Gondegal

Gondegal, known as the Lost King, was a warrior and warlord who, in the Year of the Dragon, 1352 DR, attempted to establish a kingdom centered on the city of Arabel in northern Cormyr. He and his mercenary army launched lightning raids in which they seized much land but looted and pillaged many communities. He was driven out after barely a season by the standing army of Cormyr, the Purple Dragons, led by King Azoun IV, and their allies. Gondegal escaped justice and became a figure of fear to Cormyreans in the generation afterward. Though none of them knew his true fate, he in fact stumbled into the Demiplane of Dread and ultimately became a righteous, honorable champion of the oppressed, as a Knight of the Shadows and commander of the Circle, a rare force for good there.

Preparation
Who Gondegal had been or where he had come from, no one else knew. He was a complete unknown to Cormyrean authorities by the start of 1352 DR. Duke Bhereu later speculated he'd once been a professional soldier somewhere, given his familiarity with siege-craft. Whatever he was, it seemed Gondegal desired to be king, but the only course open to him was to seize land by strength of arms and become king by his own hand. And so he went ahead and did it.

Basing himself out of the Cormyrean city of Arabel, Gondegal recruited mercenaries from throughout Cormyr and the Goblin Marches and the Stonelands. A good number of them were goblins and other demihumans. Chief among his allies and supporters were the saddler Arth Tembroar, the herbalist Azunt Haelcloak, and the clothier turned thief Culdath, a.k.a. Bresk Thrattul, all of Arabel, as well as Baerendros the Blade, a Sembian hiresword wanted for robberies and killings. He was secretly supported by a little-known minor nobleman, Lord Vorik Aris. He raised his army in just a fortnight. To pay them for their service, he said they could have whatever loot they could lay hands on as they went. To his commanders, he promised noble titles and land concessions. But first they would have to carve their kingdom out of the heart of Cormyr.

Meanwhile, Cormyr's young king, Azoun Obarskyr IV, was disinclined to deal with issues of the realm outside the capital city of Suzail.

Initial Success
Then, with his army bought but not paid for and carrying his banners, Gondegal launched guerilla-style raids throughout Cormyr. They ranged as far north as the Desertsedge Mountains and Tilver's Gap and other mountain passes, and captured Tilverton. They crossed the Wyvernwater and captured Immersea in the south and Wheloon, Hultail, and Wheloon in the east, and crossed the Eastern Plains to the edge of the Vast Swamp. They went west to Eveningstar, raided the surrounding farms, and briefly laid siege to the town but could not take it. One of their bases was the former bandit stronghold of Wyvernhunt in the foothills of the Storm Horns beside the High Road.

Gondegal and his mercenary soldiers proved capable and more agile than Cormyr's standing army, the Purple Dragons, able to move swiftly, react faster, and strike without warning. Meanwhile, the majority of Cormyr's army had been stationed in High Horn, ready for an external threat, not an internal one, and hence struggled to muster sufficient forces that could challenge Gondegal. Baron Thomdor and his forces spent three months chasing Gondegal back and forth across northern Cormyr without ever catching him—every time he readied to attack, Gondegal's forces faded into forest and fog. The Purple Dragons also made fatal missteps; en route to a strategic location, the three-dozen-strong Starburst Swords unit elected to avoid the Stonebolt Trail, which was threatened by Gondegal's Twilight Brigade, whom they could've handily defeated. Instead, whether out of laziness or cowardliness, they took a safer path to get their target sooner, Unchallenged, the Twilight Brigade assaulted, pillaged, and razed a small village near the trail, Darkenshield. A journal recovered from the ruins fifteen years later recounted how the militia were taken by surprise and the farmers fought back with agricultural tools before barricading themselves in their hall, and there distributing a painless poison to the young and old before fighting to the death. Meanwhile, wandering trolls wiped out the Starburst Swords, and they were recorded as missing. Intelligent monsters such as these had seized the opportunity to spread their own chaos.

With every victory or escape, Gondegal's legend grew and new supporters gathered to his cause. In this way, Gondegal enjoyed much early success and rapidly gained control of most of northern Cormyr. Styling himself "the Lost King", he made certain claims of a lineage to the royal bloodline of some fallen realm and a desire to reestablish his rightful kingdom; some folk who thought wistfully of these lost realms were sympathetic to his cause. His crown was thought to be looted from a Sembian tomb but he dared anyone to try to take it from him.

Reaction and Retreat
But for all his skill as a warrior and general, Gondegal had proved poor as a king. He failed in his bid for power for a number of interrelated reasons. First, as they'd been promised, the mercenaries took their payment wherever they could get it. They pillaged the farms and towns they occupied and inflicted great suffering. Behind them, they left many ruins and countless people killed. This also left captured towns emptied of resources and therefore unusable as supply points in future actions. Gondegal's own treasury of loot wasn't great enough to keep paying them, and quickly ran out. At least one of Gondegal's pay-ships, loaded with looted gold, sank in the murky waters around Marsember, still lost by 1367 DR.

Second, Gondegal had not yet dealt with the Purple Dragons. Once they regrouped and formed a cohesive unit, they would retaliate in significant force. It would be the first time they were required to put down an insurrection. Even common farmers quickly volunteered to join the Purple Dragons in the face of Gondegal's threat. Meanwhile, the surviving defenders of Tilverton quickly retook their city.

And third, the Cormyrean crown would summon reinforcements from neighboring lands. Gondegal had disrupted the local balance of power and disturbed or even assaulted the other realms, and seized more territory than he could keep from them. As a result, Tilverton, Sembia, Daggerdale and others of the Dalelands were willing to ally to aid Cormyr in bringing down the rogue conqueror. They were supplemented by adventuring bands, mercenaries, and Cormyr's own militias and War Wizards, and particularly the forces of lords of lands claimed by Gondegal.

The Cormyrean authorities also made sure to disprove Gondegal's claims of a right to rule. Agents researched his genealogy in court and temple documents, but turned up no evidence of any noble or royal bloodline. They even interviewed elves, dwarves and even dragons of sufficient and familiarity, and with the participation of the independent and unbiased High Heralds, but they knew naught of it either. Thus, Alaphondar, the Sage Royal, issued a missive dated Ches 11 to the so-called "signet list" of senior Crown servants. In it, he refuted Gondegal's claims, though omitted repeating what they actually were, perhaps deliberately, and condemning the bloody warmongering even if they should turn out to be true. It went onto declare Gondegal to be killed on sight and his key followers Arth Tembroar, Azunt Haelcloak, Baerendros the Blade, and Culdath to be outlaws, wanted dead or alive. A similar royal proclamation followed, even as the Purple Dragons mustered for war.

Thus, after regrouping and enlisting the support of its neighbors, the Purple Dragons and a combined allied force brought the fight to Gondegal. They marched simultaneously out of High Horn, Thunder Gap, Tilverton, and High Dale. One force of troops was led by Azoun himself, in his first military command as king. It seems he'd had some hesitancy, however, for several advisers quietly encouraged him to lead the troops in person. A famous story claimed that the well-known gold dragon Tarlacoal, who'd long involved himself in Cormyrean politics, was among these whisperers. In any case, the Lord High Marshal, Duke Bhereu of High Horn; the Warden of the Eastern Marshes, Baron Thomdor; and Royal Magician Vangerdahast accompanied and advised him.

But entering the occupied lands, they found scenes of desolation and despair. Many of Gondegal's troops broke and retreated in the face of the advancing Purple Dragons, pillaging all they could as they left and seeking unclaimed loot in fresh places. A significant number of Gondegal's forces, having depleted local food supplies, simply surrendered and even proposed joining the Purple Dragons in exchange for food and shelter. The majority, however, elected to fight as they felt they were left with no choice and should die fighting rather than go home in shame. In all the allied advances, not one major battle was fought and not one more than an hour long or seeing more than a hundred slain. The remnants of Gondegal's army scattered.

Meanwhile, in the third week of Eleasis, Gondegal returned to oft-rebellious Arabel and inspired the people to revolt, and successfully. The Indesm, Immerdusk, and other minor noble houses supported Gondegal, while the Marliirs were put under house arrest. He even got to be king, crowning himself as "Gondegal I" and placing a throne in the Citadel of Arabel. He declared the independence of his improvised kingdom. He laid claim to lands from Anauroch in the northwest to Tilver's Gap in the northeast, to the Wyvernwater in the south and further to the southeast; these lands were fully half of Cormyr and went deep into Sembia. But his rule didn't even last a season and he spent much of it in the saddle and on the battlefield. He would only reign as king in Arabel for but eight days, and actually sit upon his throne for five. His kingdom didn't last long enough to even have a name.

Downfall
King Azoun IV led his Purple Dragons on the march to Arabel. He expected to face the so-called King Gondegal in massed battle or a lengthy siege of his stronghold. On the seventh day of Gondegal's eight-day kingdom, Azoun's army arrived and set up around Arabel, which they found Gondegal had quickly but thoroughly fortified the city. Marliir daughters provided some intelligence on events in Arabel. They drew up their plans for attack, expecting the still-loyal citizens to support them once battle was joined. They also planned what to do after, including hanging Gondegal and his key subordinates for their crimes.

But Gondegal had already escaped justice, having disappeared in the middle of the last night of his reign or even one or two days previously. It was like they'd simply melted away in the night. Gondegal, his half-dozen closest subordinates, and his treasure were found missing, and the captains searched the city in a panic. The mages similarly escaped via their magic. The remaining leaders were divided, with most in favor of surrendering and pleading for mercy. The mercenaries had been abandoned, left to look after themselves, and they had no wish to fight and die for Arabel without any gold. A spy reported these happenings to Vangerdahast, and he sent back a promise of amnesty to those who surrendered, and death for all others.

Thus, on the morn of the eighth day, the gates were flung open to the Cormyrean army and they entered Arabel with no battle or bloodshed at all. The Arabellans welcomed Azoun and his Purple Dragons with cheers and Azoun received them with open arms; Dauneth Marliir was one and cherished the memory. Similarly, Azoun would fondly recall the liberation of Arabel in the years afterward.

Meanwhile, Gondegal made it out of Cormyr and was reported to have fled north and then east through Teshwave, but after this only contradicting rumors and tales gave his whereabouts.

The Fear of Cormyr
Although Gondegal's kingdom was short-lived, it played a significant role in defining the Kingdom of Cormyr thereafter. Gondegal's rebellion forced Azoun IV to pay attention to matters beyond Suzail and take action, to rule a kingdom rather than a city. Thereafter, he would rule more capably. Realizing he'd grown apart from his subjects, he took to personally touring the towns and villages of his kingdom in disguise—something he hadn't done since he was a prince—and meeting the people. He also began to strictly enforce laws requiring groups of five or more armed adventurers to have a royal charter to operate, in order to limit future rebellions.

Arabel received an especially large Purple Dragons garrison, for fear of the return of Gondegal, his offspring, or his imitators, as well to guard against rebellion and future attacks. In the years after, Arabel remained in turmoil and beset by brigands and monsters, until Myrmeen Lhal, first as garrison commander and then as lord of the city, reestablished order and provided food, houses, and jobs for the common folk, earning her their genuine love.

Gondegal himself was never captured. His condition and whereabouts remained a mystery in the Realms, but remained much discussed in taverns through the mid-1350s to the mid-1360s DR, usually when caravans went missing anywhere from High Dale to as far as Impiltur or when brigands seemed more active than normal. Thus, the Lost King became a fixture in the Cormyrean imagination. Many assumed he still lived, and linked all kinds of actions to him. A popular story circa 1356 DR was that he survived as an outlaw king, holding court in the wilderness some place with twenty-or-so zealously loyal followers. This Gondegal was thought to be careful and ruthless, and of course killing all witnesses to his attacks to stop word about him spreading.

In one odd incident in the winter of the, a large but dilapidated ship entering the Lake of Dragons was attacked by pirates while in the Neck. When its captain emerged to fight, one of the pirates declared him to be Gondegal himself, momentarily halting the battle with everyone's surprise. That the man had hair as red as a dwarf's and promptly fled by diving overboard mattered not a whit to the tale. The pirates overwhelmed the sailors two-to-one, captured the sailors, and seized a cargo of goblin-made swords and other weapons; since goblins fought in Gondegal's army, this was also seen as evidence of the Lost King equipping a new army. Questioned by the pirates, some of the sailors claimed they knew the captain was Gondegal, though not where he was based, but that he was going to Westgate. They even threw in a story of a great treasure to fund his new army, and added the first officer was in the captain's trust and knew its location. The first officer was also questioned, but he too escaped, taking any truth with him.

Through the mid-to-late 1360s DR, rumors told of small groups still loyal to Gondegal or sympathetic to his cause, usually placing them where no such group was to be found. Yet there was one—Lord Vorik Aris survived the war without blame and in the, plotted a new rebellion, believing he could avoid Gondegal's errors. He returned to Darkenshield to do it, aided by survivors of the Twilight Brigade. They were defeated by adventurers and the ghosts of the Starburst Swords, who'd been barred from the afterlife by Torm, god of duty, but now had their chance for redemption. Meanwhile, the cooperation of kobolds and troglodytes on ambushes in the Hullack Forest, who were not usually known to work together, was attributed to some charismatic, outsider; naturally, Gondegal was put forward as the most likely candidate for his hypothetical leader. During the abraxus affair in the, wild rumors placed Gondegal in Marsember and High Horn and behind the attack on Azoun, but by now such tales were ridiculed. Even the black king piece in the game of chess was sometimes termed "Gondegal".

In the late 1370s DR, a gang of brigands called the Sons of Gondegal and carrying his wolf's-head standard had started harassing caravans and farms between Arabel and the Shadow Gap. They'd escaped capture by 1379 DR and it's unknown what connection they had to their namesake.

Into the Mists
But Gondegal's ultimate fate was very different to what people believed. There are two versions. In one, he eventually came into the Buried Realms of the Underdark beneath Anauroch and there stumbled between two standing stones (possibly a portal) wreathed in mist. In the other, after many days of flight from his pursuers, he stumbled alone into an area of marsh under a thick fog. Either way, when the Mists cleared, he was on the Demiplane of Dread. The mist dragon Thalagyrt, "Old Lord Memory", was reputed to know the true fate of Gondegal.

Gondegal found himself in the realm of Falkovnia. Initially, he was attracted to the military dictatorship of Lord Vlad Drakov —himself also a mercenary warlord transplanted here from another world —finding it familiar and well suited. Although he did not like Drakov's horrific punishments, Gondegal understood its ruler's adherence to military discipline. But, as he learned more, he eventually realized the evil in the lands and grew sickened and wearied of its cruel oppression and taint. So he departed to explore this new land and make his fortune, having various adventures along the way. By the year 735 on the Barovian calendar, he was still surviving in Ravenloft on his wits and courage, not magic, and he'd suffered no ill effects from being on the Demiplane of Dread.

But Gondegal later returned to Falkovnia, older and wiser now, intent on being a liberator rather than a conqueror. He sought to unite the people under him, depose Drakov, and seize control of Falkovnia. Realizing his haste had been his undoing in Cormyr, Gondegal was slow and careful this time. Yet again he failed. Drakov's forces crushed his coup in the cradle, broke his organization, and destroyed his allies. But once again Gondegal escaped capture and was hunted by armies.

He fled to neighboring Darkon, seeking refuge in the realm that had long opposed Drakov, and tried to make contact with its lord. He didn't make it anywhere near—three vampires beset him, overwhelmed even his swordsmanship, and drunk deep of his life. Blacking out, Gondegal thought he had finally met his doom.

Out of the Shadows
But fate or the Mists had other ideas. Somehow, Gondegal was rescued by Helna Vladinova, a great Knight of the Shadows and member of the Circle. Some days later, Gondegal awoke, wounded and weak, in the care of her squire, but it took many months for him to recover his health. In that time, he spoke often with Helna, coming to realize his life was on the wrong course and understanding the vital work the Circle did. By the end, he elected to join the Circle and become a Knight of the Shadows himself.

Over the following years, Gondegal grew in wisdom and experience, and recovered the strength he'd lost to the vampires. He was a changed man and had gained a true calling. He dedicated himself to the liberation of the Falkovnians, not as a means to his achieving his own power, but for their own sake, and he vowed to fight against Drakov until one or both of them were dead. Working against Lord Drakov and his forces, he aided those he found in need in Falkovnia, hired adventurers to help him in missions, and mentored junior Knights of the Shadows. Once a year, he made a pilgrimage to Avonleigh to meet with fellow members of the Circle.

By 751 on the Barovian calendar, Gondegal was white-haired and leading an armed resistance in Falkovnia against Drakov's tyranny, and with some success. With excellent hit-and-run attacks, a force of kobolds under his command forced Drakov's troops from a region in central Falkovnia. However, Drakov was no stranger to such skilled opposition.

For his dedication, Gondegal had earned the respect and admiration of his fellows in the Circle. In 751, he even undertook the ceremony of Final Ascension became leader of the Circle himself, No more was he a mercenary, a rebel, a conqueror, a king, or a bandit, now he was a champion.

Some time before the late 15 century DR, a story had gone around Faerûn that Gondegal eventually emerged from the mists, and did something of great import.

Personality
He was known to be intelligent and highly skilled,  and very charismatic. He was an adventure-seeker and would try just about anything, but was neither reckless nor foolish, and would not take on a fool's errand or a mission doomed to failure. He had such an enormous confidence and self-assurance that he appeared arrogant and domineering.

By the time he was a Knight of the Shadows and head of the Circle, Gondegal was a seasoned campaigner, a born leader, a veteran of countless battles, his mettle tested and proven, and he knew it and he showed it. But he had total dedication to the Circle and the cause of good in the Demiplane of Dread, and would never willingly abandon his duty. Having found his true calling gave him much inner strength to see him through his quest, though it might be foolish or doomed. He retained his love of adventure and battle, and preferred action to diplomacy or posturing, though he only attacked foes who truly deserved it and he had acquired a sense of mercy he'd not had in his early days.

He'd also come to enjoy being seen as a hero. Once, Gondegal had been content with the respect and admiration of his followers and the fear and hate of his foes and ordinary folk. But as a Knight of the Shadows, he appreciated the praise of the ordinary Falkovnians for his efforts to help them. They saw him as a protector of the oppressed and weak, and overlooked his seeming arrogance.

Description
Appearing to be in his forties, though his precise age was uncertain, Gondegal was a large and muscular man, standing over tall. He had gray   or white hair that he let grow long and hang loose and a long mustache that drooped below his jaw. He had a confident and proud bearing, bordering on arrogance. His self-assurance was clear to all who beheld him.

His badge and his family's ancestral mark was the head of a grey wolf with red eyes, viewed face on.

Possessions
Gondegal typically wore a suit of chain mail but upon becoming a Knight of the Shadows he adopted the order's special black plate mail and black and yellow cape, which had an eclipsed-sun clasp. Emblazoned on the chest of both his armors was his family's wolf's head crest.

He always had a sword at hand. His main weapon was Scourge, an enchanted sword that was potent against lycanthropes and shapechangers—this of course proved very useful in Ravenloft.

During the rebellion in Cormyr, Gondegal was the owner of a number of magical rings, which changed his appearance or that of his armor.

Apart from his sword, whatever magical items that Gondegal had brought with him from Toril to the Demiplane of Dread were eventually depleted or lost.

Abilities
An extremely skilled fighter, Gondegal was a specialist in both the longsword and two-handed broadsword,   and he rarely used a shield or the like. Only occasionally did he use magical protections.

Such was his determination and desire to avenge injustice in Falkovnia, Gondegal was more resilient in battle with tyrants like Lord Drakov. He was deeply familiar with the tactics and twisted law and order of Drakov and his forces, usually knowing just what they'd do next with a gut feeling.

Being a Knight of the Shadows, Gondegal could cast the spells of a paladin, such as cure serious wounds and protection from evil 10' radius, but he could not turn undead.