Scaborous the Pure
Information gathered from the archives of the Temple of the Hammer and the Venerated Repository.
Compiled and annotated by Elder Kyrie Bastinade, Priestess of Forn. Temple of the Hammer 6,077 DA
West of Shelter Lake, a stretch of scorched ground still burns from an encounter with Scaborous. Ignited by the dragon’s flames and sustained by a natural gas vein, this “Firepit” remains an enduring mark.*4 The Smoldering Crucible
The Smoldering Crucible served as Scaborous’s secondary stronghold. Records describe it as a site where loyal followers could walk through flames unharmed as a test of loyalty. After Scaborous’s death, the Crucible erupted uncontrollably, consuming the town of Leostead in the fire.*5
*1 Scaborous’s formal classification is unclear; the Venerated Repository lacks records of draconic taxonomy for this line, though its lineage is often referenced.
*2 Drosstemprus stifles those around them and doesn’t bother with postering. I gather Scaborous took after them in that way.
*3 The Venerated Repository’s earliest mentions of the buildings in the Cruel Wood date them around 300 years before Scaborous’s claim, though these records are unsourced.
*4 Of all the scars Scaborous left, only the Firepit endures; the others have faded with time.
*5 The goblin city of Crammin sits close to where Leostead once stood. If anything remained, they would have rooted it out long ago.
*6 As long as the Redbellies did the bidding of their draconic overlord, they were allowed free rein.
"Every year, we gather by the Firepit to share the story of Scaborous. Not everyone shows, but it’s enough. Each generation passes it down as best they can. I’ve told variations of this story hundreds of times, and the lesson remains the same. Dragons claim what they want and what they claim they keep. A force like that, well, it won’t leave on its own."
~ Elder Kyrie Bastinade
Compiled and annotated by Elder Kyrie Bastinade, Priestess of Forn. Temple of the Hammer 6,077 DA
Formation of Cadmus
4,345 DA. With the rise of Cadmus under the Sovereign Sage, Scaborous resisted the encroachment of new settlements, refusing to coexist. Scaborous relocated to the neighboring land of Sarros (current Tritos Dominion).Founding of the Red Keep
4,350 DA. Scaborous claimed the preexisting structures and it became known as the Red Keep. Records indicate that the dragon spent eleven years in isolation within, performing ritual enchantments across the grounds. The surrounding forest showed signs of change and was reinforced against intruders.*3Founding of Shelter Lake
4,361 DA. Shelter Lake was founded three years before Scaborous’s initial appearance in the region. The first documented interaction with the dragon is dated 4,364 DA, when Scaborous demanded tribute from the townspeople of Shelter Lake. This is the earliest formal record identifying Scaborous’s rule."The southern locals were charmed and terrified, condemned to the mercy of a majestic tyrant. Its horde of supporters became an angry mob that swelled by the day."
~ Aremegis, Wayward of Sarros
Dragons of Pathriam
Marks of Scaborous
Upon establishing control, Scaborous left visible marks across the land. These scorched sites reinforced authority and instilled fear, functioning as persistent reminders of dominance. The FirepitWest of Shelter Lake, a stretch of scorched ground still burns from an encounter with Scaborous. Ignited by the dragon’s flames and sustained by a natural gas vein, this “Firepit” remains an enduring mark.*4 The Smoldering Crucible
The Smoldering Crucible served as Scaborous’s secondary stronghold. Records describe it as a site where loyal followers could walk through flames unharmed as a test of loyalty. After Scaborous’s death, the Crucible erupted uncontrollably, consuming the town of Leostead in the fire.*5
The Red Guard
To maintain control, Scaborous established a network of enforcers, known officially as Rok’zulle.*6 This group consisted of influential dignitaries and Covenant-aligned extremists. As tribute demand increased, the economy in the region began to collapse. Currency flow from the north ceased, forcing residents to barter. A large portion of the population abandoned the region entirely. In response, Scaborous appointed a representative in each major settlement to oversee collections. The appointed leaders held comparable authority to modern Barons.King’s Response
The rulers of Sarros (current Tritos Dominion) struggled with other conflicts and failed attempts to dethrone Scaborous, allowing the dragon’s influence to spread unchecked. Under the pressure of King Falconwright the Fifth, the Sovereign Sage was appointed to resolve the threat. Harvie Ambrosius led the operation with Elovesor, a young gold dragon. Together they launched a raid on the Red Keep, dismantling the Rok’zulle and subduing Scaborous. Scaborous was brought before the Thundering Flight and offered exile to Erimata for their breaking of the Covenant. Scaborous argued they had done no such thing, carefully following the law and refused, demanding execution instead. Because of their defiance, Scaborous was given the title, “the Pure.” The execution occurred 1,589 years ago.Speculation
Scaborous hated the Sovereign Sage Azha Govestania for her part in establishing the nation of Cadmus. By the time of Scaborous’s death, a new Sage had taken the position, Harvie Ambrosius. Court records of Scaborous’s trial are sealed in Erimata but the articles collected by the Repository talk of the Sage’s involvement. It was speculated that if the Thundering Flight or the dragons themselves had taken Scaborous captive or negotiated directly, the dragon might have accepted exile and left peacefully. Scaborous is noted to have had exceptional control of fire, attributed to influence from Drosstemprus. There are mentions of exceptional spell control and draconic words of power in most first-hand accounts. Smolderthorn claims to be a descendant of Scaborous, but no records connect Smolderthorn directly to Drosstemprus at this time.*1 Scaborous’s formal classification is unclear; the Venerated Repository lacks records of draconic taxonomy for this line, though its lineage is often referenced.
*2 Drosstemprus stifles those around them and doesn’t bother with postering. I gather Scaborous took after them in that way.
*3 The Venerated Repository’s earliest mentions of the buildings in the Cruel Wood date them around 300 years before Scaborous’s claim, though these records are unsourced.
*4 Of all the scars Scaborous left, only the Firepit endures; the others have faded with time.
*5 The goblin city of Crammin sits close to where Leostead once stood. If anything remained, they would have rooted it out long ago.
*6 As long as the Redbellies did the bidding of their draconic overlord, they were allowed free rein.
Written for the The Fires of Creation hosted by Tyrdal.
Article intended as a handout for The Red Keep Adventure
Associated Articles
Cadmus, Cruel Wood, Dragons, Drosstemprus, Elder Kierie Bastinade, Elovesor, Erimata, The Firepit, The Red Keep, Shelter Lake, Smolderthorn the Reclaimer, The Sovereign Sage, The Temple of the Hammer, The Thundering Flight, Tritos Dominion, Venerated Repository
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