Valuxin'mardurace

There is more to do than drink and listen to the talented Frejya Stormsong at Hell's Half-Acre. Lux is a blacksmith like no other. Bring him the materials and he can craft you a work of wonder, as long as he is in the mood.

— Jasper Cameron, Leader of The Bronze Ravens

  Valuxin'mardurace, known as "Lux" by his closest companions, is a massive red dragon whose scales have been blackened and dulled by the creeping corruption of shadow magic from the Plane of Cysgodol. Faint, glowing veins of molten crimson pulse beneath the blackened surface, giving the impression of a forge struggling to stay lit. His wings, once fiery banners of dominance, are now webbed with shadowy mist, and his claws seem permanently stained with soot. Despite his menacing natural appearance, Lux more often appears as a human blacksmith, more for practicality in practicing his craft than for asthetic reasons.   Personality: Lux is a paradoxical mix of fiery passion and quiet introspection, traits that reflect both his former life as a proud red dragon and his current role as the blacksmith at Hell’s Half-Acre Tavern. Gruff but fair, Lux has a reputation for being blunt with his opinions but deeply loyal to those he respects. The corruption of shadow magic has introduced a somber streak, and Lux sometimes retreats into silence as he contemplates his slow transformation. Despite this, he maintains a dry sense of humor, often bantering with the tavern’s demon bartender, Tilloth'tonogozonannoth.   Lux’s forge, tucked into a back corner of the sprawling, chaotic tavern, radiates both literal and figurative warmth, a bastion of controlled fire in the otherwise unruly establishment. Backstory   Once a tyrannical lord of volcanic mountains on the Material Plane, Valuxin'mardurace ruled with an iron claw, hoarding treasure and demanding tribute. His downfall came when a shard of shadow-infused obsidian from Cysgodol entered his hoard. Drawn to its alien magic, Lux underestimated its insidious influence. Over time, the shard’s power seeped into him, blackening his scales and tempering his once-unwavering will with creeping despair.   Recognizing the danger to himself and his realm, Lux fled, leaving his domain to crumble in his absence. His wanderings eventually brought him to Hell’s Half-Acre Tavern, where the chaotic neutrality of the planar establishment offered him refuge. Adapting to his new life, Lux channeled his remaining power into smithing, crafting weapons, armor, and trinkets of extraordinary quality for the tavern’s eclectic patrons. Abilities and Skills   Lux is a master blacksmith, capable of working with materials from across the planes. His shadow corruption allows him to imbue items with unique properties, though doing so taxes his remaining essence.     Shadow-Touched Powers:

Lux can temporarily summon shadow flames that enhance the properties of any weapon or armor he crafts, though doing so causes his corruption to advance.

Lux can partially shift into a shadowy version of himself, becoming incorporeal for 1 minute. In this form, his attacks deal additional necrotic damage, and he can pass through solid objects.

Relationships   Tilloth'tonogozonannoth ("Tilloth"): Til, the demon bartender of Hell’s Half-Acre, is Lux’s closest friend and confidant. The two share a mutual understanding of the delicate balance between power and corruption. Tilfrequently provides Lux with experimental elixirs to counteract the shadow magic’s influence, though Lux often dismisses them with a sarcastic quip before eventually trying them.   The Tavern Patrons: Lux is a fixture of Hell’s Half-Acre, known for his impeccable craftsmanship and sharp tongue. Many adventurers commission gear from him, though Lux only accepts payment in unique treasures or favors.   Enemies:   The Cult of Shadows: A group of shadow sorcerers seeks to complete Lux’s corruption, believing he could become an unparalleled shadow-forged weapon of destruction. Treasure Seekers: Some adventurers mistakenly believe Lux’s forge holds remnants of his hoard, leading to tense confrontations that rarely end well.   Adventure Ideas  

The Forge’s Shadow: Lux’s forge begins to exude unnatural darkness, threatening to consume him and the tavern. The party is tasked with venturing into the Plane of Cysgodol to retrieve an artifact that can stabilize the forge—and Lux himself.

The Cult’s Ambition: Members of the Cult of Shadows infiltrate Hell’s Half-Acre, stealing a shadow-infused weapon Lux had crafted. The party must recover it before the cult uses it to summon an ancient shadow dragon.

A Personal Quest: Lux offers to craft the party a legendary weapon, but in exchange, they must retrieve a piece of his original hoard—a treasure corrupted by shadow magic that he fears will fall into the wrong hands.

Til’s Gamble: Tilloth creates a powerful elixir to purge the shadow magic from Lux, but the process requires the party to protect the blacksmith from shadow creatures drawn to the purification ritual.