Miri's Island

        Before the fall of the Solinar Order, this island was home to the fae, and their ruler, the nymph sorceress named Miri. Miri's unearthly beauty is reflected in the landscape of the island, which boasts some of the more exotic scenery to be found in the island chain. Great waterfall-lined cliffs rise above deep rainforest valleys, sheathing them in a haze of rainbow hues. The highest peaks are capped in snow for much of the year, a phenomenon unknown elsewhere in Cekus, and ice-filled grottos make popular, if dangerous climbing spots. The lutrai have learned to surf on snow almost as well as they do on water, and some have been known to climb the cliffs to spend the day playing in the rare element. The island also abounds with magical creatures, those the lutrai call the Shining Beasts. Basilisks, moss-covered earth elementals, and even unicorns can be found within the hidden vales. This is also the domain of the ancient hydra, Chobaul.

        When Miri was slain some six hundred years ago, her body was brought to this island by king Tamanthus and laid to rest in secret, so that it would never fall into the hands of the Spiral. The fae have never really forgiven the Solinar for letting their empress die, but Tamanthus' gesture did not go unnoticed. The fae used their chaotic magics to create a guardian to watch over Miri's grave, said to be the resting place of the sorceress' powerful magical artifacts. The rest of the island is overgrown with dense rainforest, which the fae now call home. These woodland spirits have no visible dwellings - they actually live within the rocks and trees themselves, and reflect their characteristics in some ways. Most are small elf-like sprites with butterfly wings, but variations do exist. They generally consider the island to be theirs, though they tollerate the lutrai of Lotus Vale for their good sense of humor and respect for the natural world.

The Guardian

        His name is Chobaul. He was created to protect the final resting place of the fae empress, Miri, and does so to this day. Chobaul is a five-headed hydra of immense size and cunning, said to be one of the most fearsome monsters on Rym. His jet black hide reflects undertones of chaotic rainbow hues, his many serpentine eyes capable of hypnotizing all but the most strong-willed of individuals. The hydra has five seperate minds, one to control each head and neck, and can easily desimate large groups or train each on a single target in rapid succession. Chobaul also has five distinct breath weapons, colorful metallic-hued gasses that cause varying uncontrollable emotions, or insanities when mixed together. His tail is one gigantic constrictor, able to crush a small ship with a single squeeze. Added to the magic-disrupting chaos-hues that coat his hide, the hydra is a paragon of its species, a true terror.

        Chobaul attacks anyone who ventures too close to the hidden tomb, but never gives away its position. The hydra will typically conceal himself within deep forest pools, allowing him to snatch unwary prey as well as protecting his body from counter-attack. The hydra is very cunning and virtually fearless, quicky regenerating wounds in the magic-rich environment that spawned it. His one weakness, it seems, is music. Like the fae that created him, Chobaul can't resist a good tune. Even if he never voices his approval, the hydra will halt an attack in order to listen to a talented musician play. This isn't as easy to exploit as it might seem, however, as the hydra will viciously kill anyone who interrupts or distracts him from his enjoyment. Indeed, the only mortal words the serpent can understand must be woven with music; he is otherwise a wholly unreasonable and uncompromising creature.

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