Irik Zal'honan (Son)

Irik Zal'honan is the son of Azalin Rex, so named by Azalin in memory of his brother. He was executed by Azalin for treason and is now a ghost haunting a crypt in the upper towers of Castle Avernus.

Irik is mentioned in several Ravenloft products, though he actually makes an appearance in the 2nd Edition module From the Shadows. He also shows up in various flashbacks in the novel King of the Dead, where his relationship with his father is heavily explored.

History

Irik was born out of the need for Aza'Lan Firan Zal'honan (as Azalin was known back then on Oerth) to produce an heir to the throne of Knurl. With the help of her father, the aging wizard-king forced the younger noblewoman Olessa into an arranged marriage. She attempted to make herself barren with the surreptitious aid of some mystics, but in the end Azalin discovered the act and reversed it using his own magic. Irik was the product of a difficult birth that claimed the life of his mother. As Olessa died, she laid a curse upon her husband. Young Irik seemed to have a happy and upbeat personality that warmed Azalin's heart, though as Irik matured he became more and more unsuited to rule in Azalin's view, due to Irik's sense of forgiveness.

For a time, Irik seemed to attend to and maybe even embrace the grim nature of his father's politics. Though the departure of Irik's positive outlook saddened Azalin somewhat, he thought Irik's enlightenment was more than worth it. But then all that came apart as Irik's deception was uncovered, for he was secretly aiding the enemy. Irik's betrayal was not an act of malice against the father he loved but rather out of empathy and mercy towards political dissidents held captive by Azalin. Irik's treason was the act of enabling their escape. So as to show that nobody, not even his own flesh and blood, was above the law, Azalin called for Irik's execution the same as any other. Not only this, but Azalin delivered the killing blow himself.

Irik always had a sense of mercy and compassion like both his mother Olessa and his namesake, Azalin's brother. Azalin saw these qualities as weakness, a fatal flaw in in his eyes. Azalin has felt deep regret that he failed Irik by not raising him right. A desire for a chance to "redeem" his son haunted Azalin. It was a need which would necessitate some form of resurrection from the dead. This need lingered on for many years, decades even, after Irik's death, even after Azalin's transformation into a lich. This obsession eventually is what caused him to enter the Land of Mists, for the pursuit of a false lead caused Azalin to fall into an ambush from which he could not defeat with overwhelming power. Fleeing his attackers, Azalin ran into a bank of mists which led him to Barovia.

After Azalin had a falling out with Strahd and left Barovia, Irik's corpse and the granite sarcophagus were taken by the Mists from Oerth (or perhaps simply copied) and delivered to the newly Darkon, specifically the confines of Castle Avernus. Irik's true spirit seemed linked to these bones regardless of their nature.

Game Statistics

Ghost, Lawful Neutral; Hit Dice 10

Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue

		From the Shadows Download Now!
		From the Shadows - p38 Download Now!
		From the Shadows - p48 Download Now!
		Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp17-20 From the Shadows - p48 Download Now!