Azerdjera, the Red Queen

First spotted on the cusp of the second diurnal era roaming the southern border of the Tradestowns, the red dragon Azerdjera has since become one of the most infamous legends of the known world. As far back as records go, the draconic terror used to leave a gruesome trail in her seasonal flights over southern Kupridop. Centuries later, pilgrimages of sacrifice have been made tradition to appease the terrifying beast once a year, or whenever her bellowing roar is heard from the skies. Rumored to be a rival of the huntsman Od, she revels in the fear imposed by her visage so much so that her thralls are rewarded for spreading word of her tyranny.
Azerdjera is several millennia old, thought to be the most venerable of dragon kind in Qerodil. Not only is she immensely wise and powerful given her age, the most terrifying trait of the self-proposed Red Queen is her incredible ability of transmutable lycanthropy. Although it is thought to be a form of ancient black magic, in actuality the queen bestows lycanthropic attributes to her thralls by natural means. While feasting on prey she is able to retain a portion of their blood through porous glands in her gums, wherein it brews as a type of venom that can be injected at will. This, in turn, has formed a wide caste of followers over the ages as her bite converts civil pilgrims into monsters hybridized with her most recent meal--dire wolves, boars, yeti, daurasaurs--whatever it may be. These half-beast servants end up tainted by her influence, remaining fiercely loyal to their last breath.

Whether her unique venom is some kind of curse or an evolutionary trait is unclear. Records thus far are certain that she is the only known creature with such amazing and twisted properties. Adventurers in past eras have chased bounties for her blood to test its alchemic capabilities only to never return; or if they did it was with malformed talons and teeth, and ambered eyes burning with a bloodthirsty ire. Citizens of the Tradestowns have learned over time that her tithe is simply one to accept without challenge.

Thralls of Azerdjera are able to freely shift into their original selves, but only tend to do so for civil scourges or periods of worship. The queen is known to adhere to a human appearance during times of pilgrimage, so as to better secure the servitude of her tithes. It is said that this form may change to suit her mood, but texts always describe her draped in extravagant crimson fabrics and precious metals. Her subordinates, however, often shed anything but protective attire. Their servitude burns so deeply that most undergo a ritual of flagellation to represent the bond of blood that keeps them loyal.