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Estriss

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Estriss ("Thought Taker") was a notable illithid scholar and captain of the hammership Probe in the Spelljammer campaign setting.[2][3][4]

Overview[]

Estriss was an illithid scholar and historian[5] with a near obsession with an ancient precursor race he referred to as "the Elders",[6] or the "Juna".[7]

Description[]

Estriss had glistening mottled purple skin which rippled as his four short facial tentacles moved about sinuously. He also had large white eyes without pupils[8] and three four-jointed[9] fingers on each hand.[10] He wore a floor-length midnight-purple silken robe, clasped high at the neck and accentuated with a burnished silver brooch set with an amethyst.[11]

Personality[]

Estriss considered himself something of a philosopher and a student of the universe. He learned from others, borrowing from their wisdom and learning, leading him to adopt the name "Thought Taker".[12] By his own, admittedly alien standard, Estriss was by and large highly ethical and moral, and somewhat philosophical - problems only arose when his ideas of ethics and morals diverged from those of other races around him.[13]

Possessions[]

Estriss possessed an ancient crystalline knife he believed was created by the Juna,[14] an amulet of magic detection,[15] and part of a "star-helm".[16] He also owned a hammership named the Probe which was registered out of the planet Parcelius.[17]

Relationships[]

Crew[]

While Estriss was the owner and nominal captain of the Probe, he relied heavily on his officers to ensure the vessel ran efficiently. The Probe's senior officers included the first mate, Aelfred Silverhorn of Toril,[18] who was essentially in charge of all operations,[19] the primary helmsman and navigator, Sylvie,[20] the second mate, Sweor Tobregdan, who answered directly to Aelfred,[21] and the ship's mage and secondary helmsman, Vallus Leafbower of Oerth.[22]

Acquaintances[]

Estriss formed a close relationship with Teldin Moore, the Cloakmaster.

Pet[]

To ensure he didn't go hungry, Estriss was in the habit of charming (as per the spell) a kobold and have them accompany him when travelling, especially among non-illithids. When he became hungry, he would then consume the unfortunate creature's brain and dispose of their body.[13][23]

History[]

The Outpost[]

When Estriss was younger, he became fascinated with the vast array of 'origin myths' that existed concerning the creation of the universe. Virtually every sentient race had legends of a reality where the constraints of time and space did not exist, and how a Greater Power put in place the walls of time and space around that reality, allowing for the formation of the worlds as they knew them. Initially, Estriss' interest lay in the differences between the various origin myths, believing, somewhat presumptuously, that if he correlated the various differences with the characteristics of the races involved, that he could somehow cancel out the variations and identify the true root of the myths: the true events that gave rise to the myths themselves.

While he never completed his task, perhaps unsurprisingly, since it was impossible, he did discover that the most lucid and detailed version of the origin myth could be found within the ancient epic poetry of the thri-kreen. The ancient kreen had preceded most spacefaring races, including humans and the illithid, into wildspace by several millennia. They underwent a period of almost explosive expansion throughout the universe, a moment of near transcendence which was reflected in their poetry. It was in these ancient texts that Estriss first came across references to an even older precursor race known as the Juna.

At this point, his focus shifted - no longer was he interested in studying origin myths; he now concentrated almost exclusively on studying this "Elder" race, and now that he knew what to look for, he found references to them everywhere. After years of exhaustive research he came to believe that he knew more about the Juna than anyone else in the universe. He discovered they were an ancient and powerful race, and had been worshipped as veritable gods on hundreds of worlds by myriads of people now extinct. He found representations of them carved or painted onto the walls of many ruins and caves, and discovered that their symbol of a three pointed star had been incorporated into the symbology of many races. While humans and the illithid were taking their first steps, the Juna were disappearing from this universe. Whether they died out, were destroyed or moved on to another plane of existence, nobody knew.

Unfortunately, most scholars were dismissive of Estriss' conclusions concerning the Juna, and he became determined to discover tangible proof of the veracity of his theories.[24] It was while studying a particularly abstract thri-kreen lyric poem that he discovered information that led him to believe that it was describing the location of a deserted Juna outpost.[13] He immediately chartered a ship and its crew to accompany him on an expedition to a remote and distant sphere he dubbed the Dead Shell, where they eventually discovered a long abandoned asteroid base. Within the large hollowed-out structure they discovered strange and wondrous artifacts in various chambers that hinted at their creator's power and alien physiology. In the central chamber they found a large metallic three-pointed star hanging unsupported in the centre of the room. Estriss realized that the artifact was a unique "star-helm" powerful enough to propel the entire asteroid, and seemingly based on principles very different to those used by the Arcane in their helms. As Estriss investigated the "star-helm" he was attacked by a space drake, forcing him to teleport to safety, but not before taking part of the helm with him.[25]

The Probe[]

At some point Estriss acquired a hammership named the Probe, registered out of the planet Parcelius,[26] and began travelling from world to world, looking for artifacts created by the Juna. Aelfred Silverhorn would later join the crew in Westgate on Toril in Realmspace,[27] serving as first officer on the Probe for the next three years.[28] During their latest voyage, Estriss managed to arrange a meeting with a reigar woman named Hemar on one of the moons of Zivilyn in Krynnspace. She was a former adventurer who had managed to escape from a neogi slave ship with two magical items: a cloak and a bronze medallion, both of which Estriss believed to be of Juna origin. Although she refused to part with the items (having already lost the medallion), she did allow Estriss to handle the cloak. Subsequently, he discovered that he could magically sense its location whenever he needed to.

Estriss had come to believe that the Juna had created the Spelljammer, and that the cloak was linked in some way to the mysterious vessel. Reasoning that if he could gain possession of the cloak, he would be able to find the Spelljammer and gain access to the ship, where he hoped to find documents that would validate his life's work.[29] As the Probe approached the planet Krynn, they observed two pirate wasp ships pursuing a gnomish dreadnought, while a third wasp attacked a longboat. Sensing that the cloak was onboard the smaller boat, Estriss directed his crew to attack the third wasp and rescue the crew of the longboat, which included four gnomes and a human.[30]

As soon as they were safely aboard the Probe, Estriss revealed himself to the rescued crew. As was to be expected, they reacted with shock and surprise, though the human's fear response was the most pronounced. However, once Estriss had assured them of his peaceful intentions, the human regained his composure remarkably quickly. Estriss announced that the Probe would be heading for Toril in Realmspace, but offered to return them to Krynn, or, if they wished, they could join the hammership's crew and work off their passage. Speaking for the his companions, the human, whose name was Teldin Moore, indicated they wished to remain onboard. Estriss acknowledged their decision and had Aelfred assign them their quarters and their duties.[31]

Estriss had realized the human was wearing the cloak, but was unsure of how to approach the subject without revealing too much of his own interest. However, the opportunity arrived soon enough, when the Probe's deck crew were attacked by a void scavver just as they were passing by the planet Zivilyn. The creature had already seriously injured one crewman and killed another when Teldin Moore instinctively used one of the cloak's innate powers to kill the sky shark using nothing but a short sword, though he was grievously injured in the process.[32] While Teldin was recuperating from his injuries, Estriss took the opportunity to question him about the cloak. After explaining that his medallion had allowed him to sense when he had used the cloak's magic, Estriss convinced Teldin to reveal some of what he knew about the cloak, as well as how he acquired it. Estriss learned that Hemar had crashed on Krynn, destroying Tedin's farmhouse, but before she died she had passed on the cloak to the young human, instructing him to take it to "its creators". He also learned that the neogi had come looking for their property, causing great suffering.[33]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

  1. ↑ As with all illithids, Estriss was hermaphroditic. However, when asked, he indicated that he identified as male.

Gallery[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 92
  2. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), The Outpost, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, pages 43-50
  3. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), pages 35-42 (first appearance)
  4. ↑ Elaine Cunningham, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Radiant Dragon, 1992, (TSR Inc.), pages 63-68 (first appearance)
  5. ↑ Elaine Cunningham, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Radiant Dragon, 1992, (TSR Inc.), page 88
  6. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), The Outpost, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, page 46
  7. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 47
  8. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), The Outpost, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, page 43
  9. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 71
  10. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 36
  11. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 35
  12. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 37
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), The Outpost, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, page 44
  14. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 67
  15. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 61
  16. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), The Outpost, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, page 48
  17. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 200
  18. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 34
  19. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 39
  20. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 51
  21. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 52
  22. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), pages 52-53
  23. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), pages 39-40
  24. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), pages 64-66
  25. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), The Outpost, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, pages 46-48
  26. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 200
  27. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 49
  28. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), The Outpost, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, pages 47-48
  29. ↑ Elaine Cunningham, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Radiant Dragon, 1992, (TSR Inc.), pages 87-88
  30. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), pages 30-35
  31. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), pages 36-39
  32. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), pages 55-58
  33. ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), pages 60-70
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