Post by Horatius on Mar 24, 2014 21:21:33 GMT -8
Exposition for Krix (doubtfulmusician)
The large, serpent-like being hovers before you, flapping its rainbow wings to keep itself at your eye level high in the trees.
"You must know what you have unleashed upon the world, mortal. The dragons of this world are powerful, yet have been relatively peaceful these many centuries."
Its highly intelligent eyes stare into yours. "It would be best to keep it that way."
"Long ago, the dragons, be they Chromatic or Metallic, warred not only with each other, but among themselves as well. Their territories had grown needlessly large, and harshly defended. Dragons began allying with one another in order to claim larger swaths of land. In a landslide of arms races, alliances were made and broken, to the point that finally, two fully united factions arose: the Good-Hearted Metallics and the Cruel-Minded Chromatics. About 2000 years ago, these factions broke into full-scale war. At the apex of this war, many species and planes were endangered by the magics involved. Thus, the 5 Primal Dragons, each from another plane of existence, made their stand. It was stated that the dragon clans were too evenly-matched. They must either reach a truce or find themselves wiped from the material plane.
"Begrudgingly, the dragons formed a council, with a member of each type representing all others of its color. They agreed on a set territory size, and many other concession as well. Over time, this council became more comfortable with peace, and it has remained so ever since, with dragons having less and less of a claw in the dealings of other beings as the years have progressed.
"The dragon you unleashed was known to the common tongue as Acridus. Born over 800 years ago, he, like many dragons of the time, lorded over those within his domain. Clever and cruel, he ruled over the Vanarans of this region. Dissatisfied with this, he began plotting; he intended to disturb the balance of power, and return to the old ways he had heard about as a wyrmling. He had his slaves begin gathering many treasures suited to his plots, but being so clever, he also knew that others would appose him. Thus, he set in motion the process of becoming a fabled Dracolich.
"As a guardian of good, I found out Acridus' plans. I knew we could not simply kill him- he would merely become more powerful that I could ever imagine. With the secret help of the monkeyfolk, I had them instead pervert the purpose of his temple, sealing him within. There he remained until now, whereupon you not only freed him, but gave him his lichdom. He is now out of my reach, beyond my power to stop alone, and he will resume his attempts at bringing war to the lands. Such a war would tear the world apart, and responsibility would rest in your hands."
He shifts his attentions to the arrows in you quiver. "I know you are a dragon hunter. I also know you hold the means to destroy, with a sole shot, the body of such a terrible being. Should you be able to do so, and destroy his phylactery, the world would be in your debt. Should you refuse or fail, you will be in debt to it- a debt that will be paid with your life, claimed by Acridus or his war. Will you accept this burden?"
The hard gaze of the snakelike face awaits your response.
The large, serpent-like being hovers before you, flapping its rainbow wings to keep itself at your eye level high in the trees.
"You must know what you have unleashed upon the world, mortal. The dragons of this world are powerful, yet have been relatively peaceful these many centuries."
Its highly intelligent eyes stare into yours. "It would be best to keep it that way."
"Long ago, the dragons, be they Chromatic or Metallic, warred not only with each other, but among themselves as well. Their territories had grown needlessly large, and harshly defended. Dragons began allying with one another in order to claim larger swaths of land. In a landslide of arms races, alliances were made and broken, to the point that finally, two fully united factions arose: the Good-Hearted Metallics and the Cruel-Minded Chromatics. About 2000 years ago, these factions broke into full-scale war. At the apex of this war, many species and planes were endangered by the magics involved. Thus, the 5 Primal Dragons, each from another plane of existence, made their stand. It was stated that the dragon clans were too evenly-matched. They must either reach a truce or find themselves wiped from the material plane.
"Begrudgingly, the dragons formed a council, with a member of each type representing all others of its color. They agreed on a set territory size, and many other concession as well. Over time, this council became more comfortable with peace, and it has remained so ever since, with dragons having less and less of a claw in the dealings of other beings as the years have progressed.
"The dragon you unleashed was known to the common tongue as Acridus. Born over 800 years ago, he, like many dragons of the time, lorded over those within his domain. Clever and cruel, he ruled over the Vanarans of this region. Dissatisfied with this, he began plotting; he intended to disturb the balance of power, and return to the old ways he had heard about as a wyrmling. He had his slaves begin gathering many treasures suited to his plots, but being so clever, he also knew that others would appose him. Thus, he set in motion the process of becoming a fabled Dracolich.
"As a guardian of good, I found out Acridus' plans. I knew we could not simply kill him- he would merely become more powerful that I could ever imagine. With the secret help of the monkeyfolk, I had them instead pervert the purpose of his temple, sealing him within. There he remained until now, whereupon you not only freed him, but gave him his lichdom. He is now out of my reach, beyond my power to stop alone, and he will resume his attempts at bringing war to the lands. Such a war would tear the world apart, and responsibility would rest in your hands."
He shifts his attentions to the arrows in you quiver. "I know you are a dragon hunter. I also know you hold the means to destroy, with a sole shot, the body of such a terrible being. Should you be able to do so, and destroy his phylactery, the world would be in your debt. Should you refuse or fail, you will be in debt to it- a debt that will be paid with your life, claimed by Acridus or his war. Will you accept this burden?"
The hard gaze of the snakelike face awaits your response.
