Taliesin

Pronunciation: Tally-ess-in

Main Location: Channeled Magics Cave
Secondary Location: Library
Tertiary Location: Planetarium
Interest: Bardic/Magically Influenced Music; Astrological Lore

Familiars: Graveyard Guardian (Riot of Rot, 2014) (Spectre), Brown River Flight (Plague), Mantled Foo ("Bard"; Nature)

Apparel: Simple Harp, Ornate Darksteel Necklace


** = Currently retired to the Vault


Lair Lineage: Adopted, 10-26-14 (Riot of Rot 2014 Writers Prize)

Mates:
Potential Mates: Any female dragon in Clan

Hatchlings:


Dragon Log

He came to the Clan fully grown, and settled right in. A lover of writing and storytelling, he is also as fascinated with astrology as the other Imperials of the Clan, and spends much of his time recording what he observes--and “finding” reasons for the way the heavens are. He also has considerable magic, and a not-inconsiderable talent for music, enjoying composing epic “ballads" and new spells--often combining the two things together.. This may have had something to do with why he felt so uncomfortable in warrior-oriented Plague Flight....

1-25-15: Shortly after arriving in the Clan, he found a young, somewhat lonely Graveyard Guardian to befriend. The Plague bear had been discovered during the Riot of Rot, and decided to join the Clan…but he did not have that many dragons to hang out with, as most of the other original Plague dragons were busy doing other things. The equally young Imperial was therefore a welcome addition as far as the bear was concerned….and now Spectre—who proudly bears the name the Imperial gave him—has Awakened! The whole Clan is pleased for him, but none more so than his Imperial companion…..

2-6-15: Spectre has decided to rest in the back of the lair, and perhaps entertain the young dragons with stories of Plague Clan. His Imperial friend wishes him well…and is now getting to know a Brown River Flight. The precise otter-like being is helping him immensely with his calculations….

2-7-15: Shortly after choosing his name, Taliesin was gifted a harp by Merlin. Now he can truly look the part of a bard!

5-7-15: The Brown River Flight has Awakened! Taliesin is extremely pleased for his old friend. Perhaps now the otter will appreciate his singing more... or will at least stay on key when he joins in....

9-9-15: One day while he was outside the caves, composing a new ballad, Taliesin noticed a noble tiger sunning himself.... and now the little "family" has grown to 4!

12-17-15: Bard has Awakened! The Mantled Foo has been enjoying himself playing in the caves. It will be interesting to see what he does now that he is fully mature--especially as his purrs have recently taken on a musical tone that exactly complements Taliesin's songs....

2-6-16: Spectre has been acting rather odd lately, and Taliesin is growing worried for his first friend's health. At the suggestion of Dukshadow, the Plague Bear has decided to retire to a nice dark quarter of the Vaults and rest.....

2-26-16: Much to his own surprise, Taliesin enjoyed himself immensely at the Trickmurck Parade this year, and now has returned with several windfalls: A whole host of new musical ideas to practice, an odd spell on his harp that seems to be linked to the Tangled Wood (he has made a note to have Mischief take a look at it)...and an Ornate Darksteel Necklace, which was thrown to him from one of the passing Floats. It’s not a torque, but it'll do for now.....

Taliesin weaved his way among those watching the Parade, turning to avoid brushing his harp against one of the crowd. Bowing in polite apology to the Snapper in question, he hurriedly backed away, holding his precious instrument to his chest. He knew coming here was not a good idea. But where else was he going to get new inspiration for his ballads and magic?

He moved back some more, looking for a clear space. Upon finding one, the Bard turned his attention to the passing dragons and Floats, studying the magical and musical accompaniments. Was that Nocturne's humming actually creating an illusion? Taliesin sat up quickly, cocking his head. There was something almost hypnotic about the sound....

The Bard's exploration into the Nocturne's talents was rather abruptly interrupted by something flying through the air. Taliesin snagged it absently and turned back to the Parade. The Nocturne had vanished, but now there was a Snapper passing, playing a haunting marching tune. Despite himself, Taliesin grinned in delight. This was fabulous! Oh, why hadn't he come earlier? He had missed so much already....

[(From beckyh2112:
This float looks like one of the ubiquitous glades of glowing mushrooms found in certain parts of the Tangled Wood. Skydancers perch on the mushroom caps, all of them in deep purples and blacks. The sky-blue silks they wear flutter in the breezes of the constant take-offs and landings as they gather favors from caches about the float and fly out to deliver them to the crowd.

In the center of the float, atop a bed of treasure that's grown over with glowing mushrooms, sits a guardian. Mushrooms even grow on her, their soft glow illuminating how much brighter she is than her attendants. She lifts her head from her hoard then kneads the treasure like a well-contented manticore. Petals shake loose from her crown with the vigorousness of the motion, but the crown never seems to lose any flowers.

With a smile, she picks out a favor and tosses it lightly into the air, letting it fall where it may among the crowd.

[…]

The imperial with the harp draws a few curious looks, and the definite predatory gaze of a pearlcatcher draped in thorns. She, along with several others, has been set to look out for dragons who could be invited to join the krewe next year. New blood leads to new ideas, and Shadow can't be accused of getting stale in their Trickmurk celebrations!

She sets a light spell on the harp, so she can track him after the parade, then lets her gaze shift to the rest of the crowd.)]

4-16-20: Taliesin got a pleasant shock today, when his old friend “Spectre” suddenly returned from the Vaults, looking just as healthy as he was when he first joined the Clan and chose the bard as his companion. The Graveyard Guardian is not explaining why he suddenly decided to return, but Taliesin is certainly not complaining about this particular turn of events…