About Cyclopes, true masters of smithery

"Cyclopes are a human-like race but with only one eye and minor intelligence. They even talk in a similar language. They live in holes where they prospect for gold and other metals. Be warned that they get very angry about adventurers entering their claim. They will slay every intruder using their incredible power."

From the Tibia Library

Origins

The origin of the ancient Cyclopes is described in the Genesis:

Before the first creatures were made, Zathroth watched the process of creation with disgust. Wanting to spread destruction and havoc, he became fascinated by the concept of life. Because he didn’t possess the ability to create life, he seduced Fafnar, one of Tibia’s two suns, and so, Brog the raging Titan arose. Brog had inherited little of his father's cunning and none of his caution, yet he was strong and fierce, and his mother's furious heat burned wildly inside him.

As he grew up, Brog was pained by the fire burning inside him, until one day when it grew unbearable he summoned all his magical powers and released as much of the painful flame into the world as he could, and created the first dragon, Garsharak. Brog watched the terrible creature he had created rather accidentally, and he rejoiced when he saw just how fierce and powerful it was. Though he was rather stupid he, too, had the gift to create life, which in an act of vanity he next used to create the cyclopses in his own image.

Despite the Cyclops’ incredible strength, they were not what Zathroth was hoping for. Plus, they were rather creative and destructive. Especially the mining field fascinated the Cyclopes very much, and they soon became one of Tibia’s most gifted smiths. The cyclops lived prosperous for a long period, building huge cities and forging great weapons. But then came the day of the return of the dragons, which forced the Cyclopes underground. Their mighty cities were burned to the ground, thus ending the glorious era of the Cyclops. Nowadays, the Cyclops race still dwells mostly underground, where they built impressive halls and tunnels. And although the smithing skills of the Dwarves is significantly more precise, the impressive masterpieces of the one-eyed smiths are still considered to be very valuable.

Physical characteristics

As explained in the Genesis, the Cyclopes were created in the image of Zathroth’s son Brog. They hold many similarities to humans, but are much taller and bigger. Apart from having only four toes on one foot and just three on the other, the Cyclopes have one significant characteristic: they have only one eye, which is situated in the middle of their face. It is uncertain why they have only one, the most accurate reasoning is that Brog also had one eye. But then again, it is uncertain why exactly Brog had one eye. Perhaps his creation was a result of the incestuous relation between Zathroth and Fafnar, both beings of devine origin. This might explain is, and the Cyclopes’, rather deviant physical characteristics: the one eye and unequal toes. This theory, that the Cyclopes are the result of an unnatural relationship, is enforced by the even more deviant Cyclops Drone. From their birth, they possess four arms and lesser intelligence. For this reason, they serve as hard workers. Some minor differences between regular Cyclopes and the Drones and the elite Smiths are that these last two have only two toes on both feet.

Many scientists and scholars nowadays believe the Cyclops race might evolve into more sub-species of the race. Their theory is supported by the only recent showing up of the Cyclops Drone. This sub-species only exists several hundred years. So, several hundred years in the future, we might whitness the arising of a new Cyclops type, this one possibly even more strange looking than the Drone.

What is known for sure is that blindness is considered by the Cyclopes as the most serieus desease, and Cyclopes that are born blind are often killed right after being born. The only known blind Cyclops that is still alive is Bencthyclthrtrprr, also known as Big Ben or the Sweaty Cyclops. He lives in Ab’dendriel where he offers his useful services to anyone that is interested.

Comparison with the ancient Greek Cyclops

In the ancient Greek mythology, the Cyclopes also hold a place. They are described as being the sons of Uranus and Gaia, who are impersonifications of the sky and earth. Besided the Cyclopes, they also created the Titans and other horrible abominations. After being driven out by the Olympian gods, under leadership of Zeus, they were cast to the dark pits of Tartarus, along with their father and the Titans.

Many similarities exist between the Greek and the Tibian Cyclops. Both possess exceptional strength and have only one eye. Furthermore, also the Greek Cyclopes were gifted smiths, forging Zeus's thunderbolt, Hades' helmet of invisibility, and Poseidon's trident, which the gods used to defeat the Titans. Possibly the major difference between the two Cyclopes, is that in Greek mythology, there was never meantion of the Cyclops being created in the image of Uranus. They were just one of the countless children Uranus and Gaia produced. There’s also no mention of four-armed Cyclopes, nor of their rather peaceful attitude. But all in all, we can conclude that the Greek and Tibian Cyclops are similar in many aspects.

Living Places

As explained earlier, the Cyclopes these days prefer to hide underground. There, they built giant halls in which they practice their beloved art of smithery. The only Cyclopian settlement on the surface that has some meaning, is the one in Plains of Havoc. Rumours speak of an impressive smithing hammer that is supposed to be created there by the Cyclopes.

The most well known and important settlement is the legendary Cyclopolis. This is their main smithing area, which is proven by the presence of several giant swords, located on a lower floor of the complex. Defended by many Cyclopes, also Drones and Smiths, this can be considered as the “headquarters” of the Cyclops race. It was built in ancient times, only short before the demise brought upon them by the raging dragons.

Ways of war

Although they are rather of peaceful nature and basicly mind their own business, they don’t like to be meddled with and will therefore defend themselves when being threatened. Their basic strategy is using their huge muscular arms to crush their opponents. Drones might even use their four arms. Only the elite of the Cyclops race, the smiths, sometimes decide to handle weapons in combat. And you can easily guess their weapon of choice, which is a gigantic smithing hammer. Caution is needed when dealing with these creatures, they can inflict massive damage upon their opponents. But all in all, as they are rather peaceful, your best choice might be not to meddle with their affairs and basicly leave them alone.

Social structure

Cyclopes live in a fairly simple social structure. Although there were rumours of one, the Cyclopes do not have a king or any other kind of ruler. They are bound by a simplistic hierarchic system. At the bottom stand the Cyclops Drones, who hold the rank of Worker. Being less intelligent, they are raised by the normal Cyclopes and will listen to the commands of every Cyclops that is not a Drone. Then come the regular Cyclopes, who are the most multi-skilled of their kind. They hold various ranks and do various tasks, from holding an administrative function to even being a diplomat of their race.

At the top, you have the Cyclops Smiths, who are legendary for their impressive masterpieces. They hold the rank of Elite and have the right to appoint several ranks to regular Cyclopes and Cyclops Drones. Only those that are truely gifted in the field of smithery, are appointed as Elite.

Language

Cyclopes don’t possess their language. They speak a bastardized version of the human language, which they probably learned from humans they captured during wars.

About the Cyclopmania Sword

Being a legend of unspeakable proportions, the Cyclopmania Sword is a source of endless rumours and myths. The most well known story goes as follows:

'Many many years ago the evil god Brog enslaved cyclopes to smith weapons for his perilous armies. In secrecy, the cyclopsmiths created this powerful weapon in order to commit mutiny against their captor. They failed at the task of slaying Brog, however Brog was heavily wounded. Filled with unspeakable rage he cast the sword down into the lands of Tibia to be lost forever. While buried in Brog's flesh, it became covered with his horrible blood, which hardened the blade and enchanted the 'Godslayer' with unmatched power. However, a dark curse has been cast upon the blade causing it's owner to become stricken with awesome madness and horrible luck. It is said nothing good can come to he who posesses the mystical blade.'

Whether this is the true story, or rather a euphamism of the real truth, is not fully known. However, what can’t be denied is that this sword is a true masterpiece of the Cyclopian smithery, unmatched by any other weapon of any sorts.