The threat of orc tribes in the desert waste of Osirion can come as a surprise to those unfamiliar with the region, but merchants who ply the routes through thse sandy dunes are all too familiar with the Sandkin orcs’ predations. Living in wind-carved caves, their raiding parties are a menace to all but the most well-guarded caravans. However, these very orcs faced threats of their own: a blue dragon named Bryzzazich and her two half-dragon off-spring, Plexlych and Cradlych. On threat of utter destruction, the orcs were required to bring tribute to the dragon and its kin, consisting of food, gemstones (with which the dragon had a particular fascination) and concubines for the half-dragons. One of these concubines, named Dockia and accounted as beautiful in orcish eyes, was given as tribute at a young age and “wedded” to Cradlych. Treated harshly but kept alive, Dockia gave birth to several offspring via Cradlych, as did others so enslaved to the cruel half-dragon pair. These younglings were raised to be warriors to defend the dragon’s lair…or to be food if they failed to thrive. They were not allowed names of their own, and were trained only for battle. Each was branded across with chest with a draconic word roughly translating to “chattel”.
Hired by the owners of a prominent merchant caravan to eliminate threats in the area, a group of adventurers dealt a sharp check to the Sandkin. From the orcs they learned of Bryzzazich and her kin, in an epic fight the adventurers slew Bryzzazich, Plexlych and Cradlych. In the battle, the half-dragon’s off-spring were also slain. However, the victorious party included a devoted priestess of Sarenae named Levoya. Looking over the bodies, Levoya was struck by a vision from her goddess that one of the slain, a large male with orcish tusks, draconic claws and blue scales mixed with orcish skin, was somehow destined for more momentous accomplishments….despite being dead. Levoya arranged for the body to be quickly returned to her home temple in Sothis. There she cast Raise Dead on the corpse, convincing her colleagues that Sarenae’s philosophy of redemption applied to this creature as well. Bewildered, the weakened draconic orc struggled but was restrained. There the lessons in what is good, just and benevolent began, things utterly foreign to his former life. Over time he adopted these new ways, learning to channel his ferocity and physical gifts to aid others rather than terrorize them. Still, he was determined to remember his past; he took the name “Craddock” as a combination of his parents’ names. Likewise, his claws and combined draconic and orcish countenance (and sheer size) gave him a fearsomeness, and his chest brand was ever-present. Never given to book learning, he struggled to master the common tongue despite native-level skill in draconic and orcish. Another sign of his lineage was his fascination with gems. Craddock would wile away his free time learning to carve various stones into aesthetically pleasing forms.
After several years of indoctrination, Craddock was deemed “saved” by the Sarenrae priests and priestesses that had become his surrogate family. He retained a brooding countenance, and his fits of rage (much of which he learned to channel into timely combat prowess) were reminders to all that he remained haunted by his past. Failure especially would rattle him, as such meant death in Bryzzazich’s clutches. Still, he could be counted on to do the right thing when faced with moral choices and showed a clear devotion to Sarenrae.
The question for the priesthood became what to do with Craddock now that he was redeemed. Like all churches, that of Sarenrae was beholden to the politics of the land. The Ruby Prince had made clear his desire for those of ability to apply for the lottery to explore the Necropolis of far-off Wati. Craddock seemed an ideal choice for the temple to put forth, as Necropolises would undoubtedly hold undead creatures worthy of only Sarenrae’s burning light. As fate would have it, Craddock was selected, and traveled to Wati to begin his new life.
