Dragonsbane

200 years ago, A great evil threatened the Kingdom of Stardonia. Drakus, a sorcerer of great strength marched on the lands with his legion of shadow minions.

Stardonia's King at the time gathered all the races in the land. United, they fought back, repelling the invading forces with much battle. Drakus retreated and went on to brood for another attempt.

100 years ago, Drakus attempted to seize control of Stardonia again, this time by spreading a great sickness across the land. The previous king's son, Orrious, gathered a small band of warriors whom banded together and trekked the land and sailed across the sea to southern most point of the world. Together, they fought with and slew Drakus, creating an era of peace in the world.

But, unbeknownst to Orrious, Drakus cast a spell on him with his dying breath. He cursed that his first born son would bear Drakus's spirit until a day arrived for Drakus to emerge victorious from the grave.

25 years ago, that son was born. Though the second hatching of King Orrious and his queen, he was favored for he was male, and one day he would be crowned king. They named him Xipz, and over the next five years on his life, he was a happy hatching who promised to grow into a fine young Drake and eventually, a handsome dragon.

However, on the eve of Xipz' fifth birthday, the spirit of Drakus arose out of his body to strike Stardonia at it's heart. Taking the body of a young palace guard, he slew the king and queen in their sleep before raising an army of shadow creatures to take over the castle and the capital city.

Orrious's most trusted advisor, an Elf named Rizyu, woke Xipz and his older sister, Phoenix, and helped them to escape the castle. During the escape, Phoenix got separated from them.

Rizyu whisked Xipz across the country side and took him to the home of one of Orrious's old comrades, a Dwarf named D'Bode Bardost, who know lived as a farmer. Xipz was given to him to raise in quiet. The day was lost, and Stardonia's only hope lay in the young hatchling low under the care of D'Bode. Rizyu left for parts unknown.

20 years past. One day, when D'bode though Xipz ready, he told him all of these things so that he might know his destiny. But, under the shock,pressure, and sudden responsibility, Xipz cracked, and ran away, hoping to escape his destiny.

---

The streets were filled with wretched humans and elves. What was worse, they seemed to be happy.

Their only saving grace was that as Thebeus passed them, the looks on their faces turned instantly to fear.

Thebeus was not alone. He traveled with 4 Shadow Soldiers, which rose out of the ground like tall thin trees. Their pointy heads had one grotesque eye in the center and they had no mouth to speak of.

He stopped in front of one of the few buildings in the small town that was still standing. A bookshop.

"How we let one go under the raider for so long is beyond me," said Thebeus.

He walked up to the door and knocked hard three times. Without waiting for an answer, he kicked the door clean off of it's hinges. "Knock Knock," said Thebeus.

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OOC: This is Anga's uncle's book shop.

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The deer was grazing quite happily. It was blissfully unaware of all that was around it. So when an arrow came and pierced it through the neck, it was quite surprised.

Even more surprising was the fact that it still seemed to be alive, despite the fatal wound in it's neck.

This was soon remedied by a weight in the Deer's back and his head was grabbed and jerked sideways. The deer's life ended right then in there.

Vladimir looked down at his kill and smiled. It was a large buck. Plenty to feed the rest of the tribe for dinner tonight.

He slung the buck over his shoulder and turned to head back to the village.

A tall man spun around at the sound of his bookshop's door being kicked down. "L-lord Thebeus!" The man's name was Halwell Oimak, and before rushing to greet the source of the noise, he gestured for his young nephew out of the room. The boy disappeared from sight, though Halwell knew he would be listening to the ensuing conversation.

The bookkeeper nervously addressed the intruder with obvious tension. "Hello. . . my lord Thebeus. What an unexpected surprise."

"You dare to speak my name, human?" Thebeus fumed. He grabbed Halwell by the throat and raided him up into the air. "I should eliminate you right now."

His grip tightened. Just before Halwell would have blacked out, Thebeus cast him aside. "But that is not why I am here," said Thebeus.

He turned to the Shadow Soldiers. "Round everything up. And not just the books. Anything flammable and pile it up into the street to be burned."

The four shadow soldiers started slinking around the shop, taking armfuls of books and piling them up outside.

Thebeus stood over Halwell. "How you managed to keep so many books after we took such great care to have them all destroyed in the early years of Lord Drakus' rule is beyond me, but it matters not now. You were a fool to put them on display like this.

"Ah-I-I beg your pardon, my lord. I'm afraid the--AAGH!" Halwell was about to apologize when he was suddenly lifted into the air by his neck. The hidden youth listening to this gasped at the sound of his uncle gagging in Thebeus' grip.

And at that moment an idea struck him. Quietly he dashed down the hall and up the stairs to the attic of the small building. From there, Anga Oimak tiptoed through the dusty space to the trap that he devised for the taller unwelcome visitors and that was operated with his air magic.

This trap was a loose plank skewered by an axle right above the doorway. Holding his breath, Anga sent a gust of wind onto one end of the plank, smacking Thebeus right on the nose.

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OOC: Now, I don't know how smart this move was. It probably only made things worse. . .

And I need to go to bed, since it's one in the morning where I am. Good night~

The plank passed harmlessly through Thebeus' head.Thebeus looked up, catching a glimpse of Anga. "I suppose you think you're clever, don't you boy?" he growled. He glowered down at Halwell. "You'd best mind your boy, your it'll be your neck on the line next time."

Halwell stared up up at where the results of his nephew's futile attempt to help him. "Please forgive us, my lord."

Anga wanted to say something, but no sound could make it up his throat. All he could do is hang his head in defeat. 'Stupid Thebeus. Why would he want to burn our books? It's not like they're all titled "How to Dethrone A Crazy Dragon Dictator. . ."'

"I am afraid you will find I am not the forgiving sort," said Thebeus. He turned to the Shadow Soldiers, who had just finished piling up the books.

Thebeus walked out of the shop and immediately pointed at a nearby elf, who had been watching the spectacle.

"You there, elf," said Thebeus. "Know you any fire magic?"

"I-I do, great one," stuttered the elf.

"Set that pile of books aflame. And the shop too while you're at it."

The elf looked back and forth between Thebeus, the book pile, and Halwell. He looked apologetically at Halwell before the pile of books erupted into flame. The Shop soon followed suit.

Thebeus looked out amongst the people gathered. "Let this be an example to you all. Anyone else harboring any illegal goods, especially knowledge, shall suffer a similar fate. Go about your business."

Thebeus walked down the street and was prepared to melt into the shadows with his soldiers in order to return to the castle, when something caught his ear.

A conversation between two elves on the street.

"I'm telling you, it was the oddest thing," said one. "A dragon plowing the fields. Only non-dwarf in the whole village."

"Imagine that," said the other. "A dragon raised by dwarves."

Thebeus marched up to the two. "You there, where might I find this village."

The elf who spoke first started shaking in fear at Thebeus's presence. "S-south," he said. "About a day and a half's journey by horse."

Thebeus grinned. "Excellent," said Thebeus. He and his soldiers immediately melted into the shadows and were gone.

The man returned the look from the elf with one of understanding. He then looked up to the ceiling above which his nephew was still standing. "Anga, gather your belongings. We must leave."

With a grim feeling coming over him, the boy obeyed. In his room, he quickly scooping up what few things he owned into a leather bag, and left his home for the last time. Halwell gathered as much food as he could, and dashed out as his livelihood was reduced to ashes.

Anga didn't speak as the bookshop burned down. He could just glower and think.

'All I want is to fly far, far away from here, somewhere Drakus can't reach. I wish I could go to the ocean and leave all this behind. . . I'll bet the ocean is beautiful.'

- - -
OOC: I would like to see some more info on this world you've created. A map would be cool, just the fantasy writers of old!

OOC: Here you go! I posted them on the sign up forum for easy future access.

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The Elf, named Noll, that had been forced to burn down the book shop rushed inside as soon as Thebeus was out of sight. He called out to Halwell and Anga, keeping the flames at bay with his magic until they could get out.

Once they were all clear, he released his hold on the fire and the building burned.

"I am sorry, Halwell," said Noll. "Please, allow me to offer up my home in the mean time. My wife and I don't have much, but all that we have is welcome too you."

"Many thanks, Noll," Halwell replied to the Elf. "I assure you that my nephew and I won't be of any trouble."

Anga just stood staring at the smoldering building with wide blue eyes. He was born in that house, and had existed in that house, but he never would again. The boy was snapped out of his daze by Halwell grasping his shoulder, motioning him to come with him to their new temporary home with the elf that was forced to burn down his home.

- - -
OOC: I'm gonna wait to post as Huberta until she's relevant. And where's Lyne?

OOC: Here I is! Lol, I've been busy. D8
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Telzack Durn was just passing through, honestly, no devious intentions other than maybe stopping by the local house of liquored patrons. Places such as those held the most fun of many sorts. If they even had one here.

The dragon tried not to draw so much attention to himself but soon stopped caring. Judging by the stares, maybe dragons weren’t keen on this place. Who knew? Telzack could understand why, though.

He sighed irritably, and almost made his way outside the town to take flight—he wasn’t inconsiderate all the time—when the smell of smoke and a rising flame rose like a beacon a short distance away.

Telzack’s copper-gold eyes watched the orange flicker, debated with himself for a moment, then finally decided he might be needed. Someone could get hurt. So he sauntered toward the flame’s general direction until he stumbled upon the burning bookshop.

He frowned, interest peaked. This could only mean one thing. Well, one thing with a few possible instigators, but whatever.

The real question here now, since he heard no screaming other than the hushed gasps of shock and awe, was where did the more than likely shaded culprit get off to?

Thebeus cautiously entered the throne room and knelt before the pitch black scaled dragon who sat in it.

"Master, I bring bear good news," the said. "I believe we have found the one that bore your spirit. The Young drake named Xipz."

Drakus was silent. He just glowered down at Thebeus.

"What would you do with this information, my master?" asked Thebeus.

"When did you gain this information?"

"In a small town south of here, a few hours ago," said Thebeus.

"So instead of going to kill the pest, you came here?"

"Yes, my lord," said Thebeus. "I thought you should know.:

"You disappoint me, Thebeus," said Drakus. "Now go and see to the pest's destruction before I destroy you."

---

"It is the least I could do," said Noll. "Come, let us be away from this place."

He led the two back to his incredibly small home. It, in fact, was in a run down, sightly destroyed building. Drakus' rule had not been kind to this town.