Upon hearing that elves cannot approach a painted elephant (43.27) with a white dot on its forehead and white dots around its eyes, Harrakim ib Zuhri connived to ride one into the heart of the Kingswood and use it to demand a boon from a fey. Ever since Harrakim was a boy, he wanted an elf maiden as a wife, and he was confident that his plan would end with him marrying one.
He managed to find and capture a painted elephant with the appropriate markings, and rode it all the way to the shadows of the Kingswood. Though he was safe from elves, he wandered near the home of Zor (37.07) and became infatuated with the beautiful vatborn when he spied him cleaning a deer. Despite Harrakim’s shame and confusion, he tried to engage him after some deliberation. The painted elephant’s exotic beauty outraged Zor, and he murdered Harrakim where he stood.
The elephant escaped Zor’s wrath, and now wanders the forest. It has grown lonely, and has tried to follow various elves only to have them shrink away. It will take a liking to any mortal that does not attack it.
Hooks
- How have other mortals won elf wives or lovers?
- Who else is infatuated with Zor?
- Do painted elephants usually cooperate with humans?
- Where are some other lost elephants?
