The Once-King refers to the whispered tomb of a once powerful sea king of Dunstrand Vale – in the times of Fellowship. No such king exists according to any known record, but sages near Dwindor have recorded a few seekers of knowledge trying to find the tomb and secure its riches or ancient magical knowledge therein. Rumors say the king yet lives, ready to rise up and strike the enemies of Dunstrand in a time of great need. Of course others say the spirit will be its downfall.
Do not read beyond this point unless a character has the capability to gain such knowledge [through association, organization, or relation] if they do not possess it themselves or the reader intends to participate in scenarios using this material as a PLAYER! GM Narration will provide relevant information by check or story.
A sorcerer-Lich of Aasimar lineage named Praljaek; power behind the Yvaldesian throne for several years, King of the Golden Isle (gold skinned Aasimar). An isolated colony of Aasimar well out to the western in the sea somewhere, descendants of the offspring of the original Celestials with aelven captives that wanted nothing to do with the endless wars and material life. He led a few dozen 2nd generation peers out to the place they simply called The Golden Isle – now sunken. He was their ‘king’, and when Gwinn arrived it disrupted all their lives. The mighty battle barges of the Sea King proved nearly impossible to destroy and they were subjugated. He eventually gave in, and married into the royal family for peace (and to gain access to great magics brought by the Blood of Saemon through the Sea Kings to break free of his celestial parentage). During this time, he fought the Bronzefolk to a standstill in Dunstrand Vale. He was known as the ‘Golden Scourge’ to them (his real name he kept hidden from all but the Prinzes of the Sea-Kings). He broke free of life itself – all bonds, lichdom. Once free, he hunted his kinsmen and any source that could identify him – only 2nd and 3rd generation were left alone. He did much of this by calling on them for military service, others he murdered. His hatred was great, he murdered celestials and sought to promote Umbaks constant incursions into Nakria, endless strife between Umbak, Gwinn, and the burgeoning Dunstrand lords. He particularly sought to rip the smile from the faces of the halflings in the Loamwold Enclave – before it became a protectorate of the High Kings’.
