Arthur
(#26600132)
Leader of the Knights of the Round Table
Familiar
Longneck Scrapper
Click or tap to view this dragon in Predict Morphology.
Energy: 28/50
This dragon’s natural inborn element is Wind.
Male Guardian
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Personal Style
Apparel
Skin
Scene
Measurements
Length
19.27 m
Wingspan
20.17 m
Weight
7310.85 kg
Genetics
Eldritch
Basic
Basic
Peach
Basic
Basic
Rose
Basic
Basic
Hatchday
Breed
Eye Type
Level 1 Guardian
EXP: 57 / 245
STR
7
AGI
6
DEF
8
QCK
5
INT
5
VIT
8
MND
6
Lineage
Parents
- none
Offspring
- none
Biography
Arthur Pendragon
Protector of Chivalry & Appointed Leader of the Round Table
It was an afternoon like the others just passed, but the scorching heat swept undisturbed. Wind was blowing, a warm wind that nevertheless came from the sea. Since the new volcano had risen, even the oceanic breeze had ceased to bring coolness.
The grayish sand covered the ground, regularly interchanging with more or less deep magmatic pockets. Arthur took a deep sigh, that place was so distant, yet so similar to his home in the Mirrorlight Promenade.
"Are you lost, stranger?"
Asked a poorly hidden voice among the high volcanic rocks. A powerful and harnessed Guardian peeked over his shoulder, stepping safely and laying her strong paws on the sandy ground.
"No, I'm just a traveler in search of ancient and powerful artifacts. Due to its mysterious appearance, perhaps your volcano holds some".
The guardian shook her hooded head.
"None has yet explored the volcano. We don't know what it hides, or what's on its surface. We have spotted and studied new creatures and life forms, but nothing more... But if artifacts are what you are looking for, then I suggest you follow me. I have to meet a friend near our cemetery, I'm sure that together we will direct you on the right path!"
That said, the female goes back on her way.
The road became more and more smooth and easy to follow, until the traveler saw some modest huts in the distance, he wanted to reach the village and feed a little before continuing, but his new companion didn't mention to turn, going straight to the cliff.
When they passed the great Temple of the Remembered, nearness to reach the cemetery, they saw a young Snapper walking on her steps back and forth.
"Faglia, my friend! Any news from the White Claw Clan?"
"Ah, as if!" the Snapper grumbled, "I would like to know where Naakleh got herself with my artifacts! They were precious evidences, if she damaged them during the journey, I swear... Oh. Dahra, who is this stranger with you?"
"Oh, right, what a rude I am! We didn't introduce ourself. Traveler, I'm Dahra one of the most experienced treasure raiders in the Adventurer's Guild and responsible for organizing expeditions and recovering artifacts. She is Faglia, one of our best archaeologists."
"Pleasure to meet you, I am Arthur. Member of the Clan Paladin and leader of the Knight of the Round Table".
As the Guardian finished the sentence, a powerful tremor began to shake one of the tombstones not far away and an evil hiss made its way among those present.
"Oh no, not again..." Faglia snorted.
A whirling conglomeration of smoke arose from the tomb and took the form of a curious and shabby mirror.
"Who! Who dares to claim my name and my title? I am Arthur! I am the one and only leader of the Knight of the Round Table! Who sends you, impostor? I bet you are a follower of that traitor Lancelot!"
"Arthur!" Shouted Dahra "For the love of Flamecaller, you will make someone a heart attack some day! Nobody wants to take your title, go back to your grave and stay at rest like any ghost!"
The mirror hissed again, but it became submissive and slowly faded away.
"Remember! One day, I will come as the King and my Sword will rise... Again!" his voice got lost among the graves.
Dahra snorted. "If Agnes doesn't keep that specter at bay, I'll throw its grave into the sea one day or another... I apologize immensely, Arthur is our guest-ghost. One of our necromancers casted a wrong spell and brought back to life a... Well, a little dumb phantom... He thinks he's a king".
Arthur, the Guardian, still surprised and shocked by the event, nodded slowly and perplexedly. "But isn't it dangerous?"
"Oh no, just spiteful, but not dangerous. Don't worry" Faglia reassured him. "In any case," continued the Snapper "The evening is coming, what about deepening this curious meeting at the Frosty Eggs tavern? So no ghost will disturb us there... If Naakleh arrives, not finding me here, she will certainly come looking for me there".
"It seems an excellent idea, how about you Arthur? Do you want to come with us? NOT YOU, ARTHUR GHOST, YOU STAY WHERE YOU ARE! Er, what was i saying? Oh yes! I'm sure we'll know how to show you some curious places to visit as soon as you want to leave our Guild".
The male Guardian smiled smugly and extremely intrigued, a place that seemed to protect a ghost, after all, how many more surprises could reserve to him?
Arthur plodded along, frowning as he went. He'd gone from one desert to another, but this one was certainly less pleasant. He'd passed that massive Ridgeback skull five times now; He was sure of it. Yes, he liked traveling, and he had a mission to uphold, but what object could be found in the place where dragons became lost for thousands of years? What could possibly be here that could corrupt these survivors of Sornieth, those who would rather die than seek aid from others? Well, for the most part, that is. Who out there could be corrupted in such a place, and why did he get the feeling that he was being watched?
It was this distracted thought that caused him to miss his footing. With a strangled yelp, he slid into a small ravine, his wings flailing. It didn't take long for him to hit the bottom, and for a moment he swore he could see the stars the Arcanist had yearned to touch so long ago. He didn't quite realize anything was amiss until he heard another squeak, this time from beneath him. He carefully picked himself up, only to step back in surprise at the small, partially mechanical form he had apparently landed upon. It lifted it's head slowly, fins wavering as it crooked it's head up to meet Arthur's gaze.
"Couldn't you have leaned a little to the left when you fell? Then there wouldn't be a me-sized hole in the ground." The Fae seemed disgruntled, and a little perplexed, but to Arthur it seemed like the poor girl knew he would fall on her. She shook her head before he could answer her. "No, I guess not. If you had, you'd have gotten stuck, and then your adventure would've ended here. Next time anyone saw you, you'd be a mysterious skeleton draped across the ravine, a mystery to all. Just like that Ridgeback skull you've passed, right?" Arthur stared at the Fae. Had she been watching him?! She had stopped, and was looking up at him. She seemed to be expecting an answer from him.
"Who are you?" Well, she seemed surprised by that. Her fins tried to flare up in surprise, but it seemed he'd dented the metal. They only rose halfway before making a grinding noise. She winced, lowering her head before she spoke.
"My name's Clockwork. I'm one of the leaders of the Wanderers, if any of them are left. I'd be back to the Wyrmwound by now if I hadn't fallen into these accursed tunnels. Oh, don't you worry about me. I was pretty bent up before I fell down here, my wings included. Even if I made it topside, I'd just be picked off by a vulture or that Undying Featherback Wild keeps running into." Arthur stared as the Fae limped over to his left, poking at one of his wings. He winced. Probably pulled something on the way down. She nodded to herself before heading back into view.
"Don't worry, I can't really hurt you, and nothing I do can change what'll happen with you. Our meeting should be brief, and that wing won't stop you from going back up that ravine." How was she so certain? Was she certain? It was hard to tell with Faes sometimes. He opened his mouth to ask her, but she held up a claw.
"Before you ask, it won't do your round table any good. I have an artifact, and I haven't been corrupted by it in the slightest. All it does is send me back to a certain point in time, and that changes as time goes on. I've only ever used it for my clan and, in turn, it seems for Sornieth as well. Before, when I used it, I could go back to the founding of the Wanderers, but now it leaves on the first day I spend in these tunnels. You've gone over this with me before, and you always came to the same conclusion." She finally stopped her little tirade, letting Arthur take it all in. He just stared at this Fae, who seemed so tired and defeated, yet those ruby eyes held a fire that would make the Flameforger burn with jealousy. She wasn't lying. It was then that he saw what hung around her neck.
"Is it that sandglass around your neck?" The Fae nodded, though she seemed a bit more defensive now. He didn't reach out, despite his desire to do so. He wanted to know just what power laid within this relic of hers, how it worked, which deity aided in it's creation and which ones opposed it, but he knew the Fae would likely be chased away by the very thought. Instead, he folded his wings as best he could, curling his tail around as he settled down, and decided to ask his own question.
"Could you tell me how you found it?" She seemed surprised once more, only to chuckle at the look on his face as she shook her head. She relaxed, settling down in front of him with a faint smile on her face, something he'd thought to be impossible with the monotonous Fae. Perhaps this one had learned how to smile from another. She held the sandglass in her talons, dented as they were, gently running those talons along the intricate woodwork of the frame.
"Only if you share some of that water you brought into the Boneyard. I've lost track of the underground stream, and I'm quite certain your fall has caused a minor tunnel collapse that blocked it off."
And so, she told of how she'd found the sandglass around the neck of an ancient skeleton, one whose shape reminded her of the beastclans. She spoke of how her small group of Wanderers were hardly even a clan back then, and how she'd only taken it with her because she found it interesting. Scriers of magical artifacts could find no trace of magic in the device, though they appreciated it's antiquity, and she'd been allowed to keep it, much to Eclipse's dismay, for the Fae never stopped looking at it. Then, in the Wandering Contagion, sickness struck, and even the healers fell to the disease that caused drakes to wither away in the span of a night. None knew if they would wake the next morning. She told of how she wished she could warn her new clan about the disaster that would strike, as the sickness took hold of her as well, and her utter shock at awaking the next morning to her fellow leader demanding to know when the Fae would stop treating the sandglass as if it were a hatchling's doll. She explained how she used the sandglass, how she only needed to ask to go back in order to do so, even if some points became barred to her once she'd passed them. She only stopped when she realized the light of the sun had turned red, reflecting off of Arthur's wings and her own metallic hide as the sun began to set.
"Do you understand? I have only ever used it to help others, never myself. If I had, I wouldn't have all these mechanical parts keeping me alive now, would I." She rapped her mangled wing with a talon, letting out a sharp clang as she did so. Arthur frowned, peering at the Fae. He hadn't thought of that. In fact, judging by the account of the first turn, she may very well have died while trying to save these Wanderers. Her scarred hide, her mechanical wings, everything showed that she'd adapted to survive, and yet she had the very means to return to her the body she'd lost. Why hadn't she done so? He didn't realize he'd said it aloud until he heard the Fae sigh.
"That story is a long one, too long if you want to get past the Undying Featherback tonight. But, I can tell you this. If I'd kept my old body, my purpose from the start would have been lost, and you'd have every right to bring this trinket back to your round table, Arthur." He was about to say more when she began to make shooing motions towards him, her fins raising slightly as she did so. "Now, shoo! Get out of here! If you don't leave now, you'll fall to that Boar, and I'd have to go through this all over again!" Arthur hesitated, then dipped his head to Clockwork before climbing out of the ravine.
He walked past the Ridgeback skull, and while he hated doing such a thing, he knew he'd have to set his dislocated wing. The moon had risen into the sky by the time he left the ravine behind him, wondering still just what that artifact truly was, and why it apparently worked for that Fae as it did.
The moon was well past it's zenith before he realized he'd never told the Fae anything about him or the round table.
I have stumbled upon a most intriguing bunch.
"Away for supplies. Please make yourself at home."
So I did. I wandered around the Beacon of the Radiant Eye. A Pearlcatcher and an Imperial - both well-dressed, almost Baroque in style - were whispering what sounded like prayers with extreme concentration. They must be very devout.
A cauldron was bubbling from a restricted area. I could peek through the rocks and see a faint green glow. It looked busy. I wonder what was being made there. I guess I'll have to wait to ask.
After a fashion, a Wildclaw with funny-looking eyes greeted me and offloaded a bunch of tasty-looking fruits right in front of me.
He knows how to pick his apples, all right! These were delicious. I'm normally more of a meat consumer, but you couldn't just turn down these big, shiny, plump and ripe wonders of nature.
The cauldron tenders were a colourful Skydancer and... a baby Coatl? She seemed to know her way around though. They explained me they were researching a brand new formula for a pigment that can change the pattern of a dragon's body. I'm not sure what that means, but I just nodded.
I got more apples on my way out. I was supposed to take them with me, but they're already gone... oops...
A clan located close to the Hewn City was certainly more likely than average to have both power and corruption. While the clan's lair was still well back from the line of darkness that marked the Hewn City, the mere proximity was enough to make him wary of the clan.
The friendly welcome from a green colored imperial was largely reassuring, since it meant that these people hadn't been corrupted into abandoning kindness, by the lure of the hewn city. And the pair of arguing scholars, while certainly loud, wasn't usual for a light flight clan
But he could tell that she was stressed by something, and as his visit progressed he suspected it might be more than just the clan leader's mate being sick.
A section of the lair, that he was carefully but persistently steered away from, discussions that would stop, just as he entered into earshot. Little things, but for a dragon looking for signs of problems, evidence enough.
Inconveniently, clan Starlight seemed to have a fondness for their name sake, staying up into odd hours despite being a light clan, so it wasn't as easy as simply waiting for his hosts to sleep to investigate, but he managed.
A guardian isn't particularly stealthy, but the guard on the deeper section of the lair wasn't watching for intruders. Indeed, the peach colored gaoler was sitting beside a whimpering being, that Arthur was only able to identify as a dragon by catching a glimpse of a silver pearl between the mist wrapped claws.
Of course after catching that glimpse, Idris did notice his presence, looking up sharply, even as she casually batted back one of the claws of mist that reached blindly in his direction. "I suppose it was too much to hope you would restrain your curiosity. You see now what we wished to keep hidden, and I hope you see why. She is mad, tainted, but we would not see one of our own be harmed for that. We can protect her, even from herself. There is no need of you here, knight."
The market Arthur had come across presented an interesting opportunity in regards to his mission.
Merchants dealt with all sorts of dragons and all sorts of goods as a staple of their daily lives, so it would come as no surprise to him if one of them could send him in the direction of what he sought. The head merchant would be a good one to talk to first. Little did the knight know, said merchant was avoiding him like the plague.
Since Swindle had taken to the road with his ragtag group of peddlers, he could count on one hand the number of times he’d been truly nervous. Well, two hands now, with the arrival of this knight character. It was no secret that the goods Swindle dealt with were a fair bit less than legal, and the lack of unified law enforcement on Sornieth was something the Ridgeback took full advantage of. That is, until an enforcer came strolling right into his market asking for him. Of all people! These ‘honor above all’ types really had a knack for making you question your career decisions...
Arthur easily towered over the Ridgeback after he had finally located him among the masses and gave his introduction. A knight’s first weapon was never their blade, but rather their mind, and the Guardian’s was sharp enough to detect the lingering bit of nervousness in the merchant, despite how hard he tried to conceal it. He was hiding something. What was jarring about that realization was how young the Ridgeback was in comparison to all of the other merchants present. Arthur’s questions to him began innocently enough: where the market came from, more about the people he had met on the way here, which the Ridgeback answered easily enough, but as the questions became more pointed and direct, Swindle couldn’t help but grow defensive in response, ultimately snapping at the Guardian and demanding he go bother something else. All it took was a gaze full of an almost paternal disappointment directed at the young merchant for him to sigh and relent, finally being honest with the older knight,
“Look, you’ve got my number. I know when I’m down and out, but this ain’t the kind of conversation we’re gonna go having in the middle of the street, alright? I’ve still got a solid reputation as far as these other guys are concerned.”
With that, he led the knight into his tent. Arthur had honestly expected worse that what he saw on display. A few deadly looking weapons, maps of areas long forbidden to outsiders, messenger scrolls he could only guess were stolen, and dangerous looking potions lined the walls, though he suspected his true stock was kept elsewhere, away from the busy, unmanageable crowds. His musings were interrupted as the Ridgeback spoke again,
“Listen, I’ll admit it. I’m no stranger to dealing with powerful relics, I’ve even got a few hidden away from here waitin’ for a buyer. And I know you knights don’t think highly of us dealers, but believe me when I tell you we’ve got our own way of law in this trade, and we don’t stand by when a bad egg starts misusing the merchandise.”
Arthur listened as the Ridgeback told stories of deals gone sour. Merchants would band together in a way similar to his very own round table to defeat such evils, though instead of combat, they waged war in a completely different manner. Instead of arms and armor, they dealt in resources and connections. Severing ties between two merchants by slandering the name of one in the pair was a common way to deny a wrongdoer the necessary resources for their operations. If that option wasn’t available, the more discrete members of the coalition would ensure that a hero such as Arthur would stumble across a tool powerful enough to turn the tides. There was an entire other level beneath the surface of his task it seemed.
Just as Arthur began to ask a question, he was cut off, “I know you’re lookin’ for names and locations, and if I were in any other situation, you might just get ‘em, but you see all of those other merchants out there? They’re my family, and the last thing I need is some headhunter coming for me and putting us all in danger. The most I can do is give you a few names of some greener startup merchants that look to be headin’ nowhere good. Hopefully they’ll keep you occupied till I learn how to deal with you noble types...”
Arthur took note of the names and where their operations were last seen active, then took one last look at the visibly uncomfortable Ridgeback before him. All things considered, the young merchant had done the right thing today, and Arthur let him know that with a gentle smile and a friendly bump on the shoulder. After his initial indignation at being treated like the child he was, Swindle smiled back at the knight and called out to him one last time,
“Do yourself a favor, go see Lorand on your way out. He’ll set you up with whatever you need for the way back home. Don’t worry about the money either, tell ‘em Swindle sent you!”
Lore/Art/Etc. Goes Here
Lore Notes:
- One of the Captains of the Guard of Clan Paladin;
- Also the leader of the
Possible Scrys:
Le Morte D'Arthur: King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table
By Sir Thomas Malory
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Arthur is very chivalrous and loyal as he takes after Galiwyth, whom he very much looks up to as a role model and father figure. Arthur spends much of his day training under Galiwyth's wings along with Current, his Familiar Cloudkeeper Herald, and when he's not he can be found conversing with his best friend, Lancelot, with plans for his group he's been put in charge of, the Round Table. As the Leader of the Round Table, Arthur is very loyal to all he considers his knights-in-arms, discussing plans to find the group's main goal, the Grail of Life. The Grail of Life is almost the sole reason the Round Table came to be. The Grail of Life, an object that can either save the world or destroy it, was discovered in a book found on one of the many cluttered shelves of Ruby the collector's room, though she claimed to have no recollection of ever picking it up. This book was dark and leather-bound, with not a single word mentioned on the cover nor an author found throughout except for a single small symbol on the cover that appeared to be in the shape that seemed to be a cross between the symbol of Light with a single leaf woven between the sun's rays. Inside the mysterious un-authored book, called the Book of the Grail shortly afterwards, seemed to have been completely hand-written, and very old. The language written inside were like none they have ever seen before, made in very simple yet etched letters and symbols. After much scrutinizing, it was Solaya's and Era's work combined that came to the conclusion that the words in fact an ancient language dating back to the beginning of the Second Era. They deduced that the book spoke of an ancient treasure so powerful and wondrous, called the Grail of Life. According to what little they could find out from the book along with extensive research, the Grail of Life's origins was shrouded in mystery and wonder. One theory was that it was a final gift from the original Deity's before they combined their power to create the great Pillar, showing that only the worthy ones who have it in their possession will be crowned with power equal to that of one of the Deity's. Another stated that the Grail would grant worldly peace upon being found and filled, and the list went on and on. Almost all of the Dragons debated about what to do, and finally it was Galiwyth who ended the debate. He conversed with the seven Protectors, and chose Arthur to lead a split-off group of Protectors, called the Round Table for the circular, stone table they held their meetings at. Galiwyth dictated that those who wanted to go on the search for the Grail may join the Round Table at their leisure, but must abide to Arthur's law. Arthur was very honored to have been chosen to lead the group, and since then he and the other Knights devoted much of their time to search for the legendary Grail along with any other legendary items of great power. |
"It's up to you how far you go; If you don't try, you'll never know."
~The Sword in the Stone |
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STR █████████░░░ INT ███████░░░░░ AGI ████░░░░░░░░ MAG ███░░░░░░░░░ CHA ██████████░░ VIT ████████░░░░ ╰━━━━━━━━╯  
P E R S O N A L I T Y
Generous | Chivalrous | Regal
O C C U P A T I O N
Galiwyth appointed Arthur to retrieve a special artifact, the Grail of Life, and to help protect Sorienth, and thus created the Round Table with Arthur at it's head and Lancelot as his Co-Leader.
H O A R D
Arthur is not much a hoarder due to his very generous personality; What he does hoard he uses to help fortify the Round Table and the Protectors, along with giving a few gifts to his dearly beloved, Guinevere. |
To begin, Arthur and Lancelot both agreed to create a set of rules for those who want to join the Knights of the Round Table, for it was not only the Grail they had to find and protect. Many legends spoke of other mystical items of power, and concerned of the possibility that they might fall into the wrong hands, Galiwyth also tasked them that whatever ancient treasures were found should be brought back to easily protect them. And, Galiwyth also specifically stated, the Knights would be the knight-errant of the Protectors, helping all who needed it most in their quest for the Grail of Life. When Arthur and Lancelot finally agreed upon the set of laws for the Knights on their journey, they were called the Code of Chivalry. They were simplified as follows:
At present, there are only 2 official Knights with many being a Minor Protector, as they can both be a Minor Protector and Knight of the Round Table at the same time if they wish, but full Protectors are only dedicated to their duties as Protectors. With Arthur at the helm with Guinevere, his ever encouraging Partner, and Lancelot, his best friend and comrade, he leads the Knights of the Round Table on many grand adventures on a quest to help bring peace to the world. |
 
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Code #3: Portraiture by Kaldwin
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 [badges] .... |
This dragon has set out on a journey through Sornieth during Brightshine Jubilee '19 from Sunday, June 23 'til June 30. It is one of many that wants to visit lairs and clans, hoping to receive lore before being sent back to their home after the adventure is complete. Even years later they will be able to look back at this time by going through the poetry, prose and art they received, as well as all the encounters, adventure, new friends and enemies they encountered.
Please, keep in mind...
not to purposely edit or delete lore made by other users not to breed or exalt this dragon while traveling to send this dragon off to the next designation after 1 day to return this dragon to its owner @Saraceaser as agreed to the rules of the event. This is the a list of destination lairs for Arthur to keep track of his journey.
Let's get started, shall we? |
PLEASE NOTE: You're not required to use this template and can change it as you wish, but please keep the separation lines and make sure to add your Clan's Name/Profile Link/UN somewhere so that each part is discernible.
The Starting Point is just some basic Lore of him starting out on his adventure, please feel free to ignore it if desired, and feel free to level him, dress him, etc. as long as you don't breed him, thanks. :3
The Starting Point is just some basic Lore of him starting out on his adventure, please feel free to ignore it if desired, and feel free to level him, dress him, etc. as long as you don't breed him, thanks. :3
Starting Point: Clan Paladin (@Saraceaser)
Date: Day 0
Date: Day 0
Arthur was about ready to set out on his journey; he had all his essentials, and was more than ready to begin. He wouldn't be gone long, but he wanted to make the most of his travels; after all, who knows what trials he could face? He was searching for rumors and hints of where any ancient artifacts of power could lie, and where there was power there was always corruption.
Satisfied he was ready, Arthur struck out after saying a final farewell to the other members of the Clan and the members of the group he leads, the Knight of the Round Table; he'd be back soon, and hopefully with success in his endeavors.
Satisfied he was ready, Arthur struck out after saying a final farewell to the other members of the Clan and the members of the group he leads, the Knight of the Round Table; he'd be back soon, and hopefully with success in his endeavors.
Destination #:1 The Burningsky Aerie [Kaivyrin]
Sunday, June 23
Sunday, June 23
Arthur had skirted along the edge of the Shifting Expanse for several days, coasting on the winds coming off the Sea of a Thousand Currents. It is only once sand starts turning to ash and coastal breezes become volcanic thermals that he finds himself needing a real nest and good food that he doesn’t have to hunt himself.
He touches down, kicking up a cloud of dusty ash around him, and starts ambling on in the same general direction; it would be easier to find a nearby fireflight clan on foot than wing. His judgement proves true when a pair of Mirrors fall in step on either side of him.
Wordlessly, all three dragons slow to a halt, and Arthur studies the Mirrors. They’re both fireflight-born, with scales in a range of blues and greys, one distinctly lighter than the other. Still, they look like they could be siblings.
“I am Makami,” says the lighter-scaled one, tipping his head up to look Arthur in the eye. “This is my brother Qiriv. We are of the Redridge Guard, and you are trespassing on the territory of the Clan of the Burningsky Aerie.”
“I mean no harm,” Arthur responds, hoping the Mirrors would not chase him off. “My name is Arthur. I am but a weary traveler passing through, searching for a place to rest a night.”
Makami narrows his eyes, but nods. “Lies are to no harm but your own. Follow.”
Without another word, the Mirrors turn and break into a quick, loping gait. Arthur has no choice but to take off and fly after them, trying to stay low and keep his eyes on Makami’s distinct, pale crest.
When the Mirrors draw to a halt on the edge of a small caldera, Arthur lands beside them. The ground here is mostly stone, and his claws clack. It catches the attention of every dragon scattered across the caldera before him, in groups and pairs. They whisper softly, many shamelessly staring at him.
Suddenly, a massive red Mirror appears before Arthur. There are old burn scars on her flanks, Arthur notices- odd for a fireflight-born dragon. He can’t help but wonder what caused them. Makami and Qiriv bow their heads. “Ckivsil. This is Arthur; he claims he is a traveler passing through.” Makami says.
The Mirror- Ckivsil, Makami said- hums and studies him intently. Her eyes, though unnerving- he never could get used to Mirrors’ glinting pupil-less eyes- are intelligent, and dare-he-say-it welcoming. “Well,” she says after a moment, rearranging her wings and glancing at Qiriv. “Show him to the travelers’ den. Let him make himself at home, and bring him back here.”
Qiriv nods, and pads toward a tunnel dug into the caldera’s wall. He glances back once, saying, “You coming?” before slipping into the tunnel. Arthur follows. The sides of the tunnel are rough and scratched, but the ground is worn smooth.
The “travelers’ den” is nicer than Arthur was expecting, with nests lined against the wall in only slight disrepair. He picks one and starts to fix it up.
Qiriv remains at the entrance to the den, watching him neutrally, and Arthur tries to strike up conversation.
“So, you were born here?” he asks. Qiriv nods, but offers nothing else. Arthur huffs internally and tries something else, jumping straight to the point. “I’m from the Sunbeam Ruins. I’m searching Sornieth for objects of power, and making sure they’re in good hands. Have you heard any whispers of anything... strange? Some old artifact, something with an odd presence?”
Qiriv gives pause at that. Slowly, though, he shakes his head. “No,” he says. “Nothing besides... well, no. Nothing you’d be interested in.”
Arthur doesn’t miss Qiriv’s hesitation. “Are you sure? Even something that seems a little bit magical might be more than you think.”
Qiriv peels his lips back, baring his teeth. “I suppose- if you have lied, and you bring harm to this clan, it will not matter if you know. There will not be a you to regret it.”
Arthur’s breath catches at the frank threat, but he does not interrupt Qiriv.
“There is a figurine of the Flamecaller in the Indomitables’ den. Ckivsil has used its power only once before; with it, she brings blazing fury down upon those who hurt her clan.”
Arthur cannot believe his luck. The first clan he visits, and there’s an artifact of the Flamecaller’s power? He does his best not to betray his excitement, but some of it must show on his face, because Qiriv’s voice is sharper when he continues.
“Take care with this information, Arthur. Do not betray my trust. Come now- you are to meet the Indomitables now.”
Arthur follows Qiriv, nearly buzzing with excitement, but also with worry. He hopes he will not have to remove the artifact from this clan, but if he must- the Flamecaller is one of the first four; hers is a dangerous, primal power. It would be risky.
Before he knows it, Arthur is stepping back out into the light. He blinks for a moment to adjust his eyes, and comes face to face with a number of dragons ranged out in a semicircle around him. At the center, directly before him, is Ckivsil. Beside her stand a blue Mirror and a mostly-violet Skydancer. All three have an air of authority about them. Arthur guesses these must be the Indomitables, presumably the clan’s leaders.
Ckivsil speaks first. “My name is Ckivsil. Beside me are my fellow Indomitables: Rhavsyrik and Charin,” she says, tipping her head to indicate the Mirror and Skydancer respectively. “We lead the Clan of the Burningsky Aerie, of which you are a visitor.”
Charin continues. “So long as you do not threaten this clan or any of its members, you are welcome here for as long as you wish to remain. Should you threaten us, you will be driven out and shall not be welcome here again. Do you understand?”
Arthur dips his head. “Yes. I understand.”
“Good,” Charin says. “Now please, make yourself at home.”
The ring of dragons disperses, and the Indomitables disappear. For a moment, Arthur is frozen, unsure what to do.
“It’s been awhile since we’ve had a visitor, you know,” a voice says beside him. He glances down, and the Pearlcatcher looks up at him. “Name’s Aspera. Come on, you look lonely. I’ll introduce you around. Maybe you’ll make some friends.”
Arthur immediately feels at ease, and follows Aspera. He cannot be here for very long, but surely it would be no harm to make friends.
////
Arthur spends longer than he expected with the clan- over a week. He spoke with the clan a lot, searching for the creeping evil that comes with the presence of such power in their possession. He'll shamelessly admit he's tried to drive conversation toward the Indomitables' Flamecaller figurine, even if rather fruitlessly- no one questions why he knows about the statue, but more importantly, no one seems to understand the power it holds. Makami looks at him oddly when he brings it up the first time, but he says nothing.
He does learn, however, the high trust and faith this clan holds in their leaders. Every one of them defended all three, fiercely, even without their presence, even alone. Each time his confidence in leaving the Flamecaller's power here grows.
He learns, near the end, that the Indomitables leave the Aerie at dawn each morning for a run. As the week comes to a close, he knows that'll be his chance, if he wants to see the figurine- he'll have to be careful, and quick, but that's when he has to do it. He cannot be here for much longer, and if he messes it up, he won't get another chance.
So the next morning, he pads out of his den as lightly as he can to wait for them to leave, hanging in the shadows just inside the tunnel.
He keeps his eyes on Rhavsyrik, mostly- shadows are no disguise against the shadowflight-born- but they don't notice him. Once they're gone, Arthur slips around the edge of the caldera to the entrance that leads to their den. Pushing in is a tight fit- it was made for dragons much smaller than himself- but he makes it in without collapsing the place.
There's not much in the den, and he does his best to not study it too intently. Just being here feels like an invasion of privacy. He spots the figurine and carefully steps over it.
Just standing near it, he can feel the power radiating off it. The moment he lays his claws on it, a jolt blasts through him and snatches his breath. This is powerful. He can't help but wonder how this tiny clan in the outer reaches of the Ashfall Waste managed to obtain it.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
If the figurine's power took his breath away, Charin's voice slams into his chest. He swings his head around, guilt already rushing through him. She's sitting calmly at the entrance to the den. "I'm sorry," he tries to start, but the Skydancer shakes her head.
"You mean well. Ckivsil might not understand that, but this is why I did not call her attention to you. I am a Skydancer. I can tell these things."
Arthur sucks in a breath and puts the figurine down, turning to face Charin completely. "I only needed to understand its power."
She hums, slipping around Arthur to touch the figurine herself. "I know. The Lightweaver has put her trust in you. You seek the corruption of power. Have you found it here?"
Arthur thinks for a moment. He expected to, the moment Qiriv told him of the figurine, especially in the Indomitables. He has seen none.
Charin smiles and picks up the figurine, and he realizes he said this out loud. "You must have faith in us, Arthur. In our kind. We are good, at our core. But you are right, on your quest," she adds, picking up the figurine. "There is corruption in this world, and seeking it out is an honorable quest."
Fire reflects in Charin's eyes when she looks up at him. Neither of them are fireflight-born, but Charin has been around this power for so long. "You really ought to be getting on with it," she says softly.
Arthur nods. Charin carefully replaces the figurine and turns to leave. Arthur follows.
He returns to his den to gather up his things. There's not a lot of it.
He returns to the caldera. The sun has risen well above the horizon, and the Aerie is awakening. When Aspera sees him with his bags slung over his shoulder, she tips her head and furrows her brow. "You'll be leaving, then?" she asks, reaching out to brush his shoulder. Arthur nods. "It's been nice having you, then. Good luck, wherever you end up."
"Thank you," he says. There's a number of dragons around the caldera watching him with mildly curious expressions. He can only hope future clans he visits will be as welcoming as this one has been.
The Indomitables stand on the highest ridge over the caldera. He dips his head in their direction, spreads his wings and takes off.
He touches down, kicking up a cloud of dusty ash around him, and starts ambling on in the same general direction; it would be easier to find a nearby fireflight clan on foot than wing. His judgement proves true when a pair of Mirrors fall in step on either side of him.
Wordlessly, all three dragons slow to a halt, and Arthur studies the Mirrors. They’re both fireflight-born, with scales in a range of blues and greys, one distinctly lighter than the other. Still, they look like they could be siblings.
“I am Makami,” says the lighter-scaled one, tipping his head up to look Arthur in the eye. “This is my brother Qiriv. We are of the Redridge Guard, and you are trespassing on the territory of the Clan of the Burningsky Aerie.”
“I mean no harm,” Arthur responds, hoping the Mirrors would not chase him off. “My name is Arthur. I am but a weary traveler passing through, searching for a place to rest a night.”
Makami narrows his eyes, but nods. “Lies are to no harm but your own. Follow.”
Without another word, the Mirrors turn and break into a quick, loping gait. Arthur has no choice but to take off and fly after them, trying to stay low and keep his eyes on Makami’s distinct, pale crest.
When the Mirrors draw to a halt on the edge of a small caldera, Arthur lands beside them. The ground here is mostly stone, and his claws clack. It catches the attention of every dragon scattered across the caldera before him, in groups and pairs. They whisper softly, many shamelessly staring at him.
Suddenly, a massive red Mirror appears before Arthur. There are old burn scars on her flanks, Arthur notices- odd for a fireflight-born dragon. He can’t help but wonder what caused them. Makami and Qiriv bow their heads. “Ckivsil. This is Arthur; he claims he is a traveler passing through.” Makami says.
The Mirror- Ckivsil, Makami said- hums and studies him intently. Her eyes, though unnerving- he never could get used to Mirrors’ glinting pupil-less eyes- are intelligent, and dare-he-say-it welcoming. “Well,” she says after a moment, rearranging her wings and glancing at Qiriv. “Show him to the travelers’ den. Let him make himself at home, and bring him back here.”
Qiriv nods, and pads toward a tunnel dug into the caldera’s wall. He glances back once, saying, “You coming?” before slipping into the tunnel. Arthur follows. The sides of the tunnel are rough and scratched, but the ground is worn smooth.
The “travelers’ den” is nicer than Arthur was expecting, with nests lined against the wall in only slight disrepair. He picks one and starts to fix it up.
Qiriv remains at the entrance to the den, watching him neutrally, and Arthur tries to strike up conversation.
“So, you were born here?” he asks. Qiriv nods, but offers nothing else. Arthur huffs internally and tries something else, jumping straight to the point. “I’m from the Sunbeam Ruins. I’m searching Sornieth for objects of power, and making sure they’re in good hands. Have you heard any whispers of anything... strange? Some old artifact, something with an odd presence?”
Qiriv gives pause at that. Slowly, though, he shakes his head. “No,” he says. “Nothing besides... well, no. Nothing you’d be interested in.”
Arthur doesn’t miss Qiriv’s hesitation. “Are you sure? Even something that seems a little bit magical might be more than you think.”
Qiriv peels his lips back, baring his teeth. “I suppose- if you have lied, and you bring harm to this clan, it will not matter if you know. There will not be a you to regret it.”
Arthur’s breath catches at the frank threat, but he does not interrupt Qiriv.
“There is a figurine of the Flamecaller in the Indomitables’ den. Ckivsil has used its power only once before; with it, she brings blazing fury down upon those who hurt her clan.”
Arthur cannot believe his luck. The first clan he visits, and there’s an artifact of the Flamecaller’s power? He does his best not to betray his excitement, but some of it must show on his face, because Qiriv’s voice is sharper when he continues.
“Take care with this information, Arthur. Do not betray my trust. Come now- you are to meet the Indomitables now.”
Arthur follows Qiriv, nearly buzzing with excitement, but also with worry. He hopes he will not have to remove the artifact from this clan, but if he must- the Flamecaller is one of the first four; hers is a dangerous, primal power. It would be risky.
Before he knows it, Arthur is stepping back out into the light. He blinks for a moment to adjust his eyes, and comes face to face with a number of dragons ranged out in a semicircle around him. At the center, directly before him, is Ckivsil. Beside her stand a blue Mirror and a mostly-violet Skydancer. All three have an air of authority about them. Arthur guesses these must be the Indomitables, presumably the clan’s leaders.
Ckivsil speaks first. “My name is Ckivsil. Beside me are my fellow Indomitables: Rhavsyrik and Charin,” she says, tipping her head to indicate the Mirror and Skydancer respectively. “We lead the Clan of the Burningsky Aerie, of which you are a visitor.”
Charin continues. “So long as you do not threaten this clan or any of its members, you are welcome here for as long as you wish to remain. Should you threaten us, you will be driven out and shall not be welcome here again. Do you understand?”
Arthur dips his head. “Yes. I understand.”
“Good,” Charin says. “Now please, make yourself at home.”
The ring of dragons disperses, and the Indomitables disappear. For a moment, Arthur is frozen, unsure what to do.
“It’s been awhile since we’ve had a visitor, you know,” a voice says beside him. He glances down, and the Pearlcatcher looks up at him. “Name’s Aspera. Come on, you look lonely. I’ll introduce you around. Maybe you’ll make some friends.”
Arthur immediately feels at ease, and follows Aspera. He cannot be here for very long, but surely it would be no harm to make friends.
////
Arthur spends longer than he expected with the clan- over a week. He spoke with the clan a lot, searching for the creeping evil that comes with the presence of such power in their possession. He'll shamelessly admit he's tried to drive conversation toward the Indomitables' Flamecaller figurine, even if rather fruitlessly- no one questions why he knows about the statue, but more importantly, no one seems to understand the power it holds. Makami looks at him oddly when he brings it up the first time, but he says nothing.
He does learn, however, the high trust and faith this clan holds in their leaders. Every one of them defended all three, fiercely, even without their presence, even alone. Each time his confidence in leaving the Flamecaller's power here grows.
He learns, near the end, that the Indomitables leave the Aerie at dawn each morning for a run. As the week comes to a close, he knows that'll be his chance, if he wants to see the figurine- he'll have to be careful, and quick, but that's when he has to do it. He cannot be here for much longer, and if he messes it up, he won't get another chance.
So the next morning, he pads out of his den as lightly as he can to wait for them to leave, hanging in the shadows just inside the tunnel.
He keeps his eyes on Rhavsyrik, mostly- shadows are no disguise against the shadowflight-born- but they don't notice him. Once they're gone, Arthur slips around the edge of the caldera to the entrance that leads to their den. Pushing in is a tight fit- it was made for dragons much smaller than himself- but he makes it in without collapsing the place.
There's not much in the den, and he does his best to not study it too intently. Just being here feels like an invasion of privacy. He spots the figurine and carefully steps over it.
Just standing near it, he can feel the power radiating off it. The moment he lays his claws on it, a jolt blasts through him and snatches his breath. This is powerful. He can't help but wonder how this tiny clan in the outer reaches of the Ashfall Waste managed to obtain it.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
If the figurine's power took his breath away, Charin's voice slams into his chest. He swings his head around, guilt already rushing through him. She's sitting calmly at the entrance to the den. "I'm sorry," he tries to start, but the Skydancer shakes her head.
"You mean well. Ckivsil might not understand that, but this is why I did not call her attention to you. I am a Skydancer. I can tell these things."
Arthur sucks in a breath and puts the figurine down, turning to face Charin completely. "I only needed to understand its power."
She hums, slipping around Arthur to touch the figurine herself. "I know. The Lightweaver has put her trust in you. You seek the corruption of power. Have you found it here?"
Arthur thinks for a moment. He expected to, the moment Qiriv told him of the figurine, especially in the Indomitables. He has seen none.
Charin smiles and picks up the figurine, and he realizes he said this out loud. "You must have faith in us, Arthur. In our kind. We are good, at our core. But you are right, on your quest," she adds, picking up the figurine. "There is corruption in this world, and seeking it out is an honorable quest."
Fire reflects in Charin's eyes when she looks up at him. Neither of them are fireflight-born, but Charin has been around this power for so long. "You really ought to be getting on with it," she says softly.
Arthur nods. Charin carefully replaces the figurine and turns to leave. Arthur follows.
He returns to his den to gather up his things. There's not a lot of it.
He returns to the caldera. The sun has risen well above the horizon, and the Aerie is awakening. When Aspera sees him with his bags slung over his shoulder, she tips her head and furrows her brow. "You'll be leaving, then?" she asks, reaching out to brush his shoulder. Arthur nods. "It's been nice having you, then. Good luck, wherever you end up."
"Thank you," he says. There's a number of dragons around the caldera watching him with mildly curious expressions. He can only hope future clans he visits will be as welcoming as this one has been.
The Indomitables stand on the highest ridge over the caldera. He dips his head in their direction, spreads his wings and takes off.
Destination #: 2 Alstroemeria Clan [Jaspernoir]
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Travelled to the Alstroemeria Clan Your dragon appeared during their archaeological dig, through the brambles and blacksand beaches, to end up with the Alstroemeria clan for a time~ With a renewed sense of mystery and a few weird trinkets, they head off to their next destination!
Achieved: 23 July 2019 BSJ
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Destination #: 3 Adventurer's Guild Clan [BlackRayser]
Date: 25/06/2019
Date: 25/06/2019
It was an afternoon like the others just passed, but the scorching heat swept undisturbed. Wind was blowing, a warm wind that nevertheless came from the sea. Since the new volcano had risen, even the oceanic breeze had ceased to bring coolness.
The grayish sand covered the ground, regularly interchanging with more or less deep magmatic pockets. Arthur took a deep sigh, that place was so distant, yet so similar to his home in the Mirrorlight Promenade.
"Are you lost, stranger?"Asked a poorly hidden voice among the high volcanic rocks. A powerful and harnessed Guardian peeked over his shoulder, stepping safely and laying her strong paws on the sandy ground.
"No, I'm just a traveler in search of ancient and powerful artifacts. Due to its mysterious appearance, perhaps your volcano holds some".
The guardian shook her hooded head.
"None has yet explored the volcano. We don't know what it hides, or what's on its surface. We have spotted and studied new creatures and life forms, but nothing more... But if artifacts are what you are looking for, then I suggest you follow me. I have to meet a friend near our cemetery, I'm sure that together we will direct you on the right path!"That said, the female goes back on her way.
The road became more and more smooth and easy to follow, until the traveler saw some modest huts in the distance, he wanted to reach the village and feed a little before continuing, but his new companion didn't mention to turn, going straight to the cliff.
When they passed the great Temple of the Remembered, nearness to reach the cemetery, they saw a young Snapper walking on her steps back and forth.
"Faglia, my friend! Any news from the White Claw Clan?" "Ah, as if!" the Snapper grumbled, "I would like to know where Naakleh got herself with my artifacts! They were precious evidences, if she damaged them during the journey, I swear... Oh. Dahra, who is this stranger with you?" "Oh, right, what a rude I am! We didn't introduce ourself. Traveler, I'm Dahra one of the most experienced treasure raiders in the Adventurer's Guild and responsible for organizing expeditions and recovering artifacts. She is Faglia, one of our best archaeologists.""Pleasure to meet you, I am Arthur. Member of the Clan Paladin and leader of the Knight of the Round Table".
As the Guardian finished the sentence, a powerful tremor began to shake one of the tombstones not far away and an evil hiss made its way among those present.
"Oh no, not again..." Faglia snorted.A whirling conglomeration of smoke arose from the tomb and took the form of a curious and shabby mirror.
"Who! Who dares to claim my name and my title? I am Arthur! I am the one and only leader of the Knight of the Round Table! Who sends you, impostor? I bet you are a follower of that traitor Lancelot!" "Arthur!" Shouted Dahra "For the love of Flamecaller, you will make someone a heart attack some day! Nobody wants to take your title, go back to your grave and stay at rest like any ghost!"The mirror hissed again, but it became submissive and slowly faded away.
"Remember! One day, I will come as the King and my Sword will rise... Again!" his voice got lost among the graves.Dahra snorted.
"If Agnes doesn't keep that specter at bay, I'll throw its grave into the sea one day or another... I apologize immensely, Arthur is our guest-ghost. One of our necromancers casted a wrong spell and brought back to life a... Well, a little dumb phantom... He thinks he's a king".Arthur, the Guardian, still surprised and shocked by the event, nodded slowly and perplexedly. "But isn't it dangerous?"
"Oh no, just spiteful, but not dangerous. Don't worry" Faglia reassured him. "In any case," continued the Snapper "The evening is coming, what about deepening this curious meeting at the Frosty Eggs tavern? So no ghost will disturb us there... If Naakleh arrives, not finding me here, she will certainly come looking for me there". "It seems an excellent idea, how about you Arthur? Do you want to come with us? NOT YOU, ARTHUR GHOST, YOU STAY WHERE YOU ARE! Er, what was i saying? Oh yes! I'm sure we'll know how to show you some curious places to visit as soon as you want to leave our Guild".The male Guardian smiled smugly and extremely intrigued, a place that seemed to protect a ghost, after all, how many more surprises could reserve to him?
Destination #: 4 Paranoid Leader of the Wanderers [ClockworkEclipse #125046]
Date: 26/06/2019
Date: 26/06/2019
Arthur plodded along, frowning as he went. He'd gone from one desert to another, but this one was certainly less pleasant. He'd passed that massive Ridgeback skull five times now; He was sure of it. Yes, he liked traveling, and he had a mission to uphold, but what object could be found in the place where dragons became lost for thousands of years? What could possibly be here that could corrupt these survivors of Sornieth, those who would rather die than seek aid from others? Well, for the most part, that is. Who out there could be corrupted in such a place, and why did he get the feeling that he was being watched?
It was this distracted thought that caused him to miss his footing. With a strangled yelp, he slid into a small ravine, his wings flailing. It didn't take long for him to hit the bottom, and for a moment he swore he could see the stars the Arcanist had yearned to touch so long ago. He didn't quite realize anything was amiss until he heard another squeak, this time from beneath him. He carefully picked himself up, only to step back in surprise at the small, partially mechanical form he had apparently landed upon. It lifted it's head slowly, fins wavering as it crooked it's head up to meet Arthur's gaze.
"Couldn't you have leaned a little to the left when you fell? Then there wouldn't be a me-sized hole in the ground." The Fae seemed disgruntled, and a little perplexed, but to Arthur it seemed like the poor girl knew he would fall on her. She shook her head before he could answer her. "No, I guess not. If you had, you'd have gotten stuck, and then your adventure would've ended here. Next time anyone saw you, you'd be a mysterious skeleton draped across the ravine, a mystery to all. Just like that Ridgeback skull you've passed, right?" Arthur stared at the Fae. Had she been watching him?! She had stopped, and was looking up at him. She seemed to be expecting an answer from him.
"Who are you?" Well, she seemed surprised by that. Her fins tried to flare up in surprise, but it seemed he'd dented the metal. They only rose halfway before making a grinding noise. She winced, lowering her head before she spoke.
"My name's Clockwork. I'm one of the leaders of the Wanderers, if any of them are left. I'd be back to the Wyrmwound by now if I hadn't fallen into these accursed tunnels. Oh, don't you worry about me. I was pretty bent up before I fell down here, my wings included. Even if I made it topside, I'd just be picked off by a vulture or that Undying Featherback Wild keeps running into." Arthur stared as the Fae limped over to his left, poking at one of his wings. He winced. Probably pulled something on the way down. She nodded to herself before heading back into view.
"Don't worry, I can't really hurt you, and nothing I do can change what'll happen with you. Our meeting should be brief, and that wing won't stop you from going back up that ravine." How was she so certain? Was she certain? It was hard to tell with Faes sometimes. He opened his mouth to ask her, but she held up a claw.
"Before you ask, it won't do your round table any good. I have an artifact, and I haven't been corrupted by it in the slightest. All it does is send me back to a certain point in time, and that changes as time goes on. I've only ever used it for my clan and, in turn, it seems for Sornieth as well. Before, when I used it, I could go back to the founding of the Wanderers, but now it leaves on the first day I spend in these tunnels. You've gone over this with me before, and you always came to the same conclusion." She finally stopped her little tirade, letting Arthur take it all in. He just stared at this Fae, who seemed so tired and defeated, yet those ruby eyes held a fire that would make the Flameforger burn with jealousy. She wasn't lying. It was then that he saw what hung around her neck.
"Is it that sandglass around your neck?" The Fae nodded, though she seemed a bit more defensive now. He didn't reach out, despite his desire to do so. He wanted to know just what power laid within this relic of hers, how it worked, which deity aided in it's creation and which ones opposed it, but he knew the Fae would likely be chased away by the very thought. Instead, he folded his wings as best he could, curling his tail around as he settled down, and decided to ask his own question.
"Could you tell me how you found it?" She seemed surprised once more, only to chuckle at the look on his face as she shook her head. She relaxed, settling down in front of him with a faint smile on her face, something he'd thought to be impossible with the monotonous Fae. Perhaps this one had learned how to smile from another. She held the sandglass in her talons, dented as they were, gently running those talons along the intricate woodwork of the frame.
"Only if you share some of that water you brought into the Boneyard. I've lost track of the underground stream, and I'm quite certain your fall has caused a minor tunnel collapse that blocked it off."
And so, she told of how she'd found the sandglass around the neck of an ancient skeleton, one whose shape reminded her of the beastclans. She spoke of how her small group of Wanderers were hardly even a clan back then, and how she'd only taken it with her because she found it interesting. Scriers of magical artifacts could find no trace of magic in the device, though they appreciated it's antiquity, and she'd been allowed to keep it, much to Eclipse's dismay, for the Fae never stopped looking at it. Then, in the Wandering Contagion, sickness struck, and even the healers fell to the disease that caused drakes to wither away in the span of a night. None knew if they would wake the next morning. She told of how she wished she could warn her new clan about the disaster that would strike, as the sickness took hold of her as well, and her utter shock at awaking the next morning to her fellow leader demanding to know when the Fae would stop treating the sandglass as if it were a hatchling's doll. She explained how she used the sandglass, how she only needed to ask to go back in order to do so, even if some points became barred to her once she'd passed them. She only stopped when she realized the light of the sun had turned red, reflecting off of Arthur's wings and her own metallic hide as the sun began to set.
"Do you understand? I have only ever used it to help others, never myself. If I had, I wouldn't have all these mechanical parts keeping me alive now, would I." She rapped her mangled wing with a talon, letting out a sharp clang as she did so. Arthur frowned, peering at the Fae. He hadn't thought of that. In fact, judging by the account of the first turn, she may very well have died while trying to save these Wanderers. Her scarred hide, her mechanical wings, everything showed that she'd adapted to survive, and yet she had the very means to return to her the body she'd lost. Why hadn't she done so? He didn't realize he'd said it aloud until he heard the Fae sigh.
"That story is a long one, too long if you want to get past the Undying Featherback tonight. But, I can tell you this. If I'd kept my old body, my purpose from the start would have been lost, and you'd have every right to bring this trinket back to your round table, Arthur." He was about to say more when she began to make shooing motions towards him, her fins raising slightly as she did so. "Now, shoo! Get out of here! If you don't leave now, you'll fall to that Boar, and I'd have to go through this all over again!" Arthur hesitated, then dipped his head to Clockwork before climbing out of the ravine.
He walked past the Ridgeback skull, and while he hated doing such a thing, he knew he'd have to set his dislocated wing. The moon had risen into the sky by the time he left the ravine behind him, wondering still just what that artifact truly was, and why it apparently worked for that Fae as it did.
The moon was well past it's zenith before he realized he'd never told the Fae anything about him or the round table.
-A Fated Encounter
by ClockworkEclipse (#125046)
by ClockworkEclipse (#125046)
Destination #: Clan SilverQuark
Date: 27/06/2019
Date: 27/06/2019
I have stumbled upon a most intriguing bunch.
"Away for supplies. Please make yourself at home."
So I did. I wandered around the Beacon of the Radiant Eye. A Pearlcatcher and an Imperial - both well-dressed, almost Baroque in style - were whispering what sounded like prayers with extreme concentration. They must be very devout.
A cauldron was bubbling from a restricted area. I could peek through the rocks and see a faint green glow. It looked busy. I wonder what was being made there. I guess I'll have to wait to ask.
After a fashion, a Wildclaw with funny-looking eyes greeted me and offloaded a bunch of tasty-looking fruits right in front of me.
He knows how to pick his apples, all right! These were delicious. I'm normally more of a meat consumer, but you couldn't just turn down these big, shiny, plump and ripe wonders of nature.
The cauldron tenders were a colourful Skydancer and... a baby Coatl? She seemed to know her way around though. They explained me they were researching a brand new formula for a pigment that can change the pattern of a dragon's body. I'm not sure what that means, but I just nodded.
I got more apples on my way out. I was supposed to take them with me, but they're already gone... oops...
Destination #: Clan Starlight [Lilystar6]
Date:28/06/2019
Date:28/06/2019
A clan located close to the Hewn City was certainly more likely than average to have both power and corruption. While the clan's lair was still well back from the line of darkness that marked the Hewn City, the mere proximity was enough to make him wary of the clan.
The friendly welcome from a green colored imperial was largely reassuring, since it meant that these people hadn't been corrupted into abandoning kindness, by the lure of the hewn city. And the pair of arguing scholars, while certainly loud, wasn't usual for a light flight clan
But he could tell that she was stressed by something, and as his visit progressed he suspected it might be more than just the clan leader's mate being sick.
A section of the lair, that he was carefully but persistently steered away from, discussions that would stop, just as he entered into earshot. Little things, but for a dragon looking for signs of problems, evidence enough.
Inconveniently, clan Starlight seemed to have a fondness for their name sake, staying up into odd hours despite being a light clan, so it wasn't as easy as simply waiting for his hosts to sleep to investigate, but he managed.
A guardian isn't particularly stealthy, but the guard on the deeper section of the lair wasn't watching for intruders. Indeed, the peach colored gaoler was sitting beside a whimpering being, that Arthur was only able to identify as a dragon by catching a glimpse of a silver pearl between the mist wrapped claws.
Of course after catching that glimpse, Idris did notice his presence, looking up sharply, even as she casually batted back one of the claws of mist that reached blindly in his direction. "I suppose it was too much to hope you would restrain your curiosity. You see now what we wished to keep hidden, and I hope you see why. She is mad, tainted, but we would not see one of our own be harmed for that. We can protect her, even from herself. There is no need of you here, knight."
Destination #: The Meandering Market [AlmightyAmu]
Date: 29/06/2019
Date: 29/06/2019
The market Arthur had come across presented an interesting opportunity in regards to his mission.
Merchants dealt with all sorts of dragons and all sorts of goods as a staple of their daily lives, so it would come as no surprise to him if one of them could send him in the direction of what he sought. The head merchant would be a good one to talk to first. Little did the knight know, said merchant was avoiding him like the plague.
Since Swindle had taken to the road with his ragtag group of peddlers, he could count on one hand the number of times he’d been truly nervous. Well, two hands now, with the arrival of this knight character. It was no secret that the goods Swindle dealt with were a fair bit less than legal, and the lack of unified law enforcement on Sornieth was something the Ridgeback took full advantage of. That is, until an enforcer came strolling right into his market asking for him. Of all people! These ‘honor above all’ types really had a knack for making you question your career decisions...
Arthur easily towered over the Ridgeback after he had finally located him among the masses and gave his introduction. A knight’s first weapon was never their blade, but rather their mind, and the Guardian’s was sharp enough to detect the lingering bit of nervousness in the merchant, despite how hard he tried to conceal it. He was hiding something. What was jarring about that realization was how young the Ridgeback was in comparison to all of the other merchants present. Arthur’s questions to him began innocently enough: where the market came from, more about the people he had met on the way here, which the Ridgeback answered easily enough, but as the questions became more pointed and direct, Swindle couldn’t help but grow defensive in response, ultimately snapping at the Guardian and demanding he go bother something else. All it took was a gaze full of an almost paternal disappointment directed at the young merchant for him to sigh and relent, finally being honest with the older knight,
“Look, you’ve got my number. I know when I’m down and out, but this ain’t the kind of conversation we’re gonna go having in the middle of the street, alright? I’ve still got a solid reputation as far as these other guys are concerned.”
With that, he led the knight into his tent. Arthur had honestly expected worse that what he saw on display. A few deadly looking weapons, maps of areas long forbidden to outsiders, messenger scrolls he could only guess were stolen, and dangerous looking potions lined the walls, though he suspected his true stock was kept elsewhere, away from the busy, unmanageable crowds. His musings were interrupted as the Ridgeback spoke again,
“Listen, I’ll admit it. I’m no stranger to dealing with powerful relics, I’ve even got a few hidden away from here waitin’ for a buyer. And I know you knights don’t think highly of us dealers, but believe me when I tell you we’ve got our own way of law in this trade, and we don’t stand by when a bad egg starts misusing the merchandise.”
Arthur listened as the Ridgeback told stories of deals gone sour. Merchants would band together in a way similar to his very own round table to defeat such evils, though instead of combat, they waged war in a completely different manner. Instead of arms and armor, they dealt in resources and connections. Severing ties between two merchants by slandering the name of one in the pair was a common way to deny a wrongdoer the necessary resources for their operations. If that option wasn’t available, the more discrete members of the coalition would ensure that a hero such as Arthur would stumble across a tool powerful enough to turn the tides. There was an entire other level beneath the surface of his task it seemed.
Just as Arthur began to ask a question, he was cut off, “I know you’re lookin’ for names and locations, and if I were in any other situation, you might just get ‘em, but you see all of those other merchants out there? They’re my family, and the last thing I need is some headhunter coming for me and putting us all in danger. The most I can do is give you a few names of some greener startup merchants that look to be headin’ nowhere good. Hopefully they’ll keep you occupied till I learn how to deal with you noble types...”
Arthur took note of the names and where their operations were last seen active, then took one last look at the visibly uncomfortable Ridgeback before him. All things considered, the young merchant had done the right thing today, and Arthur let him know that with a gentle smile and a friendly bump on the shoulder. After his initial indignation at being treated like the child he was, Swindle smiled back at the knight and called out to him one last time,
“Do yourself a favor, go see Lorand on your way out. He’ll set you up with whatever you need for the way back home. Don’t worry about the money either, tell ‘em Swindle sent you!”
Destination #: Clan [Username]
Date:
Date:
Lore/Art/Etc. Goes Here
Lore Notes:
- One of the Captains of the Guard of Clan Paladin;
- Also the leader of the
Possible Scrys:
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