The World Tree/Gray Company

The Gray Company (or Windenosse in the elven tongue), is an ancient order found deep within the Khim Mountains of Ethir. Often told as stories or fairy tales, these adventurers are an organization that seeks to protect the world while keeping order, the greater good, and freedom as their highest values.

To the common eye, the Gray Company is a group of seemingly normal adventurers, with different identities, goals, and flaws. Upon further investigation (or if they choose) the Gray Company is actually a band of chromatic dragons (including a Pseudodragon that cannot speak) that have been the saving force of the world when its need is dire. Throughout history, the Gray Company has implemented themselves into various places of power in order to keep current with news, only returning as a company should they be drawn otherwise. Their deeds have many songs and texts written of them, with none mentioning their true form. The Gray Company is the hidden hand of protecting Ethir and its people from the Wilds, cannibals, and Magnus' forces.

Individuals

Adathar Mintone

Adathar Mintone is the temporary leader of the Gray Company during the World Tree campaign. He served in the Ethhirian armies during the Time of Chaos as a commander, but did not work directly with the Ashen Warrior.

History

Adathar was rarely a leader before the Time of Chaos in both his human alias and his true form. Adathar developed his skills with a sword under countless teachers and mentors, developing the skills to prove himself in battle without needing his change of form (with his biggest obstacle being his arrogance, as many dragons hold). Adathar was a foot soldier in many skirmishes and raids into the evil orc cities of Axas. During the Time of Chaos however, Malraamo Yaara instructed and implemented Adathar into a commander of the Time of Chaos, effectively holding the city of Daerum from multiple onslaughts and maneuvering forces into effective positions. Arguably the most valued commander during the Time of Chaos, Adathar's alias perished during an excursion into Old Axas, shifting focus away from the Gray Company and onto the Ashen Warrior's heroic deeds.

Adathar throughout the ages has been highly involved with the armies of Ethir, changing his name and appearance slightly to work his way up the chain of command to keep tabs on the military information that passes through. Since the Time of Chaos, Adathar has been establishing his most recent form as a lieutenant and acting as the head of the palace guard of Daerum (although he is drawn away from this position when the adventurers begin their quest).

Appearance and Race

Adathar is overly confident and gruff as a human. Adathar's human appearances tend to have scars on their left cheek, due to his scar in dragon form. Adathar's persona should be similar to that of a grizzled military leader, with black furs adorning his armor. He is forceful and a natural leader his actions can be very predictable, and is often seen pacing when he is confused or uncertain of his actions.

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

Ideal: My responsibility and duty is to the Gray Company and the balance of the world
Bond: I am extremely protective of my fellow company members, but I miss my post in Daerum
Flaw: My actions and interactions have been labeled as arrogant, but that is only because they do not hold the same wit as I.

Dragon Form

Adathar's dragon form is an ancient adamantine dragon, with a large scar under his left eye. He is one of the largest dragons of the company and attacks strategically and aggressively with his cold breath and large claws.

Statblocks

• Adathar Mintone.jpg

  Adathar Mintone Statblock

• Adathar Mintone Dragon.jpg

  Dragon Form Statblock

Braxton Hornraven

Braxton Hornraven is the primary information collector of the Gray Company. Braxton is a well versed scout for many different military regiments, trading caravans, and other patrons. He knows the land and all of its secrets, choosing to explore it through many different forms.

History

Braxton role within the Gray Company has always had one constant: always keep an update of what is happening within the material realm of Ethir and the surrounding powers. Before the Time of Chaos, Braxton would roam the skies of Ethir, watching the world as it would shift and change with each new city or developed trade route. There are some stories in Grayhedge that tell of a Brass Dragon that watches over the children there, with one story including a black dragon that was driven away from the city by him. During the Time of Chaos, Malraamo directed Braxton to work as a scout, giving the armies of Ethir only enough information to keep them alive, whether the information was true or not. Braxton was also the only scout to spot Magnus’ position without being slain, exposing Magnus’ weakness at the precise time the Ethirian armies could attack with minimal bloodshed. Braxton throughout the ages has been highly involved with scouting and settling unknown lands (such as Saltvale, the Trinity Islands, and Blackbriar).

Appearance and Race

Braxton is disoriented at best. He holds the appearance of a drunken half-elf, with messy brown hair, unshaven stubble, three noticeable missing teeth, and disheveled dirty clothing. He tends to slur his words together and interrupts at times that are not socially polite to. Clad in leather armor and a green cloak, Braxton’s two shortswords are at the ready should the need arise. He also has a tankard attached to his belt, and is very protective of it (probably due to its magical properties to never run out of ale).

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

Ideal: People should be able to do as they please, as long as it doesn’t restrict others from doing what they want.
Bond: I will never give up my tankard, it’s the valuable-ist thing I own!
Flaw: I am a lover, although my companions think I love only at sight.

Dragon Form

Braxton's dragon form is an ancient brass dragon, with several teeth missing and a hole in the roof of his house. Braxton fights swiftly using guerrilla tactics with his claws and bite, keeping out of range as often as possible.

Statblocks

• Braxton Hornraven.jpg

  Braxton Hornraven Statblock

• Braxton Hornraven Dragon.jpg

  Dragon Form Statblock

Klog Steelbringer

Klog Steelbringer is a warrior and muscle for the Gray Company. Klog is one of the first members of the Gray Company and dissolved many barbaric settlements that allowed for the settling of Ethir, the Trinity Islands, and Kusha.

History

Klog Steelbringer was a primary instrument in clearing out the hordes of cannibals and barbarians within the lands to allow for the more civilized races to claim a foothold. His methods included intimidation and brute strength to gain respect and authority, causing revolts, wars, and sabotage within the tribes. When not toppling a barbaric tribe, Klog stays close to Adathar and his armies, brothers in arms against the hordes of Magnus.

After the Time of Chaos, Klog stayed close to Malraamo, keeping close watch over his studies and aiding the other members of the company in times of need.

Appearance and Race

Klog is a brute and a fearsome half orc, covered in tribal tattoos in runes that no longer have a language associated with them, across his arms and back. His skin is a pale green with jet black hair and a large underbite. Clad in furs and wielding a greataxe, a noticeable eye would see the scars of a thousand battles crossing his arms with two fingers missing from his left hand. Klog’s voice is particularly low and can be forceful at times, although his intelligence is not the highest.

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

Ideal: I’ve seen this age brought forth due to the destruction of the natives of this land. The ends will always justify the means.
Bond: I am the last of my family (and the last of the steel dragons), and I will bring vengeance to those who have done this to us.
Flaw: Rushing into a fight is the only solution, the rest is simply avoiding the inevitable.

Dragon Form

Klog's dragon form is an ancient steel dragon, missing two fingers from his front left claw. His dark leathery wings have been inscribed in an ancient language for his family’s ancient customs. The ritual was never explained to him. In combat, Klog will attack viciously and ferociously, wading into combat and dealing as much damage as possible, only retreating if his life or another of the company’s life is in danger.

Statblocks

• Klog Steelbringer.jpg

  Klog Steelbringer Statblock

• ===Mithren Dreamspeak===
• =====History=====
• After the Time of Chaos, Mithren stayed confined from the world, studying in his private hoard of knowledge for answers to who Magnus was and where he was sent from.
• =====Appearance and Race=====
• =====Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws=====
• =====Dragon Form=====
• =====Statblocks=====
• Mithren Dreamspeak.jpg

  Mithren Dreamspeak Statblock

• Mithren Dreamspeak Dragon.jpg

  Dragon Form Statblock