Vyldraegoth the Deathlady

### Physicality

One of the larger dragons; thick black scales; sharp spinal ridges extending from the base of the skull down to the tip of her spiked tail which resembles a morningstar; large leathery wings with various spiky protrusions; skeletal skull with deep-socketed eyes, broad nasal openings, and corroded facial scales due to acid; huge segmented horns curving forward around the side of her skull

## Worship

### Offerings

Wreckages of fallen people

**Vyldraegoth the Deathlady** is one of the World Bones of Illandor. She is a mythic black greatwyrm created by Avo, and makes up the province of Negrathi.

## Name

Vyldraegoth's name translates to 'Survival, Decomposition' in Draconic, from *vyl* ('survival') + *drae* ('death') + *goth* ('decay, rot').

## Description

It is believed that Vyldraegoth's body curls around the Westmarsh, the bulk of which makes up the Western Mountain Ridge. The smaller ridge that separates Negrathi from Hadar is Vyldraegoth's Ridge, thought to be made up of the great dragon's spiny tail ridges. The expansive Western Steppes are thought to be where her great wings rest, the long grass growing over them as she is believed to be a poor flier in comparison to the other dragons. Still, Avo gifts her the sensation of wind flowing through them, in the form of the high winds that drone through the Lonely Plain.

## Geographical Influence

Extending for miles from the region where Vyldraegoth's heart is believed to be, the fetid swamp of Westmarsh submerges the entire south-central portion of the province. The Westmarsh is thick with foul mud, polluted water and gnarled plant overgrowth, and the entire region is obscured by a blanket of heavy fog. Monstrosities and undead prowl the marsh, though it is unclear whether this is due to Vyldraegoth's presence or if it is brought about by other means. Peculiarly, there are ruined buildings and monuments contained within the Westmarsh, despite the swampland being completely inimical to humanoid life. It is thought that they are Vyldraegoth's treasures - the wreckages of a fallen civilisation, held protectively close to her chest.

## Role in Creation

It is believed that Avo created Vyldraegoth as a warden of the sphere of Death. She is intended to act as a brutalistic force of survival-of-the-fittest, forever watching over the very edge of life and death, growth and decay.

## Cultural Interpretation

### Physicality

When depicting Vyldraegoth, it is generally agreed upon that she is one of the larger dragons, with thick black scales and sharp spinal ridges extending from the base of the skull down to the tip of the tail. The tail itself has a spiked, bony mass at the end, resembling a morningstar. She is often depicted with large, leathery wings with various spiky protrusions, though they are almost unanimously shown to be damaged to some degree. Her skull is somewhat skeletal, with deep-socketed eyes, broad nasal openings and corrosion to the facial scales due to the potent acid she produces, leaving thin layers of hide in the most exposed areas. Finally, she has huge segmented horns that curve forward about the side of the skull.

### Personality

It is common for cultures to personify the World Bones to understand them in terms they would be able to relate to. This is most prevalent in the humanoid races. Vyldraegoth is often depicted as cruel, vile, and survivalistic, believing that only the strong should prosper. In this vein, it is thought that Vyldraegoth is the ultimate master of teetering on the edge of death, never allowing it to claim mastery over her. Some believe that she is not above torturing the weak in an attempt to either toughen them up or kill them off, in a brutal ‘sink-or-swim' manner, and look to the Roskheni as an example of the efficacy of this methodology. It is thought that  Vyldraegoth is fascinated by the trials and errors of people, and this is why the Westmarsh has not fully consumed the ruins of towns once built upon the swampland, and why her preferred treasure follows the same theme.

### Abilities

Stories paint Vyldraegoth as a [key trait], able to [skills, charms]. In almost every iteration of Vyldraegoth's tale, she is described as breathing [breath] and [element through scales]. Some stories posit that she is able to [special ability]. Many believe that she can [regional], due to the regional effects that indicate her presence.

## Religious Offerings

The Westmarsh is the heart of Vyldraegoth's domain, and within its swampy depths lies a half-sunken shrine to the Deathlady. Here, creatures of the Marsh leave offerings to Vyldraegoth in the hopes of gaining boons from her; power, fortitude, or even extended life. The Marsh is littered with the ruins and wreckages of fallen settlements of ages past, and her shrine is adorned with items that once belonged to people now long-consumed by the Marsh.