Territory

Kaltraxis’ territory begins on the islands of the Umberfloe, extending roughly five leagues into the Wasting Sea before it abuts the northern boundary of the territory of Ilyxtriak. In the east it extends to the western coast of Felnir, a distance of roughly forty leagues. In the north and east, it extends fifty leagues into open waters. The true extent of his territory lies underground however, and stretches for miles through layers of rock and the ruins of ancient civilizations that had failed Kaltraxis. The extraplanar boundaries of his territory also extend into the Elemental Plane of Earth, and his domain there is small yet still significant.

Appearance

Kaltraxs’ draconic form is truly massive and awe-inspiring, and most mortal scholars believe that only Ilyxtriak the Grey surpasses him in sheer size. Measuring nearly seventy five meters in length and ten meters in height, Kaltraxis’ overall shape is that of a colossal worm-like serpent covered in burnished bronze scales. Interspersed through his scales are a multitude of various gems and minerals that have become embedded in his hide over the centuries, and in some cases appear to have been placed there deliberately. His head is in the shape of a pointed spade, forming a strong point at his nose before flaring out widely on each side. Centuries of his tunnelling through earth and stone has also polished the scales of his head into a mirrored finish, and the reflection is enough to nearly blind most mortals not prepared to squint, should the light catch it at the right angle.

Curiously, in place of his eyes are roughly-hewn gemstones of various types and sizes, set into his otherwise empty eye-sockets. These gems number more than the traditional two, for Kaltraxis has no less than twelve of these gemstone eyes set throughout his vast skull, ensuring that nothing escapes his sight. These gems magically glow with a soft light that matches their colour, and it is said that each pair of gems sees in a different visual spectrum. Even those who try to obfuscate themselves with magic or stealthcraft find that nothing escapes the sight of the Groundbreaker while they are underground. However, while he is above ground his vision is quite poor no matter which set of eyes he seems to use.

His teeth are no longer bone, like those of the other Firstborn, with some scholars unsure if they ever were. Each fang of Kaltraxis is composed of an unknown mineral that appears akin to a resplendent diamond, but is yet somehow stronger than any diamond unearthed by a mortal being. It is likely that only the Elemental Titan of Earth can claim access to similar minerals.

The Groundbreaker possesses no limbs, save for a pair of large wings. Situated roughly a third of the way down his length, these wings have a multitude of extra joints that allow them to fold inwards so close to his body that they for all intents and purposes form a second skin. The leathery membrane stretched between the bones of said wings is heavily scarred and pitted with the remnants of a thousand shattered ore veins. These embedded minerals cast a wide kaleidoscope of colour whenever the light catches them just right. While these wings render Kaltraxis capable of flight, he rarely uses them for that purpose. He is awkward and ungainly in the air, and much prefers to move beneath the earth, as a burrowing animal does.

Kaltraxis’ draconic form ends in a wicked tail capped with a bony extrusion not unlike that of a flanged mace, and is his primary weapon when his jaws alone are insufficient for the task at hand. Magically hardened gemstone shards stud this bony protrusion, and are capable of inflicting a multitude of grievous wounds upon anyone strong enough to survive the sheer force of a blow from his tail.

In his mortal form Kaltraxis appears to be a simple Ajaunti man at first glance, one who has enjoyed many fine meals with his fellows. Clad in simple, yet finely crafted clothes of earthly tones, he almost always wears an expression that projects warmth and compassion. However, even in this form he is not all that he seems at first glance.

His beard and indeed all of his hair, is not actually hair at all. Rather, it is a finely spun bronze wire that mimics it almost perfectly, save for how it catches the sunlight and fails to move in all but the strongest of winds. His eyes are still the same gemstones that his draconic form possesses, although curiously most beings familiar with his mortal form cease to recognize his softly-glowing green eyes as being any different than their own. Kaltraxis carries no weapons in this form, and should he be forced into combat he is forced to rely upon his control over Elemental Stone magic for defence.

Passions

All things that are precious and placed within the cavernous depths are his, and Kaltraxis desires that these precious metals and minerals should be harvested and delivered up onto his hoard. Emeralds in particular are said to be his favourite. This tribute is more meaningful when said minerals are in their rawest form, an uncut diamond recently mined is worth far more to Kaltraxis than a golden ring with a cut diamond set upon it. These minerals do not necessarily need to have been mined by the Aspirant themselves, and the Groundbreaker will not refuse a load of gemstones acquired in trade or combat. Kaltraxis has no desire for gold or silver currency to grace his hoard, and considers the very thought to be abhorrent, for coins are inevitably tainted by the touch of Erasmus.

Kaltraxis also appreciates gifts of Elemental Stone magic. Though these are not amongst the most prized possessions in his hoard, each magic item or scroll of Elemental Stone increases his mastery over rock and stone ever so slightly, and are appreciated nonetheless.

Temperament

Kaltraxis’ philosophy of community service and stewardship teaches that the pursuit of wealth at the expense and suffering of others drives the starving and fearful into the arms of the divine, and that the most effective weapon in the draconic war against the gods is simply ensuring that mortals can live without worrying about where their next meal is coming from or where they might sleep that evening. All Gods, even those of the Light, take advantage of mortal desperation and fear to gather worshipers, and thus it is necessary for the followers of Kaltraxis to assume the mantle of responsibility and positions of authority and power, all to ensure that the people are provided for and thus are not driven to cry out to the heavens in desperation. However, this is not to be done out of lust for power on the part of the Aspirant, but only out of a genuine desire to truly serve their community. The first one to go without should always be the Aspirant themselves, for Kaltraxis will not look favourably upon those who profit or are sated while others starve. His Aspirants are to serve as compassionate and considerate caretakers of their community, to be the shepherds of their fellows. However, they are also required to see the best in people, and to take a person at their word. The followers of Kaltraxis are extremely trusting, and while they’re not stupid, nor of they ignorant of the possibility of someone being dishonest, their credo requires them to believe the truth of a person’s words until it is proven false beyond a reasonable doubt.

When asked what is so wrong about clever people getting ahead, Kaltraxis simply points to some of the greater cities settled by mortals on the mainland. There a single person can spend to excess so that they might dine exclusively on exotic foods and dress themselves in the finest silks, all the while many thousands of the destitute poor subsist on whatever scraps of bread are thrown to them. That is how he judges failure, and is the best example of what his philosophy was designed to prevent.

Kaltraxis is easily one of the warmest and most approachable of the Firstborn, his gregarious charm and sincere kindness infecting all around with a sense of warmth and good cheer. In fact, he is so disarming that it is easy to forget that you are even speaking with an immortal being whose powers rival that of the Gods, and some lucky mortals have even been known to call him a friend. The Shepherd does not put on airs, nor does he talk down to mortals, and he is quite fond of saying that he is “down to earth.” He pretends not to notice when the younger mortals roll their eyes whenever he jokes in such a manner. His emotional state often fluctuates as the seasons change, in the spring he emerges from his winter hibernation along with the new growth of the year, and during this time he is at his most passionate and ravenous. In the summer his emotional state cools somewhat, and this is when both he and his followers split their time between creating new things and simply enjoying life itself. As the harvest is taken in, communal feasts are all too common, for this is the time to celebrate the increased bounty that their combined labour was able to produce. The winter is a time for rest and peaceful contemplation, and plans are laid for the community’s goals in the next year.

Kaltraxis encourages his followers to gather in numbers and work together, for he has seen that when mortals do so, they are better prepared to deal with the harsh realities that a mortal existence on Arthos often entails. So too is he inspired by their relationships, by the love they share and the emotional bonds that they forge. He has seen the great works they create when many are one, the towers they raise, the magics they cast, and the commonwealth that they create. And as they do so, less and less cry out to the gods for aid or salvation, for they are not needed. With their material needs met, the thought of prayer begins to seem somewhat silly to his followers.

His followers in particular are meant to be the locus for a people, whether that be by forming new communities or shepherding those already established, Kaltraxis expects those that desire or have his favour to be the mortar that binds these people together. They serve as politicians, mediators, traders, charity workers, and a myriad of other roles. They guide development, help those in need, and ensure all are provided for, defending them against outside aggression and internal discord, and so on. Those who follow Kaltraxis are taught that these positions of power are in fact opportunities to serve their communities in a greater fashion, and are not to be used to further their own personal interests or position, lest they betray the very principles that they claim to stand for. While they are not immune to the temptations of power, devoted followers of Kaltraxis are often seen by outsiders as reliable and honest public servants.

Affinities

Groundbreaker is most at home within the bowels of the earth, and in his draconic form he is capable of effortlessly boring tunnels through solid rock at high speed. Unless he wishes otherwise, powerful draconic magics laid upon his scales cause whatever tunnels he makes to begin filling up mere seconds after his passing, and in minutes it is as if he was never there at all. His mastery of the earth does not end with simple tunnel-making, and should he wish it he can force the seismic plates of Arthos apart or hold them together. Churches in his territory that get too confident in their defiance of his draconic ways may find themselves swallowed by a mysterious sinkhole or shattered by a furious earthquake. Finally, while he is submerged beneath Arthos’ surface the sight provided by his gemstone eyes is not stopped by earth or stone, the chthonic depths of his realm are barely a sheer curtain to him. Living beings, valuable gems, and veins of ore stand out in his sight like blazing torches on a cloud-shrouded night.

Kaltraxis is not a warlike Firstborn, and does not resort to combat unless he cannot help it. Though he is slow and often moves in a languid fashion in his draconic form, Kaltraxis is still quite large and physically powerful. His diamond fangs and mace-like tail are more than capable of crushing overconfident foes into paste. Of more concern to his foes is his mastery of Elemental Earth magic, and in this few higher beings, if any, are his equal. At this whim he shapes earth and stone as if it were but warm clay. Walls of stone rise to confound his foes as they are hammered with falling meteors, all the while Elemental Lords of Earth swarm his foes from a network of portals. When he no longer requires their aid, these elementals return to his domain on the Elemental Plane of Earth, standing ready should the firstborn call upon them again.

Curiously, the Shepherd seems to be incapable of telling a falsehood. That is not to say that he does not understand what a lie is, but rather that he simply is incapable of deliberate deception. He may choose not to speak on a certain matter when he does not wish the truth to be known, but when he does speak it is always the complete truth of the matter to the best of his knowledge.

Kaltraxis’ aura of dragon fear is tied to his emotional state. While he is his usual jovial self, it is basically non-existent, to the point where one might even forget whose presence they happen to be in. However, if sufficiently angered, this aura slips its bonds and radiates outwards in waves of intense pressure that can be both physically and mentally felt. The Vulcan Dwarves who live in his domain have records of their kind comparing it to standing at the edge of an active volcano’s caldera. The strength and area it covers is only limited by the depths of Groundbreaker’s rage.

Breath Weapon

The breath weapon of Kaltraxis is not a tool he has often employed, for he is at his core a gentle soul and does not relish in the destruction it causes.

Kaltrxis requires a great deal of crushed stone at hand, and if none is present he begins this process by slamming his massive bulk into the ground, carving a tunnel hundreds of metres long in mere seconds, swallowing all the rock displaced by this process. When Kaltraxis has gathered enough stone to blanket the area of his choice, he bursts forth from the ground in an awe-inspiring display of strength, the tremors from which inevitably send his targets crashing to the unstable ground. As they blink the dust and grit from their eyes, Kaltraxis’ draconic metabolism superheats the crushed stone into a volcanic slurry of magma and poisonous gases, the pressure within building all the while. When even he cannot hold this within his vast gullet anymore, he opens his titanic maw as a torrent of molten rock and acrid smoke erupts fourth. Those caught by the lava itself burn to ash in an instant, and those unlucky enough to escape the lava but not the fumes soon find themselves asphyxiating on the toxic smoke. Should he desire to blanket a large area with his lava, Kaltraxis aims his breath skyward, creating what is essentially a facsimile of a meteor storm.

Style of Governance

Prior to his hibernation, Kaltraxis was quite involved in the lives of the mortals who lived within his territory. While he refused to rule over them directly as a sort of Dragon Emperor, he nonetheless maintained an active role in mortal affairs. In his guise as the Shepherd, he travelled the breadth of his domain often, speaking with mortals and freely offering his wisdom to help with the projects that they were working on, or the problems that they suffered. Whenever discord threatened one of his societies, Kaltraxis often sat as a mediator, helping to bridge the rift that had formed and threatened the stability of that community. To those communities that had not yet accepted his wisdom, he or his followers explained his philosophy and showed them what greater heights they could reach, just like their neighbours already had done. However, The Shepherd believes that this choice can never be forced, mortals must accept it of their own free will.

Since his awakening, Kaltraxis has called his remaining Draconians to his side, speaking with them before sending them out into the world to once again spread his message of mutual cooperation and community. It is a simple creed with few laws, for it simply encourages mortals to come together and enjoy the fruits of their commonwealth. However, Kaltraxis and those who follow him do not tolerate those who act against their community. Brigands and thieves who see his villages as easy marks are instead ruthlessly punished in a manner that seems shocking to those who saw them as a warm and gentle folk. Theft particularly is punished quite harshly, even moreso than murder, and the very least said punishment sees the thief severely maimed if not outright slain. Theft represents the triumph of individual greed over communal charity, and is often the opening salvo in a war that can see a community broken and scattered if left unpunished. Kaltraxis also encourages his people to be the shepherds of their own lands, to harvest the bounty of the land responsibly without damaging the land itself or poisoning it with waste. Kaltraxis teaches that if discord and chaos are allowed to fester within a community, all of the hard work performed by his followers may be undone in an instant. Thus, to preserve the health of the community it is necessary to harden your heart to do what must be done when the social contract is broken. In these cases most criminals and traitors consider themselves lucky to be simply exiled from their former homes.

Those who follow Kaltraxis celebrate a great number of festival days, many of which are simply local customs, while others are more universally observed. Chief among these is the Day of Emergence, celebrated when winter finally loses its grip on the Umberfloe and Kaltraxis awakens from his brumation. As the spring wildflowers begin to bloom raucous parties break out all across the Umberfloe, and the food and drink flow like water. It is a time popular for both marriage proposals and unexpected children, with the former often following the latter. On this day old feuds are quelled and new friendships forged, with both any form of violence or work severely frowned upon. The autumn harvest is also celebrated with the Feast of Glad Tidings, where families and chefs compete to create the most elaborate and delicious meals known to mortals. The only true winners of these contests are those who get to consume said meals.

While he despises each and every one of the Gods with the kind of hate that only the draconic can muster for the divine, the god Erasmus in particular inflames his anger. The unchecked greed that the Miser promotes is anathema to the communal philosophy promoted by Kaltraxis, a sickening credo that exalts the evil and base desires of the individual above the health of the community as a whole. Those that worship Erasmus in his lands must do so in secret, for either Kaltraxis or one of his followers will surely react with extreme prejudice if any make themselves known. The worship of other Gods, while greatly discouraged, is tolerated as Kaltraxis is convinced that when shown the better path that he and his followers offer, they will turn away from those beings and join his people and share in their good fortune.

Temple Structure

The followers of Kaltraxis do not raise massive stone edifices or cast statues of gold to gratify the ego of their Firstborn, for he is far too humble to appreciate such things and considers such ostentatiousness to be close to the churches of the Gods besides. Instead the temples that his followers build tend to be quite practical and spartan. Called a “Summit,” these temples are a key aspect of Kaltraxis’ call to community stewardship. It is here that the Knight or Aspirant moderates the discussions that take place, distributes aid to those that need it, and provides advice to those that seek it. So long as they do not pray to Erasmus, anyone can approach a Summit and ask for aid. The exact nature of his aid varies from Summit to Summit, and the niche they fill in a community. One Summit might be a large warehouse that distributes free grain to the populace, while another might be a school wherein the residing Knight teaches the children of their community. At the very least, they are a peaceful place where those who respect Kaltraxis and his ways can gather and socialize.

These Temples rarely have anything approaching a defined hierarchy, Kaltraxis is every-wary of assuming the restricting and corrupted structures of organized religion. The most senior Aspirant or Knight that belongs to a particular Summit is usually referred to by the title of “Elder,” with their word carrying significant weight by dint of their breadth of experience. However, all followers of the firstborn have a voice when the Summit gathers to discuss important matters. All significant decisions are carried out with a majority vote and after a period of lengthy debate.

Historical Highlights

Historical Entry #1

Transcribed from the tale recounted by the Dragon Knight Gwaelin L’soni to me, Yorveth Brightower, Grand Magus of the Eternal Host.

Dated April 25th, 2263

“This is a tale almost as old as the great Shepherd himself.

Centuries ago these lands were home to few, save for some small settlements of the older mortal races and a scant few Bronze Draconians the lands of the Umberfloe stood empty and wild. We are told that in those days, all lived in harmony with one another. The Divine or their servants had not yet emerged to claim the lives and souls of mortals, and Kaltraxis’ gentle guidance ensured that all had their needs met. Life was simple, yet rewarding.

Were it not for the fall of the true Thalan, perhaps these lands would have remained as they were. Sadly, this was not to be. The firestorm ignited by the rebellion of the humans against their true Thalan caretakers left no part of Maud’Madir untouched, not even our small island chain. At first, it seemed like it might. No battles were fought anywhere near our shores, nor did any party involved seek our aid. Our ancestors would learn that one does not need to be near the stone when it hits the water to feel the effect of its ripples.

Eventually small fleets of ramshackle boats began to land upon our shores. For many, this was their first time seeing a human up close. They seemed pathetic, cold, hungry, their spirits broken. They told our ancestors stories where they were brutalised by a new race of elvenkind, elves whose very veins coursed with foul poisons that they inflicted upon the humans. Like demons in the night they came, killing indiscriminately in the name of blood and vengeance. They asked for asylum and Kaltraxis, being moved by their plight, granted it to them. Furthermore, he taught them his ways, and they prospered like the other children of Kaltraxis. And for a time, all was good.

However, like many things involving humans, this state of affairs did not last.

Perhaps a century or two later, the humans were visited in the winter by a handsome strange figure clad in richly-appointed finery, he was like nothing they had ever seen. Clutching a strange small circle of stamped gold in between his fingers, he introduced the concept of currency to the humans. And as he extolled the virtues of these small golden discs, he awakened the flames of greed in their hearts. Some of you are sure better than the others, and thus, do you not deserve more than they? Is not your success simply the natural way of things, and their suffering the result of their own inadequacies?

Not all humans fell under his dark sway, but enough did. The ways of Kaltraxis fell into disuse, and suffering reared its ugly head. We are told that winter was particularly brutal, as scores of human villages hoarded resources and wealth, letting others starve so that they might satisfy their own unquenchable desires for more.

When the spring arrived, the Knights of Kaltraxis approached him as he awoke, to explain what had occurred while he slumbered. The Groundbreaker was incensed by what had happened amongst the humans, both for the corruption brought by this strange visitor, and by the readiness of the humans to abandon his philosophy. Kaltraxis dispatched several of his favoured to the largest human settlement, whose name has long since been forgotten.

When they tried to correct the behaviour of the humans lost to greed, when they pointed out how the systemic inequalities that their actions introduced ushered in a previously unheard of state of poverty and starvation for the new lower classes, they were rounded up and executed. To add insult to injury, these Knights were sacrificed atop newly constructed altars, marked with the symbol of a single coin.

Kaltraxis is not like his brother Rathenoch, he does not delight in rage. But neither is it unknown to him, and when news reached him of these unjust murders, his rage was that of the volcano. These humans were lost, and every trace of their corruption needed to be purged, for the good of all. Those few that still kept to Kaltraxis’ ways were provided an early warning, and fled the human communities along with their families. Once they were clear, his work began.

The Groundbreaker burrowed deep into the cavernous depths, twisting his bulk along a major stress point where two plates of earth met. Augmented by his mastery of earth magicks, he thrashed and twisted mightily, forcing them apart. Arthos screamed in protest, but it had no choice but to obey.

Atop the surface, it was utter chaos. Vast fissures split the ground, sending buildings and their occupants tumbling below into vast rivers of boiling magma. The ground itself buckled and heaved like a wrathful stallion, crashing down debris and rubble on anyone lucky enough to avoid the fissures. They called to the heavens for aid as they died in droves, but if any power was listening, it did not come to their aid that day. Their screams were lost in the tormented cries of the earth being sundered.

In a mere hour or two, it was over. Kaltraxis pulled the plates of earth back together, the towns of man were completely swallowed up and buried under tons of loose earth and stone. The only thing that remains of them is this cautionary tale.”