Zagrat Imparness dwells in his uncanny tower fortress Yarleth deep in
Dirimloth Forest. While there have been many myths and legends about
this dark sorcerer, one of the most common claims is that he is the blood
brother of Fallar the White, the guardian of the Temple of Light along
the Great Northern Road.
The Dark Elf house of Arizth became deadly enemies of Zagrat when they
dared to settle in his wood, but also due to their renouncement of the
ways of Clan Und, with which it was whispered that Zagrat had illicit ties.
Zagrat himself claims to have once teleported the entire Barony of Lyresong
across the East Coast Road, removing it from Dirimloth for some fifty
years before it was finally returned to not quite its original location
by the will of the Gods.
One of the most infamous accounts of Zagrat details his betrayal of the
city of Devardec and the corruption of Dirimloth Forest.
It is told that Zagrat was once a benevolent wizard. He dwelled in the
Keep outside the northwest gate of Devardec, and sometimes aided in the
defense of the city from invaders. He was very much respected and often
consulted for his prowess with magic, for even then he exhibited a
remarkable amount of ability.
As time passed, Zagrat became seen less often, and the Keep began to
fill with the kinds of creatures that Devardec should have been
defended against. Word spread that Zagrat had become trapped in his
tower by the creatures, and a troop of city guards was sent to
investigate. When the troop arrived, Zagrat appeared. He had not been
trapped as believed, but he was in control of the creatures! He placed
the Keep under a curse which eternally bound the monsters to the site.
As the guards fought off the dark creatures, Zagrat cast a spell of
Teleportation which moved a tower section of the Keep into the forest.
Nirimloth Forest had only recently been divided by the Great Northern
Road. The western wood retained the name Nirimloth, while the eastern
wood was renamed Dirimloth. It is in the latter where Zagrat's tower
appeared. Zagrat saw Dirimloth Forest as a blank canvas on which to
leave his sinister imprint, for the Elves had abandoned it, choosing
instead to stay in the remaining section of Nirimloth near their home
city of Woodtop. Dirimloth was defenseless against Zagrat's power. He
claimed the entire wood as his domain, and set about it changes that
better suited his ominous pursuits. The trees grew twisted and the
waters flowed with toxins as Light was diminished and Shadow began to
breed. And thus began the fables of his evil on the Sixth Day of
Winter's Cloak.
