GRUEL

GRUEL Gruel's history starts with cruelty long before he becomes a dragon. His fairy-tale origin involves his stepbrother Arthur, a reward for kindness and Gruel's attempt to obtain a reward without the kindness behind it. His actions lead to curses and a worsening transformation. After serving Morgarzera, Gruel comes under Orcus. At Tallus, the Shadow Dragon Claw allows the transformation that turns him into a direct threat to the whole city. His appearance in the battle connects a smaller, personal moral horror to the larger war. The same character whose ugliness grows through his own vile behavior is eventually used as a weapon on a much greater scale. His defeat belongs to the combined effort of Tallus's defenders, rather than an unrelated monster encounter.