Order of the Dracolysar

Overview of the Order of the Dracolysar

Name: Order of the Dracolysar (Elven: “Guardians of the Dragon’s Light”)

Purpose:

Alignment: Primarily Neutral Good, with some Lawful Good (knights) and Chaotic Neutral (sorcerers) members, reflecting the diverse elven and draconic temperaments.

Symbol: A silver crescent moon cradling a golden dragon scale, surrounded by a ring of elven runes glowing with arcane light. This symbol is often magically hidden, visible only to members or dragons.

Patron Deities:

Secrecy: The order is a closely guarded secret, known only to a few elven leaders (e.g., the rulers of Evermeet) and their draconic allies. Even allies like the Harpers are unaware of their full scope, though rumors of “elven dragon-riders” persist.

History

• Founding: The Order of the Dracolysar was established in -2100 DR, during the height of the elven empire of Aryvandaar, after a devastating war with the ancient red dragon Malathrax the Flameborn, who ravaged elven forests in the High Forest. A gold elf high mage, Elarion Sunweaver, brokered peace with a gold dragon, Aurethar the Dawnflame, to defeat Malathrax. Recognizing the potential of elven-draconic alliances, Elarion founded the order, recruiting elven high mages, wizards, knights, and sorcerers to work with good and neutral dragons.
• Key Milestones:
• -1500 DR: The order played a secret role in the Crown Wars, using draconic allies to protect elven enclaves from Vyshaan aggression. Their high magic shielded Evereska from destruction.
• -339 DR (Netheril’s Fall): The Dracolysar mitigated the magical fallout of Karsus’s folly, with silver dragons and high mages stabilizing Weave disruptions in the High Forest.
• 1358 DR (Time of Troubles): The order defended Evermeet from fiendish incursions, with bronze dragons aiding moon elf knights against Banite forces.
• 1372 DR Context: The return of the Shadovar and their Shadow Weave use alarms the Dracolysar, who see Thultanthar’s ambitions as a threat to Faerûn’s balance. They also target the Cult of the Dragon, whose dracolich schemes offend their draconic allies.

History

• Founding: The Order of the Dracolysar was established in -2100 DR, during the height of the elven empire of Aryvandaar, after a devastating war with the ancient red dragon Malathrax the Flameborn, who ravaged elven forests in the High Forest. A gold elf high mage, Elarion Sunweaver, brokered peace with a gold dragon, Aurethar the Dawnflame, to defeat Malathrax. Recognizing the potential of elven-draconic alliances, Elarion founded the order, recruiting elven high mages, wizards, knights, and sorcerers to work with good and neutral dragons.
• Key Milestones:
• -1500 DR: The order played a secret role in the Crown Wars, using draconic allies to protect elven enclaves from Vyshaan aggression. Their high magic shielded Evereska from destruction.
• -339 DR (Netheril’s Fall): The Dracolysar mitigated the magical fallout of Karsus’s folly, with silver dragons and high mages stabilizing Weave disruptions in the High Forest.
• 1358 DR (Time of Troubles): The order defended Evermeet from fiendish incursions, with bronze dragons aiding moon elf knights against Banite forces.
• 1372 DR Context: The return of the Shadovar and their Shadow Weave use alarms the Dracolysar, who see Thultanthar’s ambitions as a threat to Faerûn’s balance. They also target the Cult of the Dragon, whose dracolich schemes offend their draconic allies.

Structure and Organization

• Leadership:
• High Arcanist: The supreme leader, always an elven high mage, who oversees the order’s magical and diplomatic efforts. In 1372 DR, this is Lady Thalindra Moonsong, a moon elf high mage based in Evermeet, renowned for her mastery of selu’taar (high magic).
• Draconic Emissary: A good or neutral dragon who serves as the primary liaison between the order and draconic allies. Currently Veylithar, a venerable silver dragon residing in the Greypeak Mountains, holds this role.
• Council of Scales and Stars: A governing body of five members: two high mages, one knight, one sorcerer, and one wizard, representing the order’s diversity. They convene in the Aerie of Starlight, the order’s hidden sanctuary.

Membership:

Sanctuary:

Size and Reach: The order numbers around 50 elven members and 10 draconic allies, keeping their ranks small to maintain secrecy. Their influence spans elven lands (Evermeet, Evereska, Cormanthor) and draconic territories (High Forest, Greypeak Mountains, the Great Desert).

Practices and Operations

• Methods:
• Draconic Patrols: Knights and sorcerers ride good dragons (e.g., silver or bronze) to patrol elven lands, scouting for threats like the Cult of the Dragon or Sharran cults. Dragons use their detect gems or detect magic to locate dangers.
• High Magic Rituals: High mages perform selu’taar to protect Faerûn, such as creating mythals to shield elven enclaves or banishing fiends summoned by Sharrans. A notable ritual, the Draconic Concordance, binds an elf and dragon in a magical pact, enhancing their abilities.
• Arcane Research: Wizards and sorcerers study draconic magic, crafting items like rings of dragon friendship (Draconomicon, p. 129) or spells like dragon’s breath to mimic draconic powers.
• Counter-Evil Operations: The order targets evil forces threatening Faerûn’s balance, such as:
• Cult of the Dragon: They hunt cultists creating dracoliches, which their draconic allies find abhorrent.
• Sharran Cults: They oppose Shadow Weave users, using draconic breath weapons (e.g., silver dragon’s cold) and elven magic to disrupt rituals.
• Shadovar: The order investigates Thultanthar’s return, wary of their Shadow Weave and Netherese ambitions.
• Secrecy:
• Members use nondetection spells and high magic wards to conceal their activities. Their symbol is magically hidden, visible only to those blessed by Corellon or Bahamut.
• They operate under cover identities as elven scholars, merchants, or adventurers, avoiding attention from groups like the Zhentarim or Red Wizards.
• Rituals:
• Rite of the Dracolysar: An initiation ceremony where new members swear oaths to Corellon and Bahamut under a full moon, bonding with a draconic ally through a shared high magic ritual. The rite grants a minor boon, such as +1 to saves vs. draconic breath weapons.
• Starflight Conclave: A yearly gathering in the Aerie of Starlight, where members and dragons share knowledge, plan missions, and perform high magic to renew their wards.
• Dragon Bonds:
• Each member is paired with a dragon, forming a deep bond of mutual respect. Knights ride dragons into battle, wizards craft spells for them, and sorcerers act as emissaries. High mages use selu’taar to enhance dragon abilities, such as extending breath weapon range or granting temporary spell resistance.

Notable Members and Dragons

• Lady Thalindra Moonsong (High Arcanist): A moon elf high mage (Wizard 15 / High Mage 5, Races of Faerûn, p. 185), Thalindra is a serene, silver-haired elf with a talent for protective mythals. She leads the order from Evermeet, coordinating with dragons like Veylithar to counter Shadovar threats.
• Sir Aelthar Dawnblade (Knight): A sun elf paladin (Paladin 8), Aelthar wields a +2 dragonbane longsword and rides a bronze dragon, Kaltharion, to battle Cult of the Dragon cells in Cormanthor. His radiant aura bolsters allies against Sharran despair.
• Zylara Emberwing (Sorcerer): A copper elf sorcerer (Sorcerer 9) with a draconic bloodline, Zylara’s fiery charisma wins draconic trust. She works with a brass dragon, Syltharax, to scout the Great Desert for Shadovar activity.
• Master Vaelor Stormscribe (Wizard): A moon elf wizard (Wizard 12), Vaelor crafts rings of dragon friendship and studies draconic lore in the Aerie of Starlight. He aids a silver dragon, Lunathar, in protecting Evereska.
• Veylithar the Silver (Draconic Emissary): A venerable silver dragon (Draconomicon, p. 179), Veylithar is a wise and compassionate ally, using her cold breath and spellcasting (as 15th-level sorcerer) to defend the North. She advises Thalindra and mentors younger dragons.

Notable Activities (1372 DR)

• Shadovar Threat: The order investigates Thultanthar’s return, sending Aelthar and Kaltharion to scout Anauroch. They discover a Shadovar plot to corrupt a Weave node with Shadow Weave magic, prompting a high magic ritual to purify it.
• Cult of the Dragon: Zylara and Syltharax dismantle a Cult cell in the Great Desert, destroying a dracolich phylactery and rescuing enslaved nomads. Their fiery attacks (Zylara’s fireball, Syltharax’s fire breath) overwhelm the cultists.
• Sharran Opposition: The Dracolysar targets a Sharran cult in the High Forest, where shadow adepts use the Shadow Weave to summon fiends. Vaelor and Lunathar lead a strike, combining selu’taar banishments with Lunathar’s cold breath to rout the cult.
• Elven Protection: Thalindra performs a high magic ritual to strengthen Evermeet’s wards, with Veylithar guarding the island from aerial threats. They repel a drow raid backed by Sharran shadow adepts.
• Draconic Diplomacy: The order negotiates with a copper dragon, Zytheris, in the Greypeak Mountains, convincing her to join their cause after she hesitates due to her chaotic nature. Zylara’s draconic heritage seals the bond.

Relations with Other Groups

• Harpers:
• The Dracolysar operates in secret, but their actions occasionally align with Harper goals, such as opposing the Cult of the Dragon. Harper agents in the High Forest mistake Aelthar for a lone elven dragon-rider, unaware of the order’s existence.
• Potential friction arises if Harpers uncover the order, as their secrecy might be seen as elitist, though shared enemies ensure cautious cooperation.
• Order of the Aster:
• Lathander’s paladins are natural allies against Shar, and the Dracolysar collaborates on joint crusades, such as the High Forest operation. Aelthar’s radiant smites complement Thalindra’s high magic, creating a powerful synergy.
• The Aster’s lawful nature clashes with the order’s elven independence, but their mutual hatred of Shar keeps tensions minimal.
• Knights of the Mystic Fire:
• The Dracolysar and Mystic Fire knights share Mystra’s patronage (via elven wizards) and a hatred of Shadow Weave users. Vaelor provides arcane support to Mystic Fire knights in Silverymoon, countering Shadovar magic with draconic spells.
• The knights’ structured approach contrasts with the Dracolysar’s secrecy, but their shared goals foster alliance.
• Moonstars:
• Khelben Blackstaff, a half-elf, suspects the order’s existence and seeks their aid against the Shadovar. Thalindra meets him in secret, offering intelligence on Thultanthar but keeping the order’s full scope hidden.
• Khelben’s pragmatic methods align with the Dracolysar’s strategic mindset, making them effective partners.
• Shar’s Followers:
• The Dracolysar are implacable foes of Shar’s church, targeting shadow adepts who threaten elven lands or draconic allies. Their dragons’ breath weapons (e.g., silver’s cold, bronze’s lightning) disrupt Sharran rituals, while high magic banishes their fiendish summons.
• In 1372 DR, the Shadovar’s Shadow Weave use escalates this conflict, with the Dracolysar thwarting a Sharran plot to corrupt a dragon in the High Forest.