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Dragon Tamer X Princess (Plot goes here) |
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Neutral
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Caim "The Sanctuary" A lush valley guarded by magic and dragons, this place is a sanctuary to many of the land's refugees. A closely guarded secret, the valley and its surrounding mountains are known as the Serpent’s Den to outsiders. It is believed to be a place teeming with vicious dragons who attack on sight. That could not be far from the truth. The valley nestled at the center of the looming crags is beautiful. Filled with fertile ground and teeming with wildlife, there is not a better place to settle, and to its residents, it is known as Caim, meaning sanctuary. Founded by Nilo Pendragon with the assistance of his dragon clan about eight years prior, this valley offers refuge to those who have lost their homes to attacking rogues and other disasters. Here, dragons, shifters, and humans live in harmony, the place appearing to be pulled out of a dream. With several small villages and a city at the center of it all, Caim is like a nation of its own. Dragons protect the people, while the people tend to the land and help keep the dragons taken care of. It is a peaceful exchange, all run by their unofficial leader and founder who is a man just shy of his twenty-seventh birthday. Caim was built around the wildlife and surrounding nature, as Pendragon did not seek to disturb the land, but rather coexist with it, something he learned from his dragon kin. There is a rather large city at the entrance, though one can find villages scattered about in the forests. Small farms are spread out here and there and the dragons have their own city built within the mountains. There is a massive garden filled with every kind of flower and a place that was built for rehabilitating animals. Protected by a magical barrier that shrouds the valley and makes it invisible to outsiders, Caim is truly a place built to keep those in need of refuge safe. | |
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Darkseeker
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| Khonvoum + Culture + Celebrations + Winter Solstice The Winter Solstice is a celebration that brings in the New Year. Everyone celebrates the longest night of the year by lighting as many lights as they can afford. It is popular to light floating lanterns for the sky and water. It is a way of symbolizing saying goodbye to the old and getting rid of the bad while also lighting up for the future. Feasts, drinking, and bonfires are very popular. + Summer Solstice Summer Solstice is celebrated a lot like Thanksgiving. People enjoy the days out in the sun because they are thankful for surviving the winter. They normally have the promise of a good harvest by now, and it is celebrated by getting together with people you want to celebrate with and cook and eat good food together. + Arts/Culture + -stories/folktales + -pottery + Land + Rovka Forest + Cities + Khonvo - the capital city + Lunería - the city that is the most popular to celebrate the Winter Solstice. They have a large lake nearby that is surrounded by a forest. + Religion/Spirituality/Magic Education | |
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Neutral
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Dragons Dragons were, and always will be, the first true masters of magic. Before humans walked the earth, dragons practiced magic, though it was in it’s more primitive form. It is often believed that the dragons invented the craft due to their strong bond with Mother Nature, or that the Gods above gifted them with such powers. These creatures are almost shockingly human-like in mind and speech, as they are able to fluently communicate and rival human intelligence with ease. They are much larger than any other human, making them intimidating beasts. With sharp claws, tough scales, and abilities that vary across species, dragons are both an interesting and dangerous species. (Arranged by Size) | Earth Dragons Preferred Habitat: Forests, Dense Woodlands These dragons come in earthly shades, from mud browns to deep greens, light and dark shades vary across the board. These dragons are the largest of the species, with massive muscular bodies and equally large wings. They have massive claws and the saber-like fangs that create a powerful bite. Their horns resemble that of a goat. Although, what they have in size they lack in speed. They are rather slow movers and are not the best option for flying long distances. These dragons also do not fare well in the cold, as it threatens to send them into some sort of hibernation if temperatures are too low. Masters of the ground, earth dragons can not only manipulate the earth, but nature. The most powerful can create ravines and make mountains, though most do not have abilities that reach those heights. That being said, their control over the earth can still be deadly when one is angered, as they are the most dangerous of dragons in terms of sheer power. Additionally, their powers also expand to nature, with control over any sort of plant life. Vines, trees, grasses, and just about anything nature you can think of can be influenced by these powerful dragons.The closer they are with nature, the stronger their powers are. It is rumored that they even have the power to kill entire forests at will, but that has not yet been recorded. | | Fire Dragons Preferred Habitat: Anywhere Hot tempered and known for being aggressive, these dragons definitely burn hotter than fire. These dragons are typically a rich red, orange, or other fiery colors, with thick armor-like scales that almost appear to be plated like metal, no doubt to withstand high temperatures, which gives them their fireproofing. These dragons have horns that twist upward like a bull’s, which makes their charges incredibly dangerous. These dragons are large, but rather evenly distributed and lean for their size, making them well rounded fighters and fliers. These dragons are also master climbers, with feet that are almost similar to talons. They are not only perfect for gripping onto rocks, but strangling prey. These dragons are the beasts of heat, with flaming breath that could scorch someone alive. They can boil water and are even known to have melted rock. These beasts can even control their body heat, making themselves just too hot to touch or hot enough so that their claws leave sizzling wounds on opponents. But the most dangerous of their powers is the dragons ability to combust, lighting their entire body aflame at volcanic temperatures. This can be used as a defensive or offensive tactic, though it drains much of the creature's energy. | | Night Dragons Preferred Habitat: Anywhere A mid-size dragon, these dark creatures are incredibly peculiar. They have shimmering, twisted horns that frame their head, much like a kudu, and rather large, pointed ears, which gives them sharp hearing. These dragons come in shades of grayscale, from the common black to the rarest silver, and are known to have underbellies of different shades. These beasts have pale scales on their wings that shimmer like stars. They sport prehensile tails and are known for sleeping upside down when possible, similar to bats. First and foremost, these dragons are masters of stealth. They are quieter than a mouse and sneakier than a panther. They are the best and most efficient predators of all the dragons, which is both impressive and terrifying. In the night, they use both their excellent night vision and naturally darker colors(in most cases) to their advantage to blend in. They also tend to be the most intelligent of the dragon race and are known to be wise and well-versed. Additionally, these dragons have their own magic, which is known as telekinesis. These dragons can move objects with only their minds, giving them a unique and useful power. Incredibly, if these dragons hatch under the light of a full moon, they gain the power of foresight and are able to see into the future, though these visions tend to be vague and typically useless. | | Sea Dragons Preferred Habitat: Sea, Humid, Tropical These dragons are built to swim. They are sleek and able to glide through the water with ease. These dragons come in a variety of blues and greens and their scales never seem to be just one shade, but rather, several. Their scales are bioluminescent, which allows them to glow in the deep waters of the sea. Their horns are short and curve backwards. They have large wings that help propel them through the water, as well as webbed feet and a strong tail that comes complete with it’s own curved fin on the end. These dragons are known for being strong and sturdy stock, especially in their legs, while also being rather swift and cunning. These dragons can, as expected, breathe underwater due to gills on their neck and they also have excellent night vision. They have sharp, hooked claws that are not only excellent for fishing, but tearing through enemies with ease. These dragons practice hydrokinesis and can manipulate water in its liquid form, and in some very rare cases, ice or steam. Some are even so skilled to pull water out of the ground or plants to wield. When threatened, these beasts can emit incredibly hot steam from their scales to protect themselves and burn attackers, though this ability does not work when dehydrated. | | Sun Dragons Preferred Habitat: Hot, Desert These dragons are on the smaller side, but are brilliant looking creatures nonetheless. These dragons are rare and small in population, yet they are known for being the most beautiful, with shimmering scales that are known to naturally have swirling, almost baroque designs in them. These dragons come in many shades of yellow and even some pale tans with, as stated, naturally occurring markings that fall under one of those colors. They bear straight horns. Their scales are notably strong, both tough and fireproof, though they may not appear to be initially. They are slender, fast creatures, known for being second in speed only to the wind dragons. Their feet and claws are surprisingly powerful to break through tough objects and withstand harmful things such as cactus spines. These dragons gain their power and energy from the sun, so the hotter, the better. These dragons wield the power of light and are able to bend it to their will. These can be blinding sunbeams or even dangerous explosions of concentrated light that can burn through skin and even scales. These dragons can pull light from anywhere, so they are especially useful in darkness. But, the manipulation of light is not what they are most known for. No, they have a set of retractable fangs, similar to a snake, but instead of venom, these beasts produce a nectar that bears incredible healing properties. | | Wind Dragons Preferred Habitat: Mountains, By the Sea These dragons might be the smallest of the species, but they are still reasonably large in comparison to humans. These dragons can come in every color, but their scales are always a very gentle pastel shade, and white is the most common of colors among them. Their heads are almost birdlike, with narrow faces that could almost be considered sharp looking. They have a hook at the end of their snouts that resembles that of a bird’s beak. Their horns are curled like a ram’s. The body of a wind dragon is long and lithe, perfect and flexible for soaring through the air. Their back legs are powerful, lined with muscle that is used to help propel these dragons into the air at high speeds. Their feet best resemble that of a bird of prey, with dangerous, sharp talons. Most notably, these creatures have very large wings in comparison to their smaller bodies, which allows them to fly deftly and at incredibly high speeds. These dragons are most known for their speed, as they are faster than fast, but they also are masters of the wind. These dragons can create powerful gusts of wind that when wielded properly, could even be used to slice through skin. Their powers over the air are often underestimated, but these dragons can even go so far as to pull the air from one's lungs if skilled enough. They could blow over houses, create hurricanes and tornadoes, and send one flying to their death. Additionally, these dragons also have a second ability, which is their screech. These dragons have always fiddled with soundwaves and from their experimentation came an ability that could shatter eardrums. These dragons can produce and amplify a screech so deafening it can cause physical pain and permanent injury. | |
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Neutral
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Magic In this world, many individuals have learned to practice magic. Magic was once exclusively used by dragons, beginning with the beasts who had such a strong connection with nature and it’s forces. But dragons shared their gift with humans, teaching them how to wield the elements of nature as they had done for centuries. Of course, most humans could never become as powerful as dragons, but magic still became integrated into the lives of humans. That being said, skilled mages are still rather uncommon, even though they are not considered rare. Since dragons taught the humans how to practice magic, it has evolved considerably. Humanity proved to take well to the craft and have invented all kinds of magic. They have learned to enchant objects and heal wounds, which are their two most notable advancements. Magic has become so much more than just control over the elements, and has since been divided into six categories: | Destruction: Magic that causes damage Mending: Magic that heals Illusion: Magic that causes sensory illusions Enchanting: Magic that enhances or curses objects Manipulation: Magic that manipulates or alters the laws of reality Summoning: Magic that conjures creatures or objects | Schools of magic are scattered across the land, though they are few and far between, with tiny class sizes and are extremely difficult to get into. Magic is difficult for humans and requires tremendous willpower to gain control of. Although, as magic continues to evolve and change, humans are beginning to evolve with it, as there is now record of humans being born magically gifted. It is expected that one day, the mortal people will one day become as gifted as the dragons due to evolution. |
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Neutral
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He’s charmingHe’s charismaticHe’s your next addiction N I L O~P E N D R A G O N :Nilo was the name he was given at birth::Pendragon was given for the way he communes and lives with dragons: “I’d rather be an outcast with you than heir to the throne.” ⇒Nickname(s)⇐ The Dragon Tamer ⇒Gender⇐Masculine ⇒Age⇐26 ⇒Sexual Orientation⇐Bisexual ~ “Oh, darling…” ~ ⇒Appearance⇐ Nilo Pendragon is the human equivalent of a statue carved from marble, with smooth curves and firm muscles. Standing at 5’10”, Nilo may not be the tallest of men, but he makes up for what he lacks in size with his broad figure and sheer muscle. His body shape could best be described as a mix between a trapezoid and inverted triangle and his physique best resembles that of a seasoned soldier. His shoulders are wide as is his chest, with his most prominent muscles being in his upper half, giving him a flat chiselled stomach and strong arms. Nilo’s legs, or leg, are long, but not to the point where he appears disproportionate, but they are rather elegant in an attractive way. Unfortunately, Nilo lost his left leg about ten years ago at the knee, and now wears an enchanted prosthetic with a sleeve that covers the rest of his mauled thigh. The prosthetic is usually covered by armor to keep it protected. He can often be seen walking with a slight to more noticeable limp, depending on the day's pain levels. From the same event that took his leg, the man's body is criss-crossed with scars. Nilo’s skin is light in color, with cooler undertones, leaving him with what is probably considered a pale ivory. Occasionally, he can be seen with a tan, but has better luck with sunburns. His face is oval-shaped, highlighted by a sharp, straight jaw that is defined by a heavier stubble, though it never grows long enough to be a beard. Nilo’s eyes are on the upturned shaped side and his irises are the color of ice, a cold blue that’s so pale it can often appear ghostly. His eyes may often appear to be off-putting, but they are arguably his most expressive feature. He has a prominent, Greek-like nose with a straight bridge, free of any imperfections that ends in a soft curve. His lips are full with a prominent cupid's bow, with a small scar that crosses straight through them on the right side, and he can usually be seen smiling. His hair is flaming red in color, trimmed on the sides and longer on the top, which the man keeps in a failed, unruly quiff hairstyle. His hair is straight, but typically has a gentle curl at the end due to the man’s use of product to keep it styled. He has two tattoos, the first being a large, dark dragon that takes up most of his right forearm. The second is on his left pectoral and it is a traditional lion crest wearing a crown. His ears are pierced, and he usually sports two thin, gold rings in a double helix piercing in his right ear as a part of a sun dragon tradition. His usual attire consists of lighter armor, a steel chest and backpiece, as well as some plates on the soldiers. He tends to keep his legs pretty well protected with some form of armor, for obvious reasons, and it is also common to see him in some kind of gauntlets. He also tends to have a thinner cloak that has a thick fur sewn into the shoulders clasped over his armor that he keeps around for the cold or conditions that require stealth. ⇒Personality⇐ Nilo is incredibly friendly and respectful, a friend to all and a definite social butterfly. He’s on the extroverted side, thriving at social gatherings and events, thrilled by the energy. That being said, like any person, he needs time to recharge and also enjoys the little things in life. It is rather well-known that he has a penchant for mischief on his more, playful, boyish side. He’s extremely kind and is very caring, whether it is his friends or complete strangers. Nilo is rather slow to anger and has seemingly endless patience, but God help you if you are the reason for his fury because that room just might become a crime scene. He is exuberant and does every task with such determination and gusto. He is stubborn and will go to great lengths to achieve his goals if he must. It would be easy to believe his energy is boundless. Nilo’s mind runs a mile a minute, filled with ideas that cannot be contained and he quite resembles an eagle in a birdcage. He is intelligent and more than willing to think outside of the box. He seems to have an idea for everything and anything. Perhaps that’s part of his charm, his unconventional ideas and his confidence in them. With pearly white teeth and a sexy smile, Nilo is the type who certainly possesses a strong magnetism.. The kind that turns heads when he walks into the room, with an appeal that makes everyone want to get up and talk to him. He’s approachable and flirtatious, sweeter than honey yet burns hotter than a fire. Nilo is certainly the playboy character, the kind of man you would find yourself wrapped up in for a spring fling. He’s a romantic with a silver tongue and is certainly good company to keep, but he isn’t usually the type to stick around for more than a night. Nilo’s got this electricity to him, a spark that draws you in like a moth to a flame. It’s a spark that is unpredictable, but never fails to attract you every time. Because at the end of the day, you’ve never met anything as magnetic as Nilo Pendragon. ~ “And you, my good friend, have been played like a fiddle.” ~ ⇒History⇐ Nilo was born as a prince in the kingdom of Lavarre. For sixteen years, he lived a life of luxury and had monarchy in his future as the crown prince. He was the life of every social function and was known for his way with women. Charming and envied, it was hard not to love the red-haired prince who was always brimming with energy. Although his reputation of partying and flirting with women was not great for his royal image, he was a beautiful man in all aspects, and it was difficult to stay angry with him. But all it took was one night for it all to change. A vicious gang of rogues razed Lavarre, stealing everything the prince had ever known in a mere moment. His castle was burned to the ground, his family and friends killed, and the kingdom was quickly taken by the killers. Lavarre was destroyed and so far damaged that even the rogues didn’t want it. So when they had their way and stole everything, they abandoned what they had turned into a land that was inhabitable. But the night his family was killed and the royal city was pillaged, Nilo survived. With a leg turned to shreds and bleeding in more places than he wasn’t, the prince managed to live, though not without help. He was saved by a dragon of night called Desmevo, whose spotty visions showed him a dying boy amidst a pile of ash. It was then Nilo was saved, but amidst the pain and trauma, he decided not to reveal his entire identity out of fear, instead only sharing his first name. Desmevo lived amongst a tribe of mixed dragon races and it was then Nilo was taken in. A talented dragon of flame forged him an enchanted prosthetic to replace the leg he lost. It was there he learned to wield a sword. When Nilo was seventeen, Desmevo’s visions showed him another attack, and with much pleading, he and a band of dragons managed to save a small band of survivors. By eighteen, the man had founded Caim, the sanctuary in which he now resides. It was through these actions that he earned the name Pendragon. ⇒Family⇐ A closely guarded secret | |
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Darkseeker
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| ~~~___Aodh Khonvoum___~~~ ~~Age~~ 24 years ~~Gender~~ Female ~~Appearance~~ She has bright fiery colored hair that falls in a sheet down her back. There is a slight wave to her hair, but everyone would describe it as straight. Her skin is lighter and it burns easily, so she has to be careful about staying outside. Her face is thin and narrow. The bones in her face are visible, and she has eyes slightly inset into her face. Her eyes are clearly indentifiable as green. She has freckles on her cheeks and across the bridge of her nose. She has dimples in the corners of her mouth. She has a wide mouth, and the corners of her lips give the illusion of being more upturned which makes her look like she is amused, smiling, or more pleasant than the average person. Her lips are a pinkish nude color that are on the thinner side. She is thin and willowy without much of a defined figure. She has a very small waist and bust. She stands at about 5' 6" although she has a tendency to exaggerate her height when she wants to impress someone. Her mother encourages her to say that she is shorter because for finding a husband that is more attractive. She prefers to wear modest but loose airy clothing. She loves the color orange and green. She normally wears green or blue, so it does not clash with her hair. She has also been known to wear white, brown, or black. ~~Personality~~ She is adventerous and willing to try new things. She loves to learn and is looking for new exciting experiencecs. She is willing to push outside of her comfort zone. She has a deeply rooted sense of fun and humor. She can be quick with quips, and rarely gets stumped for a word to say if that is her aim. She is comfortable interacting with many different levels of people as she is normally one of the highest ranked in the room. She has the proper ettiquette and rank where she does not have to feel apologetic for approaching someone else. She does not like to wait on others, which has taught her to be independent and slow to ask for help. She loves to create her own curriculum and learn what she wants to do instead of what her tutors assign her. She is easily frustrated by little set backs. She likes to have a plan, and she will freak out if her timeline does not go as planned. She is quick to spend time with others. She loves to help and give to others. Her desire for independence has spread to how she deals with her kingdom. She tends to forget that other kingdoms have strengths and benefits. She is very loyal and patriotic to Khonvoum. She does not want them to depend on anyone else, and she loves to support different businesses within her kingdom. ~~History~~ She has a few younger siblings which she doesn't like to talk about. Her mother had more children, but they did not all make it to adulthood. She was educated in the arts, math and science, courtesy and politics, humanities, and magic. Her kingdom are shapeshifters and she can shapeshift into a red fox. She has tried to learn magic and has succeeded enough where her parents are convinced she should have talent. Her education with magic as awakened her love and interest in dragons which her parents are strongly suspicious of and discourage what they would see as headlong enthusiasm without caution. She has tried to develop her personality and other skills in dealing with people as she does not like how much her hair makes her stand out. She also wants people to respect her for more than her title although she wants them to respect her for that as well. Family Father: Stephen-thicker build, red hair and beard, hazel eyes Mother: Aileen - Similar build to Aodh, brown hair, green eyes Younger Brother: Duncan-brown hair Younger Sister Rhoswyn-red hair Younger Sister: Ainsley brown hair Younger Brother: Eric-red hair (deceased) Younger Sister: Keely-red hair | |
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Neutral
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Magnificent. Majestic. Magnetic. Such were words that often escaped the mouths of people who had seen Nilo Pendragon. He seemed like a hybrid, this mix of a man who often resembled a beast when provoked. A deadly predator, who bore no inhibitions and only knew the carnal desire of victory. But every move he made was laced with elegance, with a beauty that turned heads when he walked, a grace that made everyone want to stand up and talk to him. But Pendragon was just a man. A passionate, soulful man who poured his heart into everything he did. To many, Pendragon was a mere legend, another fairy tale created to tell to children. Nobody could believe that there was a human who was a part of a dragon clan. Many humans lived in fear of dragons, as there were enough savage ones to have them believe that all were aggressive and destructive. Many thought it unfeasible that such a person could exist, that no one could live in harmony and even convince many dragons to give up their ways of violence. It was an idea that most had ever considered possible, as humans were a much lesser race than the mighty dragons. But for those who had seen the man with unmistakable red hair and an appetite for justice in action, the proof was undeniable. He had saved countless villages from dragon attacks, saved struggling refugees when their homes had been plundered, and solved countless other problems. Nilo was not just a myth. He was walking proof of good in the world, with a heart big enough for everyone to fit inside. He had given his life to improving the lives of others and saving everyone he could. It was his dream to create a land without war. All he wanted was peace. Although, he was by no means perfect and was a man who struggled with his own demons. There were nights where he drank until he couldn’t stand, collapsing in a drunken heap wherever he had stood. Sometimes his nights were filled with nightmares and others phantom pains from a leg that was no longer there. He struggles to open up and form meaningful, long lasting relationships, and he struggles even more to keep them. He hates silence because he does not want to be alone in his own head. Not even Desmevo, the dragon whose been his mentor and closest friend for a decade knows much about the man beyond the surface. Caim. It was the sanctuary Nilo and the dragons had built from the ground up. It was the man’s passion project, his legacy. It was his pride and joy and by far the thing he was most proud of in life. He loved it with all of his heart and most of his days were spent working to improve what he had built. Nilo Pendragon was a friend to all, with his only enemies being those who disturbed the peace. Caim was the home he had created with his clan and now it was open to all races and species. It was the home the man had always dreamed of, and now, he was able to share it with others. “Hey, watch it!” “Oh, excuse me, sir. I apologize." Unfortunately, Nilo was not in Caim today. He was in Khonvoum, an old kingdom that was ruled by the Khonvoum family. He had met their eldest daughter long ago, a girl whose hair looked just like his, and whose face was spotted with freckles. He had met her at a Winter Solstice festival, long ago, when they were both still teenagers who had been jaded by adulthood. She had met him when he was a bright-eyed prince, with the world at his fingertips and a glowing future ahead of him. She had met him before his life had brutally changed forever. Since then, he had visited the Khonvoum again on a couple occasions to take part in the Winter Solstice festivals, since they reminded him of the ones he had back in Lavarre. He had never gotten a chance to speak to the princess again, and part of him had been too scared to. There she sat, the epitome of a prized heir with her perfect beauty and flawless decorum, while he had become a man who was deeply damaged both outside and in, with a reliance on alcohol just to sleep for a few hours each night. No matter how much good Nilo did in the world, he never felt like it would be enough to make him a man worth wanting. “Aye, Nilo,” The words were hissed from his satchel, “How much longer until we get there?” It was Desmevo’s voice. It was deep and rough, like two stones scraping against each other. His eyes were green, but they were dull with almost grayish tones, like emeralds that had not aged well with time. The dragon was a deep black, with an underbelly of slate gray. To Nilo, he was a best friend and mentor, almost a father-like figure to the man. Usually, Desmevo towered over the young man, but now? Now he was the size of a small lizard due to an amulet he wore, and to fit perfectly in his satchel. They had figured that people would not take kindly to a large black dragon traipsing through their town square. “We are almost there, Des.” He murmured back as the palace gates came into sight, “Be careful when you take that thing off. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.” “I will do it in the air. I am not an idiot!” Desmevo growled, though it was exceptionally unthreatening, given the dragon’s size. Before long, Nilo had arrived at the gates, and he was stared down by two guards who were all too happy to threaten them with their snarls and spears. The royal guard was always keen on being unnecessarily rude to people because they could get away with it. “Good afternoon gentlemen,” He bowed with a flourish, “My name is Nilo Pendragon, and I would like to speak to your king and queen. I have some very pressing information I believe they would like to hear.” The guards doubled over in laughter. “Nilo Pendragon?!” The one guard wheezed, curling an arm around his abdomen, “That is a damn good joke! A damn good one!” He elbowed his friend as he wiped tears from his eyes. “This vagabond… trying to get into the castle by saying he’s the Nilo Pendragon. As if! I bet the guy doesn’t even exist. That’s the best excuse I’ve heard all month, John.” Truth be told, nobody ever really believed Nilo upon first glace. Still, Nilo shook his head and persisted. “I assure you, I do not jest. I have word that your kingdom is in danger, and it is imperative that I-” Nilo was cut off by a spear at his nose, the sharp end nicking his skin. “Leave now.” The harshly spoken words caused him to step back, and he raised his hands in the air. “Your little joke was funny and all, but you are not getting any closer to these gates, understand?” Nilo didn’t speak another word. Instead, he reached for his satchel, and opened the flap. Out from it flew the small, dark form of Desmevo. He twisted up into the sky with nimble movements, and within the blink of an eye, a dragon of night appeared with a mighty roar. His massive, black wings seemed to cover the sun, and his teeth seemed to glitter in contrast with his pitch colored body. His cry echoed through the city, and the beats of his seemed to create a gust of wind around the small group of men. Nilo tilted his chin up with a smile as the men seemed to cower in the wake of the sizable beast. “Gentlemen, do you believe me now?” |
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Darkseeker
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The land of Khonvoum was at the beginning of a cold winter. Snow had fallen and the evergreens were dusted with white powder creating a sparkling winter wonderland under the bright sunlight reflecting off the white. Far away from the cities and towns, the snow remained white with tracks and trails from animals and individual humans traveling the land. The roads were gray and sludgy with snow becoming dirty and trampled underfoot. The princess, Aodh, was tramping through the sludge. She was one of the many people using the roads in the city. She was extremely loyal to her family, and she felt the shame strongly when one of her family members behaved badly and it reflected upon the family. She wanted her family to have the best reputation and name so that the ruling family the Khonvoum would have the most respect. Nobody would dare stand against them. She had been impatient and did not like being slowed down by etiquette as a child. Her parents forced her to sit through meetings and be quiet. Gradually, her protests died down as she watched her parents in action. She watched them navigating the political waters with grace and confidence that would not have been capable if there were no standards in place beforehand. She wanted to interact with people like that. She knew that she had to be able to manipulate and charm people if she wanted the best for her kingdom, so she threw herself into learning what she had originally seen as having no practical application. She could still make inappropriate jokes or a prank that a sibling would not appreciate, but amongst the politicians and nobles, she was known to be charming, witty, and graceful. While she wanted to be fierce and independent, she also appreciated when someone needed to rely upon her, especially a family member whom she respected and loved. Her mother had entrusted her with the task of going and dealing with the lantern delivery. There was a certain amount that was needed in different areas around the city. It was expected that she would hire the right person to deal with it, but she had chosen to accompany her team herself. There were docks connected to the Heulfryn River where it was popular to send off floating water lanterns. It normally did not freeze until later in the year, and then the citizens could ice skate. She also needed to make sure there were some near the main fields. They tried to keep floating sky lanterns far away from the city as they did not want to burn it down. The younger males considered it all part of the fun and risk of the celebration once they were inebriated. She felt the crunch of snow under her boot as she made her way to a sled that was piled high with different types of floating lanterns. She had to raise her dress to keep the hem from becoming stained and soaked, but not too far that it would seem improper. She wore a thick green woolen dress and many layers underneath. Her cloak was blue with gold embroidery and her green dress had floral embroidery. She was overseeing that Khonvo had enough floating lanterns for any citizen to use for the upcoming Winter Solstice celebration bringing in the New Year. She had been working alongside an accountant at court, and she was excited that her parents had entrusted something different to her this year. She had been working on this since the Winter Solstice of last year. She counted along as accountants counted the lanterns. She had used this as an excuse to get outside and enjoy the beautiful albeit freezing weather. In the middle of counting around five hundred, she heard a ruckus break out behind her. She encouraged the accountants to keep accounting while she headed back to the castle walls to see who was causing the disturbance. Her eyes widened and she froze unsure of what to do next. A black dragon was blotting out the sky. The dragon was making incredibly loud screeching noises, and she was confused about how he had managed to get there in broad daylight without anyone having any warning. What was she supposed to do? She looked around for any of the guards who were supposed to be accompanying her. She glanced behind and was relieved that they were following her. She indicated that the squad leader should come talk to her. After a quick conference, she decided that she was not going to figure out what was going on standing there, and the squad needed to get into a defensive formation. She continued trying to make her way back to the gate hoping that he was not here with hostile intentions, praying that she would not die or live to regret her decisions, and really wanting to meet a dragon. When she saw the man at the gate, her mouth was open between surprise and out of breath. “Pendragon,” she breathed her eyes widening. “He’s real.” He was not dressed normally. Even from this distance, she could tell that he had lived a hard life. A dragon + a rough-looking man equaled Pendragon. He had mystical power and many did not believe his existence. How could men and dragons live in a tribe together? Why would he have been accepted? She noted that the guards at the gate were cowering. Defenseless Aodh was dismayed at the guards’ reaction. However, she did not feel safe either, so she could not blame them. Even though her parents were wary of dragons, they still hadn’t managed to prepare the kingdom for what to do if they encountered one. She beckoned for the squad leader a second time. She asked him if he was willing to stay with her because she wanted someone who would try to look brave and unafraid as she tried to deal with these people at the gate. She did not want to be left behind defenseless. She was relieved when he agreed surprising her although he had been required to swear additional oaths of loyalty when he joined the royal guard. She stepped forward trying to maintain a look of confidence and poise. “Who are you?” she loudly questioned the man standing at the gate. “What is your business here?” She nodded to the squad leader to question his coworkers and report back to her. She needed to quickly assess what was going on here. “Your Highness, he claims to be Pendragon,” the squad leader whispered in her ear. “These men didn’t originally believe him until he managed to produce that great big dragon from nowhere. We made it before they were about to break away to hide, but I’m not sure how much longer their courage will hold out.” “Try to get them to do what they trained to do. Find defensive positions and defend the crown and each other. Send messengers to alert more guards. My family must remain safe, and we need to figure out if there are others. If they are too afraid to fight, have them make sure that there is no one nearby who could get hurt. Have them help people escape, but they should know that desertion is not without consequences, but I don’t have time to think about them right now.” She hissed at the squad leader hoping he could sense that it was not impatience but fear and trying to keep her voice down. “Why do you have a dragon with you?” She wanted to ask more questions about the dragon, but she needed to focus on what was important. |
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Oh, how he took pleasure in watching the men who were humbled before Desmevo tremble with fear. It was the same, everywhere they went. No one ever believed him, and oftentimes they would begin to grow aggressive as these men had. Then, as soon as Desmevo’s dark form filled the sky, and his roar filled the air, they would beg for mercy. Nilo was not known for his violent and angry tendencies, though. He was a bringer of peace and light, a man who dedicated his entire life to helping those who needed it. He just enjoyed a little bit of payback, especially when they cut his nose. He turned his head up to the dragon, who had taken to circling, and occasionally swooping low enough to startle the crowd. “Des,” He called up to the dragon, “Come down. We are here to help them, not terrify them!” Nilo shook his head. His breath came out as a puff of smoke, and he felt a shiver shake his body. He had not dressed warm enough, clearly. “And make it quick! It is damn cold!” “But Nilo,” A gruff voice shouted back, “this is the fun part!” Nilo rolled his eyes. “Fun for you! These guards have all but soiled their breeches!” Slowly, but surely, the dragon landed beside his companion. Nilo leaned up against him for a moment, thankful for the warm that radiated off of his smooth scales. That was until he was shoved away by a heavy wing. Nilo was a cuddler, his best friend on the other hand, was not. With a huff, Nilo brushed himself off and turned towards the female voice that beckoned him. For a moment he halted, as he was faced with a woman with flaming red hair like his, and a face spotted with freckles. The princess. The pause stretched between them, and he shook his head as she spoke to her soldiers, no doubt preparing her defenses against him. “Your highness, we mean no harm.” He wiped the blood from the nick on his nose, “I had to get your attention somehow. This tends to be the only way.” He gestured towards Desmevo with a chuckle, and the dragon blew a hefty puff of air from his nose. “I can assure you he has never tasted a human in his many years of living.” “Well, actually…” The dark creature trailed, licking his lips in faux anticipation. Nilo smacked his scaled neck. “Knock it off, dammit.” Then, he turned back towards the princess. “Excuse him, he may be lacking in human manners. You know, because he’s a dragon.” He offered her an awkward smile. He cleared his throat before his eyes grew wide. “Heavens, I apologize! I forgot to introduce myself. Not that you don’t already know who I am.” He offered her a bow and a lopsided smile. He was quite nervous, but he couldn’t bring himself to show it. He just hoped she did not recognize him, not yet. He had hidden his identity from the world for ten long years. Not even Desmevo knew who he truly was, and he had rescued him from the ashes of his home long ago. He had changed much since then, and he was not the wiry, well-kept boy he was a decade ago. “I am Nilo Pendragon. This is my mentor and closest confidant, Desmevo,” He ran a hand through his windswept hair, as if his fingertips could right the unruly strands again, “and we have some very pressing news for your kingdom.” Nilo looked around at the crowd that had gathered, and he realized that he could not divulge such sensitive information with common folk present. Perhaps they wouldn’t believe him, but if they did, it would cause a frenzy and he did not wish to stir unrest in a kingdom that was not his. He had come here to help solve problems, not create them. He paused for a moment and scratched at his stubble. It was something he always did when he was thinking. “Please, I would like a private moment to speak to you, or anyone in your household who will listen. We are not here to hurt you.” Gloved fingers fisted the cloth that covered his chest as he implored the princess to listen to him. “If you have heard of me and my exploits, you must now know that I am no legend. My exploits are not a tall tale to be told, highness. There is not a lie to be spoken.” He knew that the dragon must be terrifying, but he hoped that his reputation would support him enough. “You know I help people. It is my life’s work, so all I ask is for just a sliver of your precious time, because it is short.” |
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Winter 
Night 
Clear Moon: 
