Brannas Blackaxe

Brannas Blackaxe is the captain of Brazenthrone's Blade Guard, the city military that answers directly to Deepking Oghren Orzammar III. She is the Deepking's sword, bringing his law down upon the city's citizens and quelling any sign of dissent, be it from commoner or nobility. While her demeanor is as harsh as any other duergar, she has been around long enough to respect the abilities (and potential for troublemaking) of adventurers. Recently, she has had her men pursuing a derro named Diir who's had unusual success evading her guards.

Journey into the Underdark Arc

A Demonstration from Adventurers

Brannas first encountered the adventurers of the Thaig Expedition when she was leading a group of Blade Guards to hunt an OoPA that was attacking (and occasionally killing) travelers along an established trade route. The adventurers claimed they possessed a magic dagger that could cut pieces from the strange monsters that normally dissolved upon death, which could then be made into magic items by Gobo the Traveling Merchant. Though skeptical, Brannas nonetheless agreed to allow the adventurers to tag along for the extra manpower.
On their way to the site of the attacks, the adventurers spoke highly of themselves and their prowess in battle. This prompted Brannas to let them take the lead and the adventurer Jake F. Statefarm found a blood trail seemingly left when the monster had dragged away a kill. It led to a tunnel narrow enough they were forced to go through single file, which then opened up into a larger chamber filled with strange plants. At its far end was their target, a strange beast like none of them had ever seen before (which in fact resembled an elephant-sized kangaroo).
Brannas decided that if these adventurers were as good as they say, there was no reason to risk herself and her men. They hung back as the adventurers battled the kangaroo, as well as the poisonous eyebats that descended from the ceiling. Though one of the adventurers (Jake) was killed in the battle, the adventurers were nonetheless victorious and his companion Bogo quickly restored him to life. Unfortunately, this particular resurrection had an unexpected side effect.
Brannas and her men bore witness to Darkonda's restoration and mad ramblings before he blasted the ceiling to bring the chamber down on them while he teleported to safety. Though they were able to flee safely, Brannas demanded to know who or what they thing was. The adventurers told them of their history with Darkonda and what little they knew about him. She resolved to report this to Deepking Oghren Orzammar III as soon as they returned to Brazenthrone; whatever this creature wanted, it certainly seemed like a potential threat.
She also acknowledged that the adventurers magic knife did indeed perform as advertised. If this Gobo could provide more, it could give the independent warriors of Brazenthrone a reason to add their manpower to hunting the OoPAs. She also learned at this time that the adventurers were after her long-time enemy Diir and flew into a near-rage at the mention of the derro's name. Brannas swiftly stated she'd get them an escort to the derro slums so they could search for Diir, also mentioned her own men couldn't do this themselves due to being unwelcome in that neighborhood.

Receiving a Report

Barely a day later, one of Brannas' Blade Guard practically burst into her office with new the adventurers had returned with some rather strange and disturbing discoveries. She went to a guard post in the Common Quarter where the adventurers were waiting, spotting Elycia before the others and commenting the wound-covered elf should probably seek medical attention as soon as possible. Turning the corner to see the rest of the group, the adventurers showed her the cadaver of a derro mutated into some sort of aberration.
She motioned for them to go on, intending to listen without interruption and get the full story before commenting. They explain they had tracked Diir, who had unfortunately managed to escape, to a network of tunnels and caves underneath Brazenthrone. These tunnels were connected to crevices that ran clear through the middle of the city. Though the tunnels connecting them were too narrow for most creatures to pass through, the derro thief had been cultivating pygmywort to fit through them and get around the city undetected. Her face didn't show it, but Brannas was alarmed at such a hole in the city's security being discovered.
Brannas thanked the adventurers for informing her of all this, stating she and her men may have to visit the derro neighborhood no matter how forceful or bloody a matter it was. She immediately issued orders for guards to be stationed around the crevices around the clock to keep an eye on them. Before letting this work consume her too much, she also stated that she would directly inform the Deepking of these developments and be sure to mention the adventurers sizeable contributions.