Pirates and merchants alike fear the kraken. Most humans see these creatures as savage monsters, but the sahuagin know better. Sahuagin legends hint at aquatic battles between dragons and krakens taking place as far back as the Age of Demons. The Lords of Dust manipulate the surface lands, but krakens and aboleths are the ancient horrors of the ocean floor—brilliant and mighty creatures that manipulate the powers of the deep. Some sahuagin clans willingly serve these mighty creatures; others violently oppose them, seeking to destroy and devour them in accordance with the rituals of the true sahuagin god.

In recent months, kraken activity has increased in the Thunder Sea. The sahuagin who deal with the sailors of Stormreach say that this is the work of the kraken Zlortharkis, an aquatic fiend of tremendous cunning and might. A number of ships have fallen to the mighty tentacles of the King beneath the Waves, but the kraken has never struck a Lyrandar vessel. This fact might simply be coincidence, but a myth within the house claims that the first Lyrandar lords live on as krakens in the depths. If there is any truth to this legend, the kraken Zlortharkis could be Lyran himself, and his actions could be the beginning of a new campaign to ensure that his children have supreme dominion over the waves.

Whether Zlortharkis has the mind of a fiend or a Lyrandar patriarch, he is a threat to the sahuagin of the region and the people of Stormreach. He might seek to subjugate the sahuagin or demand tribute from the Storm Lords. A quest to defeat the King beneath the Waves could lead to an alliance with the sahuagin, as adventurers from the surface world join forces with the heroes of the deeps to hunt down this mighty beast.

Droaam is a nation of monsters. It is ruled by the Daughters of Sora Kell. Each of these three hags is a legend in her own right, the subjects of tales used to frighten children. Eleven years ago they laid claim to the lands west of the Graywall Mountains and founded the nation of Droaam.

While these barren lands were claimed by Breland, Galifar had never tamed this wild region. It had long been a haven for host of creatures. Gnolls, orcs, and goblins are the most common, but ogres, trolls, harpies, minotaurs, medusas, tieflings, changelings, lycanthropes and many more dwell in this region. In the past these creatures fought one another more often than they raided human settlements. Under the leadership of the Daughters of Sora Kell, they have been given new purpose... and the Daughters use an army of ogres and war trolls to maintain order. To date, the other nations of Khorvaire have refused to recognize Droaam, and it was not part of the Treaty of Thronehold. Most people believe that it can’t last—that even the Daughters can’t hold this disparate alliance together—but currently it is stronger than ever.

Droaam works closely with House Tharashk, selling the services of monstrous soldiers and laborers and bysehk ore, a form of metal with magical properties. Beyond that, it is a frontier nation that is still expanding. As Droaam isn’t bound by the Treaty of Thronehold, it’s become a haven for war criminals and deserters, along with other criminals and mages pursuing forbidden paths of magic.

Many of the monsters that make up Droaam have their own unique subcultures. Most worship the Dark Six, but there are other religious traditions as well

Interesting Things About Droaam

• Droaam uses the supernatural abilities of its citizens as tools, just as other nations of Khorvaire use magic. The Daughters of Sora Kell keep their people fed with troll sausage and use harpy’s song to quell brawls. When dealing with monsters in Droaam, consider the practical applications of their abilities.
• When the Church of the Silver Flame purged lycanthropy from the Five Nations, a number of lycanthropes escaped into the region that later become Droaam. The Dark Pack alliance of lycanthropes, worgs, and other supernatural predators hunts southern Droaam.

Droaamite Characters

Minotaurs, orcs, gnolls, tieflings, changelings, and other monstrous species all have a place in Droaam. Consider these questions when making a Droaamite character:

What Makes You Different? The people of Droaam aren’t just humans with horns or green skin. Think about the unique aspects of your people and what makes you different from humanity, both physically and culturally.

What Are Your Ambitions? Citizens of Droaam are proud of their nation. You know that the rest of Khorvaire considers you a monster. Do you intend to prove that you and your kind are capable of deeds humanity can’t imagine? Or are you driven solely by your personal desires, or the goals of your family or warlord?

How Does Your Background Shape You? The diverse creatures of Droaam could include a kobold city-savvy rogue urchin, an orc outlander barbarian with little knowledge of the outside world, or a tiefling warlock sage versed in Arcana and History.