Naarvakim

The Naarvakim (possible singular: Naarvak) are a secret society devoted to bringing back Agarash the Damned to Magnamund, having worked behind the scenes for millennia. In MS 5103, during the events of The Dusk of Eternal Night, their plans were finally successful.

History

Background

After Agarash's fall in 3572 MS, his body was shattered, and the Elder Magi scattered these fragments all over Magnamund, in order to prevent them from being recombined. However, such was Agarash's power, these fragments became powerful relics. Some of these relics were kept safe by the Elder Magi, some were lost, forever, but some fell into the hands of the servants of Darkness, including the Darklords and a secret sect of zealots devoted to Agarash, the Naarvakim. Their primary goal was to bring Agarash back to Magnamund.

The Naarvakim were few in number, and operated in secret, preferring to manipulate others. They infiltrated both broadly and deeply: They found positions of power across many countries, both Good and Evil, not just within civilian populations, but magical as well, including the Darklands, the Cener Druids and even the Magiocracy of Dessi. Grey Star believed they were behind an attempt to kill or at least delay his arrival to Sommerlund to report his findings on them to Lone Wolf. After Lone Wolf destroyed the Skull of Agarash, Grey Star believed that the Naarvakim would even be devoted enough to try and recover every last speck of the Skull; entire countries had devoted to recovering the residues of Agarash in the past.

The Naarvakim speak Ul-Naarvak, the Dark Voice, a language so foul, to speak or even think it is enough to doom a mortal soul.

The Second Age of Eternal Night

The overall ultimate goal of the Naarvakim was to open a Gate of Doom where the fabric of the Planes of Existence were weak using a powerful explosion to tear open that fabric. To this end, they planned to use a source of immense power, possibly the Claw of Naar, and a place to use it — Agarash's throneroom in Naaros, where he fell. Prior to MS 5102, the Claw of Naar was stolen from containment in Dessi, and is believed to have been delivered to Zashnor. While the Claw of Naar lacked the Eye of Agarash, Grand Master believed it may have been charged in power in Skaror, fueled by the countless souls claimed in a recent ritual.

Prior to MS 5103 (the events of The Dusk of Eternal Night), Grey Star discovered that multiple relics relating to Agarash had been moved to a single unknown location, suggesting that the Naarvakim's plans were ready. He also noted that Agarash could not just be released from the Pit of Eternal Pain — he must be exchanged with a being of comparable magnitude in power. Swamplord Vag'kroag, a Child of Agarash, had been captured in MS 5102 from Lencia, and Grey Star believed he was the Candidate of choice. For the rest of MS 5103, the Naarvakim continued to gather artifacts relating to Agarash, including the Heart of Agarash, located in the Crypt of Agarash in the Tkukoma Vale. Grey Star, knowing his power was insufficient to stop them, travelled to Sommerlund to ask for the help of the Kai. Despite being at war with the reborn Archlord Vashna at the same time, Lone Wolf dispatched Grand Master and Blazer to aid Grey Star.

Within the Crypt of Agarash, the Naarvakim broke through the Elder Magi's protection and infiltrated the inner sanctum where the Heart of Agarash was stored. They were led by Sesketera, who had been operating as a Naarvakim agent in secret all along, and counted amongst their numbers Klarnorians, Sharnazim and Shadakines — from countries whose peoples would, in general, never work together. The Heart of Agarash lay trapped within a Nuoman Balance, that could only be released by a ritual of Good, with the implication that any follower of Evil would not be able to perform such an act. Sesketera, however, planned to exchange Oriah for the Heart, believing that his supposed love for her would suffice. The Naarvakim's plans in the Crypt were thwarted by Grand Master and Blazer, with Sesketera defeated, and Oriah rescued. However, Grand Master realised that the Heart of Agarash was not necessary for his recovery, but before more information could be obtained from Sesketera, he was killed by a fellow Naarvak.

Grand Master, Blazer and Grey Star continued their hunt of the Naarvakim. However, unwittingly, Blazer had been corrupted while in Kalte, and had an Ice Crystal implanted within his brain, transmitting their plans to the Naarvakim. Additionally, as the three headed towards Naaros on the Starstrider, they came under attack by the Naarvakim. Grey Star was forced to attempt to teleport the party directly to Naaros to escape, but possibly due to Blazer's corruption, he and Blazer were separated from the rest. With the ritual underway, Blazer delivered Grey Star into the Gate of Doom. The Naarvakim expected Agarash to be released, but to their surprise and anger, Shasarak was released, having fooled the Naarvakim and the Kai into releasing him instead. However, Agarash's malice was strong, even beyond the Gate of Doom, and Shasarak was forced to reveal his backup plan: To sacrifice a Kai Grand Master — either Blazer or Grand Master — to exchange places with Agarash.

Depending on the actions of the player, either Shasarak was driven into the Gate of Doom by Grand Master in combat, releasing Agarash; or Grand Master's betrayal by Blazer was revealed, combining his power with Shasarak to cast Grand Master into the Gate, releasing Agarash (but Shasarak was driven back into the Gate after a Blazer, possessed by an Ice Demon, demanded a duel with Shasarak for enslaving his race, releasing Grand Master again). Regardless of the actions taken, Agarash was freed, and the plans of the Naarvakim had finally succeeded.

In the gamebooks

The Naarvakim are primarily encountered in The Dusk of Eternal Night, where they are the main underlying foes in the book. Hints at the Naarvakim's influence, in hindsight, are present in several previous books.

The Naarvakim are also fought in multiple sections, and are highly dangerous enemies. The Naarvakim possess their own clothing, which comes in useful later in the book when attempting to bluff their way into Naaros. Naarvakim weaponry can also be found, which carry bonuses above a normal weapon of the same type.

Combat encounters

Korlinium Geode fight

The first Naarvakim encounter is within the Crypt of Agarash, just before the Korlinium Geode housing the Heart of Agarash. This is an encounter against a group of Naarvakim.

Naarvakim
Combat Skill 46, Endurance 44
Immune to: Mindblast, Kai-surge
↪The Dusk of Eternal Night: §70

This battle is fought on a suspension bridge. If Grand Master possesses Grand Huntmastery, a +2 bonus is added to Combat Skill due to superior balance.

However, one of the Naarvakim, a Shadakine Wytch, attacks with her psychic skills and gem, so Grand Master must deduct 4 from their Combat Skill unless they possess Kai-Screen. Additionally, one combatant, a Sharnazim's scimitar, is coated in Gnadurn sap, a lethal poison: When Grand Master takes damage per round, a Random Number must be picked. If it is a 9, Grand Master is grazed by the poisoned weapon, and must drink a Potion of Tazheng or Bautarin Antitoxin to neutralise the toxin, or eventually die. If Grand Master possesses Kai-alchemy, they can cast Net at the start of the fight to immobilise the tainted weapon, but Grand Master cannot inflict any damage in the first round of combat if so.

This Naarvakim encounter drops the following loot:

• 3x Grey Crystal Ring (Special Item, grants wielder Mindshield, the equivalent of Kai-screen at Kai Grand Master Senior)
• Naarvakim Bitikali (Sword, +2 Combat Skill)
• Naarvakim Pernach (Mace, +1 Combat Skill (+3 against armoured foes))
• Mind Gem (Special Item, adds +2 Combat Skill when Mindblast, Psi-surge or Kai-Surge is used in combat, also allows extended spirit-walking)
• Phial of Gnadurn Sap (Backpack Item, a poison, cannot be used in combat due to Kai Vows)
• Vial of Cener Elixir (Backpack Item, before battle, when consumed, lose 6 Endurance points, but increase Combat Skill by +4)
• Potion of Klorva (Backpack Item, restores 6 Endurance points)

Sesketera

Sesketera, a Naarvakim agent, is fought in the Korlinium Geode.

Sesketera (with Medallion of Weaponskill and Naarvakim Spear)
Combat Skill 54, Endurance 42
↪The Dusk of Eternal Night: §34/§77/§281

After his death, he will attempt to ensnare Grand Master, by trying to get them to read a Naarvakim Scroll, written in Ul-Naarvak. Since it is written in Ul-Naarvak, even reading it can turn a mortal soul to evil, although a Kai Grand Master may be able to resist its powers. If Grand Master fails this roll, they will obtain the Naarvakim Scroll and cannot lose it. Later, in Naaros, the corruption is complete, and Grand Master will sacrifice themselves into the Gate of Doom to release Agarash.

Sesketera drops the following loot:

• Sesketera's Medallion of Weaponskill (Special Item, +5 Combat Skill, but only +2 if Grand Master already possesses Grand Weaponmastery)
• Sesketera's Naarvakim Spear (Spear, +3 Combat Skill, bound to the Medallion, allowing it to be drawn to the wielder within a range of 100 yards. With both items, it can be thrown at an opponent and retrieved, granting one free turn of combat without Grand Master suffering any Endurance points losses)

Reborn Bavazanur

After the party is attacked en route to Naaros, a Reborn Bavazanur may be fought if the Starstrider is not sufficiently-protected.

Reborn Bavazanur (with the Fire trait)
Combat Skill 45, Endurance 44
Immune to: Mindblast
↪The Dusk of Eternal Night: §64/§286

All damage suffered by Grand Master must be doubled unless they possess Grand Nexus or a Platinum Amulet. This encounter is vulnerable to the effects of Star-Ska, Firefall, Raumas and Spawnsmite.

Reborn Krakalla Flying Fortress (and Naarvakim Crew)

Main article: Reborn Krakalla Flying Fortress (and Naarvakim crew)

This is a dangerous encounter against what is effectively an airship, especially without Kai-alchemy or both Sesketera's Naarvakim Spear and Sesketera's Medallion of Weaponskill. It can be avoided if the Starstrider is sufficiently-protected with a Scarlet Fire Rod, Sun-stone Shard or Bronin Steam-Spear.

Reborn Krakalla Flying Fortress (and Naarvakim crew)
Combat Skill 58, Endurance 90
Immune to: Mindblast, Kai-surge
↪The Dusk of Eternal Night: §320

Without a Grey Crystal Ring or Kai-screen, Grand Master must deduct 2 Combat Skill for this fight. With both Sesketera's Naarvakim Spear and Sesketera's Medallion of Weaponskill, however, +3 may be added to Grand Master's Combat Skill because it can be used to keep Grand Master in contact with the Krakalla.

The real danger, however, lies not in its attributes, but the fact that since it is a fight against an airship, Grand Master may become dislodged from it, and fall to their doom. This can only be prevented with Kai-alchemy (where they can use Levitation) or both Sesketera's Naarvakim Spear and Sesketera's Medallion of Weaponskill, since the Spear can be lodged into the Krakalla and Grand Master can will themselves back to it. However, if not, rolling a 1 or 2 causes Grand Master to become dislodged, and the Naarvakim get to attack a prone Grand Master. Depending on a Random Number Roll, Grand Master may lose Endurance or even Combat Skill points — or fall to their doom.

Retrospective combat encounters

These fights are against Naarvakim members before they are known to be part of the Naarvakim.

Sesketera

In The Buccaneers of Shadaki, Sesketera may be fought in this book:

Sesketera (with Medallion of Weaponskill)
Combat Skill 53, Endurance 42
↪The Buccaneers of Shadaki: §245/§106

This fight can be avoided if Grand Master uses a Bow and scores a very high roll (≥ 9; Grand Weaponmastery with a Bow grants +5). If the roll fails, the Bow is cleaved in two before Sesketera is fought in battle.

This battle lasts only two rounds.

Zashnor

In The Storms of Chai, Zashnor will be fought towards the end of the book:

Zashnor (in Ice Dragon form)
Combat Skill 54, Endurance 52
Immune to: Mindblast
↪The Storms of Chai: §100

Zashnor is immune to Mindblast, and partially-immune to Kai-surge and Kai-blast:

• Kai-surge: +4 Combat Skill rather than +8
• Kai-blast: Pick only one random number (rather than two)

In the seventh round of combat, if Zashnor is still alive, he calls on his Zlanbeast to help. This increases his Combat Skill to 59, and he regains 5 Endurance points. On the eighth round, his Combat Skill returns to 54, but the bonus Endurance points still apply.

After Zashnor is defeated, Grand Master will shatter his skull to destroy him.

See also

• Acolytes of Vashna — another evil cult, but devoted to Archlord Vashna