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[[File:Azalin rex.jpg|thumb|alt=Azalin's True Undead Face|Azalin's True Undead Face]]
[[File:Azalin rex.jpg|thumb|alt=Azalin's True Undead Face|Azalin's True Undead Face]]
{{canon}}
{{canon}}
In the World of [[Greyhawk]] and [[Ravenloft]] campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Azalin Rex or "The Rex" is a wizard-king. He is the [[Darklord]] of the domain of Darkon. He is known by his subjects for his draconian rule.<ref name=ravgaziip134>[[Ravenloft Gazettteer Volume II]] p. 134</ref>
In the World of ''[[w:Greyhawk | Greyhawk]]'' and [[Ravenloft]] campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Azalin Rex or "The Rex" is a wizard-king. He is the [[Darklord]] of the domain of [[Darkon]]. He is known by his subjects for his draconian rule.<ref name=ravgaziip134>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 134</ref>


== Description ==
== Description ==
As a [[lich]], an undead wizard, Azalin's true appearance resembles a skeleton or mummy. In his everyday appearance, however, Azalin maintains the illusion of a living king, closely mimicking his late-life persona: an elderly man with aquiline features and a piercing gaze, with unkempt dark hair topped by a heavy [[Iron Crown|iron crown]]. However, he can alter his appearance to resemble many humanoid individuals, even that of a different race or gender.<ref name=ravgaziip134>[[Ravenloft Gazettteer Volume II]] p. 134</ref> Perhaps as a result of this in-game flexibility, official portrayals of Azalin differs greatly from artist to artist, much more so than portrayals of characters such as [[Lord Soth]] or [[Strahd von Zarovich]].
As a [[lich]], an undead wizard, Azalin's true appearance resembles a skeleton or mummy. In his everyday appearance, however, Azalin maintains the illusion of a living king, closely mimicking his late-life persona: an elderly man with aquiline features and a piercing gaze, with unkempt dark hair topped by a heavy [[Iron Crown|iron crown]]. However, he can alter his appearance to resemble many humanoid individuals, even that of a different race or gender.<ref name=ravgaziip134>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 134</ref> Perhaps as a result of this in-game flexibility, official portrayals of Azalin differs greatly from artist to artist, much more so than portrayals of characters such as [[Lord Soth]] or [[Strahd von Zarovich]].


== History ==
== History ==
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=== Early life ===
=== Early life ===
Firan Zal'honan was born in the earldom of Knurl, a city-state in the eastern Flanaess. As the second of three sons of [[Lord Turalitan Zal'honan]], his political future was decidedly dim from his birth, and he spent much of his childhood overlooked by his parents. From an early age, Firan demonstrated a keen intelligence, marked with a distaste for his fellow men and their deviation from discipline and order, a revulsion that manifested itself in self-loathing several times for his own perceived weaknesses. Firan respected his father's strict rulership, as well as the prior claim to succession exercised by his older brother Ranald, but disliked his father's superstitions and his bans against magic. Perhaps in a display of rebellion, Firan entered the underworld of Knurl's mages, studying under the wizard [[Quantarius]].
Firan Zal'honan was born in the earldom of Knurl<ref name="From the Shadows p. 30">[[From the Shadows]] p. 30</ref>, a city-state in the eastern Flanaess. As the second of three sons of [[Lord Turalitan Zal'honan]], his political future was decidedly dim from his birth<ref name="From the Shadows p. 61">[[From the Shadows]] p. 61</ref>, and he spent much of his childhood overlooked by his parents. From an early age, Firan demonstrated a keen intelligence, marked with a distaste for his fellow men and their deviation from discipline and order, a revulsion that manifested itself in self-loathing several times for his own perceived weaknesses. Firan respected his father's strict rulership, as well as the prior claim to succession exercised by his older brother Ranald, but disliked his father's superstitions and his bans against magic. Perhaps in a display of rebellion, Firan entered the underworld of Knurl's mages, studying under the wizard [[Quantarius]].<ref name="From the Shadows p. 61">[[From the Shadows]] p. 61</ref>


As a youth, Firan seems to desire control over others and of himself above all else, although he also is given to angry outbursts and quick decisions which he later comes to regret. Even into his later lichhood and rulership status, these attributes recur, painting the portrait of a ruler demanding fealty and promising order, but secretly and constantly frustrated by the failings of his fellow men and of himself.
As a youth, Firan seems to desire control over others and of himself above all else, although he also is given to angry outbursts and quick decisions which he later comes to regret. Even into his later lichhood and rulership status, these attributes recur, painting the portrait of a ruler demanding fealty and promising order, but secretly and constantly frustrated by the failings of his fellow men and of himself.


The only family member he loved without reservation was his younger brother, [[Irik]]. Where Firan was quick to anger and slow to forgive, Irik was the opposite. Firan pursued his studies and thirsted after[[knowledge]], but occasionally displayed an inability or ignorance of the potential repercussions. The death of Irik would prove a telling example: At 15, Firan called a [[demon]] that broke loose from his power and killed Irik. Firan's actions caused his father to expel [[Quantarius]] from the city, and Firan chose to follow him into exile, continuing his studies. In time, he would learn magics that few other mages could master (and which are actually largely beyond reach of normal D&D characters): he could permanently heal himself by stealing others' life forces, he could read minds and steal magical information, ”completely learning new spells with a thought, he could extend his own life by draining the vitality of enemies.
The only family member he loved without reservation was his younger brother, [[Irik]]. Where Firan was quick to anger and slow to forgive, Irik was the opposite. Firan pursued his studies and thirsted after[[knowledge]], but occasionally displayed an inability or ignorance of the potential repercussions. The death of Irik would prove a telling example: At 15, Firan called a [[demon]] that broke loose from his power and killed Irik<ref name=ravgaziip134>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 134</ref>. Firan's actions caused his father to expel [[Quantarius]] from the city, and Firan chose to follow him into exile, continuing his studies.<ref name="King of the Dead p. 104-125">[[King of the Dead]] 104-125</ref> In time, he would learn magics that few other mages could master (and which are actually largely beyond reach of normal D&D characters): he could permanently heal himself by stealing others' life forces, he could read minds and steal magical information, ”completely learning new spells with a thought<ref>KotD p. 152-153</ref>, he could extend his own life by draining the vitality of enemies.<ref>KotD p. 144-146</ref>


=== Rulership of [[Knurl]] ===
=== Rulership of [[Knurl]] ===
[[Ranald Zal'honan]] died as a result of a dissipate and gluttonous lifestyle, and Firan returned to his home, assuming the seat of power and ruling as "Azal'Lan," or wizard-king. His credits include reversing the decline that Knurl suffered under Ranald's reign, and returning it to economic and military significance. Also, under his reign, magic once again became an important part of Knurl's daily life.
[[Ranald Zal'honan]] died as a result of a dissipate and gluttonous lifestyle, and Firan returned to his home, assuming the seat of power and ruling as "Azal'Lan," or wizard-king.<ref>KotD p. 156-165</ref> His credits include reversing the decline that Knurl suffered under Ranald's reign, and returning it to economic and military significance.<ref name="KotD p. 166-167, 176">KotD 166-167, 176</ref> Also, under his reign, magic once again became an important part of Knurl's daily life.


Firan swore allegiance to the distant Malachite Throne of the [[Great Kingdom]], but conducted many unsanctioned military campaigns against the surrounding tribes, adding handsomely to Knurl's holdings. His reign was marked by prosperity and growth, but also by violence and dissent from the conquered tribes.
Firan swore allegiance to the distant Malachite Throne of the [[Great Kingdom]], but conducted many unsanctioned military campaigns against the surrounding tribes, adding handsomely to Knurl's holdings. His reign was marked by prosperity and growth, but also by violence and dissent from the conquered tribes.<ref name="KotD p. 166-167, 176">KotD 166-167, 176</ref>


Firan was 60 when he married, as his life-extending spells started to fail and he needed an heir. His loveless marriage took 18 years to produce a son, with some saying his wife even sought magical wards against bearing his child. [[Olessa]] died in childbirth, cursing him. Firan named his son Irik, after his brother, but the name would carry greater resonance. His son inherited the kindness and generosity of Firan's brother, and would not follow his father's harsh footsteps, a trait Firan saw as weakness. When Irik was caught freeing political prisoners, Firan was faced with a choice: to pardon his son, or to kill him. In accordance with his own laws and as a symbol of his strict devotion to them, Firan not only permitted the [[execution]] but wielded the headsman's blade himself.
Firan was 60 when he married, as his life-extending spells started to fail and he needed an heir. His loveless marriage took 18 years to produce a son<ref name="From the Shadows p. 61">[[From the Shadows]] p. 61</ref>, with some saying his wife even sought magical wards against bearing his child. [[Olessa]] died in childbirth, cursing him.<ref name="From the Shadows p. 61">[[From the Shadows]] p. 61</ref> Firan named his son Irik, after his brother, but the name would carry greater resonance. His son inherited the kindness and generosity of Firan's brother, and would not follow his father's harsh footsteps, a trait Firan saw as weakness.<ref name="From the Shadows p. 61">[[From the Shadows]] p. 61</ref> When Irik was caught freeing political prisoners, Firan was faced with a choice: to pardon his son, or to kill him. In accordance with his own laws and as a symbol of his strict devotion to them, Firan not only permitted the [[execution]] but wielded the headsman's blade himself.<ref>KotD 186-193</ref>


Although this act impressed upon his citizens the strictness of his rule, Firan himself was plagued with doubts over his own actions. He became obsessed alternately with finding a means to live forever, or finding a means to bring his son back from the dead to try to train him anew. As he lamented his failure as a father, a dark and nameless force presented him with the secret of lichdom.
Although this act impressed upon his citizens the strictness of his rule, Firan himself was plagued with doubts over his own actions. He became obsessed alternately with finding a means to live forever, or finding a means to bring his son back from the dead to try to train him anew.<ref>KotD p. 193-196</ref> As he lamented his failure as a father, a dark and nameless force presented him with the secret of lichdom.<ref name=ravgaziip134>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 134</ref>


Firan shed his mortality and changed his official title to Azal'Lan, ruling for 60 more years. During this time, [[Knurl]] became a major power in the Flanaess, even daring to renounce fealty to the Malachite Throne. Azal'Lan's military and trade power began to infringe on the territories of surrounding kingdoms, who sought ways to eliminate Azal'Lan. Assassins and armies alike seemed unable to topple him, but the course of his downfall would come from the minor tribes he had defeated early in his reign.
Firan shed his mortality and changed his official title to Azal'Lan, ruling for 60 more years.<ref name=ravgaziip134>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 134</ref> During this time, [[Knurl]] became a major power in the Flanaess, even daring to renounce fealty to the Malachite Throne. Azal'Lan's military and trade power began to infringe on the territories of surrounding kingdoms, who sought ways to eliminate Azal'Lan. Assassins and armies alike seemed unable to topple him, but the course of his downfall would come from the minor tribes he had defeated early in his reign.<ref name="From the Shadows p. 61">[[From the Shadows]] p. 61</ref>


Azal'Lan was finally lured out of his defenses by the promise of a new magical spell that could allow a mage to restore true life to a corpse. Blinded by his hopes for restoring his son, Azal'Lan went forth with a small retinue of guards, and was then ambushed by a group of mercenaries. Fleeing their pursuit, he entered a dense fog to lose them. He was never to see Knurl again.
Azal'Lan was finally lured out of his defenses by the promise of a new magical spell that could allow a mage to restore true life to a corpse. Blinded by his hopes for restoring his son, Azal'Lan went forth with a small retinue of guards, and was then ambushed<ref>KotD p. 206-214</ref> by a group of mercenaries. Fleeing their pursuit, he entered a dense fog to lose them. He was never to see Knurl again.<ref name="From the Shadows p. 61">[[From the Shadows]] p. 61</ref>


=== Arrival in Ravenloft ===
=== Arrival in Ravenloft ===
He appeared in [[Barovia]], whose inhabitants called him "Azalin" upon hearing his name. Continuing in his insatiable quest for knowledge, he terrorized several local boyars searching for magical texts. During this time, he apparently discovered something similar to the life restoration spell he sought, but whether he could learn it at all is unclear (see Memory anomalies below).
In [[542 BC]], Azalin appeared in [[Barovia]], whose inhabitants called him "Azalin" upon hearing his name.<ref name=ravgaziip135>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 135</ref> Continuing in his insatiable quest for knowledge, he terrorized several local boyars searching for magical texts. During this time, he apparently discovered something similar to the life restoration spell he sought<ref>KotD p. 226-236</ref>, but whether he could learn it at all is unclear (see Memory anomalies below).


It was not long before he drew the attention, ”and grudging respect, ”of the domain's dark lord. Trapped in Barovia and suffering from a strange malady that prevented him from learning new spells<ref name=citeneeded>Citation needed</ref> Azalin entered into an uneasy alliance with Strahd. Azalin, who was a more powerful spell caster than the vampire, would instruct Strahd in the magic arts in exchange for his help in Azalin's [[experiments]] which were aimed at returning the lich lord to his own [[plane]]. This collaboration led to the first concerted attempt to break through the [[Misty Border]] surrounding Barovia and escape using an apparatus of Azalin's design.<ref name=ravgaziip135>[[Ravenloft Gazettteer Volume II]] p. 135</ref>
It was not long before he drew the attention, ”and grudging respect, ”of the domain's dark lord. Trapped in Barovia and suffering from a strange malady that prevented him from learning new spells<ref name="I, Strahd, the War Against Azalin">[[I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin]]</ref> Azalin entered into an uneasy alliance with Strahd. Azalin, who was a more powerful spell caster than the vampire, would instruct Strahd in the magic arts in exchange for his help in Azalin's [[experiments]] which were aimed at returning the lich lord to his own [[plane]]. This collaboration led to the first concerted attempt to break through the [[Misty Border]] surrounding Barovia and escape using an apparatus of Azalin's design.<ref name=ravgaziip135>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 135</ref>




This attempt resulted in the pair arriving in the outworld realm of [[Mordent]]<ref name=ravgaziip135>[[Ravenloft Gazettteer Volume II]] p. 135</ref>, which bore striking similarities to the town of Whitby in Britain, also a setting for Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. There, [[the Apparatus]] split Strahd's personality into good and evil manifestations: Alchemist and Creature respectively. Azalin's role in this adventure ([[I10:The House on Gryphon Hill]]) appears to be largely observational. The Alchemist and Creature's attempts to destroy each other caused the escape attempt to fail, and forced Mordent into joining the Demiplane of Ravenloft.
This attempt resulted in the pair arriving in the outworld realm of [[Mordent]]<ref name=ravgaziip135>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 135</ref>, which bore striking similarities to the town of Whitby in Britain, also a setting for Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. There, [[the Apparatus]] split Strahd's personality into good and evil manifestations: [[the Alchemist|Alchemist]] and Creature respectively. Azalin's role in this adventure ([[I10:The House on Gryphon Hill]]) appears to be largely observational. The Alchemist and Creature's attempts to destroy each other caused the escape attempt to fail, and forced Mordent into joining the Demiplane of Ravenloft.


===Memory anomalies===
===Memory anomalies===
After the failed Mordent incident, the already-tense relation between Azalin and Strahd frayed further. When the domain of Mordent actually appeared beyond Barovia's borders, Azalin deduced that the [[Misty Border]] of Ravenloft might hold other lands, free from Strahd's authority. He entered the mists alone, and emerged in a realm of his own: Darkon.<ref name=ravgaziip135>[[Ravenloft Gazettteer Volume II]] p. 135</ref>
After the failed Mordent incident, the already-tense relation between Azalin and Strahd frayed further. When the domain of Mordent actually appeared beyond Barovia's borders, Azalin deduced that the [[Misty Border]] of Ravenloft might hold other lands, free from Strahd's authority. He entered the mists alone, and emerged in a realm of his own: Darkon.<ref name=ravgaziip135>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 135</ref>




Here, the exact nature of Azalin's existence is unclear, on two counts. The first count is the issue of a personality split: ”one source ([[King of the Dead]], a canonical novel) maintains that a traveling wizard named Firan appeared at the border, while an undead lich-like creature named Darcalus materialized in Darkon's central castle, [[Avernus]]. Firan, a just and good [[adventurer]], eventually sought out the depraved tyrant Darcalus and confronted him, rather as the Alchemist Strahd and the Creature Strahd did in Mordent. However, few other Ravenloft products refer to this (although they do not explicitly contradict it). According to King of the Dead, Firan stumbled about Darkon with no memory, and did not regain his memory until he defeated Darcalus, whereupon the undead essence merged with his own and made him Azalin once again. The novel also depicts his rage at realizing he had come so close to escaping his despicable undead state as well as the burdens of rulership.
Here, the exact nature of Azalin's existence is unclear, on two counts. The first count is the issue of a personality split: ”one source ([[King of the Dead]], a canonical novel) maintains that a traveling wizard named Firan appeared at the border, while an undead lich-like creature named Darcalus materialized in Darkon's central castle, [[Avernus]]. Firan, a just and good [[adventurer]], eventually sought out the depraved tyrant Darcalus and confronted him, rather as the Alchemist Strahd and the Creature Strahd did in Mordent. However, few other Ravenloft products refer to this (although they do not explicitly contradict it). According to King of the Dead, Firan stumbled about Darkon with no memory, and did not regain his memory until he defeated Darcalus, whereupon the undead essence merged with his own and made him Azalin once again. The novel also depicts his rage at realizing he had come so close to escaping his despicable undead state as well as the burdens of rulership.<ref>KotD p. 10-78, 263, 267-271</ref>


The second count is the question of Azalin's memory. As with many Darklords, Azalin suffers a curse tailored to his personality, granted by the [[The Dark Powers]] of Ravenloft. In this case, one dimension of his curse is the inability to learn any new magic at all, ”a crippling blow to any wizard, and downright unbearable for a lich, especially one who has knowingly sacrificed his living self so he can pursue new magics for all eternity. All sources cite this handicap, but they disagree on the time it manifested. Some sources, including [[King of the Dead]], imply that he could not learn new magic from the moment he arrived in Barovia (such as the resurrection spell he found); others, such as the [[Gazetteers]] and campaign setting books, imply he must have been able to learn new magic while helping Strahd penetrate the Demiplane's magical secrets. The fact that he invented [[Bone Golems]] and [[Zombie Golems]] during his time with Strahd<ref>[[Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium I & II]] p.26</ref> suggests that he had some ability to innovate after arriving in Ravenloft. [[I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin]] maintains that the curse struck Azalin immediately upon entering Barovia, and that the lich tutored Strahd in the arcane arts. Azalin had the [[vampire]] lord learn and cast any spells that Azalin devised but could not personally master.
The second count is the question of Azalin's memory. As with many Darklords, Azalin suffers a curse tailored to his personality, granted by the [[The Dark Powers]] of Ravenloft. In this case, one dimension of his curse is the inability to learn any new magic at all, ”a crippling blow to any wizard, and downright unbearable for a lich, especially one who has knowingly sacrificed his living self so he can pursue new magics for all eternity. All sources cite this handicap, but they disagree on the time it manifested. Some sources, including [[King of the Dead]], imply that he could not learn new magic from the moment he arrived in Barovia (such as the resurrection spell he found)<ref>KotD p. 230-236, 250-251</ref>; others, such as the [[Gazetteers]]<ref name=ravgaziip135>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 135</ref> and campaign setting books, imply he must have been able to learn new magic while helping Strahd penetrate the Demiplane's magical secrets. The fact that he invented [[Bone Golems]] and [[Zombie Golems]] during his time with Strahd<ref>[[Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium I & II]] p.26</ref> suggests that he had some ability to innovate after arriving in Ravenloft. [[I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin]] maintains that the curse struck Azalin immediately upon entering Barovia, and that the lich tutored Strahd in the arcane arts. Azalin had the [[vampire]] lord learn and cast any spells that Azalin devised but could not personally master. The [[Ravenloft Campaign Setting: Domains and Denizens]] also depicts Azalin tutoring Strahd. However, this source maintains Azalin tutored Strahd at Strahd's command. Here, Azalin complied because of his deference to Strahd's connection to the land. At the time, Azalin believed that if Strahd were to be unmade, so would the [[Demiplane of Dread]] and all within it, including the [[lich]] himself<ref>[[Ravenloft Campaign Setting: Domains and Denizens]] p. 54</ref>


What is certain is that by the time he assumed lordship of Darkon, his curse was firmly in place. Also, a similar curse strikes all travelers to [[Darkon]], who eventually lose their memories and gain false memories, ”a magical tome that records these true memories as they are lost, ”and it is implied that Azalin himself only rediscovered his true past after reading the book.
What is certain is that by the time he assumed lordship of Darkon, his curse was firmly in place.<ref name=ravgaziip135>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 135</ref> Also, a similar curse strikes all travelers to [[Darkon]], who eventually lose their memories and gain false memories, ”a magical tome that records these true memories as they are lost, ”and it is implied that Azalin himself only rediscovered his true past after reading the book.<ref name=ravgaziip25>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p.25</ref>


=== Rulership of Darkon ===
=== Rulership of Darkon ===
After a few years spent assembling the [[Kargat]] secret police, Azalin prepared for a massive [[invasion]] of Barovia to unseat his nemesis. The invasion was thwarted by [[Strahd]]'s minions, who struck at the Kargat leadership and disrupted Azalin's chain of command. Afterwards, the effort of rebuilding the Kargat, and the appearance of intervening domains such as [[Falkovnia]], put an end to Azalin's military interest in Barovia.
After a few years spent assembling the [[Kargat]] secret police, Azalin prepared for a massive [[invasion]] of Barovia to unseat his nemesis. The invasion was thwarted by [[Strahd]]'s minions, who struck at the Kargat leadership and disrupted Azalin's chain of command<ref name=ravgaziip20>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 20</ref>. Afterwards, the effort of rebuilding the Kargat, and the appearance of intervening domains such as [[Falkovnia]], put an end to Azalin's military interest in Barovia.


Azalin's rule over [[Darkon]] was absolute: all political, military, and Kargat matters ultimately reported to him. His rule was strictly lawful to the point of ruthlessness, but based in large part on deception, ”both in terms of Azalin's illusion of being a mortal king, and also in the artificial docility that his civilians displayed, thanks to their false memories. However, this concentration of power has its weaknesses, especially when Azalin has demonstrated several times his willingness to abandon his people and realm at a moment's notice if it means a chance of escape from Ravenloft.
Azalin's rule over [[Darkon]] was absolute: all political, military, and Kargat matters ultimately reported to him. His rule was strictly lawful to the point of ruthlessness, but based in large part on deception, ”both in terms of Azalin's illusion of being a mortal king, and also in the artificial docility that his civilians displayed, thanks to their false memories. However, this concentration of power has its weaknesses, especially when Azalin has demonstrated several times his willingness to abandon his people and realm at a moment's notice if it means a chance of escape from Ravenloft.<ref name=ravgaziip.34>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p.34</ref>


Militarily, Azalin recognizes the futility of attempting to extend his borders through conquest. In defense, too, he has little to fear. On no fewer than four occasions, the neighboring country of Falkovnia to the south has declared [[war]], and Azalin's mastery of undead has easily repulsed their soldiers.
Militarily, Azalin recognizes the futility of attempting to extend his borders through conquest. In defense, too, he has little to fear. On no fewer than four occasions, the neighboring country of Falkovnia to the south has declared [[war]], and Azalin's mastery of undead has easily repulsed their soldiers.<ref>[[Domains of Dread]] p. 17</ref>


=== Escape Attempts ===
=== Escape Attempts ===
In the last 30 years, Azalin has tried to escape Ravenloft twice more.
In the last 30 years, Azalin has tried to escape Ravenloft twice more.<ref>The first is played out in the two [[module]]s [[From the Shadows]] and [[Roots of Evil]] that conclude the Grand Conjunction series. The second is played out in the [[Requiem: The Grim Harvest]] [[boxed set]] that concludes [[the Grim Harvest]] series of modules.</ref>


The first attempt was in manipulating the [[Grand Conjunction]], wherein he sent powerful heroes back in time to steal key artifacts from the formation of Ravenloft. Azalin's actions split the Demiplane open, freeing all the Darklords to terrorize other worlds. However, his hatred for Strahd proved to be his undoing: Azalin returned to face his nemesis, giving the heroes their chance to reverse the Grand Conjunction and reform the prison of Ravenloft once more. Some Darklords escaped permanently; Azalin and Strahd were not among their number.
The first attempt was in manipulating the [[Grand Conjunction]], wherein he sent powerful heroes back in time to steal key artifacts from the formation of Ravenloft. Azalin's actions split the Demiplane open, freeing all the Darklords to terrorize other worlds. However, his hatred for Strahd proved to be his undoing: Azalin returned to face his nemesis, giving the heroes their chance to reverse the Grand Conjunction and reform the prison of Ravenloft once more. Some Darklords escaped permanently; Azalin and Strahd were not among their number.<ref>[[Roots of Evil]]</ref>


(The actual history of the Grand Conjunction involves six tenuously-related adventures, tied together by a poetic [[hexad]]. Later source materials claims Azalin's flaw was to disrupt the verse order of the hexad's last two couplets, although the "correct" order of the verses themselves frequently changes from product to product.)
(The actual history of the Grand Conjunction involves six tenuously-related adventures, tied together by a poetic [[hexad]]. Later source materials claims Azalin's flaw was to disrupt the verse order of the hexad's last two couplets, although the "correct" order of the verses themselves frequently changes from product to product.)


Azalin then initiated a side project aimed at circumventing his magical curse: he magically impregnated various women with clones of himself, then tried to harvest the clones' magical knowledge when they reached adulthood after a childhood of magical tutelage. Although this [[experiment]] failed, it did result in the creation of [[Lowellyn Dachine]], a clone (of sorts) of Azalin, and an important figure in later day Darkon.<ref name=ravgaziip138>[[Ravenloft Gazettteer Volume II]] p. 138</ref>
Azalin then initiated a side project aimed at circumventing his magical curse: he magically impregnated various women with clones of himself, then tried to harvest the clones' magical knowledge when they reached adulthood after a childhood of magical tutelage. Although this [[experiment]] failed, it did result in the creation of [[Lowellyn Dachine]], a clone (of sorts) of Azalin, and an important figure in later day Darkon.<ref name=ravgaziip138>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 138</ref>




He then toiled for 10 years in creating his "[[doomsday device]]", which would turn him into a [[demilich]] and allow his immaterial essence to escape. The prototype device turned [[Lowellyn Dachine]] into a [[negative energy elemental]] known only as [[Death]].
He then toiled for 10 years in creating his "[[doomsday device]]", which would turn him into a [[demilich]] and allow his immaterial essence to escape. The prototype device turned [[Lowellyn Dachine]] into a [[negative energy elemental]] known only as [[Death (Lowellyn Dachine)|Death]].<ref name=ravgaziip2223>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p.22-23</ref>


The second and full application of the machine caused the [[Requiem]], killing all life in [[Il Aluk]], the capital city, and shattering Azalin's essence and scattering it across Darkon. He remained in that state for five years before pulling himself together and taking over the corpse of his son, which had been lying in [[Castle Avernus]] for almost two hundred years. To this date, Irik's spirit haunts Azalin, reminding him constantly of his actions and urging his father towards redemption. Needless to say, Azalin gives this counsel limited heed.
The second and full application of the machine caused the [[Requiem]], killing all life in [[Il Aluk]], the capital city, and shattering Azalin's essence and scattering it across Darkon. He remained in that state for five years before pulling himself together<ref name=ravgaziip24>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p.24</ref> and taking over the corpse of his son, which had been lying in [[Castle Avernus]] for almost two hundred years. To this date, Irik's spirit haunts Azalin, reminding him constantly of his actions and urging his father towards redemption. Needless to say, Azalin gives this counsel limited heed.<ref name=ravgaziip134-135>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p.134-135</ref>


During his absence, Il Aluk became an undead [[Necropolis]], ruled by [[Death]]<ref name=ravgaziip138>[[Ravenloft Gazettteer Volume II]] p. 138</ref>, and his Kargat lieutenants ran amok. Mortal agents loyal to Azalin helped to foil usurpation attempts by a rebel Kargat leader ([[Tavelia]]) and also by the new ruler of Il Aluk, Death. Although reinstalled as ruler of Darkon, Azalin's current concerns are the re-centralization of his power, the elimination of rebel Kargat officers, and the future of Necropolis, whose mere existence is a daily challenge to his own power.
During his absence, Il Aluk became an undead [[Necropolis]], ruled by [[Death (Lowellyn Dachine)|Death]]<ref name=ravgaziip138>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 138</ref>, and his Kargat lieutenants ran amok. Mortal agents loyal to Azalin helped to foil usurpation attempts by a rebel Kargat leader ([[Tavelia]]) and also by the new ruler of Il Aluk, Death.<ref name=ravgaziip24>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p.24</ref> Although reinstalled as ruler of Darkon, Azalin's current concerns are the re-centralization of his power, the elimination of rebel Kargat officers, and the future of Necropolis, whose mere existence is a daily challenge to his own power.


=== Current ===
=== Current ===
Today, Azalin's [[experiments]] seem to focus on more than just escape. The lich lord appears to have recovered some limited ability to expand his knowledge ever so slightly, by formulating new magic as long as it is strongly related to knowledge he already has, ”though this process apparently takes much longer than for a human mage. He also has gained several salient powers, including the ability to look into the mind, and alter the memories of, anybody in Darkon. His control over undead is still absolute, with no apparent limit to the number or power of slaves thus controlled, and his spellcasting largely seen as being second to none.
Today, Azalin's [[experiments]] seem to focus on more than just escape. The lich lord appears to have recovered some limited ability to expand his knowledge ever so slightly, by formulating new magic as long as it is strongly related to knowledge he already has, ”though this process apparently takes much longer than for a human mage. He also has gained several salient powers, including the ability to look into the mind, and alter the memories of, anybody in Darkon. His control over undead is still absolute, with no apparent limit to the number or power of slaves thus controlled, and his spellcasting largely seen as being second to none.<ref name=ravgaziip136>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 136</ref>


[[Azalin's Phylactery]] is an enormous golden dragon skull, which is almost immovably heavy. It also appears near indestructible.<ref name=ravgaziip136>[[Ravenloft Gazettteer Volume II]] p. 136</ref> His dependence on it may be equal to or even less than most liches, ”some sources maintain that he will be instantly killed if it is destroyed, while others imply that he will survive as long as his physical body is not destroyed along with it. Like most liches, Azalin is extremely protective of his true name, although whether this is out of any true weakness (perhaps to spells such as Trap the Soul, which require the true name to be spoken) is debatable.
[[Azalin's Phylactery]] is an enormous golden dragon skull, which is almost immovably heavy. It also appears near indestructible.<ref name=ravgaziip136>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p. 136</ref> His dependence on it may be equal to or even less than most liches, ”some sources maintain that he will be instantly killed if it is destroyed, while others imply that he will survive as long as his physical body is not destroyed along with it. Like most liches, Azalin is extremely protective of his true name<ref>[[Ravenloft Campaign Setting: Domains and Denizens]] p. 52</ref>, although whether this is out of any true weakness (perhaps to spells such as [[Trap the Soul]], which require the true name to be spoken) is debatable.


Currently, Azalin has commissioned the services of a scholar, known only as [["S"]], to travel and research the domains of Ravenloft. Speculation indicates that he is still searching for a method to escape Ravenloft. According to several products released recently, his current plan involves discovering a method to undo the magical bonds tying the [[Dukkar]], [[Malocchio Aderre]], to the domain of [[Invidia]]. Once free, Malocchio would have the ability to travel freely within and without the [[Land of Mists]], unstoppable to the [[Dark Powers]] and, most importantly, able to take even darklords with him. As well as finding a method to free the Dukkar, Azalin is also working towards making a deal with (or enslaving) Malocchio to ensure that he will allow Azalin to return to the world of [[Oerth]].  (Comments from the authors seem to indicated escape is not the goal of Azalin's current plan.  This section needs to be rewritten in light of this.) [In game Azalin remarks that even dreams must die. The dream here is that of escape. For he has concluded that the Dark Powers would be able snatch him back at their leisure.]
Currently, Azalin has commissioned the services of a scholar, known only as [["S"]], to travel and research the domains of Ravenloft. "S"'s speculation indicates that he is still searching for a method to escape Ravenloft.<ref name=ravgaziip24>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p.24</ref> According to several products released recently, his current plan involves discovering a method to undo the magical bonds tying the [[Dukkar]], [[Malocchio Aderre]], to the domain of [[Invidia]]. Once free, Malocchio would have the ability to travel freely within and without the [[Land of Mists]], unstoppable to the [[Dark Powers]] and, most importantly, able to take even darklords with him. As well as finding a method to free the Dukkar, Azalin is also working towards making a deal with (or enslaving) Malocchio to ensure that he will allow Azalin to return to the world of [[Oerth]].  (Comments from the authors seem to indicated escape is not the goal of Azalin's current plan.  This section needs to be rewritten in light of this.) [In game Azalin remarks that even dreams must die.<ref name=ravgaziip24>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II]] p.24</ref> The dream here is that of escape. For he has concluded that the Dark Powers would be able snatch him back at their leisure.]


==[[Creation of Azalin Rex]]==
==[[Creation of Azalin Rex|Creations of Azalin Rex]]==
 
==Chronology==
NOTE: [[CY]] refers to [[Common Years]], the [[calendar]] of [[Oerth]]. BC refers to the [[Barovian Calendar]]
 
*231 CY: Firan Zal'honan, the man whom would later become known as Azalin Rex, is born.<ref name="From the Shadows p. 61">[[From the Shadows]] p. 61</ref>
 
*234 CY: [[Irik Zal'honan (Brother)|Irik]], Firan's younger brother, is born.<ref>KotD p. 81</ref>
 
*246 CY: Adolescent Firan and his friend [[Corsalus]] botch a [[summoning]], causing Firan's younger brother [[Irik Zal'honan (Brother)|Irik]] to become [[possessed]] and transform into a fiend. They call upon [[Quantarius]] for help, but things go awry as [[Earl Turalitan Zal'honan]]. Irik dies, and Quantarius is banished from [[Knurl]]. Firan follows and becomes Quantarius' [[apprentice]].<ref>KotD p. 81-125</ref>
 
*255 CY: Firan roots out a gang of [[bandit]]s and helps [[Merchant Glodreddi]]'s troops dispatch them.<ref>KotD p. 126-131</ref>
 
*270 CY: Earl Turalitan Zal'honan dies, leaving [[Ranald Zal'honan]] to rule [[Knurl]].<ref>KotD p. 138-139</ref>
 
*270 CY: Responding on behalf of Quantarius, Firan saves [[Lord Nerof]] from a plot to [[poison]] him and harshly punishes the [[conspirator]]s. Firan is given control over the business and over tutoring the apprentices while Quantarius recovers from his sickness.<ref>KotD p. 132-142</ref>
 
*275 CY: Firan's service to Quantarius comes to an end as he prepares to leave of [[Rauxes]]. On the day of Firan's depature, he gives Quantarius an [[apple]] that rejuvenates youth drained from enemies on the battlefield. Shocked and horrified, Quantarius delivers a worrying vision of a doom for Firan worse than [[death]].<ref>KotD 143-149</ref>
 
*283 CY: Ranald's [[gluttony]] results in an early death, leaving Knurl in chaos. In Rauxes, Firan saves [[Prince Edron]] from [[rebel]]s before he receives word from [[Warden Rehajo]]'s [[messenger]]s that Knurl needs the wisdom of Firan's rule. Firan returns to Knurl and begins to set things in order. The people begin calling him [[Azal'Lan]], an ancient word meaning [[wizard]] [[king]].<ref>KotD p. 150-165</ref>
 
*290 CY<ref name="From the Shadows p. 61">[[From the Shadows]] p. 61</ref> After arranging the demise of [[Olessa]]'s lover [[Parras Venturian]],<ref>KoTD p. 170-173</ref> Azal'Lan marries [[Olessa]].<ref>FtS p. 61, as told in KotD</ref>
 
*308 CY: Olessa perishes giving birth to Azal'Lan son [[Irik Zal'honan (Son)|Irik]]. As she is dying, Azalin mentions he caused Parras' murder. In her last few moments of life, Olessa curses Azal'Lan.<ref>From the Shadows p. 61, as told in KotD p. 188-191</ref>
 
*327 CY: Irik is caught political prisoners escape. Not only does Firan condemn him to [[execution]], but Firan is the one to deliver the killing blow. The night of Irik's [[funeral]], a mysterious tempts Firan with the knowledge of how to become a [[lich]]. Firan accepts the offer. He formally adopts the title of [[Azal'Lan]]<ref>FtS p. 61, as told in KotD 186-196</ref>
 
*329 CY: Firan finally becomes a [[lich]]. Although he conceals his transition to [[undeath]], Firan officially adopts the title of [[Azal'Lan]].<ref>FtS p. 61, as told in KotD p. 196-203</ref>
 
*342 CY: Azal'Lan annexes all of the [[Teesar Valley]] that surrounds Knurl.<ref name="From the Shadows p. 61">[[From the Shadows]] p. 61</ref>
 
*372 CY: Azal'Lan captures part of the southern edges of the [[Flinty Hills]] and Flinty Hills as well as portions of the [[Adri Forest]]. [[Dwarves]] and [[halfling]]s in the Blemu Hills violently rebel. However, their resistance is put down, and they receive horrendous [[punishment]].<ref name="From the Shadows p. 61">[[From the Shadows]] p. 61</ref>
 
*391 CY: Azal'Lan invades [[Innspa]] in the kingdom of [[Nyrond]], provoking [[Nyrondese]] wrath. They send out [[mercenary|mercenaries]] to wreak their vengeance.<ref name="From the Shadows p. 61">[[From the Shadows]] p. 61</ref> Azal'Lan searches futilely for a way to resurrect Irik until [[Stakaster]] lures Azal'Lan into an ambush from which even he can't defeat.<ref>KotD p. 204-216</ref> Azal'Lan flees his [[ambusher]]s into a bank of [[mists]] that whisk him away from [[Oerth]] entirely.<ref>FtS p. 61, as told in KotD</ref>
 
*[[542 BC]] Azal'Lan enters [[Ravenloft]] and arrives in [[Barovia]]. The natives corrupt his title to Azalin.<ref name="GazII p.135">[[Gazetteer II]] p.135</ref>
 
*542 BC [[Strahd]] discusses the potential threat [[Azalin]] poses with [[Madame Ilka]], the new raunie of the [[Zarovan]] tribe ([[Maruschka]] having apparently died at some point in the last 40 years).<ref>[[I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin]] - p71, pp109-117, pp167-171</ref>
 
*542 BC Strahd confronts Azalin at [[Berez]]. A wary alliance is struck.
 
*[[547 BC]] Strahd sends Azalin to investigate [[Forlorn]], but nothing of value to them is found.<ref>[[Gazetteer I]] p.73-74</ref>
 
*[[579 BC]] Strahd and Azalin create a [[portal]] to [[Mordent]] to escape the [[Land of Mists]], but their plans fail as [[the Mists]] snatch up that land. Angered, Azalin abandons Strahd and [[Barovia]].<ref name="Gaz II p. 135">[[Gazetteer II]] p.135</ref>. Darkon forms as a result.<ref name="Gazetteer II p. 9">[[Gazetteer II]] p.9</ref>
 
*[[579 BC]] [[False History]] '''Late Fall''' [[Darcalus Rex]] is overthrown by [[Azalin]].<ref name="Gazetteer II p. 19">[[Gazetteer II]] p. 19</ref>
 
*579 BC [[Azalin]] holds a masquerade ball, calling the nobility of Darkon to its mandatory attendance. After Azalin introduces himself and proclaims rule of Darkon to be his, he kills anyone who refuses to acknowledge this right of rule.<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 20">[[Gazetteer II]] p. 20</ref>
 
* {{netbook-small}}[[640 BC]] Azalin appoints [[Tavelia]] as Kargat leader in [[Martira Bay]].<ref name="Death Undaunted p. 4">[[Death Undaunted]] p. 4</ref>
 
*[[656 BC]] On the [[Prime Material Plane]], [[Ebb]] stalks those who killed her [[shadow dragon]] relatives, but she is drawn into [[the Mists]]. Winding in up in Darkon, she first comes into conflict with Azalin but then reaches an accord with him through their mutual power and condescension towards living [[human]]s.<ref name="Gaz II p.143">[[Gazetteer II]] p.143</ref>
 
*[[684 BC]] [[Azalin]] calls [[Styrix]] the [[night hag]] into the [[Land of Mists]]. After a number of months, her research of an escape proves fruitless. In response, Azalin banishes her from [[Castle Avernus]].<ref name="Gaz II p.117">[[Gazetteer II]] p.117</ref>
 
*[[688 BC]] '''Autumn''': The [[Crimson Death]] originates in the [[Boglands]]. It eventually spreads to [[Il Aluk]] and, from there, the rest of Darkon, killing an estimated 1 out of every 5 [[Darkonian]]s. To combat the spread of the plague, Azalin institutes a merciless regimen of quarantines for the next three decades, ordering death for any whom defy them.<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 21">[[Gazetteer II]] p. 21</ref>
 
*[[689 BC]] '''Spring''': The Crimson Death is on the decline. History credits Azalin's quarantines as responsible for its decline, though he continues its enforcement for the next three decades. The decreased population allows women opportunities for career advancement previously unavailable.<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 21">[[Gazetteer II]] p. 21</ref>
 
*[[696 BC]] (Approx.) Azalin assembles the doctrine of [[the Eternal Order]] from various bits of Darkonian [[folklore]].<ref name="Gaz II p. 29">[[Gazetteer II]] p. 29</ref>
 
* {{netbook-small}}[[700 BC]] Several members of [[the Fraternity of Shadows]] back [[Falkovnia]] in an effort to unseat [[Azalin]]. After the invasion fails, [[Azalin]] and his [[Kargat]] conduct a purge to free the [[University of Il Aluk]] and [[Il Aluk]]'s [[intellectual]] community of Fraternity agents. Several members of the Fraternity, including [[Lazarus Ikonnas]], are [[assassinated]] in the purge. Others are better prepared and flee into neighboring domains, where they are more evenly matched against the Kargat. Azalin eventually halts active extermination attempts against the Fraternity.<ref name="Undead Sea Scrolls 2002 p. 8">[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p. 8</ref> The only two of the then-current [[Umbra]] to escape are [[Tarnos Shadowcloak]] and [[Wilhelm von Lovenhorst]].<ref name="Quoth the Raven Issue 13 p. 72">[[Quoth the Raven Issue 13]] p. 72</ref>
 
*[[706 BC]] [[Erasmus van Richten]] is stolen by the [[Radanavich clan]] and sold to [[Baron Metus]]. With the help of [[Azalin]], [[Dr. Van Richten]] wipes out all but one member of the Radanavich caravan; [[Madame Radanavich]] [[curse | curses]] Van Richten.
 
*[[717 BC]] [[Foedus]], future [[vassalich]] to Azalin, is born in [[Sidnar]].<ref name="Gazetteer II p. 132 n1">[[Gazetteer II]] p. 132, was born 40 years ago from [[757 BC]], the current year of [[Gazetteer II]]</ref>
 
*[[719 BC]] After three decades of enforcement, Azalin ends the Crimson Death quarantines.<ref name="Gaz II p. 21">[[Gazetteer II]] p. 21</ref>
 
*[[735 BC]] [[Azalin]] discovers [[Hyskosa's Hexad]]<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 22">[[Gazetteer II]] p. 22</ref>
 
*[[740 BC]] Azalin engineers [[the Grand Conjunction]] using Hyskosa's Hexad. His plan to destroy the [[Demiplane of Dread]] fails. Fortunately for Darkon, it seems among the least affected.<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 22">[[Gazetteer II]] p. 22</ref>
 
*[[747 BC]] [[Baroness Karimana Reldkasen|Karimana Reidkasen]] is awarded the title of [[Baroness of Martira Bay]] after she reveals her husband's [[corruption]] to [[Azalin]].<ref name="Bleak House Book III p. 25">[[Bleak House: Heroes, Monsters, and Settings]] p.25</ref>
 
*[[748 BC]] [[Azalin]] and his subordinates finish building the most primitive prototype for the [[Doomsday Device]]. [[The Ebon Fold]] are sent out to begin collecting [[soul]]s.<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 23">[[Gazetteer II]] p. 23</ref>
 
*750 BC-[[755 BC]] [[The Shrouded Years]] As Azalin struggles to regain corporeal form, his mind reaches out to those of his subjects in the [[Drowning Dreams]]. Although his loyal minions can sense him, so can [[Death (Lowellyn Dachine)|Death]]. Death sends out his Horsemen to prevent Azalin's resurrection and wreak devastation upon Darkon.<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 23-24">[[Gazetteer II]] p. 23-24</ref>
 
*[[753 BC]] Azalin recovers enough of his disperse essence to consciously think again, though he still lacks [[corporeal]] form. He sends [[dream]]s to several allies with plans for his return. These plans apparently involve a [[soul phylactery]].<ref name="Gazetteer II p. 24">[[Gazetteer II]] p.24</ref>
 
*755 BC '''Summer'''<ref name="Gazetteer III p. 4">[[Gazetteer III]] p. 4</ref> Azalin is restored to corporeal form.<ref name="Gaz II p.24">[[Gazetteer II]] p.24</ref><ref name="RLCS p.18">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.18</ref><ref name="RLPHB p.20">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p.20</ref>
 
*755 BC [[Necropolis]] becomes its own [[domain]] with [[Death (Lowellyn Dachine)|Death]] as its [[darklord]].<ref name="Gaz II p.55">[[Gazetteer II]] p.55</ref>
 
*[[756 BC]] [[Azalin Rex]] hires [["S"]] to complete detailed guides of all of the [[domain]]s of the [[Land of Mists]].<ref name="RLCS p.18">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.18</ref><ref name="RLPHB p.20">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p.20</ref>
 
*756 BC '''New Year's Eve:''' As [["S"]] prepares to leave [[Darkon]], [[Azalin Rex]] speaks to her through his shambling [[undead]] and provides her with her protective bracers.<ref name="Gazetteer II p. 53">[[Gazetteer II]] p. 53</ref>
 
==Appearances==
 
===[[Modules]]===
*[[1st Edition]]
**[[I10: The House on Gryphon Hill]] (first appearance)
*[[2nd Edition]]
**[[From the Shadows]]
**[[Roots of Evil]]
**[[Death Unchained]] (referenced only)
**[[Death Ascendant]] (referenced only)
**[[Death Triumphant]] (in [[Requiem: The Grim Harvest]] boxed set)
*[[3rd Edition]]
**[[Death Undaunted]] (no official release)
 
===[[Novel]]s===
*[[Tower of Doom]]
*[[King of the Dead]]
*[[Lord of the Necropolis (Novel)|Lord of the Necropolis]] ([[declared non-canon]])
*[[I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin]]


==References==
==References==
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[[category:Character]][[category:NPC]]
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[[category:Arcane Researcher]]
[[category:Azal'Lan]]
[[category:Betrayed]]
[[category:Betrayer]]
[[category:Cloner]]
[[category:Concealer]]
[[category:Constructcrafter]]
[[category:Corporeal Undead]]
[[category:Crafter of an Artifact]]
[[category:Crafter of an Evil Magic Item]]
[[Category:Darklord]]
[[Category:Darklord]]
[[category:Darklord (Domain Lord Magnitude of Evil)]]
[[category:Deceiver]]
[[category:Delegator]]
[[Category:Demonologist]]
[[category:Disguised]]
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[[Category:Fiend Summoner]]
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[[category:Filicide]]
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[[Category:Foe of Count Strahd von Zarovich]]
[[category:Foe of Vlad Drakov]]
[[category:Founder]]
[[category:Founder of a Religion]]
[[category:Founder of a Secret Society]]
[[category:Former Inhabitants of Oerth]]
[[category:Former Inhabitants of the Prime Material Plane]]
[[category:Golemcrafter]]
[[category:Heirless]]
[[category:Human]]
[[category:Imprisoner]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of Castle Avernus]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of Darkon]]
[[category:Inhabitants of the Forest of Shadows]]
[[category:Inventor of a Spell]]
[[Category:Inventor (Monstrous)]]
[[category:Instituter]]
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[[category:Killer]]
[[category:King]]
[[category:King of Darkon]]
[[Category:Lawful Evil]]
[[Category:Lich]]
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[[category:Mass Murderer]]
[[category:Murderer]]
[[category:Necrologist]]
[[Category:Noble of Darkon]]
[[category:Oerth Native]]
[[Category:Outlander]]
[[Category:Pathfinder 1st Edition Character]]
[[category:Personality of Darkon]]
[[category:Planar Mechanic]]
[[category:Planar Mechanic]]
[[category:Ravenloft Lorist]]
[[Category:Ravenloft Loremaster]]
[[Category:Ravenloft Loremaster]]
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[[category:Reanimator]]
[[Category:Rex]]
[[Category:Rex]]
[[category:rider]]
[[Category:Ruler]]
[[Category:Ruler]]
[[Category:Son]]
[[Category:State of Darkon]]
[[Category:State of Darkon]]
[[Category:Noble of Darkon]]
[[category:State Personality]]
[[category:Temporal Leader]]
[[category:Threatener of Violence]]
[[category:Tyrant]]
[[Category:Wizard]]
[[Category:Wizard]]
[[Category:Lich]]
[[Category:Undead]]
[[Category:Undead]]
[[Category:Human]]
[[category:Undead Controller]]
[[Category:Lawful Evil]]
[[category:Undead Summoner]]
[[Category:Outlander]]
[[Category:Zal'honan family]]
[[category:Oerth Native]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of Castle Avernus]]
[[category:Inhabitants of the Forest of Shadows]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of Darkon]]
[[category:Darklord (Domain Lord Magnitude of Evil)]]
 
 


==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue==
==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue==

Revision as of 07:40, 13 November 2023

Alt Azalin's Illusionary Living Face
Azalin's Illusionary Living Face
Azalin's True Undead Face
Azalin's True Undead Face

In the World of Greyhawk and Ravenloft campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Azalin Rex or "The Rex" is a wizard-king. He is the Darklord of the domain of Darkon. He is known by his subjects for his draconian rule.[1]

Description

As a lich, an undead wizard, Azalin's true appearance resembles a skeleton or mummy. In his everyday appearance, however, Azalin maintains the illusion of a living king, closely mimicking his late-life persona: an elderly man with aquiline features and a piercing gaze, with unkempt dark hair topped by a heavy iron crown. However, he can alter his appearance to resemble many humanoid individuals, even that of a different race or gender.[1] Perhaps as a result of this in-game flexibility, official portrayals of Azalin differs greatly from artist to artist, much more so than portrayals of characters such as Lord Soth or Strahd von Zarovich.

History

Early life

Firan Zal'honan was born in the earldom of Knurl[2], a city-state in the eastern Flanaess. As the second of three sons of Lord Turalitan Zal'honan, his political future was decidedly dim from his birth[3], and he spent much of his childhood overlooked by his parents. From an early age, Firan demonstrated a keen intelligence, marked with a distaste for his fellow men and their deviation from discipline and order, a revulsion that manifested itself in self-loathing several times for his own perceived weaknesses. Firan respected his father's strict rulership, as well as the prior claim to succession exercised by his older brother Ranald, but disliked his father's superstitions and his bans against magic. Perhaps in a display of rebellion, Firan entered the underworld of Knurl's mages, studying under the wizard Quantarius.[3]

As a youth, Firan seems to desire control over others and of himself above all else, although he also is given to angry outbursts and quick decisions which he later comes to regret. Even into his later lichhood and rulership status, these attributes recur, painting the portrait of a ruler demanding fealty and promising order, but secretly and constantly frustrated by the failings of his fellow men and of himself.

The only family member he loved without reservation was his younger brother, Irik. Where Firan was quick to anger and slow to forgive, Irik was the opposite. Firan pursued his studies and thirsted afterknowledge, but occasionally displayed an inability or ignorance of the potential repercussions. The death of Irik would prove a telling example: At 15, Firan called a demon that broke loose from his power and killed Irik[1]. Firan's actions caused his father to expel Quantarius from the city, and Firan chose to follow him into exile, continuing his studies.[4] In time, he would learn magics that few other mages could master (and which are actually largely beyond reach of normal D&D characters): he could permanently heal himself by stealing others' life forces, he could read minds and steal magical information, ”completely learning new spells with a thought[5], he could extend his own life by draining the vitality of enemies.[6]

Rulership of Knurl

Ranald Zal'honan died as a result of a dissipate and gluttonous lifestyle, and Firan returned to his home, assuming the seat of power and ruling as "Azal'Lan," or wizard-king.[7] His credits include reversing the decline that Knurl suffered under Ranald's reign, and returning it to economic and military significance.[8] Also, under his reign, magic once again became an important part of Knurl's daily life.

Firan swore allegiance to the distant Malachite Throne of the Great Kingdom, but conducted many unsanctioned military campaigns against the surrounding tribes, adding handsomely to Knurl's holdings. His reign was marked by prosperity and growth, but also by violence and dissent from the conquered tribes.[8]

Firan was 60 when he married, as his life-extending spells started to fail and he needed an heir. His loveless marriage took 18 years to produce a son[3], with some saying his wife even sought magical wards against bearing his child. Olessa died in childbirth, cursing him.[3] Firan named his son Irik, after his brother, but the name would carry greater resonance. His son inherited the kindness and generosity of Firan's brother, and would not follow his father's harsh footsteps, a trait Firan saw as weakness.[3] When Irik was caught freeing political prisoners, Firan was faced with a choice: to pardon his son, or to kill him. In accordance with his own laws and as a symbol of his strict devotion to them, Firan not only permitted the execution but wielded the headsman's blade himself.[9]

Although this act impressed upon his citizens the strictness of his rule, Firan himself was plagued with doubts over his own actions. He became obsessed alternately with finding a means to live forever, or finding a means to bring his son back from the dead to try to train him anew.[10] As he lamented his failure as a father, a dark and nameless force presented him with the secret of lichdom.[1]

Firan shed his mortality and changed his official title to Azal'Lan, ruling for 60 more years.[1] During this time, Knurl became a major power in the Flanaess, even daring to renounce fealty to the Malachite Throne. Azal'Lan's military and trade power began to infringe on the territories of surrounding kingdoms, who sought ways to eliminate Azal'Lan. Assassins and armies alike seemed unable to topple him, but the course of his downfall would come from the minor tribes he had defeated early in his reign.[3]

Azal'Lan was finally lured out of his defenses by the promise of a new magical spell that could allow a mage to restore true life to a corpse. Blinded by his hopes for restoring his son, Azal'Lan went forth with a small retinue of guards, and was then ambushed[11] by a group of mercenaries. Fleeing their pursuit, he entered a dense fog to lose them. He was never to see Knurl again.[3]

Arrival in Ravenloft

In 542 BC, Azalin appeared in Barovia, whose inhabitants called him "Azalin" upon hearing his name.[12] Continuing in his insatiable quest for knowledge, he terrorized several local boyars searching for magical texts. During this time, he apparently discovered something similar to the life restoration spell he sought[13], but whether he could learn it at all is unclear (see Memory anomalies below).

It was not long before he drew the attention, ”and grudging respect, ”of the domain's dark lord. Trapped in Barovia and suffering from a strange malady that prevented him from learning new spells[14] Azalin entered into an uneasy alliance with Strahd. Azalin, who was a more powerful spell caster than the vampire, would instruct Strahd in the magic arts in exchange for his help in Azalin's experiments which were aimed at returning the lich lord to his own plane. This collaboration led to the first concerted attempt to break through the Misty Border surrounding Barovia and escape using an apparatus of Azalin's design.[12]


This attempt resulted in the pair arriving in the outworld realm of Mordent[12], which bore striking similarities to the town of Whitby in Britain, also a setting for Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. There, the Apparatus split Strahd's personality into good and evil manifestations: Alchemist and Creature respectively. Azalin's role in this adventure (I10:The House on Gryphon Hill) appears to be largely observational. The Alchemist and Creature's attempts to destroy each other caused the escape attempt to fail, and forced Mordent into joining the Demiplane of Ravenloft.

Memory anomalies

After the failed Mordent incident, the already-tense relation between Azalin and Strahd frayed further. When the domain of Mordent actually appeared beyond Barovia's borders, Azalin deduced that the Misty Border of Ravenloft might hold other lands, free from Strahd's authority. He entered the mists alone, and emerged in a realm of his own: Darkon.[12]


Here, the exact nature of Azalin's existence is unclear, on two counts. The first count is the issue of a personality split: ”one source (King of the Dead, a canonical novel) maintains that a traveling wizard named Firan appeared at the border, while an undead lich-like creature named Darcalus materialized in Darkon's central castle, Avernus. Firan, a just and good adventurer, eventually sought out the depraved tyrant Darcalus and confronted him, rather as the Alchemist Strahd and the Creature Strahd did in Mordent. However, few other Ravenloft products refer to this (although they do not explicitly contradict it). According to King of the Dead, Firan stumbled about Darkon with no memory, and did not regain his memory until he defeated Darcalus, whereupon the undead essence merged with his own and made him Azalin once again. The novel also depicts his rage at realizing he had come so close to escaping his despicable undead state as well as the burdens of rulership.[15]

The second count is the question of Azalin's memory. As with many Darklords, Azalin suffers a curse tailored to his personality, granted by the The Dark Powers of Ravenloft. In this case, one dimension of his curse is the inability to learn any new magic at all, ”a crippling blow to any wizard, and downright unbearable for a lich, especially one who has knowingly sacrificed his living self so he can pursue new magics for all eternity. All sources cite this handicap, but they disagree on the time it manifested. Some sources, including King of the Dead, imply that he could not learn new magic from the moment he arrived in Barovia (such as the resurrection spell he found)[16]; others, such as the Gazetteers[12] and campaign setting books, imply he must have been able to learn new magic while helping Strahd penetrate the Demiplane's magical secrets. The fact that he invented Bone Golems and Zombie Golems during his time with Strahd[17] suggests that he had some ability to innovate after arriving in Ravenloft. I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin maintains that the curse struck Azalin immediately upon entering Barovia, and that the lich tutored Strahd in the arcane arts. Azalin had the vampire lord learn and cast any spells that Azalin devised but could not personally master. The Ravenloft Campaign Setting: Domains and Denizens also depicts Azalin tutoring Strahd. However, this source maintains Azalin tutored Strahd at Strahd's command. Here, Azalin complied because of his deference to Strahd's connection to the land. At the time, Azalin believed that if Strahd were to be unmade, so would the Demiplane of Dread and all within it, including the lich himself[18]

What is certain is that by the time he assumed lordship of Darkon, his curse was firmly in place.[12] Also, a similar curse strikes all travelers to Darkon, who eventually lose their memories and gain false memories, ”a magical tome that records these true memories as they are lost, ”and it is implied that Azalin himself only rediscovered his true past after reading the book.[19]

Rulership of Darkon

After a few years spent assembling the Kargat secret police, Azalin prepared for a massive invasion of Barovia to unseat his nemesis. The invasion was thwarted by Strahd's minions, who struck at the Kargat leadership and disrupted Azalin's chain of command[20]. Afterwards, the effort of rebuilding the Kargat, and the appearance of intervening domains such as Falkovnia, put an end to Azalin's military interest in Barovia.

Azalin's rule over Darkon was absolute: all political, military, and Kargat matters ultimately reported to him. His rule was strictly lawful to the point of ruthlessness, but based in large part on deception, ”both in terms of Azalin's illusion of being a mortal king, and also in the artificial docility that his civilians displayed, thanks to their false memories. However, this concentration of power has its weaknesses, especially when Azalin has demonstrated several times his willingness to abandon his people and realm at a moment's notice if it means a chance of escape from Ravenloft.[21]

Militarily, Azalin recognizes the futility of attempting to extend his borders through conquest. In defense, too, he has little to fear. On no fewer than four occasions, the neighboring country of Falkovnia to the south has declared war, and Azalin's mastery of undead has easily repulsed their soldiers.[22]

Escape Attempts

In the last 30 years, Azalin has tried to escape Ravenloft twice more.[23]

The first attempt was in manipulating the Grand Conjunction, wherein he sent powerful heroes back in time to steal key artifacts from the formation of Ravenloft. Azalin's actions split the Demiplane open, freeing all the Darklords to terrorize other worlds. However, his hatred for Strahd proved to be his undoing: Azalin returned to face his nemesis, giving the heroes their chance to reverse the Grand Conjunction and reform the prison of Ravenloft once more. Some Darklords escaped permanently; Azalin and Strahd were not among their number.[24]

(The actual history of the Grand Conjunction involves six tenuously-related adventures, tied together by a poetic hexad. Later source materials claims Azalin's flaw was to disrupt the verse order of the hexad's last two couplets, although the "correct" order of the verses themselves frequently changes from product to product.)

Azalin then initiated a side project aimed at circumventing his magical curse: he magically impregnated various women with clones of himself, then tried to harvest the clones' magical knowledge when they reached adulthood after a childhood of magical tutelage. Although this experiment failed, it did result in the creation of Lowellyn Dachine, a clone (of sorts) of Azalin, and an important figure in later day Darkon.[25]


He then toiled for 10 years in creating his "doomsday device", which would turn him into a demilich and allow his immaterial essence to escape. The prototype device turned Lowellyn Dachine into a negative energy elemental known only as Death.[26]

The second and full application of the machine caused the Requiem, killing all life in Il Aluk, the capital city, and shattering Azalin's essence and scattering it across Darkon. He remained in that state for five years before pulling himself together[27] and taking over the corpse of his son, which had been lying in Castle Avernus for almost two hundred years. To this date, Irik's spirit haunts Azalin, reminding him constantly of his actions and urging his father towards redemption. Needless to say, Azalin gives this counsel limited heed.[28]

During his absence, Il Aluk became an undead Necropolis, ruled by Death[25], and his Kargat lieutenants ran amok. Mortal agents loyal to Azalin helped to foil usurpation attempts by a rebel Kargat leader (Tavelia) and also by the new ruler of Il Aluk, Death.[27] Although reinstalled as ruler of Darkon, Azalin's current concerns are the re-centralization of his power, the elimination of rebel Kargat officers, and the future of Necropolis, whose mere existence is a daily challenge to his own power.

Current

Today, Azalin's experiments seem to focus on more than just escape. The lich lord appears to have recovered some limited ability to expand his knowledge ever so slightly, by formulating new magic as long as it is strongly related to knowledge he already has, ”though this process apparently takes much longer than for a human mage. He also has gained several salient powers, including the ability to look into the mind, and alter the memories of, anybody in Darkon. His control over undead is still absolute, with no apparent limit to the number or power of slaves thus controlled, and his spellcasting largely seen as being second to none.[29]

Azalin's Phylactery is an enormous golden dragon skull, which is almost immovably heavy. It also appears near indestructible.[29] His dependence on it may be equal to or even less than most liches, ”some sources maintain that he will be instantly killed if it is destroyed, while others imply that he will survive as long as his physical body is not destroyed along with it. Like most liches, Azalin is extremely protective of his true name[30], although whether this is out of any true weakness (perhaps to spells such as Trap the Soul, which require the true name to be spoken) is debatable.

Currently, Azalin has commissioned the services of a scholar, known only as "S", to travel and research the domains of Ravenloft. "S"'s speculation indicates that he is still searching for a method to escape Ravenloft.[27] According to several products released recently, his current plan involves discovering a method to undo the magical bonds tying the Dukkar, Malocchio Aderre, to the domain of Invidia. Once free, Malocchio would have the ability to travel freely within and without the Land of Mists, unstoppable to the Dark Powers and, most importantly, able to take even darklords with him. As well as finding a method to free the Dukkar, Azalin is also working towards making a deal with (or enslaving) Malocchio to ensure that he will allow Azalin to return to the world of Oerth. (Comments from the authors seem to indicated escape is not the goal of Azalin's current plan. This section needs to be rewritten in light of this.) [In game Azalin remarks that even dreams must die.[27] The dream here is that of escape. For he has concluded that the Dark Powers would be able snatch him back at their leisure.]

Creations of Azalin Rex

Chronology

NOTE: CY refers to Common Years, the calendar of Oerth. BC refers to the Barovian Calendar

  • 231 CY: Firan Zal'honan, the man whom would later become known as Azalin Rex, is born.[3]
  • 234 CY: Irik, Firan's younger brother, is born.[31]
  • 270 CY: Responding on behalf of Quantarius, Firan saves Lord Nerof from a plot to poison him and harshly punishes the conspirators. Firan is given control over the business and over tutoring the apprentices while Quantarius recovers from his sickness.[35]
  • 275 CY: Firan's service to Quantarius comes to an end as he prepares to leave of Rauxes. On the day of Firan's depature, he gives Quantarius an apple that rejuvenates youth drained from enemies on the battlefield. Shocked and horrified, Quantarius delivers a worrying vision of a doom for Firan worse than death.[36]
  • 283 CY: Ranald's gluttony results in an early death, leaving Knurl in chaos. In Rauxes, Firan saves Prince Edron from rebels before he receives word from Warden Rehajo's messengers that Knurl needs the wisdom of Firan's rule. Firan returns to Knurl and begins to set things in order. The people begin calling him Azal'Lan, an ancient word meaning wizard king.[37]
  • 308 CY: Olessa perishes giving birth to Azal'Lan son Irik. As she is dying, Azalin mentions he caused Parras' murder. In her last few moments of life, Olessa curses Azal'Lan.[40]
  • 327 CY: Irik is caught political prisoners escape. Not only does Firan condemn him to execution, but Firan is the one to deliver the killing blow. The night of Irik's funeral, a mysterious tempts Firan with the knowledge of how to become a lich. Firan accepts the offer. He formally adopts the title of Azal'Lan[41]
  • 329 CY: Firan finally becomes a lich. Although he conceals his transition to undeath, Firan officially adopts the title of Azal'Lan.[42]
  • 372 CY: Azal'Lan captures part of the southern edges of the Flinty Hills and Flinty Hills as well as portions of the Adri Forest. Dwarves and halflings in the Blemu Hills violently rebel. However, their resistance is put down, and they receive horrendous punishment.[3]
  • 391 CY: Azal'Lan invades Innspa in the kingdom of Nyrond, provoking Nyrondese wrath. They send out mercenaries to wreak their vengeance.[3] Azal'Lan searches futilely for a way to resurrect Irik until Stakaster lures Azal'Lan into an ambush from which even he can't defeat.[43] Azal'Lan flees his ambushers into a bank of mists that whisk him away from Oerth entirely.[44]
  • 542 BC Strahd confronts Azalin at Berez. A wary alliance is struck.
  • 547 BC Strahd sends Azalin to investigate Forlorn, but nothing of value to them is found.[47]
  • 579 BC Azalin holds a masquerade ball, calling the nobility of Darkon to its mandatory attendance. After Azalin introduces himself and proclaims rule of Darkon to be his, he kills anyone who refuses to acknowledge this right of rule.[51]
  • 688 BC Autumn: The Crimson Death originates in the Boglands. It eventually spreads to Il Aluk and, from there, the rest of Darkon, killing an estimated 1 out of every 5 Darkonians. To combat the spread of the plague, Azalin institutes a merciless regimen of quarantines for the next three decades, ordering death for any whom defy them.[55]
  • 689 BC Spring: The Crimson Death is on the decline. History credits Azalin's quarantines as responsible for its decline, though he continues its enforcement for the next three decades. The decreased population allows women opportunities for career advancement previously unavailable.[55]
  • 719 BC After three decades of enforcement, Azalin ends the Crimson Death quarantines.[60]
  • 750 BC-755 BC The Shrouded Years As Azalin struggles to regain corporeal form, his mind reaches out to those of his subjects in the Drowning Dreams. Although his loyal minions can sense him, so can Death. Death sends out his Horsemen to prevent Azalin's resurrection and wreak devastation upon Darkon.[64]
  • 753 BC Azalin recovers enough of his disperse essence to consciously think again, though he still lacks corporeal form. He sends dreams to several allies with plans for his return. These plans apparently involve a soul phylactery.[65]
  • 756 BC New Year's Eve: As "S" prepares to leave Darkon, Azalin Rex speaks to her through his shambling undead and provides her with her protective bracers.[71]

Appearances

Modules

Novels

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II p. 134
  2. ↑ From the Shadows p. 30
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 From the Shadows p. 61
  4. ↑ King of the Dead 104-125
  5. ↑ KotD p. 152-153
  6. ↑ KotD p. 144-146
  7. ↑ KotD p. 156-165
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 KotD 166-167, 176
  9. ↑ KotD 186-193
  10. ↑ KotD p. 193-196
  11. ↑ KotD p. 206-214
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II p. 135
  13. ↑ KotD p. 226-236
  14. ↑ I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin
  15. ↑ KotD p. 10-78, 263, 267-271
  16. ↑ KotD p. 230-236, 250-251
  17. ↑ Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium I & II p.26
  18. ↑ Ravenloft Campaign Setting: Domains and Denizens p. 54
  19. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II p.25
  20. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II p. 20
  21. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II p.34
  22. ↑ Domains of Dread p. 17
  23. ↑ The first is played out in the two modules From the Shadows and Roots of Evil that conclude the Grand Conjunction series. The second is played out in the Requiem: The Grim Harvest boxed set that concludes the Grim Harvest series of modules.
  24. ↑ Roots of Evil
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II p. 138
  26. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II p.22-23
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II p.24
  28. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II p.134-135
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II p. 136
  30. ↑ Ravenloft Campaign Setting: Domains and Denizens p. 52
  31. ↑ KotD p. 81
  32. ↑ KotD p. 81-125
  33. ↑ KotD p. 126-131
  34. ↑ KotD p. 138-139
  35. ↑ KotD p. 132-142
  36. ↑ KotD 143-149
  37. ↑ KotD p. 150-165
  38. ↑ KoTD p. 170-173
  39. ↑ FtS p. 61, as told in KotD
  40. ↑ From the Shadows p. 61, as told in KotD p. 188-191
  41. ↑ FtS p. 61, as told in KotD 186-196
  42. ↑ FtS p. 61, as told in KotD p. 196-203
  43. ↑ KotD p. 204-216
  44. ↑ FtS p. 61, as told in KotD
  45. ↑ Gazetteer II p.135
  46. ↑ I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin - p71, pp109-117, pp167-171
  47. ↑ Gazetteer I p.73-74
  48. ↑ Gazetteer II p.135
  49. ↑ Gazetteer II p.9
  50. ↑ Gazetteer II p. 19
  51. ↑ Gazetteer II p. 20
  52. ↑ Death Undaunted p. 4
  53. ↑ Gazetteer II p.143
  54. ↑ Gazetteer II p.117
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 Gazetteer II p. 21
  56. ↑ Gazetteer II p. 29
  57. ↑ Undead Sea Scrolls 2002 p. 8
  58. ↑ Quoth the Raven Issue 13 p. 72
  59. ↑ Gazetteer II p. 132, was born 40 years ago from 757 BC, the current year of Gazetteer II
  60. ↑ Gazetteer II p. 21
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 Gazetteer II p. 22
  62. ↑ Bleak House: Heroes, Monsters, and Settings p.25
  63. ↑ Gazetteer II p. 23
  64. ↑ Gazetteer II p. 23-24
  65. ↑ Gazetteer II p.24
  66. ↑ Gazetteer III p. 4
  67. ↑ Gazetteer II p.24
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 Ravenloft Third Edition p.18
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 Ravenloft Player's Handbook p.20
  70. ↑ Gazetteer II p.55
  71. ↑ Gazetteer II p. 53

Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue

Secrets of the Dread Realms
Realm of Terror
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II
I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin

Secrets of the Dread Realms - p19
The Ravenloft Campaign Setting: Domains and Denizens - pp12, 53, 55
Roots of Evil - pp4, 66, 93 Download Now!
From the Shadows - p58 Download Now!
Realm of Terror - p91
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II - p133
I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin - cover

Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp17-21
The Ravenloft Campaign Setting: Domains and Denizens - p52
Roots of Evil - p5 Download Now!
From the Shadows - p59 Download Now!
Realm of Terror - pp90-93
Ravenloft II: The House on Gryphon Hill - pp45, Poster Download Now!
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II - pp133-137

Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp7, 11, 17-21, 27
Ravenloft Third Edition - pp13-18, 114, 117, 132
Death Ascendant - p57, 60
Death Unchained - p57
The Ravenloft Campaign Setting: Domains and Denizens - pp11-13, 52-56, 99
Roots of Evil - pp5, 84-87, 93-94 Download Now!
From the Shadows - pp9-10 Download Now!
Tales of Ravenloft: The Crucible of Dr. Rudolph van Richten - pp8-11
Tower of Doom - pp29-31
Realm of Terror - pp90-93, 117
Ravenloft II: The House on Gryphon Hill - pp39, 45 Download Now!
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II - pp133-137
I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin - p35-38, 49-50, 77-84, 87-175, 199-303

Firan Zal'honan


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