A Dragon’s Tale

Contrary to popular belief, not all dragon hatchlings are abandoned at or just prior to their birth.  My parents were there at my hatching and kept me company for a brief time just afterwards.  I was presented to an ancient dragon named Valek.  After talking for a while with my parents, he created a rift that he and I entered.  I am not sure where it went to, but I somehow had the feeling we were still in the same dimension and world... although I am not exactly sure why I felt this way.

Where the rift deposited us I am not exactly sure.  It was a mountainous region with a somewhat rocky terrain.  As an interesting contrast, it was quite lush with plant-life and all around were the results of a freshly fallen, new snow.  As I looked around taking it all in, Valek suggested we should move on from there quickly, as others may sense our presence and come looking for us.

Surprisingly, he chose to walk to our destination rather than fly.  Apparently he wasn’t too concerned about us being found just yet.  As we started down a rocky pathway, I could hear water off in the distance.  I couldn’t tell exactly where it was coming from... it seemed as if it were coming from all around us.  As we proceeded down this rocky pathway for about a mile or so, I was taking in the blend of harshness and delicateness of the terrain we were on.  It was an interesting blend of life’s innocence and the harsh reminders that cropping out from under the snow-covered moss that things are not always as innocent and good as they appear on the surface.

During our long walk, Valek remained silent.  He seemed to be focused intently on something, although I knew not what.  We walked for about 30 to 45 minutes.  As we rounded a bend which opened up into a half-moon shaped crevasse that reached towards the sky for about 500 feet.  In the center of this scene, was a waterfall gently depositing it donations to an almost perfectly round pool 500 feet below.  The view was most impressive.  I stood there a few moments taking it all in, when I noticed Valek motioning for me to follow him.

As we approached the pool, I noticed that concealed just beneath the surface of the water was a rock ledge which stretched around the entire edge of the pool.  It was plenty wide for our normal footing and I began to realize that Valek had most likely created portions of this himself.  It seemed too perfect in some ways.

We continued around the edge of the pool until we were behind the waterfall.  As I stood there looking around wondering what we were doing there, the entryway to a cavern revealed itself to us.  Perhaps this is what Valek had been focusing on...?  We entered this vast expanse of caverns that was apparently an enormous lair for Valek.  The passageways seemed to go on almost endlessly. As we progressed down the main passageway, we passed a large library and various other rooms with all sorts of things foreign and familiar to me.  The room we stopped at and then entered had an enormous altar in the middle of it.

He led me in and then instructed me to sit at the foot of the altar, remain silent, and focus all my energies on the altar.  Over the course of the next two hours, a ritual of blood was performed that we both shared in and which seemed to make each of us grow stronger.  I could feel the flow of magic all around me, ebbing and flowing like a strong tide around and through me.  Suddenly all around me fell silent and the only thing I could hear were his words.  His words did not come to my ears, though.  They entered straight into my mind.

He explained, "There is a bond between you and I that can not be broken by time and space.  I will check on you periodically to see how you are doing and to make sure you are progressing in your studies properly.  There may be a time that I will call on you to do some deed for me.  You will do it.  I have made you stronger than you were without me... you have the power within you to return home merely with a thought.  As a test of your faith and conviction... and acceptance of this blood bond... do so now.  Leave me and return home!"

I stood there, looking at Valek for a few moments, thinking about what he had said.  As the words sank in and their meaning was absorbed by more than just my mind, I knew precisely what he meant.  I smiled at him and waved.  I thought for a few moments about home and how I wished to be there.  As the thought began to become more real in my mind, it became more real for my body as well.  Energy swirled around and through me.  A brilliant sphere of blue and white light and energy enveloped me and then was gone as quickly as it came.  I looked around, a bit disoriented and realized that I was home.  I felt completely drained, but I was home.  I collapsed and rested for the next three days, recovering from what I had just been through.

When I awoke, I found my parents were gone and I was soon to find myself under attack from a small band of mercenaries out for dragon’s blood.  I was fortunate that the family Arcania was in the area doing some sort of training.  They came to my rescue after I failed to teleport away from the fiends who were attacking me.  The people I came to know as True Atlanteans were most generous and offered to let me stay with them for a while.  I accepted this offer and came to know them pretty well.  Especially the one among them called Justus.  After a time, he and I left Dweomer and the Federation of Magic to begin our own set of studies and life’s adventures.  I am quite partial to him.  He is the first humanoid that I have met that it matters much to me whether they continue to live or not.

...and so, the journey begins...

We have traveled to Cuidad Juarez in northern Mexico in search of Justus's uncle.  We arrived to find that his uncle was dead.  Upon further investigation, we have figured out/surmised that a necromancer of some sort had killed him.  I have seen one dragon and have felt the presence of two others.  We have found that there are many, many vampires in the area.  There is a vigilante gang called "The Group" that is attempting to fight the vampires.  This place is pretty much lawless unless you do something extreme (killing someone isn't that big a thing.  Just don't blow anything up in the process.).

While in Mexico, I ran into a dragon named Lady Carlotta (Carlotta the Red is another name I have heard used for her).  She was with a group called Reid's Rangers (I wonder who Reid is!?).  She told me, "I don't ever want to see you again" and sent me on my way.  Before leaving Mexico, I found out that "they" were killing dragons, but I have no clue who "they" are.  I am left to presume this is the reason that Malikee was warning me to "be careful."  This may also be why Lady Carlotta was warning me to leaving the area as well... although it could be because she has a lair here, or considers this to be "her turf."  I am still curious how Malikee knew I was a dragon.

...for reasons I don’t recall at the moment (or atleast seem secondary to my not wanting to be here), we’re back in Mexico...  This time, we have gone to a place called Buena Vista.  After arriving in the town, vampires attacked and killed the mayor, Mr. Sanchez.  Juan San Pedro, a master vampire, kidnapped Marta, the mayor’s daughter.  The larhold and myself have surmised that Juan was already turning her into a vampire.  He has taken her to the mountain outside of town where there are maaaaany vampires.  It is a pity that Marta was most likely being turned into a vampire and will likely perish in all of this... she was quite attractive... for a human.  I am growing tired of this place though... It seems that most of my life up to this point has been spent fighting vampires.  bleh ...I'm tired of vampires - there has to be more...

We killed the vampires in the mountain, including San Juan Pedro.  We were able to save Marta and she is going to lead her people.  Justus (Arcania) left us immediately after this battle took place to return to Dweomer to deal with family matters regarding his uncle.  Also shortly after this (and before I let him die at the hands of some other fools looking for his swords), Shiotsu was supposedly made into some sort of god.  Why anyone on that power level would make one such as he a god, I haven’t a clue... this will require further study.  Anthropology, perhaps...

In my on-going quest to increase my knowledge of magic, I was able to barter with two individuals for spells.  The first person was (I am guessing) some sort of mage who had long, black hair pulled back in a pony tail.  He wore fashions similar to those found back home, in Dweomer.  When I saw him, he was in red and green robes, with armor underneath.  With my trepidation about summoning things, I felt it was time to find a way to Banish them if I ever summon something that doesn’t want to do what I tell it to... and is bigger than myself.  He was an intelligent man and offered to share this knowledge with me for 2 gallons of my blood.  It seemed a small price, but I do wonder what his plans are for it...  The second person was not quite so scholarly in appearance.  He appeared to be some sort of Temporal Raider.  For the price of a fang (which grew back almost immediately), I learned how to create a Time Hole so I can get away from the annoyances of this time, place... world.

Just to keep myself humored (when I wasn’t studying), I spent a little of our time in Monterey harassing Garnock about his fascination with women (or what appears to be women).  On one particular night, I decided it was time to play a little joke on him.  Much to his drunken (and somewhat disappointed and angered) dismay, the "beauty" he brought back to his room for "fun" changed into his shape-shifting, traveling friend right before his eyes.  The situation was settled down easily enough... although my laughing at him probably didn’t help the situation much.

I also spent a few nights here and there enjoying female companionship... I feel certain that Garnock’s motives are much more primitive than my own.  More study is required on this subject though... This need for companionship seems to drive lesser beings to do just about anything for it.

...the journey continues...

990115 - While exploring the vastness of the barren land (Mexico) a couple of weeks ago, we happened upon (quite by accident) Walther and a group of friends that he was with.  There was a juicer, but he managed to get himself terminated and exploded on (some of) us.  During all the commotion, Garnock lost his bike and seems rather distraught about it.  Perhaps after we return to Dweomer, he can find another...  It is unfortunate that lesser beings are so limited in their modes of travel...  Although, seeing him fly could be rather horrific ... although, most likely damned amusing.  Hrmmm – perhaps at some point in time I should take him on a flying lesson.

The other notable member of the group was an Apock Avenger named Caslyn.  He is not from this time or place, but is good to have with you in a fight.  I notice that he can jump great distances at amazing speeds.  Although I can fly quickly, I am always open to trying something new...

We managed to retrieve Walther’s ship from a town that has been over-run with Splugorth (pitifully ugly creatures).  Later we spent some time at a ley-line and I summoned various forms of canines to play with.  I also used the lightblade against the vampires that attacked us nightly.  One shot. One kill.  I have a feeling that was largely due to being at the ley-line... I’ll investigate this further as time goes on.  We made it to Monterrey without much incident, though.  ‘Twas a pleasant journey.

990129 - While visiting Monterrey, we encountered a Cyber Knight and helped him in his quest to retrieve a fellow, er... lady Cyber Knight.  He apparently has some sort of feelings for her, which she does not seem to share in return.  Her name is Lady Tristan... she seems to be a rather irritating, self-centered sort.  Antagonizing her is most enjoyable!

There is a young girl with them as well who seems to be rather taken with Sir Jonan (the Cyber Knight)... although he seems rather taken with Tristan for some foolish reason.  Perhaps in time that will reveal itself.  Why do humans choose to ignore the joy that can be found with that which they already have?  They seem so intent on chasing after that which they have not.

We traveled to Cuidad Juarez on a stagecoach.  We traveled through Fort Reid without incident.  I sensed only one dragon (other than myself) there and encouraged the group to move on to the next destination as quickly as possible.

While in Juarez, I paid a visit to Malikee.  We talked for a while.  But, he really did not offer much useful information.  Well, aside from the fact that he had heard that I had been banned from the country (!?).  I’m not sure where he heard that I had been banned.  Perhaps from Carlotta.  He also mentioned that an old man (a dragon) had been in looking for me.  He babbled something about not understanding the games that we play.  ...not sure what he meant by that.  I did make one purchase from Malikee, though.  For the price of Shiotsu’s true name, I bought an incantation called "Magic Pigeon." He said it should take about a month to learn it... I may use Time Hole to accelerate this.

Those damned swords are still causing me headaches!  Some fools came to us looking for Shiotsu and those damned swords of his.  All of them were slain or allowed to slay themselves.  Before their death, I told one of them the tale of Shiotsu so that perhaps he could pass it along to who-ever is looking for the swords.  

We arrived in Houston to an ambassador’s welcome by a gnome that Walther had sent to us.  He only identified himself as Inquisitor and seems rather taken with the Apock...  This is just as well, since I don’t want anyone hovering around me all the time.  The journey is going well... I am learning much.

990311 - Some time has passed.  We made it back to Dweomer and spent a few days there.  Garnock enjoyed some local entertainment that the local government and military funded.

We were soon contacted by a high-ranking official in the Dweomer military for a somewhat covert mission into Northen Free Quebec.  Why they wanted us to do it, I was not quite sure... atleast at first.

We were rifted in to about a 100 miles from our destination.  Along the way, we encountered a dragon beast (which we killed) and some local freedom fighters (who we did not kill).  While camping with the freedom fighters, a gargoyle came along and attacked Garnock because he was being foolish during a thunderstorm and was outside shooting his "Thunder Gun."  I think that boy's pool of intelligence is reeeeeal shallow.  Anyway, the gargoyle has been perished and I disposed of it as best I could.

The next morning we proceeded to our destination and retrieved (we hope) the information that we were supposed to retrieve.  I thought vampires were bad... sheesh, the mutant spiders we found in that mountain/cave were horendous.  We made it out with what we were supposed to make it out with.  So, all should be well.

We are currently heading back towards the ley line to setup camp...  With any luck, it'll be a quiet night... but I somehow doubt it will be.

Oh yes....... The gnome that I had previously made reference to is named Yex and can be rather annoying at times.  He isn't annoying in the way that most people are.  He is SOOO intent on making sure that 1) people like him and 2) the right thing is being done, that he sometimes just seems to get in the way of the decision making process.  I believe he is some sort of techno-wizard.  He is wearing some armor that he supposedly created (the Godimus Armor, I believe he calls it), but I have a feeling that he probably just added a slight modification or two.  He doesn't seem very powerful and seems to try to avoid conflict a lot... almost too much.

More later...