The Dragons of Ragnos

[AriesWolf]

Welcome to Ragnos!

A world of Nobility, Knights, and Assassins. Leoric King of Ragnos' reign of peace and prospertiy has finally ended, after 60 long years. The King has left no heir male or female, and the throne is contested, by the greatest of the noble families. The Brackens of Riverdale, Abbots of the Redcoast, and the Holdens of Stormgarde.

All claim to be relatives of the king through ancient lineage. And all are preparing to go to war over the right to the throne. Most Ominous of all Dragons have returned to Ragnos, the fearsome beasts of legend are known to resurface in times of great strife and terror amongst the populace.

As the Dragons move to choose sides in the worlds conflicts or simply terrorize the country side, 4 young people two men and two women will be choosen by the greatest of newborn dragons to restore balance to the world and discover the heir to the throne.

The world of Ragnos is simply a continent on the planet Shiro. The people of Ragnos believe their is nothing beyond the seas to that border their lands on all sides.

Riverdale is in the northern most part of the Continent and is of course a country rife with streams, brooks, rivers, and beautiful lakes. It's people are hardy as it's winters are devastating. Wood and iron ore are the areas most plentiful resources, and the people who reside here capitalize on it. Mostly humans and Felinshao reside here.

The Red Coast is to the the Far East of Ragnos:
The people of the Red Coast Live a peaceful and generally pacifistic lifestyle. They are typically elves or humans and are a well educated and well groomed people, they are fisherman and sailors by trade, moving goods along the coastline to various countries.

Finally Stormgarde is in the deep south of the world. It's Dwarven and human people are warriors and miners, as its country side is mountainous and plagued by goblins and other vile creatures.

The Imperial city is the place where the Emperor/ess or King/Queen rule from. It is located in the dead center of continent and is accesible by road or river. It is a massive sprawling city with many districts slums and churchs.

Playable Races:

Humans

Elves

Dwarves

Felinshao (Cat People literally like Anime Cat girls except with male members of the species as well.)


(This Thread is open to a maximum of 8 people 4 riders and 4 others you may play as just a rider, just a dragon or the the pair WE need villians!)
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MY CHARACTER:
Name: Invictus
Age: 1
Race: Black Dragon
Gender: Male
Rider: Mirah
History: Invictus is a newborn dragon with alot of power. He can breathe acid or fire as he desires a maximum of four times a day. He is limited because of his age. He is monstrous for his age, though not large for a dragon, he is about the size of a Drafthorse with a wing span of 20 feet. He was sent across the Ocean to help restore balance to the world of Ragnos.


PM IF INTERESTED

 

[EHawkins]

Here she is...

Name: Mirah Sol, The Raven of Red Hook
Age: mid 20’s
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Dragon: Invictus

Image of Mirah:
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q216/Linga_Sharira/a15946_bust_1.jpg

History:

When Mirah was babe, her parents came to the Imperial City to try and make a better life. Things didn’t go so well… Life in the Imperial City was much harder than the young couple anticipated, and everything began to spiral down. Mirah’s father eventually abandoned she and her mother, and when Mirah’s mother couldn’t care for her anymore, her mother abandoned her.

At a young age, Mirah learned to survive by being cunning and learning how to steal with impunity. At first it was food, but her thieving escalated to noble’s coin purses as she got older, and eventually to their homes. Soon, no place was safe from her…

Mirah lives in and operates out of a well known slum of the Imperial City called Red Hook. She takes good care of the people down there—a portion of what she steals always goes back to them. In return they keep her identity a secret from the city guard who’ve dubbed her The Raven of Red Hook and have recently put a price on her head.

Sometimes Mirah accepts jobs for the right price. People who wish to work with her, leave instructions in a dead-drop location of which there are several around the city in key places, (in loose bricks of specific buildings, under the corners of roofs of certain houses, etc.). She has at least one “patron”, a nobleman, from what she can tell, who regularly sends her out to acquire pieces of art and antiques. Sometimes from other nobles and sometimes from traders or stores who deal in those things. She’s usually paid pretty well for her efforts.

Presently, Mirah’s laying low with the price on her head, and she’s trying to find out who she has to bribe to make it go away…

*****​

If you approve, PM me when you're ready to play Aries, and I'll post a lead in for Mirah

 

[Optimas]

Arganoth of the south - And the gift for the future

Name: Snag-fur - AKA - Sharm
Age: 60
Race: Goblin
Gender: Male
Dragon: Moonstar - A baby dragon that as the story progresses is born under the watchful eye of Sharm. Sharm does not believe he is worthy to be a part of Moonstar and his future. However under extreme duress Moonstar becomes Arganoth and shows Sharm what would happen if he did not watch over Moonstar.

Prologue:

The giant slits open, a deep glowing red penetrates the gloom of the cave. The goblin gulps, his torch spluttering as his eyes affix to the dragons features. A massive head with eyes now staring right through his very soul, Snag-fur the goblin felt very, very small.
The cave rumbles and a deep voice grumbles,"Ahh, is it time already, you must be breakfast." Snag-fur drops his torch to the floor, it extinguishes with a thankful hiss. Snag-fur follows the torch to his knees placing his hands flat to the floor.
"Noo master,"Snag-fur`s voice was high pitched," I come to save your life, I am snag-fur of the hidden shamans, and I bring you news."
Snag-fur felt a breeze and could hear cracks as joints crunched and clicked. Even though snag-fur was scared he was unsurprised at the bones being weary, by all accounts Arganoth was the dragon king of the south and was older than the mountains themselves. The red eyes were high above him looking down now.
The voice boomed again, "I only jest my friend your secret clan have kept me alive longer than the gods intended, and your tribe all smell the same - good goblins are very rare. You have nothing to fear in my den."
"But its you who must worry I am already too late,"Snag fur stood up and continued ,"Shargnal the evil goblin warlock has placed a magical seal on your den, you are trapped. He thinks you are in the way of the dark future he has foreseen."
"Relax young goblin, he can see what he wants but it is he who is helping me, do you know how dragon gods pass on their genes? If the world still needs me then I will be reborn have no fear of that but first I must die."
Snag-fur did not understand - light blasted around the caves expanse, roaring sound and heat blasted into the top of the cave, some torches lit. Snag-fur stood in awe not one of his descendants had ever seen Arganoth in full - he was monstrous a giant beast scaled and evil looking, but awe inspiring. Arganoth grabbed Snag-fur in a taloned claw and lifted him to a small opening in the ceiling - he was gentle,"Master of the hidden shaman clan, you have always acted in secret for the good of the land and watched over an ancient dragon. Now I need you to do more, you must make sure I can be reborn, the world needs me, but most of all the world needs you snag-fur. At the end of this tunnel there is an egg, you must take this and watch over it for twenty full moons, by then if all goes well you will know what to do. I will might see you again one day my friend, now go." Snag-fur`s mind reeled at this as he stumbled up the slippery tunnel, he took a new torch and moved deeper into the mountains center. Snag-fur just about heard the last words from Arganoth, "Oh and snag fur , change your name you will have to prove your good to many people. Farewell." Far behind him a moment later snag-fur heard the worst sound in his life it made him feel cold to his very core, it was the last war cry of Arganoth - The Dragon god of the south.


(Hope this is ok, if not I can change it?)

 

[AriesWolf]

Invictus was tired. The long flight in the storm had exhausted him, his wings ached and his head was pounding. His 12 foot long body simply could not stay airbourne much longer. He was lost, silly humans! Why did he have to help them? Why was he of all the dragonlings chosen to bond with a human?

He knew the answer to that of course, he was the only Black dragon born within the last 20 years, and for such a bond to take place the dragon must be under 5 years old. He didn't think he could fly another second, and that was when this unpleasant experience became amazngly painful, he was struck by lightning.

He knew he was falling, and he knew he was over the humans big city, but he couldn't really feel anything. His body was numb, and his world was turning black as he plummeted toward the slums. Crashing through the roof of an ugly little house, or a old filthy street, in what was probably the worst part of town.

Then everything was black.

 

[EHawkins]

Mirah Sol, Red Hook.

Invictus was tired. The long flight in the storm had exhausted him, his wings ached and his head was pounding. His 12 foot long body simply could not stay airbourne much longer. He was lost, silly humans! Why did he have to help them? Why was he of all the dragonlings chosen to bond with a human?

He knew the answer to that of course, he was the only Black dragon born within the last 20 years, and for such a bond to take place the dragon must be under 5 years old. He didn't think he could fly another second, and that was when this unpleasant experience became amazngly painful, he was struck by lightning.

He knew he was falling, and he knew he was over the humans big city, but he couldn't really feel anything. His body was numb, and his world was turning black as he plummeted toward the slums. Crashing through the roof of an ugly little house, or a old filthy street, in what was probably the worst part of town.

Then everything was black.

Red Hook…

The stink and rot of the most infamous slum in the Imperial City permeated everything. It had once been a beautiful part of the city, but it had long since been taken over by gangs of cut-purses, enterprising thieves and murderers… The dregs of the Imperial City’s society ended up here amongst the shabby taverns, gambling dens, whore houses, and run down shacks. Even they knew to not to question anything odd by day and stay inside their shacks at night…

Tonight, its most infamous resident, the Raven of Red Hook, wove her way through the shadows of the slums. She dropped down from the rooftop of a building and looked around…

This is the place… Mirah thought, as she looked around the dim back ally. Where is he?

There was a man—Luclin—that she was supposed to meet from the city guard. For a price, he’d said he could make the bounty on her head go away. Mirah heard the scuffle of feet, and pressed herself against the crumbling brick of the building in the darkness. She peered around the corner and saw city guard who held a man against his will.

“Where is she?”

“I… I don’t know!” the man sputtered.

“You were supposed to meet the Raven, yes?” another man, the captain of the guard said. “Luclin… of all people, you were the last that I thought would end up in her pocket.”

“Bloody hell…” Mirah murmured as she watched them beat Luclin.

Luclin gave up two spots where her dead-drops were located—two spots she’d have to change now, but nothing more…

Gotta get out of here before they see me…

Mirah quietly bound onto a barrel and hauled herself up onto the roof of one of the buildings again. She saw the city guard drag Luclin away, along with her chance of getting the bounty taken care of.

“Fan out,” she heard the captain say. “If the Raven’s around here, I want her found and brought to me, understood?”

Mirah watched them go from the roof. She’d have to find a safe place to hide for the night. She turned, poised to jump to the next one, when suddenly something huge smashed through the roof. It nearly missed her, but she lost her footing on the edge of the hole that it left and she fell in after. She hit something that wasn’t the floor but wasn’t soft either. She struggled to get up, the wind knocked out of her, and saw something black and reptilian…

“What… what the hell is this?” she gasped.

In the distance, she could hear footsteps running on the broken cobblestones towards what was left of this house…

 

[Optimas]

Snag-fur becomes Sharm of the south.

"Oh and snag fur , change your name you will have to prove your good to many people. Farewell." Far behind him a moment later snag-fur heard the worst sound in his life it made him feel cold to his very core, it was the last war cry of Arganoth - The Dragon god of the south.

Snag-fur was cold, and tired. He had walked through the secret mountain pass and had made his way inland. It had taken him a long time, the moon was coming up full tonight.
So that is the first moon, he pulled a leather bag off his back and sat down on some rocks. Snag-fur pulled a golden egg out of the leather bag and lay it on the floor. It seemed to glow pulling power from the moonlight. Snag-fur was glad he did not have to sit on the egg. He laughed quietly to himself as he collected some wood for a small fire.
After some minutes he had a small blaze going and lost himself in thought. So what shall my name be? he pondered as he remembered the Arganoth`s final words. Absentmindedly he rubbed the egg with his hand, it felt smooth and warm. He was still thinking hard about his new name he did not hear the bandits approach.
Snag-fur cursed himself as he heard the men approach from behind him but it was too late they were too close.
"so what do we ave ere then?" a big gorilla of a man stepped into the clearing.
"Don`t goblins always stick in stinking groups," another man smaller than the last moved in behind the first. He was small but his eyes held an evil glimmer.
"I am just a wanderer who passes through this country," Snag-fur protested," and I have nothing of any value."
The big man slid a sword out from behind him with a slow ease of a veteran. He pointed the sword at the egg that glowed by the fire. "Wat bout that then? Aye - you stinking goblin?" He moved a step closer ,"You are scared and now . . .Ngh...gh." The big man dropped to the floor with a throwing knife in his throat. Snag-fur stood stock still, the hand that had thrown the blade was still out in front of him. His other hand held the hilt of a hidden sword.
The small man looked at the blood pool around his comrade with ease, he had been around death alot, Snag-fur cursed his god - surprise had failed he would still have to fight.
"There is a big price on your head, little goblin, but if you give me that egg you can go free. What do you say, Sharm here wont hurt you." Snag-fur looked at the man he was about 5` 10" tall and stocky, a born killer. Snag-fur was what all goblins could be, if they were free and trained to fight alone. Snag-fur was fast agile and deadly.
"I tell you what Sharm, I will keep your name alive, as I like it. You on the other hand. . . will die." Snag-fur pulled the magic blade from his side and stood there holding just a sword pommel with no blade. Sharm the bandit laughed and slashed the blade towards Sag-fur, but the goblin was too quick he glided backwards. He twisted the sword hilt downwards and Sharm`s sword was hit with a metal twang - Sharm did not hear this though as Snag-fur had forced the blade-less sword against his belly. Out of the slouched Bandit`s back stuck an evil looking blade covered in gore. Snag-fur pulled his blade clear and let the bandit fall dead to the floor. Snag-fur checked the bodies of the men, and pocketed some gold pieces and some bread. He cleaned the magical sword and once all the blood was clear of the blade it shimmered and disappeared.
Snag-fur had been given the magical sword once he became the leader of the hidden shamans. He moved his hand where the blade should be and once happy tied it to his side. He placed the throwing knife back to the inside of his cloak and tied it around him. The egg was quickly wrapped back up and slipped on to his shoulders, Snag-fur poured dirt onto the fire and it hissed itself to nothing.
Now only moonlight poured into the clearing, Snag-fur turned to the darkness behind him aware that a scout had remained hidden and shouted into the gloom, "You shall now know me as Sharm! I am not called Snag-fur any more I am not a Goblin raider, I am Sharm of the Hidden Shaman clan and i will kill all who stand in my way." Sharm the goblin slammed a smoke bomb to the floor, and he bolted, he moved through the woodland with ease and abandon, knowing has was not being followed he stopped and then was . . . sick.
Sharm mopped his hand against the spittle on the side of his green mouth, he laughed - that was the first people he had killed, his training must have been good. He gathered his thoughts - well they must be after me now and Shargnal must be searching for him.
Sharm pulled his cloak in tight and hung to the shadows as he moved closer to the city in the north. However there was much traveling and many tests still to come.

 

[AriesWolf]

Somehow, Invictus regained conciousness nearly instantly after impact, his eyes snapped open and he was alert. If in alot pain. He felt something warm fall onto his back, something small and light, but none the less alive! He rolled away from the thing which he gathered was a human.

He heard an ominous creaking as he stood up, the second story floor boards would not hold up if he made any sudden moves. His eyes met the humans. A female, probably about 20 years old. She looked rather shocked by his presence, and then something clicked almost audibly in his mind. He relaxed, the pain faded in his body and he knew, this was the human girl he was sent to meet.

He bowed, low and graceful his scaled neck dipping as he did.

"Hello Mirah" he said solemly. His looked at her with wide innocent eyes. Suddenly his young age became startlingly apparent. His lack of worldly experience was enough that he didn't realize this girl might not know why or how he knew her name. To him it was simple, she was to be his rider and that was that, he had found her and now everything would be okay.

 

[blaster8]

Cris

Name: Cris
Gender: Male
Race: Human/Dragon
Age: unknown (appears to be in mid to late 20s)
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 250lbs
(Attached is a drawing of him in his "glory")

Description: Not many have seen him well enough to recognize him. Those that have usually end up dead. In some of the more rural areas of the land, there are rumors/legends about a man that was possessed by a demon and cursed. This curse caused him to cease being human, and to be more...inhuman. None have seen him in his "glory," if you would, and lived to tell about it. The stories come from the lucky ones who have only caught brief looks at him, not enough to identify him in public. He's a fighter, weilding a long sword and shield. He wears armor most of the time: plate armor covering chain mail. The chest plate on his armor bears the image of a dragon, and his shield the head of a dragon. His helmet is designed to look like the upper half of a dragon head, including eyes, nostrils, and small horns. When moving about in public areas, he wears a cloak over everything, making him appear to be just another weary traveler.

*********

It is a stormy night in Imperial City as a man, hooded and cloaked, walks the streets of the slums.

Hearing a crack of thunder, he looks up just in time to see a long black object crash through the roof of a nearby building.

*The young ones have to learn somehow,* he thinks to himself, as he makes his way towards the building, with a small grin on his face.

*********

Inside the building:
It is dark in the room into which the dragon has fallen, but that does not last as the room is suddenly lit with fires that block all the exits, except the hole in the roof. A lone figure is silhouetted against one of the fires, as it stands there, watching. All that can be seen of his face are a pair of eyes that seem to glow with an internal light. The eyes aren't those of a human: they are the eyes of a dragon.

 

[EHawkins]

Somehow, Invictus regained conciousness nearly instantly after impact, his eyes snapped open and he was alert. If in alot pain. He felt something warm fall onto his back, something small and light, but none the less alive! He rolled away from the thing which he gathered was a human.

He heard an ominous creaking as he stood up, the second story floor boards would not hold up if he made any sudden moves. His eyes met the humans. A female, probably about 20 years old. She looked rather shocked by his presence, and then something clicked almost audibly in his mind. He relaxed, the pain faded in his body and he knew, this was the human girl he was sent to meet.

He bowed, low and graceful his scaled neck dipping as he did.

"Hello Mirah" he said solemly. His looked at her with wide innocent eyes. Suddenly his young age became startlingly apparent. His lack of worldly experience was enough that he didn't realize this girl might not know why or how he knew her name. To him it was simple, she was to be his rider and that was that, he had found her and now everything would be okay.

Mirah froze at the solemn sound of her name on this creature's lips. It knew her name. she didn't know how--didn't want to know how--it knew. The floor creaked as she stumbled back towards a window.

Holy hell! she thought, it's a... is that a damned dragon?

She looked out the window. People were gathering outside now, and she could either take her chances with them and a two story fall or the dragon.

Then, the dragon looked at her with those wide, innocent eyes. She couldn't just... leave him. Who knows what the city guard would do to him.

"You..." Mirah started. "Can you... understand me? If you can understand me, then we gotta get out of here!"

 

[Angelus]

OOC:

Name: Alex Relan
Race: Human
Age: 22
Description: Black shoulder length hair. Tall, athletic build. Green eyes. A scar running along his forearm that he has no recollection of getting.
Dragon: Red Female (almost copper); Name: Selangra

History:
Alex grew up in Riverdale, his father was a humble woodcutter but Alex always wanted a bigger life. Lately his dreams have been plagued with images of flying and battling on the back of a large red dragon.
These dreams have consequently made him less predictable and more violent in nature.
He finds that since having the dreams, he has access to a vast amount of information that a simple woodcutter's son would otherwise not have.
He has an instinctual feel for swords and more often than not, is rather skilled with any blade.
Plagued by these unknown dreams and frightening new abilities and knowledge, he went to a local mystic.
When reading his destiny, Shayla suddenly screamed and demanded he leave.
The next day, a mob of local villagers, friends he had known from birth, tried to burn his home down.
Angered by this discrimination, he took his father's axe and killed several of his closest companions.
After this, he fled, knowing that should he ever return, he would be killed on sight.
Now he finds himself in Stormgarde, working as a miner. He still has vivid and often violent dreams and now feels a strong pull towards the horizon and the knowledge of a single name; Selangra.

IC:

He could hear the shouts of the other workers, all of them calling his name but as he stood there Alex was totally oblivious to it. He stood there covered in the grit from the mine and all he could think of was a single name; Selangra. That name had been plaguing him more and more lately, so much so that he could not even work at times and it was driving him mad.
It was then that he felt the hand on his shoulder and whipped his head around to the large man who cringed under the stare. It was the first time Alex had seen his foreman cringe at anything and it was because of a simple look. Alex continued to stand there, looking at the large man who he knew could easily knock him out with one punch.
"Yes?"
"You have been day dreaming again. I want you to go down to the south tunnel; someone found a vein down there and they are a man short. I'm picking you."
It's because you are scared of me, isn't it. You want me as far away from you as you can.

He walked away from the group of men, all the while seeing his foreman's face in front of him. The man was genuinely scared of me and it was because of a simple look. Had the rumour of his fight spread this far into the mines? It had not been his fault. All he wanted to do was work and the previous foreman, a loathsome thing that could barely be called human had told him that he would never amount to anything more than a miner. Alex snapped and the next thing he knew the foreman was screaming with the point of Alex's pickaxe straight through his arm.

He walked deeper into the mine, wishing for the first time in a long while that he was back in Riverdale, helping his Dad with his woodcutting. He shook that notion away and knew that there was more for him than this; it was then that the name came to him again: Selangra. He could see himself sitting on the back of a large red, almost copper dragon fighting a battle in the air against another. He could hear the screams of the people below him, taste the blood in the air and feel the armour around him. It was almost as if he was there, as if he was fighting this battle but it was impossible - he had never been on the back of a dragon before.

It was then that he felt another tap on his shoulder and turned to see the only friend that he had in this place looking at him with a smile on his face.
"So Argus banished you down here as well did he?"
"Yes."
"Cheer up man. It can never be as bad as it seems."
Alex smiled, he didn't want to correct his friend.

 

[blaster8]

Cris

"You..." Mirah started. "Can you... understand me? If you can understand me, then we gotta get out of here!"

There was an ominous laugh that came from the other side of the dragon, followed by the flare of several decent sized fires springing up suddenly, blocking all the exits, save the hole in the roof.

"I don't think you'll be going anywhere soon, unless you can walk through fire. As for the dragon, he's too tired to fly out of the hole he made, and too big to get out any other way. Besides, I need have a few words with him," said a voice from the other side of the dragon. It was a low voice, almost...dangerous.

A lone figure is silhouetted against one of the fires on the opposite side of the dragon from the human, as it stands there, watching. All that can be seen of his face are a pair of eyes that seem to glow with an internal light. The eyes aren't those of a human: they are the eyes of a dragon.

 

[Wolfsister]

OOC:

Name: Selangra (See-long-gra)
Age: 3 (Dragon years)
Race: Dragon
Colour: Red, almost copper
Gender: Female
Rider: Alex Relan
Description: Selangra is, from tip to tail, 33 feet long with an impressive 60 ft wingspan. Her colouring is slightly unusual in that she is not completely red, nor golden. Reasons for which are not known.
Her mother was taken by an unknown illness which rendered her too weak to protect both herself and her offspring from a band of Dragon slayers. Managing to escape, Selangra knew she would not be welcomed by other Red Dragons because of her colouring and increasingly violent tendencies. These tendencies have been brought on by recent visions of a man riding upon her back and battling with him.
Now on her own, she is on a quest to find the meaning behind her strange visions.

IC:
A flash of red streaked across the pale blue sky as Selangra flew above the clouds. Her copper stained wings trembled with effort as she tried to keep aloft, her talons clenched in pain as she struggled to drag her weight through the air. Her breaths came in strained pants and she looked longingly towards the solid earth. If she could but just rest a few moments... but she knew that this was the territory of another and that she would not be welcome. If she did not land and rest soon though, she knew that she would fall. She would not survive.

Suddenly, one of her wings gave out and folded underneath her. She gave a mighty shriek as she spiralled into an uncontrolled dive towards the earth. Struggling, the wind rushing past her head, she tried to unfold her wing. She stroked with her other frantically to try to slow her fatal plummet. She gave another bellow of alarm as she felt her other wing begin to weaken.
With a mighty effort and an intense burst of flame she snapped out her wing. Her fall slowed and the pain of keeping her wings straight made tears form in the corners of her eyes. All she could do now was glide towards the ground and hope that her wings would not fail her again.

She crashed into the ground, her hind legs crumbling under the sudden impact. Though not as hard as it would have been, the landing still knocked the wind out of her large lungs. A dust cloud rose around her as she skidded along the dirt, coming to rest a short distance away. She lay there for a moment, gathering her thoughts and breath. It was too painful to move and she felt like just laying there and falling asleep. It was soon apparent though that she would get no rest this day. Well, this hour at least.

She heard a bellow to her right, still a distance away but she knew that if it was a Dragon, it would be on her in no time. She painfully twisted her neck to the side in a bid to see what came her way. Her eyes widened in fear as she recognised the figure of a fellow Red drawing closer. The other female bellowed again and a spout of flame followed. She knew she was warning her away from her territory.

Selangra struggled to get up, her wings shaking as she managed to raise to a sitting position. She tried to cry a warning of her own, but her panting would not allow her to draw enough breath for a suitable roar. She took a few steps backwards, her hind legs shaking under her own weight. She was so tired! Another burst of flame issued from the other female and Selangra just kept backing up. She had to take off, she was in no state to fight a fully grown female. She was in no state to fly either, but she had to try.

Spreading her wings brought on a fresh blossom of pain and she finally let out a bellow, her voice carrying to the other female. The other Red checked her flight pattern and instead of heading straight for Selangra, she circled around, keeping the younger Dragon in sight. She recognised the pain in the other's roar and decided to give her a chance to flee. What ever got her out of her territory was fine by the Red.

Selangra gave yet another bellow of pain as she attempted to stroke her wings downwards but they would not give her the amount of updraft she needed to lift her off the ground at a stand still. She'd need a run off. If it had of been any other situation, she would have been embarrassed that she couldn't lift off vertically, but for now, she'd settle for being in the air any way that she could.

Her claws dug deep into the hard packed ground as she attempted to get enough speed for a running start. Her body waddled forward, her hind legs gripping into the dirt for a slight push off each time she stepped forward. She snapped out her wings and let the wind from her passing flow over them, lifting them slightly, she gathered the air beneath her and finally had enough speed to lift herself into the air with an enormous stroke of her tired wings.

The effort made her want to plummet to the earth again but she held on, gliding up into the sky, using the drafts as much as she could, trying to give her wings time to rest. With a last warning blast from the other female, she was away. Sighing with relief, Selangra struggled on.

She would have to cross the mountains. The border between the human world and the Dragon Sanctuaries. Hopefully there, she would have a chance.
Hopefully.

 

[EHawkins]

"I don't think you'll be going anywhere soon, unless you can walk through fire. As for the dragon, he's too tired to fly out of the hole he made, and too big to get out any other way. Besides, I need have a few words with him," said a voice from the other side of the dragon. It was a low voice, almost...dangerous.

Great... Mirah thought. This night keeps going from bad to worse...

The young woman threw her elbow against the window and glass shattered everywhere. She backed against the window sill and surreptitiously palmed a piece of glass in her leather-gloved hand.

Something's not right... Something's not right about this man. He isn't city guard that's for damned sure....

"I don't know who you are but you stay the hell away from me and my dragon!"

My dragon. The words slipped past her lips before Mirah had even thought them. There was a strange feeling about this dragon--a... connection. As much as she wanted to leap out the window, she couldn't abandon the creature, especially with this man who wanted to "have a word" with him.

 

[blaster8]

Great... Mirah thought. This night keeps going from bad to worse...

The young woman threw her elbow against the window and glass shattered everywhere. She backed against the window sill and surreptitiously palmed a piece of glass in her leather-gloved hand.

Something's not right... Something's not right about this man. He isn't city guard that's for damned sure....

"I don't know who you are but you stay the hell away from me and my dragon!"

My dragon. The words slipped past her lips before Mirah had even thought them. There was a strange feeling about this dragon--a... connection. As much as she wanted to leap out the window, she couldn't abandon the creature, especially with this man who wanted to "have a word" with him.

"Ah, so you've figured it out, have you? Well, then I think you might want to stay for the discussion. You might actually learn something. Oh, and you won't be needing that glass shard in your hand. I don't intend to cause any harm to you or your dragon. Besides, it would take more than a piece of glass to really hurt me," the man said as he moved around the dragon to look at the woman.

His features were still hidden underneath his hood and cloak, but his eyes still glowed with the internal light. They still were not the eyes of a human. While his eyes looked similar to the innocent eyes of the dragon, they had an entirely different effect, especially on humans who are already scared. The effect his eyes produced in people was to inspire fear in the person. Exactly what happens depends on who strong the person's will power is. Those with the weakest wills just up a fled from him. Those with the strongest wills seemed unaffected, except for some noticable trembling. Those in between simply froze.

 

[EHawkins]

"Ah, so you've figured it out, have you? Well, then I think you might want to stay for the discussion. You might actually learn something. Oh, and you won't be needing that glass shard in your hand. I don't intend to cause any harm to you or your dragon. Besides, it would take more than a piece of glass to really hurt me," the man said as he moved around the dragon to look at the woman.

Smug bastard, aren't you? Mirah thought, as she cautiously came around to one side of the black dragon.

She still kept the glass palmed. He might be bigger than her, and stronger, but she was sure she could put it in a tender spot if she had to...

"Figured it out?" Mirah said. "Figured what out? I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about. You want to talk to me--to us--then help me get him out of here before we all fall through the floor!"

The creaking of the floor was getting worse and Mirah knew it was going to give way very soon...

 

[blaster8]

OCC: I do think that the dragon should say something right about now.

In character:

Smug bastard, aren't you? Mirah thought, as she cautiously came around to one side of the black dragon.

She still kept the glass palmed. He might be bigger than her, and stronger, but she was sure she could put it in a tender spot if she had to...

"Figured it out?" Mirah said. "Figured what out? I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about. You want to talk to me--to us--then help me get him out of here before we all fall through the floor!"

The creaking of the floor was getting worse and Mirah knew it was going to give way very soon...

"There's no way I can get this dragon out of here. I'm not strong enough to move him. Plus, he can't fly. He's too tired for one, and the second reason why he can't fly is because he was struck by lighting. I can see the burn marks on his back where he was struck. Do you honestly think that a dragon would fall through a roof in this land's biggest city for no reason?" the man said as he continued to walk around the dragon towards the woman.

"As for what you've figured out, I think you have some idea. You feel some sort of connection with the dragon, don't you? That's because there is one. He knows your name because he knows that you and he are bond by fate. Trust me in this. I have more knowledge of dragons than even the wisest in this land. I have been among dragons since long before your parents were born," he continued, with a hint of age creeping into his low voice. "You obviously don't trust me, which is good for you. That lack of trust will keep you on your toes, make you think critically of everything I say, make you ask questions. I'm not going to ask you to trust me entirely because that would be foolish. I just ask you to trust me enough to not be to eager to use that glass shard on me."

 

[EHawkins]

OCC: I do think that the dragon should say something right about now.

<OOC>
Yup. Now would be a perfect time but I don't think this should inhibit Mirah and Cris from talking...

 

[blaster8]

keep going then

 

[EHawkins]

OCC: I do think that the dragon should say something right about now.

In character:


"There's no way I can get this dragon out of here. I'm not strong enough to move him. Plus, he can't fly. He's too tired for one, and the second reason why he can't fly is because he was struck by lighting. I can see the burn marks on his back where he was struck. Do you honestly think that a dragon would fall through a roof in this land's biggest city for no reason?" the man said as he continued to walk around the dragon towards the woman.

"As for what you've figured out, I think you have some idea. You feel some sort of connection with the dragon, don't you? That's because there is one. He knows your name because he knows that you and he are bond by fate. Trust me in this. I have more knowledge of dragons than even the wisest in this land. I have been among dragons since long before your parents were born," he continued, with a hint of age creeping into his low voice. "You obviously don't trust me, which is good for you. That lack of trust will keep you on your toes, make you think critically of everything I say, make you ask questions. I'm not going to ask you to trust me entirely because that would be foolish. I just ask you to trust me enough to not be to eager to use that glass shard on me."

Mirah's eyes darted to the scorch marks on the black dragon's back. The man was right--it was hurt. Her eyes were back on the man again, and he was coming towards her.

"Of course I don't trust you." Mirah snapped. "I'm a bloody thief--I don't trust anyone. Look, I don't understand this connection or who you are, or what's going on, but..."

The closer he came, the louder the floor boards moaned under the weight...

"Stop--stop where you are. If you come any closer, the floor will give!"

 

[blaster8]

Mirah's eyes darted to the scorch marks on the black dragon's back. The man was right--it was hurt. Her eyes were back on the man again, and he was coming towards her.

"Of course I don't trust you." Mirah snapped. "I'm a bloody thief--I don't trust anyone. Look, I don't understand this connection or who you are, or what's going on, but..."

The closer he came, the louder the floor boards moaned under the weight...

"Stop--stop where you are. If you come any closer, the floor will give!"

"I don't think the floor will give," the man said. As soon as he said that, the floor stopped making sound. "Now we can stay and chat. Nobody will disturb us here because they believe the building is on fire." At this, fires light up at the windows, making it appear from the outside as if the building were on fire.

And that's when they made eye contact. While his features were still hidden underneath his hood and cloak, his eyes still glowed with the internal light. They still were not the eyes of a human. While his eyes looked similar to the innocent eyes of the dragon, they had an entirely different effect, especially on humans who are already scared. The effect his eyes produced in people was to inspire fear in the person. Exactly what happens depends on how strong the person's will power is. Those with the weakest wills just up and flee from him in terror. Those with the strongest wills seemed unaffected, except for some noticable trembling. Those in between simply froze.

He did stop moving however, simply because he was near the wound on the dragon. He turned towards it, examining it closely, feeling it with his hands. And on his hands, something glinted from the fire light. It appeared to be scales, but it was such a brief glimpse that it was impossible to tell for sure. While he was turned away, the fear inspired by the eyes went away as well.

Turning back from the wound, he said to the woman, "The injury is bad, but he is young and will heal completely with proper treatment. Of course, I can't treat him here. Once he is rested he should be able to fly out of the city, and you should go with him. When he is ready, I can stage a diversion to get people to look away. I don't want too many people seeing a dragon fly out of here. Where we will meet once outside of the city is to be decided between us. But it seems that the dragon is at a loss for words (OOC: <grin>), so we will have to wait until he finds his voice again." With this last sentence, his voice held some evidence of a grin on his face, despite every feature but his eyes being hidden.

 

[Angelus]

Alex walked out into the bright sunlight and blinked. After the almost complete darkness of the mine any light was a beautiful sight to see. He stretched, feeling every muscle in his body loosen; it was just one downside to being so tall in this place but at least it had done one good thing for him. Even though he was not as big as most of the people in this place his muscles were still well defined.

He looked up at the sun and wondered just how long he had been down there this time; he truly hated being down there. All that he wanted was what kept calling to him, a sense of purpose. He knew that it was out there but he never knew where and it was slowly driving him mad.

He felt someone touch him again, breaking him out of his thoughts and making him turn just to see who it was, smiling briefly when he saw his friend, Samuel standing there. He had just washed the dust off his face but still he looked as though it would never come off him. Just how long have you been down there? How many years have you wasted down in those mines. You might die down there my friend and I do not want that to happen to you.

"Break out of your thoughts my friend. I have something that I want to tell you but not here, there are far too many nosy people around here and I know if they hear this we will not wake up in the morning."

Alex looked at Samuel, skepticism already rising within him but he didn't want to ruin anything for his friend.
"Tell me what you have."

"Not here, let us take a walk and I will tell you."

Alex just looked at Samuel with raised eyebrows, Just what have you gotten yourself into this time?

Samuel took Alex's arm and together they moved away from the mine and through the small camp that was on the side of the mountain. They quickly moved down the track to the town at the bottom and as they did Alex became increasingly angry. Samuel still wasn't telling him anything and he did not think that this would be important enough to bother with.

They moved into their home and as soon as Samuel closed the door he walked to his bed, lifted the thin mattress and pulled out a piece of parchment. He moved to Alex, a large smile on his face and handed the parchment to Alex who unrolled it and began to read it. As soon as he finished it he wanted so very much to start laughing but knew that it would be hard on his friend who he knew wanted so very much to believe in this. He handed the parchment back to Samuel.

"You believe that this is real?"

"I believe that we should go to this place and see if it is real. Just think of it. If what that parchment says is real then we can both become foremen and never have to work in a mine again, we will both be rich."

Again Alex wanted to laugh but he knew that he should not, again it would hurt Samuel so he moved to him and placed one hand on his shoulder.

"When should we leave?"

"I wanted to go now. It is only half a days travel to this cave and if what this parchment says is real then we will never have to work again."

Again Alex was skeptical but there was something that made him want to go, he could feel something pulling him into those mountains. He could here the name again and feel the wind flow over his face, Selangra.

"I do need a wash first Samuel. I have to rest for a bit before we go traveling into the mountains to look for a cave. Do you agree?"

Samuel just smiled.

 

[EHawkins]

"I don't think the floor will give," the man said. As soon as he said that, the floor stopped making sound. "Now we can stay and chat. Nobody will disturb us here because they believe the building is on fire." At this, fires light up at the windows, making it appear from the outside as if the building were on fire.

And that's when they made eye contact. While his features were still hidden underneath his hood and cloak, his eyes still glowed with the internal light. They still were not the eyes of a human. While his eyes looked similar to the innocent eyes of the dragon, they had an entirely different effect, especially on humans who are already scared. The effect his eyes produced in people was to inspire fear in the person. Exactly what happens depends on how strong the person's will power is. Those with the weakest wills just up and flee from him in terror. Those with the strongest wills seemed unaffected, except for some noticable trembling. Those in between simply froze.

He did stop moving however, simply because he was near the wound on the dragon. He turned towards it, examining it closely, feeling it with his hands. And on his hands, something glinted from the fire light. It appeared to be scales, but it was such a brief glimpse that it was impossible to tell for sure. While he was turned away, the fear inspired by the eyes went away as well.

Turning back from the wound, he said to the woman, "The injury is bad, but he is young and will heal completely with proper treatment. Of course, I can't treat him here. Once he is rested he should be able to fly out of the city, and you should go with him. When he is ready, I can stage a diversion to get people to look away. I don't want too many people seeing a dragon fly out of here. Where we will meet once outside of the city is to be decided between us. But it seems that the dragon is at a loss for words (OOC: <grin>), so we will have to wait until he finds his voice again." With this last sentence, his voice held some evidence of a grin on his face, despite every feature but his eyes being hidden.

<OOC> I'll probably stop here for a moment until Aries can catch up

<IC>

Mirah jumped back at the fire that sprang up on the window sill and she glared at the man. His eyes sent a chill through her, but she remained strong and defiant. Her fingers curled around the shard of glass.

If he comes near me, he’ll find this in his freakish eye…

“Are you mad?” Mirah hissed. “This won’t keep people away! They’ll come and try to put it out! If I know Red Hook, there’ll probably be someone stupid enough to try and get inside and look for survivors. If not them, then the city guard!”

Mirah heard people outside now—men calling for water, women screaming about a fire…. In between the flicker of flames, she saw the city guard and swore softly.


I’m not getting arrested because of this man… Mirah thought. If I get caught, they’ll likely add arson to thievery as well. I’m not taking a swing on the gallows…

She looked at the black dragon once more and again, its presence pulled at her. She couldn’t leave him despite the fire, the man, and the people gathering outside. Unbidden, a name rose to her lips, a name that was familiar to her even though she’d never spoken it or had heard it before:

“Invictus…”

Mirah knew in her gut that the name belonged to the dragon. She reached out, tentatively at first and then more sure. She stroked the long scaly neck with a gloved hand…

“I know you’re tired, and you’re hurt, but you have to get up, you have to try!”

 

[AriesWolf]

Invictus was very confused, he was exhausted and had never been very good with mysteries. The man talking to Mirah, he couldn't tell what he was. His scent was that of a human... but also draconic.

The Ominous creaking of the floor didn't stop him from trying to get closer to Mirah. He inched across the floor toward the girl.

"What is he Mirah?" Invictus asked, his wings were twitching in agitation. His mind was racing. This man-thing wanted to talk to them why? He didn't need to! Invictus sorely wanted to just take Mirah and leave, he wanted home! He wanted his nest and all this was making him angry.

"What are you!" Invictus growled. His fangs glinting in the rooms dim light and his wings spreading to make himself look larger. The motion hurt him alot because of his injuries, but his anger dimmed the pain to a point where he didn't even flinch.

A sudden and temporary lack of air in the room would have been the only indication that he was about to breath flame, which of course he did. Sending a powerful blazing cone of fire out and around the strange man but missing him completely. The effort nearly rendered him unconcious once again, and he faltered but remained on his feet.

 

[blaster8]

Invictus was very confused, he was exhausted and had never been very good with mysteries. The man talking to Mirah, he couldn't tell what he was. His scent was that of a human... but also draconic.

The Ominous creaking of the floor didn't stop him from trying to get closer to Mirah. He inched across the floor toward the girl.

"What is he Mirah?" Invictus asked, his wings were twitching in agitation. His mind was racing. This man-thing wanted to talk to them why? He didn't need to! Invictus sorely wanted to just take Mirah and leave, he wanted home! He wanted his nest and all this was making him angry.

"What are you!" Invictus growled. His fangs glinting in the rooms dim light and his wings spreading to make himself look larger. The motion hurt him alot because of his injuries, but his anger dimmed the pain to a point where he didn't even flinch.

A sudden and temporary lack of air in the room would have been the only indication that he was about to breath flame, which of course he did. Sending a powerful blazing cone of fire out and around the strange man but missing him completely. The effort nearly rendered him unconcious once again, and he faltered but remained on his feet.

He's weaker than I thought. I didn't have to do anything in order to not get hit by his fire. That's not good, thought the man. To the woman, he said "Look, there is a way for me to get both him and you out of here without being seen by anyone, but it's a bit on the extreme side. Both you and he will have to agree to it. As for who and what I am, that will have to wait until we meet again outside the city. Now, do you want to hear how I can get you out?"

 

[EHawkins]

Invictus was very confused, he was exhausted and had never been very good with mysteries. The man talking to Mirah, he couldn't tell what he was. His scent was that of a human... but also draconic.

The Ominous creaking of the floor didn't stop him from trying to get closer to Mirah. He inched across the floor toward the girl.

"What is he Mirah?" Invictus asked, his wings were twitching in agitation. His mind was racing. This man-thing wanted to talk to them why? He didn't need to! Invictus sorely wanted to just take Mirah and leave, he wanted home! He wanted his nest and all this was making him angry.

"What are you!" Invictus growled. His fangs glinting in the rooms dim light and his wings spreading to make himself look larger. The motion hurt him alot because of his injuries, but his anger dimmed the pain to a point where he didn't even flinch.

A sudden and temporary lack of air in the room would have been the only indication that he was about to breath flame, which of course he did. Sending a powerful blazing cone of fire out and around the strange man but missing him completely. The effort nearly rendered him unconcious once again, and he faltered but remained on his feet.

<OOC>
Speak of the devil!

<IC>

"I don't... I don't know!" Mirah gasped as the air in the room suddenly rushed out. "I don't know who he is!"

The thief deftly ducked behind Invictus' wings as dragon-fire lit the room. She saw from around a black wing that he missed the man--Invictus wasn't fond of him either...