Narduur Angleforge

Narduur Angleforge is the current prime elder of the Dracis Collective and was instrumental in convincing its founders to flee the oppressive regime of the Isles of Aedun for a new home.  

Youth

Born upon the isles of Aedun where the Ash Priests rule with an iron fist, all manner of life is controlled and the manufactories of the forge gods never fall silent. Only creation in his name is permitted and only what he wills. Creativity is not something that exists in Aedun, and as Narduur grew he realised he was an oddity. He saw creativity in all things and often spoke out against the teachings of the ash priests as a child.

Before long he was labelled a troubled child and taken from his family into the care of the Ash Priests' teachings. It was a brutal childhood where each question and impulse was answered with beatings and punishments, and Narduur soon learnt not to argue. Though within he burned with questions and defiance and as soon as he was released from the Ash Priests care on the fringe of adulthood he began to seek those that might feel the same as he.

It was hard to find, for those that fought against their oppression were incredibly secretive, though working the forges one day, as he did every day, someone slipped him an obsidian shard with a crack etched into it. He knew not who it came from but studied it day and night, feeling a familiarity as he turned the crack this way and that. As he walked the town, shard in hand he stopped in his tracks as it lined up with the crack in the volcanoes edge above the city. That night he stalked a treacherous path to its top and breathed the fresh open air for the first time in his life. He gazed out across the ocean, smelled the salt breeze and knew freedom lay beyond.  

Coldstone Order

Every chance he got he took the path to catch a glimpse of the world beyond and think. His thoughts often turned to freedom and as he sat, his rage against the Ash Priests grew and grew. Eventually another came, a female named Latniss Emberbrow and she told him of the Coldstone Order, one that sought to escape the oppression of the Ash Priests and their twisted teachings, either through rebellion or flight. She revealed she had been alerted to Narduur's pursuit of others who sought freedom and has slipped him the obsidian as a clue. Narduur was enchanted by her and her vision, and vowed to join immediately.

For years the two of them worked together, and slowly Narduur met more and more members. His charm and likability was clear for all who met him, even the hardened veterans of the order. He soon came to a position of authority and regularly gave speeches to the others, calling for greater action and collaboration. Out in the streets his honeyed words brought more and more members and the organisation grew vastly beyond its original capacity. After years of work he was elevated to prime position amongst the order and called on two great projects. One was the removal of the Ash Priests and rebellion and the other was geared towards the creation of ships in a hidden cove, kept secret from all except those that worked on it, even from his love, Latniss.

As the night of rebellion came and all was ready, the order were met with abandoned streets and buildings, but they pressed on, their hearts ablaze with the fires of rebellion. As they reached the central plaza Latniss Emberbrow waited with the soldiers of the Ash Priests, and at that moment Narduurs heart broke. He knew their cause was doomed and he had lost everything. An ash storm plummeted from the night sky and covered the city, their kind were clawed by the ash demons within. Narduur ordered his people to flee, and led them through the ash stricken streets, saving those he could along the way and gathering an army behind him.

They punched through a battalion of the soldiers that had sought to encircle the city at great cost to themselves and made for the cove, boarding the ships there and setting sail. Narduur had lost, and his gift of persuasion, his charisma had gotten so many killed, but worst of all, was the loss of his love and the knowledge that she had likely never loved him.  

Founding

The small fleet fled the warm shores of Aedun with little idea of what lay beyond, for none of the ash priests of Aedun ever spoke of the waters or world outside the caldera. The voyage was hard for those that had little love for the open oceans and even less experience sailing. They were ill prepared for storms and for such a long trip and dozens died from exposure, disease and other disasters at sea.

Every day Narduur stood at the prow of the ship and talked of the same freedom he had promised those nights in the forges of the volcano. He spoke of his dream and what lay beyond, and even if nothing lay ahead, death was preferable to life beneath the ash priests regime. The sermons gave people hope when there was little to be had and they sailed on.

After the eighty-fourth day at sea, fire and ash was sighted on the horizon and some despaired, feeling they had sailed the world and arrived back at Aedun. An inescapable prison. Narduur assured them this was not the case and steered them on. As the landmasses appeared it became clear this was not Aedun and all rejoiced. The ships landed within the bay of Sak Noro and founded the town of Lunae Sinum beside the ruins of a long dead town. This was a relief to those that had despaired, for they had found an island that was their own.

The town soon grew and even though the land was harsh, the oceans were plentiful and it didn't take long for the draconoids to spread across the burning isles, building forges and the likes for their own good and founding the Dracis Collective. They sought to explore and bond with the land the only way they knew how, through the crafting of all things. Narduurs status grew even more and he was elevated to prime elder (even at this age) forever revered amongst the draconoids.  

Unitum Pact

For years the Dracis Collective worked freely upon the islands, unnoticed and unconcerned with the goings-on of the rest of the world. Though boats would be spotted on the horizon and it wasn't too long before others began to disembark and visit the town, though warily. Many were impressed with the craftsmanship on display and it wasn't long before more arrived with trade and requests of their own.

It was clear to Narduur that they could not hide from the world here and sought to learn more of those coming and going. He spoke to many of the captains and some revealed that those that arrived were taking advantage of the Dracis Collective's abilities and strength. Narduur began to take a hardline approach to many of the visitors, except those that had always shown friendship and honestly, though that is when the raids began. Pirates of Paruga and Saballian Privateers would raid the towns and take all of value, though they rarely killed unless confronted with hostility aware that killing the craftsman would be less lucrative for them in the future.

It was the dwarven leader himself, High King Thardin Ironshield, who came to the island, hearing of their impressive craftsmanship and invited them to join the Unitum Pact in 2477 A.C. Many amongst the Dracis were wary that aligning themselves with one faction would cause more trouble and violence from the others, though Narduur used his impressive charisma and diplomatic skills to persuade those to join. A poll was called and all were able to cast their vote. With the weight of Narduur's words the vote swung heavily in favour and the Dracis Collective became the fifth member of the pact, and with it a guarantee of protection and collaboration.

It wasn't long before Thardin set up watch-posts on the islands guaranteeing his protection of the newest members, and those of Nie Soe, The Stormheld Bastion and The Red Ushad arrived, bring trade, protection and friendship. Now some of the Dracis have travelled to their allies states in aid of them and begun to spread their influence across Lenwir through their craftsmanship.
Born: 2258 A.C.

Age: 342

Dauntless Leader

Narduur Angleforge has led his followers through hellish times and across vast distances to a place of peace and renewal. For those now born in the Dracis Collective, know nothing of the oppression suffered in Aedun or the hardships their parents endured to make it here. Narduur led them here, to this place and moment and for that, all respect and honour him. Though he is reaching the end of his life, he has built a future for his people, endured the hardships to himself and those around him and persevered. His gift for persuasion really set him above and beyond, building a rebellion and giving hope to those that had none for themselves.
Children

A Heart in Pieces

The breaking of Naardur's heart at the hands of Latniss Emberbrow became a defining moment in his life. All the happiness and pride he felt was shattered, and in that moment he had to made a choice, to fall apart, or go on. It was his word that pushed him on, he had given it to those of the Coldstone Order, to get them out alive, or as many as he could, and that is what drove him, though his mind burned of questions over Latniss. Had she always been a member of the Ash Priest's circle? Was this a power-play of some kind? Had she done this because of him?

Sadly, he never got the answers to these questions, but as his life comes to an end he can't help but wonder as to her fate or her reasoning. To be so betrayed by the one you had been entirely vulnerable to, to be so clever and charismatic and not see it coming.

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