So here is how the story unfolds...
THE REAL REIDOTH
- For nearly two centuries the long-lived druid served "Claugiyliamatar," pronounced (CLOG-ee-lee-uh-MAH-tarr), the Ancient Wyrm Green Dragon of Kryptgarden Forest.
- The real Reidoth was himself ancient - nowhere near as old as Old Gnawbone, but deeply accomplished in his life.
- Over time, the druid turned bitter by endless encroachment into the forests and the fading of a healthy fear of the unexplored.
- Appreciating the ancient wyrm's terror-projecting reputation, he formed the Gnawbone circle of druids in service to the ancient dragon in hopes of rebuilding fear of the forests.
- He was the teacher of Argina Therrow , the druid now leading the Gnawbones circle in the Kryptgarden Forest.
- Among the duties serving the dragon, the druids helped raise and tutor hatchlings, including Vorgansharax and Venomfang.
- The real Reidoth passed away some 40 years ago, tired of life - and disappointed even with Claugiyliamatar, realizing the dragon had more interest in what was happening in the city kingdoms than in the forests (See: couch potato dragon angle: she watches "Housewives of Faerun").
- Venomfang had become proficient at Polymorph (4th Transmutation) and took on the guise of her tutor as she was kicked out Kryptgarden Forest by her mother, "Find your own woods!"
The Passing of Reidoth and Leaving the Nest
- One of Old Gnawbones' brood, the dragon (whose proper name is “Djeniyliarax”) hatched roughly 100 years prior to the start of our story - on the verge of adulthood.
- Her mother rarely took even slight interest in her offspring, coldly turning over upbringing to Reidoth and the Gnawbone Circle.
- This arrangement facilitated granting Claugiyliamatar the freedom she treasured to pursue her strange obsessions.
- Fascinated by the druids, the hatchling "Venomfang" became a proficient natural spellcaster, while learning to deeply appreciate their cause to protect the wild forests.
- And (like her mother) she reveled in Green Dragon sneakery, showing particular affinity and talent for deception and related magics.
- Reidoth often called Djeniyliarax "Djennie" for short, and over decades a genuine mutual tender fondness developed - one that surely disappointed her cruelty-appreciating mother.
- Soon after the death of Real-Reidoth, Venomfang was forcibly driven out of Kryptgarden Forest by Old Gnawbone, firmly told she must never return there unless she wished to challenge for dominance.
- Perhaps honoring the Old Druid was all that let the young dragon stay so long the first place.
- Having such significant experience with humans (both through Reidoth's tutoring and her mother’s obsessive surveillance of mortal goings-on through her scrying devices), and so intimately familiar with the age-extended human druid, Venomfang chose to assume the guise of her teacher: becoming Reidoth as she left to enter the world outside her mother's forest.
Neverwinter Wood and Thundertree
- She had mastered the power to Polymorphing herself, possessed powers akin to a variety of spells, and ability to speak Druidic fluently.
- These together have been sufficient for her to fake being the human druid - even (re-)joining the Emerald Enclave of Neverwinter Wood in the old man's guise, playing on successful druids unremarkably slowing their aging.
- Playing up geriatric absent-mindedness, Venomfang enjoyed being quirky and manipulative, delighting wearing the Reidoth guise.
- Selecting the ruins of Thundertree, she could keep both a tower lair and a comfy human dwelling.
- As Reidoth, she would occasionally even visit small towns like Leilon, Triboar and Phandalin, while never daring potential exposure from the powers walking the streets of the great cities like Neverwinter or Waterdeep.
- While seeking to establish a territory, numerous rivalries evolved over the years, including
- other green dragons seeking lairs within Neverwinter Wood,
- the rise of the Unknown Cryovain at Icespire Peak in the Sword Mountains,
- a Black Dragon she knew lurked within the forest but always failed to successfully track (*),
- the arrogant high elves building power in their old ruin of Sharandar in the deepest forest,
- and brushes with other dangers such as a site with dread powers from the undead tied to the Red Wizards,
- not to mention the maniac King Grol of Cragmaw Castle.
(* her frustration not being able to track the Black Dragon led to her employing a devious manipulation not currently known in game to the players, so left as hidden lore for now: she now knows the location of its lair).
Sibling Rivalry and Attention from Cult of the Dragon
- In Thundertree, she had found something of a safely-close-to-the-forest place but leaning toward the human city of Neverwinter.
- That proximity, however, brought to her the attention of the Cult of the Dragon, who approached her with a rather transparent plan of flattery and worship, while seeking to pull her into their dark schemes.
- She was sufficiently curious to learn more that she tolerated their activities and ceremony, while living the dual life of Venomfang and Reidoth.
- One day she was visited by her older brother Vorgansharax.
- He delivered to her an egg from his recent mating, and instructed her to raise it as her own, for he could not be bothered to do so himself. (And clearly the mother had already delegated this to him).
- Venomfang really had no choice in this matter, and was keen on Vorgansharax returning East to whatever lair he had made near the Moonsea.
- Finally she had found something useful for the Cult of the Dragon to do, as she had no interest in babysitting an egg - and instructed them to care for it, which they did with fanatical enthusiasm.
- She kept them close so she could make sure nothing bad happened, but dragon eggs take a very long time to hatch.
- As her days started to become more boring, of all things a Drow Priestess of Lolth tried to take her tower and set up a temple.
- This was Nezznar Baenre's associate Azx’ka’tu, and not having that, Venomfang viciously devoured the priestess and tore apart her spider minions.
But thinking about it afterward, the dragon realized she had wasted an opportunity...
(This is state of matters as of the setup for the Thundertree chapter of Lost Mine of Phandalin - if taking into your own storyline).
For how this transpired in Our Party's storyline, see: