Betrayals of S'handor

Sins such as brutality and greed existed in pre-cataclysm eras, as is known among avid students of history. This is yet another tale of events leading up to the destruction of an ancient city, this time the city in focus being the original Jewel of the East, S'handor.

Not long before the Cataclysm, Balwen the Magnificent ruled as the King of S'handor. He had many advisors of many ranks, one of whom was Mordeth. Vergat, another key character in this tale, was born and raised in S'handor, but was of a far poorer chaste. Vergat dreamt of becoming part of the King's personal bodyguards, the elite of Balwen's army. This professional band of soldiers was led by a man named Traugor the Just. Vergat, a vigorous servant, joined the military of S'handor and swiftly grew in strength. However, many of his actions were unrestrained. Vergat dealt with barbarians and thieves brutally and even extorted nobles of his own city.

These actions attracted the attention of the highly ambitious and greedy advisor Mordeth. Under the condition that Vergat would lead a rebellion against Balwen the Magnificent, Mordeth promised Vergat a position as one of those famed bodyguards. A new king would be appointed, and Vergat would be the revolutionary. The reformer. Vergat accepted and within months, had collected many to his cause. As an 'advanced payment', Mordeth, with all of his wealth, managed Vergat a position as a bodyguard inductee. During this time, Vergat met Traugor the Just.

When everything was in order for a strike, Mordeth betrayed Vergat. Deep in his heart, Mordeth never believed that the rebellion would be a success; with Vergat, Mordeth achieved himself the position of High Advisor, and alerted Balwen to the presence of the liberators. The night before the raid, Balwen ordered Traugor the Just to gather his best legion of troops and destroy Vergat's encampment. Traugor put the camp to fire, to the sword, and to the heel of his boot. The fiercest battle was between Traugor and Vergat, after the rest of the rebels had already been slain.

Had Traugor's aim been true, Vergat would have been stabbed through his dark heart. Alas, this was not the case. Burnt and bleeding, Vergat escaped S'handor and healed his wounds. At this time, the Cataclysm was in effect. Vergat adopted a name more suitable for the awakening Nameless: Virigoth.

Chaos warred across Aabahran, but never did it seem could S'handor fall. King Balwen was praised for his deeds. The rebellion was stomped out, and only a bad memory lingered. When the city of S'handor felt most patriotic, Virigoth, their bad memory, returned. In the night, Virigoth appeared to Mordeth, awesome and deadly. It was stated that Mordeth could either aid Virigoth in the taking of S'handor, or Mordeth could die right then and there. Mordeth, cowardly till the end, chose to aid Virigoth.

An expert seditionist, Mordeth sabotaged the army's weapons and food supplies. After drugging the wine, fruit and bread, Mordeth called a banquet in honor of S'handor's unfailing military. That same day, after almost every troop was intoxicated and sleeping under the influence of Mordeth's drug, Virigoth purged the city. It took no more than an hour for Virigoth to put the blade to every man, woman, and child living in S'handor. Traugor the Just was put to death with the Carnifex right before Balwen's eyes. Then three were left: Virigoth, Balwen, and Mordeth, all gathered in one blood-stained room. Virigoth explained Mordeth's treason to the King in full detail. As a reward for Mordeth's betrayal, Virigoth gave him the entirety of S'handor, in all of its razed and smoldering glory, and then cursed him to never be allowed to leave its walls.

Below the palace, Virigoth drug Balwen to the Soul Forge. With Virigoth's final words, he turned Balwen the Magnificent into the profanity which is Khalandar. This was the Curse of Virigoth, limitless in strength, mindless, and confined also to the walls.