Zaphor Gateway

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The Zaphor Gateway was constructed during the Malkin War as a deperate attempt to escape the advanving Malkin armies. It was the brainchild of Retchan of Jiyank and supported by the resources of the other members of the Zaphor triad.

With the war seeming lost, it was decided that escape was the best option. Abandoning their homeland was a hard option, but it seemed the only way. Unfortunately, the overland journy to the see was becoming increasingly dangerous now that the invaders held most of the cost line, and retreating into the Marabass Jungle ment dealing with the Shuldin somehow, the very thing that had driven the Malkin into their lands. Either way, civilian losses would be terrible.

If the Kobolds still had an ace left it was their talent for magic. Although the wizardly magic of Coruvain was not yet known in Kalchichi, the sheer number of sorcerers prescent made Retchan's plan feasable. And what was that plan? To construct a magic gateway that would allow the kobolds to teleport to a safer land and then collapse behind them.

A desperate plan for dire times. Hasi Calume agreed to make the skills of every sorcerer in his court available to Retchan who would head the opperation. Gunzer Talkchi would provide the copious quantities of gold such an operation would require.

The gateway was put together with great alacrity while Kalchichi continued to disintigrate, but at last it was complete. On the day of its first use a crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle as the Zaphor Triad led a procession up to the great bronze ring that had been constructed in the middle of the city.

Retchan spoke the command words and the ring filled with a metallic liquid that looked like mercury. It shimmered in silence for a few seconds, and then a great celebratery cry went up from the audience.

Unfortunately, their joy was misplaced. As the Zaphor Triad turned to salute the crowd they failed to see the first warning ripples roll across the liquid surface. The reflection twisted for a second and then the silvery fluid exploded outwards, covering those standing too near. The gate split and collapsed into two halfs, splintering the coble stones where it fell.

The square exploded to, but into anarchy as civilians fled, guards rushed forward and others stood around in confusion. They searched for any sign of the dozen or so kobolds who had been hit, but they could not find any bodies, ash, or even blood.

As the news spread across Kalchichi morale hit an all time low. But not everything was as it seemed. Eight days later, early in the morning, the three members of the Zaphor Triad were find wondering the streets, confused but seemingly unhurt.

All three of them claimed to have no idea where they had been for the past weak. However, they seemed undaunted by the failure of the ring, which was most definitely the minority opinion. With escape failed, it seemed that they would have to stand and fight. Shortly after, Retch started the development of firearms that would give Kalchichi victory over the Malkin