1. Characters

Drago Thul

Commander of the Swords of Karrn, Exiled Warlord
NPC (Military)
Grindstone in Southwatch

Drago Thul is the commander of the Swords of Karrn. Though he is rarely seen in person, most residents of the district have a great deal of respect for Drago and his soldiers.

Source: City of Stormreach

The exiled Karrnathi general Drago Thul (human he/him) was born a commoner. His religious devotion, martial skill, and tactical genius allowed him to advance through the ranks to the highest echelons of Karrnath’s military. His steadfast belief in Karrnath’s potential led him to oppose Kaius III’s peace efforts, culminating in the 995 confrontation between the two as reported in the Korranberg Chronicle. Despite living in exile in Stormreach, he has maintained connections to Khorvaire through political and military allies that follow the Three Faces of War.

Source: Cultures of Karrnath

Swords of Karrn

Source: Swords of Karrn from City of Stormreach

Drago Thul is a brilliant military commander. He served Karrnath with distinction during the Last War. His common birth slowed his rise in the ranks, but his skill and his religious connections helped him overcome the limits of his birth. He bitterly opposed Regent Moranna’s Mror campaign, a prophetic act that earned him the favor of many soldiers. He also protested the use of undead and warforged; a student of Karrn’s teachings, he believed that both practices sullied the art of war.

When Kaius III began paving the way for peace and the Treaty of Thronehold, Drago Thul refused to lay down his arms. Kaius had no intention of letting the commoner commander interfere with his plans, and he ordered Drago’s execution. With the help of a small band of loyal followers, Drago fought his way to the coast and escaped to Stormreach. There, Drago declared that a thousand years had turned Wynarn blood to water. He would no longer serve any Wynarn king or fight to restore the nation of Galifar. It was time to create a new kingdom from the ashes of the old, following in the footsteps of Galifar I and Karrn the Conqueror. He called on the soldiers of all nations to abandon their weak rulers and flock to his banner. Stormreach is a safe haven for the Swords of Karrn, but it is only a waypoint on their journey. Sword envoys are spreading across the Five Nations, sharing the words of Drago Thul with every veteran they can find. The group has less than a hundred members in Stormreach, but it’s up to the DM to decide just how much influence Drago Thul has in Khorvaire. Perhaps no one is interested in his dreams of conquest. But it’s possible that thousands of soldiers spread across the Five Nations are ready for change, just waiting for Drago to return to Khorvaire.

For now, Drago remains in Stormreach. He has transformed Grindstone into a vision of his ideal state, imposing a rule even harsher than that of the Code of Kaius. Under the watchful eyes of his soldiers, Grindstone is one of the safest places in Stormreach. The Swords dispense harsh justice whenever the peace is disturbed; criminals might be beaten, maimed, or even killed. Occasionally the Swords venture outside Grindstone in pursuit of enemies, but by and large they are content to police their territory. They have no respect for the Stormreach Guard, and few guards enter Grindstone without direct orders.

January 3rd, 2023