The Kwalish (Kelish?)

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

zombiegleemax

Nov 10, 2003 12:41:24
I'm aware of the magic item "Apparatus of the Kwalish," but for some reason I have it in the back of my head, some reference to 4 daggers and 4 amulets of the Kwalish and the amulets controlled the daggers, but anyway... if one had all four they could summon some insanely powerful Elemental of some sort or another. But on the other hand perhaps it was the Kelish instead of the Kwalish, I can't quite recall.

Does anybody know what I might be referring to? If not I'm still curious as to who in the heck the Kwalish (or Kelish) are. Some type of gnome variant, some regional group of gnomes or something? I don't know why I'm even thinking of them as gnomes, but I seem to somewhat recall that.

I unfortunately gave away all my gaming materials in the mid-late 90s and I'm starting the collection all over so I can't look back into any older products to search for these references that are dwelling in my mind.

Any thoughts and/or ideas? Thanks

Abyss
#2

zombiegleemax

Nov 10, 2003 13:14:43
Originally posted by abysslin
I'm aware of the magic item "Apparatus of the Kwalish," but for some reason I have it in the back of my head, some reference to 4 daggers and 4 amulets of the Kwalish and the amulets controlled the daggers, but anyway... if one had all four they could summon some insanely powerful Elemental of some sort or another. But on the other hand perhaps it was the Kelish instead of the Kwalish, I can't quite recall.

Does anybody know what I might be referring to? If not I'm still curious as to who in the heck the Kwalish (or Kelish) are. Some type of gnome variant, some regional group of gnomes or something? I don't know why I'm even thinking of them as gnomes, but I seem to somewhat recall that.

I unfortunately gave away all my gaming materials in the mid-late 90s and I'm starting the collection all over so I can't look back into any older products to search for these references that are dwelling in my mind.

Any thoughts and/or ideas? Thanks

Abyss

I only remember that it looked like a giant lobster or something and two people were needed inside it to pull the levers and move it.
Hm, I've never heard ot Kelish, and considered Kwalish to be a single person.

Regards,
Glorfinden
#3

zombiegleemax

Nov 10, 2003 13:19:06
Well the naming of the item, "Apparatus of THE Kwalish" would leave me to believe they are a people of some sorts. If it were named for a singular person I would venture a guess that it would be named "Apparatus of Kwalish" or similiar, but of course "THE Kwalish" could be some sort of title or something as well.

Adding to my original subject I also remember the four daggers and amulets each represented 1 of the 4 elements with a pair (dagger and amulet) for each element.

Thanks

Abyss
#4

zombiegleemax

Nov 10, 2003 13:48:25
Originally posted by abysslin
Well the naming of the item, "Apparatus of THE Kwalish" would leave me to believe they are a people of some sorts. If it were named for a singular person I would venture a guess that it would be named "Apparatus of Kwalish" or similiar, but of course "THE Kwalish" could be some sort of title or something as well.

I had a look at the various DMGs (3.0, AD&D1, AD&D2) and it's name actually is "Apparatus of Kwalish". I don't know if it has been mentioned anywhere else with a definite article.


Adding to my original subject I also remember the four daggers and amulets each represented 1 of the 4 elements with a pair (dagger and amulet) for each element.

Thanks

Abyss

The entries in the DMGs don't mention daggers and amulets.

It's essentially a metal barrel that holds two people and contains 10 levers with which you can steer the thing and move the pincers. Again, I'm not aware of any other sources, there may be a module which contains more info on it and perhaps even the 4 daggers and the amulet.

Regards,
Glorfinden
#5

Argon

Nov 10, 2003 16:19:08
I remember vaugely this artifact you speak of I know I have something on it but I haven't found anything on it yet. Their is an artifact published in The Book of Artifacts (2nd edition) called the Mighty Servant of Leuk-o.

I won't go into detail on this one because I know this is not the "Apparatus of Kwalish". Which believe it or not I think is a reference to a wizard and not a race.

On the other hand The Mighty Servant of Leuk-o does refer to a race that might be dwarven but neither the Dwarves or anyone else can substantiate this. The device stands 9 feet tall, is nearly 5 feet wide, and some 6 feet deep. It is rounded and might remind one of a cross between an overly stout (if gigantic) dwarf and a lumbering beetle. The servant has two stocky legs, on which it walks with a curious swaying motion, and a pair of dangling arms.

An internal compartment is configured to seat two man-sized creatures comfortably. Externally, as many as five others might perch safely upon the servant when it is in motion. As might be expected, this dreadful thing is quite heavy, weighing nearly two tons, and is hideously noisy when in operation.

This is a short except from the book. In any case I hope this helps.
#6

erik_mona

Nov 10, 2003 16:52:11
Those of you who managed to track down a complete set of "stand-alone" Living Greyhawk Journals will want to turn to page 17 of the 5th issue:

"The inventor Kwalish lived here [Nafiq, on the coast of Zeif] over 400 years ago, and the fortified workshop he built for himself is still to be found high on an inaccessible rock pillar several hundred yards from the mainland. A narrow arch once spanned the gap between the cliffside and the pillar, but that has since crumbled into the surf below. The upper works are also much weathered, but local residents still know this place as the Arm of Kwalish. It is thought to be filled with traps and guardians designed by the great inventor himself, along with a number of his other intriguing but generally less dangerous works.

"Many examples of his works--murals, sculptures, and bas-reliefs, as well as other speficially mechanical inventions are found throughout Zeif and abroad. Even the Sidi of the sea people was one of his patrons. Kwalish designed the great Dome of the Reef for that renowned ruler of the mermen, as well as numerous devices for the use of his subjects. The various minor inventions of Kwalish are still sought after by collectors, as are the original plans for his creations. Some believe that Kwalish left scrolls with his outlines for several major unfinished works hidden somewhere in his workshop; but if he did so the plans are well concealed, for they have never been brought to light."

Well, ok, so you won't need to turn to that page, since I just typed the entire section for you.

The above quoted material was written by Fred Wiening, and is copyright Wizards of the Coast. It's pretty much the only "official" material available on Kwalish, so far as I know.

--Erik Mona
Editor-in-Chief
Dungeon Magazine
#7

zombiegleemax

Nov 10, 2003 17:08:39
Thank you very much Erik!

So am I to assume the Appartus of Kwalish then is a single item in its own existence, somewhat of a non-magical mechanical artifact, or is the general opinion being that it was mass produced or at least more than 1 were created?

(Now I just need to find wth daggers/amulets/elemental thingie)
#8

malkeeyas

Nov 10, 2003 17:31:43
Sorry I can't help out with that whole dagger/amulet thing, however there is another reference to the Apparatus of Kwalish. It can be found in 2ed "The Star Cairns" mod. by Sean Reynolds. Page 25 has the derro using it to scare off adventurers from the mouth of one of the Cairns in the Abbor-Alz.
#9

zombiegleemax

Nov 10, 2003 17:35:58
Now I'm all of the sudden totally interested in this Kwalish fella and his work. I just happen to own the whole Star Cairn series. By itself it was great, but the Doomgrinder and Crypt of Lyzandred the Mad were horrible in my opinion.

I wonder if anyone that possessing the great Jason Zavoda index could notify me of all references therein pertaining to Kwalish?

Thanks
#10

grodog

Nov 10, 2003 21:55:30
There's not much to go on from Jason Zavoda's index...:

Kwalish [NPC]
DRG#82 Pg# - 57
LGJ#5 Pg# - 17