Kled was a dwarven village located 35 miles northeast of Tyr. It lie among the foothills of the Ringing Mountains and controlled an obsidian mine.
The inhabitants of Kled viewed themselves as the heirs and direct descendants of the ancient kings of Kemalok, a claim they stayed silent on in the presence of outsiders, as to not anger the sorcerer-monarchs of Athas.
History[]
Before the rise of the Sorcerer Kings and Queens of Athas, dwarven cities were as numerous as the caravan forts at the time of Kalak’s death, but none survived to see that day. Instead, only a handful of dwarven villages existed at the time of the liberation of Tyr, including the twin villages of North and South Ledopolus, as well as Kled itself, among the most prominent.
Kled was founded at least a century and a half before the liberation of Tyr, atop the ruins of the ancient dwarven capital of Kemalok. The village was meant as a staging ground for dwarves set to uncover the past glories of their race. Many dwarves of Kled believed that once Kemalok was returned to its former splendor, Athas would once more become verdant and beautiful. From time to time, even when not a concentrated effort, miners working the obsidian mine would unearth portions of the ruined city beneath the village
The Year of Priest’s Defiance[]
In the year leading up to the Fall of Kalak, the village of Kled was feuding with the elves of the Jura Dai tribe. The elves had kidnapped a thri-kreen druid who oversaw the oasis that watered Kled, leaving the waters there posioned. The elves believed the dwarves to be working with a legion of Urikite slavers who had been attacking them, providing them with water. Though the dwarves in truth had done this, they had been forced to water the Urikite legion against their will. The loss of the druid led to a severe water shortage in Kled. By chance and fortune, a band of adventurers would come to Kled to solve their troubles.
The Year of Wind’s Reverence[]
Following the death of Kalak, Hamanu of Urik ordered his army to march on Tyr. Rikus, a mul gladiator who had been instrumental in the downfall of Kalak, was given command of the Crimson Legion, a warband of 2,000 former gladiators, that would stand in defense of Tyr. The Legion was awarded the help of Kled, and Rikus was bestowed the enchanted sword, the Scourge of Rkard, to wield against the Urikite army.
As the Legion marched on Urik itself, a sun priest from Kled by the name of Caelum assisted them in their journey to recapture the legendary Book of Kemalok Kings that had been stolen by Urikite operatives. In the end, the Crimson Legion fell, but left Urik in such a state that further attacks were unlikely. Following this Caelum, as well as Neeva – Rikus’ former lover and compatriot – decided to settle in Kled together. The Book of Kemalok Kings was never recovered.
The Year of Dragon’s Agitation[]
The following year, Rikus, along with Agis and Sadira, another two of the Deposers of Kalak, stood in Kled’s defence when the Dragon of Tyr made its presence known, demanding to be handed the translation of the Book of Kemalok Kings the Urikite scholar Er’Stali had been working on. It was during this time, the Deposers of Kalak would come to learn of the Champions of Rajaat.
Later in the year, Neeva would give birth to a child, named after the ancient king that stood against the Dragon some 2,000 years prior, Rkard.
The Year of Ral’s Reverence[]
Five years after the Dragon was turned away, king Tithian of Tyr sent slavers to raid Kled in an attempt to procure both slaves for the Dragon’s Levy, as well as dwarven artifacts from the storerooms of Kled. During the raid, Neeva discovered Tithian’s involvement and while she managed to send word to Agis, she failed in stopping the raiders from stealing some of the artifacts.
Notes[]
- In the introductory adventure, A Little Knowledge, found in the original Dark Sun Box Set, the founder of Kled is referred to as "Barunus". In the Prism Pentad novel series, however, Lyanius, uhrnomus of Kled, is referred to as the founder of the dwarven village.
Sources[]
- Beyond the Prism Pentad. Bill Slavicsek. TSR, Inc. 1995.
- Dark Sun Campaign Setting. Timothy B. Brown, and Troy Denning. TSR, Inc. 1991.
- Dark Sun Campaign Setting. Richard Baker, Ari Marmell, Chris Sims. Wizards of the Coast, 2010.
- The Will and the Way. L. Richard Baker III. TSR, Inc. 1994.
- The Crimson Legion. Troy Denning. TSR, Inc. 1992.
- The Amber Enchantress. Troy Denning. TSR, Inc. 1992.
- The Obsidian Oracle. Troy Denning. TSR, Inc. 1993.