Ublala Pung


Ublala Pung

 

 

An inhabitant of Letheras and an unemployed Tarthenal half-blood

 


Once made to suffer a drowning in Letheras but due to his Tarthenal Toblakai heritage of having four lungs, he survived. 

 

 

Ublala's Armour 

 

"The ghost says there's a name for that armour,"  said Harlest,  "even as the mace is named.  First Heroes were wont to such affectations.  This particular one, a Thelomen, haled from a region bordering the First Empire – in a land very distant – the same land the first Letherii came from, in fact.  A belligerent bastard – his name is forgotten and best left that way.  Take that armour, and the mace."

"It smells,"  complained Ublala Pung.

"Dragon scales sometimes do, especially the neck and flanges, where there are glands – and that's where those ones came from.  This particular dragon was first born to Alkend.  The armour's name is Dra Alkeleint – basically Thelomen for 'I killed the dragon Dralk.'  He used that mace to do it, and its name is Rilk, which is Theolmen for 'Crush.' Or 'Smash' or something similar."

"I don't want any of this stuff,"  said Ublala.  "I don't even know how to use a mace."

Harlest examined his broken nail.  "Fear not – Rilk knows how to use you.  Now, drag it all up here and I can help you get that armour on – provided you kneel, that is."

 

Rilk - the Mace

 

Ublala brought up the mace first.  Two-handed, the haft a thick, slightly bent shaft of bone, horn or antler, polished amber by antiquity.  A gnarled socket of bronze capped its base.  The head was vaguely shaped to form four battered bulbs – the ore was marled mercurial and deep blue.

"Skyfall,"  said Harlest,  "that metal.  Harder than iron.  You held it easily, Ublala, while I doubt I could even lift the damned thing.  Rilk is pleased."

Ublala scowled up at him, and then ducked down once again.

 

He straightened up as best he could.  "I cannot yield this,"  he said.  "It is an Eleint'aral K'eth.  With a secret name – I walked the Roads of the Dead to win this weapon. " - (TCG) 

 

Dra Alkeleint - the Armour

 

The armour consisted of shoulder plates, and the chest and back in separate halves.  A thick belt joined the upper parts to a waisted skirt.  Smaller dragon scales formed the thigh-guards, with knee bosses made of dew-claws forming deadly spikes.  Beneath the knees, a single molded scale protected each shin.  Vambraces of matching construction protected the wrists, with suppler hide covering the upper arms.  Gauntlets of bone strips sheathed the hands.

Time's assault had failed – the scales were solid, the gut ties and leather straps supple as if new.  The armour probably weighed as much as a grown human.

Last came the helm.  Hundreds of bone fragments – probably from the dragon's skull and jaws – had been drilled and fastened together to form an overlapping skull cap, brow and cheek guards, and articulating lobster tail covering the back of the neck.  The effect was both ghastly and terrifying - (DoD UK HB, p. 355)

 

 

"Be at ease, Toblakai.  You are reminding me that some things in this world remain worthwhile.  If you would save the world, friend, that Draconean armour is fine preparation, as is that weapon at your feet – indeed, I believe I recognise both."

"I don't know,"  Ublala said.  "I don't know where to go to save the world.  I don't know anything."

"Let us journey together, then."

"Gods make good friends,"  nodded Ublala Pung, pleased at this turn of events.

"And spiteful enemies,"  the stranger said,  "but we shall not be enemies, so that need not concern us.  Wielder of Rilk, Wearer of Dra Alkeleint, what is your name?" - Draconus -  

 

 

 

 

 

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