Children of the Wyrm
The Cult of the Dragon has been active in Kasles for centuries. It has focused on making undead dragons to fulfill a prophecy most of that time, but that's changing. Even though the plots of the Children of the Wyrm are secret, its existence is not. Most folk of the Sword Coast have heard of the cult, but know only that its members revere evil dragons. The cult recruits new members in major cities, and word quickly gets around. Moreover, many cultists engage in legitimate business or are assigned to ordinary academic research. Only a relative few serve as thieves, assassins, and spies.
The time of dragons dawns. Calling upon ancient magic and a host of draconic allies, the Cult of the Dragon seeks to scour away their foes and usher in a new age of draconic dominance. So far, they've gathered great stores of treasure raided from across the Sword Coast and Tiamat has revealed the existence of powerful dragon masks. Individually, these ancient masks allow wearers to communicate with dragons. More importantly, a person who is erudite in draconic lore becomes a wyrmspeaker while wearing the mask, which allows the wearer to think like a dragon, gain favor among dragons, and subtly influence their behavior. The wyrmspeakers are recruiting dragons and assembling a treasure hoard worthy of the queen of evil dragons.
Structure
Rank in the cult is based on merit and fanaticism. As raw recruits, initiates have no rank and follow the orders of their superiors. Only initiates that prove their worth are allowed to advance. An initiate can be promoted along the track of dragonclaw (gauntlet), dragonwing (robes), dragonfang (backpack), and dragonsoul (tapestry).
With this the cult has a simple hierarchical structure, consisting of initiates on the bottom, four ranks for cultists, and a highest rank for "Wearers of Purple". This secretive inner group is led by the Wyrmspeakers—a term of respect given to those whose bond with dragons is supernaturally strong.
Culture
Dragon-themed symbolism and iconography pervade the cult's official regalia—black clothing that features a cape or cloak cut to resemble dragon wings, and festooned with jewelry and draconic imagery reflecting the wearer's favorite type of dragon. Masks are common at cult gatherings.
Cultists avoid regalia in public, but someone who knows what to look for can often pick an incognito dragon cultist out of a crowd. Sometimes the Children greet one another with the sign of Tiamat: right hand extended, palm forward, with all five fingers spread in imitation of Tiamat's five heads.
Cult members venerate dragons as powerful icons and masters, but their worship is reserved for Tiamat. They look forward to the Dragon Queen's return, believing that she will destroy mortal civilization and usher in a glorious reign of dragons—and of those who helped bring about draconic rule.
