The Faded King

There is a legend which is whispered among the people of northern Atreus and those who travel along Iaruun river. It is said that a malevolent spirit wanders the wood and the Resolute mountains. While the specifics vary from teller to teller, the most common version of the story describe a dragon, not a beast but a true drake of ancient Dralis, which used its mastery of magic to cling to existence even as its body was destroyed. Some claim it was age that slew the drake, others speak of a dragon slayer of old who tracked it to its lair and brought the beast low in battle. Yet even in death, the apparition of the drake remained in the living world.

The legend attributes many wicked things to the faded king. That if a grave is left open its spirit burrows out and will bring mischief to the area. That it comes and steals away young people the night before they wed if they were unfaithful. That it makes food rot and water turn foul. That when a child loses their voice it is a sign the faded king had tried to take their spirit to feed its own existence.

Physical descriptions are as varied as dragons have ever been, but some even claim the faded king can take on a humanlike form and walk among people as though it were truly alive. As one would expect, this can make life difficult for strangers traveling the river if locals should believe the tale a bit more fervently than most.

Is the faded king more than a mere legend? None can say for sure, but it's been many long decades and the story at least refuses to fade away.