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Kaanyr Vhok was a cambion, leader of the Scoured Legion (sometimes seen as Scourged Legion), and Master of Hellgate Keep.[1]

Description[]

As the son of a marilith[10] and a human father, Vhok appeared mostly humanoid, but with light olive-colored skin and silver hair. Most believed him to be an aging half-elf due to his pointed ears. Beneath his rich clothes, Vhok's chest, arms, and legs were covered with deep green scales that showed his tanar'ri heritage.[11]

His skin was finely scaled and he had strong features.[12] He had pointed teeth.[13] He was tall and had the strength of a stone giant. He had red skin that was hot and hard enough to turn a blade. He was also handsome, despite his black teeth. He could fly at will and was resistant to fire.[14]

Vhok's symbol was a scepter in a gauntleted hand.[15]

Personality[]

Vhok was very charismatic.[12] He had a regal bearing and carried himself with elegance and dignity despite his demonic heritage. When dealing with others Vhok was cultured and polite, but this charm was all for show. He could be very ruthless when taking actions to increase his power. Vhok viewed everyone around him as an enemy. His allies were merely adversaries with whom he shared a common goal, and who were to be betrayed when they became liabilities or were no longer needed.[6]

Activities[]

Kaanyr had learned the secrets of the creation of talismans of spell turning, and he and his bands of tanarukka actively began to spread the knowledge of how to craft them to orc tribes in the Nether, Rauvin, and Greypeak Mountains and in the Fallen Lands.[16][17]

History[]

Hellgate Keep[]

Kaanyr's plots and maneuverings, as well as his luck, led to his survival in the political infighting of Hellgate Keep's tanar'ri and his eventual rise to the command of the surviving forces of Hellgate Keep. He and his consort, Aliisza, were trapped under Hellgate Keep for decades.[5] He had three mariliths under him (known as the "Triumvirate"), including his mother, Mulvassyss. He used the mariliths against each other and then slew his own mother to take command of the demons trapped under Hellgate Keep. He subsequently used them to form the main forces of the Scoured Legion when he occupied Ammarindar.[18][19]

Lower ruins throne of bone

Kaanyr Vhok on his Throne of Bone underneath Hellgate Keep.

He would much rather have quietly operated in secret for years. However, due to a combination of fate and his own desire for secret plots, Vhok, and much of his army, were deep beneath the Keep when, in 1369 DR, the Gatekeeper's Crystal brought much of it crashing down and thus thrusting him to a position that required quick action.[6]

War of the Spider Queen[]

In 1372 DR, Vhok allied with King Horgar Steelshadow of Gracklstugh and the Jaezred Chaulssin against the drow city of Menzoberranzan, and his Scoured Legion participated in the final and unsuccessful Siege of Menzoberranzan, foiled at the eleventh hour due to the timely return of Lolth. Vhok retreated quickly, preserving the greater part of his army of tanarukka, allowing the duergar, who were not yet aware of Lolth's return, to bear the brunt of drow retribution while covering his retreat.[20][21] He then led the Scoured Legion to set up its base at Hellgate Keep once again.[22]

The Empyrean Odyssey[]

Main article: The Empyrean Odyssey

In 1373 DR, not long after his defeat at Menzoberranzan, Vhok attempted to take control of the city of Sundabar because of some rivalry he had with Helm Dwarf-Friend. He first used Aliisza to infiltrate Helm Dwarf-Friend's house, then allied with Zasian Menz and Banite priests, devising a plan to use Aliisza's pregnancy to secretly enter the House of the Triad and bathe in the energy-rich waters of the Lifespring. Vhok, Zasian, and the draconic hobgoblin Myshik Morueme traveled through the Elemental Plane of Fire to a portal to the House of the Triad, which Aliisza opened from the other side.[23]

However, Zasian — in fact, a priest of Cyric — had been using Vhok for his own purposes to enter the celestial plane. The astral deva Tauran proposed an agreement with Vhok: if Vhok would help him track down Zasian, Vhok would be allowed to bathe in the Lifespring. Vhok agreed but felt betrayed when Tauran placed a geas on him and he was forced to accompany Tauran, Aliisza, and Aliisza's son Kael across the planes. They failed to stop Zasian, and thus Cyric was able to steal Azuth's staff and kill Mystra.[24]

When at last Vhok was released from the geas, he left his companions behind, feeling betrayed that Aliisza had chosen her son and an angel over himself. He joined up with the balor lord Axithar and the marilith Vhissilka, providing them information that allowed them to invade the House of the Triad. During the invasion, which was turned away, Vhok attempted to reach the Lifespring but was killed by Aliisza before he could do so.[25]

Possessions[]

Vhok's armor was crimson and gold, with a golden breastplate.[12] He wielded two short swords.[14]

Magical Items[]

Vhok's weapons and magical items were confiscated by the Court of Tyr. Soon after, in Dweomerheart, he procured a wand of lightning (activated by the word "Galvanos"[26]), a cape of flying, and a new sword that had dark energy running through it.[27][28] He began calling the sword Spitefang.[29]

Relationships[]

Aliisza[]

Kaanyr and Aliisza

Vhok and Aliisza together on the Throne of Bone.

Vhok's on-off consort and the chief lieutenant was the alu-fiend Aliisza, to whom he often entrusted his most important missions of espionage.[30] He was quite close to her, but that didn't stop him from using her for his own ends. He had a soft spot for her and originally wanted to make amends for his betrayal, but when she appeared to choose her son and Tauran over staying with him, he left bitterly and didn't hesitate to betray her and her companions to a demon horde.[25]

Scoured Legion[]

Vhok's chief tanarukk aid and the lieutenant was named Rorgak.[31] The fey'ri Lysalis was one of his chief sorcerers.[32]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

Adventures
Hellgate
Novels
InsurrectionCondemnationExtinctionAnnihilationThe Gossamer PlainThe Fractured SkyThe Crystal Mountain

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 7, p. 119. ISBN 0786932023.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Thomas M. Reid (December 2003). Insurrection. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 50. ISBN 0-7869-3033-0.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl (July 2002). Silver Marches. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 22. ISBN 0-7869-2835-2.
  4. Thomas M. Reid (December 2003). Insurrection. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 35. ISBN 0-7869-3033-0.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Thomas M. Reid (May 2007). The Gossamer Plain. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 154. ISBN 978-0786940240.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Steven E. Schend (March 1998). Hellgate Keep. (TSR, Inc), pp. 14–15. ISBN 978-0786907861.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (March 2006). Power of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 130. ISBN 0-7869-3910-9.
  8. Paul S. Kemp (February 2006). Resurrection. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 154. ISBN 0-7869-3981-8.
  9. Thomas M. Reid (March 2011). The Empyrean Odyssey. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 750. ISBN 0-7869-5768-9.
  10. Thomas M. Reid (May 2007). The Gossamer Plain. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 978-0786940240.
  11. Steven E. Schend (March 1998). Hellgate Keep. (TSR, Inc), p. 13. ISBN 978-0786907861.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 19, p. 346. ISBN 0786932023.
  13. Lisa Smedman (February 2005). Extinction. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 245. ISBN 0-7869-3596-0.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 3, pp. 36–38. ISBN 0786932023.
  15. Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 7, p. 118. ISBN 0786932023.
  16. Eric L. Boyd (2001-08-29). Part 1: Moonlight's Triumph. Mintiper's Chapbook. Wizards of the Coast.
  17. Eric L. Boyd (2002-01-30). Part 10: Chronicler's Compendium. Mintiper's Chapbook. Wizards of the Coast.
  18. Thomas M. Reid (March 2011). The Empyrean Odyssey. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 534. ISBN 0-7869-5768-9.
  19. 19.0 19.1 Thomas M. Reid (May 2007). The Gossamer Plain. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 28. ISBN 978-0786940240.
  20. Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. ?. ISBN 0786932023.
  21. Philip Athans (August 2005). Annihilation. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-3752-1.
  22. Paul S. Kemp (February 2006). Resurrection. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 62. ISBN 0-7869-3981-8.
  23. Thomas M. Reid (May 2007). The Gossamer Plain. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0786940240.
  24. Thomas M. Reid (November 2008). The Fractured Sky. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0786948078.
  25. 25.0 25.1 Thomas M. Reid (July 2009). The Crystal Mountain. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0-78695235-9.
  26. Thomas M. Reid (March 2011). The Empyrean Odyssey. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 545. ISBN 0-7869-5768-9.
  27. Thomas M. Reid (November 2008). The Fractured Sky. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 257. ISBN 0786948078.
  28. Thomas M. Reid (November 2008). The Fractured Sky. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 262. ISBN 0786948078.
  29. Thomas M. Reid (March 2011). The Empyrean Odyssey. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 613. ISBN 0-7869-5768-9.
  30. Thomas M. Reid (December 2003). Insurrection. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 7–10. ISBN 0-7869-3033-0.
  31. Paul S. Kemp (February 2006). Resurrection. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 61, 153. ISBN 0-7869-3981-8.
  32. Thomas M. Reid (May 2007). The Gossamer Plain. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 39. ISBN 978-0786940240.
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