Drago Bludvist

*CHARACTER QUOTE HERE*

**Drago Bludvist** is a dragon hunter and former caravan guard who discovers that dragons can be tamed, and brings his dragons to the Pechenegs, making them a mighty empire.

## Biography

### Background

Drago grew up on the steppes north of China, in a people who paid tribute to the Liao. His family was of high social status, but he was maimed and exiled, after which he traveled widely, becoming a guard for caravans crossing the great steppes of Central Asia. At one point, in the city of Turpan, a man picked a fight with Drago, with Drago defending himself. The man's brother, a merchant, demanded that Drago's employer fire him, or he would stop doing business with him. Drago was left for dead in the Taklamakan desert, eventually making his way westward to Pecheneg territory. He became a dragon hunter, slaughtering what he saw as dangerous beasts.

### Book II

Drago hears from a Pecheneg trader about a Norseman riding a dragon, which inspires him to start taming dragons rather than killing them, using brutal methods. Once he has around twenty dragons, Drago approaches the Pecheneg Kagan and offers to provide dragons for his warriors to ride, as thanks for the hospitality the Pechenegs once showed him.

### Book III

Drago and the Pechenegs carve a swath of destruction through Central Asia, conquering from the Black Sea to the Western Xia. However, they suffer their first defeat when they attack the Northern Song Dynasty, with many dragons and riders, including Kagan Berk, being killed. Believing that his son Kurya has been killed, Berk passes his title on to Drago, who vows to create a great empire and bring the Romans to heel. He leads the Pechenegs back west, where King Durgulel of Alania convinces Drago to accept him as a vassal rather than a conquest, and helps him capture most of the dragons of the Black Sea nest.

### Book IV

Regrouping in the city of Almatu, Drago holds council with the leaders of the Pechenegs and other groups under his rule. He begins the work of building his empire's infrastructure, planning a system of roads and other incentives to promote trade.

On the night of his wedding to Kelebek, assassins attempt to kill him, but they were sent by several competing rebel warlords, who had no knowledge of each other's plans. Drago and Kelebek escape and regroup to Azaq, from which he directs his loyal riders in the ensuing civil war.

## Relationships

### Khurşӑ

Khurşӑ is an elder of the Pechenegs who Drago knew before taming dragons. After Drago becomes Kagan, Khurşӑ offers his granddaughter Kelebek in marriage to Drago, to legitimize his leadership.

## Personality And Traits

Drago is a conqueror who believes the only way to rule, whether over humans or dragons, is by force. However, he does have a sense of honor, as seen when he takes Kagan Berk's dying wish to heart, and when he accepts Durgulel becoming his vassal.

## Reference

1. ↑ Chapter 144: The Fair Fame Never Dies Of Him Who Has Earned It
2. ↑ Chapter 107: The Third Principle Of Sentient Life
3. ↑ Chapter 102: Echoes In Eternity
4. ↑ Chapter 118: Something Wicked This Way Comes
5. ↑ Chapter 121: Level Foundations
6. ↑ Chapter 124: Meritorious