In the realm of Oth-Xa'rath, a fearsome black dragon known as Shadowmaw existed. His fiery eyes burned with an insatiable desire for power, yearning to conquer the land his ancestors had called home.

In his relentless pursuit of dominion, he embarked on a perilous journey to seek the wisdom of a powerful wizard, Orinthian the Wise, who resided in the heart of the Whispering Woods. Utilizing ancient arcane magic, Shadowmaw took on the guise of a human, "Darian," the human traveler, and convinced Orinthian to be his mentor. For years, he absorbed the knowledge of ancient spells, incantations, and the secrets of the elements. In a ruthless act of betrayal, Shadowmaw eradicated his mentor, absorbing his wisdom to grow more powerful.

Armed with newfound might, Shadowmaw revealed his true form, unleashing an eternal cataclysm of darkness and fire upon those who had defied him.