Cult of the Dragon

The Cult of the Dragon, also known as Keepers of the Secret Hoard or, more recently, Wearers of Purple, is a semi-religious evil organization venerating undead dragons, or dracoliches, founded by Sammaster, a powerful wizard. Sammaster possessed great power, in a manner similar to Elminster and Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun. In Sammaster's case however, the additional power brought delusions of godhood and madness, and he came to believe in time that "dead dragons shall rule the world entirely" and began to work toward that goal, fighting the several Chosen of Mystra and even the god Lathander along the way. While Sammaster has died, risen as a lich, and fallen again, his cult lives on, and continues to threaten the Western Heartlands.

The Cult of the Dragon venerates dragons, evil dragons in particular, and specifically dead evil dragons. They reanimate the gargantuan corpses as powerful and fell dracoliches. The Cult acts as an information network for its draconian "masters", brings gems and riches as offerings, and encourages evil dragons to become dracoliches. Their belief is that dracoliches are destined to one day rule Faerûn and beyond. They can become inhabited by objects or such which have been created in their image especially with the image of the skull.

While the cult has no true leader, as of the year of the Ageless One (1479 DR) it reveres Anabraxis The Black Talon as its ultimate authority.

Activity
The Cult is active throughout the Realms, but is specifically powerful in the Cold Lands and the North, where dragons are particularly abundant. Cult member activities include gathering information on particularly rich caravans to be raided, stealing unique items to be offered to their masters, and leading raids against their enemies (who, in their minds, are all those who might oppose the rulership of the dragons). Senior members of the Cult of the Dragon are given the secret of creation of dracoliches and each is also in possession of a ring of dragons. The keepers use these to protect themselves against assailants.

The cult is not against legitimate commercial activities, and as such it has several merchant members who use their well earned money to fund cult projects.

Sembia
As of 1368 DR, the commander of the guard in Daerlun, Sembia, was in control of the city through manipulation of the elderly merchant and official ruler Halath Tymmyr. The organization used Daerlun as an arms store and to heal wounded members, preferring to keep activities low-key.

Appearances

 * Shandril's Saga by Ed Greenwood
 * Temple Hill by Drew Karpyshyn