Ordu Dekaan

> "*Gifts...oh I need a gift...but what to choose? How do I find the perfect gift for you, oh lovely Marta?*"
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**Ordu Dekaan** is one of the Pride of Maelbrathyr. He now rules as one of the Mad Lords of Maelbrathyr as master of House Dekaan. It is a role of which he is equal prisoner as master, for he is condemned there by Torog to eternal torture for The Pride's transgressions against him.

## Fall of Maelbrathyr

### Maelbrathyr's Plight

Ordu was among five nobles chosen as champions of the City of Maelbrathyr during its time of need. Each champion represented one of Maelbrathyr's noble houses; Ordu represented House Dekaan and was joined by Hannault Thrayban of House Thrayban, Marta Ravenhook of House Ravenhook, Vance Dungrim of House Dungrim, and Aleeria Shaltzar of House Shaltzar. They became known as the Pride of Maelbrathyr.

During this time the great empire of Bael Turath was on the verge on losing its longstanding war with the rival power of Arkhosia. In the centuries past, a mage and general of unsurpassed skill had come from Maelbrathyr and led Bael Turath's armies to huge success. He was known as The Ruby Wizard, and before he ran afoul and was captured by the servants of Torog, many believed he was on track to defeat Arkhosia. The Pride was tasked with delving into the depths of The Underdark to liberate The Ruby Wizard from his imprisonment. Once restored, all hopes rested on the wizard being able to turn the tide of the war.

Ordu was cowardly and indecisive, he likely would not have joined The Pride had Aleeria and Marta not been determined to go. Both were targets of Ordu's affection, although he could never decide which one to pursue. When both decided to join The Pride, Ordu followed them.

### The Quest

Although members of the five houses had joined together under an allusion of unity to save their city, the houses were all rivals who sought to outcompete each other for control. The Pride itself was led by Hannault Thrayban, but during the journey his leadership became increasingly challenged by Marta and Vance. Marta and Vance saw Hannault as unfit after the poor handling of a number of situations, with Marta urging Vance to eliminate Hannualt for the good of the mission.

While the other four members of The Pride played out an elaborate power struggle, eventually leading to the 'accidental' deaths of Marta and Vance, Ordu was completely oblivious. Neither side had reason to include Ordu within their plots as he was widely seen as incompetent, although he greatly lamented Marta's death.

In the end the remaining three members of The Pride succeeded in their mission, rescuing The Ruby Wizard even with the tragic sacrifice of two of their members.

### Torog's Punishment

When The Pride returned to Maelbrathyr they were met with much fanfare. Yet this was short lived. Torog was infuriated by the slight against him made by stealing a prisoner from his torture pits. The Crawling King sought out a just punishment for the transgression and turned his ire towards Maelbrathyr. He pulled the whole city into the Underdark on the eve of their celebratory carnival, entrapping its citizens and crumbling buildings in the forsaken depths. For The Pride, Torog cursed doubly. He made Ordu immortal, but bound his body within a rolling cage. Ordu is suspended in the middle, connected to a series of steel rings by chains that hook into his flesh. Therefore he is always being pulled in multiple directions, unable to move except by rolling around and eternally isolated from the surrounding world.

Sustained by the immortality of Torog's curse but bound to the crumbling city, Ordu has become one of its three rulers: contested by the similarly cursed Hannault Thrayban and Aleeria Shaltzar. His indecisiveness and isolation only accentuated by Torog's torture, Ordu has failed to make any good use of his immortality. House Dekaan fell into disarray, eventually being near totally destroyed by a falling stalactite. Ordu since moved with all his slaves and servants into the ruins of the Maelbrathyr prison. There he pursues whatever fickle whims he can muster, often killing his servants in a sick game of cat and house within the lower levels, never able to decide who to let live or die.

Ordu is still completely enraptured by his love of Marta and Aleeria. Most of the time he targets his affection at Aleeria, who is coldly unresponsive. However, when Hannault transforms into Marta Ravenhook, Ordu takes the opportunity to attempt to court her with similar lack of success.

## A Cry in the Dark

### The Rod of Amoth

The Underparty eventually uncovers that the objective of their time within Maelbrathyr, the Rod of Amoth, is hidden within the prison ruins that Ordu Dekaan controls. It was placed there by Vance Dungrim, who knew full well that Dekaan's murderous whims and piles of junk would hide the Rod but the fool would never be able to figure out that it was or what to do with it.

Once The Underparty aquires the Rod within the ruins they accidentally activate a seal of protection which causes them to crash straight into Ordu's personal chamber. Ordu contemplates killing them while also thinking about what gift to give the newly-returned Marta Ravenhook, unable to decide on either. Taking advantage of the momentary lapse, The Underparty offers to help Ordu find a gift for Marta. Oesis Deity uses the Rod of Amoth to conjure an immensely ornate dagger to be used as gift. Pleased by this Ordu immediately departs to find Marta, completely forgetting about The Underparty.