recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Joseph Saturday

*"Careful. Stand too close and you will lose yourself. Your life is at a crossroads, and I control your destiny."*

-Joseph Saturday

## History

Born in Swamp House, Saturday was a priest of the god Baron Samedi, a witch doctor who received his power from the god of the dead. Committed to serving the emissaries of the spirit world, Saturday traveled across the sea to the Final Empire, guided by omen and singular purpose.

On the side, Saturday was a snake oil salesman, a peddler of medicines and fortunes, giving his buyers just enough to keep them wanting more.

## Personality

Clever and secretive. Saturday was a showman and a conman, and keenly aware of how others perceived him. When not peddling his wares, he appeared serious, even somber. His anger, though rare, was explosive.

## War of the Philosopher-Kings

Upon his arrival to the Final Empire, Joseph Saturday joined a company of adventurers investigating the presence of werewolves in the area around Moor's Sister. After ending the beastly scourge, he became a wanted fugitive in the Final Empire. He would retreat into the swamplands, setting down in Fog Cabin, a hidden house once inhabited by a hag.

## After the War

Joseph Saturday would remain in Fog Cabin, which along with Aglu's Abode and the House on Mortal Man's Road, became one of three safe houses for the defenders of the Thunderdome.
Bradley Smythe

*"Never pray for justice, because you might get some. Criminals do not die by the hands of the law. They die by the hands of other men."*

-Bradley Smythe

## History

A renegade from the army, Bradley Smythe lived in exile far away from the Citadel. He had been considered a brilliant and unorthodox strategist in his time, but he was always opposed to Alphius Kreiton, which earned him his exile. During Cordelia's rebellion, he was brought on with the promise of a pardon and the restoration of his status. He accepted, and was an integral part of the rebellion's victory.

## Personality

A brilliant and farsighted man, Bradley Smythe was brusque and unnerving, focused on tasks and goals rather than individuals. He inevitably came into clashes with authority figures, earning him the enmity of King Alphius. By the time of the War of the Philosopher-Kings, he was grating on Cordelia's nerves as well, until necessity forced them to work together.

## War of the Philosopher-Kings

Bradley Smythe was an integral strategist during the war, contributing to many battlefield victories. Over a time, a disturbing pattern would emerge - though Smythe was undoubtedly talented, his skill was winning individual battles, often at great cost, with little to no concern for the war effort as a whole. Before he could be called to task, Cordelia was dead and the war was over. Thus, Smythe remained on the war council, leaving many of his compatriots unsettled and uneasy.

## After the War

Bradley Smythe and the other members of the War Council would be devoured by the cloud drake Pyndran during his conquest of Aurum.
Donald Dealer

*“Beauty is a whore, I like money better. You can be young without money, but you can't be old without it.”*

-Donald Dealer

## History

The Guildmaster from the New World during the Cataclysm. Grand Guildmaster during the Akkho-Nameryan War. Built Al Basazar’s walls. Nicknamed Moneybags. His slogan was “Make Al Basazar Greater”. He ran a mock campaign for Consul against Laz Yap, yet nearly won.

Despite bungling negotiations with Akkhe and the central government of Namerya alike, and being ousted from power, he was remembered fondly as an effective wartime leader.

## Personality

Despite being known as an eccentric, imbecilic, self-centered, and shamelessly greedy man, he surrounded himself with excellent advisers, took credit for their work, and used his personal fortune to fund Al Basazar’s army during the Akkho-Nameryan War.
Grand Army of the Confederacy

## Combat Doctrine

Rapid deployment operations, strategic interdiction operations, reconnaissance in force, guerrilla actions, low-collateral damage imperative compliance operations.

## After the War

The soldiers of the Confederacy have long since been twisted by the power of Ghanadaur, and harbor many monsters among their ranks. Their ranks have swelled and they are among the more feared armies in the world.
Hermann Shriver

*"Things are very seldom what they seem. In my experience, they’re usually a damn sight worse."*

-Hermann Shriver

## History

Born to a minor noble family, Shriver joined the Hexenjägers as many did, for honor and social advancement. Though he was a skilled duelist in his youth, Shriver's talents lay in the field of logistics. He developed a reputation as something as a pen-pusher, but not one to be scoffed at. He fought when need arose, and no one called him a coward.

## Personality

A short-tempered man in his youth, Shriver was fond of duels - both pistol and sword - over slights to his honor, not stopping even after he lost an eye in a fight gone wrong. As he aged, he mellowed somewhat, but he was a stern disciplinarian and exacting commander with an eye for detail. No failure was too small in his eyes. His policy against witchcraft was determined to be firm but fair. He did not have a prejudiced bone in his body, but a cold, relentless logic. Sadly, the same could not be said of his successor. Shriver enjoyed a close relationship with Reise Forrawyn, taking office one year before her chief general Warrizek perished of old age. In many ways, he seemed to replace him, and his rapport with the Kaiserin led to a harmonious atmosphere in the nation's government.

## War of the Philosopher-Kings

Hermann Shriver was one of the few high-ranking Hexenjägers to stay behind during the war, as he oversaw recruitment and training in the capital at the time. He remained in this capacity when Shorden Hiem went to New Arendur.

## After the War

When Wolfram Panzer became Commander of the Hexenjägers and military governor of New Arendur, Shriver was promoted to Acting Commander of the Hexenjägers in the Commander's absence. After Wolfram Panzer's death, he was unanimously recommended to Reise Forrawyn as a solid and trustworthy choice to lead the Hexenjägers. He served with distinction until his death, and on his death-bed, recommended that his equerry, Immanuel Kalbfleisch, be chosen to take his place. His dying wish would be accepted.
Keine Zauberei Golem

## History

The Keine Zauberei, or Null Magic Golems, were an experimental project in the Kingdom of Prydell, before the Northern Mage Wars. The project had been abandoned by the time Franz Forrawyn and the Hexenjägers came to power, and the secret of their making had been lost. Forrawyn established an order within the Hexenjägers known as the Sanctioned Artificers, whose role was to maintain and repair the priceless Golems. As time passed, the Sanctioned Artificers and the Golem Division at large began to treat the Keine Zauberei with a reverence that bordered on worship, naming each Golem after an ancient god. Franz Forrawyn was somewhat disturbed by this practice, but decided not to interfere.

It is believed that there are around 50 golems still operational, down from nearly 100 at the founding of the Reich Nördlich.
Johannes von Stille

### Relatives

Michael von Stille (father), Estelle Marton (mother), older brother, older sister

## Physical description

### Eye color

Blue

*“What a difference! Under the esthetic sky, everything is buoyant, beautiful, transient! When ethics arrives on the scene, everything becomes harsh, angular and infinitely boring.”*

-Johannes von Stille

## History

At one point Johannes attempted to poeticise himself out of Millicent Hawkins, failing and leaving her heartbroken. He has since taken on the role of helping Ian Garland doing the same thing; writing letters to her on his behalf, and encouraging him to keep her in a state of engagement for as long as possible. He hopes to induct her into the Society of the Buried Lives once she has become aestheticized. He still has a full account of his interactions with the two of them in his diary, even though he has forgotten Ian.

## Personality

An aesthete par excellence, member of the Society, a rake with whom one would not trust their daughters.

The archenemy of Leo Calixte Desjardins; nonetheless they have similar views on the subject of despair.

Johannes is greatly favored by the King in Yellow; more so than most of his actual priests.

Johannes sees into the hearts of men and women and despairs. A gloom hangs over him. He often speaks in figurative language and is always in search for the right metaphor. He believes that the creative spirit is divine and that artistic expression is the highest calling. He believes he is destined to create the world's greatest masterpiece, and is willing to let bad things happen to see how the drama unfolds.
Hendrik Vogel

*"You ask why we must cleanse the witch. I will tell you. The filth of the witch must be exterminated to preserve the purity of the human race, lest we degenerate into abomination. There is no end to the abomination of the witch. Do not allow any guise of sentience to stay your hand – there can be no hesitation when the survival of humanity as a species is at stake."*

-Hendrik Vogel
Bouldercloaks

## Combat Doctrine

Shock assault, high mobility warfare, harrowing actions and extended unsupported operations within hostile domains.

## Composition

The Bouldercloaks maintained a somewhat loose structure of individual squads ranging from three to twenty men. Enlisted men had the right to elect officers, but the General had the right to strip an officer of his or her rank if they chose. In individual battles, soldiers would be sorted into the vanguard, the rear, the center, and right or left flanks if needed; command of these formations would be assigned by the general and was often temporary.

## After the War

Under the leadership of General Solomon, the Bouldercloaks still fight under the banner of Kuldeep of Shangare. There are almost no ethnic Amronites remaining, but the company has opened their ranks for fighters from across the world, and has swelled in number.
Deishorak

## Overview

A Deishorak refers to a weapon with the power to kill a god.

## Known Deishorak (owners)

* Blackrazor
	+ Serghei Bran
	+ Karekin Baghdassarian
* The Black Blade of Disaster
	+ Thallan Nym
	+ Davin
	+ Bolgar of Ragnarok
	+ Vilhelms Eglītis
	+ Ludwig
	+ Raine of Atlantis
	+ (at the bottom of the sea)

* The Blade of Echoes
	+ Shaarabahn of Al Dijar
	+ Annakiya of the Red Heights
	+ Ashton Wood
* The Curse of Living Death
	+ Korgin
* The Dreamstone Bullets
	+ Leon Martin
* The Human Effigy
	+ Berentin
	+ Farcraft
	+ Venom Tilani
	+ (lost its power)
* The Mace of Time
	+ Bazzel
	+ Tolumvire of Arendur
	+ Zonan
	+ Bazzel

* Necromantic Burst
	+ Khamsa
	+ (knowledge lost)
* The Scrolls of Nelgeroth
	+ Nelgeroth
* The Silver Key
	+ Mark Patenaude
	+ Karekin Baghdassarian (temporarily)
	+ Mark Patenaude
* Soulreaver
	+ Johannes Forrawyn
* The Sword of Solomon
	+ Solomon
	+ Onaxx of Dao
	+ Lecta Naris
	+ Auradine of Dao
	+ (unknown King of Dao)
* Twisted Fang
	+ Camron Marz
	+ Flavius Luteus Scaevola
	+ Helga Answith
	+ Reese Wilmarth
	+ (many)
	+ Reynold Wilmarth
* The Userper's Silver Key
	+ Francis
* Vendetta
	+ Miyamoto Kai
	+ Raunin Vrane
Fabius of Karres

*“Desire for goodness leads to earnestness. Earnestness in turn leads to sanctimonious self-righteousness, which breeds intolerance, upon which harsh judgment quickly follows, yielding dire punishment, inflicting general terror and paranoia, eventually culminating in revolt, leading to chaos, then dissolution, and thus, the end of civilization.”*

-Fabius of Karres

## History

The lord of the the scattered imperial islands rules the poorest and most quarrelsome subjects, almost all of whom refuse to acknowledge him or the emperor. He is nonetheless young and ambitious, and has ambitions of becoming emperor one day. To this end, he has carved out a niche as the de-facto leader of the navy, although most of his ships are more loyal to their individual captains then they are to him. His coat of arms is a fish, a demon and a wolf represented in a very stylized way.

## Personality

Duke Fabius is focused, ambitious, and coldly intelligent. He often appears as if he is struggling to control situations, but often manages to get his way by grit and force of will. He is removed and very disconnected from others, especially when speaking before a large group of people. In one-on-one settings, he is often outmatched, but holds his own through keen observation and stubbornness. He is a keen lyre player and historian in his own right.

## War of the Philosopher-Kings

During the Alban Civil War, Fabius joined the coalition of Dukes supporting Duke Regulus' bid for the throne. He observed as Duke Bernardos of Corcedon and Sir Lydus of Narick turned against their allies, swinging the war in favor of Emperor Arthur and massacring his men. Fabius would retreat to Karres, his tenuous hold over his Duchy disappeared. He would spend much time trying to re-exert his authority, with limited success. When King Raine attacked the islands of Karres, Fabius and those men still loyal to him risked their lives to try and fight back. At some point, Fabius would go missing during the chaos of war, and was presumed slain.
Hand of Fate

## The Hand of Fate

*“Yet it would be your duty to bear it, if you could not avoid it: it is weak and silly to say you cannot bear what it is your fate to be required to bear.”*

-The Hand of Fate

## History

Archmage: Tolumvire of Arendur

Hierophant: Elrond Treemaker

Champion: Jamkas Wolfswift

Guardian: Shanto Eln

Marshal: Miyamoto Kai

Trickster: Darius Foemaker
Bernardos of Corcedon

*“Aristocracy's only an admission that certain traits which we call fine - courage and honor and beauty and all that sort of thing - can best be developed in a favorable environment, where you don't have the warpings of ignorance and necessity.”*

-Bernardos of Corcedon

## History

The lord of the southern provence rules a divided land, one in which the ruler must be savvy at navigating fraught local politics. He is a shrewd ruler, and one who is always interested in what will benefit him. His region is wealthy, and produces some of the best troops. His coat of arms is a a half moon and a lightning bolt in a very complex style.

## Personality

Duke Bernardos, while courteous and dignified, cannot hide his an elitist and untrustworthy air. He is not shy about invoking his noble prerogative, and approaches every interaction as a transaction. He is loyal to no one, and no one is loyal to him. He has convinced himself that this is the only safe way to live, but it is clear that he can only thrive for so long.

## War of the Philosopher-Kings

Though he did not participate in the war proper, Duke Bernardos would join Duke Regulus' coalition against Emperor Arthur during the Alban Civil War. Along with Sir Lydos of Narick, he would be persuaded to betray his allies in return for a great reward. The new Emperor saw to it and Bernardos would die on the battlefield, and reap the rewards of betrayal.
Kingdom of Gandoral

## History

The Kingdom of Gandoral is composed of a number of autonomous underground dwarven city states. Foremost among these states is Thaun Tarum, once ruled by Brandril XII, the High King. Though he does not rule the other cities, the other kings pay homage to him. Much of Gandoral was destroyed when Lord Perduke destroyed nearby Oranor, at the orders of Tolumvire of Arendur. Only the deepest cities survived, and many are cut off from the surface.

## After the War

After the death of High King Brandril, the surviving dwarves rallied around the adventurer and Arendurian expatriate Bron Ironstout. The new king's first act was to seal off the kingdoms from the surface world, which had brought the dwarves nothing but grief. The surface dwellers were on their own.

## Gods

The dwarves of Gandoral worship the Dwarven Pantheon, headed by the smith god, Moradin. Their representative god on the Holy Council is Moradin.

## Cities

* Tharn Tarum

* Bhamyaruhm
* Gelyuhr
* Vagh Ulum
* Dur Todir
* Ver Wuhrum
* Bhirfuhn
* Bhugh Toruhm
* Mol Garohm
* Kon Kahldur
* Bomoldur
* Beldarohm
* Keltaruhr
* Bhegh Lodihr
* Gimkihm
* Bhag Taruhm
* Gaghrugh

## Former Cities

* Hurnulum
* Burngulor
* Vomoluhr
* Mornulihr
* Bhughfaruhm
* Bugh Taruhr
* Deghturuhm
* Thorn Garohm
* Khurdaral
* Mughgulir
* Vughyur
* Namtodur
* Narndaral
Feast of Blades

## LXII

Highly anticipated due to the fact that it is the first Feast held after the dissolution of the Reich, opening room for more champions.

* Safaa' Medhat Zaman, from the Empire of Aglazdere
* Mort Mynatt, from the Kingdom of Aurum
* Azcalxochihuani, from the Empire of Caprakan
* Arakham Runebrand, from the Kingdom of Gandoral
* Teagan Wray, from the Kingdom of Guilddon
* Panaster, from the Land of the Fey
* Lord Lator Kair, from the Final Empire
* Sigivald, from the Conglomerate of Ledge
* King Knil, from the Kingdom of Naz
* Baron Oskars Krasnoperov, from the Republic of Nadezhda
* Knarac, from the Kingdom of Oddrentyn
* Lord Agnar Losnedahl, from the Kingdom of Ostoria
* General Vilhelms Eglītis, from the Kingdom of Ragnarok
* Archon Raunin Vrane, from the Confederacy of Rhomduil
* Mark Patenaude, from New Arendur
* Triarch Randrenal Roam, from the Triumvirate of Qogor
* Alkas Xalben Xodri Bilmin Orben Enikas, from Skycity Alliance
* Jean-Claude Jacques, from Swamp House
* General Lars Sigismund, from the Kingdom of Utgard
* King Silas of Mona, Empire of World's End

### The Trials

The following contestants make it through the Trials.

* Sigivald, from the Conglomerate of Ledge
* King Knil, from the Kingdom of Naz
* General Vilhelms Eglītis, from the Kingdom of Ragnarok
* Archon Raunin Vrane, from the Confederacy of Rhomduil
* Mark Patenaude, from New Arendur
* Triarch Randrenal Roam, from the Triumvirate of Qogor
* General Lars Sigismund, from the Kingdom of Utgard
* King Silas of Mona, from the Empire of World's End

### The Matches

Round One

* Sigivald, from the Conglomerate of Ledge vs. King Silas of Mona, from the Empire of World's End
* King Knil, from the Kingdom of Naz vs. General Lars Sigismund, from the Kingdom of Utgard
* General Vilhelms Eglītis, from the Kingdom of Ragnarok vs. Triarch Randrenal Roam, from the Triumvirate of Qogor
* Archon Raunin Vrane, from the Confederacy of Rhomduil vs. Mark Patenaude, from New Arendur

Round Two

* King Silas of Mona, from the Empire of World's End vs. General Vilhelms Eglītis, from the Kingdom of Ragnarok
* King Knil, from the Kingdom of Naz vs. Mark Patenaude, from New Arendur

Round Three

* General Vilhelms Eglītis, from the Kingdom of Ragnarok vs. Mark Patenaude, from New Arendur

Winner

* General Vilhelms Eglītis, from the Kingdom of Ragnarok
Ayondra

*“I believe in our side and theirs, with the good and evil decided after the fact, by those who survive. Among men you seldom find the good with one standard and the shadow with another. Every ounce of my cynicism is supported by historical precedent.”*

-Ayondra

## History

Born to a poor family in a farm nearby Baalhazor, Ayondra fled an arranged marriage and joined the mercenary company known as the Bouldercloaks. She rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the youngest General. She earned a reputation as a capable warleader and a pragmatic dealmaker who honored her word but eschewed ideology. In particular, the Bouldercloaks under Ayondra never accepted contracts to kill the monstrous Scholars. It was too much of a loss - both in terms of lives lost and due to the fact that there was no plunder to be had.

## Personality

Fierce, independent, and pragmatic. General Ayondra was an excellent horseman, gifted strategist, and the sort of leader who inspired respect from her men. She never left a man behind, always paid her troops on time, and walked a fine line between stern discipline and turning a blind eye to certain offenses when necessary.

## War of the Philosopher-Kings

When the arcane storm in Aglazdere was brought to a halt, explorers from the empire crossed the Desert of Tears and discovered the isolated, damned Kingdom of Amron for the first time. Aglazdere next dispatched envoys to Babel, but King Onesimos refused to meet with them. Instead, they treated with the three most powerful leaders the nation - Lord Caloc Adagani, Malias, and General Ayondra. When the War of the Philosopher-Kings broke out, Ayondra sent word to the Padishah that for a price, her Bouldercloaks would be of service. The Padishah would accept her offer, and when Aglazdere faced invasion by the horde of Godhand Arken Woemask, Grand Vizier Annakiya would personally hire the Bouldercloaks. Ayondra and her men would fight alongside the Janissaries and the Meadowguard, emerging victorious. The Bouldercloaks would remain in Aglazdere for the duration of the war.

## After the War

When the Throne of Atlantis was destroyed, Ayondra and the Bouldercloaks escaped the grim fate of their countrymen by virtue of being in Aglazdere. As the empire crumbled, PadishahFinley MacClellan would try to hire them. Ayondra would refuse, correctly seeing it as a lost cause. As the Empire of Shangare gained ascendancy in the region, Ayondra would quickly ally herself with Emperor Kuldeep, in whose service she would encounter her old employer, Annakiya.

Ayondra would go on to lead the Bouldercloaks in service to Shangare for a period of time, before retiring a passing the reigns on to a new General. She would die of old age in the city of Rasure, wealthy and comfortable after a lifetime of war.
Haelryl Hune

*"A vast subterranean realm inhabited by strange, sinister creatures. It is a place where few humans go and from where even fewer return. There are no shadows in the Underdark. There is no room for imagination in the Underdark. It is a place for alertness, but not aliveness, a place with no room for hopes and dreams."*

-Haelryl Hune
House of Arendur

## Members

* Tolumvire
	+ Ramander
		- Astinus
	+ Galla Livossa-Coralis
	+ Toranna
* Sharra
* Jang
* Vitreous
	+ Veridis
* San-Janis

## Relatives

The House of Arendur has married into the House of Zhou and the House of Coralis, the royal families of the Final Empire and Alba Coralis respectively. The House of Zhou is extinct in the male line, and though the House of Coralis still has a male heir (Khamsa), he has ceded his claim to the throne.
Isles

## History

The Isles have little in the way of unified history, being formed from a tapestry of individual nations and peoples. They have a quixotic sense of solidarity - though they often war with one another, they will band together against any outsiders, or against any island king with pretensions to rule the entire archipelago.

## Islands

**Great Islands**

* Nallval: Ruled by King Adsandoral. Inhabited by elves and humans.
* Justary: Ruled by King Lamprecht. Inhabited by humans and water genasi.
* Stei Skain: Ruled by King Sarvesh: Inhabited by humans.

**Other Islands**

* Lothuca: Ruled by King Tatanka. Inhabited by humans and dragonborn.
* Adria: Ruled by King Alard: Inhabited by humans.
* Sceorus: Ruled by King Aronne: Inhabited by minotaurs and shifters.
* Echaria: Ruled by King Pavao: Inhabited by changelings.
* Poshauze: Ruled by King Sharma: Inhabited by cyclops.
* Vacrad: Ruled by King Ormonde: Inhabited by tieflings.

## Destruction

After the destruction of the Throne of Atlantis, the Isles were overrun by the Deep Ones and subsequently submerged.

## Gods

The diverse people of the Isles worship a variety of deities. On the Great Isles, the gods worshiped are the demon lord Demogorgon in Nallval, the storm god Procan in Justary, and the sailor god Valkur in Stei Skain. Their representative god on the Holy Council is Procan.
Breidablik

*“As long as our brain is a mystery, the universe, the reflection of the structure of the brain will also be a mystery.”*

-Breidablik

## History

One of ten Node Controllers in Caprakan, Breidablik was disconnected from the Node, and thus survived the fall of his empire. He served as an unofficial deputy of sorts of Yggdrasil, representing Caprakan at the Holy Council alongside him.

## Personality

A psionist of great power, Breidablik remained outside the hivemind of his people. He came across as passionless and devoted to his duty, for one such as him needed perfect mastery of his own mind to be able to the duties he did.

## War of the Philosopher-Kings

Though Caprakan was allied with Aglazdere, Breidablik and the other Node Controllers would remain absent from the war.

## After the War

The Node Controllers would begin the laborious task of rebuilding Caprakan's society by trying to unite the warring psychic city states. With time, the corruption of the great old ones would infect the receptive minds of the people of Caprakan, bending them to their will.
Badem

*“They are a generation that has tasted blood, and where horror fades, nostalgia seeps in. In war all is simple, and there is appeal in this. Who among us is comforted by confusion, uncertainty?”*

-Badem

## History

Formerly the Colonel of the Silver Wolves, a Frontier Trooper Company that conducted punitive raids, anti-insurgency actions, and nighttime warfare. Breaking tradition with previous Commanders, he did not bring his former forces to Al Mandera, as he did not want to favor them above other Companies, or overshadow his successor. He has spent much time in high politics, and was secretly disillusioned with the Padishah’s rule. While he will never disobey his orders, he secretly wants to initiate a military dictatorship. He scorns Project Revival, but seeing it as a waste of time and resources; an exercise in the Padishah’s vanity.

Not long after Padishah Rick's ascension, Commander Badem would offer his resignation. He served as a transitional figure, but had no place in the new regime; both he and his monarch knew it. he would retire in Al Mandera, occasionally emerging to train new Janissaries.

## Personality

A driven, prudent, and ambitious man, Badem did not rise to his position through any brilliant feat of generalship, but through his steady hand and political shrewdness. He fought to ensure the stability of the nation, and had become a symbol of order, unity, and state authority. Badem retained an unusual amount of self-conception for a Janissary, going so far as to plan a military coup after the fall of the House of Azad. Though he disproved deeply of Padishah Rick, he would defer to his authority and retire, knowing that his time had past.

## War of the Philosopher-Kings

Badem had retired in Al Mandera by the time of the war, but remained a committed patriot determined to serve however he could. He would offer his aid during the Sack of Al Mandera, and perish on the front lines, defending Aglazdere with his last breath.
Ithiel Onesiphorus

*"The anvil is hard so that it can help shape the blade. If life were easy, we would all be soft and misshapen shards of metal, tossed into a bin. There is witchcraft in science and a science to witchcraft. Both will conspire against you eventually."*

-Ithiel Onesiphorus

## History

Ally of the Grand Vizier, under house arrest during the civil war. Would support Melech becoming Padishah. A Duergar, and a great warrior. His family has lived in Aglazdere for many years, and he has ruled Abu Hasan for 150 years.

## After the War

Ithiel would initiate two initiatives: Project Revenant and Project Revenge.
Callias

*“A civilization forever within easy reach of a blade had little to boast about.”*

-Callias

## History

Previously the Colonel of the Night Crows, Callias was considered a strategist capable of operating deep behind enemy lines. His troops were well-trained for nighttime raids and reconnaissance, and could survive off the land for years at a time.

## Personality

A disciplined and resourceful man, Callias expects total loyalty from his troops, and does not suffer fools lightly. He lacks charisma, prefering to lead by example. He is often frustrated by troops who question him or do not meet his expectations.

## War of the Philosopher-Kings

Upon the death of Commander Volkan at the hands the dragons of Aurum, Callias is appointed by Padishah Rick to lead the war front against the Final Empire. He attempts to overhaul the Aglazderan strategy, believing it to be too static and reliant on air support. He faces pushback from the troops, and circumstances have already become too entrenched for him to change much. The sack of Al Mandera stripped him of manpower and resources, leaving him toothless. He leads the Janissaries against the Hobgoblins of Darguzze, where he earns a worthy victory. After the fall of Padishah Rick, the Janissaries split into three factions; those who recognize Finley MacClellan as Padishah, those who desert, and those who recognize Callias as their highest authority. Callias takes those Janissaries who are loyal to him, and establishes himself as a neutral warlord, determined to eek out a life for himself and his men.

## After the War

Decades later, the Bouldercloaks, commanded by Ayondra, would be hired by Emperor Kuldeep of Shangare to defeat the surviving Janissaries, kill Callias, and bring his head back to Rasure. An old man by now, with the majority of his troops being elderly veterans, Callias fought well and fought hard, but succumbed. Some of his men joined the Bouldercloaks after his defeat.
Camron Marz

*“Aye.' It's a good word, I think. More a whole attitude than a word, really. With lots of meaning in it, too. A bit of 'yes' and a bit of 'well, fuck' and maybe some 'we're all in this mess together'. So, a word to sum up the Arendurians.”*

-Camron Marz

## History

A soldier and hero from Arendur's earliest days, Camron Marz fought during the city's darkest hours, when its people needed him most. He joined the army in campaigns against elementals and the undead, and led his men when they had no leader. After the the loss in the Arendur-Ragnarok War, Tolumvire promoted him to General of the Arendurian Army, entrusting him with the transition to peacetime. He had been unanimously recommended by his men, who considered him the greatest soldier among their ranks. Camron Marz presided over the Arendurian Army during a turbulent time. Morale was low due to the defeat, and rearmament was forbidden by Bolgar of Ragnarok, despite the many threats to Arendur. Nationalist sentiment was on the rise, with many in the army thinking that had they held the reigns of power, they would have won the war. Nonetheless, General Marz managed to maintain order and discipline, and was one of the first to pledge obedience to Tolumvire upon his return from exile. He remained firmly loyal until the end, unquestioningly enforcing Tolumvire's crackdown against internal dissent, and quashing a potential coup hatched between a number of junior officers. Camron Marz would survive the Demon Wars, but would perish alongside the rest of the Arendurian Army when Lord Perduke destroyed the city of Oranor.

## Personality

A modest and unassuming man, Camron Marz was considered poised and graceful. He was plainly a combat veteran, and a steadfast and inspiring presence. He took his duties seriously, and showed no signs of the arrogance and naked ambition that plagued the officer corps in the Arendurian Army. One of the first Arendurians, and a native of the Final Empire, he was firmly loyal to Tolumvire and his ideals. This loyalty veered dangerous into loyalty to the man himself. When Tolumvrie needed a general to arrest dissidents without due process, General Marz was willing to obey orders without objection. When the junior officers considered a coup against Tolumvire following the surrender to Ragnarok - believing him either possessed or mind-controlled - it was General Marz who informed Tolumvire, and he who stamped out the coup at Tolumvire's command. Camron Marz was committed to Arendur, right or wrong, and he had decided that his country was embodied in the person of Tolumvire. It is likely that he never even considered otherwise.
Izz ud-Din Samara

*"Past, present, future, all are one in the Maker. He knows where the Angels broke through of old, and where They shall break through again. He knows where They have trod earth's fields, and where They still tread them, and why no one can behold Them as They tread.”*

-Izz ud-Din Samara

## History

The Church of the Maker’s leader, Elder Izz ud-Din Samara, is a priest of Yog-Sothoth. He is from a long line of priests who have always advised the Padishas of Aglazdere after the death of the Prophet. Only after the fall of Aglazdere was Izz ud-Din Samara recalled to Ta-al Kayji to take on the mantle of Elder. They have in fact always been one person, a son of Yog-Sothoth who self-resurrects by murdering his descendents. The Elder’s son is Shams al-Din Samara, who believes his father has forsaken the Maker and selfishly prolonged his own life.

## Personality

Samara has experienced numerous lifetimes and shed his humanity centuries ago. He fears non-existence; having comprehending the vastness of the cosmos he wants only to be a person of significance and to have left behind some mark that he ever lived.

## Past Incarnations

* Zayn ad-Din Samara - adviser to Sabahattin I
* Abd al-Halim Samara - adviser to Halim I, Vural I, and Sabahattin II
* Abd al-Latif Samara - adviser to Nur I, Tahir I, and Sabahattin III
* Kamal ud-Din Samara - adviser to Nur II and Zhubin I
* Abd al-Rahman Samara - adviser to Shaul I, Selim I, Vural II, and Sabahattin IV
* Nur ad-Din Samara - adviser to Vahid I, Halim II, and Onur I
* Abd al-Wali Samara - adviser to Selim II, and Karga I
* Abd al-Kader Samara - adviser to Halim III, Vural II, and Halim IV
* Izz ud-Din Samara - adviser to Sabahattin V, Rick I, and Finley I
* Shams al-Din Samara
Confederacy of Rhomduil

## History

Rhomduil is divided into a number of autonomous cities and villages, inhabited by the Drow, as well as other races permitted to live alongside them. The six cities are ruled by a High Priestess, who interprets the laws, and an Archon, who leads the military forces. The roles are female and male respectively (with the exception of Undraean Gara, where the roles are flipped). These cities have no control over the local villages, but are simply shrine locations. For that reason, they require a High Priestess, and due to the large populations these shrines attract, an Archon to rule them.

## The Six Cities

### **Oben Menzan, city of Selvetarm**

* High Priestess Nathra Vrinna
* Archon Raunin Vrane

### **Adan Baera, city of Zinzerena**

* High Priestess Quava Alarn
* Archon Orvin Helval

### **Erym Drauthe, city of Lolth**

* High Priestess Vina Ziirae
* Archon Sole Eran

### **Llammydr Yuelhein, city of Kiaransalee**

* High Priestess Astel Haune
* Archon Urdyn Colo

### **Undraen Gara, city of Vhaeraun**

* High Priest Kranim Hylo
* Archon Aunel Nylo

### **Chara Hlanead, city of Eilistraee**

* High Priestess Vierna Molvayas
* Archon Mourn Malaggar

## Former Shrine Cities

### **Mydra Tura, city of Ghaunadaur**

* High Priestess Idas Gharna
* Archon Welvog Tare

## Gods

Each shrine city in Rhomduil worships a different member of the Drow Pantheon, of whom Lolth was previously first among equals Following the Rhomduil Civil War, their representative god on the Holy Council is Ghaunadaur.

## The End of the Gods

With advent of the great old ones, many of the dark elves of Rhomduil began to wonder if the reign of the gods was at an end. Rhomduil would soon fall into civil war, with the cities of Mydra Tura, Adan Baera, and Undraen Gara on the side of the old ones, and Oben Menzan, Erym Drauthe, and Llammydr Yuelhein on the side of the drow gods. The forces fighting for the old ones won the war, and appointed High Priestess Idas Gharna as Queen Idas of Rhomduil.

Since the dissolution of neighboring Celymnaia, Queen Idas has pushed the Grand Army of the Confederacy towards conquering sections of its land.
Dar Qhoris

*“Weakness ever sympathizes with vice, because vice is a weakness which assumes the mask of strength. Madness holds reason in horror, and on all subjects it delights in the exaggerations of falsehood. The cause of all bewitchments, the poison of all philters, the power of all sorcerers are there.”*

-Dar Qhoris

## History

An adviser to the Emperor before the Doom and associate of Nim Lawfey. His allegiance was to the First Lord prior to the Doom, and his knowledge about the new Lord Emperor was too much to allow his freedom. Of all the prisoners in the Iron Cage, he was the most accepting of his imprisonment.

Dar Qhoris spent the entirety of the Farcraft Rebellion imprisoned in the Iron Cage, meditating on the arcane. After the capture of the Thunderdome, he was released on the order of the Twin-Emperors. The Grand Master of the Arcane Academy, Uristophor, objected to this decision and declared that Qhoris had been excommunicated from his order for good reason. As a compromise, Twin-Emperor Brennan offered Qhoris a place in his retinue, along with a contingent of mages chosen to accompany him north.

Brennan would put Dar Qhoris in charge of the College of the Sciences, an order in which arcane and scientific research were not differentiated. Alongside General Warrizek, Dar Qhoris was Brennan's chief adviser. The Emperor was content to allow the two men to govern the day to day of the Northern Final Empire, stepping in only to serve as an arbiter when the two disagreed.

## Personality

Dar Qhoris bore the weighty burden of knowledge that had long been forgotten, and carried himself solemnly. He had a deep sense of responsibility, and was committed to the ideals of Philosopher-Kingship and the city in speech. He had a sense of equanimity about the twists and turns of the world, and accepted that events happened in due course without regard to individuals swept along in course. Dar Qhoris had long ago ceased to care about concerns of right and wrong, and believed that the march of fate left no room for moralizing.

## The College of Sciences

Dar Qhoris was the first and only head of the College of Sciences, which studied technology and the arcane in equal measure. The College was divided into four Departments.

* The Department of Natural Philosophy, led by Dean Mathye Wesor
* The Department of Theosophy, led by Dean Eroassn
* The Department of Artifice and Alchemy, led by Dean Linbando
* The Department of Spellcraft, led by Dean Polawy

## War of the Philosopher-Kings

Dar Qhoris would work alongside General Warrizek to prepare the Northern Final Empire for war. By that time he was already ailing, and too weak to accompany the war mages to the field of battle, although he was said to have smiled when he heard about the burning of Utgard.

After the death of Emperor Brennan, there was a brief uncertainty about whether he or Warrizek would succeed him. Dar Qhoris, by then a weary and defeated man, counseled Warrizek to make peace with Reise Forrawyn. He drank poison rather then face the Hexenjägers, abandoning the mages under his command to their grim fate.
Fazo

## The Four of Hearts

*“Ultimately a hero is a man who would argue with the gods, and so awakens devils to contest his vision. The more a man can achieve, the more he may be certain that the devil will inhabit a part of his creation.”*

-Fazo

## History

One of the first Lords, Fazo was a great warrior cursed to be trapped within a demon's body. He suffered greatly at the hands of Lord Alpha, who distorted him the farthest among his brethren. Now a mage, he became consumed by gluttony, cannibalizing and devouring other mages, absorbing their power and becoming grotesquely obese. Grotesque and unable to walk, Fazo sought out and stole countless magical artifacts, all the while leading the mainstay of the Final Empire's army. He was charged with subduing Jotunheim's Rebellion, where he earned a reputation for cruelty and wanton brutality. He was defeated at the hands of Tolumvire of Arendur, who stripped him of much of his power and forced him to flee. Lord Alpha remade him as close to his original form as he could, but succeeded only in creating a broken wreck of once great man, appearing weak and confused. He remained in the dying world, uncomprehending as the Final Empire fell. Brought to serve in the Illuminated by Tolumvire, his past incarnation proved to be more somber and competent figure than his warped future form would suggest. He served in the Great Crusade as an ambassador, leading a retinue of artists, artisans, and other representatives of Arendur's culture and industry. After the Arendur-Ragnarok War, he followed Tolumvire into exile, where he resumed his life as an adventurer.

## Personality

Though he was known principally as a legendary warrior and skilled general, Fazo abhorred war, favoring diplomacy and defense. He was burdened by his cursed demonic form, which cut him off from other people and forced him to use his considerable talent on the battlefield. After Alpha's mind-slavery, he indulged inhuman cravings for flesh and wealth, transforming himself into an bloated caricature of a human being. He was a retiring and reluctant hero, leery of his own might and the designs to which he was set, often forced to war by circumstance and grim necessity.
Aeruthrose Varn

*“A dragon grows in leaps and bounds,
Like troubles mounting by the pound.

Its stature heightens day to day,
Imposing dread and deep dismay.

A paralyzing roar it gains
While from its snout hot fire rains.

It sees you shrink. Your fear it knows.
And by the hour the nightmare grows.

Unless you slay the dragon soon,
Your troubles may become your doom.”*

-Aeruthrose Varn

## History

Aeruthrose wandered around Löthur looking for his past seeking more knowledge of the golden era of Löthur during the time of his hibernation. While doing so he stumbled upon the young sorcerer Lywnden. Aeruthrose traveled with the sorcerer for a couple of years before the Second Conglomerate requested aid from the Dragonlords which Aeruthrose was the first to respond aiding them with help from the southern tribe.

Aeruthrose stayed with the Second Conglomerate to help them rebuild and to settle diplomatic matters with Lywnden. The great dragon returned back to the Isles of Morgosh. There is a deserted keep near the southern end of the Iron Spine where it's said that a couple times a year you can spot a great skeletal beast flying over from the Isles of Morgosh bringing lightning storms with its approach.

## Personality

Deems all in chaos and law, need for change.
Hisryn Panamorn

*"The laboring man and the artificer knows what every hour of his time is worth, and parts not with it but for the full value."*

-Hisryn Panamorn

## History

Panamorn's heroic days were long before him. He had a reputation that proceeded him, as a sky pilot, a brave warrior, and a mechanic with many exploits to his name. He settled down and became a family man, and was drawn into the complicated politics of Eanverness little by little. He was elected as Mayor by a significant plurality of gnomes that wanted tradition and stability, and they returned him to power for decades.

## Personality

Ponderous, dull, and pedantic, Panamorn was steeped in the values of the past and never missed a chance to expound on them. He acted slowly and cautiously, but when he had made a decision we was completely implacable. He sought consensus, but kept his own counsel.

## War of the Philosopher-Kings

Mayor Panamorn disproved of Arikas' leadership during the War of the Philosopher-Kings, and withheld men from him. The only Eanverness gnomes that fought were a brigade of volunteers, and for their rashness the Mayor exiled them and forbade them from returning. Though Eanverness became a pariah and suffered economically, the Mayor stubbornly stayed his course. His ouster was predicted by everyone except himself and a few wiser heads. When the war ended catastrophically, with Arikas' death, the Mayor of Eanverness was vindicated in full. Indeed, the gods thought the same, for he was immediately chosen to represent the A in the Holy Council.

## After the War

Just as Arikas' position as Mayor had been assured by his presence in the Holy Council, so was Panamorn's. The interwar period was politically tumultuous for the A as a whole, dominated by discussions about relations with the Reich. Panamorn disappointed all sides - and the Reich itself - by staying studiously neutral. He was castigated as a mage sympathizer by hardliner witch hunters, and for failing to stop atrocities by the Reich's detractors. The Mayor listened to both sides but continued, for fifty years, to keep his position and try and represented all gnomes in the Holy Council, where he was considered a tedious, stubborn, and highly knowledgeable interlocutor.

## The Great Awakening

When the Dream of the Old Ones ended, it was a time for choosing sides. Now Panamorn was in Arikas' position as the *de facto* leader of Skycity Alliance. His slow deliberation enraged the entire Alliance and seemed like dithering over what, to everyone, was an obvious question. Panamorn finally declared that Eanverness would stand with mankind against the gods, even if no one else did. The other cities followed suit. Though many had reservations, they knew this was no Arikas. They might be damned, but they could at least be proud of themselves this time.
Bazzel

*“I wasn’t a hero. I wasn’t the man who stepped forward and saved the innocent. I am lost himself. Shadows have invaded a long time ago and stolen my life."*

-Bazzel

## History

Born in the land that would become the Kingdom of Aurum, Bazzel was one of three Lords - himself, Frazon, and Ale - trained in the Arctic Time Temple. Where Frazon honed his psychic mastery over ice, and Ale studies monastic disciplines, Bazzel did not choose a discipline, preferring to dabble. A monk by training, he possessed latent psionic powers, and had picked up a rudimentary grasp of chronomancy and necromancy. Bazzel would at some point become disillusioned with the Time Temple, abandoning his calling - but not before stealing a powerful relic, a mace that consigned those slain by it to temporal oblivion. Though he was given a place amongst the Lords, he was ill-liked and poorly understood, and operated in solitude. After the rise of Emperor Monopoly, he would remain the only Lord with any proximity to Lord Alpha to remain unaffected by his mind-slavery. The only other Lords so unaffected - Perduke and Ale relied as much on distancing themselves from the capital as they did by their own strength of will. Bazzel practiced a unique technique that involved displacing his mind in time, something that could only be practiced by a psionist with knowledge of chronomancy. This technique would only again be used by Tolumvire of Arendur, with whom Bazzel often came into conflict with during the rebellion. Bazzel would meet his ends at the hands of the rebels, slain within walls of the Dome. Brought back by Tolumvire to serve within the Illuminated, Bazzel proved himself to be a dedicated and loyal agent, operating deep behind enemy lines. He spent the Great Crusade far from Arendur, never truly getting to know his adopted homeland. He would go on to follow Tolumvire into exile, making his own way and returning to his life as an adventurer.

## Personality

Before the rise of Emperor Monopoly, Bazzel was a grim and distant man, with an obsessive fixation with moral and physical purity. Watching his compatriots succumb to Lord Alpha's mind-slavery embittered him and drove him to melancholy, driving him further away from his colleagues amongst the Lords, who saw him as sad and lost. He was terrified by the thought that a man's own psyche could be turned against him, and even after the fall of the Final Empire, he remained haunted by the memory of the fate that befell his comrades.