It was always quiet on Tyran, the largest of the Skrillian Islands but today it was quieter than usual. Tyran was the largest of Lenehen's colonies and it sat in the icy seas of the freezing north, however it's soils were rich and fertile which made the island very valuable. It was as though the island itself hated the settlers, as vines and lichen take hold anywhere and bio-poisons melt the mortar of buildings and thick vines can crush concrete bunkers. Valhallan wolves the size of bears tear apart any who are brave or foolish enough to disturb the slumber of the Great Forrest. Buildings must constantly be rebuilt, it seems that wherever they build the wildlife redoubles its efforts to destroy them, but nothing can break the morale of the colonists. Men from the Islands are Hardy and tough as one would have to be to survive these conditions. Children often learn to shoot before they can walk, and go on to join the Tyrannic Regiments of the Lenehenese military when they are a suitable age.Tyrannic Shock Troopers are well-known for their discipline, marksmanship and stoic sense of self-sacrifice, and are often emulated by other regiments.
Terrible beasts roam the wastelands of Tyran, and small children are often sent to bed with the threat that Old Corrax will eat them if they misbehave. 'Old Corrax' , 'Old One-Eye' or simply just 'Corrax' is amongst the oldest legends on Tyran, and is has become the regions 'bogeyman'. When the first settlers arrived, they were terrified of the winged beasts which ruled the skies and haunted their dreams. When one of these creatures chose a target, it would hunt it down mercilessly and devour them, tearing them apart with their razor-sharp claws and sythed tail. These monsters were never given an official name, but were referred to as 'sky-slashers' or 'Harpies'
Three full Battallions of Lenehenese Guardsmen were called in and a campaign of extermination was undertaken. The creatures were shot from the sky, burned and then had their ashes buried in a mass grave. When they had all been purged, the victorious guardsmen returned to the mainland, and the colony was peaceful again. However, one Harpy had survived the purges and it's reign of terror soon began. This Harpy was different however, it's tail was a hollow tube like the fang of a snake instead of being bladed. It would strike it's victim with its ovipositor and plant several of it's young inside them. Within a few heartbeats these embryos would hatch and explode out of their host in a shower of gore. This Harpy was first sighted at the Corrax Outpost, where it massacred and consumed 120 soldiers. The number of Harpies was swelling, and so another purge was undertaken but nobody could kill Corrax. Finally, at the battle of Steel ridge Corrax reared his ugly head again. Volleys of Las-gun fire failed to pierce the beast's thick chitin plates and soon it was upon the unfortunate guardsmen and tore them to pieces. But when all seemed lost, a humble Corporal by the name of William Cooper drew it's attention and lured it away from the rest of his squad. Although he himself was of Tyrannic stock, eventually he could run no more and was forced to turn and fight this monstrosity. He slashed away with his knife and Corrax slashed with his talons but neither was winning. But at the climax of the battle, Cooper stumbled and fell and like a carrion-bird Corrax was upon him. With his last ounce of strength, the corporal unholstered his las-pistol and fired. In a million-to-one shot the laser punched through the soft flesh of Corrax's eye. The creature howled with pain and lashed out at the corporal, tearing open his right cheek. Finally the the creature, blinded by pain, fell down a ravine, giving one last scream of agony. The remaining guardsmen found the broken body of the Corporal, and once he had recieved medical help, Cooper led the search for Corrax, but found nothing.
Legends say that Corrax is still out there somewhere, waiting for an opportunity to present itself. Most believe it is just a story to scare disobedient children, and it is unlikely that the infamous 'Harpies' or the story's hero 'William Cooper' ever existed. But as we all know, all myths have a basis of truth...
