By Sulek Beaut



This is the story of Gugrontid, and I have been chosen to tell it. Not because I am a poet or a scholar, but because Aedaisti Beaut, my great grandparent, led the Kran to Gugrontid. Duty to my esteemed forbearer calls me to honor kras memory with what little skill I have. I will do my best.

When all the Kran were but newly made, Talad spoke to Aedaisti, telling kra that it was time for the Kran to find a home, and that Aedaisti would be the one to lead them to it. Kra asked Talad for guidance and strength. Talad replied, "Your love for your fellows will guide you to the right place, and my strength is yours for as long as your strength belongs to the Kran." Aedaisti trusted in Talad and took up this burden. Kra spoke to the Kran in a strong, cheerful voice, telling them Yliakum was theirs for the carving, all they needed to do was find a suitable spot for their home. And they found it, oh yes they did; just not how anyone expected! It happened like this; after some time of searching, Aedaisti took a group ahead to scout for some sign from Talad, leaving a handful of Kran behind to dig for food. When Aedaisti’s group returned, all the miners were standing around a massive stalactite that had obviously fallen somewhat recently. They also had lumps of a strange ore piled all around them. Aedaisti asked what had happened, and this is the tale they told.

The miners were walking with their heads bowed down, looking for signs of ore in the rock. All of a sudden, there was the loudest crash all around them and the ground shook, as if the Azure Sun itself had fallen to earth. Then came a cloud of dust that made the sky purple. They could not see, but they called to each other and most answered, meeting to huddle under a rock ledge. When the dust finally settled back down to the ground, one of their party was still missing. Gugrontid, kra’s name was. As they set out to search for Gugrontid they found the source of the great noise, it was a huge stalactite which had fallen. Unable to find Gugrontid’s body they came to the conclusion that it must have fallen right on Gugrontid! Without a body all the Kran knew kra would not be able to take the stairs out of the Death Realm and they were laden with sadness. To ease their sorrow, they name-bound the stalactite in honor of Gugrontid. After they mourned, they went to the stalactite, looking for gems to place at the spot where the hapless Kran fell. What they found was... Lumium; the first ever found in Yliakum. It ran in a thin pinkish ribbon throughout the whole stalactite. Great sadness became great joy! Aedaisti heard all these things, and realized this was a place a Kran could call home. This was Talad’s sign! All began to look for a place to build a settlement. Aedaisti soon realized they were standing by it. The broken stalactite’s flat top towered above the ground, making it safe from animals and easy to defend against raiders. All dropped their packs and started to help with the work of building a settlement called Gugrontid, named after the stalactite and the missing Kran. They used wood and rope, making a hauling platform to bring equipment, materials, and krasselves to the top. So, in the year 15 AY, by the will of Talad, the Keep of Gugrontid was built.

Time went on and the Keep grew. In 72 AY, a great event happened. The first Lemur caravan arrived, bearing finely-crafted pottery and textiles for trade. They were hauled to the top, and exchanged their goods for shining gems and beautiful Lumium. The Kran were filled with pride at how cleverly their little village was designed. Sadly, that pride turned to shame and horror when a Lemurian caravan worker fell from the hauling platform and died. The Kran build things sturdy, build things safe; and yet we failed here! So they made a ramp up to the Keep, the better for visitors and villagers to be safe. Soon after it was finished, crystals were discovered in Gugrontid, the number of caravans increased, and a Lower Village grew up by the ramp. The homes there were built of sturdiest stone, to protect the villagers when danger came too quickly to flee to the Keep. In fact, the attacks by creatures from the nearby forests made them strong and brave. It also taught those in the Keep above to look after their friends below. Gugrontid learned to work together this way, and all who live here do so still.

Those who founded Gugrontid made good profit from Lumium and crystals. They built fine, sturdy Kran homes in the Keep, then decorated them with crystals they dug with their own hands. They then added large, round standing stones, darker than the rest of the Gugrontid rock, to decorate the common areas of the Keep. These they studded with crystals as well, to honor the source of their prosperity. Later, a temple dedicated to Talad was also built, small but shining like a well-cut gem at the back of the Keep. This suited the Kran quite well, since most served Talad. It was a way to give thanks to Talad, and created a place where the founders’ good fortune could be shared with others, just as Talad asks. Fountains were built, and statues as well.

These days, Gugrontid is still a village, but a prosperous one. The Keep is full, and a dwelling there is hard to get, since most pass down from parent to child. This is for the best, I think, since it gives the younger ones a feeling of belonging to Gugrontid. The same thing happens often in the Lower Village as well. You see, the caravans have brought wealth to them, too. That bounty is used to bring beauty, culture, and a sense of... well... Gugrontid into their walls, just as the founders did with the Keep. You notice it from the minute you come to the village. People from all over Yliakum gather around the caravan station and market, exchanging news and goods. The feel of Gugrontid follows you as you walk up the first stone ramp, heading for the Keep. With each ramp you climb, and each terrace you cross, you see the standing stones and the dwellings in solid Kran style. As you reach the last ramp, you cross a heavy drawbridge that leads to the Keep. Just don’t look down as you cross, that’s my advice! If you choose not to listen and DO look down, there’s a tavern waiting on the other side. You can’t miss it; a mouthless stone head with a nose as tall as a Kran sits above the entrance. The Keep is lengthy but not broad, so the main way stretches long and narrow before you, the crystal-studded houses on either side making nights look like a glittering mine-shaft. Ahh, I truly sound like a Kran now don’t I? But don’t worry, Kran aren’t all you’ll find here. Word of the ores here has since spread among the dwarves, and many find their way to Gugrontid, seeking employment with the Kran owners of the mines. Enkidukai are a common sight as well. Ylians come from nearby villages to trade. The smell of prosperity draws Diaboli. Klyros claiming to love the height of the stalactite visit as well. Perhaps they come to glide from the top of it? I can’t be sure, since I’ve never seen one do it. And why will you come to my wonderful village? I don’t know and I don’t care; I simply bid you welcome and many blessings. Please, if you are of a mind, stop by the Temple and give small thanks to Aedaisti and Talad, all who live here will thank you.