Cult of the Dragon
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The Cult of the Dragon is a fictional, semi-religious, evil organization in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The cult worships dragons, believing they will rule the world in the future and will keep them as monarchs next in line. Sammaster, a mage of considerable prowess founded the cult. The cult schemes to create undead dragons, mainly the dracolich.
Sammaster
As one of Mystra's chosen, Sammaster possessed great power, in addition to his own skills he also possessed a fraction of Mystra's essence like Elminster and Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun. In Sammaster's case however, the additional power brought delusions of power and madness, which consumed him and triggered a series of events that in the end cost him his life. With help he rose from the dead and sought out knowledge. He came to believe in time that "dead dragons shall rule the world entirely" and spent his undeath working towards the realization of his goal. Often he has crossed paths with the Chosen of Mystra, worshipers of Mystra, and even the god Lathander in his quest.
In the Year of Fell Pearls (887DR)[when?] Sammaster publishes his retranslations of many tomes including the Chronicles of Years to Come, of which was originally created by the oracle and seer Maglas. It is this tome that the Cult of the Dragon's sole purpose is founded upon.
The original translation by Maglas stated, "And naught will be left save shattered thrones, with no rulers but the dead. Dragons shall rule the world entire, and...."[who?]
Sammaster incorrectly translated this to read, "And naught will be left save shattered thrones with no rulers. But the dead dragons shall rule the world entire, and..."[who?]
Simply by moving some punctuation around in these Chronicles, Sammaster was able to talk Dragons into becoming a Dracolich and at the same time, recruit followers of the Cult[who?].
It was also around this time that Algashon, a Priest of Bane, cast a spell upon Sammaster to bring him back life after a great battle Sammaster had with his former lover, Alustriel. When Sammaster returned from the dead, he no longer possessed the Silver Fire given to him by Mystra, but he did retain some qualities given to the Chosen of Mystra like fast healing and he was also able to remain ageless.
Later, in a successful attack to claim Sammaster's life, trickery launched by Algashon. Sammaster is killed in a battle. Algashon then takes over the Cult of the Dragon and steers the Cult into worshipers and followers of Bane in hopes to gain power granted by Bane.
At the time of Sammaster's death, Sammaster was said to be a lich himself[who?]. It is also said, that to this day, Sammaster remains in his Phalactery somewhere in the Dalelands, in an unknown location around the Battle of Bones, waiting a corpse to possess.
+ As the Dungeon Master in a Dungeon and Dragons game, it is within reason to believe Sammaster could return as a 26th-28th level Necromancer.
+ Algashon may or may not still be in control of the Cult, depending on when your campaign time is set.
+ It is also within reason, to make pacts between the Drow Warlords and The Cult of the Dragon, since the Cult has been forced to work in underground networks for quite some time.
History of the cult
The Cult of the Dragon venerates dragons, evil dragons in particular, and specifically dead evil dragons. They reanimate the gargantuan corpses as powerful and fell dracoliches. The Cult acts as an information network for its draconian "masters", brings gems and riches as offerings, and encourages evil dragons to become dracoliches. Their belief is that dracoliches are destined to one day rule Faerûn and beyond.
The Cult is active throughout the Realms, but is specifically powerful in the Cold Lands and the North, where dragons are particularly abundant. Cult member activities include gathering information on particularly rich caravans to be raided, stealing unique items to be offered to their masters, and leading raids against their enemies (who, in their minds, are all those who might oppose the rulership of the dragons).
Senior members of the Cult of the Dragon are known as Keepers of the Secret Hoard or, more recently, Wearers of Purple, and to them is given the secret of creation of dracoliches. Each senior member is also in possession of a Ring of Dragons. The keepers use these to protect themselves against assailants.
