Kylliphicyon

The Kylliphicyon (K-eye-lih-phik-eon), or the Great Bear-Wolves of the Northlands, have been sung in many epics. Most notably the *Senjoth anRylla* where Rylla "*Kyllifaelgi*" Risalf (the daughter of Erailt and Isbeil, farmers in the Nyrthfors), with the help of Talver, the greatest of the Kylliphicyon, journeys into the farthest reaches of the Northlands, to the mountains beyond the Bleak, to slay Forn, the Baleldûrhyyr, the father of all dragons. Rylla and Talver succeed in their endeavors, but not without Talver sacrificing his own life to save his friend. After the great battle, Rylla founds the city of Kyllithia on the slopes of Bejoll anKyllie, and descendants were forever called the "Moon-Walkers" or the "Bearers of the Beastblood" for the rest of time.

## Appearances

### Appears in

Senjoth anRyllaThe Wrath of IceThe Red QueenBestiary of EdwynaHistory of Edwyna

          I would be amiss to not explain the Beastblood and its importance to the Nyrthfulke. The *Anfr onBlûdth* -as it's often referred to -gives its wielder the ability to transform into one of the Kylliphicyon at will. It is a power that is only passed down to one child and stayed in the Risalf line for over 1,600 years. Its importance to the Nyrthfulke is that the Beastblood was chosen as the means to elect the next king. It was a practice started by Rylla Kyllifaelgi herself. Out of her seven children, her youngest, Thygunr Risalf, was given the power of the Beastblood, and when it was realized on his sixteenth birthday, Rylla made him her successor. And so, the kings and queens of t

he north would only rule if they carried the Beastblood of Rylla. A practice that was recently started again with the founding of the New Northlands.

          The old stories, and the new ones, tell wonderous descriptions and tales of these great, majestic beasts. The Kylliphicyon stands, on average, at an impressive twenty feet, and despite their size and terrifying looks, they are one of the most gentle creatures on Edwyna. The Kylliphicyon are also highly intelligent, they have their own clan structures and have ways to communicate with people by just looking them in the eyes.

          The anatomy of a Bear-Wolf is intriguing, to say the least. They share similarities to both the Sûthryyg Black Bear and the Rhovehki Great Wolf. While the front legs are structured like a bear's while the hind legs are made like a wolf's. The combination of the two differently built legs, and their excessive size, can see the Kylliphicyon run, at full sprint, at an astounding eighty to eighty-six miles per hour for almost thirty minutes before tiring. As well, the combination gives them the ability to scale any terrain, be it mountains or cliffs. Along with their legs, they are the only animal outside of the Cervid family that has two dewclaws on each foot. With these sets of dewclaws, the Kylliphicyon have an unnatural ability to change direction, while in full sprint, at a moment's notice. On each paw, they also carry a sharp claw on each toe (five on each foot) that they use to hunt, and skin, their prey. These claws also possess the pure natural quality of silver and Ryduin steel that kills monsters. For a time, before either metal was discovered, the Ancient Nyrthfulke used the claws from the dead Bear-Wolves for weapons.

          The great Bear-Wolves were designed by the Mother, Kyllista, in this way so that they could combat the various servants of Havasthur and his Demon Cult. In turn, after the Corruption of the Balhyyr, it became clear their main purpose was to fight, kill, and keep the dragons in check.

          It is also from Kyllista that the Bear-Wolves get their name. "Kylli" means bear in Algûvodi, because of the ancient myths of both the Nyrthfulke and the Aelindhe. The Mother would take the form of a bear to roam about her husband's creation. It was during one of her wanderings that she came upon the newly awoken Aelindhe, who befriended the she-bear and showed her great kindness. Upon this, she revealed herself, and the Aelindhe worshipped her, claiming her as their patron. The Elves were her children from then on, and she created the Kylliphicyon to guard and protect her children. The other part of the name "Phicyon" is the Aubrevesse (Elven) word for great-wolf. It is the name given to the Rhovehki Great Wolf that hunts throughout the Eptfyluum.

          Almost always (before the Fourth Era that is) the Kylliphicyon have been characterized as gentle giants, slow to wrath. The only times they are seen as destructors are in cases when they fight Havasthur's servants or when they step against wicked men. This changed, however. During the First Continental War between 981 and 983 3E, the southern invaders fought and killed many of the Bear-Wolves. In return they were wrathful, and when the Ekraan's offered them power by military rank, they gladly accepted. It was here that the corruption of the Kylliphicyon took root. Every clan, save the descent from Talver the Hero, turned their backs on the original plan the Mother had given them, and they went forth in anger to seek their revenge on the southern kingdoms. When Ilnjallr Ekraan declared himself the "Sole God Among the World" the Bear-Wolf clans agreed in unity (save the clan of Talver) that he was divine, and turned their backs fully on the not only the Thrakvaine but also their creator, the Mother. When the *Keola anThrakvaine* came to pass, Valturius turned the clans savage, taking away their higher brain function, turning them into savage beasts. In this way, they would be the wardens of the north, to keep people from crossing the Nyrthr Mountains.

          It was not until the Incident at Cephalyyg in 416 4E that the Bear-Wolves were seen again. A mage, whose name is lost to the sands of time, attempted to tame the beast by magic. When the plan backfired, and the Bear-Wolf was driven into a frenzy, it charged the small town of Cephalyyg in the foothills of the Nyrthr Mountains in the Northwatch Territories. It destroyed nearly every building and just about killed every citizen of the town. Several mages and witches gathered to the city to stop the beast, and eventually did after several hours by killing it. The mages left after the fight decided that magic needed to be taught with more discipline. They packed up and sailed across the world to find a suitable location for the teaching of mages. These mages found a suitable location to the north of the newly formed Sûrmathian Kingdom. The one who killed the beast also found the spot. The site he landed on was a giant rock, and so he named the place after himself, Kostinihos (or Kostin's Rock). The emblem of the school has always been the symbol of the Kylliphicyon ever since it was founded in 417 4E.

          The road for the Bear-Wolves does not end badly, thankfully. After the War of Reclamation and the founding of the New Northlands, the Kylliphicyon were granted their ways back. Their minds and hearts were opened once again and they could think and feel as humans again. When they were given their gifts back, they kneeled before Valturius and begged for forgiveness from the actions of their ancestors. Valturius and the other Thrakvaine accepted their apology gladly, and forgave their friends willingly.

          Ever since, even though the people of the world gave their forgiveness and accepted their friends back with open arms, the Kylliphicyon have been making amends to all they harmed, making strides to restoring the peace with every action they perform.

In my honest opinion, the best description of the Bear-Wolves comes from *Senjoth anRylla* lines 63-65 and 78-81:

The beasts lowered their heads below their necks

The young girl was stunned as their heads were bowed

They spoke to her and with blessings endowed

...

"Please, do not worry young Rylla, my dear

It will come soon for you, time without fear

My children, my house, they will follow you

A son from my children will see you through"