The Story of the Ankexfen
This story is told by a visiting priestess in Najena, and was available in the Classic era. It is part of The Visiting Priestess Quest.
You say, 'I have heard of this relic.'
a visiting priestess says, 'Long ago, there existed a race known as the Ankexfen, after thair progenitor Hazeg Ankexfen, who were created by Rallos Zek during the Elder Age. This race was quite intelligent and cunning. They quickly expanded their knowledge of magic and the other planes, yet constantly yearned for more power. So, along with their ogre counterparts, they set out to master the Plane of Earth. Alas, their attempts proved futile and the combined might of the other gods forced Rallos Zek back to the Planes of Power, leaving his creations to the whims of the other gods.'
You say, 'What happened to the Ankexfen?'
a visiting priestess says, 'The wrath of the unnamed gods was grim. Thousands of ogres were instantly slain - their empire left to crumble under the hand of retribution. The giants were flung across the face of Norrath like seeds to the wind. The Ankexfen's fates were more severe. The entire race was exterminated, but from the ashes were born the four goblin races. What is known is that each goblin clan was stripped of any knowledge and was neither informed of the other clans nor of their own origins. Each clan was then transported to a separate environment to help preserve the gods' will. However, the gods were not without mercy and each clan was granted a section of the staff. Upon each staff, a crystal was placed. These staves served to aid the goblin clans in understanding their environments. These remnants of the staff of Ankexfen are what I desire. Bring them to me and the Priests of Innoruuk shall reward you.'