Ausric Krell

Article written by Kranar Drogin & Sticko

Ausric Krell (? - 383 AC), also known as the 'Betrayer', was a former Knight of Lily who fought in the Chaos War. Krell was born in Nordmaar. It is unknown if he had any family prior to becoming a Death Knight. In his lifetime, he has only touch a book one time, with no desire to read it what so ever.

Ausric Krell by Sticko.Ausric Krell is known to be very sneaky, with little honor, brains, or nobility. He was short, encased in black armor that was burned onto him by Zeboim's curse, leather gauntlets, red eyes, and a heavy, corpse-like body. His helm looked like a ram's skull, with his armor not only blackened, but also bloodstained with the traditional skull and lily on it. He constantly had fresh blood on his armor, and when he walked bloody footprints followed in his wake. He was very good at swordsmanship.

Early Life

Krell was born in the nation of Nordmaar. This is where Lord Ariakan Ariakas found him as a youth and recruited him to the Dark Knights. While with the Dark Knights, he attained the rank of Night Warrior.

Chaos War

Just before the invasion upon Ansalon, Krell would walk with his Lord Ariakas upon {Mt. Ambition}. Together they would stare out to see towards Ansalon, and think about the coming invasion. Krell was the only one favored enough by Lord Ariakan to do this, none of the other Knights of Takhisis were so honored. He would later serve directly under his lord during the invasion.

During the Chaos War, Krell was stationed at the High Clerist's Tower when the minions of Chaos were unleashed upon Krynn. When Krell saw his chance, he poisoned Ariakan's mount, which lead to the death of Ariakan during the battle at the Tower. This infuriated Zeboim, Ariakan's mother, and she took her revenge out on Krell by killing him and then bringing him back to life.

When she tired of doing this, she brought his remains to Storm's Keep and made him into a Death Knight.

Post Chaos War

During the next thirty-eight years, Krell was stranded on the island fortress, fearful that Zeboim would kill him if he left the island. Little did he know though, Takhisis had stolen the world away and Zeboim wasn't in the sea at that time. So, the chance he had to escape he squandered, and the gods returned to Krynn.

While on the island, a Minotaur named Grimix washed up on his shore. Grimix fought against Krell, but in the end was killed by the death knight. So impressed by the minotaur ferocity, Krell raised Grimix from the dead as a skeletal warrior. The minotaur would only be released upon the death of Krell.

War of Souls

During this war, he was not able to participate in it, thinking that Zeboim was still around the island. He used his scrying ball known as the Flames of the Storms to observe and saw what a girl named Mina was doing. He tried getting a message to her through all the souls walking Krynn, but once he saw her destroy Lord Loren Soth, he no longer wanted to get in contact with her.

With the defeat of Takhisis and Mina at Sanction, Krell discovered too late that Zeboim had been gone for years. In his rage, he destroyed a small tower at Storm's Keep. He then prayed to Chemosh, beseeching the dark lord to help him out of his imprisonment and that he would serve him.

Post War of Souls

He sat alone in a tower, playing on his Khas board until Mina came to his island. He chased her, trying to kill her, but thought he lost her out to sea when she jumped. So Krell returned to his Khas board and was shocked when Mina arrived back shortly after, and knocked his helmet off, which incapacitated him.

Mina then took the helm to Chemosh, who then restored Krell back to 'life', and Krell swore to serve him in his undead state. He then was sent back to Storm's Keep with Ariakan's spirit in a Khas piece. Zeboim then had to resort to sending her monk there to get the Khas piece back. Rhys Mason challenges Krell to a Khas game, and Krell informs Rhys that he was an excellent Khas player.

As Krell was winning and breaking Rhys' fingers, a kender named Nightshade Pricklypear snuck up and stole the Ariakan piece. Rhys then had a giant mantis take care of Krell while they both escaped. For this Chemosh was not pleased with Krell one bit, and brought him back to Ansalon to help train his new Beloved of Chemosh.

References

Amber and Ashes, p. 29-30, 43, 45-48, 51, 61, 63-64, 79, 212, 219, 270
Dragonlance Campaign Setting, p. 214-215

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This article has been viewed 3,394 times. It was added on March 30, 2006, and was last modified on March 22, 2007.

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