Ashardalon

Ashardalon was an ancient red dragon. Once one of the mighty dragon tyrants of the Dragon Lands, a slave rebellion in 2904 caused Ashardalon and two other dragons, Urntemaskine and Vallikannatari, to head far to the east and conquer the island of Penator. Such was the fear and terror they inspired in the people of Penator that many even began worshiping Ashardalon as a god. Their joint rule proved tenuous, as a mere ten years later Ashardalon and Urntemaskine arranged for Vallikannatari's death in order to claim his territory, and hoard, for themselves.

Their greed sewed the seeds of their undoing, however; emboldened by Vallikannatari's demise, the wild elves of the Brindenwood banded together and kill Urntemaskine in her lair. Ashardalon was furious, and set much of the Brindenwood ablaze in revenge. However, such wanton destruction of nature finally roused a circle of druids, led by Dyfydd, who pledged to kill Ashardalon once and for all. After several clashes, Dyfydd finally slew Ashardalon in battle, though she was mortally wounded herself in the process.

Ashardalon's cultists went mad in the wake of his death, cutting out his heart and bringing it to their temple of Nightfang Spire. There they conducted a dark ritual that ended with their mass suicide, empowering Ashardalon's heart with negative energy.