crystal ball at the center of her table. She managed the fortune tellers who offered palm readings, card readings, Ouija boards, spiritual guidance, or Foresighting (if they were as powerful as Mother Marimore herself), all for coin. Marimore cared for Kel Jora as a mother should, appealing to the boy's sense of adventure and Elven side. She taught him Elvish so he may communicate with his kind and carry his Elven blood proudly. Mother Marimore witnessed great potential in Kel Jora, forseeing Kel to one day be both adored and feared by many.

The traveling life of a performer shaped Kel Jora into a spry and adventurous young man, looking to absorb all the knowledge at every destination the Firebrands' journeys.

## The Sands of Jieshu

After a full tour of Grazoth, many Jieshuan Firebrands wished to return home. The Firebrands hired dwarvish sailors to transport the entire circus back to Jieshu. While on the trip, Kel showed interest in the dwarvish language and the dwarves were drunk enough to teach him.

The sun felt blistering hot on the approach as the warm Jeishuan winds gave little relief. Upon docking at Baijinbar, Kel Jora explored the coastal trade city while tents, equipment, animals and wagons were moved off the ship. Buildings made from sandstone towered over bustling bazaars where people of all races haggle at each other before booths of silk, spices, and incense. People huddled around watering holes to quench their dry throats. The humans from this land were notably different: they had dark, tan skin with nappy hair in turbans and wore drab gowns. The more noble men wore elegant, vibrant colors. Some bazaars deep in the city were void of sunlight, but rather illuminated by whale oil lamps. The Sheikh allowed the Firebrands to conduct festivities around the Baijinbar for several days. Drathomos and Kel Jora put on spectacles that impresses even the most seasoned of travelers.

The Firebrands continued their tour through the sand oasis, seeing old structures buried by sand, carrion eaters devouring dehydrated bodies, wild packs of war turtles, trading posts providing water and settlements providing protection. In the Lizardfolk oasis city of Qudje, noticeable by the large pyramids, the Pharaoh demanded the entertainment and mystical appeal of the Firebrands. The Pharaoh is known for her cutthroat reputation for killing those who fail to amuse her. Luckily knowing this beforehand, the magicians and the circus worked hard to perform a compelling display of lavishing beauty and awe that struck the Pharoah to her core.

Tel Iskarma was by far the most unordinary location to note. It seemed like a mirage created by the heat and sand. After traveling in the desert for weeks, the Firebrands became dangerously famished and thirsty. Water supplies were low and so were hopes of surviving. Suddenly the mirage came closer and closer. The city was literally moving weekly, packing their things and settling somewhere else, likely following herds of beasts. The Firebrands finally saw the Illusory City as real and tangible place with water! In supplying the journeying entertainers with meats and water, they put on an exquisite festival to celebrate their survival in the desert. They partied with the orcish game hunters for a few moons before everyone packed up and went their separate ways.

The Firebrands ventured to several more trading post and settlements from the desert to the coast until they returned to Baijinbar. From there, they set their sails for Kranox.

## The Return to Grazoth

After a long, perilous journey across the Isles, the Firebrands arrived on the shores of Grazoth once again. Kel Jora held fond memories