In the murky depths of the Highmarsh swamps, where shadows dance among the twisted trees and the air hangs heavy with the stench of decay, lurked Venomor the Knight Terror—an ancient black dragon, feared and revered by mortals and dragons alike. Known only by whispers and legends as 'the' black dragon, Venomor was a formidable force to be reckoned with, his name striking fear into the hearts of questing knights and adventurers seeking glory.
In his prime, Venomor was a scourge upon the land, besting countless knights and adventurers who dared to challenge him, their bones left to bleach in the sun as grim trophies of his prowess. Yet, unlike his kin who harbored malice towards mortals, Venomor's actions were driven not by hatred but by a fierce sense of duty to his own kind. He stood among the dragons who fought to ensure the survival and prosperity of their ancient race, fiercely defending their territories from would-be intruders. However, as the years wore on, Venomor grew weary of the endless cycle of conflict and bloodshed. Retreating deeper into the swamps of Highmarsh, he sought solace in the solitude of his lair, his once-mighty form now bent and weathered by the weight of centuries. Yet even in his seclusion, Venomor could not escape the tangled web of fate that ensnared him.
Two separate adventuring parties, drawn by tales of the fearsome black dragon, sought to test their mettle against him. The first party, led by a vengeful priest, laid a curse upon Venomor, rendering him vulnerable to radiant light—a weakness that would haunt him until his dying breath. The second party, driven by greed and ambition, cursed him again, this time making him vulnerable to lightning—a fear that would plague him with every crackle of thunder. Despite these curses, Venomor remained a force to be reckoned with, his fearsome presence striking terror into the hearts of all who dared to challenge him. Yet fate, relentless in its pursuit, had other plans for the ancient dragon. Drawn from his lair by some unknown force, Venomor found himself roaming the lands outside of Oakheart, his presence drawing the attention of the authorities of the Barony of Rivermond. Something made him watch over a mine that went underneath the Oakwoods.
It was Angus Mountainbreaker, brother to Lord Craig Mountainbreaker, who saw Venomor as a threat to local mining operations and had to be eliminated. Placing a hefty bounty on the dragon's head, Angus sought to rid the land of Venomor's menacing presence once and for all. The call was answered by a band of adventurers known as the Travellers, who set out to confront Venomor and claim the bounty for themselves. Caught off guard by their ambush, Venomor fought fiercely against the onslaught, his massive claws and razor-sharp fangs striking out with deadly precision. Yet, outnumbered and weakened by the curses that bound him, Venomor met his end on that fateful day, his watch over the River Mine finally at an end.