A couple of months ago I posted a copy of an article from the old FFG website which revealed some of the historical background of Terrinoth and the Dragon lords. (The ‘Runebound History’ post.) FFG posted a second article on the old website, giving more information on monsters and villains from the Rise of the Dragonlords adventure, here it is.
Monsters and Villains of Terrinoth
The world of Runebound is filled with a large variety of dangerous denizens. Below is a small list of these creatures with a brief description and history. Note that the monsters and villains are featured in the Rise of the Dragonlords adventure. If time permits, perhaps another rant will feature the central characters and creatures from the infamous Island of Dread!
Monsters of Terrinoth
Ferrox
Ferrox are bestial, savage humanoids that feed on blood. They have retractable, oversized “hook” claws for climbing and latching onto their prey, and thin “bat wing” membranes on their arms that can sometimes be used to glide short distances. Ferrox are no smarter than cunning animals, and can be controlled by certain spells known to unsavoury wizards. Like vampires, Ferrox can make more of their own if their victims live after being bitten.
Hybrids
Cruel experiments on both sides of the Dragon Wars led to the creation of the human / dragon hybrids. Some were bred with snake tails, others with wings, and some are simply humanoid dragons. They were a failed experiment, as they weren’t as devious as humans or as tough as dragons. They were used as expendable shock troops, and the few that survived hid deep in the wilderness, where they have bred their own bitter colonies since the time of the Dragon Wars.
Razorwings
These humanoid bat creatures are thought to be vampiric, but are merely predators who prefer human meat as their prey. They nest and hunt in flocks and, since they breed rapidly, these flocks can grow to be quite large. Before the Dragon Wars, the razorwings were hunted almost to extinction, and the one remaining flock was magically sealed in the caverns of Drurn – where it has remained until now.
Villains of the Story
Lord Vorakesh
The necromancer has always been driven by his lust for power, and turned to dark magic as the fastest path to that power. He is a megalomaniac, but very charismatic, and a brilliant strategist. The youngest son from a noble house, Vorakesh realized at an early age that magic would have to be his path to power, so he sought out the Shadow Academy in Greyhaven, where he met his future allies.
Lady Vorakesh
The necromancer’s wife is not insane, but she has faith in her husband’s plans. Just the same, she is using her magical mind-control powers to establish a back-up plan for herself, so she can disappear if her husband’s schemes fall apart. Intelligent and beautiful, she considers most people to be her pawns and playthings.
Lord Farrow
Farrow was a fellow student of Vorakesh at the Shadow Academy. While a strong sorcerer, he didn’t have the stomach for necromancy. He would have had nothing to do with the mad necromancer, either, but when his brother Sir Farrow fell to a terrible illness, Lord Farrow turned to Vorakesh for help. Vorakesh agreed to raise the knight from the dead, but in return, Lord Farrow would have to serve him.
Sir Farrow the Pale
Lord Farrow’s older brother was a noble knight in life, and still retains some of that dignity in undeath. He has been raised as a death knight by Vorakesh and must serve the necromancer against his will. He leads the necromancer’s undead legions. He speaks very little, and is full of sorrow and bitterness.
Lady Cathori
As part of his necromantic training, Vorakesh sought out the vampire Lady Cathori. She was impressed with his ruthlessness, charisma, and intelligence – which prevented her from killing him – so she taught him a few of the secrets of death she knew.
Sir Vyleen the Fallen
In life, Sir Vyleen was Vorakesh’s bodyguard. In death, he serves as his dark lord’s protector, confidante, and assassin. Vorakesh found the knight bleeding to death in the back alleys of Greyhaven. Vorakesh healed him, and Vyleen swore his service to the necromancer. When Vyleen was killed protecting Vorakesh from an angry Greyhaven mob, the necromancer brought him back to serve as his undead companion.
Kral the Bone Lich
Kral claims to be immortal, and his detailed personal knowledge of the time before the Dragon Wars suggests his claims might be true. He is the master of the secret “shadow academy” – a loose cabal of dark magicians who teach and study the dark arts in the seedy corners of Greyhaven. Kral taught Vorakesh (and his fellow students) in exchange for a taste of their souls. Once Kral realized what Vorakesh was planning, he offered the necromancer his support. His motivations are his own, but he claims that he has been waiting for the day when Margath would return.