Argazad

Argazad is a naval base and city within Aargataag, ruled by Darklord Kraagenskûl. It was the principal navy base of the Darklords and home to the ironclad fleets.

Etymology

A direct translation from Giak suggests that "Argazad" is derived from "ar" (with) + "gazad" (fortress).

Appearance

Argazad is located in a natural harbour of a cliff, creating a quay for more than fifty ironclad warships. It is filled with grey buildings constructed from iron and stone, with its denizens warmed by fires inside. It is further surrounded by a wall of stones and a coil of razor wire. The entrance gate is guarded by Drakkarim.

History

After the arrival of the Darklords on Magnamund, Argazad was constructed as a small Drakkarim settlement off the Gulf of Helenag, and was eventually upgraded into a port. During the time of Archlord Zagarna, Darklord Kraagenskûl wished to upgrade Argazad into a massive naval base, to guard against a possible Sommlending naval invasion, and, conveniently, himself as its Lord. However, Zagarna rebuffed the project.

Around MS 5065, Darklord Kraagenskûl's wishes came true, under the rule of Archlord Gnaag. Kraagenskûl disappeared from the front lines of battle from conquering Talestria, to construct said naval base. Upon its completion, Kraagenskûl became its Lord, changing his title from Lord of Helgedad to Lord of Argazad. Some time between MS 5067 and MS 5070, a new fleet of ironclad warships, powered by technology stolen by Jen and Leandra Redalion, attacked Sommerlund, destroying its northern fleets and invading the Kirlundin Isles. Banedon confronted the fleet there, but was challenged by Kraagenskûl in battle, who shattered his Guildstaff and forced him to flee. This caused a naval blockade that cut Sommerlund off from Durenor, and by MS 5070, Sommerlund's days were all but numbered.

In MS 5070, during the events of The Masters of Darkness, Lone Wolf infiltrated Argazad while seeking a way to travel to Aarnak, killed Darklord Kraagenskûl, and flew to Aarnak on his Zlanbeast. Depending on the actions of the player, Lone Wolf may have also sabotaged one of the juggernaut warships in Argazad, but this warship was never launched as Lone Wolf destroyed the Darklords before this could happen.

It is unknown what happened to Argazad after this. However, Sommerlund was not attacked from the sea by the Darklords again.

In the gamebooks

Argazad is only visited once, in The Masters of Darkness. Lone Wolf, having been shipwrecked off the coast of Argazad en route to Aarnak, is forced to find a way to travel there without going through the Naogizaga. He infiltrates Argazad using a Drakkar disguise, and eventually encounters and defeats Darklord Kraagenskûl in battle. He then takes control of Kraagenskûl's Zlanbeast and flies it to Aarnak.

While in Argazad, Lone Wolf may sneak into the harbour and sabotage one of the juggernaut warships there. The player is given a choice to use the Crystal Explosive to destroy the warship, but this results in death as Lone Wolf perishes in the resulting explosion (even if he had survived, he cannot destroy the Transfusor later). If the power tube that powers the ship is inverted, this too destroys the ship, but the reaction is immediate, and Lone Wolf dies instantly as well. If Lone Wolf has Divination and is ranked Principalin or higher, he will be warned of this consequence, and instead removes some of the insulation covering the cables, ensuring it will break down while at sea. Lone Wolf can also simply not go ahead with the sabotage. Assuming Lone Wolf survives, no matter the option taken, however, it has no impact on the gameplay, and likely no impact on history as well, as Lone Wolf kills Darklord Gnaag and destroys the Transfusor shortly afterwards.