Iksar
Reptilian people of Kunark who built and lost a great empire under the city of Cabilis.
Overview
Drawn from Paying Homage to the Past — in-game book.EQ1Primary · mirrored
Untold ages ago, the Faceless One, Cazic-Thule, placed us upon the lands of Kunark. Scattered and unlearned, we were enslaved by the terrible snake-like Shissar with their curses and wicked enchantments! At last one day the skies opened up and the sacred Green Mist delivered us from our enemies. Unaffected by the mist, we watched as our captors melted away. In the midst of a cacophony of screams of terror and anguish the iksar were freed. Today we remember the destruction of our oppressors by desecrating an article of their creation.
Over the centuries, many tribal states were established as we spread across Kunark. It was one iksar, Venril Sathir, whose knowledge of battle and necromancy allowed him to conquer and annex all the tribe-states. Using the might of the united tribes and the slaves of conquered lesser races, the mighty fortress of Sebilis was built. Imposing and beautiful, Sebilis was a place of learning and lore where for many long years we honed our skills and thrived. Under Sathir’s rule as the first King of Sebilis, he established the great Sebilisian Empire. The jealous dragons, however, saw our greatness and knew we posed a threat to them.
The meddling dragon known as Trakanon was not content to leave us alone. Through his treachery, he turned our servants against us and led a group of his kind to Sebilis and destroyed it! Many iksar were slain then and we honor them by lighting a funeral pyre from the remains of iksar slain in these times.
During the time of the Rending our beloved Kunark was beset by terrible earthquakes and the Lake of Ill Omen flooded the city of Cabilis. It was during these times that a large sailing vessel carrying many of our kind to lands far away was smashed by a massive wave. Many survived this tragedy by swimming to the shores of a nearby island.
For nearly a year the survivors lived on that island until the Overlord caught wind of their presence. After a series of fierce battles he captured the survivors, brought them back to Freeport and tried to enslave them! Years passed, but despite the Overlord’s best efforts, he could not break their spirits.
As the Rallosian army spread across all of Norrath, the Overlord knew he could not repel these aggressors without our help. In exchange for our freedom, we fought valiantly alongside Freeport’s own army and crushed the Rallosians with the help of the same Green Mist that had killed our former oppressors, the Shissar! Today we remember our brief captivity and toss the Overlord’s tools of oppression to the bottom of the sea, where they can never be used to hinder the mighty iksar.
Overview
Drawn from The History of Iksar (House Item) — in-game book.EQ2Primary · mirrored · best available source
Through my own experiences, I have gained knowledge and insight into the iksar. Each part of this history tome can only be completed in its own time.
Story 1
Now they speak of the terrors of the Green Mist, but we have known of the Mist for many long ages, beyond count. Yes, in our time of need we too were saved by the Mist from the skies that covered our enemies and stripped them of life.
Come, young ones, and listen to the story of the Iksar. We have existed far longer than the babes that prattle about being first at this and first at that. Cazic-Thule created us in the long ago, shaping us the way we are now: long of tail, strong of arms and armored from birth.
Our mighty fortress of Sebilis we built as a place of learning and lore on Kunark. For many long years we honed our skills in all the areas that interested us. And then the shissar came, the slime-slitherers. They cursed and enchanted us.
The soft-skinned call us bitter. They too would know bitterness if they had be enslaved by those they had thought were like them. To be iksar is to have had all others serve them. To be iksar and forced to serve another is wrong.
The skies opened up after many long years and the Green Mist fell upon our enemies. Their screams gave us pleasure and we snapped the frail bonds with which they thought to bind us. We saw the fields littered with their remains and we knew satisfaction for the first time in many long years.
Overview
Drawn from Xerkizh the Creator — compiled history.RPGCommunity article · best available source
The titanic shissar Xerkizh, a being almost as large as the Emperor himself, engages in diabolical experiments on iksar slaves in this chamber, intent on making them more tractable and cooperative. Several captive iksar are here at any given time, along with 3 shissar experimenters (use shissar noble stats); there are also 2 imperial golems placed
here to prevent any of the prisoners from escaping.
Official Lore
22Collected official lore pieces, from in-game and out.
From the Library of Norrath
Ruins of Kunark Tonight, Vanusk sat in silence until I asked him to continue. He wanted to know what we had learned. When we started to recite the tales back to him, he silenced us and asked again what we had learned. The Bane's leader ventured a guess and told him that the only constants seem to be struggle, death, war and deceit.
Read the full sourceAnaz Mal, Blackfang
This reads like a religious text of some sort. There is no author listed. Though it is worn, it seems to have been very well made – albeit long ago. Of Our Past We are the master’s secret hand. It is of us, and only of us, that true order can flow. We sacrifice it among ourselves so that we may better provide it for others.
Read the full sourceRokNilok
The Crusades of 1312 This was the time of the scattered and defeated Iksar empire. The great dragon, Trakanon and his allies of scale had left the empire in rubble and our people were divided yet again. The once grand city of Sebilis was claimed by the one who decimated it. The remaining Iksar were scattered among the outlands of Kunark.
Read the full sourceBefore Green
Before Green This is known as the Age of the Snake. The snake race known as Shissar, slithered upon Kunark. The Iksar had yet to unite. Our people had yet to learn the Black Arts and the ways of Fist and Tail. Divided, the Iksar were enslaved by the snakes. In the centuries before the Green, the Iksar were slaves of the Shissar
Read the full sourceThe Swifttail Caste
The Swifttail Caste Fists and Tails of Cabilis It was at the dawning of the Sebilisian Empire that the art of fist and tail was forged. In the beginning the pugilists of the great tribes were nothing more than warriors without weapons. Soon we would be forged into weapons. Grandmaster Tynn was the father of our disciplines.
Read the full sourceThe Blasphemer
The Blasphemer Dag of the Forbidden Circle Long ago in the time of Emperor Ganak, Scholar Dag did walk with the great Master Atrebe. After the unfortunate dusting of Atrebe did Dag begin his study of the forbidden circles, Wizardry, Enchantment and Magic. Very soon after he took a liking to the ways of Wizardry.
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Birth and Father
Birth and Father Let all lizards know the birth and father of the Crusaders of Greenmist. The one who did sire our caste was the great and legendary Emperor Rile the Painbringer. Long ago did he sit upon the throne of his deceased father, the ruler of the Army of Ik and father to all, Venril Sathir In the year 371 After
Read the full sourceSeeds of Destruction: Unfolding the Lore - Part 4
Seeds of Destruction: Unfolding the Lore - Part 4 Field of Scale, Kaesora, Kurn's Stronghold Field of Bone The Field of Bone was once a lush and fertile grassland located within the heart of the Sebilisian Empire. It is now scarred by a massive crater caused by a cataclysmic clash of magical energy.
Read the full sourceOn the Town of: Cabilis
Overview of Cabilis Cabilis, or New Sebilis, is the birthplace of the new iksar Empire. While many of their brothers and sisters still huddle together in smaller camps and settlements across Kunark, Cabilis is where the iksar are attempting to reclaim some of their former glory.
Read the full sourceDoNCultBook2Iksar
The Iksar armor symbols contained in this book arose from an ancient language spoken during the height of the Sebilisian empire. Because Iksar are already gifted with impressive natural defenses, these armor symbols instead focus on the enhancing the physical and mental prowess the wearer.
Read the full sourceDoNCultBook1Iksar
The Iksar armor symbols contained in this book arose from an ancient language spoken during the height of the Sebilisian empire. Because Iksar are already gifted with impressive natural defenses, these armor symbols instead focus on the enhancing the physical and mental prowess the wearer.
Read the full sourceDoNRaceBookIksar
Over the generations, warfare and struggle have engrained themselves so firmly in Iksar society that rarely has a hatchling spoken its first word before it has begun training to fight in the crusades. Testament to the martial backbone of Iksar society is Iksar armor which is worn to all social functions, military or otherwise.
Read the full sourceThe History of Iksar (House Item)
Through my own experiences, I have gained knowledge and insight into the iksar. Each part of this history tome can only be completed in its own time. Story 1 Now they speak of the terrors of the Green Mist, but we have known of the Mist for many long ages, beyond count.
Read the full sourceA History of the Sporconid
A History of the Sporconid Thousands of years ago, a group of brilliant iksar druids sought a power unlike any other possessed by their people. They tapped into a deep, ancient power that drew on a very different aspect of nature. This power is the root of decay – truly a mixture of nature and shadow power.
Read the full sourceCaptain of the Sea
370 A.G.: Vlzk, student of the 5th rung, becomes the youngest Iksar monk to attain the title of Tynn Master. He takes his place among the masters of the Court of Pain. 371 A.G.: Master Vlzk becomes the only Iksar monk to be promoted to the rank of Captain within the Iksar Navy. He is promoted by the great Emperor Rile.
Read the full sourceThe Ant Tale
An Ant Tale A children’s tale from the iksar. A young iksar name Cyrl had a plan. There was an ant hill not far from his home, and he spent many afternoons watching the busy ants carry food stuffs back to their hill in orderly, perfect lines. Cryl was amazed by the way the ants were able to adapt to any situation.
Read the full sourceTalon Southpaw
Talon Southpaw Talon Southpaw was the fastest pugilist ever to walk within the Court of Pain. His speed rivaled that of the great Grandmaster Tynn. He could often be found within the local taverns demonstrating the awesome speed of his left fist. Talon Southpaw came to rebirth within this caste.
Read the full sourceLegends of Norrath: Ring of Scale Scenario
In Kunark long ago, the winged dragon lords of the Ring of Scale waged war with the airborne Iksar army mounted on their flying Sokokars. Ganak – son of Atrebe and emperor of the Iksar – met with Jaled-Dar – mighty-winged dragon of the Ring of Scale – in a legendary aerial duel over the Field of Bone.
Read the full sourceThe Unclaimed Eye (Item)
The Unclaimed Eye A Gorowyn Sarnak Creation Story When the gods first came together to make the races of Norrath, they organized rows of many colored round stones before them. They divided these stones up, and when one of the gods would finish molding a new race, they would place the stones near the top of the head, giving the new race sight and life.
Read the full sourceDag the Blasphemer (complete book)
Dag the Blasphemer Author Unknown PAGE 3 BLANK Long ago in the time of Emperor Ganak, Scholar Dag served and studied with the great Master Atrebe Sathir, first-hatched son of Rile Sathir. After the unfortunate demise of Atrebe, Scholar Dag begin his study of the forbidden circles, Wizardry, Enchantment and Magic.
Read the full sourceThe Ant Tale (Item)
Page 1 The Ant Tale A children's tale from the iksar. Page 2 A young iksar named Cryl had a plan. There was an ant hill not far from his home, and he spent many afternoons watching the busy ants carry food stuffs back to their hill in orderly, perfect lines. Cryl was amazed by the way the ants were able to adapt to any situation.
Read the full sourceA History of the Sporconid
A History of the Sporconid Thousands of years ago, a group of brilliant iksar druids sought a power unlike any other possessed by their people. They tapped into a deep, ancient power that drew on a very different aspect of nature. This power is the root of decay – truly a mixture of nature and shadow power.
Read the full sourceFurther sources
28Lore that mentions this in passing.
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Community articles
80Fan-written encyclopedia entries — useful overviews, lower authority than the primary sources above.