Gartokkar Xundorn

Gartokkar Xundorn was a duergar cleric of Laduguer, a member of Clan Xundorm, and the leader of the Keepers of the Flame in the city of Gracklstugh in the late 15th century DR.

“Foreigners, meet the Father of Flame, the Everburning, and the Foundry's Heart—Themberchaud, the Wyrmsmith of Gracklstugh.”

-Gartokkar Xundorn introducing visitors to the dragon

Activities

The Keepers of the Flame had the duty of serving the Wyrmsmith of Gracklstugh, the red dragon Themberchaud. They obeyed his every whim, keeping him happy, rich, and fat on the city's more disobedient slaves, while guarding the entrance to his lair. But they also kept Themberchaud under control through their persuasions, psionics, and appeasements, and by speaking on his behalf with others. They also secretly had the responsibility of slaying the Wyrmsmith before he grew too strong, and of replacing him with a new and more pliable hatchling. In these matters, Gartokkar led the Keepers and liaised with Themberchaud, such as by introducing visitors to him.

Personality

Due to the demon incursion and the madness spread by the demon lords, Gartokkar grew paranoid obsessed with the Gray Ghosts, remaining convinced they were somehow behind it and refusing to hear all evidence to the contrary, calling it a product of delusion, ignorance, or falsehoods.

History

In the late 1400s DR, the Gray Ghosts thieves' guild stole a red dragon egg, one intended to hatch a new Wyrmsmith, and Gartokkar and the Keepers became distracted by their renewed war on the thieves. The Keepers captured and executed the Gray Ghost leader, but he never gave up the egg's hiding place and they were shamed by their failure. In response, the Keepers refocused their security around the dragon's lair and explored other options. Gartokkar hired talented mercenaries within the city, but Themberchaud too would try to recruit them as his agents, while Gartokkar would then interrogate them as to the dragon's intentions. The Keepers also sensed a demon incursion into the Underdark at the time, but not the demons themselves, which Gartokkar described as like a hole torn into the world. He would hire a group of adventurers to follow a derro Gray Ghost agent, Droki, to locate their lair. They may even have recovered the red dragon egg, but whom they would return it to remains in question. The Keepers might also have fought an open battle with the Gray Ghosts at this time, with Gartokkar battling a spectator.