Monday, February 18, 2019

Toman Dak, the Grand Magus of the Nameless One


TOMAN DAK, THE GRAND MAGUS
Although Toman Dak has exerted a great deal of effort to become the leader of the Druuz’Ket encampment, his true interests do not involve governance. Dak has assumed control of Druuz’Ket so that he might have access to the underground library that lies beneath the Stained Ziggurat. Dak is a warlock sworn to the service of the Nameless One, an Elder Evil. His master has directed him to recover an eldritch tome that may contain the secret of recovering the Elder Evil’s lost true name.
  • Appearance. Oni, deep blue skin, tusked and horned, stoutly built, wears ornate robes of multicolored silk.
  • Abilities. Magic, arcane research.
  • Traits. Inquisitive, faces adversity with unnerving calm.
  • Ideal. Become the most feared mage in the world.
  • Bond. Lives to please the Nameless One.
  • Flaw. Does not realize the danger to his life posed by other popular leaders within Druuz’Ket.
  • Warband. Druuz’Ket is home to experienced and merciless warriors, but internal divisions within its polity make it difficult to form a functional, lasting warband.

SPECIAL FOLLOWERS
  • The Blood Tusks. The Blood Tusks are Dak’s ogre magi bodyguards. Each reveres the Nameless One; they spill blood in its name as a sacrament.
  • Salk’s Raiders. Salk’s Raiders are a group of orc rangers renowned for their trained packs of velociraptors.
  • Xalak. Xalak is a mad troll warrior in thrall to Druuz, the oasis’s demon lord. He fights with a suicidal fury; the closer he comes to death in combat, the happier he is.
DRUUZ’KET
Druuz’Ket is currently recovering from a period of turmoil. The previous leader of the encampment was assassinated, and Toman Dak has only recently gained enough influence to consolidate his position. Dak’s rule is tenuous; other powerful individuals within Druuz’Ket already plot his overthrow.
  • Population. Two-thirds of the population are orcs. The remaining third are mostly ogres and trolls.
  • Aesthetic. A series of connected, fortress-like buildings of stone and wood. Dour, but functional.
  • Supplies. Handicrafts. Druuz’Ket’s water is drawn from twelve wells that are always guarded.
NOTABLE FEATURES
  • The Stained Ziggurat. The Stained Ziggurat is an ancient temple of sand-colored stone. The Ziggurat’s steps are stained deep brown from the blood shed in ritual sacrifice to Druuz, the Hoarder of Secrets.
  • The Arena. The fighting pits of Druuz’Ket draw audiences from throughout Cinderheim who hunger for the spectacle of gladiatorial games.
  • The Pagoda of the Uplifted. Contrary to the brutish atmosphere of Druuz’Ket, the encampment houses the Pagoda of the Uplifted—an ascetic monastery where monks and nuns train their bodies and minds to find enlightenment.

ADVENTURES IN DRUUZ’KET
  • Infiltrate the Arena and lead an uprising of enslaved gladiators against their masters.
  • Delve into the library beneath the Stained Ziggurat and locate the Nameless One’s true name before Toman Dak can discover it.
  • Aid Salk in ousting Toman Dak from leadership.
  • Sacrifice upon the steps of the Ziggurat to summon a demonic servant of Druuz into the world.


If you like the content above (or any of the content here), consider checking out Cinderhein: The Land Under the Demon Sun, a system agnostic apocalyptic fantasy setting, now available in print and pdf from DriveThruRPG.