Veins of Mettle: An Examination into the Origins of Kroderine Soul
Veins of Mettle: An Examination into the Origins of Kroderine Soul is an Official GemStone IV Document, and it is protected from editing.
Foreword
The start of the decade brought forth with it a most intriguing new ability that was seen in combatants all across the continent. It was quickly given the name Kroderine Soul due similarity to the metal bearing the same name. But in the years since the question remains where did it come from and how was it that individuals were able to make use of it?
First we must begin by speaking of the ability itself. What is Kroderine Soul? It is a technique that those who are especially dedicated to martial combats are able to make use of. Through focus and dedication an individual is able to gain tremendous resistance to magic, along with being able to both purge away or simply absorb hostile incantations. This however comes at the cost of forsaking magic entirely, the beneficial as well as the hostile. Additionally, there is a physical transformation, causing veins of metallic grey to be visible just below the skin.
But where did the ability come from and how is it that some have taken it up?
Within the Empire
The search for answers began within the Turamzzyrian Empire and naturally focused upon the vast imperial military, from its legions to its martial orders found throughout its territory. Interviews with soldiers and knights showed that knowledge of the ability was well known in recent years, with it being discussed, explained, and shown during the course of their training. While the ability provides a number of advantages in combat, it is not a mandated choice. Kroderine soul augmentation can make for more hearty soldiers, but can obviate tactical choices on the battlefield, keeping the ability an optional one.
How each soldier chose and took up this combative feat varied, though several commonalities did emerge. One of the most common came after a night of contemplation and prayer. Likely inspired by a knight's vigil, these individuals were imbued with the ability the next day due to the divine guidance they were graced with. For others it came from a much more individualistic approach. Through mental focus and reflection, often but not always paired with meditation, they turned their thoughts inward and found the ability there for the taking. A third method, less frequent than the other two but still prevalent, came from a far more diverse set of circumstances. The commonality for these persons was being in a high stress situation, typically but not always a fight or battle. Each reached a moment of life or death, where they found themselves with the ability. They often expressed a desire to live no matter the cost and found the ability there to use as they fought for their lives. All of these anecdotes and stories point to Kroderine Soul coming from the individual's choice. Some made it consciously, others did not, and others still were guided there through outside help. Additional methods of embracing this feat surely exist beyond these most common cited experiences.
None of this explains where Kroderine Soul came from originally, however. The soldiers and knights said they had been educated on it recently, but older veterans made clear that this was never the case before the start of the decade. That is when reports of the ability became widespread. This begs the question, did the fear come out of nowhere in 5120, or did it exist before then but was never made common knowledge?
The martial orders of the Empire, knightly or otherwise, have long recorded histories dating back centuries. These make for natural sources to seek out for answers to the origin of Kroderine Soul. However, despite their histories, little direct evidence of the ability exists. Instead, the information found came in stories and whispers exchanged. Many of these pointed in the direction of the Order of the Golvern Star. The preeminent knightly order of the Empire, they were founded in 4848 upon an ultra-disciplined ideal in the wake of the disastrous end to the Empire's Third Elven War. The Order would quickly rise to prominence in the Empire and become an elite arm of the imperial military, due to its effective training, loyalty to the throne, and large size. One location the Order of the Golvern Star would be assigned to was the Demonwall, where to this day the Order has proven to be most effective in dealing with the monstrous beasts and demonic creatures that dwell beyond it.
With this assignment placing a substantial portion of the Order as a whole at the Demonwall, it would make logical sense for an ability to more readily ward off magic to be discovered. Constantly facing demons, and trained in methods of ultra discipline, it makes for a natural pairing. And yet information about Kroderine Soul, even in the current day, is extremely difficult to come by. This is not surprising, as the Golvern Star's elite status has resulted in their training methods to remain closely guarded. Had the ability been discovered by them, it would follow they would not make public something that could be used as a tactical surprise on the battlefield. Secondhand accounts make clear that there are members of the Order of Golvern Star who have taken up the Kroderine Soul ability, but whether that was recently or in the distant past cannot be confirmed.
There is information that points to the origin of the Kroderine Soul ability both centuries before it became publicly known, and even prior to the founding of the Order of the Golvern Star. The Third Elven War ended in the disaster known as the Breaking, where in the face of a demon horde, much of the army is slain or flees. One individual lost during this battle was Sir Gallestan the Mighty. A hero of the Empire, he helped to rally the imperial army at the initial onslaught of the demons, personally slaying a half dozen, before being struck down. In the decade following the Breaking, with an upswell in imperial morale towards the knighthood, the song The Lay of Sir Gallestan became popular, recounting his life and tragic death. The song spends much time upon the heroic last stand Gallestan made against the demons, including his warding off fire and flame and terrible magic that would rent him asunder. Whether this was poetic license or an accurate depiction of an ability coming forth in a horrific fight to the death. The metal kroderine would not be discovered for centuries, so there would be no name to hang upon this feat. However, the song was not written until years after Gallestan's death, and accounts of what took place during the Breaking were always vague on details given the massive breakdown of the imperial army. This does not fully discount this but does not offer enough proof to stand as definitively happening, let alone the origin of this ability.
One other tale from history brings another hint at the existence of the ability long before it was publicly known. From 4628 to 4632 the Witch Winter gripped a large swathe of the western continent. Issyldra the Ice Queen descended from the Dragonspine, bringing with her an army of ice creatures and a bitterly cold winter. The Kingdom of Hendor would fall to her advance, as the frozen weather killed anyone who stayed, from exposure or starvation, if they were not slain by her minions. This would change when a band of Turamzzyrian adventurers led by Llaestal Anodheles and Rasimm Roelas set out to stop Issyldra. Bearing with them an artifact they discovered in the Sea of Fire, they would sneak through the winterbound territory of Issyldra to reach her frozen citadel of Rimefast. They battled their way inside into its icy heart where Issyldra herself was to be found. Their plan was a simple one: use of the artifact they brought to undo the magical winter and return warmth to the lands. Rasimm held the magical talent and expertise necessary to activate the object, and while he did so, Llaestral and the others would fend off the Ice Queen's most potent creatures. Llaestal was a renowned swordsman, and bore Searswathe, the legendary magical blade of his family dating back to the first Empress Selantha. Both would give him an edge, but his survival against the most dangerous creatures, and allegedly facing Issyldra alone to give Rassim enough time to restore the weather. It is said Llaestal was able to shrug off some of the Ice Queen's most potent spells, and when the cold ended and she was weakened, slew her with Searswathe. In the course of five hundred years the details of a story can be lost or changed. Llaestal and Rasimm would be celebrated as heroes for their roles, but the names and deeds of the others of their band are lost to the ages. Was this an early case of Kroderine Soul made manifest, or just another heroic tale embellished for all who may hear it? Unfortunately, we may never know.
Beyond the Empire
In the past half century, a story of an individual has emerged from the Southron Wastes. They come from those who have encountered those known in times past as Fineval's Company, named for the elven Grandmaster of the Order of Voln. Centuries ago, he established an outpost and monastery within the Wastes, where he led and taught the men and women who came with him and found their way to him. Fineval himself would give his life in combat against the Horned Cabal, bringing down one of their arch-liches. His company and the outpost they established would continue on after his death, inspired and guided by his teachings and those of the Order of Voln. The Company is known to accept members from anywhere, including famously having the erithi known as the Pilgrim as a member of their ranks before he returned to Nathal-Ra and founded the Volnath Dai. The story told as of late is a monk of the Company, an erithi of the Volnath Dai who came to find the Company and follow in the footsteps of the Pilgrim. The tales speak of a woman who has rescued individuals from horrors of the Wastes, including undead, striking with hand and foot, but also with her mind. Whereas with some monks they are described as having skin akin to iron, with her they speak of her skin being mithril, for spells would not touch her and the dull grey hue they would see in it. And to this day it is said the Mithril Monk wanders the Southron Wastes, aiding and helping those in need.
The facts of this tale are credible, and more importantly not lost in the haze of time. That the subject is also alive would in normal cases make for a simple means of confirming. However, even in recent times when the Southron Wastes are less hostile to wander, the outpost of Fineval's Company is still not an easy place to journey. The Company members are also very respectful of their brothers and sister, and beyond confirming the existence of this Mithril Monk and that she still lives, they are averse to saying more as it is not their story to tell. With her being prone to wander, and also not speak of her deeds herself, finding her to provide any insight has proven to be as fruitful as chasing the wind.
The Faendryl
Information from within the Faendryl Empire has historically been difficult to come by, due to their isolationist nature. However, in recent years there have been several moments where better insight and exchange of information has not only been possible but encouraged. Moreover in regards to this research, it is the opening of the Palestra Trials to applications from beyond their empire that has proven to be the greatest boon.
Prior to the past two decades, the Palestra remained something more of a myth to those beyond the Faendryl borders, as few were known to travel and operate abroad. That changed in 5116 when their Trials were expanded to consider a new source of candidates, and in later years when they permitted non-Faendryl to be present to view them. The allowance of outsiders to be present at the Trials provided firsthand experience into their culture and training. As a result of Palestra members now more readily found available throughout the continent, stories and tales of their training are now more widespread. The full details of that training and its secrets remain closely guarded, but even the filtered information is an improvement over the mystery they once represented. While no one would outright state that the Kroderine Soul ability originated from Palestra training, there was one thing the Faendryl stated that differed from other cultures. They were quite clear that those who took up the ability did so through discipline, training, and experience. They were able to harness their inner selves to better combat magic and make themselves more effective and potent in dealing with demonic threats. That this was done by bettering themselves, not due to any divine intervention or blessing of the Arkati.
This stance stands out compared to other races, however given the Faendryl views on religion it is not surprising. Unfortunately, the information gathered does not bring any more clarity on the origins of Kroderine Soul, beyond confirming its presence and usage within another culture.
The Dwarves
Stories from the dwarven clans do not originate from their soldiers or battlefields, but rather from those who work as blacksmiths, weaponsmiths, and armorers. Several tales speak of experienced smiths who had long labored in the forges and worked with many difficult metals, with kroderine being a notable one in the last several decades. The details of the circumstances vary, but the main theme in each came from an accident or mishap. There would be a fire or explosion at a forge, and despite the disaster one smith would walk out virtually unscathed. In one such tale, it was a dwarf outside of the smithy who ran into the flames when disaster struck. Time and again the dwarf would emerge carrying one of their brethren, only to charge back into the inferno. In total they would rescue a dozen workers, before collapsing to the ground outside. This was due not to any wounds from the flames, but rather from the smoke. Another tale originates from one of the great smithies under the Dragonspine, several careless actions combined to cause a great fire as a hot ingot was dropped onto an improperly stored reagent. The blaze quickly began to spread, threatening to consume the entire facility. Before that could happen one smith took up his forging hammer and began to smash open the giant quenches - huge cisterns of water - and when the few around him were not enough he ran through the flames to crack open others until at last the inferno was extinguished. Emerging through the steam and smoke afterwards, clothes smoldering but nary a burn on his skin, the dwarves watching began to chant the name he would bear going forward: Fire Quencher.
The time frames of all these tales vary, some have happened within the last ten years, while others go back many decades. The Fire Quencher comes across as almost legendary, as it is often spoken of by elder dwarves as a lesson in responsibility and sacrifice to clan and forge. Enough details are present to establish the events did take place, but whether these individuals survived their situations because they were imbued with Kroderine Soul remains unclear.
The Giantmen
The Kindred of the Grot'karesh Hammer Clan are well known for their magical aptitude in their never ending watch for the return of Despana. Their members extend beyond those who are experts in the manipulation of energy. It is established that some of their combatants have taken up the Kroderine Soul ability, which makes sense given the focus and mission of their clan. Rumors abound as to how these individuals came to the ability. Some whisper that it came as a result of those undergoing the ritual to simulate the Time of Trial their ancestors faced. Consuming roots from deep within the Southron Wastes, it physically transforms those who take it, as they seek to overcome the chaos within their blood. It is said that the ritual leaves a mark on all who undergo it, and a natural ability to resist magic could be one. Others state the ability was learned from Ishan — the members of the clan who wander from Kilanirij — who returned home, bringing the knowledge. Variants of that tale say it was not an ability learned, but rather that Ishan that came back from the Wastes changed. Not enough solid information is present to validate any of these tales, but it does make clear that no matter the origin, the Grot'karesh see this ability as a gift and weapon to add to their arsenal to battle chaos.
The Nalfein
The last information that was found about Kroderine Soul is insubstantial at best. It is the hint of a whisper, the thing you go searching for only to find it turns into smoke when you touch it. It should be no surprise then that source of this comes from the Nalfein Elves. Their House is well known for their stealth and subterfuge, and making inquiries into aspects of their society can be difficult at best. While not readily admitted to, it is established that the Nalfein are a source of assassins. It is those individuals that this faint breath of information focuses upon. For it is said that for the right price, if you contact the right person, and if you provide the name of an individual then they will be dealt with. Further it is alleged that if the name given belongs to a wielder of magic, that is not an obstacle, just an additional cost to pay for the specialized talent that will handle the problem. Now clearly there is no evidence to any of this, and it is just rumor. But given this topic, it seemed prudent to include it for consideration. Or perhaps just better off forgotten.
Conclusion
When I began this journey, I thought it would be a simple matter of collecting evidence, weighing the facts, and stating the obvious conclusion that came from it. But in a world of secrets and conflicting information, that is not always where things end up. It reminds us that sometimes the answer to something is a guess. One educated in information and facts but also supported by hints and suggestions.
Where then did the ability known as Kroderine Soul come from? And when did it take place? It is my belief that it had no one singular source, other than the will of the individual who has taken it up. Too many sources of information point to a choice being made being how they gained a soul of kroderine. Some may have used an outside source to make the decision, such as prayer or favor of an Arkati, but in the end it is a matter of will. Now when did this ability originate from? As called Kroderine Soul it originated in 5120, as that is when the name was established. As a result of the metal kroderine being well known by that time, and enough people exhibiting the ability for it to be associated with the metal. But I believe that this ability long predates the modern day. The stories uncovered in this research weave a thread of remarkable individuals who did incredible things, and in the process of doing them shrugged off magic like a duck does water. It is easy to dismiss these as just heroic tales and poetic license. But one can just as easily see that people of such caliber who achieved such things would not be noticed for the veins in their skin, but rather the person they were. And if their talent was given a name, the name kroderine would be decades or centuries or even longer from being known.
In the end, I believe that sometimes discoveries are wonders here to grace our fair world for the first time. But other times, they are marvels of another age made new again. May there be more of each.
Master Ciermont Von Kleinwerth
Professor of Research and History
Chantry College, Nydds
5125
OOC Information/Notes
- Created by GM Lydil, 2025