The Caldra'fa Helix

The noted scribe Aristos ri Culstir made mention of objects from the Epoch of Creation that were the precursor to the material plane, physical objects that contain a form of pure elemental essence. It was said these objects evolved into their current state on their own before the necessary elements gathered to create what is now the material place.

Like water on curved piece of oiled parchment, the Caldra’fa Elements would soon be drawn to the worlds created. As Evindale was declared home to its Creator, the Elements would also make this their home. When placed end-to-end they form a single spiraling tower in and through which all communication with the Elder Gods is permissible; this is their gateway to the Realm of Sythlia. Through it also their power may be used in their name.

Nine of the Caldra’fa Elements were known to exist during the founding of Prundem by the Myrad’il.  During the Prunish Wars, three of the Elements (Dren’al-bath, Oerst’al-neh, Sret’al-bah) were used to annihilate 45,000 humanoids who assaulted the city by binding them to the area (Dren’al-bath; control), turning the land to boiling blood (Oerst’al-neh; transmutate), and finally removing the bond between life and body (Sret’al-bah; the scythe).

Each Element may be used independently as was reported by Emperor Ghal of Talais wherein a servant’s body was “changed in form to create a gorajish (ceremonial vase) for his new bride.  Like liquid he flowed to become a gift.”  Compare to the Annuls of the Grandastium which states “sevenfold did Alin flow into new form, each in accordance with Worit’s words as held held aloft the gem and commanded him as thus.”

Worit may refer to War’it of Talais who was said to gift his Emporer with the Horet’al-roh (change of state).

Only five of the Elements have been named by Aristos though he died before his work was complete. Seekers of ancient lore have made the completion of the scribe’s work their life’s mission though none over the past 600 years have succeeded entirely.

Rabek of Sta'abri, a noted warrior-poet in his lands, tells a story of a great wizard-king from “between where the sky and earth meet, where the foot of the gods lays its final rest” who has in his possession a “pale stone, like one used for grinding” which “when held to the head made man capable of commanding and bending steel to his whim”. This ‘wizard-king’ is believed to be fictional given the Sta'abri have had no such being in their history and instead was a king who used the stone to produce effects and was thereby labeled a *calliacde*, or wizard. One leader, Balinek Twvidol, is noted for having mastered the sword to such a degree that he could “split the hair of a child’s head with a blade he did not wield nor watch yet commanded with great efficiency. This he did from his stead whilst the child be a league away.” He stated his power was in the blood of his line, meaning royal line of family which to the Sta'abri at that time was anyone who sat on the throne; any who sat upon it were called *Astir-Dol*, or “kin of kings” until their coronation.  Aristos believed it was literally in his throne, meaning the throne contained a piece of an Element and whosoever sat in it would gain its power.

From his writings in Gr 5:3:225,

“Behold,” the servant claimed of his king, “the power of the Steelwarden.”  And Rjokenthir’s head separated from his shoulders and spoke the Truths unto those gathered. This the Steelwarden did from his high seat, such was the power of the Steelwarden.”

If Steelwarden were to be translated to the Celestial, it’s name would be *byr’taalto*, or ‘seat of steel’. For some scholars this is a near match to an artifact known as the Sar’al-bir, or Master of Steel\*.  The Sar’al-bir is the name of a throne constructed from a single crystal upon which sits the ruler of the Slindari folk.

\*Bir (Ma.) — *byr* (Cel.): fired iron, or steel.  Ex., *byr’xi*, sword (steel edge).

Sar (Ma.) — *taalto* (Cel.): a) one who sits in a high position, b) a throne and its occupant, c) the position one holds that would require a throne, d) master