THE LAIRS OF THE COUNCIL OF SAGES 5: GIMRIL'S LAIR

Hook: Bridge Town has grown in prominance on the frontier of Calibor next to The Wilderness. The Erämi, though they are reluctant to claim full alliance with anyone, have honoured the agreement put forth in The League of Four Crowns, which includes the Caliphate of Asham, Calibor, the tribal lands of Antŵra, and the wild Erämi. The elves stayed away from any agreements, remaining in the depths of their wild forests, but, it was guaranteed, if the need were great enough, the elves would emerge to defend the lands from aggression. They needed no binding terms to know what was right, much as the Erämi claim. The mountain gnomes also remain hidden away, save for rare instances when they emerge to travel the lands to gather greater knowledge of the world to use in their making. The League agreement has proven to be a good failsafe against the forces of evil, as Xoár and the Strixians have continued to prove troublesome, but, manageable. Enough of a threat to remain watchful... The Marcher Lords, Taryŵnish purists responsible for watching the thin western border of Calibor, have been left to their own wild devices building fortified villages along the frontier to keep watch on any invading forces and to indulge their own civil strife between clans. The Crown simply requires them to assemble and answer its call, during times of war and great need. The northern clans living in the Marcher Wolds and southern Hundred-Headed Mountains, are lesser royalty, marcher lords, knights, lesser chieftains and governors, in charge of fortified villages on the frontier. The southern clans, two larger political entities, The March of Tŵrk, and the March of Mabinŵg, are ruled by marks, a title equivalent to Lumenorian princes (minor nobles and military commanders), or Caliborian lords, or chieftains. The Lumenorian purists rule militarised mercenary units as tacticians and mercenary princes, who make their money as guards and leaders hired to lead as generals, specialised foot soldiers, and elite cavalry in times of war. It is by this uncertain backdrop that the Mark of Mabinŵg, Bryŵn, has grown increasingly suspicious of one of the local wizards, Lŵgon, upon hearing rumours of his gathering forces in The Wilderness, and finding evidence of those same forces ambushing caravans on the roads. It may be that he is planning a coup. The Mark has sent word throughout town that he desires a group of individuals go to Lŵgon's lair, find him, and bring him back to Bridge Town for questioning, and, if he does not wish to return, they are permitted to deal with him, as they please. Any goods stolen from local craftsmen are to be returned, should anything be found.

Details: Gimril is a Lakelander from Eräland. He is unusual in that he had two masters, which is uncommon for wizards. Their lives are usually begun young, at the ages of 5 or 6, and their apprenticeships last until they are 15 or 16. Gimril was 13 when he met Uronos. Uronos stumbled upon him in Eräland during his travels. Gimril studied with another master, Ordo the Extravagant, another Lumenorian, but, the old man did not like Gimril's obsession with power, or his irresponsible use of magic to dominate and control. Gimril was abandoned, his spell book taken, and sent back to his people. Unfortunately for Gimril, his time with Ordo marked him as 'strange'. He was no longer one of the villagers. He had a difficult time fitting in. When Uronos arrived, he immediately saw Gimril's promise, and took him east to finish his apprenticeship. Uronos liked Gimril's aggression and ambitious nature. It was an easy fit, and one Gimril did not hesitate to take advantage of.

As an adult, the conjurer became powerful, but, always felt uncomfortable with his late start. He never forgot his old master and eventually returned to him, killed him, and took Ordo's spellbook, then returned to the Northeast Wilderness. Gimril is a bully and a tyrant. He is tall and aggrandising, dresses in bright red, run-embroidered robes, carries a staff of power, and rules a clan of troglodytes. He killed their leader, a large female, and claimed leadership over them. His years have been spent learning how to harness elemental forces. He is a battering ram of a man. Forceful and violent. He rules through fear and pain, though he is wise enough to be diplomatic and political. His tactics are brutish, however. Gimril has a head of bright red hair he keeps braided and well-kept, and a short beard and moustache. His eyes are a fierce gray and grow dark as stormclouds when he is angry. One of his greatest accomplishments is his mastery of a five-headed evil dragon of chaos, Kötrazasza the Duplicitous. She serves him as he bound her, as his mount. he keeps her chained inside a room specially designed to control the red dragon. Kötrazasza hates Gimril, but, his binding and prison prevents her from killing him.

The entry to Gimril's lair is special. He wears a ring that turns him into a small animal he chooses. He uses the ring to enter a very small opening that leads into his home.