IRANTHIS’ INTERLUDE – IN PURSUIT OF POWER
This is the interlude I wrote up last night. I didn’t see any point in interrupting the game and I didn’t need the bennies (I ended the session with one still in my hand). I figure this would be the best place for this.

During the voyage to Buccaneer Bay, Iranthis takes a break from powering the sails and sits down between a few of his fellow crewmen. “You’ve asked me frequently about my past and I have been resistant to reveal much. This is not because of some duty or me having been sworn to secrecy. In truth, the origin of my mastery of wind and sea has a rather embarrassing start.”

“I spent much of my youth exploring the history of my race,” he continues. “This was a common pursuit among the Kraken, as we have neither an extant homeland nor a great library of our traditions. As such, many of us, especially those inclined toward intellectual pursuits, wanted to learn more about the Kraken and our culture. As I delved into oral histories, I learned more about us, especially our mastery of magic. You see, the Kraken are more adept at working magic than most. I was determined to become a mage. And not just any sort of normal mage, but the most powerful mage of all – one who mastered all of the elements – the ARCHMAGE.”

The Kraken takes a long swig from his wineskin. “I learned of the existence of Kraken archmages who had gone into hiding for whatever reason. Some were potentially responsible for the cataclysm that befell our world. Others had made powerful enemies. The bottom line was that none of these Kraken archmages were in the public eye. I was determined to find one and learn his secrets. Over the course of many years, during which time I learned a paltry few spells to work on my own, I learned of the existence of one of these Kraken archmages, named CHURR’AGON.”

“This Churr’agon was an elusive fellow. I spent the better part of a year, traveling from seaside village to swarthy port, trailing rumors of this Kraken archmage. During this time, I learned that Churr’agon was offering to teach an apprentice. I can tell you that this piece of news certainly did not deter my efforts to find the archmage. In fact, this made me even more eager to find this Churr’agon. At the port of Lucius, I learned of a pirate ship looking for a navigator. I signed onto the Deviant, whose captain promised to take me straight to Churr’agon. I suppose I should have questioned this promise, but, at the time, I was too naive to understand.”

“The Deviant sailed many seas and pirated many ships of their cargo,” Iranthis continues. “I am hardly ashamed to admit that I rather enjoyed the idea of being a pirate and I often entertain the idea of piracy again. But that is hardly the matter of this tale. After a few months aboard the Deviant, the vessel encountered a dangerous trio of privateer ships and was broken apart. I was able to grab onto enough debris to fashion a crude platform and waited out the days until some ship might happen by and rescue me. To my surprise and chagrin, however, we must have been so far from the common sea lanes that no ship came by. Times were getting desperate. Then, I awoke one day to find a Kraken floating in the very air before me. This Kraken was the archmage, Churr’agon.”

Iranthis finishes off his wine. “Churr’agon saved me from that wreckage and took me to a strange, underwater cave. When Churr’agon learned that I was a fellow mage, and that I was actively seeking him, the archmage’s mood changed. He went from being perfectly hospitable to somewhat testy. It turned out that the rumors that Churr’agon was seeking an apprentice were lies. In fact, Churr’agon only wanted his privacy, and despised the fact that he had saved me at all. Rather than teach me anything, Churr’agon magically transported me to the nearest port. I never saw him again.”

“All I know is that Churr’agon has created even more magical wards and protections to wall himself off from the outside world. I cannot pretend to understand the motivations of the archmages and why they keep to themselves. I can only hope that I do not fall prey to such predilections towards solitude. I wish to see the world and proclaim myself as the greatest mage in all of Carybdis.”