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Chapter 6: TRACES OF THE DarAGKarIK
Her Black Knights
Over the intervening centuries, Shagnathrix abducted many twin girls for her own. Her initial love for them
turned eventually to rage because they were not truly her
daughters. Their fates ranged widely, but after a time, most
were turned over to the guards and eventually became
their leaders. These female warriors learn all forms of combat, armed and unarmed as well as on foot or mounted.
The Black Knights are loyal only to Shagnathrix herself and always operate in three pairs. Each set of twins
commands a personal garrison and an elite enslaver assault team, their total numbers varying between eight
and twelve others of both genders. Any Black Knight
has proxy control over Shagnathrix’s realm in her absence, and they defer by seniority among the pairs. In
Chatoon, no one dares to question a Black Knight, let
alone Shagnathrix herself.
The Knights share a mystical link that seems to enhance both women’s abilities in proximity and provide
some unspoken communication between them. Some
even speculate that all six in one combat would be unstoppable, as their links provide unified battle plans and
enhanced speed and strength. Alas, when one’s twin
dies, the link’s shattering also breaks the mind of the
other twin, who wanders mad into the wilderness.
The Black Knights wear special black armor and blades
made of a ganshyer and steel alloy. These relics pass from
one set of warriors to the next as the women are replaced
over time. The items have magical links akin to those
of the twins, allowing others to track down any pieces
still claimed by a Knight insane from her sister’s death.
Shagnathrix enspelled the items and can sense any piece
within twenty miles with only a thought, though she
needs additional spells to find exact locations.
The Black Knights are the overseers of Shagnathrix’s
Trakeen. They work beneath the Knights’ watchful eyes,
consulting with them on matters of importance.
Currently, the Black Knight pairs are: Raklana and
Xhenen, Kalys and Hunna, and Anghis and Valla.
The Black Hands
(The Many Hands Curse)
The Many Hands and their family lines suffered total
disgrace for their failure to protect their liege, Prince
Rasham. They also seem to have suffered a curse that
continues to the present day.
An unknown soldier stole Rasham’s heart off the steps of
Chatoon’s Dark Temple when King Urias died engulfed in
flames. The soldier fled into the savannahs, half-insane
from what he saw far too closely. He kept the heart hidden
for decades. His third son left his mother’s womb with a
black right hand. The midwife interpreted this as a curse,
so the family was cast out, taking the heart with them.
The lineage of this soldier—the Raeh bloodline—hid
Rasham’s heart for centuries. Every other generation sees
the birth of a Black Hand, a baby with a black hand that,
some say, gives him or her a seer’s ability. Those marked
on the left hand foresee the future, while the right hand
touches the past via psychometry. Black Hands (and any
who protect them) are driven away from civilized villages
as bad omens and doombringers. More materially, they
know Shagnathrix’s forces always hunt the keepers of
Rasham’s heart even into the present day.
After the Dragon King Tharcluun gained or stole the
heart (stories conflict), the Raeh bloodline went into virtual oblivion for ages. However, as Shagnathrix became
increasingly obsessed with recovering Rasham’s heart,
she put a bounty on the “marked ones,” convinced they
yet know of or have a connection to its whereabouts.
Those bearing the Black Hand can feel the presence
of other “marked ones” within a mile. They often try to
avoid each other as they share their visions, emotions,
and thoughts the closer they are together. Still, some try
to regain control of their own lives despite their marked
status. Shagnathrix hunts them with bounty hunters
because the legends also say that only a “marked one”
will know where the prophesized young man will be to
receive Rasham’s heart into his chest.
Chroma’ano the
Blood-Borne
In his day, the Daragkark Chroma’ano watched over a
broad swath of the southern wild lands like a shepherd
watches over his flock. Where the shadows of his broad
wings fell, dew glistened on rich meadows brilliant with
wildflowers and flowing grain. Makadan and Attite clans
dispersed across the fertile lands, all growing fat on rich
farms or forests easily tamed and abundant in game, wild
berries, and splendid orchards. Chroma’ano loved his
people, and they loved him in return, singing his praises
at all the planting, harvest, and moon festivals.
Hearts of Light & Shadow
The following is a transcription fragment from the
fourth volume of The Annals Daragkarian by Arlart of
Wani Chereet. While the bulk of the Annals were strict
histories, some more popular or benevolent Dragon
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