The Swords of Karrn have recently appeared in the Grindstone ward of Southwatch. The exiled Karrnathi warlord Drago Thul leads this band of hardened veterans. The Swords have sought to ease the burden of the Stormreach Guard by maintaining order in Grindstone. Travelers should be warned that Drago is obsessed with the pursuit of justice, and that many minor offenses overlooked in the wider city—theft, minor assault, indecent behavior—will be punished in Grindstone.
In many ways, the district of Grindstone is a separate city within Stormreach, and it is a city under martial law. Grim soldiers patrol the streets. One warrior wears Aundairian leather, another heavy Karrnathi chain. But both bear the same device on their tabards and shields: a greatsword crossed by two longswords, set against a field of black. These are the Swords of Karrn, drawn from among the deadliest warriors of the Five Nations.
The Swords defend the Karrnathi immigrants of Grindstone, and many assume that the sympathies of the militia lie with Karrnath. This is a mistake. Instead, the Swords of Karrn are bound together by the teachings of Karrn the Conqueror, by a secret faith, and by their devotion to a man named Drago Thul—a person they wish to place on the throne of a new united realm.
Drago Thul is a brilliant military commander. He served Karrnath with distinction during the Last War. His common birth slowed his rise in the ranks, but his skill and his religious connections helped him overcome the limits of his birth. He bitterly opposed Regent Moranna’s Mror campaign, a prophetic act that earned him the favor of many soldiers. He also protested the use of undead and warforged; a student of Karrn’s teachings, he believed that both practices sullied the art of war.
When Kaius III began paving the way for peace and the Treaty of Thronehold, Drago Thul refused to lay down his arms. Kaius had no intention of letting the commoner commander interfere with his plans, and he ordered Drago’s execution. With the help of a small band of loyal followers, Drago fought his way to the coast and escaped to Stormreach. There, Drago declared that a thousand years had turned Wynarn blood to water. He would no longer serve any Wynarn king or fight to restore the nation of Galifar. It was time to create a new kingdom from the ashes of the old, following in the footsteps of Galifar I and Karrn the Conqueror. He called on the soldiers of all nations to abandon their weak rulers and flock to his banner. Stormreach is a safe haven for the Swords of Karrn, but it is only a waypoint on their journey. Sword envoys are spreading across the Five Nations, sharing the words of Drago Thul with every veteran they can find. The group has less than a hundred members in Stormreach, but it’s up to the DM to decide just how much influence Drago Thul has in Khorvaire. Perhaps no one is interested in his dreams of conquest. But it’s possible that thousands of soldiers spread across the Five Nations are ready for change, just waiting for Drago to return to Khorvaire.
For now, Drago remains in Stormreach. He has transformed Grindstone into a vision of his ideal state, imposing a rule even harsher than that of the Code of Kaius. Under the watchful eyes of his soldiers, Grindstone is one of the safest places in Stormreach. The Swords dispense harsh justice whenever the peace is disturbed; criminals might be beaten, maimed, or even killed. Occasionally the Swords venture outside Grindstone in pursuit of enemies, but by and large they are content to police their territory. They have no respect for the Stormreach Guard, and few guards enter Grindstone without direct orders.
The Swords of Karrn are one of the most dangerous forces in Stormreach. Its members are drawn from the elite forces of the Five Nations; they are not simply soldiers, but among the best soldiers Khorvaire has to offer. They are equipped with masterwork and magical equipment, and they react to challenges with a careful grasp of tactics. Despite coming from many nations, the soldiers are bound together by their faith in the Three Faces of War (see the sidebar) and the words of Drago Thul. The Swords enforce Karrnathi values, but they seek to bring back the old Karrnath of Karrn’s time. It’s not a case of holding one of the Five Nations over the rest: It’s wiping away the weak traditions of Galifar and returning to something pure.
Drago is a skilled swordsman, but his true talent lies in his strategic brilliance and his ability to inspire soldiers. If the legendary leader prestige class isn’t available, he should be a fighter 3/bard 8, using oratory to inspire courage and competence in his troops. Either way, his skills and feats focus on tactics and leadership as opposed to direct combat abilities. He considers the use of undead in battle to sully the teachings of Karrn, but he has no issue with the basic faith of the Blood of Vol, and he respects the local priestess, Berrinessa (page 81). He has engaged in negotiations with emissaries of the Emerald Claw; he has no intention of becoming another pawn in Vol’s schemes, but for the moment he can’t afford to oppose her.
Other critical personalities among the Swords include the Aundairian war-wizard Reng Nagel, one of the few arcane casters among the Swords. The Ninth Wands despise Reng and have tried to kill him on multiple occasions. Mordalyn ir’Tanar is the daughter of a Karrnathi warlord who has abandoned her birthright to pursue Drago’s dream. Mordalyn is a diplomat as well as a warrior, and between her skills and her history she has helped Drago sway many from blind loyalty to the Wynarn line.