Kraagenskûl

Kraagenskûl
Member of the Darklords
Titles	Darklord Kraagenskûl Lord of Argazad Lord of Skaror
Status	Dead (killed by Lone Wolf) Spirit trapped in the Plain of Despair
Died	MS 5070
Domain	Argazad Tar Ogashaar (disputed)
Weapon	Helshezag
Affiliations	Chlanzor (ally)
Illustrations	The Masters of Darkness: §216 The Darklands: p. 78

Darklord Kraagenskûl (died MS 5070) was a Darklord and Lord of Argazad and Skaror. He was one of the more powerful Darklords, ruling multiple lands, although he never put himself in serious contention to become Archlord. He was slain by Lone Wolf in Argazad, who was on a quest to destroy Gnaag and the Transfusor, that allowed the Darklords to roam freely outside the Darklands.

Appearance

Kraagenskûl had claw tipped fingers and a skeletal frame with a stringy throat. He resembled a massive emaciated human male with fangs for teeth and wicked claws for hands. His scabbed hairless flesh was constantly covered in a thick layer of red rash. Corpse-like, red rimmed and deep sunken, bulbous eyes were set on a head and the left side of his face was swollen from a snake-like parasite that had burrowed into his jaw. In The Darklands (set during the time of Archlord Zagarna's rule), it mentions that his affliction seems to cause him no discomfort, but in The Masters of Darkness (set during the time of Archlord Gnaag's rule), Kraagenskûl is nervously trying to scratch away a parasite burrowed into his flesh, and this affliction is causing him great pain.

Kraagenskûl wielded Helshezag, a powerful, jet-black sword.

Personality

Kraagenskûl used blue electrical fire from his fingertips as a torture device. He had some psychic powers, but they were purely destructive in nature and he was unable to read minds. He was aware on what was going on around him at all times.

Kraagenskûl was one of the more powerful Darklords. He possessed strength and power, and his political acumen allowed him to form alliances and manipulate others to be more than just a pawn. Few had more authority than him within Helgedad, and his power over Argazad was absolute.

Biography

Kraagenskûl arrived on Magnamund with his fellow Darklords in MS 3072, and became a Lord of Helgedad. Under Archlord Vashna, he was the most influential and powerful of the Lords of Helgedad, and a challenger of Archlord Zagarna after his demise, although he did not become Archlord. Under Archlord Zagarna, Kraagenskûl pushed for an ambitious expansion of the port of Argazad to construct the largest naval fleet on Magnamund, and to defend against a potential naval invasion by Sommerlund. Conveniently, Kraagenskûl would also become its Lord. However, his plans were rebuffed by Zagarna.

Some time prior to MS 5000, he invaded Skaror, and took control of it with the help of the remaining Agarashi that lay dormant and hidden under Skaror. These forces prevented other Darklords from taking control of Skaror; legend has it that the Agarashi under his command were even responsible for the death of another Darklord. Although his rule of Skaror was frequently contested, he was considered to have the strongest claim.

In MS 5062, Kraagenskûl and fellow Darklord Chlanzor led an army of Giaks to fight against the forces of Lord Adamas in Zuttezna, who was attempting to storm Torgar to rescue thousands of slaves imprisoned within. Lord Adamas soundly defeated the Darklords' armies, sending them back to Cragmantle in retreat. However, this retreat did not last long. Aided by the Tanoz-tukor, allowing the Darklords to operate freely outside of the Darklands, Archlord Gnaag tasked the two Darklords to attack Talestria and Palmyrion. Chlanzor led the push south, while Kraagenskûl headed to the Danarg to muster the Agarashi to the Darklords' cause. Talestria and Palmyrion fell into chaos, facing a foe they could not defeat. However, Chlanzor was driven back in Phoena after Lord Ardan used the power of the Triple Towers of Phoena. In MS 5064, Kraagenskûl abandoned his attempts to sway the Agarashi, as though they were powerful, they were uncontrollable. He rejoined Chlanzor and the two redoubled their efforts to conquer Talestria.

Around MS 5065, Kraagenskûl's Argazad ambitions came true. He disappeared from the war front, overseeing the construction of Argazad's upgrade, and upon its completion, Kraagenskûl transferred his Lordship from Helgedad to Argazad. Between MS 5067 and MS 5069, Argazad launched a new fleet, powered by technology stolen from Jen and Leandra Redalion. This fleet destroyed Sommerlund's northern fleets, and invaded the Kirlundin Isles. Banedon fought on the Kirlundin Isles, confronting Kraagenskûl at Silver Shore, but Kraagenskûl shattered his Guildstaff in direct combat, forcing Banedon to flee.

Argazad's naval fleet resulted in a sea blockade of Sommerlund from Durenor, and combined with Xog's invasion of the Wildlands, Sommerlund was isolated on all fronts. It was only a matter of time before Sommerlund fell, with a further naval raid planned to assault Holmgard.

Lone Wolf embarked on a mission to run the blockade and reach Aarnak, to seek out the Slavemaster, a secret agent of the Elder Magi. However, the fleet was shipwrecked off the coast of Argazad, forcing Lone Wolf to find a different way to reach Aarnak, 300 miles away. Lone Wolf infiltrated Argazad and discovered a Zlanbeast that could be used to reach Aarnak in days. However, this Zlanbeast belonged to Kraagenskûl, and Lone Wolf came face-to-face with him. Lone Wolf, wearing a Drakkarim disguise, claimed to have information about a traitor in Kraagenskûl's court. This ruse fooled Kraagenskûl for a while, but eventually, the two fought, and Kraagenskûl fell.

For his failure, his spirit was trapped and tortured in the Plain of Despair by Naar.

In MS 5102, the device he used to try to enslave the Agarashi was found and used by Warlord Golzaarn in Skaror, to raise the Skarorian Horde, a legendary army of Agarashi. This plot was thwarted by Star Lynx, who slew Golzaarn and destroyed the device.

In the gamebooks

Darklord Kraagenskûl is encountered in The Masters of Darkness, in Argazad. Lone Wolf is wearing a Drakkarim disguise at the time. Kraagenskûl immediately attacks with psychic power, but his psychic skills are completely destructive in nature and he could not discern Lone Wolf's real identity. Temporarily fooled by Lone Wolf's disguise, Kraagenskûl believes Lone Wolf's claim of a traitor in his court, but instead of waiting for the "Drakkar" to talk, Kraagenskûl attempts to torture him with blue electrical fire. This is stopped by the Golden Amulet that Lone Wolf wore. Realizing immediately that something was wrong, Kraagenskûl breaks off his attack and summons a Crypt Spawn flood. This fight and the fight against Kraagenskûl changes depending on the weapon used:

• Sommerswerd
• Dagger of Vashna
• Any other weapon

Sommerswerd

The Crypt Spawn Flood is fought first:

Crypt Spawn Flood
Combat Skill 30, Endurance 36
↪The Masters of Darkness: §57

However, by drawing the Sommerswerd, this alerts Kraagenskûl to Lone Wolf's true identity, and he will attempt to contact Gnaag of his presence.

If the Crypt Spawn Flood fight takes longer than 4 rounds, this buys enough time for Kraagenskûl to contact Gnaag. Lone Wolf fights Darklord Kraagenskûl anyway:

Darklord Kraagenskûl
Combat Skill 45, Endurance 48
Immune to: Mindblast
↪The Masters of Darkness: §195

However, even if he is defeated, Lone Wolf will be attacked by Kraan sent from Helgedad as he flies the Zlanbeast to Aarnak, and will fall to his doom.

If the Crypt Spawn Flood fight takes 3 rounds or less, Kraagenskûl will instead be in the process of contacting Gnaag. In a desperate attempt to stop him from doing so, Lone Wolf is forced to throw the Sommerswerd at Kraagenskûl's back. If this fails, this almost severs Kraagenskûl's arm, but he succeeds in contacting Gnaag, before fighting Lone Wolf:

Darklord Kraagenskûl (wounded)
Combat Skill 36, Endurance 38
Immune to: Mindblast
↪The Masters of Darkness: §275

However, as Gnaag is now aware, Lone Wolf is similarly attacked by Kraan in the next section and killed.

If the roll is successful, the Sommerswerd severs Kraagenskûl's hand and prevents him from contacting Gnaag. The two then fight:

Darklord Kraagenskûl (wounded)
Combat Skill 30, Endurance 29
Immune to: Mindblast
↪The Masters of Darkness: §75

However, Lone Wolf must fight the first three rounds without the Sommerswerd. In particular, the only other weapon that Lone Wolf could possess that can damage Kraagenskûl is the Dagger of Vashna; if Lone Wolf does not possess this, or chooses not to use it, he cannot inflict any damage on Kraagenskûl during these first three rounds. If the Dagger of Vashna is used, then Lone Wolf gains a +7 Combat Skill bonus, owing to it being used against a Darklord.

After the fight, Lone Wolf may take Kraagenskûl's weapon, Helshezag.

Dagger of Vashna

The Dagger of Vashna sends the Crypt Spawn Flood fleeing in fear, as they recognize the power contained within the weapon. Lone Wolf then fights Darklord Kraagenskûl:

Darklord Kraagenskûl
Combat Skill 45, Endurance 48
Immune to: Mindblast
↪The Masters of Darkness: §171

Lone Wolf gains a +7 Combat Skill bonus, due to the Dagger of Vashna being used against a Darklord.

After the fight, Lone Wolf may take Kraagenskûl's weapon, Helshezag.

Any other weapon

The Crypt Spawn Flood is fought first:

Crypt Spawn Flood
Combat Skill 30, Endurance 36
↪The Masters of Darkness: §109

Kraagenskûl then challenges Lone Wolf, who kicks a fiery pillar towards him while evading an attack. This causes Kraagenskûl to drop his sword, Helshezag. Lone Wolf and Kraagenskûl then both attempt to retrieve the sword. If Kraagenskûl retrieves the weapon first, he stabs Lone Wolf through the neck, resulting in instant death. If Lone Wolf retrieves the weapon first, Lone Wolf fights Kraagenskûl while wielding Helshezag, granting a +7 Combat Skill bonus, but more importantly, with a weapon that can harm a Darklord.

Darklord Kraagenskûl (without Helshezag)
Combat Skill 35, Endurance 38
Immune to: Mindblast
↪The Masters of Darkness: §133

After the fight, Lone Wolf may take Helshezag. If Lone Wolf does not possess the Sommerswerd or the Dagger of Vashna, he must do so, or he will not have a weapon that can harm Darklord Gnaag.

Design

In the first edition of The Darklands, Kraagenskûl is also ruler of Galhiak. This realm was retconned out of existence in the second edition. The second edition also makes it clear that Argazad is part of Aargataag, although Kraagenskûl does not rule over the entire realm — just Argazad.