Azoun Obarskyr IV

King Azoun Obarskyr IV of Cormyr was the king of Cormyr from 1336 DR to 1371 DR and a member of the Purple Dragon Knights. During his reign, the kingdom experienced unprecedented economic growth. He was killed in the Goblin War by Nalavarauthatoryl.

"My duty to Cormyr demands that I help avert a crisis that could threaten any part of the continent."

- King Azoun of Cormyr

Description
Azoun was a handsome man just under with brown eyes, brown gray-streaked hair, graying mustache. He was stocky, muscular, and physically fit for the man of his age who kept a rigorous exercise regimen.

Personality
In his youth, Azoun was a rebel who cared nothing for boring politics and preferred adventuring with his friends. He often missed those days of no responsibilities and no weight of the crown. Even though Azoun remained an idealist, he would perform his duties and forge alliances when necessary. He punished criminals harshly but was a generous ruler and defender.

Azoun was content to be in battle, and despite the risks to himself, would not allow himself to be excluded from any combat that might arise in his presence. Although, being ready and eager, Azoun was an experienced and talented tactician who was using the troops, their skills, enemies' weaknesses, and the battle terrain.

Surviving countless assassination attempts, King Azoun was never unarmed, he often had a long silver magical +4 dagger tucked away in his boot, along with other magical items ready for every occasion.

When making public addresses, Azoun preferred the term "Cormyte" over the more usual "Cormyrean" or "Cormyrian".

Azoun's court in Suzail was famous across the realms for its refinement. The King was an avid patron of the arts, a poet, a musician, and he especially loved drama.

Abilities
King Azoun Obarskyr IV was skilled in fighting with heavy lances, long swords, broadswords, horseman's flails, and daggers.

On top of his combat skills, the King was adept at falcon-training, horseback riding, knew etiquette and heraldry. He also was a good mandolin player.

Possessions
Azoun's sword was contained in a very tatty scabbard. He had a collection of magical swords to choose from, but most commonly used were his vorpal sword and a +4 defender. When in battle, he wore his magical +5 full plate armor and a +2 shield adorned with an image of a purple dragon on a black background.

When not on the battlefield, he wore his bracers of defense, a +3 ring of protection, and a ring of free action.

He had a brown scarf given to him by Filfaeril as a token of luck. In his right boot, he carried a wand that, when snapped, opened a portal to the royal palace, through which guards and priests were ready to step through in the event that Azoun required aid. Azoun also had a hollow metal sphere that, upon spoken command, could transform into a key to unlock a secret vault in the depths of the royal palace. It is one of only five, the others possessed by Vangerdahast, the queen and princesses.

Being the king of Cormyr, Azoun Obarskyr IV could get a hold of almost any item, equipment, combat beast, or a siege machine. Rare and magical items, he could easily commission to be created when needed.

Relationships
Azoun's wife was Queen Filfaeril Selazair. He had two daughters: Tanalasta Obarskyr, the advisor, and Alusair Obarskyr, the adventuress. Thomdor and Bhereu were his cousins. His father was Rhigaerd II. He had an heir in his grandson, Azoun V. He also had a son, Foril, who was assassinated by the Fire Knives before his third year in 1334 DR.

King Azoun could often be found in the company of his trusted friends, advisors, and adventuring companions of youth, Vangerdahast Aeiulvana the Royal Court Wizard, Dimswart the Sage of Suzail, and Winefiddle the cleric of Tymora. Together they were known as the King's Men back in the day.

History
In his rebellious youth, Azoun Obarskyr IV, under disguise, joined a band of adventurers called the King's Men. During that time he created a life-long friendship with Dimswart the mage, and Winefiddle the cleric.

The Royal Court Wizard, a friend, and a teacher - Vangerdahast Aeiulvana often helped the young royalty to slip away to have his adventures, but just as often he ended up having to venture out to bring the rebel home. Many a time that coincided with the King's Men being in deep trouble and the court wizard arriving just in time to rescue the unruly youth.

In 1335 DR, then-young Azoun confronted by Zhentarim assassins. During that adventure, he met the thief Scoril "Shadowhawk" Cimber and his son Artus, who later became a Harper agent. The thief and his son attempted to rob Azoun but instead were attacked by the Zhents. Artus' father was captured and the young men were forced to work together to save him and defeat the magical assassins.

In 1360 DR Azoun faced with the Tuigan Horde when the newly assembled force menaced Western Faerûn with conquest. The king thought it his duty to assemble the forces of the western lands to confront and stop the nomad horde before they were to massacre the population. Acting against Vangerdahast's council, the King assembled the force of twelve thousand soldiers from Cormyr, the Dales, Sembia, Tantras, Hillsfar, the Living City, and Earthfast. More troops came from a strenuous alliance with Zhentil Keep, and hired mercenaries through imposed shield tax. Neighboring countries also chipped in with coin, mercenaries, and magic users to bolster the Crusade's forces. The final count of 30,000 men on Azun's side versus 100,00 horselords of Yamun Khahan.

The forces clashed between the cities of Telflamm and Tammar. Azoun and Vangerdahast attempted to unsuccessfully parley with the Khahans and the battle started the following day. Azoun was shot in the leg by one of the horselords. The Crusade's cavalry was almost completely destroyed but they managed to reduce the Yamun Khahan's forces by a thousand. Princess Alusair Obarskyr took command of the Crusade's forces and commanded to retreat and regroup in the Forest of Lethyr, knowing that it would disadvantage the Tuigan horse-riders. The second day of battle was wone thanks to Alusair's leadership, dwarven trap-making for the Horde riders, and Cormyrian War Wizards' illusions that kept the traps hidden. King Azoun confronted Yamun Khahan by singling his war banner out and allowing him to penetrate the Crusade's defenses. The confusion and tireless assault followed, the Khahan was surrounded by now unmasked traps. The Horselord managed to kill the leader of the dwarven forces, but in the end, he was defeated and killed himself by Azoun's hand. With the fall of their leader, the Horde was broken and retreated back to the east. The Crusade's cost was steep, 20,000 men out of 30,000 survived.

In 1352 DR, the Usurper King Gondegal attempted to establish a kingdom centered in the city of Arabel. Azoun led the army of Purple Dragons to reclaim the city. In all, Gondegal had power over Arabel for just eight days.

In 1369 DR Azoun was on a hunt with Baron Thomdor, Duke Bhereu, and Aunadar Bleth when he was poisoned by a magical abraxus in the abraxus affair, putting him in a coma-like state.

Died during the Goblins War, in the year 1371 by the Dragon Nalavarauthatoryl that also died in battle.

Rumors & Legends

 * There were many rumors and tales of Azoun's encounters with the opposite sex, mostly from before his marriage, and there were a number of children as a result of these relations, but the matter was not discussed openly or officially.

Appearances

 * Card Games
 * AD&D Trading Cards • Spellfire: Master the Magic


 * Comic Books


 * The Grand Tour • Unreal Estate


 * Novels
 * Azure Bonds • Crusade


 * Blackstaff Tower (novel) • The Dream Spheres • Forsaken House • Realms of Valor • Shadowdale (novel) • Waterdeep (novel)


 * Video Games
 * Curse of the Azure Bonds (game)


 * Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (game) • Neverwinter Nights • Secret of the Silver Blades