Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 9, 2024 15:15:18 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2017 0:05:01 GMT -8
Well out to sea, far away from most island settled with civilization, is a massive island that is extremely difficult to land upon unless you have wings. There is only one fraction of the southern coast that is accessible with a heavy dock built - the rest of the coast around the entire island has long been blocked with raised walls of molten rock cooled and hardened and the natural mountain ranges that extend to the skies around the north and western side. Within the earthen walls is a huge civilization of mostly dragons, of every varying type and size.
There is an expansive city, though not of a size for the larger dragon-kin, built of brick and stone just inside the raised walls by said docks. Those of a smaller size or even the few non-dragons that visit with little problem come through here and some actually reside in the city. The region of the city is temperate and calm, for as a rule of thumb any kin or kind looking to fight or brawl usually take it outside the city walls to open regions where there is less likely to be collateral damage or innocent bystanders accidentally introduced into the squabble.
[image]
Next door to the city, which provides much of the water that sustains the southern area, is a massive lake that cascades over a wide fall into another, even larger lake - with seemingly no bottom beneath the surface. And it's not uncommon to see all manner of dragons within the rivers and well within the lakes, some perching on the rock formations at the fall's edge. Even the odd creature from the sea could be found in the lower lake, as there are a number of tunnels well beneath the water that go through the walls and out to the sea - acting as an entry point for the sea-bound that cannot fly.
[image]
The center-most regions are a mix of forests and expansive plains, with more of the denser packs of trees lying to the east. The open, rolling hills dotted with occasional breaks in terrain are home to a number of wild game and animals for feeding - another rule of thumb mutually followed by most of the dragon kin being not to eat extensively, and allow nature to replenish it's flock else the balance would be at risk.
[image]
The eastern forests are certainly something out of a storybook, and also home to - not only dragons - but a smaller tribe of Elven folk that have made peace with the reptilian neighbors and with nature. It's not uncommon to find the giant trees dotted with a number of homes along their trunks and rope bridges stringing out between them. With the thick canopy overhead, sunlight doesn't touch the ground in these areas too often but it's not in darkness. In fact, it gives way to show the magic and light and beauty within these forests - such as the fairies that dance about openly for any to find. All is tranquil here.
[image]
Farther out to the east, on the other side of the blanket of trees, sits a region that is very damp but hardly marshy. More Elves reside out here, in open fields of rice paddies and smaller, man-made rivers and numerous ponds and small lakes. Koi fish are an overabundance here, popping up in every body of water found - and in a number of colorful designs. A smaller city is here, but more of a farmer's abode than a bustling town. And everywhere, from every tree and banner post and rooftop ledge, are wind chimes - wooden, glass, metal, of many kinds. The air is usually alive with the song of wind chimes, much to the appeasement of the long, lion-esque dragon kin that settle in these parts.
[image]
In the opposite direction, to the west, is a blackened stretch of earth that rises up into mountains and ridges that run along to the edge of the island to the north, but in this direction there are a number of pits and lots of broken terrain - giving away to a number of fiery spots and molten pools that surface or are the remains of the massive volcano nearby. Fortunately, the dragons of fire that generally reside here have carved out enough land to try and stop lava overflows whenever the mountain DOES erupt, as to keep their hot dens nice and warm while not harming the rest of the island.
[image]
The ridges that run from west to north are long and erratic in their build. There are a number of smaller peaks and cliff sides and shelves - as well as a number of caverns - that make for most desirable homes for a number of dragon kin of all kinds. The earthen breed are easier to find here, and make their mark in a number of carved and broken displays to make markers and monuments - the most famous being the dragon-shaped arches said to have been wrought by Tuesirth himself.
[image]
Running the mountain range to the north, the temperatures start to drop and the snow begins to flutter down and whirl about. The mountains punch to the sky like threatening icicles, offering a more frigid environment for the dragons of colder blood. Even the surrounding even lands at ground level below are colder expanses of the plains, trees barren of life and the grass covered in varying layers of snow. The cavern systems beneath these lands are colder, of course, offering more places to dwell for the ice-based dragon kin.
[image]
Of course, with the tunnels and caverns and dug out paths underground in different areas, there's a maze of winding tunnels beneath the entirety of the island - unveiling a number of springs, gaseous chambers, and of course quite a number and variety of gems and ore to be found. But, of course... it's not wise to try and meddle with a claimed hoard. While there is a mutual neutrality between a majority of dragons on the island, it's still not beyond two to fight over claim of finds and hoards that have been brought in.
|
|
Mina the Vassal
Dedicated
A future hero in training.
Roleplay posts: 104 
Age: 23
Physical Description: About 5'4", average build, Caucasian brunette
Clothes and Equipment: Some bargain bin, but well-kept chain mail, a paper-thin horsehair gambeson, and a decent longsword
Registered: Nov 27, 2015 17:47:38 GMT -8
|
Post by Mina the Vassal on Oct 2, 2017 19:33:01 GMT -8
I have lost my mind.
A small, rickety old ship was drifting towards the island's main dock. On board was a gruff orc captain who hadn't shaved in decades and a sparse crew of scurvy-ridden goblins. Oh, and there was a human who was regretting the day she was born.
As if the cosmos were agreeing with her, she heard a mighty roar coming from some distant place on the island. Her face turned pale white.
No, I can't change my mind. I can't change my mind. I can do this. I can do this. I can-
There was another distant roar, and something that sounded like a tree snapping in half far away.
I want my mommy.
Mina the Vassal was not a vassal at all. In fact, her last profession before becoming Doobie's apprentice was a serf on a small potato patch. The nickname came from her dream of being literally anything else, even a slightly upgraded servant. Though her recent adventures had elevated her somewhat, she was still little more than a naive heroine in training. Her only weapon was a rusty longsword. Her only armor was an old set of chain mail on top of a moth-eaten gambeson, some leather boots, and a coif which didn't even cover her neck properly. Her only skills were a few lessons in sword-fighting.
The only significant advantage she had was a strange spirit guardian which her teacher had referred to as a Stand. And while it had proven its worth against common bandits and an enemy mage or two, it was absolutely no match for a dragon, at least not yet. Basically, if she made a single error in judgment while exploring this island, she would be killed instantly.
The dock loomed closer and closer, and in her paranoia she began to see spiked heads and the tips of scaly tails peeking over the massive volcanic walls.
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 9, 2024 15:15:18 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2017 7:02:11 GMT -8
Indeed, there was evidence of dragon inhabitants from over the walls and into the sky. The docks would be the only access point to the island, and with nothing to hinder them from it. The dock was large for a number of ships, some already lashed down in port and a number of workers and crewmen on the pier. The boat would have no trouble from those there, but the sight of orc would likely warrant some staring in a mix of curiosity and confusion. Orcs didn't come to the island much at all, so it was strange to those there - even the tiny pet-sized dragons and smaller, cattle-sized ones that wandered near the docks.
|
|
Mina the Vassal
Dedicated
A future hero in training.
Roleplay posts: 104
Age: 23
Physical Description: About 5'4", average build, Caucasian brunette
Clothes and Equipment: Some bargain bin, but well-kept chain mail, a paper-thin horsehair gambeson, and a decent longsword
Registered: Nov 27, 2015 17:47:38 GMT -8
|
Post by Mina the Vassal on Oct 4, 2017 9:07:36 GMT -8
The sight of other boats and crew workers was reassuring, calming even. This was a place that people visited, perhaps not the wisest people, but still, they were people. Mina took some more deep breaths to calm herself. Everything was going to be alright!
Mina was far too inexperienced to join the Heroes' guild, but she had been told that a single trip here and back would help put some hair on her chest (metaphorically speaking, at least she hoped). The mere sight of a massive dragon was enough to send a non-heroic person into a flying panic, so the ability to confront an island of them would serve as an excellent rite of passage.
Actually, unbeknownst to her, traveling with orcs was a similar trial on a smaller scale, which she had passed with flying colors. Not everyone could spend weeks on a rickety ship with a bunch of smelly green males with enhanced strength.
The boat glided unceremoniously next to the dock. There was a slight lurch that made Mina slip forward, but she quickly managed to stabilize herself on the boat's railing.
"Alright, we're here!" The orc captain yelled. "Hurry up and get moving so you don't get in the way, pinky."
"You're right. I wouldn't wanna break the homogeneity of the group by being the least ugly person here!" Mina retorted.
The orc captain grinned, revealing a toothy, tusky maw. "Good luck kid."
Mina grinned back and trotted down the plank of the boat. She wasn't so much proud of the bantering rapport as the fact that she, a former peasant who could barely read, had used the word "homogeneity" correctly in a sentence.
Now that she was on the dock, she immediately realized something. She didn't know anything about dragons. She couldn't have. Otherwise, the presence of non-behemoth sized super lizards wouldn't have caught her off guard so much. She had never conceived of cow-sized dragons and even dragons that could sit on her shoulder. They were so cute!
And so the very first thing she would try to do is pet the closest little one...
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 9, 2024 15:15:18 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2017 5:39:24 GMT -8
There was a small flock of tiny dragons sniffing about on the docks, looking for dropped fish rather than trying to hunt their own. An itty bitty red one would lift his head as the human came close to pet, and chortled something at her that was nothing more than sound. When the fingers came close, the creature would attempt a bite at her fingers - not necessarily in aggression but not particularly playful either. But this brought the attention of the rest of the group, a small number of colorful little dragons scampering near her on all fours - dragging their wings along the way as they were more wyvern with the membrane being along their forearms than a separate appendage. They were curious to see what was going on with this human.
|
|
Mina the Vassal
Dedicated
A future hero in training.
Roleplay posts: 104
Age: 23
Physical Description: About 5'4", average build, Caucasian brunette
Clothes and Equipment: Some bargain bin, but well-kept chain mail, a paper-thin horsehair gambeson, and a decent longsword
Registered: Nov 27, 2015 17:47:38 GMT -8
|
Post by Mina the Vassal on Oct 5, 2017 9:03:23 GMT -8
"Wah!"
Mina quickly pulled her fingers back. Then she saw them swarm, or was it a flock, or perhaps a gaggle? What did you call multiple dragons this size? She didn't have much time to think about it as the gaggle approached her. She tried to stand up quickly and ended up falling back on her butt. She scrambled to get up and back away from the swarm.
"Umm... ok... this is ok... this is fine. You're fine." While she was soothing herself, she reached into her pack and pulled out a bit of pemmican from her trip. The beef jerky-like substance would give off a pleasant odor to the little dragons.
"Yah, this isn't so bad. They're just like ducks! Ducks with razor sharp teeth... so like ducks!" She tossed the bit of dried meat into the flock to see what would happen.
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 9, 2024 15:15:18 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2017 22:11:08 GMT -8
The smell from the jerky would have every single tiny head perk up and swarm her, following the piece and well after it was thrown. It was very much like dodos attacking a sloth for a watermelon - a flurry of limbs and voracious chirps and growls for that one little bit. Sadly it would be consumed all too quickly by a couple that managed to snap at it and tear it into two even smaller portions.
And then every one of them was looking at Mina expectantly, and waddling over to dogpile her and sniff about for more of the food. Perhaps feeding the birds - er, dragons was not very wise. Hungry little monsters, they were.
|
|
Mina the Vassal
Dedicated
A future hero in training.
Roleplay posts: 104
Age: 23
Physical Description: About 5'4", average build, Caucasian brunette
Clothes and Equipment: Some bargain bin, but well-kept chain mail, a paper-thin horsehair gambeson, and a decent longsword
Registered: Nov 27, 2015 17:47:38 GMT -8
|
Post by Mina the Vassal on Oct 6, 2017 8:23:29 GMT -8
Mina grinned at the cornucopia of little dragons for exactly 1.5 seconds before they all turned their attention to her like she was a giant piece of beef. Then they started waddling towards her. Her expression changed very quickly.
"...Nope."
Mina ran as fast as she could away from the troop. She ran down the dock towards the main dragon town. Interspersed between her thoughts of run run run was a sudden appreciation for the ability to speak to sapient things, which she assumed the larger dragons would be. She doubted she could reason with the troop of little beasts, and decided that indeed, feeding the herd was a mistake.
They're still pretty cute though, she thought as she ran.
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 9, 2024 15:15:18 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2017 7:23:06 GMT -8
She was rather large for the city but if she stuck to the major roadways and around the outskirts, she could manage. Though she stopped in her tracks when she saw the human fleeing from the flock of tiny dragons chasing her in a flurry of wings and chirps.
... as much as she wasn't a fan of humans, she couldn't help but twist her scaly lips in a grimace - and then let out a short bellow at the group to make them disperse and fly out in a number of directions for the sky. With the chase coming to an end, she could only leer at Mina with no words.
|
|
Mina the Vassal
Dedicated
A future hero in training.
Roleplay posts: 104
Age: 23
Physical Description: About 5'4", average build, Caucasian brunette
Clothes and Equipment: Some bargain bin, but well-kept chain mail, a paper-thin horsehair gambeson, and a decent longsword
Registered: Nov 27, 2015 17:47:38 GMT -8
|
Post by Mina the Vassal on Oct 7, 2017 10:13:40 GMT -8
While she did think to herself that she would prefer talking to a larger, sapient dragon as opposed to the flock/gaggle/herd/cornucopia/troop/swarm intent on devouring her, it did not mean she was ready for it. The feathered behemoth suddenly appeared in front of her and bellowed, scaring away her attackers.
She stopped running, her boots skidding forward slightly, and then she looked up, gazing into the leering reptilian eyes staring back at her from 30 feet above her.
"Oh... hell...o."
The future hero in training lost all color in her face and fell on her knees. Then the rest of her torso slowly listed sideways until she had completely collapsed onto the dock.
She had passed out.
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 9, 2024 15:15:18 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2017 22:56:48 GMT -8
Aphelir flinched when the little human woman just... dropped dead in front of her? She would lower her head and sniff to find, nope she was alive. Just unconscious. Had she fainted?
... what was she supposed to do? She thought of just backing away slowly and leaving her there - she wasn't HER problem. Her head swiveled about here and there before looking back towards the edge of the docks where it met the paved cobblestone roads - there was a thick haystack on a sidewalk corner with a resting cart there, and a pair of cows grazing at it. No one else around.
Her nose wrinkled a bit as she huffed a breath when she lowered her head down and nipped Mina by the back of her top - humans always smelled weird, or bad. Like they hadn't bathed in forever. At least she wasn't so bad. But she would quickly trot the limp human over to the bale and drop her unceremoniously into the hay before trying to slink off before there were too many prying eyes.
Humans always made her uncomfortable.
|
|
Mina the Vassal
Dedicated
A future hero in training.
Roleplay posts: 104
Age: 23
Physical Description: About 5'4", average build, Caucasian brunette
Clothes and Equipment: Some bargain bin, but well-kept chain mail, a paper-thin horsehair gambeson, and a decent longsword
Registered: Nov 27, 2015 17:47:38 GMT -8
|
Post by Mina the Vassal on Oct 8, 2017 11:24:58 GMT -8
Mina did not show signs of responding until she was dropped in the haystack. Then she began stirring. It was something like trying to wake up from a bad dream. She knew this wasn't the place to be taking a nap, even a compulsory one.
Just as Aphelir started walking away, she'd hear Mina groaning and struggling to get off the hay bale. The first thing she saw, interestingly, was not the massive dragon, but the cows.
"Wha- was I rescued by cows? Or are these a weird kind of dragon?" Mina said audibly outloud. Clearly she was still a little bit out of it.
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 9, 2024 15:15:18 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2017 13:18:44 GMT -8
She came to a sudden stop when she heard the human speak, having woken up already from the little faint. Her feathers twitched a little bit as she remained still, before carefully turning her head upon the length of her neck to look around her side at Mina.
The dragon continued to move as quietly and slowly as she could, hoping that she wouldn't be spotted or followed by the little human. She didn't like humans...
|
|
Mina the Vassal
Dedicated
A future hero in training.
Roleplay posts: 104
Age: 23
Physical Description: About 5'4", average build, Caucasian brunette
Clothes and Equipment: Some bargain bin, but well-kept chain mail, a paper-thin horsehair gambeson, and a decent longsword
Registered: Nov 27, 2015 17:47:38 GMT -8
|
Post by Mina the Vassal on Oct 9, 2017 13:46:13 GMT -8
Mina struggled to get up. She was still a little dizzy. But something about being surrounded by cows was actually very comforting. After all, if the cows weren't being eaten right away, neither would she be. Plus, the smell reminded her of home. "No, no you're definitely a cow. Aren't you a good girl? Yes, you are." Half petting the cow and half using her for support, she got up.
Then she saw a massive feathery and scaley tail gliding above and away from her. For a split second, she thought it was, in and of itself, a serpentine dragon flying through the sky. But then she traced its path to the single largest feathery rear end she had ever seen, and she had seen some prize-winning chickens in her day.
She quickly inferred that this was her rescuer. "Uh, thank you!" She called out gingerly. "Uh, sir, ma'am... third gender I dunno but thank you!"
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 9, 2024 15:15:18 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2017 18:36:12 GMT -8
Aphelir didn't quite have a feathery backside, but the tail was unmistakable. At the call from Mina she would tense, and make quicker paces to find the nearest corner and turn about it - seeming to almost run away from the human. She didn't even respond to the polite thanks, just eager to try and get away before she found if that human would follow-
Except she ran into a dead end wall between the two buildings. Drat.
|
|
Mina the Vassal
Dedicated
A future hero in training.
Roleplay posts: 104
Age: 23
Physical Description: About 5'4", average build, Caucasian brunette
Clothes and Equipment: Some bargain bin, but well-kept chain mail, a paper-thin horsehair gambeson, and a decent longsword
Registered: Nov 27, 2015 17:47:38 GMT -8
|
Post by Mina the Vassal on Oct 9, 2017 19:17:58 GMT -8
"..."
It was a perfect example of irony. Not five minutes ago Mina was fleeing from a gaggle of small dragons, only to apparently scare away a much larger one. Then again this might be an opportunity. Surely tales of a shy dragon would be worth something to the Heroes' Guild.
Maybe fifteen seconds after Aphelir ran into a dead end, if she turned around she would see a tiny head peering out from behind the corner leading into the alleyway. "Uh, are you alright? Did I say something wrong? It's my first time meeting dragons so..." She was careful to only expose her head to the dragon. But if this was the dragon who helped her, surely she wouldn't attack, would she?
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 9, 2024 15:15:18 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2017 20:28:08 GMT -8
Indeed she turned, and found the blasted human had followed. If only this alleyway was a little larger - she couldn't fly here, and could barely turn around comfortably with only minimal rubbing of her scales on the nearby buildings. She sat back on her haunches and watched Mina with a wary stare, forelegs settled over her now exposed belly in a defensive position.
And with one paw, she would wave it at the little woman, like she was shooing her away. "G... go away. Go. Shoo."
|
|
Mina the Vassal
Dedicated
A future hero in training.
Roleplay posts: 104
Age: 23
Physical Description: About 5'4", average build, Caucasian brunette
Clothes and Equipment: Some bargain bin, but well-kept chain mail, a paper-thin horsehair gambeson, and a decent longsword
Registered: Nov 27, 2015 17:47:38 GMT -8
|
Post by Mina the Vassal on Oct 18, 2017 16:39:51 GMT -8
Mina actually flinched when Aphelir waved her paw at her. She had heard rumors that dragons, like humans, could cast magic. And she was still cognizant of the fact that even a slight mistake could get her killed here, especially now that she knew even the duck-sized dragons couldn't be trusted. So imagine her relief when Aphelir's first words were, "Go away, shoo."
"Oh." She exhaled and relaxed a bit, though she still kept everything except her head hidden behind the corner wall. "Uh, yes, sure, by all means. I will do that... as soon as you can give me a suggestion as to where to shoo to."
Mina took a deep breath. She needed to do this. "My name is Mina. I'm an explorer." Finally, she dared reveal another body part to the dragon, a petite waving hand. "That's it, nothing else. I just wanna know where the best place to walk around with the least chance of getting eaten."
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 9, 2024 15:15:18 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2017 22:16:11 GMT -8
Aphelir just stared, looking almost on the very of a panic in her eyes. The stupid human wasn't going away...!
"Um..."
The dragon swiveled her head about, trying to look up both houses that caged her and the building behind her. Trying to climb them wasn't wise - she would likely break them in her attempt, and make the people around mad. Which meant, dealing with more little humans.
Her attention would return to Mina as she went still, staring at her. Well... she could try to talk to her, at least. Maybe she'd go away.
"... they wouldn't eat you. No one here will. There's no monsters here. Just dragons. And humans. Elves in the east. Well, maybe mountain lions or bears would. There's tigers in the east, too. I dunno. Just shoo," she huffed, waving her paw again.
|
|
Mina the Vassal
Dedicated
A future hero in training.
Roleplay posts: 104
Age: 23
Physical Description: About 5'4", average build, Caucasian brunette
Clothes and Equipment: Some bargain bin, but well-kept chain mail, a paper-thin horsehair gambeson, and a decent longsword
Registered: Nov 27, 2015 17:47:38 GMT -8
|
Post by Mina the Vassal on Oct 23, 2017 17:09:47 GMT -8
"Huh..." Mina looked back at her surroundings. Now that she mentioned it, this portion of the island did seem rather civilized. It made sense that humans must have helped build some of these structures. Not that Mina thought dragons were uncivilized or couldn't build things, but why on earth would dragons need a dock?
Mina decided it was about time she stopped harassing the dragon. She did not need to sour the mood of an 80 foot long anything, let alone a dragon.
"Ok... I think I'll try heading east then. Thanks for the advice, and for not eating me. Uh... bye." With that, her tiny head disappeared from view and she walked off away from the alleyway.
"That was interesting. She seemed almost, scared of me. But no, that's ridiculous. Why would a dragon be scared of a human? That'd be like an elephant being scared of... mice."
Mina furrowed her brow when she realized that it was entirely possible humans were to dragons what mice were to humans: vermin. After all, a human was more than capable of eating mice if they really wanted to, but it didn't mean they would ever choose to.
Feeling a little insulted, Mina decided to take the road towards the eastern half of the coastal town.
|
|
