Character Stories - Khamsa's Folly
Estrias the Creator
One of the master artists of his age Estrias the Creator served several patrons during his lifetime. He worked for the Druids of Hallstatt and the nobles of Semphar. His talents were only exceeded by his ego. Bald and slouched as if from great age, the artisan Estrias nonetheless had a youthful, almost boyish face with hypnotic eyes that burned with the icy fire of fanaticism.
Hired by Khamsa to create the finishing touches on his new grand temple Estrias was lured to Nubia(?). Even men consumed with art and magic have certain material needs, and the promise of a roomful of gold upon completion of his commission brought Estrias away from his other activities. He allowed no visitors in his workshop, chasing off the curious onlookers with threats and curses. Many hoped to learn his secrets yet those who dared remain to spy on his work found themselves assaulted by serpents that poured from the workshop like evil, twisted raindrops.
Ultimately, the public gave Estrias a wide berth, and his odd traits were dismissed as artistic eccentricities, but those who suspected a supernatural influence were closer to the truth than most ever knew. While Estrias' artwork was a result of standard procedures, he was indeed a dabbler in the dark arts and a devoted follower of Set. Much to his delight, he became a tool in that deity's revenge.
The artist unwisely took Khamsa at his word, laboring tirelessly for many months to create an incredible likeness that, even with idealized features to conceal many of Khamsa's unflattering attributes, hit too close to home. Enraged over the clearly un-godlike depiction, Khamsa smashed the masterwork to powder while the stunned artisan looked on. Estrias was further humiliated when he was forced to prostrate himself in front of the megalomaniac tyrant, begging for his life even as Khamsa, froth dripping from his pudgy lips, called for the sculptor's head. Estrias' groveling was so pathetic, and Khamsa's susceptibility to sycophants so complete, that the mad king chose to spare him. The artisan, claiming that no earthly powers could adequately depict a god, assured Khamsa that bolstering his skill with magic could result in artwork worthy of his demands. The king order his subjects to provide the sculptor with all the materials and secrecy he required to succeed.
Estrias hidden agenda was to avenge himself, and he took great satisfaction in the knowledge that he met this end with Khamas's unkowning aid. The artisan called on Set for assistance in gaining revenge. What dark bargain the artisan made is long forgotten but the pact was effective. Set and his avatar became partners in the artisan's duplicity for Estrias' motives coincided with those of the gods who wished to punish the blaspheming Khamasa in a cataclysm that would stand as a permanent reminder to the world.
Set answered the sculptor's appeals with a statuette that would form into a greater Medusa when a command word was spoken. Estrias' wild maniacal laughter filled his chamber as he considered the rich irony of Set's gift.
Violent storms on the scheduled day of Khamas's deification ceremony were a harbinger of the terrible events to come. Those few individuals who had remained faithful to the gods were warned by this vision and fled the desert to take refuge. The majority of Khamas's subjects however remained oblivious to the dreadful fate that awaited them. As the storms raged over the kingdom, Estrias spoke the command word and anticipated his vengeance.
The ceremony was a one of great pageantry as Khamasa resplendent in his finest garments, bore an expression that was the epitome of imperious disdain. As the proceedings came to a climax Estrias led a procession of the kingdoms strongest warriors who labored with a burden on their broad shoulders. A large highly decorated case was placed before the monarch with a flourish from the royal musicians.
But the soaring horns of the musicians were interrupted by violent cracking as the creature within the case broke free to enact Set's revenge. The scowling despot's reaction of surprise and anguish was preserved forever by the medusa's gaze attack, fulfilling Khamasa's wish by creating the most lifelike image of him imaginable. The flail dropped from his grasp as the attack took place and the circlet was frozen in place beneath the stone of his petrified head.
A nightmarish scene of chaos ensued as Khamsa's hysterical subjects attempted to flee the temple. Those who were not trampled or turned to stone fell victim to the remaining components of Set's curse. This story continues in The First Conflagration's story.
