"The best result is one which must often be gained by stealth and cleverness instead of brutal honesty. It is the way of the world."
- —Kerewan[1a]
Kerewan[1a]
Kerewan is the true leader of a group of sixty Sea Elves led by the shipmaster Thoron who were marooned on the island of Morien in the Isles of Albion as described in the tales of Orfeo the Minstrel.[1a][2]
He is a wizard of considerable power, although he eschews the title of wizard and claims that his people have no specific term for wizard.[1a]
Kerewan is a highly intelligent, cultured Elf. He also has a range of diverse skills. As wizard, musician, historian, and more besides, he is the true embodiment of kerrmieryon and an amazingly fast learner of new skills.[1a]
History[]
"In winning, you have lost. My kinsman, Senduiuiel, doubtless learned that bitter lesson long ago - as you will also. The hour will soon come, Trystan harper, when you will wish that you had taken what we had to give instead of refusing it. But we are elves, and we keep our bargains. We keep them very well. We will depart from this land as soon as we can - there are other tasks for us to accomplish, other places where we may prosper. You will never see us again in Morien."
- —Kerewan speaking to Trystan the Bard.[2a]
A map that depicts the Isles of Albion as narrated by Orfeo the Minstrel. The settlement of the marooned Elves lies on the west coast of the island of Morien.[1a]
Although Kerewan is a corrupted soul and espouses decadent principles, he is not without personal honour. It is Kerewan who stays Thoron's hand from impulsively reaching for his sword at one particular feast -- the wizard has the far-sightedness to see that this would have resulted in the death of all the Elves in the long run, even if Thoron could triumph for the moment.
Kerewan is the driving force behind the ambition of the Sea Elves to extend their influence and dominion over Morien. His ways and wiles are indeed those of stealth and cleverness rather than brute force. He is all the more dangerous for this very reason.[1a]
Appearance[]
Kerewan's age, rather like that of Thoron, is hard to estimate from his appearance, but he is probably very old. His skin is sallow, his face angular, his nose hooked and beak-like, his eyes small and lined, and his hair thin and brittle.[1a]
He is fastidious about his appearance, favouring a grey cloak decorated with silver threading which is formed into patterns like downward-pointing arrowheads, with a pale fur trim. His wizard's staff is made of white wood and decorated with crystals.[1a]
Spells[]
Kerewan's Elementalism spells are known by very few other wizards.[1a]
- Raise Stone - Raise Stone allows Kerewan to raise a block of stone above the ground by several feet.[1a]
- Shape Stone - Shape Stone allows Kerewan to treat one section of stone up to eight yards long as if it were putty in his hands for at least an hour.[1a]
These spells are used by Kerewan to raise and sculpt the stone fortress which the Sea Elves constructed during their appearance on the island of Morien in the Isles of Albion.[1a]