Ilya Muromyets

By Colin Chapman (col.chapman@virgin.net)

The Myth

Ilya, the son of poor parents in Southern Russia, was born paralysed; even crying was beyond him. As he grew older, he could do nothing but breathe, and for thirty-three years he lay, stricken but alive, tended by his parents. Their death would spell his end...

It then happened that two wandering minstrels called at their cottage for food, and the parents responded with generosity. Seeing the stricken man, they fed Ilya a beverage made from wild honey, curing his curse. For the first time in his life Ilya stood and moved.

Life seized him greatly and he quickly became a hero of the Russian people. Having captured a flying steed, equipped with arrows that could sunder a mighty oak, he led them to victory over the infidels and built the great cathedral of Kiev. Having done so he turned himself to stone as a perpetual sentinel, and even until recently his stone figure could be seen at the cathedral.

The 'Reality'

Ilya was the fated grandson of a Silver Fang Lord that had renounced his nobility for the love of a peasant girl. Destined even before birth to battle and defeat great Wyrm forces, a conspiracy was hatched by the Corrupt One to destroy his destiny.

His Kin-fetch was banished, rendering him hard to trace, and his pregnant mother was deceived into taking hidden Wyrm toxins. But fate smiled on Ilya, and the toxins did not end his life before it had begun. Nonetheless, he was born paralysed and languished in that state for thirty-three years...

Fortune was indeed with Ilya, for two galliards who were travelling the area detected his presence. Visiting his family in the guise of minstrels they noted the still present Wyrm toxins and fed him a draught of healing mead. With the ecstacy of being able to finally move all the years of pent up frustration were released and he underwent his First Change.

Taken into the fold, he rose to fame swiftly as a great Silver Fang Ahroun, embodying true heroism and fighting for Russia. Favouring the bow, and riding an avatar of Pegasus (his totem) he led both people and Silver Fang alike on many glorious battles, defending the Motherland from Wyrm and invader. However, age came swiftly, for he was late to flower and rather than die old and withered he fell into the Sleep of Heroes, ready to return when the need is greatest.

Talen -- Ilya's Honey

Gnosis 4

This mead of pure honey and rich, warm spices, has a spirit of Healing bound in it. If drank it neutralises any toxin.

Talen -- Ilya's Arrows

Gnosis 5

These steel-headed arrows feature runes on the head, and etched black-lacquered shafts. They strike with great force, inflicting 6 dice of Aggravated damage. They do not automatically hit. They have War spirits bound in them.