Ashmadia

Ashmadia, also known as Lassatu as well as the Sovereign of the Gate of Nerakon, Demon Princess of Greed, Empress of Avarice, is a demon prince of the Shedim and ruler of Nerakon, the Eighth Gate of Ashtar.
== Description ==
Ashmadia's true form is that of a colossal red dragon. Due to her power and prominence, she possesses the ability to take an alternate form. Her most common form is that of a red-haired woman, usually dressed in finery. In this form, she will sometimes use the monicker "Lassatu" if she is attempting to move about incognito. After her conflict with Iveriu, her draconic form possesses a deep wound on her chest that is stitched together with ichor and the demon Molog can be seen bound within her.
=== Worshippers ===
Many dragon cults exist that worship Ashmadia as their patron. These cults blend aspects of draconic and demonic worship, but ultimately are cults of greed that focus on taking all treasure from any they come to cross.
=== Ashmadia's Pact ===
The Collector's fiendish pact is taken on by warlocks who either seek great wealth and fortune or who already possess such treasure and wish to have a sense of meaning instead. 
== History ==
=== Early Life ===
Ashmadia was one of the small number of True Dragons formed by the mysterious divine power known as Saland during the earliest era of Urz. She was the matriarch of red dragons. 
=== Conquest of Denisatva ===
Ashmadia began her time on Urz in the province of Gernaris in the region known as Scoria. She became a figure of worship for the peoples there and her children would become the masters of the region they would call Denisatva. She was never satisfied to remain in one place as her personal desire for more power and more wealth was all-consuming for her. The lands of Denisatva would become filled with the children of Saland, with dragons of all types coming to call the society she had forged their own.
=== War of Sword and Serpent ===
Ashmadia was, as far as most historians are concerned, the prime mover for the War of Sword and Serpent beginning. Her conquests had led her across the entirety of E'yané's southern coastal region. She had established a monarchy in the mountains and valelands of modern day Stormloft and had come to defeat other Vazriel tribes, in many instances murdering the gods they had come to follow.
At the end of the War of Sword and Serpent, this great red wyrm's heart was lanced out by the Ayaten hero named Iveriu who went on to sainthood with his great sacrifice and victory. In death, the dragon bound the demon prince of greed Molog Veskavnu to her physical body, replacing her heart with the demon prince and usurping his throne. She now rules in her hell behind her gate, which she has manipulated to eclipse a part of the positive energy plane known as the Well of the Unborn, which is responsible with the creation of new mortal souls. 
=== Ashmadian Chronicles ===
=== Presence at Rastegar ===
At an unknown point in the history of the city of Rastegar, Ashmadia retreated into the Material Plane and took up a position of power among the nobility in the city. She was known as the Lady Lassatu Labai Griezta Moteris. She remained very secretive, taking on a leadership role in the gang known as The Council. In the noble circles, she sought to push for the ascension of Lady Erma Oltan to a position among the courts of Rastegar. These efforts were in vain and would eventually lead to the Lady of Oltan starting a failed revolt to usurp the throne of Rastegar at a later point. Before that time, Ashmadia as Lassatu was visited by a group of investigators who were a joint group formed of the nobility, the Conglomerate, and local law enforcement. In their conversation, it became known to Ashmadia that the magical and divine barriers that protected the Magier's Tower were currently not being maintained as the tower's Magier Vrazig was murdered. Lassatu took on her full demonic dragon form, flew from her home, and crushed the tower to take from it objects of importance to her. She then retreated to her Gate, knowing full well the Grey Order would attempt to punish her for breaching the Covenant of the Ascended. 
=== Dragon's End ===
Drison Khila sacrificed a part of himself to the Black Blade held by the King of Rastegar and allowed a portion of his soul to enter into it. Against the wishes of the Grey Order, Drison served the Good King Rastegar as his adviser under the name Rassicant Khila. He did this to watch over the Black Blade, formerly known as the Rune Sword of Thorn Stacianodel. The weapon was imbued with rune stones that granted the wielder great power. Five hundred years ago, the sword became an Esperedge, a blade that contains the soul of its former wielder, when its owner met a terrible fate and a divine presence within which consumed her soul. The priestess within was empowered by Drison's ancient soul, allowing for the blade to be purified. 
Xelbor Whitehand, a newer member of the Grey Order, stated it was his intent to go to Ashmadia's Gate and exact a punishment upon her for her meddling in the affairs of mortals. Drison was first in line to aid Xelbor in this effort. He stated that his connection to the Esperedges and the Rune Stones that were among the objects taken would be a boon to any group wishing to face off with her. The group assembled to raid Nerakon and face off against Ashmadia consisted of Xelbor, Drison, Shaed Thaithose, Wenviiron Reynoso, Elamroth Lassesul, and Melik Daefir. In the end, the group defeated the dragon, killing her and causing her demonic form to be vacated from the Throne of Greed. No other being would take the throne in the hundred years and one day that Ashmadia remained dead and her physical and spiritual body would reform as the ruler of Nerakon once again.
=== Lingering Presence on Urz ===
=== Dragon Cult of Mutus ===
=== Wormtongue Isle ===
== Hierarchy ==
Below are the many important players who have served Ashmadia throughout the history of Urz.
=== Croeson, the Mana Bird ===
=== Ghaerleth Axom, the Baron of Uliman ===
=== Gulthias Toranor, Ashmadia's Lieutenant ===
==== Belak Noos, the Outcast ====
==== Nightfang ====
==== The Rat Lord ====
=== Imperagon, the Dragon's Shield ===
==== Benzarot, Lord of the Foul Deep ====
==== Ars'malusanguis, the Adamant Wyrm ====
==== Ethimelithral, the Searing Death ====
=== Kalareth, the Dark Scion ===
Kalareth was an ancient priest who came to serve the demon princess of greed in hopes of using her power to resurrect his true master, Nau'nefandis. He granted Ashmadia access to the bastion of unborn souls for his own ends. He infiltrated the Great Church of Ocyria and served as its Heirophant until his plans and plots were ultimately stopped by the Retinue of the Hand. His hammer was used to rob the Reliquary of Belum and put all the treasures therein into Ashmadia's treasure, removing a key part of Kalareth's desired ritual out of his reach. Kalareth met his demise at his fortress and his soul was taken as a soul coin, added to the pile of wealth and wonders that sits beneath Ashmadia.
==== Chauk'reskafar, the Serpent ====
This green dragon once served alongside the dragons of Ocyria until she came into contact with Al'rund, also known as Nau'nefandis the Shadow Dragon. She was redeemed by the Ancient Golden Wyrm turned undead shadow, but the truth of her redemption was a lie made in an effort to allow her to forge a connection with Kalareth and bring him to Ashmadia for his corruption. It was Kalareth's goal to use the corpse of an ancient dragon, potentially even Chauk'reskafar, to serve as the vessel for Ashmadia to be reborn in the Material Plane. Once one of the children of Saland was reborn, Nau'nefandis would then possess her and take her soul and body as his own and take control of Ocyria under his own undisputed leadership. Chauk'reskafar was defeated by the Retinue of the Hand and a shard of Ashmadia bound was taken from her horde, eventually released by Benson.
==== Draydon, King of Mount Helsmoth ====
An old Ocyrian noble who took a castle high up on Mount Helsmoth where he built his power base and invited others to come fight in gladiatorial-style combat for his pleasure. He swore fealty to Kalareth, but only because the Dark Scion threated him with assured destruction by making him out to be a villain. When Draydon stepped against Kalareth, an agent of the Ocyrian Great Church was commanded to dispatch him. The Red Rock Goblot Tribe served King Draydon and mined his tunnels and built out his halls. Additionally, the Black Hill Ogre Clan served the King of Helmoth in his mining operations and were seen as the shock troopers of his armies. Kalareth was slain by Crissinger Vester. 
==== Freemas, The Blizzard Bringer ====
One of a number of great dragons that called the Mutus Region their home. He was loyal to Kalareth and engaged in attacks on the peoples of the area at his behest. When he came against the Retinue of the Hand at Berrod, he was defeated. Due to his poor tactics and lack of intellect, he was referred to as "Smooth Brain" by the Retinue.
==== Orbikas, the Wild Squall ====
==== The Dantamasthai ====
=== Melaria, Mistress of Collections ===
A former servant of the demon prince Veskavnu, she has come to serve as Ashmadia's eyes in the world of the living. She is a long-lived and powerful succubus who was cast out of the demon princess of lust's hell when the principality was usurped by Alachia. Her greatest aspiration is to usurp a demon prince herself and become a power in the hells of Ashtar. 
==== Celia the Dark Heart ====
A succubus who works to ensure that Melaria's aims are acheived. She acts as Imperagon's bride and can travel freely between the world of men, Imperagon's Iron Fortress, and Ashmadia's hell.
==== Idalia the Chaste ====
A succubus that was bound in Khundrukar by a mage loyal to Durgedin the Black. She was freed when the Ghost of Tarn unwillingly freed her from that place. Her whereabouts are unknown and with her ability to shapeshift she could be anyone. 
=== Shadow-Stennon, the Storm's Eye ===
This vile manifestation was gifted by Tefington to Ashmadia. It is the part of Stennon's soul that was ripped from him during his resurrection. It has become the student of the other servants of Ashmadia and has been raised up as a weapon to be used against the Kingdom of Stormloft when the time comes.
==== Magnus the Mad ====
A doppelganger mage who once served the Rogue Magier but now serves Shadow-Stennon. He acts as councilor and vizier to the enigmatic warlord and makes ready his armies. He has the strange habit of changing his persona and spellcasting ability when he shape shifts. This is because he has greedily taken the souls and knowledge of spellcasters he has murdered and learned to use them for his own ends.
==== The Everdying Soldier ====
This psychic entity was drawn up by Ashmadia to serve as Shadow-Stennon's guardian. It is a manifestation of an aspect of the zodiac and fights with a horrifying axe crafted from the crystalized mind of a creature from the Far Plane.
=== The Rime Witch, Queen of Frost ===
==== Jormugndr, Destroyer ====
==== Renka, Oni King ====
=== The Rogue Magier, Standard of Acquisition ===
== Appendix ==
=== Background ===
Ashmadia started as an in-setting variant of Ashardalon, a primary villain in the Dungeons & Dragons Third Edition Generic Setting linked modules which were used during the Ashmadia Chronicles story arc. This origin was altered for the character's story, drifting it further away from the initial inspiration.
=== Trivia ===