The Fog King

Once upon a time the world shuddered and roared, and the gods disappeared. With their departure, a great storm came and covered the land in dust and shadows. This distressed the stone giants of Cairnheim, secluded in their home of Cairnheim and without the guidance of Skoreaus, who had sculpted them and the very world. There were many stone giants who were wise and strong, but without Skoreaus' guiding hand, they were locked in indecision. They feared the surface, for no stone giant had gone to the surface and returned with their mind. After the argument had grown large enough to upset the stone, a young giant stepped forward and agreed to go to the surface world, to travel into the fog and discover what had become of the gods and Ostoria. For many months, the giants of Cairnheim waited, busying themselves with carving and maintenance, rolling stones and never setting foot outside their secluded home. After one year and one day, the stone giant who had gone to the world of dreams returned, their mind intact, and with wisdom grander than any other stone giants. He said the gods had departed, and that in their wake came the Revermaug. He spoke to the Strut, and closed in and all others off so that the evils of the surface would never reach them. He then shared a gift he had received from Skoreaus, who he had met at the gateway to Jotunheim. With this gift, the giant built the first Krigga, the Avowed. After his creation was born, the Fog King became the first Thane of Cairnheim, and his carvings made the very stone shake and weep, and he breathed life into the stone.

Summary

In the immediate aftermath of the Cataclysm, the stone giants of Cairnheim wanted to find out what had happened to the gods and the surface world. One giant agreed to go to the surface, and after traveling the surface world, where stone giants typically lose their minds and die, the stone giant returned. The giant, had seen what had become of Ostoria, and had returned with a boon from the gods, the knowledge about how to protect the world from the Revermaug. He first shut down the struts, ensuring that the land above would wither and that the Revermaug could never prosper there, he then began construction on the very first Krigga, the Avowed, who could fight back against the Revermaug. By breathing life into the Avowed, just as Skoreaus had once done, the giant's knowledge was recognized by all stone giants. The Fog King became the first Thane of Cairnheim since the departure of Skoreaus, and taught them how to breathe life into the stone, and how to build more Krigga.

Historical Basis

Given the habit of stone giants to carve and maintain detailed historical reliefs, this story is largely accurate.

Spread

Despite the obvious awareness of the Krigga on the surface, this story is really known only to the giants of Cairnheim. It has become a rumor in certain cities in the Loch, and has even reached a few attentive ears on the surface.

Date of Setting

-800 PA