The Light of Siberys

The Light of Siberys maintains a host of armories and arcane workshops in its fortresses. It has been creating tools of war for nearly a hundred thousand years. The forges of Verthicha’vivex produce weapons and armor for the nondragon allies of the dragons, and for those dragons that choose to fight in humanoid form. Other dragons create magic items and lesser artifacts that can be used by dragons in battle. Much of the manual labor is done by dwarves and giants, but flames of the forge develop designs and provide the spell power needed to craft magic items.

Despite this strong industrial program, the Light of Siberys rarely exports any of its goods. All are needed for the task at hand . . . or the battles to come

The Light of Siberys is made up of dragons of all colors and ages. Although some of the dragons are “trueborn” or “born in the Light”—to families that have served the cause for generations—the majority of the young dragons come from the Thousand. Young adult dragons of the Thousand are forced to spend fifty years in the Vast or serve for fifty years in the Light of Siberys before they can return to claim land in the Thousand. Some choose to remain after the term is up, but life in the Light is intense, dangerous, and often thankless. Moreover, it clashes with the independent streak that runs through the psyche of the dragon. Most are glad to return to the peace of the Thousand.

A soldier of the Light is dedicated to his duty. Missions abound, from patrolling the skies to standing watch over the Pit of Five Sorrows to hunting down the Cult of Tiamat. Young adults might be frivolous, particularly those forced to work for the Light by the customs of the Thousand. Any adult or older dragon who chooses to abandon the safer life of the Thousand for the deadly duty of the Light, however, is a stern and implacable foe.

The dragons of the Light of Siberys follow a strict chain of command (see page 28). Although they normally patrol in squads of five or fewer, they are trained to operate in large numbers, and even the lowest-ranking officers, the Lanterns of Siberys, are trained to organize other dragons in times of war. Currently five dragons hold the rank of Glorious Flame. Only one Eternal Flame exists, the Lightkeeper Dolarashynach (LG female great wyrm silver dragon cleric 1/sacred warder of Bahamut 7/legendary leader 5), and she guides the Soldiers of the Light from Verthicha’vivex, the Mountain of Victory.

For the most part, the dragons who serve the Light of Siberys are deeply devoted to their cause. However, exceptions exist. Some simply develop a taste for power and influence. Others are corrupted by the fiendish presences they combat. Regardless of the reason, a few dragons have sought to use their rank within the Light for their own personal benefit. Indeed, it could be that one of the current Glorious Flames is waiting for the right moment to help Dolarashynach move on to her eternal reward.

The nondragons found in the Light of Siberys are closely tied to the military efforts of the order. The stone giants serve as the backbone of the nondragon army and also help with the construction of fortifications and other large-scale projects. The dwarves are largely dedicated to forgework and mining. A force of hobgoblins and bugbears, descended from warriors of Dhakaan, have maintained the martial discipline of the empire; while the empire has fallen, they are sworn to battle the horrors of Khyber. A few humans and others from the city of Io’lokar have joined with the Light. In so doing, they hope to assuage any doubts the Conclave might have about their loyalty.

Unless foreigners can successfully pass as nondragons in the service of the Light, they are met with hostility. This territory is filled with dangerous sources of power and strongholds of the Talons of Tiamat—it is a bad place to be a trespasser.

The Light of Siberys maintains watchtowers across this land, along with five fortresses and the mountain keep Verthicha’vivex. A watchtower is a tall pillar of magically reinforced stone with an aerie near the top. Limited barracks are located at the base for nondragon troops, but only fliers can reach the upper chambers. Architecture is simple and functional, blending magic and expert stonework. Beyond these fortifications, the region mixes wilderness with traces of the terrible wars of the Age of Demons.

The Light of Siberys is an immensely dangerous place for adventurers; it’s just a question of whether they’re killed by dragons, fiends, or cultists. However, amazing secrets and treasures are hidden in the ruins of the Age of Demons. Beyond that, what wonders have the dragons produced in their hidden forges? For those who can brave the many dangers, the rewards should be astonishing.

Haunted Weapon: A tablet dating back to the Age of Demons tells the story of Katashka the Gatekeeper and The Harvest of Pain. The tablet suggests the presence of an artifact weapon of immense power, never recovered because the dragons couldn’t face the ghosts haunting the field. Can the party find a way into the depths to recover the blade? And is the weapon a tool that can be turned to good, or is it pure evil?

Sorrow’s Path: To destroy a deadly artifact, the party must shatter it atop Tiamat’s crystal at the very bottom of the Pit of Five Sorrows. Can the PCs convince the dragons to aid them in their quest, or will the rakshasas laugh as heroes and dragons do battle?