The Kerra

[Hagran]

Hi'yallI have recently began to play my Kerra Monk again and i have taken a deep interest in there lore, so i i went and found my old Maps of Myrist book and checked up on some lore and i just want to refresh everyone then ask Questions at the end.Ok, as far as i remember or can find in my book there is four groups of Kerran, The Kerra, The Kejekan, The Laahr and the Vah'Shir, i will go through what i have on them.The KerraKejaan, Spirit of the Kerra, Was an ancient and legendary hero. He is the warrior prince who is credited with the founding of Kerra ridge, organizing and uniting its then small and feudal clans, and spawning the wisdom and tradition that is held in so high esteem by the current Kerran citizens. His near deification is reinforced at evening fires and tribal ceremonies where tales are told and songs are sung about his heroism in battle and his wisdom in times of peace.  In warrior training, young Kerra are taught the ways of Kejaan and "For Kejaan!" is a popular battle cry.  Many Kerran warriors call on Kejaan to aid them in battle and thank Kejaan when they have done well in battle.  It is said, although no one outside the village has witnessed it, that Kejaan will sometimes materialize from the spirit form and walk among the people of Kerra Isle, giving them advice, aid, and enlightenment.There is more relating to the Kerra, but most if not all of it rolls around this Kejaan, i could easily imagine that after a time he did indeed become worshipped just like a god would be.The Kejekan Unlike there matriarchal cousins of the islands, the Kejekan of Stonebrunt live under a patriarchal monarch.  They are alsoof a more spiritual bent than the islanders.The Kejekan society is divided along three primary groups. The Shamans of the Kejekan follow a code of beliefs set down by long deceased prophet, Okanjo.  They are the ruling class of the Village (Kejek).  Beneath the Shamans are the monks who teach the young Kerrans to fight with their teeth and claws and to gain wisdom through meditation.  Lastly, The Working class of the Kejekans is primarily composed of the Kerran females.The Kejekans are aware that they are among the last of their species.  They believe that the Kerrans who fled to Kerra isle where wrong to continue warring with the Erudites.  The Kejekan mystics hope to one day make peace with the Erudites, but for now are content to avoid confrontation. In order to preserve the existence of their race, the Kejekan feel compelled to defend their village, their isolation, and their anonymity.The Vah'ShirThe Vah Shir were the nobles of the Kerran society prior to the war between the Heretics and the Erudites. During this war, they were caught in a blast of experimental magic that resulted in the creation of what is now known as the Hole.A portion of Norrath was ripped away from the planet, turning into a gigantic shard.  The chunk of Norrath became caught in the gravitational struggle between the planet and its satellite moon of Luclin. Eventually, the shard descended through Luclins atmosphere and landed upon the borders of the two regions that would later become Shadeweaver's Thicket and the Hollowshade Moor.Due to their spiritual nature, the Kerran nobility enjoyed some protection against the strong and violent magic. The shamans were espevially quick to raise their magic defenses for themsleves and their warrior companions.Over the next few hundred years, the survivors formed a new society on the moon of Luclin.  Facing the unknown, the Vah Shir had evoled into a tight-knit tribal society.  Honor among the Vah Shir was placed above all else, for all they were left with was each other; their place in the world having been brutally torn from them in the intense and fateful blast.Written works are not used by the Vah Shir. Their reasoning hold that the impure magic that begot the cataclysm was a direct result of the research done by the Erudites, who had twisted pure spiritual magic into something unnatural.  Thus, the telling of lore is passed fown from generation to generation in the form of stories and songs shared by the bards and shamansThe LaahrThe beings who inhabit this island are a secluded sect of Kerran society native to Odus, known as the Laahr. The Laahr have named the island after their newly found cat god, Talysra - a matter of belief that was responsible for the Laahr's departure from the isle of Kerra ridge, where their upstart religion was decidedly unwelcome. The Laahr constructed a modest village amongst the densest grove of the isle's tropical palms.

---

Ok, so thats all i got on them now for my Questions.. i am aiming this mostly at Vhalen and such, but if you know or wish to speculate please do so, i am curious from which of these make the most part of the Kerran found in Qeynos and Freeport in the modern days, personally my Monk is Kejekan.  I have a feeling that the Vah Shir will play a large part in this too, since they where probably all over Norrath after the portal was opened as we did on the moon.ok now i will give my feelings on what each Tribe are doing.I have a feeling that neither the Erudite's or Kerra want to talk about what is going on in Odus, but i sense something is going on.. i cant explain it but i just sense something.. perhaps the Erudite have made there home float, so avoide the events of the Cataclysm.. i am unsure.. they seem a little secretive.. but obviously something is amiss. The Kerran of Kerra Isle i believe will be dead, gone forever though i wonder since i would imagine the Vah Shir gave them some help... so i might be wrong.The Kerran of Kejekan i believe will still be around and enjoying life up in Stonebrunt, I have a feeling they will also have gained the trust of the Erudites now too.. though it depends on what is going on in Odus.The Kerran of Vah Shir i believe though the moon has exploded, i do believe there will be certain parts of the moon still liveable.... though only just.. also because of the small spaces of land, i believe there will be a long and hard fought war raging there.The Kerran of Laahr, since they where on the route between Erudin and Qeynos, i believe some of them must have left to explore Antonica and its surrounding lands, so i imagine some of them survived, how many i dont know... though there isnt much mention of there god... yet.. so who knows.Also for those of you who played EQ on the PS2, i was wondering you could maybe shed more light on these particular people and maybe broaden our knowledge!

[Whazy]

nothing to see here...

Message Edited by Whazy on 10-03-2006 04:57 PM

[Cusashorn]

You'll find quite a bit of information on the Kerra tribe that lives in Erud's Crossing here.

Oh yeah. Here too.

 

I for one think that the island will still exist. Sure, the oceans got pretty choppy for a while, and lots of land was submerged and lost, but I have a feeling it'll still be around.

Message Edited by Cusashorn on 10-03-2006 02:51 PM

[Nocturnal Aby]

There's also some good lore from EQ, which I got here.  This was a book that could be found in the Library of Myrist in New Tanaan, i.e.  the Plane of Knowledge.

The History of the Vah Shir:

The Prophecy

Before the beginnings of Kerran Civilization, each Kerran roamed their own territory as did the beasts of the wild. Soon the lands became to small to divide, and so four of the eldest Kerran journeyed to the very top of the highest peak in Stonebrunt Mountains to seek out more land, one from each direction.

When they reached the top, they met and began to speak to one another. Kajek, the first to arrive spoke first, and he said "I am the first to have found this peak. And so the land is mine." Shir the second to arrive and largest of the four spoke next, and he said "You are the first, but there is no more land, and so we will fight. The victor shall take this land" Karani and Shahar were females and spoke as one, and they said "We will share this land with the victor"

But Kajek was wise and he said to the three "You say there is no more land and so we must fight. Perhaps the spirits can show us if this is indeed the last of the land." And so they agreed. Kajek made fire and called to the spirits to show them the truth. He chanted to the spirits until night when the moon came forth and Kajek glanced to the skies and places his staff upon the fire. The crystal stone within his staff began to glow and upon the moon the image of Shir could be seen. And Kajek spoke up "Up there lies land. If you are truly strong then that land is for you and this is my land." Shahar and Karani agreed "He is right and we will share this land with Kajek as the spirits foretell."

Shir turned away his head as if to leave. It was then that the voice of the spirits cried out. "You must share the land until the journey to the farthest land of the nights sky can be made by the children of the beast. It is on this land that the chosen ones will become the warriors of the great spirit. It is on this land that the destiny of the chosen ones shall be proclaimed."

The four nodded in acknowledgement of the wise spirits. Kajek howled to the spirits "It will be so, but it was Shir who had wished to slay me. From this day his kin must seek council with the three that wish for peace." The reply of the spirit came forth "It shall be so until the wise one steps forth from the rocks adn the mist. It is then that all shall be as one."

And so went the prophecy of the Kerran. The lands were divided among the four. Kajek took the Stonebrunt to watch the passing of the land and learn. Shahar took the fruitful plains to the north. Karani who could swim took the islands. And Shir took what was left, the barren lands.

The Splintering of the Four.

As time went by, the four great kerrans of the prophecy had children. It was then that Partha Shir, son of Shir, stepped forth on a day of mist to claim leadership of all kerrans under him. But the children of Kajek, Shahar, and Karani lay claim that the prophecy called for the rocks and the mist. Nairu Karani, daughter of Karani, proclaimed that the mist is the water and the rocks are the islands and it was her kin that would be queen. Kiara Shahar chose not to speak for she was wise. Faern Kajek had the wisdom of his father and said the wise one would come from no tribe but unite them all as one.

Time passed and the moon left the sky. This did not please the children of Shahar, Karani, or Shir. Great anger took hold and battles raged for many years. Thus began the splintered ages.

----------------------------------

The Splintered Age

Much suffering had been felt during the time of the splintered tribes. In battle Partha had been mortally wounded. In remorse for what he had done to cause such blood, Partha tore the fangs from his mouth and gave them to the wisest of his sons, Ratha Shir, and spoke to him. "You are not my heir, but you are the wisest of your kin. You must show these to your brothers and tell them they must battle no more. You must lead them with wisdom." But when Ratha had done as his father had sked, he was slain by his eldest of brothers in secrecy. The years of war and death raged on.

Safra, daughter of Faern Kajek, went to the Shir to ask for peace once more. It was then that Vahaan, son of Partha, was taken by her beauty. Vahaan and Nairu agreed to peace for Vahaan was nearby when Partha had spoke to his uncle Ratha. But he was the youngest of his kin and knew they would slay him for his thoughts. Vahaan took the fangs of Partha and nairu journeyed with him to the lands of Sharar to ask the spirits for guidance. Many years passed and many kinsman lay slain upon the fields. On the day that the moon returned, the mists rose from the great veil. Kejaan Kerrath stepped forth from the mist with Vahaan and Safra at his side. "It is the wise one!" They cried out. The Kerrans saw that this was good, but some Shahar and Karani took their leave and vanished to the lands. All that chose to remain were united as one as the prophecy claimed. The golden Age had begun.

The Kingdom of Odus Kejaan chose the wildest from the clan of the Shir, those who were outsiders of their kin. From them he made his nobles and warriors. Kejaan took the wisest from the clan of Kajek. From them he made his shaman and advisors. Kejaan took the quickest from the clan of Shahar, from them he made his hunters and farmers. The children of Nairu, the Karani, became the servants of the kingdom. United, the Komiyat Kerrath prospered for many years. Kejaan built his palace of gold within the claws of the four fingered paw.

----------------------------------

The Furless Ones

On the lands of the vanished Shahar, a new civilization emerged unnoticed. They were the furless ones who had come from the sea. They had built their homes of large white stones in the lands of the golden mist. They could call forth spirits of fire and of earth, beings of water and air stood as warriors by their side. They did not speak to the beasts as the Kerran would but could bend them to their will. They were at war with the furless ones who spoke to the dead. Kejaan heard the anguish of the spirits of the dead and went to speak with the furless ones who spoke to them.

He asked them to lay down their magic for it had harmed the ancient spirits. Many days passed and Kejaan returned sickly and pale. They would not listen to his words and the aching of the spirits burned his very heart. Kejaan returned to the mist and his son Vah stepped forth as the king.

The Shifting

Vah gathered his strongest, the nobles, the Shir. He sent the weaker ones away from the kingdom and back to the wild. Vah called to the Shir and proclaimed this was the prophecy, but none understood. Vah called to the spirits in the unknown tongue. None could move, the time of the shifting was at hand. The spirits wailed around the city of the Shir. The furless ones that disturbed the dead gathered at the gates, pursued by the furless ones who commanded fire, earth, air, and water. A great mist enveloped the city of the Shir and Vah cried to the spirits as lous as his voice permitted. When the shifting had ended, they found themselves in the darkened lands. The land and the air had changed and the voices of the spirits could not speak their tongue. Vah cried out to the Shir "Hear me and know that I am your kin, my blood is of yours and you are my people." He pulled forth the fang of Partha and spoke the truth of Ratha's death. With the fang he spilled his blood upon the ground so that all could smell that he was kin. When it was learned that Vah was a true Shir, they took his name as their own and honored him for finding their land. The prophecy had unfolded and they were united as one on the farthest of lands under the leadership of Vah. Filled with pride that they were indeed the chosen ones, the Shir called out the name of Vah to the darkness as a challenge to all who would stand in the way of their destiny.

 

 

 

[Delow]

Female kerra are a bit larger than males, thus they have developed as a matriarchal culture. Kerra trace their ancestry back to their first great leader, Kejaan. He traveled the continent of Odus, uniting the various tribes into one kingdom and ushering in an era of peace and prosperity. One day, Erud and his High Men arrived to settle the continent. This splinter group of humans took over much kerra land; even worse, a great plague infected many and caused massive deaths. The kerra blamed the Heretics and their study of necromancy. Kejaan succumbed to the plague, leaving his son Vah Kerrath as leader. He vowed to make the Heretics pay.

 

During the civil war between the Erudites and the Heretics, a huge explosion of mystical forces teleported an entire kerra village to the dark side of the moon of Luclin. Vah Kerrath survived this journey and renamed his lost tribe the Vah Shir. The kerra on Norrath scattered; some went west to settle Kerra Isle, others east to a tiny island in Erud's Crossing, and others fled deep into the Stonebrunt Mountains. Much later, a path to Luclin was breached and some of the Vah Shir returned to Kerra Isle, breeding a new, stronger people.

 

This can be found on the EQ2 homepage under Characters>Races>Kerra.