GLADIUS FZORT
Gladius Fzort, grandfather of Harmonious Fzort, held one of five seats
on king Zylon's council at the end of the fourth century. The other
four were Zilbo Throckrod (Zilbo I), General Darborn Griffspotter,
Hargood of Mareilon and Dinbar. When Zylon took time to visit remote
parts of the kingdom, these five were always left in charge of the
affairs of the state and the control of Largoneth Castle. Before
attending to Zylon the Age, Gladius has once entertained notions of a
career as a healer himself.
It
was well known that the Zilbo and Gladius were generally considered to
be the most important powers on the council, caught in what many
perceived to be a constant struggle to gain the king’s favor.
Concurrently, there was often heavy contention between Gladius and
Griffspotter, as Gladius had often criticized the General’s bold
approaches and desire for power.
In
398 GUE, Zylon the Aged was poisoned by his own servant Endeth Belzgar,
who had been possessed and controlled by the fallen Implementor Belegur
to do so. In response, General Griffspotter, unwilling to see the
country arising
in panic over Zylon’s condition, ordered the royal guard to seal off
the castle to prevent the spreading of rumors. A group of physicians
and magicians were summoned to the king's chamber, but were unable to
determine the cause of illness or a cure.
Several
council meetings were held afterwards. Since Zylon had no heir, the five regents battled over who would be
next in line. Until Zylon could be restored, or name the heir to the
throne, Gladius Fozrt, along with the other four regents took temporary control of the kingdom of Quendor.
After
the magicians completed a Spell of Linking in hopes to preserve Zylon's
life force, Zilbo and Dinbar prepared for their depature to Galepath
University to seek the Sacred Scrolls of Fizbin, hoping that the
documents would reveal the location of the Pool of Stasis so that Zylon
may be further preserved if no remedy could be found. Gladius Fzort
was hesitant to let the two go, mostly worried that with Zilbo’s
stabilizing presence gone, Griffspotter might make use of a perfect
opportunity to take control. Refusing to be hindered by the concerns of
Gladius, Zilbo and Dinbar left for Galepath via teleportation.
From
thereon, Gladius Fzort played little role in the recovery of the Sacred
Scrolls of Fizbin and the defeat of Belegur (which resulted in the
recovery of the king). He instead stayed behind while Zilbo and
Griffspotter led the armies from Largoneth. In the same year,
following the victory, Zylon the Aged ascended to the Timeless
Halls, leaving Zilbo Throckrod (Zilbo I) to be the next ruler of
Quendor. Gladius Fzort remained a royal advisor at Largoneth,
inadvertently becoming the father of one of Quendor’s most famous
political families.451 GUE would put his grandson Harmonious Fzort upon the throne.