Draen was originally a drow, or dark elf. And for the longest time, that was how I envisioned him. That was before I started true world crafting, and not world copying. Back then I wrote my stories and games in a modified Forgotten Realms campaign world. My love of drow led to Draen being one of them. When my players fought him in his first incarnation, that’s what he was supposed to be a drow necromancer level 24ish. The players were all 18th-20th by this point. Didn’t help.
Everything changed when I started crafting my own world. The peoples changed, the atmosphere was arguably darker. And while I loved the drow, I felt that I needed to have something more unique in my realms. It’s one thing to have a familiar feel to fantasy: orcs, dwarves, elves and dragons. To put my own stamp on things though, I changed a lot of the status quo. Orcs are on the brink of extinction, lending a sense of urgency to their savagery. Minotaurs are renowned mariners, and patrol the seas around their home mercilessly. And the drow became something of a cautionary tale. No matter how strong or evil you believe you are, there is always something worse.
That’s where the rune elves come in. Marked by tragedy, the rune elves were banished long ago (before they became rune elves). They have since returned and are quite angry. And naturally they took it out on the “evil” race of elves. The dark elves of Duir’Aion, were not prepared, especially as the rune elves brought with them ash dwarven allies who seek mastery of the subterranean realms.
So it became a natural transition for Draen to become a rune elf. I toyed with the idea of leaving him a drow, but both he and I felt a change was necessary to the legend of the Crimson Scourge (as he has been known). His wife is still very much a drow. And the relationship has not changed, they stand together as equals. Their story is one of my favorite “never going to be told” background stories. Since I’ve been writing though, their story now has a chance.
Draen leads a close knit circle known as the Council. The Council is the stuff of legends (as it should be). A group of villains bent on world supremacy. Just to be considered for membership requires having lived over a century. The Council is known for patience, so humans and other short lived races have yet to make the cut. The members of the Council are:
- Draen Do’Gra – Rune elf Necromancer, Archmage of Necromancy, Headmaster of Necromancy at Eldar. Also known as Dragontamer, Crimson Scourge, and the Master of Magic. Favorite of the goddess of magic, and rumored to be one of her Chosen. Is well known for mastering magic typically difficult if not impossible for mortals: dragon magic, infernal magic, celestial magic.
- Kor’Riaenna Auvryani – Drow Priestess of the Spider Queen, Matron mother of House Auvyryani, wife of Draen Do’Gra. Rumored to be behind the recent settlements on the surface by the drow.
- Xantos – Half-giant, Master and Grand Champion of the Crimson Gauntlet. Handsome and charming, no one knows why Xantos has allied himself and his giant armies with the Council.
- Kaar’Thuul – mind flayer, spymaster for the Council. The mind flayer was saved from destruction by a hunting party of githyanki by Draen a century ago, and has faithfully served since. It is known that he seeks something ancient that his race left behind long ago.
- Baek Darkstone – Thane of the Darkstone clan, Champion of House Auvryani, also known as steel dwarves. Baek is kin to the Shatterstone Thane, and left when he wasn’t chosen to lead. Baek will see the dwarves bend the knee to him. Or die. He also serves as Kor’Riaenna’s champion (when Draen isn’t around), as she sponsored the dwarf for membership. Baek is known for his skill in both combat and sorcery.
That’s all for now. Stay tuned for more.
A Darkness Rising 