Wyrmspeakers of the Cult of the Dragon

The Wyrmspeakers are the high-ranking, gold-robed leaders within the Cult of the Dragon. Tasked with orchestrating the resurrection and domination of the world’s most powerful chromatic dragons, they operate a continent-spanning network of cell-like operations. High-ranking Wyrmspeakers coordinate via magically linked sending stones, allowing them to communicate across vast distances. Their grand ambition is to gather enough draconic power to weaken the influence of the Lord of the Nine Hells, Asmodeus.

The Dragon Masks and the Great War

The authority and power of the Wyrmspeakers are directly tied to the five legendary Dragon Masks (one for each color: Green, White, Black, Red, and Blue). These masks were originally crafted three centuries ago by a legendary group of heroes—including the Firbolg cleric Hrothgar (later known as Farwald), the elven archer Esfaloth Nightbreeze, Lady Tanager Alagondar of Neverwinter, the Harper mistress Kiara Shadowbreaker, the dwarf Uther Vendrock, Gorion of Candlekeep, and Elminster Aumar—during the original war against the chromatic dragons.

While these masks granted their bearers the power to influence and physically control dragons of their corresponding colors, the heroes realized the danger they posed. Following their victory, they hid the masks in secret locations across the realm so that no single individual could ever possess all five.

Sidorna, the Green Wyrmspeaker

Sidorna, known as the Green Wyrmspeaker (or the Jade Wyrmspeaker), was a highly influential leader who established her presence deep within the Dragon Barrow along the Sword Coast.

Correspondence and the Dark Alliance

Sidorna served as a key external contact for the Drider mastermind Nezznar the Spider. Operating through phase spiders to deliver secret letters, Nezznar brokered a deal with the “scaled ones” of the cult. Sidorna promised the Spider total dominion over the Underdark and the material riches of the legendary Forge of Spells in exchange for the Forge’s magical item bounty. This alliance between Lolth worshipers and the Cult of the Dragon was designed to weaken Asmodeus, allowing both factions to seize control of their respective domains. However, Nezznar harbored deep doubts about the cult’s competence, famously noting in his journal that they could “barely find the Dragons, let alone control them” after the white dragon, Cryovain, the Everfrost, escaped their grasp.

Draconic Agents and Regional Operations

Before confronting adventurers directly, Sidorna operated through highly coordinated agents in the Phandalin region:

The Dragon Barrow Sanctuary and Ambush

The central chamber of Sidorna’s sanctuary in the Dragon Barrow contained a beautiful, detailed stone carving depicting the saga of the ancient heroes who defeated the chromatic dragons three centuries prior:

  1. The First Panel: Depicts five chromatic dragons descending upon the Sword Coast, leaving the city of Neverwinter in flames.
  2. The Second Panel: Shows the seven legendary heroes standing in a half-circle studying a battle plan.
  3. The Third Panel: Illustrates the climactic battle against Virethas, with Lady Alagondar driving her sword through the green dragon’s heart while a single claw bursts through her chest.
  4. The Fourth Panel: Portrays the remaining four dragons flying away, the heroes dispersing, and Uther and Elminster standing outside a tomb for Hrothgar by a frozen lake in the mountains.

Sidorna’s grand scheme was set in motion when Gilmore was lured to the Dragon Barrow to retrieve the Dragon Slayer sword of Lady Tanager Alagondar, which was actively powering a ward that prevented Virethas’s resurrection. Because Sidorna could not physically touch the blade, she placed a hold person trap on it. When Gilmore pulled the weapon, breaking the ward, Sidorna and her masked cultists ambushed the party. It was here that Sidorna revealed the “cavern” they stood in was actually the skeletal remains of Villathas herself.

Sidorna seized Gilmore’s soulstone, and Elire’s spirit revealed herself as a willing member of the Cult of the Dragon, donning her own Green Dragon Mask. Sidorna retreated to the inner chamber to initiate a dark resurrection ritual, but the adventurers disrupted her; Nalini’s summoned Giant Frog swallowed Sidorna’s head, blinding her and halting her chants, while Erevyn unleashed a devastating magical assault using his Cloak of Lightning.

At death’s door, Sidorna tore the Green Dragon Mask from her face, tossed it to her last surviving cultist, and whispered, “You must wake.” She then unleashed a catastrophic blast of necrotic energy, sacrificing her remaining followers to complete the ritual. Although she perished, her sacrifice achieved 66% completion, successfully resurrecting Villathas as a weakened, adult shadow of her former self, fused with the soul of Gilmore’s sister and the power of the Green Dragon Mask.

Talis

Talis is currently in jail.