Daralathyxl, the Sixth King of the Mountains

In the mountains in Blackfire Pass, lives the magnificent red dragon named Daralathyxl. This grand terror is sometimes called the Sixth King of the Mountains, and most people who interact with him (and somehow survive) wisely address him as a king, if not “emperor” or “god.” Daralathyxl is one of the oldest, largest, and most powerful dragons in Mythris, and his influence is felt as far away as the Kingdom of Tel Morath to the Kingdom of Alamor. At least a dozen other evil dragons are known to live within the area Daralathyxl claims, and all but one refer to him as their liege. In the past century, Daralathyxl’s appearances have declined, leading some to wrongfully speculate that he has died. Every time such rumors begin circulating, though, Daralathyxl reappears to exert his undeniable influence and command over the region. These reappearances lead many to speculate that Daralathyxl controls a network of spies in the Garden Expanse and Mistfen Mire, for his return always seems coincidentally linked to rumors of his demise. When he does deign to appear within the land, Daralathyxl stays only long enough to terrorize his “subjects” and acquire proper tribute, usually in the form of food, treasure, and beautiful young human or elven women. The king’s last visit came in 1488. Although less active in recent memory, Daralathyxl proved a far more dynamic menace several centuries ago. At the height of his activity, roughly between 650 and 1200, Daralathyxl appeared in the Garden Expanse almost every year, demanding his customary tribute. Reports of Daralathyxl go back even further, though, and some stories put him at the mouth of the volcano—swimming through the lava with glee—when Khaz Rendlea erupted in 615. A few surviving dwarven records even speak of a powerful young red dragon who took up residence in the southern end of the Greyhammer Peaks somewhere around 124. Some scholars debate as to whether that dragon could be Daralathyxl, but references to a distinctive hooked chin horn and dark red stripes along his forelimbs seem like fairly strong evidence that the dwarves encountered Daralathyxl some 1700 years ago. Certainly, his size and power lend credence to such tales of his age, and it seems likely that Daralathyxl has lived for more than two millennia.

Ruled Locations

• Blackfire Pass