NPCS - TIW

Description: Husky man who prefers earth-colors. Very down-to-earth minded. Determined that he will not become stuck-up nobility. Has the look of a commoner about him, but his presence is commanding. Scrupulously fair and honorable man, even when faced with political hostility by the other Dukes. He is loyal to a fault.

A former mercenary captain, Duke Borel was granted his title by King Darende for clearing the lands along the northern edge of the Ironhearts. He took his good friend Joseph Faler with him to be his Captain of Guards. Recent revelations of secrets Joseph kept from him - which resulted in great embarrassment for Borel - have strained that friendship.

Adar hates his younger twin brother, Carl - whom he believes dead, burned and the ashes scattered.

At one point, Duke Borel had Jade (Lady Jennifer Griffonspryde, one of the Seven from the prophecy) as one of his guards. However, Duke Borel is under the impression that she left his service because she was angry with him. He has kept track of her and tried to aid her since then (even though there's little he could do), discovering who she really was and learning about the prophecy at the same time. In the intervening couple of years, he has slowly forgiven his friend Joseph and has come to trust Cpt. Malek Durgesson more.

Description: Young and far too serious for his age, Grand Duke Markkson is a controlled man, clever, and has a political cunning rivaled by few. He has a fencer's body, and indeed was famous for his skill with the blade in his youth, and keeps in very good shape. He is a fair man, devout in his beliefs, and is reknown for his guardianship of his people.

Grand Duke Alan Markkson is young, politically brilliant, and an accomplished duelist. He once fought 6 duels in one day, winning all of them. He put up his sword afterwards, saying he would not abuse Kitai's luck a second time. The sword snapped in half a month later as servants were cleaning it.

Lord Markkson knows who the true descendents of the Kenthyrson line are. He also knows that Jade (PC) has the Emperor's sword. He will take this knowledge to the grave if necessary. Azzeln Vaetha has been a friend of the Markkson family for well over 200 years. In fact, the Drow has taught most of the Markkson heirs the use of a blade. Azzeln is more than a second father to Alan, much more than a friend.

Much of the weight of responsibility has been lifted from Markkson's shoulders by his marriage to Josephine Wingrove, and her resultant pregnancy. He no longer feels the burden of being the last of the Markkson line. The birth of his son, Erik, is a source of great joy for him. The pleasure he takes in his family has soured somewhat, since his wife now blames Alan's close friend, Azzeln Vaetha, for the Illithid attack on their home - an attack which would have killed Dutchess Markkson and their child if not for the haphazard interference of Dale Sedresson, Advisor to the Emperor. Lady Markkson no longer tolerates the Drow's presence. The situation is exacerbated by Duke Markkson's absence (he has travelled with Emperor Karaman's army to reunite the Hartland).

Alan's friendship with Azzeln has been further strained, now that an Emperor has been crowned. The Markkson family has known for many generations that the next Emperor would not be a member of the Kenthyr Family, but were sworn to secrecy by the Advisor to the Last Emperor. Alan Markkson can well imagine how Azzeln must feel, having done nothing for the last two hundred plus years except look after the survivors of one small family, ensuring their safety, even at the cost of his own happiness, loves, and children. It is very fortunate for the Grand Duke of Ardenia that Azzeln is a very forgiving Elf.

Grand Duke Markkson is unquestioningly loyal to the ideals of the old Empire, and would like to see it restored. His work towards that goal is unceasing. This may sometimes blind him to more interpersonal considerations.

Description: The most beautiful woman you will ever meet. Her soft violet eyes seem to drown you, and her pale gold hair is a striking contrast to her ebon skin. She is poetry incarnate, every motion surreal, every nuance of body and inflection of voice unconsciously perfect. She normally dresses in light, flowing, diaphonous robes, with a single bright evergreen colored scarf (a gift from Kelsenellenelvial) loosely tied around her throat. A beaded silver necklace lies under the scarf (the necklace of missiles), and an intricately worked gold ring showing leaping stags circles the little finger of her right hand (R. Jumping). On her left index finger is a simple band of silver.

Aleana is the only child of King Ferain Til'haren. She is a tomboy and a warrior of some note. Her first real battle was with ogres in the Corinian Forest with Seloveyan Keliveyr, Warden of Trailkeep as her captain. She personally slew five ogres, including their leader. At court, her father tried to get her to act like a princess, but she absolutely refused. In the Hartland, her behavior would have been scandalous. Among the Elves, she was and is a source of much enjoyment and love.

Aleana's voice is considered a Royal Treasure. "She should have been a Bard," Belgar Ironheart, the King of the Western Dwarves, once said. When the Hartland asked that an ambassador of direct royal blood be sent, Ferain agonized over sending his own daughter. She made the answer for him - charming a warship's captain and crew with her beauty and voice, and sailing the lot of them west to Calanport, and then overland to Danar. Her trip was a great success, until she returned to the Silver Forest and was kidnapped at the direction of Seloveyan's half brother, Vaeron. She was rescued by Elven adventurer Garth and the rest of the Iron Company, recaptured by Vaeron Keliveyr, finally being used as a pawn to discredit Seloveyan and gain control over her father, King Ferain Til'haren.

The Iron Company failed to rescue Aleana in time. Vaeron succeeded in sacrificing her life to Bael to gain power. Her soul was imprisoned somewhere in the Abyss until Kitai Analor rescued her soul at the cost of his own life (2807). Her soul was placed in the body of an evil Drow priestess who had been born on the same day as Aleana. The priestess's soul had been destroyed by the Baelites. She was then taken to Peacewood where she still lives. Aleana has given up her claim to the throne of the Silver Forest. For a time, she was somewhat bitter about her fate, but slowly came to accept it.

She served Peacewood as an ambassador to the Hartland, though few Hartlanders knew her true identity. She is also the main reason why Peacewood Elves avoid the company of Silver Forest Elves. In the centuries that have passed, she has become a friend and admirer of Azzeln Vaetha, in whom she sees a kindred spirit. She often looks after his younger children when he and their mothers are away. Her romantic intentions towards Azzeln were successfully thwarted, and they are now comfortably friends.

With the crowning of Dragonmage Karaman as the new Emperor of the Hartland, Aleana has resumed her duties as ambassador. While she is not very familiar with the Prophecy of the Seven, she has aided the principals involved to the best of her abilities. Her main goal is to improve relations between the Peacewood and Silver Forest Elves.

Aleana tends towards great reserve. She much prefers the gentle approach, as her own past has taught her many harsh lessons about recklessness. She fears the Karanukese and for the safety of her new home in Peacewood. She is somewhat easily distracted by bright, beautiful things, though her attention seldom wanders where Prince Regent Seloveyan or Count Azzeln Vaetha are concerned. Now that the Empire of the Hartland is being reborn, she plans to move slowly and carefully, with great deliberation before any major decisions are made. Aleana is fascinated by Humans, especially their ability to sacrifice themselves, even unto death, for complete strangers. In this she is much like Seloveyan's hated, and deceased, brother Vaeron.

Note: Asrexius cannot summon, conjure, or otherwise bind any fire elemental to his will (see the Description below). Any fire elemental who spots Asrexius will immediately attempt to break control to attack him, gaining a +2/+2 bonus for berserk fury.

Aura: Asrexius has performed deeds and rituals that give him a palpable aura of malevolence. This has given him several additional abilities, as well as a few vulnerabilities. He cannot conceal his alignment or nature from any priest of good alignment. All similar holy objects and enchantments (Detect Evil, if cast by a Good priest) will react to his presence at twice their normal range. Normal creatures (including plants), even if summoned, cannot approach within 60 yards of him. Magical creatures or beings of less than 5HD, including Familiars, will flee uncontrollably. Magical creatures and beings with 5-10HD must save vs. Death Magic at -4 or likewise flee. Good priests (including Paladins) will take 1d6hp damage per round if they approach within 20’ of the lich and he even looks at them (By contrast, Asrexius takes twice that damage per round if he ever ventures on holy ground dedicated to a Good deity). Holy water, incense, and similar perishable blessed items become polluted within the same distance, unless they are kept in an extra-dimensional space or have similar protections. As a result, holy water no longer affects Asrexius.

Claws: Damage inflicted by Asrexius actually striking a creature in melee combat with his bony hands can not be healed save by a Heal (or more powerful) spell cast by the high priest or leader of a religous order. Even then, it must be done upon an altar sanctified to the priest’s god/goddess.

Identify Spell: Asrexius has studied magic for so long that he can identify a particular spell, its level, and the level of the caster, by the opening incantations or gestures. This gives him a +1 penalty to his initiative when he does it, but does not otherwise affect his own spellcasting or attacks.

Death Knights: Asrexius knows how to create Death Knights. In fact, he takes a particular delight in doing so, since it involves the corruption of a Paladin. Asrexius will usually have 1 or 2 Death Knights in attendance, outfitted and equipped by him, as well as with his own spells cast upon them. (He is fond of using a variant of Elemental Aura that can be cast on others for this purpose.) Furthermore, he can Gate in a Death Knight once per month with 100% chance of success. The Death Knight will remain until it has performed 3 services. Until the summoned Death Knight has finished its task(s), he cannot summon another.

PERMANENCY: (may be altered)
Detect Evil/Good, Detect Invisible, Detect Magic, ESP, Infravision, Non-Detection, Prot. Cantrips, Prot. Evil/Good, Prot. N. Missiles, Read Magic, Shield, Unseen Servant

R. Spell Turning, R. Prot. +3/Regen (1hp/rnd)*, Amulet vs. Det/Loc, Boots of Speed, Cloak of Displacement, Crystal Ball w/ Clair., Rod of Absorption ("Goribas", 50), 4 Dust Sneeze/Choke, Pearls of Power (1-6), Portable Hole, Brooch of Shielding (100hp), Staff of Magi w/ changes ( Identify, featherfall, Det. magic, Identify, featherfall, Magic missile, (1 char) Inv., Knock, Str, Stink. Cloud, Web, Dispel magic, Fireball, Light. bolt, Wall of fire, Passwall (2 char) Trans. rock-mud, Plane shift, Conj. Elem., Telekinesis), Ioun Stones (Regenerate 1/rnd, Absorb 80 lvls of 8th); Censer, Brazier Bowl, Gem for Elementals; 12 P. Extra-healing, Teshian Sceptre of Power, Scarab of Protection +1, Traveller's Crown, Sphere of Annihilation (16'rnd, 80% control), W. Fire (90), W. Frost (90), Talisman of the Sphere (+24% control), W. Lightning (90)

It is almost certain that Asrexius has far more magical devices available to him than this.

Also, a lot of information about Asrexius remains hidden - mostly because some of his plots and machinations are still ongoing, even though Asrexius himself has been destroyed. We hope.

Description: A skeletal figure of a slender man dressed the ragged, dirty remains of rich robes. His eye sockets are deep pits of oily black, with faint glistening gleams of horrific intelligence within. The flesh has decayed from his face, forever erasing what must have once been a noble, powerful countenance to which the whole of the Teshian Empire bowed in submission. Upon his bony brow he wears a platinum crown set with bright diamonds and emeralds, bearing figures of dragons and stars. In his right hand he holds a golden scepter, topped with a single huge piece of glowing yellow-green quartzite crystal. Each bony hand is adorned with a multitude of beautiful rings, some set with the finest of gemstones, others intricately worked with vines, weaves, and sigils of power. His neck, arms, waist, and feet bear similar jewelry.

Asrexius is old and mighty. The name he was born with has been lost to antiquity, whether through design, or perhaps as punishment for a crime so heinous it is not recorded anywhere save in the nightmares of gods, is unknown. Now, he is simply known as Asrexius, The King Hereafter. He it was who first devised the formula by which a mortal mage could sacrifice an Elven soul and thereby extend his own life past death. He it was who founded the priesthood of Dargoth, raised it once in the Empire of Tesh and a second time in the Free City of Anryth, long after the Teshian Empire was swallowed into dust, to spread its dread shadow across the world. He it was who sundered the Gates of the Abyss, loosing the Demon Prince Arrkhryn on his unsuspecting subjects, bringing about the end of his own realm as a sacrifice to his foul Lord. Even those who are acknowledged masters of the history of Ular’s Children, the people of Tesh, have only the barest hints, the faintest whispers of this entity’s existence. There are no records of his life, his death, or the beginnings of his unlife. Those few magi who have met and spoken with Asrexius - Melein the Blue, Maliki Masters, Calvebar Entharien, and others - hint that even Asrexius himself may well have forgotten his own origins.

For ages after the fall of the Teshian Empire, Asrexius remained hidden in his palace, buried under the sands of the Battleplain, alone save for those of his students with whom he’d shared the secrets of unlife. There, he conducted magical researches and experiments, occasionally sending forth his students or servants to collect those materials, or creatures, he needed. Since the Shin Faer Calun, the Holy Warriors of Essea, were gone, few even suspected his existence, let alone possessed the power to oppose him. Safe, hidden, Asrexius created magics and rituals undreamed of by mortal wizards and Dragons alike. Even the Dragonmage Karaman does not know the full extent of the lich’s accomplishments. What Karaman suspects is enough to cause him to lose several years worth of sleep every century or so. Asrexius’s power and library grew.

Finally came the day when an unsuspecting group of heroes, who called themselves The Iron Company, discovered a set of three Teshian plaques, each depicting a different part of a Teshian city, now lost and buried. They quickly discovered that these plaques acted as magical gates to the pictured areas of the city. Two of those gates were still open. Girding themselves for a truly dangerous, and equally rewarding, journey, they entered the first of the still-active gates...

And entered one of Asrexius’s libraries, where the lich himself was engaged in research.

More curious than angry, Asrexius decided to wait and watch, to see if the wards and guardians he’d set about that gateway so long ago would hold against these less civilized, younger people. It was a catastrophic error.

By accident rather than design, the heroes burned most of the library. Asrexius, unprepared for the sheer ferocity of this group of warriors and warrior-priests, retreated, after a furious, violent battle. During this battle, Asrexius destroyed several powerful magical items used by the Iron Company, including a Greater Sword of Elemental Fire wielded by one of his attackers. He returned moments later with spells and servants ready - only to be confronted by the sight of the last of his attackers fleeing back through the gate (laden with as much of the unburnt library as they could carry) just as the first of several dozen enraged fire elementals arrived, having been sent by the Elemental Prince whose fragment of life essence had been bound up in the Greater Sword of Elemental Force.

Asrexius destroyed the elementals, going so far as to banish the Fire Elemental Prince responsible back to his own plane for one thousand years. But what was left of his library was reduced to fine powdery white ash. All that survived was what the Iron Company had stolen.

For the first time in ages, Asrexius took an interest in the outside world.

He first set about exacting vengeance on the various members of the Iron Company. Dyran Topaz, Tatheari Warpriestess of Crom, had her entire family killed. Slowly. Painfully. Blade Bloodsbane was captured, tortured, and released - with a message to the rest of the Iron Company inscribed on the flesh of his body. The wounds would never heal. All of the Plainsman’s goals fell into ruin. Two of the Desert Elven Prince Rakir’s children were stolen and never heard from again, save when fresh portions of their bodies were delivered to his tent every few decades. It is believed that his children yet survive, as the fingers and toes have slowly become those of adult Elves. Thorick, a Duanan, was killed and his soul imprisoned in a crystal globe, fully aware of everything going on around him. Asrexius placed him on his mantlepiece, where Thorick could helplessly watch Asrexius plan and execute his revenge.

Eventually, Asrexius and his minions took over the Free City of Anryth, turning it into a new center of power for the priesthood of Dargoth. Asrexius assembled about him other powerful wizards and priests, luring them with the secrets of lichdom and magics that he’d mastered. He was careful to maintain Anryth’s neutrality, and while his presence there became more widely known among various groups, none of his opponents were quite able to gather enough evidence to justify an assault on the city. Slowly, the lich’s influence grew.

At last, though, even a lich’s span must come to an end, and Asrexius felt his time approaching. Perhaps it was his design, or he took advantage of an existing situation. Whatever the case, when the Drow Elf Kashai, his mind and body corrupted by the Dragonstaff and the former Red Dragonmage Verilon, assaulted the Free City of Anryth - backed by the power of the Dragonstaff - Asrexius let him in.

Hundreds died as the Drow battled his way to the center of Anryth. But none opposed him as he strode up through the Guardsmen’s Tower to stand before Asrexius himself. No one outside of the room knows what happened next save Asrexius: The lich taunted the Drow, who stepped forward to attack - straight into a Sphere of Annihilation. The Dragonstaff fell to the ground. Asrexius, who knew the Dragonstaff had been made by Karaman, then polluted and changed by Verilon, took it up and destroyed it. The resulting explosion of the artefact and the magical defenses of Anryth left a crater over one hundred miles wide - what is now Lake Anryth.

Asrexius knew that Kashai Kith’ain would be blamed for the deaths of all the people of Anryth (several hundred thousand). Indeed, the priesthood of Kamarr has spent several centuries seeking out all that Drow’s works and destroying them. They’ve been quite thorough and successful. So has the Drow Kashai Kith’ain gone down in history as the greatest mass-murderer known, reducing the atrocities of Khasil and even Verilon to a mere pittance.

Thus did Asrexius make a final offering to his god.

Asrexius possessed several unique items. Here are some of them.

Traveller's Crown
A platinum crown set with 3 diamonds and 3 emeralds with a central bloodstone. Worked with images of dragons and stars.

Made long ago by Asrexius as a favor to the mage Ardeval neHask DeShay. When Ardeval passed on, Asrexius searched out and found the crown. All powers operate at 23rd level of ability, unless otherwise noted.

Powers (known and suspected):
- 3 Teleport gems (Diamonds). Each gem can be set to Teleport without Error when set conditions are met. Such conditions must be made in a single statement. Each gem is usable 1/month.
- 3 Gates (Emeralds). Each emerald allows the weare to either Gate to a location, or to Gate in any being whose True Name is known. Each gem can be used only 1/year.
- Teleport Without Error 1/week.
- Dimension Door at will.
- Negate all Teleport-type magics (except the Crown's) in a 100'r.
- Worldwalk 1/month.

Teshian Sceptre of Power
A golden scepter topped with a large, yellow-green glowing quartzite crystal. The scepter is covered with thousands of winding, twisting, smoky tendrils.

Asrexius made this device shortly after he began his existence as a lich. All of its abilities operate at 26th level of ability unless otherwise noted.

Powers:
- Ray of Withering (as Staff of Withering), 60yds range, 3/day.
- Allows holder to tap ley lines and nodes, as the spells. Constant.
- Grants holder 35% MR.
- Generate a Major Globe of Invulnerability, 2/day.
- Evard’s Black Tentacles, 2/day
- Generate any of the Elemental Aura spells, 1/week.
- Harm, by touch, 1/week. (14th lvl priest)
- Symbol of Death, 1/month. (16th lvl priest)

Asrexius will typically have the following spells active:
Permanent Illusion: No visible spell effects on himself.
Contingency: Teleport to safety if hp <15.
Chain Contingency: Wall of Force (Globe), Fire Aura, Fire Shield (cold) on mental command.
Tenser’s Fortunes of War, Mind Blank, Prot. Fire, Prot. Cold, Prot. Lightning, Prot. Acid, Stoneskin

Given time, Asrexius will also cast the following spells:
[]= long casting time, ()=sps cost for spells he'll cast given a chance
(7) Prismatic Wall, (9) Spell Immunity - Mord's Disjunction, (9) Elem Aura - Earth, (5) Safeguarding, (3) Prot. N. Missiles, (8)[] Screen, (5) Magic Staff, (6) Tentacles, (8) B's Clenched Fist, (7) Shadowcat, (6) Mord's Faith. Pha. Guard, (9) Shapechange, (9) Prismatic Sphere

Priest Spells:
(6) Aerial Servant, (5) Bind Wraith, (3) Caltrops, (5) Elemental Forbiddance, (1) Fleet Foot, (4) Free Action

PERMANENCY: (may be altered)
Comprehend Languages, Non-Detection, Unseen Servant, Detect Evil/Good, Prot. Evil/Good, Infravision, Detect Invisible, Prot. Cantrips, Read Magic, Detect Magic, Prot. N. Missiles, Tongues, ESP, Shield

R. Wizardry (3-4th), Witching Staff (15% MR, acts as a Rod of Absorption), Bracers AC0, 9 Darts Hornets Nest +1, Robe of Archmagi, R. El. Command (Fire), W. Ice Storms (56), W. Lightning (34), W. Size Alteration (87), W. Negation (71), Boots of Speed, Cube of Frost Resistance, Mirror of Life Trapping, Necklace of Missiles, Rope of Entanglement

Ioun Stones:
Cerulean Blue (Free Action), Regenerate 1hp/rnd, Absorb 80 lvls spells (up to 8th lvl, x2)

Description: A hunched-over, dried, skeletal figure of a once tall, strong man, dressed in rich furs and skins, wielding a demon skull-topped staff. Its eyes are hollow pits of corruption and its fanged mouth exudes a palpable odor of decay. The creature glows with both great magical power and great evil.

Normally has the following spells active:
Invisibility on the Ioun Stones, Invisibility, Improved Armor I, Stoneskin, Prot. Fire, Prot. Cold, Prot. Light., Prot. Acid

Contingency: Stoneskin when 1st Stoneskin wears out.

Given a chance, will cast the following additional spells:
Prot. Mag. Miss. (18t)

NOTE: Atu'an has all the appropriate abilities for a warlock, as described in the CWHB (Complete Wizards' Handbook) from TSR.

Atu'an was born among the Diaunese Bear Tribe. Cast out for crimes against his chieftain, he was found by an old woman who began teaching him witchcraft. After mastering her arts, he killed the old woman, took her possessions, and sought out a necromancer. Upon finding one, he again went through training, killed his teacher, and took everything he could. He quickly used his power to begin domination of Diaun, eventually culminating in a series of wars with Dandria and the Freelands.

Facing defeat at the hands of Archimage Maliki and the combined forces of Dandria, the Freelands, and his own people, Atu'an fled north, eventually coming to a valley in a distant mountain range. There, he built a new stronghold, fully expecting his enemies to come seeking vengeance. The Raven's Cry adventurers sought him out there and slew a simulacra of him, allowing Atu'an himself to escape further into the ice and snow. He passed over the top of the world, eventually founding a new city on a previously uncharted coastline. From his new home, Atu'an steadily gained influence over the Orcs of Mnar, building his might anew so that he may destroy Dandria and the Freelands.

With the alliance between the Mnarian Orcs and an Aboleth off the coast of the Silver Forest, Atu'an gained intimate knowledge of the defenses of the Silver Forest and Chakka-Kandr. He used both to great effect. His orcs struck, nearly destroying the Silver Forest Elves entirely. Only the timely intervention of the Dandrians and Diaunese saved them (a certain party of adventurers proved to both Dandrians and Diaunese that Atu'an was still alive and responsible for these events. Further motivation for the extermination of the Orcish army was unneeded.)

His armies destroyed, the few surviving Orcs hiding in the mountains while their cities were leveled, Atu'an lay in Icehold, awaiting a final confrontation with the individuals who'd slowly, achingly destroyed his dreams. They didn't disappoint him. They did surprise him, though, by winning. It was a brutal fight. By dint of luck, numbers, and skill, his opponents won. His phylactery was given as a gift to the Priests of Accuris (who hate undead). His soul was sent on to Accuris after a long, drawn-out, and extremely painful ceremony.

Description: Tall, built like a Dwarven fortress, dressed in shiny black platemail with a dragonhelm, he looks fully capable of taking on a full-grown Dragon. He has. ("selDraco" is Karanukese for "Slayer of Dragons".) Square-faced and having the harsh features of his Karanukese ancestors, Garrod is calm, controlled, well-spoken, and thoughtful. This is probably the most dangerous person you'll ever meet.

This is an honorable, intelligent man. He will ask for and accept surrenders from opponents. He will fight intelligently, since he is able to analyze most opponent's abilities from simply watching them. He will retreat from an uncertain battle. He will not attack unless he clearly has the upper hand. Garrod is the Sun Tzu of Avamor.

Garrod was a man who always kept his word, though he would twist the meaning as much as possible if he felt he was being betrayed (this rarely happened, since his betrayers usually died soon after). He would typically have many protective spells cast on him by his personal mage. Garrod was a fair, if brutal, man. The best real- world equivalent is Vlad Tepes crossed with Alexander the Great.

Garrod selDraco was called the Dread Lord of Karanuk. He is a military genius. His feats included planning the Karanukese assaults on the Krai Nal Plains, the defeat and capture of most of the Raven's Cry Adventurers (practically single-handed, early in his career), the destruction of all three Overlords of Karanuk, resisting the Hartland/Tatheari/Plainsrider/Dwarven forces at Halash'kar, single-handedly slaying a black Dragon, and the kidnapping of Imperial Crown Prince Arundiel Kenthyr.

He also planned and executed the Dwarven reclamation of their ancient homeland in the Ironheart Mountains, even personally battling the Titans who ruled there - a feat which not only earned the respect of the Dwarven people, but moved them to name him Dwarf-Friend. Following this event, Garrod pulled his forces out of the Lesser Barrier, leaving the Dwarves of Chakka-Luk in peace. On his return from the Ironheart Mountains, Garrod finished training the Imperial Prince in the art of war and returned him to the Hartland, where Garrod was assassinated. He laid a death curse on the Hartland: "I swear by the blood spilled this day, the oaths you have sundered, and the traitor's poison in my wounds that the Hartland shall be laid waste, the Empire thrown down into ruins and its people cursed by pestilence, tyranny, and plague. As your word has been broken to me, so shall all trust between land and lord be broken. Only by an ocean of blood will your cursed soil be cleansed."

All of these events came to pass. Hazuer, a demon prince, arose to power in Karanuk and waged war on the Empire of the Hartland, destroying it and creating the Arnul Waste in its center. The surviving dukedoms eventually became the Seven Kingdoms. No one knows where Garrod selDraco's body was laid to rest.

It is interesting to note that if Garrod could have been turned from evil, he would have become the greatest force for good and justice the world of Avamor had ever seen. However, the attempt was never made.

*The #Att/Rnd is deceptive. A dragon can use all of these attacks (exceptions noted) on any and all opponents within reach. A Dragon can exchange its breath weapon for the bite, or the kick for the tail slap.

**Dragons of Avamor can do up to 3x their maximum hit points in damage with a breath weapon, distributed however they wish (example: 6 shots of 20hp, 1 shot of 120hp, or anything in between). Those breath weapons that do not inflict hit points of damage can be used 3/day.

Contingency: Teleport on thinking command word to Lair.

Innates: Immune to fire, Telepathy, Affect Normal Fires 3/day, Pyrotechnics 3/day, Heat Metal 1/day, Suggestion 1/day, Hypnotism 1/day, Detect Gems (kind & number) 100'r 3/day.

Fear Aura: Tassrith's Dragonfear is stronger than normal. All creatures of less than 4HD are automatically paralyzed with terror on sighting him in his natural form. Creatures with 4-7HD run in terror (no save). Creatures with more than 7HD gain a save vs. petrification at -8. If the save is successful, they still suffer a -4 on all to hit and damage rolls.

Spells typically in use:
Anti-Psionic Shell, Detect Scrying, Eyebite, Know Alignment, Prot. Magical Missiles

Crown of Fire*** (Artefact - see below), R. of Mind Shielding, R. Spell Turning, Cube of Frost Resistance, Robes of the Archmagi, Staff of Magi

Tassrith has access to all the magical resources of Draccaea. The list above consists of those items he is known to possess. It is highly probable that Tassrith also has armor, katana, wakazashi, and daikyu appropriate for his station as Emperor of Draccaea. He has also inherited much from his predecessor, Verilon.

Tassrith, being over 2,000 years old and active in the political and military aspects of Draccaean life, apparently has all of the skills appropriate for such activities. He is most lacking in cultural skills (Etiquette, to him, is a political tool) such as calligraphy, philosophy, dance and music. Assign other skills as appropriate.

The Emperor of Draccaea has learned a few Northern languages, mostly due to Taro Kamakura's interests and achievements with regard to the writings of Garrod selDraco. This is not widely known. Though Tassrith does not yet have the patience to pursue selDraco's wisdom, he has at least made the attempt - probably to better understand his one-time advisor Taro and determine if the Kamakura family posed a threat to his rule. Remember that Tassrith is magically telepathic. Between that ability and the Tongues spell, there are few languages beyond his grasp.

Tassrith disdains the use of "mortal" weapons for the most part. The only reason he learned the uses of the above weapons was to secure his claim to the Imperial Throne of Draccaea. Unlike the now deceased Dragonmage Verilon, Tassrith will refuse to engage any opponent in formal combat. His preference is to crush opponents beneath his claws so he can lick their remains from his talons.

Tassrith has all the normal abilities of a Red Dragon listed in the Monstrous Compendium.

Description: A blood-red dragon over four hundred feet long from nose to tail, Tassrith is mighty and terrible to behold. His chest and underside bear terrible scars - a testament to the many battles he has fought and won against other Dragons. His claws and teeth are a dark, dull black, deeply scored by the armor and weapons of those he has slain and consumed. He fairly exudes arrogance and contempt for all other beings, including the other Dragonmagi.

Spells normally active:
Prot. Cold, Prot. Acid, Stoneskin, Psionic Armor, Non-detection

Tassrith is the successor to Verilon, former Red Dragonmage and Emperor of Draccaea, by right of might and viciousness. The youngest of the Dragonmagi, Tassrith has only recently mastered patience and his temper. Though he is the least magically skilled of his peers, with the possible exception of Paradelion, Tassrith also inherited the Crown of Fire from Verilon (see below). With this artefact's ability to draw upon the magical ley lines and nodes on a continent, Tassrith's raw magical power could be nearly the equal of Karaman's.

Tassrith does not appear to have the full measure of greed and acquisitiveness inherent in his kind. In fact, he seems to follow a higher ethical calling. His predecessor, Verilon, spent thousands of years conducting a breeding program to mix Draconic and Human heritage in an effort to create a cadre of magically and physically powerful, but easily dominated, soldiers in a quest for domination of the Southern Continent. Tassrith, and many of the Dragonmagi, believe this mad plan was a result of insanity brought on by the Crown of Fire. And madness it was. Tassrith has inherited a land torn by not only political and military strife, but also by the machinations of Verilon's experimental by-blows. Tassrith realized early in his life that the Human heritage was unable to contain the Draconic lust for wealth and power. Instead, the blood of mortals seemed to weaken what little control the Draconic heritage exercised over the passions of the Draconic nature.

Secretly, Tassrith has halted Verilon's breeding program, and now actively discourages the T'ang houses from having any children of Draconic blood. His aim is to put an end to those of mixed heritage without having to conduct pogroms or ethnic cleansing (though it must be said he seriously considered those options). With the advent of the Prophecy of the Seven, and the arrival of the Prophecy's principal agents in his domain, his efforts to mitigate Verilon's insanity have been put on hold.

Now Tassrith has journeyed north to Hybrana, accompanied only by a few trusted guards, to throw his full power against the Illithid. It is a strange sight indeed to see the Red and Silver Dragonmagi battling side-by-side against the mind flayers. Tassrith is being forced to use the Crown of Fire more and more to mitigate the Illithid's ability to drain away magical energy. He fears that the growing frequency of his reliance on that artefact's abilities will destroy his sanity as it did Verilon's.

Tassrith does not get along at all well with the other Dragonmagi. He is not used to being the least powerful or the youngest and least experienced. Though he and Karaman have come close to open conflict on a number of occasions, Tassrith has always managed to pull back from the edge of losing his temper. Which is fortunate, as Tassrith is far from his own assets and allies, while Karaman is in the center of his power. Tassrith's open contempt and pervading arrogance have not won him any friends on Hybrana. However, his willingness to fight, even die, against the Illithid has at least gained him respect from various quarters.

Tassrith is further aggravated by Karaman's crowning. For two centuries, none of the Dragonmagi had been able to locate Karaman, or contact him by any magical or mundane means. All the Dragonmagi save two (Khasil and Iridesce) were present when the Emperor's Sword chose Valan, Court Mage of Duke Borel in Tyris, as the next Emperor of the Hartland - and revealed him as Karaman. Tassrith took this as a personal affront, since his peers did not seem anywhere near surprised enough. The Red Dragonmage has concluded that he was deliberately kept in the dark by his peers. Tassrith does not like surprises. He does not deal well with surprises. He is furious over this perceived deception. (What Tassrith does not realize is that the other Dragonmagi were actually more appreciative of Karaman's cleverness and innovation, as well as respectful of the sacrifice the Silver Dragonmage was making on all their behalfs. They took it as a well-played joke.)

Tassrith is a strange mix of high ideals and rage barely held in check. He is a firm believer in "If you want it done right, do it yourself!" and respects those who see to their responsibilities in person. His rule of Draccaea is a strong reflection of that. He will assign tasks to the most capable people he can, then bloodily eradicate them and their families if they fail. He views Karaman as "soft". Where Karaman will use a gentle word of encouragement, Tassrith will scourge with a whip. Tassrith will readily defend nearly anyone who stands up for their personal rights (provided they have the might to do so) while at the same time decrying that person for being "cattle suitable for breeding."

As a final note, during his time in the north, Tassrith has realized that words can be as effective a weapon as his own claws. Even if he's not very good with them.

Crown of Fire (Artefact)
A red and gold crown of living flame that seems to crawl and shift as it is watched.

The exact origins of the Crown of Fire are unknown. It is remotely possible that the deceased Red Dragonmage Verilon created the device, but most scholars believe this unlikely. It's powers, both known and suspected (marked with a ?) are: