[IC] Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia couldn't help but smile and laugh to herself a little when she noticed the look of awe on everyone's faces. She had to admit, this skill was pretty cool! Once she reached the top and hammered the pitons and secured the ropes, she looked to see the wooden shack nearby. She smiled happily, they made it!

She waited for everyone and helped out whenever she could as the others made their climb. As soon as they reached the top, she told them while pointing out the cabin, "We made it guys!"

Then the rain started to fall and the thunder cracked against the sky. She commented "Let's hurry!" as she led the way to the cabin. Before heading inside the cabin, she would help secure the mules and wagon/

[Lucius Cypher]

The caravan wasted no time getting to the cabin, with everyone donning their cloaks as the rain started to pour. There was indeed no place to put the mules, so Ferric covered the wagon with a tarp, as did Andras. Ferric also constructed a sort of tent for the mules to be under through he kept them leashed to the wagon, less they wander off and get into trouble. Shortfang was the first to reach the door and tried to go inside however the door was locked. “Doors locked!” He shouted.

However to his surprise there was noise on the other side. A small hatch opened, and an old woman’s voice spoke out. “Hello? Who’s there? You’d best not be goblins, or I’ll show you what for!”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia blinked when a woman's voice spoke from inside the cabin. So someone was already living here! She walked up to where the elderly woman can see her through the hatch, and she answered politely, "No, ma'am. We're just a small caravan seeking shelter. We're sorry to bother you, but can we stay until the storm passes?" She hoped the elder within will let them stay.

[Lucius Cypher]

The woman said nothing at first before the hatched closed, but then you could hear some shuffling before the door opened. Inside a candle-lit room was a tall but elderly looking woman, with thin black hair and pale skin. She had a slight haunch but despite that she was still a head taller than you. “Travelelers I see. Alright, I suppose I can let you stay. I apologize however, I don’t have much in the ways of accommodations. I only have enough food for myself and only one bed. However you’re free to use the common area.”

The woman would let you and the rest of the caravan inside, though for some reason Buddy choose to stay outside with the mules. With his cloak he shouldn’t get too wet. As for the inside of the house, it was indeed fairly small. It was a 50x30 house with three rooms, the common room, a bed room, and some sort of storage room. The common room didnt have much furnishing, but there was a fire place at the center, a stack of wood by the door, and a table with two wooden stools. There were also some boxes and sacks filled with some tools and supplies, and the storage room had a barrel of rain water and some food. There was also a trapdoor. The bedroom, even if you don’t go inside, was the only room with a small window with wooden panels to cover it and a single bed large enough for two. There was also a large chest at the foot of the bed. Or at least it would be, but for some odd reason the woman’s pillows were near the door, as if the foot of the bed was against the wall.

Pylia seemed to notice this and looked at you with an odd expression, as if wondering if you see this as well. Though she was a hermit up until recently, even she thought this was quirky.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

The elderly woman's appearance kind of scared Sylvia. It was like looking at a stark contrast to her own grandmother. She noticed that Buddy chose to stay outside, and she let him be. The inside was small, so she doubted that he could fit in here with everyone else. After the elderly woman apologized, Sylvia answered "That's alright, Ma'am. Thank you. We'll be out of your hair when the rain lets up. And I've got enough food to cook for everyone,"

Sylvia entered with everyone, and she took in the small interior. She noticed the quirkiness of the bedroom and she looked to Pylia. Apparently even to her, that was quirky. She gave a look to her that clearly showed that she was seeing the same thing.

...She just hoped that it was just quirkiness, and not something to foreshadow something dangerous.

She decided to take a seat near the fire, with her legs crossed.

[Lucius Cypher]

Soon everyone settled into the common room. Andras and Ferric spoke to the old woman, whose name was Muriel, just to entertain her and compensate for staying in her home. Elena and Andrews helped start the fire, taking a few choice logs as Andrews practice using flint and steel to make a spark. Afterwards they’d set up the bedrolls for themselves and their father. Mica sat near the fire looking at rocks he had brought from the wagon. They just looked like rocks. You, Pylia, and Shortfang were settled by the fire.

“Syfr says long rain. Could be here all night!” Shortfang warns. He seemed more distressed at the potential boredom than the danger. Pylia simply shrugged and stoked the flames with a poker. “It happens sometimes. We’ll just have to find a way to occupy ourselves in this weather.” Shortfang sprawled our on the ground before rolling into his stomach. “Shortfang already bored.”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia noticed that Andras and Ferric were talking with the elderly woman, and Mica was staring at the rocks. She was curious as to why the rocks held Mica's attention. Sylvia listened as Shortfang and Pylia mentioned being here for a long time because of the rain, and finding something to do in the meantime. She commented, "Since we're gonna be here for a while, I might as well start cooking something for everyone. In the meantime, why don't we share stories with each other? I may not be a performer or a very good storyteller myself, but I have heard and read plenty of stories that I can share,"

[Lucius Cypher]

The two nodded. “That does remind me, you never told me that tale yesterday. What what’s it, something about One Thousand Nights?” Pylia mentioned to you. Shortfang stacked a few bedrolls together to create a nice little stoop for himself to lay down on as he started to story. “Shortfang have story. Sound better in Shortfang language, but can say in common. Ahem,” Shortfang raised his hand in the air theatrically.

“This tale of kin from faraway lands, called Tribe Firewine. They strong, smart, defend home from greedy adventurers who attack them. Tribe Firewine like many tribes, small, scared, bullied by others. But chief shaman make friend with gold dragon, and teach kobold how to fend for themselves. That small not weak, but together strong.”

“Tale starts about Chief Shaman, Pun-Pun. He smart, know magic, know how world work. The gods, spells, outer planes. He knows. Before he chief Shaman Pun-Pun Shaman apprentice. Hear about wise gold dragon, so he go, seeking dragon, seeking knowledge. Many adventures he has.”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia answered Pylia, "A Thousand and One Nights. This is definitely a good opportunity to share that story," That's right...She didn't really get a chance to tell Pylia about the story last night. Before she could start, Shortfang already began telling his story. Sylvia let Shortfang have the spotlight, and she listened. She had to admit, the sound of a gold dragon piqued her curiosity. She saw a black dragon in her dream, and apparently there were dragons of other scale colors. Were there more differences between dragons other than scale color? She continued to listen to Shortfang. She wanted to hear more of his story.

[Lucius Cypher]

“First, Pun-Pun goes to south! In land of dead, gold mountain. Said be gold because sand cut down all tree, all plants, but mountain talk and strong. Here lives gold dragon Ferrodsuaco. He wise dragon, move to mountain to study stars, study wind wall that surrounds. They say Ferrodsuaco know how to cross wind wall. But wisdom by without struggle. Pun-Pun must cross Great Grave Desert, where no life, but undead, by himself. Pun-Pun small kobold, know only some spells, no way Pun-Pun an survive. So Pun-Pun has to use smarts.”

“Enemy he face hard as steel, so Pun-Pun use magic to move dirt and sand. Soft and weak, but together can crush giants! Pun-Pun make gunnel under Great Grave Desert, hide from ghosts and zombie. Pun-Pum sometimes go up, see stars, to see future. ‘Follow the Sapphire Star’ says Pun-Pun. Sapphire Star lead to future.” Shortfang took out a new props to go with his story telling, mainly his fishing pole with various things at the end of the hook, such as a small cloth with dots for eyes to be his ‘ghosts’ or one of the plain silver coins as the ‘Sapphire Star’. By now Andrews and Elena were sitting in as well.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia listened to the story, at first quietly and with eyes on Shortfang as he told it. She thought it was clever of Shortfang to include props. When she noticed that Andrews and Elena joined in on listening, Sylvia decided to help Shortfang’s storytelling with a prop of her own.

She took off her bright yellow coat, and used it for the sands, sun, and the gold dragon.

[Lucius Cypher]

Andrews was very amused seeing the props. Elena smiled too as Shortfang continued his tale. He detailed the adventurers into the Great Grave Desert, the various monsters that he encountered and proceeded to escape from. A lot of his tales about Pun-Pun were about how he used his spells and cunning to avoid or run away from danger, until finally he reached the mountain. There Shortfang started talking about the dragon. "Ferrodsuaco is wise dragon, yes, but he wise dragon because he once young and stupid. He dragon, proud, powerful, but learn there are more powerful things. He learn through trial and error to be wise. When Pun-Pun meet Ferrodsuaco, he tell Pun-Pun of his enemies." Shortfang used some spare bones he uses for his crossbow bolts as symbols. "First was the evil warlord, Gorum Axehand. He have orc warriors who destroy many innocent people. He even kill dragons, want to kill dragon to show power. Then Calamity Dragon Kalmeet, who want to make world for dragons, and only dragon. Not even kobold can live there, because kobold not full dragon. Finally, mighty wizard C'tan, who too wise. So wise he think he better than gods, better than mortals, and seek to rewrite world in own image. When Pun-Pun go see Ferrodsuaco, he say 'Great Gold Dragon, Pun-Pun help! Pun-Pun brave and smart, but want to be strong and wise. He fight enemies, and save world!' Ferrodsuaco like this, so he teach Pun-Pun how to be strong like dragon, but as kobold."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

As Shortfang spoke of the golden dragon, Sylvia moved the coat so that it loomed over Shortfang, as though to emphasize that the coat is supposed to be a grand dragon. From the front view, the sleeves moved akin to dragon's wings, as best as Sylvia could make them out to be. From the side, one of the sleeves was more of the dragon's muzzle. When Shortfang mentioned that the dragon liked what Pun-Pun said, Sylvia moved the sleeve as though it were nodding, and she used the quarterstaff as a dragon's talon, drawing imaginary circles and diagrams to teach Pun-Pun what he needed to know.

Sylvia was glad to see that Andrews and Elena were enjoying the story Shortfang was telling. She had to admit, she was enjoying the story herself.

[Lucius Cypher]

Shortfang would continue to tell his story, detailing how Pun-Pun trained under the gold dragon, and in turn returned to his tribe and taught them how to create fortresses, traps, weapons, and tactics. Their first enemy was the evil warlord, who they managed to lure into a veritable maze of death by exploiting his greed for power. They created a fake dragon's lair and made it seem like the dragon was the only one there, but once Gorum led his armies into the mountains Pun-Pun and his people would attack from from all around, using tunnels, rocks, and oil to crush and burn them to death. Pun-Pun himself faced off against the mighty Gorum, once more killing him with trickery by leading him to a cliff that couldn't support both their weight, sending the warlord falling to his death while Pun-Pun had saved a feather fall spell for himself.

Just as he finished the story Shortfang's stomach growled, as did Andrews. The kobold looked over to you eagerly. "Food ready?"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia had been so enthralled with the story, and was having so much fun with the props, that she had completely forgotten to start cooking! She blushed in embarrassment, and stated startled "Oh!" She then hurried to her pack to fish out the cooking utensils and the food, and she told them, "Hang on! Let me whip up something real quick!"

Since Shortfang and Andrews were already hungry, she knew that she didn't have much time. So she decided to just make something simple. She took some already prepared meat (like jerky), lettuce, vegetables, and cheese, and slices of bread to make sandwiches for everyone. It's quick, and it should be enough. Should her friends want it, she would even warm up the sandwiches over the fire.

[Lucius Cypher]

Sandwiches would satisfy the young ones. Pylia herself helped prepare them, simple enough as they were, of course helping herself to a few sandwiches as well. After Elena and Andrews ate she brought a few sandwiches to her father, Ferric, and Mica. Muriel refused, saying that she has her own food and couldn't allow her guests to feed her. Though simple, the sandwiches satisfied the stomachs. Shortfang soon began his story again, though he sort of forgot where he was at. "Ah what was... Oh yeah! Second enemy! Calamity Dragon Kalmeet! He fearsome enemy. Among dragonkin, they say one will become god dragon. One who, instead of fight gods, joins them, and help all dragons become great. They say Kalmeet was going to be god dragon, because he strong. Scales black as night, breath fire that burns even sun with dark flames. But Kalmeet evil! Because they say Kalmeet chosen one, he let pride to head. Says 'I, Kalmeet, want only my friends. Dragons, slaves, and no one else!' So Kalmeet send dragons to attack everyone. Red Dragons, Blue Dragons, Green Dragons, all kind of dragons, go out to attack people to get slave and treasure. Ferrodsuaco no like this, nor Pun-Pun. But unlike Gorum, kill dragon no easy. They need help. So Ferrodsuaco go find Silver Dragon."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia was glad that the sandwiches did the trick and no one had a complaint about the tardiness nor the taste. She could understand Muriel's reasoning for refusing a sandwich. She continued listening to Shortfang's story as she quietly ate her own sandwich, taking a break from helping with the props for Shortfang's story. As she listened, she wondered if Kalmeet was the same black dragon from her vision. A dragon that wanted to become a god...and the fact that Kalmeet was powerful enough, and only wanted other dragons and slaves around. The slave part made Sylvia sick to her stomach. She leaned a little further when Shortfang mentioned that the golden dragon went to find the silver dragon. She wanted to know what happened next.

[Lucius Cypher]

"Pun-Pun seek out the silver dragon, who had no name, because she young. Very young, as old as Pun-Pun. Ferrodsuaco leave Great Grave Desert to fight Kalmeet, while Pun-Pun save silver dragon. She protected by Kalmeet slave knights, called Dragonborn. Humans, elves, orcs, dwarves, all type who Kalmeet stole, and turn into dragons. With magic Kalmeet command them to fight, die, and steal for him. Worse still, when Pun-Pun go find Silver Dragon, he find kobold tribes slave too. Many tribe go to Kalmeet, think they dragon and want to help. But Kalmeet evil! He trick kobold, make them less than slaves. At least Dragonborn get armor and weapon and fight. But Kobold... They get worse. They clean, they get eaten, very bad. This make Pun-Pun very angry! And because this, Pun-Pun become strong. He know what to do." Shortfang said with a smile despite how dark the story had gotten. He stands on the bedroll heroically, pointing his sword towards the ceiling.

"Pun-Pun no use magic or trickery! Pun-Pun find tribes, tell them they no be slaves. They can fight! If they listen, they can save not just tribe, but everyone. No one become slave or dragon. They live free. Pun-Pun free kobold with words, and with them Pun-Pun go save silver dragon. Many Dragonborn warrior come stop them, but Pun-Pun and tribes use clever tricks to trap them, keep them from fighting. They save silver dragon, very young, only fifty years. She Kalmeet favorite dragon, say that when she older, Kalmeet make her mother of his dragons. She no want this, so Pun-Pun and tribe free her. But soon Kalmeet come! He see's silver dragon escape, and epic battle happen!" Shortfang made a bunch of noise to demonstrate the sort of chaos the battle created, scattering his things around to simulate explosions. Pylia chided Shortfang for making a mess, which he cleaned up.

"Pun-Pun battle Kalmeet with Ferrodsuaco and Silver Dragon! Kobold tribes run and hide, but also fight Dragonborn warriors, keep them from helping Kalmeet. But Kalmeet slash Pun-Pun, cut out his eyes! Aaaagh! But then Silver Dragon save him! Kalmeet would burn him in dragon fire, but she protect Pun-Pun. Her body strong, but began melting. Though she not know Pun-Pun, he only kobold who save her, free her. She want to be free. So with all her power, she melt into silver sword in Pun-Pun's hand. Ferrodsuaco grab Kalmeet, and the two fight claw-to-claw, fang-to-fang! Pun-Pun, even blind, pick up sword and stab Kalmeet. Because sword made from pure, and Kalmeet full of evil, sword clean Kalmeet of all evil. But he so evil, he evil to the bone! Kalmeet become undead dragon! But this no make Kalmeet strong, but weak. He no god no more. His dragons, his slave, see that Kalmeet not even true dragon no more. The magic that control Dragonborn, break! They free! They stop fighting, go to fight Kalmeet, who run away. Run away to center of world to try and be god, but he never will. Kalmeet defeated!" Shortfang said triumphantly, which got a cheer from Andrews and a polite clap from Pylia.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia listened to Shortfang, taken in to the story. She found herself disliking Kalmeet (to say the least) more and more as the story continued. But the story of how Pun-Pun convinced the kobold tribes, and rescued the Silver Dragon was thrilling! She chuckled when Pylia chided Shortfang for causing a mess. When she heard that the silver dragon had melted and become a silver sword, she couldn't help but think of the silver sword mentioned in Duke Erod's story. Was this...the silver sword's origin? When Shortfang finished the story, she too cheered along with Andrews while Pylia clapped.

[Lucius Cypher]

Shortfang yawned, as did Andrews and Elena. Seemed like they were getting sleepy. Elena said Andrews should go to sleep but he wanted to keep listening. Shortfang agreed, as he had one more tale to tell. The final tale of Pun-Pun's adventures. "Yes, one more grand enemy to fight. By now, Pun-Pun great hero among kobolds. He make city for kobold, call Dragonhome, for all dragon kind. Kobold, Dragonborn, even Ferrodsuaco and good dragons! But not all easy. Though Pun-Pun strong, many still say Pun-Pun is weak, because he kobold. Many tribes say he lies, that Gold Dragon do all work and Pun-Pun do nothing but steal glory to make him king. Pun-Pun listen, want to do something to show he real strong. So, one final journey. Ferrodsuaco say there is evil wizard who will rewrite world, think he is one true god. He in faraway world, try to be all mighty. So Pun-Pun stop him."

Moving the bedrolls out, Shortfang began to physically make the "map" Pun-Pun took, using various creases and dips as mountains and lakes. "Pun-Pun travel far. Go to many temples to pray to different gods. Pun-Pun no worship, but he know he need all help he can get. Even Ferrodsuaco don't know how to stop evil wizard C'tan. On journey, Pun-Pun make new friend with snake name Marya. Marya just regular snake, but Pun-Pun find her egg and hatch it. Marya become familiar for Pun-Pun's journey to power." As Shortfang finished this part of the tale, Andrews laid his head on his sister's lap. Try as he might, he quickly ends up falling asleep. Shortfang himself yawns a bit. "Mhmm. Finish story another time." He says as he goes to sleep near the fireplace. He couldn't really burrow here without digging up the wood, so he just curled up like a cat near the warmest thing nearby.

Pylia helped Elena take Andrews to their sleeping spot. The other three older adults parted ways. Muriel said she might be up for a short while longer, but otherwise she plans to head to bed soon. Andras would soon join his children for resting tonight. Ferric helped Mica get to bed though he admits he's not very tired, but doesn't want to just sit around doing nothing either. Finally Pylia turned to you. "Don't suppose you want to tell me that story now? Shortfang's tales were entertaining, but I'm curious about what stories you know."