A/N: and here's the next chapter! If any of you have played the Tyranny of Dragons campaign, you might see a familiar face in this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 4: Home?
The next few years of my life fell into a pleasant pattern. While initially hesitant to approach, the villagers of Riverpoint eventually warmed up to me once they realized I wasn't going to burn down their homes. In fact, some of the younger members of the village allowed me to join them in their games. It was nice to be surrounded by people who didn't want to see me harmed.
Some days were spent studying and learning with Quoros, reading tales of heroes of the past, studying legends of ancient times, stories of dragons who were know for their raw physical might, their fine control over their breath weapons, or even incredibly powerful sorcerers. I began to wonder if I could one day emulate some of these ancient wyrms.
Other days were spent stalking through the forests with Baeshra watching over me in the form of one animal or another through use of his skills as a follower of the Green Faith. It was during one of these times I managed to get out of him why he seemed initially hesitant to my staying here.
"What do you know about the Cult of the Dragon?" asked Baeshra.
'I've read about them," I said, "Do you mean the ones who create Dracoliches or the followers of Tiamat?"
"The second one," said Baeshra, "The cultists that follow her try at least once every century or two to summon her to the material plane. Well, about 20 years ago they decided to try again… and my companions and I found ourselves swept up in stopping her rise to power".
"Wait, are you saying you fought a god!?" I said in shock.
"I did," said Baeshra casually, "I also baited some of the dragons who bent to her will away from the battle by harrying them as a Quetzalcoatlus… basically a larger version of the Pteranodon form I use to keep an eye on you when you go out for a flight".
I just stared for at Baeshra for a moment. It was quite a surprise to learn just how mighty the normally quiet Lizardfolk truly was.
"So... what were your companions like?" I asked.
"Well, there was Greynor, the sorcerer," said Baeshra, "fairly certain he had measure of dragon blood in his veins, though his magic could get a bit… wild at times. Then there was Si'era, she was your classic roguish type… a bit of an odd profession for an Aasimar, being part angel, after all. There was that Half-Orc fellow, Kharn, he like me kept a careful eye on nature, though his power was that of a Ranger… and I can't forget his animal companion, a Dimetrodon he called Gorespine. Oh, and who could forget Barrik! He was strange a man of metal, wood, and stone… called himself a 'Warforged'. He was a Paladin of Bahamut, probably still is, assuming he's not rusted. I haven't heard much from them since our roads took us separate ways".
For the most part, life in the village what peaceful, the only real points of interest were when the occasional visitor came through town… especially the one I met 3 years after I came to live here.
It started like a normal day, with me helping out Quoros with his research. After a morning's study, I headed out with plans to stretch my wings for a bit. However, the town was abuzz with the talk of our most recent visitor. I found him outside the blacksmith's shop, where he was working on sharpening a massive greatsword. He was wearing high quality armor, dented and repaired multiple times. However, what really stood out were his deep blue scales. I'd seen depictions of the Dragonborn before, but he didn't quite match. As a watched him, he took notice of me. As he did, his eye widened, but he then smiled.
"Well, I heard whispers about a young wyrmling in the area," said the warrior, "come on over, I don't bite".
"Uh… hi there," I said, "who are you?"
"Me? I'm Langdedrosa Cyanwrath, wandering warrior," he said, "What of you? What's your name?"
"Well, because was the runt of the clutch," I said, "my father only called me a string of insults. Quoros, the local wizard has taken to calling me Valignatirisk".
"Valignatirisk— 'Burning Star'— A good name. I'm quite familiar with the general behaviors of Chromatics, as you can see," said Langdedrosa, "the Cult of the Dragon had me undergo the rituals to make me a Half-dragon, so I spent sometime around them".
"You're with the cult!?" I said.
"Formerly," said Langdedrosa, "some adventurers who were opposing the cult managed to convince me to change my path".
"Adventurers… do you perhaps know Baeshra?" I asked.
"Oh, him?" said Langdedrosa, "yeah, he was one of them. He and his companions helped get me away from the cult… and got the Harpers to protect my family. I owe them a lot… If they hadn't been willing to show me mercy, I'd probably be lying in dead in a cave somewhere. I guess that's proof of the fallacy that so many, humanoids and dragons alike, believe: that a dragon's nature, be they heroes or villains, orderly or chaotic, are unchanging. From what I've heard you've made progress on the path of defying what the world will expect of you".
"I haven't done much yet," I said.
"I don't know about that," said Langdedrosa, "most tales the bards spin would consider a red dragon like yourself to be the very archetype of an 'evil' dragon. Yet, you've been living here peacefully. You have a long life ahead of you, young one: it's up to you what you choose to do with it".
"So what brings you here?" I asked.
"I'm just resupplying before I get back on the road. I've recently finished dealing with some mad wizard," said Langdedrosa, "he was capturing magical creatures and placing them under a long lasting diminution spell, and displaying them for others gawk at".
"Let me guess… Jukeo Caim?" I said.
"Yes, that's the one. He made the poor choice of kidnapping the wyrmling of the silver dragon Rennyrainth" said Langdedrosa, "I was hired to bring the wizard to justice, and free his victims. How do you know him?"
"I nearly ended up one of his victims," I said, "If Quoros and Jundre hadn't recued me first, I'd of been among those you freed".
"Huh, fate twists in strange ways," said Langdedrosa, "Well, I better get going. Always more work to be done, always another bounty to hunt. Who knows, perhaps we'll meet again one day. Until then, farewell Valignatirisk".
With that, Langdedrosa sheathed his greatsword, and headed on his way. As he left, I though on his words… perhaps I could do some good in the world. Perhaps I could help others, even if they thought badly of me. All I had to do would be find the right ones to aid me. I wouldn't know whether it could be done unless I tried… and I wasn't afraid to defy expectations.
A/N: And there we go! The list of names Baeshra mentioned are the other characters from to same campaign I played him in. Anyway, next time, Valignatirisk begins his journey into the wider world, and to whatever lies ahead. See you then!