Kalmo

Legend

“Though calm as the roots of the World, it takes but a single wrongdoing against Flora or Fauna to awaken his wrath.”

Skjald Ulrich

 

History

Fourth Age

I have always found Kalmo interesting, especially his origins, which are of great interest to me. I have found out that in the spring of 1163, when they arrived at Lohill in southern Uhmzel, His father, an old Blacksmith, claimed Kalmo was a three-year-old boy born in Grebi. Some travellers doubted this though; the child was far too pale to come from ‘up there’ and the blacksmith was also far too lacking in tan. But they were told it was due to his mother’s origin, Kalmo being of mixed parents.

Anyway, no one came looking for a missing child, and Laust Vorrinson was a skilled backsmith, kind to the heart, and treated his son with the utmost love. The citizens thought nothing of it for some years, but then they noticed the child outgrowing anyone and anything. Questions and gossip began to grow: What was his mother exactly? Without a reply, they one day left the town, but I think I now know the truth. Which in fact makes me thirsty again!

Skjald Yell'a'Beard

 

In 1165, Port Tander in Grebi lost their blacksmith due to an accident, and a replacement was sought. So, in the autumn of 1165, Laust took the job. He was skilled, and the Apprentices of the former one became glad of their new master. Always busy with work, he allowed Kalmo to do whatever the kid liked—playing with animals, wandering in the nearby nature, and studying mechanisation.

In the spring of 1168, Laust was approached by a Kobold. Smidhr and was offered to visit Mt. Vula. Kalmos bloodline and growing skills were his ticket alongside Laust and the Kobold. So they left only a week prior to Murf'ar visiting the town. His stay became short as some men mocked his looks. He reminded them of that Kobold visitor and the Blacksmiths lad; thank God they were gone. The annoying comments ensured a cleaned-up inn and a pile of bent bones that day.

Skjald El Mary

 

Returning 3 years later, in the autumn of 1171, most people had forgotten the visiting brawler busting a few heads and instead talked about the exiting Kinoblin goods. The now-famous Lionel had brought previously unseen luxury to East Fjella, and quickly the lesser nobility and middle class were asking for blacksmith work similar to the foreign designs. His time at Mt. Vula coming in handy, Laust buried himself in work, and coinage trickled in.

Kalmo, on the other hand, had a natural grip on livestock, pets, and the occasional wildlife, breaking the perimeter of nature and town. And as he also became quite adaptable in recognising herbs for healing, as well as becoming valued help to his father due to his interest in mechanization, As he kept growing and became stronger by the month, he, as a 9-year-old was able to hold, lift, and even bend things others could not.

Time passed, and in the spring of 1182, at his 20th birthday, his father told him that he was indeed not his father. He had merely been the only one there when his mother, a very young, confused human girl of the wild, gave birth to him. And when she left them, he travelled south to be able to raise the child without questions about the child, as people there knew he had lived alone. And that he suspected his father was of Kobold, T'Aurs or Ogryl blood.

Kalmo wanted to pursue his origins, so he thanked his foster father for good care and a good upbringing. Then he left to Midgard to see if he could trace his origins, and it was on-board a ship he met Aragon the first time. Both towering above the rest, Kalmo even a head higher. Looking like Berserker and Beastmaster do best, they quickly eyed each other and began to talk. Kalmo is said to have travelled along and met Black Oak at Ye Olde Zephyrs. But he didn’t stay there for more than a couple of days, as he wanted to visit Lohill in Uhmzel.

Skjald Vinotis

 

He never told us about his visit to Lohill, but we know that in 1185 he was seen trotting the paths and streets of cities, towns, and villages in Thang. But none he asked remembered a young wild girl, nor a blacksmith, nor an infant child travelling south. So in 1186, he again stood in Port Tander in Grebi. Only to discover his foster father had left for Midgard.

Just as he set foot on the shore of Gaslug, he was hailed by his friend Aragon at the docks, and he derailed with him to see the wonderful island upon which Academy of Ea lay.

Such was the pleasure in his stay there that he lingered on when Aragon left again, and it was not until he travelled to Ye Olde Zephyrs to attend the funeral of his friend’s family. He again had Midgard soil under his boot.

After the sad ritual, he tried to find his foster father. The track went from East Fjella to Midgard and back to East Fjella. In a hamlet called Kalmor, the track ended with info about the burial place of ‘a Blacksmith’ from the north. The old man buried there was most likely the one he was looking for, as he, in his last days of dying confusion, had talked about ‘The Towering Father and Son’. Some locals even remembered an even taller, older man looking for the old man as well, and if he was the son, that surely gave meaning.

Kalmo stayed there for a couple of days until he met a returning trader, who confirmed that the old man indeed had called himself Laust of Mt. Vula from time to time over a beer or two. Certain the trail was thus dead, he thought of other things he had to do. So, he left for Humur, the capital of Tusla. To study its mechanisation lore. Arriving there, he was impressed by the architecture and sheer heights of their buildings, carved directly out of the rocks or elaborately stoned and piled to insane heights. And with more than ten thousand citizens, it was an impressive place. Quickly, he found an inn and went to Linvat Library, one of the oldest and finest libraries in the known world.

Skjald Ulrich

 

One day in Linvat Library, as he was walking towards his seat, he saw a handful of scrolls. A person who was walking past him loosely grabbed his arm and turned in the passing. When their eyes met, the equally tall but far slimmer person let go again. The short stare into each other’s eyes was followed by the words, “My apologies; I took you for someone else. But I see you’re wholly not”. Then the person bowed and disappeared between the shelves before the baffled Kalmo could ask any questions. But he was certain that the person knew him, or his Fylgia, or? Then he tried to find the person, but he was gone.

Maybe it was part of his fathers or his mothers Aura Colours, the stranger had recognized. I suspect the stranger was either an Ljost Alfar or a god. Now, pass me the meat plate please.

Skjald Yell’a’Beard

 

In 1188, Kalmo returned to Grebi, the land he had come to like the most. This time he went not to Port Tander but inwards and uphill until he was at the foothills of Mt. Depol. There he found a huge kettle pot that suited his idea, named it Djelland and began clearing, digging, and constructing a camp that, in time, would be the place of The Beastmaster Fair.

He spent most of his time there, transforming it from wilderness to a place where other Beastmasters would come and share knowledge. And they made arenas, climbing spots, raceways, stables, barns, sheds, and resting huts, as well as The Furry Hood, a large tavern renewed for its honey-ale and strong mjotur.

In 1190, it had grown to a dozen beasts, and in the spring of 1200, more than 500 people attended the fair. In 1210, more than 1000 people called Djelland their home. Recalling these Beastmasters themselves—the amount of beasts, animals, pets, totems, and not to mention Fylgia—was quite a sight. The first time I saw it was at their 25th anniversary in 1213, and I was taken aback by the amount of them and the sounds. Deafening to any Bards and Skjalds.

Skjald Sejrik

 

The next 10 years, Kalmo oversaw his growing project and travelled the islands to spread knowledge about it. Then he received word that his old friend Aragon needed his assistance with Spirit and Fylgia at Mukadall Monastery in Braburg up at Markeoy island.

Intrigued, he packed, told his fellow Beastmaster elders about his abrupt leave, and then headed for Port Tander. On this trip, his Beastmaster agenda was altered, which eventually led him to resign as leader of his own creation. He kept attending the fairs every year, though only as a honorary guest and not as an organiser.

Skjald El Mary

 

Once, at one of the fairs, he saw the tall, slim person from the Linvat Library again. As he noticed him being scrutinised, as he did to Kalmo, he disappeared in the crowd again, and Kalmo knew someone was studying him. So he approached every Rogue and shadow group he knew or learned about. Even people like Setil, Bergon, Lionel, and Nefius were asked what they knew. But none seemingly knew or cared to share. That kept him more alert than most, and maybe that’s also why he is still alive.

Skjald Valgrif

 

Kalmo became part of the Holy Star Order. and was with the founders when they travelled to the Junnatu Caves in Usai. Seemingly, he was brought along to calm or control any beast or wildlife they would encounter. On that trip, he survived fighting Attilla, but I would like to state it was an unfair fight.

After that trip, he became a public figure in that religious military order and oversaw the build-up of a Beastmaster force, counting around 250. At the time of The Great Invasion he was at The Beastmaster Fair, when suddenly Invaders surged forth, charging everyone. He killed several Mammutan and wore their leaders heads as trophies.

Skjald Sejrik

 

Organisation

Kalmo was the founder of Djelland and The Beastmaster Fair and is still a member of the honour board of their ruling council. He was also a leading member of the Holy Star Order, where he oversaw the buildup of one part of their armed forces. He was also affiliated with the High Kings Court and is said to have supported The Realm since it first aired.

Skjald Vinotis

 

Special

Kalmo is exceptionally strong due to his origin and is what is to be considered the finest of mixes among the three races, Ogryl being the third. He can fame as good as any crazed beast and most Monster alike.

Skjald El Mary