Firestorm Keep

SAGA Rules

by Eric Jwo

"During the Summer of Chaos, Firestorm Keep was thrust into the epic battle encompassing all of Krynn. Daemon warriors astride fire dragons ravaged the land of Nordmaar, as legions of shadow-wights wiped out all who stood in their path. The proud Solamnic Knights were crushed. Firestorm Keep was bathed in flames that eve of Chaos when the Father of All and Nothing was driven back. Since that day, the power of Chaos has held sway over the keep and its surrounding lands."

Firestorm Keep lies gutted like a cracked skull upon the ravaged coastline of Nordmaar. Once, in the previous age of Krynn, Firestorm Keep served as a Bastion of the proud Solamnic Knights in the land of Nordmaar. The only outpost that the king of Nordmaar ever allowed the Solamnic Knights to build in his land, Firestorm Keep served as a binding tie between Solamnia and Nordmaar. Built centuries ago from blocks of red granite hauled from far lands, the keep shone in the land as a symbol of might. Even the mighty Cataclysm could not topple the keep's strong walls. Firestorm Keep has held a long and proud tradition throughout the ages.

However, during the Summer of Chaos, Firestorm Keep was thrust into the epic battle encompassing all of Krynn. Daemon warriors astride fire dragons ravaged the land of Nordmaar, as legions of shadow-wights wiped out all who stood in their path. The proud Solamnic Knights were crushed. Firestorm Keep was bathed in flames that eve of Chaos when the Father of All and Nothing was driven back. Since that day, the power of Chaos has held sway over the keep and its surrounding lands.

The History of Firestorm Keep

Firestorm Keep was built in the proud and tumultuous time before the Cataclysm. Hewn from dusty red rock that was hauled to the site from distant Garnet. The Knights of Solamnia spared no expense, as they were experiencing a time of prosperity. Firestorm Keep is located on edge the Solamnia/Nordmaar border. This neutral territory is easily defensible, as it is surrounded by dense forests and a small mountain.

Firestorm Keep is laid out in concentric circles, with a large outer wall serving as a defensive perimeter. Four guard towers are spaced equally along the periphery of the outer wall and were once manned by the finest of the Solamnic Knights. The first Cataclysm that shattered the continent of Ansalon and wracked Krynn did little more than shake up the residents of Firestorm Keep. However, the Cataclysm did manage to send the Knights of Solamnia tumbling from their position as defenders of Ansalon. The Knights stationed in Firestorm Keep were effectively stranded from their Order as the Knights of Solamnia were occupied with their own troubles in Solamnia. With little to no news of their Order's welfare, the Knights stationed in Firestorm Keep managed to help the monarchy of Nordmaar maintain order in the chaotic times that followed the Cataclysm.

When the War of the Lance flared across the face of Krynn, the newly prominent Knights of Solamnia reestablished contact with Firestorm Keep. By then, the Keep's soldiers were composed of the descendants of the first Knights who were stationed there. Taught in the tradition of the Knights of Solamnia, these eager warriors were quickly inducted into the Knighthood to serve in the upcoming war. Firestorm Keep was restored to its days of glory and once again stood proud.

After the War of the Lance, Firestorm Keep enjoyed a period of prominence as did the rest of the Knighthood. The keep was refurnished and new knights were posted. Horses and supplies were sent to stock the keep's larder. Even a gold dragon, Fleggrahlyx, or Darewind, laired near the keep in order to protect it.

All this changed during the Summer of Chaos. When Chaos' minions thundered across Krynn, Nordmaar suffered greatly. Its lands were ravaged and burned and its people vanished from memory. The Knights of Firestorm Keep put up a valiant fight, but, in the end, they perished. Some say that Chaos himself strode the plains of Nordmaar that day and that only the Father of All and Nothing could have shattered Firestorm Keep's walls.

Firestorm Keep is what modern scholars call a "Chaos Mark." A chaos mark is a parcel of land that Chaos himself touched and cursed. Law and order have no sway over a Chaos Mark and only his denizens have any sort of power. The Knights of Solamnia have sent numerous expeditions to reclaim Firestorm Keep, but they have never returned.

The Secrets of Firestorm Keep

When Chaos destroyed Firestorm Keep, its mighty defender, a gold dragon named Fleggrahlyx, rose up against the Father of All and Nothing. A mighty wyrm of ancient might and magic, Fleggrahlyx was still unable to even harm Chaos. Instead, Chaos brushed the insignificant wyrm aside. Chaos twisted Fleggrahlyx and bathed the wyrm in his flames. When the dragon emerged, it was changed forever by the chaos magic. Fleggrahlyx was changed into a hideous dracolich; a monstrous minion of chaos. Calling himself Darkwind, this foul dracolich has dominated the other creatures of chaos in the surrounding area and is attempting to build an army.

• Fleggrahlyx (Darkwind). Mature adult gold dracolich male, sadistic demeanor. Co 12, Ph 48, In 12, Es 12, Dmg +18, Def -15, also dragonbreath, dragonawe, dragondive, paralyze gaze, sorcery (pyromancy), and mysticism (necromancy, mentalism, channeling).

Already, Fleggrahlyx has nearly a hundred daemon warriors as well as many shadow wights. He also controls two fire dragons. Should Darkwind believe that it is an appropriate time to begin his campaign of chaos, Krynn will become a dangerous place indeed.

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