Katrana

Eliste sat curled next to the fountain, where she usually was found. She cleared her mind and tried to sense who was around her. She felt her love's goddess.

"Hello?"

"Hello there Eliste"

"I was wondering if I could interview you?"

"Oh of course."

"May I interview you in your temple?"

"Hmm, can you get transportation in here? Let me see if I can't get something together."

Hopefully she'll come up with a plan.

"I believe that Lania will help you enter the temple hon."

"Oh ok. Thank you."

Eliste walked around the guild and looked through each room to see if Lania was there. Finally in the Room of Records she found her rubbing her eyes as if she had just awaken.

"Hello. Can you help me get into your temple?"

"Sure, I can summon you if you want."

Eliste nodded.

Eliste walked up to the temple area and stood outside Katrana's temple waiting to be summoned. She rocked back and forth the balls of her feet. She all of a sudden felt wrenched from where she stood and found herself inside the Keep of the Wyld Hunt. The walls, floor, and ceiling of this massive keep are a patchwork of colors. Smaller stones from the River Fastwater merge almost seamlessly with massive granite boulders straight from Dwarvenhold which again flow into irregular blocks of obsidian from far-off Molotov island. Silver-veined marble columns support the ceiling, giving the room a heavy, nearly oppressive feel. Torches cast their fitful light from sconces on each side of the columns, while braziers cast their heat beneath them. The scent of venison hangs in the air, mixing with the sickly sweet smell of burning flesh. A circular bone white table rests in the middle of the Wyldess' Keep. Eliste looked north and saw a massive, obsidian throne is decorated severely in animal furs and various skulls, a grisly testament to the skill of the Hunters. A small spiral staircase leads to a second story. She turned around and the entire southern wall has been turned into a giant library. Shelves rise far above your head, each of them lined with books. In front of the wall, a small altar holds a black, leather-bound book. To the east grisly trophies hang on the walls, rest in cases, and stand stuffed on wooden stands all along this wall, reminding you of the true nature of this group of adventurers: The Hunt. In the center of the wall, parchment made from human skin has been hung. Eliste looked at the parchment closer, these official-looking documents detail many different projects, ranging from the assassination of a high-ranking officer in MidGaard, to the betrayal and downfall of a powerful alliance. To the west the outside world looks so far away from here - a set of massive, oaken doors bar the way. A pile of mithril plates rests in front of them... funny, it was not there when you came in. Eliste looked up at the ceiling. The ceiling, nearly forty-feet up, is crafted with the same skill as the rest of the building. Round cages slightly larger than barrels hang at odd intervals, some filled with bodies in various stages of decomposing. It is obvious that they have no feeling of sorrow, for those that hang above you. They seem to be placed there for a reason, perhaps as a warning. One body then moves, and looks to you and moans, "Do not...do not cross the Wyld Hunt, they will destroy not only you, but all that you love." Eliste looked down at the floor. The entire floor is made of colored tiles depicting a hunting scene. Vicious hounds tear at their victims, while their masters attack them just as cruelly. Rising amonst the death is an image of a female gnome, wielding death in one hand and life in the other: Katrana.

Lania sighed loudly bring Eliste back to the present.

"Thank you."

Eliste smiled at Lania.

"Thanks Lania."

"Sure thing."

Oh I haven't said anything to Katrana yet, I've been overwhelmed with the sights.

Eliste curtseyed to Katrana.

"'Its nice to know where my love spends his time."

"Nail...that little thiefling still running around?"

That's my love.

Eliste giggled and nodded.

Eliste looked up at Katrana. Her eyes, the color of hatred, the color of insanity, bespeak a horrible pain beyond comprehension and an indomitable will to bear through it. Her hair, a wild black mane, hangs low, to her waist. Its lustrous strands reflect the light, sometimes swaying as though they were in the slightest of winds. Entwined in one such strand is a single feather, its dove-gray aura and blood-spatters bringing up sudden questions... questions which may never be answered.

A simple tiara fashioned from the jawbone of a dragon frames her hair around her sun-darkened face - a face shining with childish glee, wizened with age, hardened by hatred. Briars, some in full bloom and some gray with age and decay, twist their way down her neck, peeking out from under her garments. Small droplets of blood, from the myriad thorns, mingle with the small droplets of rain, giving them their sustenance.

A low, long clarion call sounds in the distant. A baying of hounds, eager for the Hunt, comes to your ears. She looks at you, her eyes holding yours for an instant, sweeping you away into a river of chaos. Floundering, you focus on the eyes and find your way. A voice whispers in your mind, whispers of truth, insanity, hate, love and death.

"You.. you who blindly march in rank, you have already earned my contempt. I represent change. Must you change? No... change is not mandatory. Neither is survival. They just go hand in hand."

She releases you with a contemptuous flick of her eyes and disappears - but the image of those two, ever-changing orbs is burned into your mind.

Katrana smiled happily.

"I hope you don't mind that I looked?"

"Oh not at all."

Eliste pulled out her journal and her pen. She flipped through the pages till she found a blank one.

My journal is getting pretty full.

"Been doing lots of interviews as of late."

Eliste spied a table in the keep.

"May I write on the table?"

"Feel free."

Eliste smiled and sat at the table and put her journal on it.

I hope she doesn't mind starting with her mortal life, I mean I've heard that it was not very nice.

"Well may we start with your mortal life?"

"Oh dear, my mortal life."

Oh I hope I didn't upset her.

"Is that not good?"

"Well it was interesting. And parts of it still disturb me. My mortal life...started in the cold of Gla'Shorn'. I was born into royalty...a princess. I was not exactly polite to people."

She seems so polite though.

"You seem very nice."

"Well, over time things changed. Then, I was cold, and cruel. I did not care much for people, nor their feelings."

How can you not care about others?

"Why not?"

Katrana walked over to a chest near her throne. She opened it slowly and pulled out a tiara made of crystal. She looked at it and sighed.

"I felt I was better than the rest. I was born with shamanic abilities. It showed very early. And I was to use my powers to shape the ice kingdom."

Shape it politically, I mean would she help sway the masses? Or is she litterally shaping it, changing the form of the ice.

"In what way?"

"Expansion. Gla'Shorn is but a tiny community. My father, the king wanted me to use my powers to take out the Frost Giants, and expand our borders."

"Did you want to?"

"No, but since I was little, I was told I had to. So the teachings made me heartless, I cared not for anyone. I took an adventuring party to the Frost Giants...was to scout out the area."

Katrana looked at her tiara, sighed, and placed it back in the chest.

"They died defending me. I was captured, what I thought was for ransom. But I was captured and put into slavery. Taken to the Northern Continent."

That's horrible, to be placed into slavery.

"How old were you?"

"I was 20, still young. A party however ambushed the Frost Giants at the docks. I found another gnome there, he became my adopted brother, and friend."

Sounds like when I found Lopre, except he was like a father not a brother.

"What was his name?"

"Tanstaffl. He was a priest. He took me to Thistlerock, and showed me the ways of the northern gnomes. There I was apprenticed to the Grand Shaman. Times passed, and I grew stronger. On an adventure I met a human, GaNn, we fell in love, Or what I thought was love at that time."

Well I'm sure he didn't have glowing hair.

"Did you stay with him long?"

"Times passed, and we spent many years together, not sure, I never bothered to count. I was merely happy being with him. However, he left on an adventure, and never returned. I looked to the gods for help, and found it in the Flying Tigers. Yes, a bloo."

I don't know what I would do if Nail never returned.

Eliste giggled.

"So why a good following?"

"GaNn and Tanstaffl both showed me that I could care for people. I suppose I followed their advice...and I wished to help. In the Tigers I grew more and more...I also found someone there...to replace the void GaNn had left."

"Solaron?"

Eliste grinned as she thought of his glowing hair.

Katrana snickered softly.

"No. Abender....he was...A rock I could anchor to, he had this romanticism, I'd never seen before. Something was not right though."

I've heard of him before, when I was searching through the room of records I came across his name, he seems to be someone very special.

"'Why not?"

"Stability? Too stable. I needed something more chaotic. I then found that in Grismal. I was with him for quite sometime."

I know Abender had another who loved him, yet she said he did not return her love, I wonder if it was because Katrana held his.

"Did you break Abender's heart?"

Katrana sighed loudly.

"It is said that I did... I never have really spoke to him since...Those are rumors, and I do not know if I truly did or did not. I wish him well, where he is now though...he did teach me alot, about many things."

Katrana smiled softly, and then looked at Eliste again.

"Grismal and I went on so many adventures, cutting the Threads of those who went against us. I was never bored..."

Katrana grinned wyldly.

"He was chaotic enough to keep you entertained?"

"Oh he was. Though a rift in the realm occurred, and Lady Lorna became a greater deity."

"Then what?"

"After the Lady Lorna left...he and I fell apart."

"But why, if you were happy together."

Losing ones god I see causes great distress in ones heart.

"It was an understanding...we both felt we could grow more, apart...then together. After that I found a home with Rashiel and the Black Conclave..."

"But why now evil?"

"Good had left me...It is hard on one when an immortal leaves them without an aura. I felt the aura of good leave me...."

"And why not become neutral, why did evil call you?"

"Power...and Chaos. And the opposite of what left. I was happy there, for a long time. I became a member of the High Council, and Inner Circle. I learned so much there. So much hidden lore and myths, and truths. It was amazing to learn of those things, knowing there was more to learn after. Eventually people came to power...and an atmosphere I loved changed. Rashiel and I both felt it. Rashiel left and the Arch Lich declared our married annulled."

How could he, they loved each other.

"Just cause he left?"

"Yes. He was no longer of the Nashite faith."

"What did you do?"

"I stayed, hoping to prove him wrong, trying to change things to they way they were. I failed, and became frustrated. And left as well. By this time Rashiel disappeared from the Realm. I then met Solaron."

Finally, I've been waiting for this part.

Eliste grinned happily.

"He was a priest of Fate. He told me of their ways. And of the Triat. I became so enthralled with its ways."

Katrana giggled like a little gnome girl and clapped her hands together.

"I did not want to rush into another deity like I had done before. I went back home first. To Gla'Shorn. Back to my people to try to fix what I had done before. I apologized to the families I had broken apart. Though I could not replace the void I had left in their houses. With that fatal mistake I made. I felt better of myself...knowing I admitted to my wrongs."

"But didn't your father make the mistake. Wasn't he the one who made you go fight the frost giants."

"He did, but if I had been strong enough to follow my heart, my instincts it would not have happened. So at home, I thought of what was ahead of me and spoke to the wise ones. I then remember thinking, 'what does Fate have in store for me next? At that thought my decision was made. I became one of Cordir's Chosen. I married the one who introduced me to the faith...became a Triat Master, The Wyld's Handmaiden."

"Going back to your marriage..."

"My marriage to Solaron..."

"Yes why him, was he chaotic enough? I mean he was neutral."

"Everyone has the Wyld spark in them. Even you, though you are more of the Wyrm."

"So you saw that spark in him?"

"Solaron, while he was worshiping the Weaver, had every bit of the Wyld spark. 'He was a Blade, he could change events when he wished. That spark was there."

"So its change that you desire?"

Katrana nodded.

"And Cordir helped me realize that. She saw in me what I did not realize was there."

"So what did she see?"

"The wyld."

Eliste nodded.

"I grew in the Chosen, and learned of my true self. I was chaotic, more than most...I loved to cut the Threads of beings. Though out my time in the Chosen that spark grew more and more. It started affecting how I acted. 'I desired chaos. If none was to be found...I created it myself. It was like an addiction."

"How would you create it?"

"Changing weather from calm to stormy...seeking to cut the Threads of those who challenged us. The Wyld is not only destruction though it seems like it is. It is also Creation. A hurricane will take out Seaside, but then it will grow, and plants will start anew. And the cycle then continues."

"So the Wyld gives the Wyrm a clean slate to start a project all over again."

Katrana collapsed on her throne.

"Nail explained the Wyld much like you did."

"Nail is a truly wonderful Wyldling. So many chaotic thoughts. I do not know how you control him."

"I don't that's the key."

"Ahhh I see. Why tame, what you can work with, it will flow much better that way."

Eliste nodded.

"So the Wyld grew with in you what then?"

"I became immortal. Grasping the full knowledge of what I could become...I looked to Tynian to aid me."

"What was that like?"

"Becoming immortal? In one word...Chaotic. I felt overwhelmed and had so many thoughts in my head. People who I had grown up with, I could suddenly hear things they thought or were telling others. It was quite the rush, and quite the surprise."

"That must of made your marriage seem a bit odd. You having that ability over your husband."

"It seems as if it would be hard. But it was not really. It was in the Pattern that he would become my ordained mortal. The hard part is working with his blasted ego."

Eliste giggled at the thought.

Men.

"Why is it hard working with his Ego?"

"Well...then it was because he felt that he could do no wrong. I'm assuming it was the elf in him. But now? I have a following full of people with ego's, so it must be a Wyld thing. I hope mine isn't as big as some of theirs though. Ahh well, at least they admit they have an ego."

"So now that you became Immortal you attended the WarDancers?"

"Ahh the WarDancers. I learned SO much from Lord Solanthas, as well as his followers. Solanthas showed me what is was like to have a following. To take care of them, yet to let them go on their own. Making sure that they know you are there, but not to 'baby' them. I suppose is the best way to put it. So that they can function without you. And his followers showed me how to have fun. They were an awesome crew."

"So why did you have to go evil to be chaotic, why not good and chaotic?"

"Destruction... While creation is part of the Wyld, destruction is what has to take place for it to happen. Destruction includes cutting the Threads of others. Good, evil, neutral alike. When I was promoted, I was upset. I had grown to love the WarDancers, they were like my kids. It was like leaving my family behind. But I had a new family to create. There is that chaotic cycle again. The creation of The Wyld Hunt then occurred. The Hunt then grew rapidly. I had gained enough power to ordain my beloved. I received a lot of help from the Chosen and the Folk which to this day I am grateful for."

Eliste smiled at the mention of her little 'family'.

"Next what occurred was upsetting to a lot of people...disagreements occurred... arguments...frustrations...hurt feelings...That put two of the Triat at war..."

I remember, just when I thought I had a large family that extended from my small circle, it all turned around and I was left confused, I felt my love and I stood at opposite sides, not because we wanted to but cause we were forced to.

"Which, I suppose was inevitable to occur. Looking at the Triat lore and history, those of Weaver and Wyld almost always argued, and battled. Items created...and destroyed...and created...that silly cycle again. I know that there are still hurt feelings on both sides...which is upsetting. Many people who were once friends, and family, I just do not speak to any longer."

Katrana took a dried rose from her hair and twirled it between her fingers.

"I still speak with a few, and enjoy my chats with them. After that occurred we grew to where we are today. Many of those 'kids' in the WarDancers are with me once again. And we have many who are new, and searching for chaos that they can cause."

"Then you are unbored?"

"Oh that is a definite. They keep me on my toes at all times. Sometimes I wonder who is more chaotic, me or them."

"Then your followers a perfect match for their Wyld goddess."

"I couldn't of asked for a better group of followers. Whether we want to admit it or not, a deity needs some care too. And while evil, they certainly take good care of me. And hopefully they think I do to them as well."

"I'm sure they do."

"Anyway, that's the long and short of my little life."

"Thank you so much for this interview."

"My pleasure Eliste. I enjoy reading them."

Eliste put her pen in her journal as to not lose it and put the journal away.

"Thanks. Hopefully I'll get everyone in the realm done."

Katrana mouth dropped open.

"That is quite a lot of people!"

"I know but I can try. Well I must be off."

"Take care."

"I will."

Eliste waved goodbye.

"May the Three be with you."

"Thank you."

Eliste curtseyed and walked out of the Keep.

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