## Drogul Blackjaw – Orc Warlord of the Broken Road ### Overview **Drogul Blackjaw** is a brutal orc raider and warlord whose name is whispered with bitterness and fear along the southern trade roads of [[Karudasos]]. Leader of a savage band of marauders, Drogul is infamous for cruelty cloaked in mockery, and for a personal philosophy that values gold above honor, loyalty, or life. It was Drogul who ordered the execution of **[[Bakorda]] the Lyrist**, an act that shattered the heart of [[Grom]] Izek and forever changed the course of the minotaur’s destiny. Drogul is not merely a savage—he is a symbol of everything [[Grom]] now vows to rise above, yet also embodies the very system [[Grom]] seeks to master: **the world of power purchased by wealth**. --- ## Appearance - **Race:** Orc - **Gender:** Male - **Build:** Towering and broad-shouldered with heavy battle-worn muscle - **Hair:** Black dreadlocks bound in copper rings - **Eyes:** Deep red, often narrowed in scorn or amusement - **Jaw:** Prosthetic lower jaw made of iron—cracked and jagged—earned in a duel against another warlord - **Weapon:** A massive two-headed axe with gold coins melted into the haft --- ## Personality - **Traits:** Arrogant, cunning, darkly humorous - **Beliefs:** Money is the only true power. Fear is the strongest currency. - **Habits:** Flicks gold coins during conversation, delivers insults as casually as breath, and never fights without an audience Drogul revels in domination, but not without flair. He believes that fear, spectacle, and wealth are tools more potent than brute force alone. --- ## Infamous Deeds - **The Ambush on the Twilight Road:** Drogul and his raiders ambushed [[Grom]] and [[Bakorda]] during an evening walk, mocking them before accepting a bribe and then killing [[Bakorda]] anyway. Her beheading marked one of Drogul’s most infamous acts, reinforcing his reputation for cruelty masked as pragmatism. - **The Burning of Three Pines:** He ordered the razing of a merchant town after its rulers refused tribute, nailing their tax ledgers to the doors of their burned homes - **The Goldjaw Pact:** Drogul sells protection to smaller orc tribes in exchange for fealty, forming an informal network of violent taxation and tribute --- ## Allies and Raiders Drogul leads a notorious band, including: - **[[Dregma the One-Eye]]** – A goblin torturer and scout - **[[Thrugga and Krolg]]** – Bugbear enforcers known for ambush tactics and battlefield brutality - **[[Volza Redhand]]** – A silent killer with a fondness for garrote assassinations These raiders are loyal to Drogul only so long as the gold flows and the fear remains. --- ## Current Whereabouts While his base of operations shifts often, Drogul is believed to currently operate near the **Cragspire Routes**, a treacherous mountain pass where he extorts caravans and controls trade with ruthless efficiency. Rumors claim he is amassing more wealth in hopes of purchasing his way into **noble blood** within a corrupt orcish court—or perhaps creating one of his own. --- ## Legacy - **To [[Grom]]:** Drogul is the nightmare made real. The face behind [[Grom]]’s greatest loss and the symbol of what happens when gold rules without conscience. - **To the South:** A ghost of the road, a death sentence for the unguarded, and a god of violence for desperate tribes seeking brutal leadership. > “You gave me gold for her life. And I gave you a lesson: gold buys only _one_ life, not two.” --- ## Final Notes Drogul Blackjaw is a villain not only of brute strength but of philosophy—a warlord who speaks of economics while drowning villages in blood. He is the first and most personal enemy of [[Grom]] Izek… and may someday become the final test of what [[Grom]] has truly become. > "Gold buys silence. Gold buys fear. Gold buys death. What more is there to believe in?" ## **Drogul Blackjaw – CR 14 Orc Warlord of the Broken Road** Medium humanoid (orc), lawful evil **Armor Class** 19 (reinforced plate armor) **Hit Points** 225 (30d8 + 90) **Speed** 30 ft. **STR** 22 (+6) **DEX** 14 (+2) **CON** 17 (+3) **INT** 12 (+1) **WIS** 14 (+2) **CHA** 18 (+4) **Saving Throws** Str +11, Con +8, Cha +9 **Skills** Intimidation +9, Athletics +11, Insight +7, Persuasion +8 **Damage Resistances** psychic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons **Condition Immunities** frightened **Senses** darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12 **Languages** Common, Orc **Challenge** 14 (11,500 XP) **Proficiency Bonus** +5 --- ### Traits **Legend of the Iron Jaw.** Drogul’s iron prosthetic jaw is enchanted. Once per day, he can activate it to unleash a terrifying roar. All creatures within 30 ft. that can hear him must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns. **Warlord’s Command (3/Day).** As a bonus action, Drogul commands one creature that can hear him to make an immediate weapon attack as a reaction. If the creature hits, it gains temporary hit points equal to Drogul’s Charisma modifier + his proficiency bonus (9). **Aura of Brutality.** Allies within 10 feet of Drogul deal +2 bonus melee damage and have advantage on saving throws against being frightened. **Indomitable Presence.** Drogul has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or paralyzed. --- ### Actions **Multiattack.** Drogul makes three melee attacks. **Twin-Headed Greataxe.** Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d12 + 6) slashing damage. If the attack is a critical hit, the target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of their next turn. **Gold-Bound Slam (Recharge 5–6).** Drogul slams the ground or a foe with the pommel of his axe, releasing a wave of golden energy. All enemies in a 15-ft. cone must make a DC 17 Strength saving throw or take 27 (6d8) force damage and be knocked prone. Half damage on a success. --- ### Reactions **Price of Mercy.** When a creature within 5 feet of Drogul surrenders or drops to 0 HP, he can use his reaction to deliver a finishing strike, making a weapon attack against another creature within range. --- ### Legendary Actions (3/Day) Drogul can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Drogul regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn. - **Move.** Drogul moves up to his speed without provoking opportunity attacks. - **Command Ally.** One ally within 30 feet can immediately move up to half its speed. - **Gold Before Blood (Costs 2 Actions).** Drogul targets a creature he can see within 60 feet. The creature must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed until the end of its next turn. While charmed in this way, the creature cannot target Drogul or his allies with hostile actions. --- **Equipment:** Twin-headed greataxe, gilded armor with tribute plates, pouch of 200 gp coins melted into his weapon, minor artifact jawplate known as the Iron Mandate. --- **Tactics:** - Opens combat with **Legend of the Iron Jaw** to demoralize opponents. - Uses **Gold-Bound Slam** to control the battlefield. - Prioritizes enemy leaders and spellcasters. - Utilizes **Warlord’s Command** to boost his raiders. - Relishes executions and morale-breaking strikes.