Intro
Deep in the mountains, far past the city of Crocus and near the border of Ishgar. A system of tunnels and caves sit forgotten but the tiny villages and towns scattered over the hills and valleys. Not a soul of the locals had set a single foot near any of the entrances and none had ventured inside in several generations. The mines that were the reason for the tunnels, were empty of ore and had been abandoned so long ago.
But the tunnels held strong and solid. The many entrances closed off and sealed with magic, invisible to the eye even if someone was looking. There was one way in and one way out. High on a cliff face, treacherous to even the most skilled climbers, there's a ledge. Just big enough to stand on, with a near hundred foot drop to the stones and trees beneath.
Now the entrance is a strange thing. It's a sort of stone door. Thick and strong, and full of very old magic. There is no handle. There is no visible seam to split the door. There are no hinges. But there's runes. Very old runes. A lost language that only a select few even know about, let alone could read or speak. Letters similar to claw marks, written in even lines and around the center of the door.
In the center of this stone door, that had no hinges and no handles, is a circle. In that circle are five small gouges. If a man puts his hand to this center piece, he will find its smooth and almost indented to fit a palm. And the marks in the stone are set deep, as if the paw of a beast had slammed down, and sunk its claws into the smooth stone.
It's a dragons door. Taller than three grown men and wider then ten. This door is covered in protection runes, written in draconic. The lock set in the door only a dragon can open without harm to himself, death. Because if some lone hiker or explorer finds the door, they will not survive trying to open it, let alone touch the door. It will pulse such powerful magic, the person will go flying off the cliff and to most certain death deep below.
The tunnels are not empty. The occupants safe inside and protected by the door that their draconic parents created. There are few who live deep in the mountain. Growing stronger and powerful, hidden deep in the caves and valleys. They live and learn their craft. Their magic grows stronger every day.
For its dragon slayers in those caves. Hidden from the world and learning their magic. Making it stronger, training and learning. Safe from prying eyes. From those wishing to use their magic. Their dragon parents banded together, used their ancient magic to protect their adopted young. Knowing that they would need the safe haven to live and thrive.
But then their dragons vanished with not even a wisp of smoke. And the children are left alone in the mountain. They are safe, so long as the public slayers never find them. As long as no one, finds them.
Hidden, but not for much longer.