About Nangros, Operation in RP

[SumDood]

I've started this section to define the primary antagonist in DR. You may reply to this post with comments and suggestions. (I may or may not incorporate them, however, but I will certainly read them all). After this has been up for a while, I'll take this section and put it in the Background forum.

Thanks.

-Dood!

Who is Nangros

Nangros is a human mage who first appeared thousands of years ago, before the time of Tecular the Ice Lord (these two apparently knew each other). Unlike Tecular, though, Nangros didn't have a gem of Vola to rely upon for magic. However, he did have some serious advantages over Tecular in that he was a genius when it came to magic - and Hell Lore in particular.

Nangros studied Drow magic, spending time with the Drow and learning their techniques for summoning hellfire using innocent blood. He learned how to forge pacts with the denizens of Hu's realm, and how to manipulate them using the delicate arts of betrayal. To say that Nangros is sadistic, deceitful and murderous would be a complete understatement. Nangros is completely evil, in the classical sense of evil. He is totally self-serving and it has always been (and still is) his goal to establish himself as the God of Vola, ruling the entire world.

Nangros does not use water to fuel his magic. Rather, he uses blood. It does not have to be innocent blood as the Drow were restricted to. Any blood will work. This is magic that he himself developed, and did not share with others (although he wrote a series of tomes and scrolls on the techniques, they were lost in time and have never been found). Because of this, Nangros' magic is unique in the game. No other mages will have mastered his techniques (or will even be capable of them). Some of his lesser talents were known to the Clave and used by them, but never the major ones.

While manipulation of life through blood bone and flesh is his major talent, he was also gifted psionically with telekinesis. His typical mode of operation is to create warriors of his own through fleshmelding magic and then send them out. Once he established himself in Dwalkin, he also took over a large number of warriors that he personally blood-bonded to himself.



Eons ago, Nangros was betrayed by his own followers. A blade was constructed to hold his soul, and a warrior killed Nangros. The blade storing the mind and soul of the mage was placed in the hands of the Tanathians. They created a monster to protect it. Then, (about a hundred and thirty years ago), the defending monster was killed and the sword was recovered. This occurred in RP during the journey of Charnek into the darklands.

Also in RP, the blade found its way into the hands of an actor, who's mind and body were taken over by Nangros. This how the Dark Mage and scourge of Vola came to be present in the world again. He made his way to Dwalkin, and began plotting to take over Vola once more. The blade itself found its way into the hands of Danov Kethbar, who was placed in the prisons of Forwell one hundred years ago. What became of the blade and of Danov is unknown at this time.

The Brand of Nangros
In most places ruled by Nangros, a branding scheme was established not long after he took control. Those who accept the brand are protected. They belong to Nangros, and harming them is considered harming the property of Nangros. They may be tortured, but not killed. That privilege is reserved for Nangros only, and is done only when he is ready to harvest them. As a result, many have accepted the brand, with the bargain that they will not see harvesting until after their fortieth year. Accepting the brand is considered protection. Nangros seldom breaks this bargain, because it helps him keep control over the population.

Those who dwell in Nangros' territory who do not accept the brand are considered "slaves" to the rest of the population, and are expected to obey the orders of those who have brands. In essence, they're second class citizens, and of a lower caste than those with the brand. Most people look down upon them. There are some cases where the brand is withheld as a punishment.

Nobles are branded as babies. Peasants are branded on their ninth year if they are willing to accept Nangros as their God, and the Governor hasn't determined their family to be a target for punishment. Some families aren't branded because the Governor (or current ruler) dislikes them (or for whatever reason).

People without brands are the first for harvest. They can be harvested at any time, and when the Black Ships arrive from Dwalkin, they are usually rounded up so that the "Lord Harvester" may select from amongst them. Usually the largest and strongest are selected (because they have the most blood).

The Name of Nangros
Speaking the name of Nangros draws his attention. If this is true or just a superstition, it doesn't really matter. Most people believe it and refuse to voice his name. Instead they refer to him as "The Blood God" or "The Dark One" or "The Great Lord" or some other such term. Speaking the name of Nangros is forbidden in places ruled by Nangros, and no one will do so intentionally, unless they don't know better for some reason. Take care in RP not to have your NPCs do this, it would be out of character for them.

Blood Magic
Nangros burns blood to open the Gate to Hell and then absorbs magic from Hell into his body. Because of this, he looks at the entire world as fuel for his domination. He considered people to be an energy resource for him to take as he wishes. Thus, he farms them, encouraging breeding. Families who have many children are looked at favorably, and those with few are wiped out if they don't step it up. This is one of the criteria for branding.

Nangros is not a vampire. He does not drink blood or consume it. He burns it and manipulates it. He has the greatest control over the blood in his own body (sometimes using it as a control reagent). He can also control the blood of some of his followers, draining energy from them at will - in particular his blood guard who he is magically bound with. They serve as a quick battery for him, and in reverse, he can empower them through their blood. The two are linked, because Nangros has infused the blood guard with some of his own blood. Blood is the catalyst for his magic, and a transfer medium.

Nangros' Rule in Forwell
Forwell was left largely intact after the Governor of Forwell was forced to surrender to Nangros' forces one hundred years ago. A bargain was set into place that the current Governor could maintain his position. Not long after that Nangros instrumented a series of murders and betrayals that resulted in Forwell being ruled by Zolorath - the soul of one of Nangros' previous teachers whom Nangros brought back from Hell and has placed in body after body to retain him in the mortal realm. Zolorath, obviously, doesn't want to go back to Hell, and serves Nangros loyally for this reason. He is currently in the body of the Governor of Forwell (the current Governor named Gregron Sanhooli.


Farming and childbirth are the two primary tasks that Nangros encourages in all of his cities. People need food to survive, and they must breed to provide Nangros with fuel for his power.

Nangros' Rule in K'yef
The rule of Nangros in K'yef is similar to that of Forwell. They pay blood fealty in the Harvest, just as Forwell does, and each month send at least fifty of their number to Dwalkin for sacrifice.

Nangros' Rule in Dwalkin
Dwalkin is another story, as this is the main stronghold of Nangros, and where he typically dwells. No one goes in or out of Dwalkin without Nangros' permission. In Dwalkin, Nangros has erected a massive pyramid (similar in design to the Aztec pyramids you'd find here on Earth). It is at the top of this pyramid where Nangros sits on his throne and absorbs the energy from the burning of his blood sacrifices that open the Gate to Hell enough for him to gather Hell Fire from that place (and thus powers his magical abilities).

[SumDood]

Playing Evil Allies of Nangros
Nangros has evil minions of a wide variety. He is well aware of the fact that ruling the planet cannot easily be done without having semi-trusted minions to take care of the mundane tasks of keeping the population in check. And, while he is loath to share power with anyone, he is not beyond using others to his own ends. Thus, he has granted positions of authority to some, who appoint positions of lesser authority to others, creating a hierarchy. Some of those in Nangros' hierarchy may be played by those desiring to play evil antagonists.

Mages
Mages of the evil variety are sought out for conversion to the rule of Nangros. One of Nangros' faults might be considered his arrogance. It is probably his greatest weakness. Because of this, he does not believe that any may match his intelligence or prowess in the areas of magic that he has mastered, and he is more than willing to employ other mages, so long as they accept his brand and accept him as their God. You will find mages in most of his cities. They walk openly. It is not illegal to practice magic in Nangros' realms, for he cares nothing of water loss or of destruction to the environment. Mages that refuse to serve Nangros, however, are always targets for destruction. Torture first, though, and then they become fuel.

Lord Harvesters
The position of Lord Harvester is highly important under Nangros rule. It is the Lord Harvester's task to ride the Black Ships (Orphean Airships constructed in Dwalkin) to the various locations where slaves are ready to be picked up. There is a schedule for this. It usually happens once each moon. While the Lord Harvester is not the Captain of the Black Ships, he is still in charge and may give orders to the Captain and crew regarding operation and destination.

Assassins
The place for Assassins within the hierarchy of Nangros is usually in terms of targeting the rulership and nobility of the enemy. Most assassins in the employ of the Dark Lord are currently operating in the Ky'rf region where a siege and takeover bid is in progress. However, Mythlyn, Cosvel and Vargos are all still targets, and Nangros is not beyond softening them. If you wish to play an Assassin in the employ of Nangros, then you can operate as a free agent, and you won't (of course) be someone with the brand, because then you'd stand out. Assassins are typically hired from beyond the general population.

There is no Assassin's Guild in Forwell anymore - there wasn't a need for one there since the population is so well controlled. Almost all assassins working for Negros are mercenary assassins that come from guilds in cities beyond his control.

Mercenaries
Always welcome. Come and fight for glory. Plus, the whole burn pillage and rape thing - Nangros has no problems with that, so long as you leave the victims alive so that he can use them as fuel later.

Spies
Nangros has spies in a few key places, and if you wish to play a spy working for Nangros, you are certainly welcome to do so.

[SumDood]

Bounty Hunters and Raiders
Throughout the Forwell Region, Raiders that exist there have been allowed to continue their operation so long as they obey the rules established by Nangros. Those rules are fairly simple.

1. Service and Fealty
If the Dark Lord calls for your service, or sends instructions to attack a specific target, then you must obey. Failure to obey is betrayal, and you will become a target for other raiders. Rogue raiders will have a high bounty.

2. Taxing vs. Killing
If you capture a caravan that is moving supplies legally, you may request a tax from them, forcing them to pay to cross your territory. However, unless they are breaking the law, you just allow them to travel on. If they are breaking the law (such as transporting the branded) then you may kill all unbranded in the group.

3. Branded Murder is Forbidden
Under no circumstances are you allowed to kill the branded. If you encounter the branded in the open desert, then they are to be considered escaped slaves, and must be returned alive for a bounty. If you accidentally kill the branded, then you must conduct the Sartunai ceremony and burn the body to the glory of the Dark Lord, praying that he will spare you for your indiscretion.

[SumDood]

Sartunai Ceremony
Because sometimes the branded perish before they can be sent to Dwalkin, this ceremony was introduced as a way to appease the Dark Lord. It involves burning the body of the branded along with the spilling of water and the burning of gold. Prayers are offered during the cremation, to appease the Dark Lord for the destruction of his property. If the Dark Lord is satisfied, then no curse will befall you.

This ceremony is typically taught to Raiders and those who may accidentally kill a branded. It is also known to the Dark Priests in the cities ruled by Nangros, and to the ruling nobility (so that they can deal with those branded who die of natural causes).

[SumDood]

The Blade

This is the blade that once held Nangros' soul.

[SumDood]

One hundred years have passed since the coming of Nangros, the Dark Lord. Imprisoned by the Tanathians, the soul of Nangros lived within a blade constructed for that purpose. They had not dared to allow this soul its freedom to dwell in Hell, for Hell would have suited him too well, and the Tanathians feared that Nangros would return from that realm with even greater power. Therefore they constructed a guardian for the blade, and placed it deep within the Darklands of Vola. There it lay, sealed and without power for over forty thousand years while the creature guarding it slowly went insane.

So it was that Charnek the Wizard, Corby Riddle the Cryonic, and Tirrue the Priest of Jhalla, descended with a group of unlikely warriors on a mission to rescue the children of Forwell who had been taken by the Drow and given to the KarDaHee to fuel the magic of Hellfire. During their descent, the group encountered the guardian creature, and slayed it. Mjinga the Jester recovered the blade, and when their journey ended and the children were recovered, the blade made its way to the surface once more. For a long time it remained in the possession of Charnek the Wizard, but when Charnek died of old age, his estate was sold off, and the blade made its way into the hands of an artifact collector.

An actor in a play obtained the blade as a prop, not realizing what it truly was. Nangros possessed the body of the actor, and was thus released.