Zythrozal the Drowned was a fearsome and enigmatic warlock-king of an ancient Saurus civilization in the Jungles of Tigre, renowned for his devastating psychic abilities and dark connection to the Ancient Old Ones. As both a spiritual and martial leader, Zythrozal united the Saurus tribes during the height of their power, wielding his immense talents to dominate the Jungles of Tigre and beyond. His moniker, “The Drowned,” originates from a pivotal event in his youth when he was believed to have died, only to be resurrected by a great tidal wave—a powerful omen that marked him as the chosen vessel of the reptilian gods.
Although he met his end atop the Temple of the Drowned Moon during a climactic battle with Avatar Rozan, the first Avatar of the Sun, Zythrozal's story does not end there. His name endures in legends, and his spirit is said to linger, waiting to rise once more during the foretold blood-moon that will drown the world in apocalyptic waves.
Didact of the Drowned
Zythrozal was born to a minor Saurus tribe on the shores of the Black Tides, a perilous coastline within the Jungles of Tigre. As a hatchling, he was considered frail and unremarkable, a weakness that led to him being cast into the sea as a sacrifice to the Old Ones—a common practice among the Saurus to cull the weak and appease their gods.
Days later, a massive tidal wave swept across the coast, washing Zythrozal ashore alive and unharmed. The event was seen as a divine omen by his tribe, who believed the Ancient Old Ones had chosen him as their living vessel. His survival became the foundation of his divine status among the Saurus, and from that day forward, he was known as “The Drowned.”
Following his resurrection, Zythrozal began to exhibit terrifying abilities. His psychic talents allowed him to manipulate the minds of others, foresee future events, and communicate with unseen forces. These powers, coupled with his cunning intellect, quickly elevated him to prominence among the Saurus. By the time he reached adulthood, Zythrozal had become the undisputed ruler of his people.
Powers and Abilities
- Zythrozal could manipulate the minds of individuals and entire armies, planting illusions or driving them into madness.
- He was able to foresee potential futures, which allowed him to outmaneuver his enemies on the battlefield.
- As a warlock of the Ancient Old Ones, Zythrozal wielded destructive elemental magic, particularly tied to water and storms.
- His signature ability, the Tidal Wrath, unleashed massive waves of energy capable of devastating entire armies.
- Zythrozal’s body was said to be unnaturally durable, his scales hardened by his connection to the Old Ones. He was resistant to fire, magic, and physical harm.
Ritual Reign
Zythrozal claimed to be the living avatar of the Ancient Old Ones, a connection he reinforced through gruesome rituals and displays of power. Under his rule, the Saurus civilization entered its most dominant era, building monumental temples, including the infamous Temple of the Drowned Moon, where countless sacrifices were made in his name.
Zythrozal’s psychic abilities extended beyond mere manipulation. He could inspire entire armies with visions of glory or strike fear into the hearts of his enemies with nightmarish illusions. He was said to hear the voices of the Old Ones whispering their will, and his decisions often carried an eerie prescience that unsettled even his most loyal followers.
Zythrozal led relentless campaigns against neighboring peoples, including the Solir of Itela and the early settlements of The Sun Realm. His conquests were marked by brutality, with captives either sacrificed to the Old Ones or enslaved to build his monumental structures.
The Fall of Zythrozal
Zythrozal’s reign ended during a climactic confrontation with Rozan, the first Avatar of the Sun, who sought to end the Saurus threat to the Golden City of Itelion. The battle atop the Temple of the Drowned Moon was a clash of titanic forces. Rozan’s divine fire scorched the heavens and shattered the temple’s highest tiers, reducing Zythrozal to ash and severing the Saurus’ connection to the Old Ones.
Despite his physical destruction, Zythrozal’s spirit was not entirely vanquished. Legends claim his essence lingers within the temple, bound by the Old Ones’ will. During a blood-moon, it is said that he will rise again, bringing apocalyptic tidal waves to drown the world and restore his dominion.
Mystery and Mystique
Many believe Zythrozal’s spirit remains bound to the Temple of the Drowned Moon, waiting for the rise of a blood-moon to restore him to power. When this day comes, it is said he will unleash a tidal apocalypse known as the Drowned Moon’s Wrath.
Travelers near the temple claim to hear whispers carried on the wind, faintly chanting Zythrozal’s name. These whispers grow louder during lunar eclipses, which are seen as omens of his awakening.
The coastline where Zythrozal was resurrected is considered cursed. Local tribes avoid it, claiming the waters still carry his malevolent essence.
Legacy
Zythrozal the Drowned remains a figure of fear and fascination. To the Saurus, he was a divine leader and the chosen vessel of the Ancient Old Ones. To others, he was a cruel tyrant whose ambition nearly brought ruin to Osira. His story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the enduring legacy of the Ancient Old Ones. Whether his return is mere myth or a terrifying inevitability, Zythrozal’s name echoes through history as a symbol of primal wrath and apocalyptic prophecy.