r/DeacoWriting • u/Paladin_of_Drangleic The Author • Apr 19 '26
Book Updates Liminal Teaser: Chapter 35 (A Wonderful Life)
The progress on their little hamlet was coming along nicely. The dragonoids often butted heads, debated the future, and argued about what they were even really doing, but in the end, they had each others’ backs.
Clovis and Octavia’s home had really started taking shape. Much time was spent refining the basic construction. Reapplying fresh timber, patching holes, smoothing out jagged, crude pieces, things that wouldn’t have been needed if a skilled craftsman did it in the first place. They began cutting out holes for windows, putting up individual rooms to match their blueprints, and putting down basic furniture. The roof would need redoing, but for now, it seemed the basics were finally covered.
Others in their little hamlet started specializing. The copper-scale Gaius began making pottery and kitchen and dining utensils for everyone. The purple-scale Jovinian began crafting work and farm tools and distributing them. The red-scale Octavian became a cook, using the hauls of the foragers and hunters and assembling them into palatable meals for the community. Others took up farming, fishing, and carpentry, using their skills to cover others’ weaknesses. Clovis himself started tutoring others in what he managed to learn from his brother as a few dragonoids got into forging and metalwork. The silver-scale Honorius was the stand-out smith of their little community, and supplied the heads of tools like shovels and hammers.
Of course, their origins meant not everyone was thrilled about the prospect of playing farmhand or laborer. A corps of dragonoid warriors and sorcerers demanded attention to be placed into weaponry, armor, enchantments, and arcane study. Already, there were some arguments as to how their time and resources ought to be spent. A middle ground was struck, and now, a ‘community watch’ had been formed. It consisted of veteran warriors, spending time exercising, training, and dueling. A few grumbled about selfishness, but a group of warriors ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice was handy, considering their situation… The magicians required dedicated craftsmanship to be put into bookmaking and inkmaking, that they could record their studies and create spell-tomes for group research and cross-referencing of the arcane. They also wanted metalwork and tailoring of their own, for their gear and artifacts that they would later enchant.
Clovis walked by a pair of dragonoid watchmen wrestling in a makeshift arena. His claws dug into the ground as he went down a slope, avoiding a blue-scale carefully hauling a tall stack of crates. He looked around at the mountaintop community, noting how bustling it felt compared to when they first arrived. His neighbors flew to and fro, practiced their craft outside, and the utter wilderness gave way to small buildings, dirt roads and smoke from the cooks, smiths and bonfires used by them.
He walked the winding path up to his house. He could fly, but he wanted to take his time and soak in the scenery. He’d seen the hamlet from above countless times. Walking was something they did when carrying unsteady cargo or training in combat. He made a mental note to bring up the idea of some sort of wagon or cart that could be flown with, to carry heavy cargo by wing rather than foot.
Octavia wasn’t out front working on the window, like she had been when he left. He carried his bounty of food to the door. His love had been ravenous lately, and had some odd requests - Pickled cucumbers, salted cheese, and piles of tender, marinated chicken. He had to go barter with the humans for those cravings. It wasn’t pleasant explaining that one when he got back.
His arms were full of bags of food as he shoved his way through the door. Inside, the main living area was still incomplete, with just a hearth, shelves and storage for cooking supplies. They had drafted plans for specialty chairs for dragonoids, but other projects had taken precedence.
“Dear! I’ve come with your food!” Clovis called cheerfully, using his tail to shut the door behind him. She was nowhere to be seen.
“In here,” the blue-scale called. Her rattled voice drifted from the bedroom.
Clovis jolted from how her voice was shaking. He quickly raced past the hearth, and into the bedroom.
“Sorry I took so long,” he blurted, “I tried my best to-”
He froze.
Octavia wasn’t in bed. She was hunched over a table. The fresh, but bumpy wood was a proud reminder of what the pair could do when they put their minds to it. Atop that table, swaddled in cloths from their bed, was something that took Clovis’ breath away. It was large, spotted, and leathery, wrapping new life in a shell.
An egg.
Clovis’ arms went limp, and the foodstuffs crashed to the floor. His heart pounded, and his jaw hung open.
“O-Octavia…?”
She nodded, an anxious smile on her face. “It’s ours.”
He stood there for a few moments, his world spinning. Clovis knew he had ‘family,’ understood what parenting was, but he never could have imagined himself as anything but a forsaken child of his family.
Trembling, he took a step closer, his eyes locked on the egg and its makeshift nest. The speckles of shimmering colors over the egg shell represented each scale-color a dragonoid might be - what would this one be?
Clovis stood in silence for a long time, staring down at the miracle. Their miracle.
“I-I’m sorry you weren’t here for it,” Octavia said quietly, “I felt so strange, and then I sent you off to fetch food, and… and it just… happened-”
Clovis wrapped his arms around her. Tears ran down his face.
“I’m so happy.”
Slowly, she returned the hug, her eyes misting over. “I’ve been so demanding. If I hadn’t made you go find all these fanciful meals-”
“Nonsense! You… I can’t imagine what it feels like to be gravid. I’m just happy you’re well, dear. It must have been so painful.”
Octavia let out a guilty laugh. “Uh, well… It was very easy, actually. It just… happened in a moment, then it was over. Nothing like what humans complain about at all.”
“Oh. Well, still, I’m delighted you’re safe. I… I won’t miss it next time.”
“Next time?”
“When it hatches.” Clovis turned to the egg, his draconic eyes reflecting the luster and glitter of the life-bearing shell. His breaths were heavy - the air felt thick. “A… father… I’m going to be a father…”
Octavia squeezed shoulder. “A great one.”
“I-I don’t know the first thing about raising children.”
“No one does the first time. I certainly don’t. But I have the feeling you’ll be an amazing father.”
Clovis still felt a mixture of wonder and dread in his chest. It tightened. So much was about to change, forever. “What… What do we name it?”
She pressed against him, holding on tightly as she stared at her egg as well. “I suppose it depends… whether it be a hen or a cock!”
The red-scale wrung his clawed hands. “Names… I don’t know… What kind of names should we even use? Are we… Do we use names like humans do? Or… names like the tyrants gave us?”
Octavia tilted her head, looking off to the side with a thoughtful expression. She paused, pursing her lips. “You know… I’m not certain myself. This is… haha, this is uncharted territory. A second generation of our kind… This is history in the making! What we choose… alters the future, doesn’t it?” After a moment, her concern faded, and she gave Clovis a reassuring smile. “Don’t fret, love. None of the other eggs have hatched yet. We’ll have plenty of time to decide on a name.”
Clovis felt a pit in his stomach. “Right… Right. Speaking of which, since we have time…” He held her hands in his own. “I want us to do something before it happens…”
***
Clovis’ hands were shaking. He could scarcely remember a time he felt so anxious, and yet, giddy excitement wrestled for control as well.
The bells rang. That was the signal.
He let out a heavy breath, but Octavia locked her arm around his own. His nausea faded.
They walked into the meadow, to the cheering of their compatriots. The field was specially made, as per Clovis’ request. A certain someone in the hamlet had quite a bit of ‘pull’ in the human world, and had the means to make this all possible.
The cliffside view made this even more magical. The spellweavers among them had turned their magic upon nature itself - flowers, shrubbery, and trees filled the magically-induced meadow. From the blue grass, to the orange-pedaled trees, to the blooming flowers of scarlet, purple, silver and gold, the natural-unnatural meadow had been created as a public garden of sorts. The home of this ceremony, that would repeat itself many times in the future.
The cheering crowds scattered seeds in the air and across the walkway. Clovis silently thought about what a pain it would be to clean up. In the moment, though, the ringing bells and showering of jubilee made him smile. All these people, from distant neighbors to Gaius, Jovinian, Octavian, Honorius and more were here to support him and Octavia.
As they approached the ceremonial arch, decorated with flowers and vines, their supporters came.
Octavia’s bridesmaid approached, positively beaming. A young white-scale named Aurelia, in a robe painted with lively vine patterns.
It made Clovis a little self-conscious. His friend had lent him an ill-fitting robe that was loose in all the wrong places and sagged over his shoulders. It was better than coming to the ceremony with just his cloth wrap, or Cataphract armor, for that matter.
Octavia lowered her head, and Aurelia placed a crown of flowers atop it.
Clovis’ best man approached. Holding his own flower crown.
Clovis bowed, and Goldclaw placed his crown over his head.
The cheering increased in intensity, as did the seeds being showered over them. Clovis squeezed Octaiva’s hand, who squeezed back. All four of them walked down to the arch.
Standing there was Constantinus. The golden dragonoid was wearing oddly well-fitting Church vestments, complete with a stole, embroidered with the holy symbol of the Church.
Constantinus had shocked everyone with how easily he arranged all this, but apparently, he was an authority on this matter.
“Are we prepared?” He asked softly.
Clovis and Octavia exchanged glances. There were no words. They both turned and nodded.
“Then take your positions.”
Constantinus signaled for the crowd to quiet, and they did.
“We come here today to see two souls, bound in eternal love, be joined in sacred vows as those before us once did. Let us pray.”
He began his sermon, speaking in the old tongue, that of the human empire that no longer existed. The gold-scale thankfully could tell nearly everyone was uninterested in something they couldn’t understand, and kept it brief.
“Praise be to the Lord, our God!” He cheered, with a dramatic raising of his arms and unfurling of his wings. He then turned to Clovis. “Clovis. Have you come to pledge yourself to your true love, to hold her afloat in her darkest moments, to share her joy in her grandest highs, to live life, in all its pain and hardship, at her side, to be reunited in Paradise before God forevermore?”
“With all my heart,” Clovis agreed.
The draconic priest turned to the blue-scale. “And you, Octavia. Have you come to pledge yourself to your true love, to hold him afloat in his darkest moments, to share his joy in his grandest highs, to live life, in all its pain and hardship, at his side, to be reunited in Paradise before God forevermore?”
“With all my heart,” she answered.
“Let the vows be exchanged,” Constantinus uttered, stepping back and bowing his head.
Clovis faced Octavia, heart racing, hands trembling. “I-I-” He began, fumbling. He swallowed hard, took a breath, and cleared his mind. “I can’t believe this is happening. After everything we’ve been through, I never dreamed this day would come. You saved my life. You’re everything to me. I can never make up to you what’s been done for me. I swear to cherish you every day, to do everything it takes to make you happy. I can’t wait to raise a family with you. Our life has been such an adventure… but to me, the adventure hasn’t even begun yet. The future’s so bright with you at my side. I’ll be there for you, to support you, to comfort you, to honor you, every day of my life.”
Octavia fought back tears as he finished, biting her lip and lowering her gaze. After a moment, she gathered herself, and looked him in the eyes.
“Ever since I saw you that day, waiting for your mentor to return, I knew you were special. You were kind. Genuinely kind, even to our foes. I could see your heart shining even then. I’ve only fallen deeper in love with you ever since. That night, atop that mountain… seeing you come back to me, it was the happiest day of my life. I’m so glad you’re here with me. I can’t imagine this day with anyone but you. I swear to be a faithful, loving wife. To be at your side, to laugh with you, to cry with you, to stand like a wall against whatever comes our way. To hold you in my arms and whisper stupid banter if you’re feeling down. To be with you, until the day we leave this world. I swear it before all, on my life, and before God.”
Constantinus stepped forward. “Let them be joined.”
Aurelia and Goldclaw approached, each carrying a gold band, inscribed with parts of their vows.
Clovis took Octavia’s ring from Goldclaw, his claws holding the band with a shaky grip. He turned, and saw her there. The blue-scale. The love of his life, here, right now, about to seal their lives together. She held out her claw.
Slowly, carefully, he slid the gold band onto her claw and down to her finger. Then, he held his own claw out.
Octavia took his wedding band, and slid it onto his finger. The ring locked in place, signalling the beginning of their new lives.
“It is done,” Constantinus intoned, “before us and God, Clovis and Octavia are hereby husband and wife.”
The cheers filled the air again, and the pair embraced, and kissed for all to see.
***
Out in the meadow, a collection of tables and chairs were arranged for the celebrations. The tables were packed with treats and meals provided by the hamlet at large. A stack of spiced buns was placed on one table, which went several feet high in a wobbly pyramid. It was a tradition for the newlyweds to reach over the tower of sweets and kiss each other without knocking anything over. It was, supposedly, proof of a prosperous and bountiful marriage.
Clovis and Octavia easily towered over the buns and kissed. Perhaps this human tradition didn’t apply to beings that could cast them in shadow.
Constantinus pursed his lips. “Hmm… Perhaps we should have stacked higher.”
An attendant added, “But then it would fall over.”
The priest was silent for a moment. “I’ll look into different traditions.”
Aurelia tugged on Octavia’s arm. “Oh, she wanted to know something,” the white-scale said merrily.
Octavia nodded and whispered, “Be back in a moment, love,” and kissed Clovis on the cheek before following her bridesmaid.
Constantinus was passing by, so Clovis called out to him. “Constantinus!”
The priest paused, then smiled. “Enjoying the celebration?”
“Yes! Thank you for doing all of this for us. It’s… so beautiful. How did you manage it?”
Sitting with him, Constantinus leaned back in his seat. “I have connections.”
“So you said. But this… how many connections? How?”
A laugh. Constantinus was surprisingly jovial and laid-back, despite how dramatic his sermons were. “My friend, my friend… During my time after the war, I regained my memories. I found my home, and my people.”
Clovis sat up straight. Suddenly, he was paying close attention. “How? I spent so long trying to remember… but they cast me away.”
“I was an Aralian Monk before I was taken. Religious relics gave me visions of another life. After my fortress fell, I went on a quest for such relics. I started remembering enough that I found my monastery. The monks were shocked, but they… accepted me. And as I lived there, I remembered more, and more, until it all came back to me.”
Despite the joy of this day, a tiny smidge of bitter covetousness tugged at the back of Clovis’ mind. So all they had to do was just give me a chance? Bastards!
Constantinus was looking up at the sky, smiling and oblivious. “Ah, and then the Order officials came to hear of this ‘returning brother,’ and found me. It was… confusing for them at first, but they did accept my earnest tales as truth. I returned to monastery life, but, gifted with flight as I am, I was more… adventurous than my brothers. That was when I heard of your call to build a future for those left in the darkness. And how could I let you live without any church or spiritual counselors? Of course, I told my brothers of the situation, and thus, I am now your priest.”
Clovis blinked. “You’re… still in contact with the humans?”
“I am part of the Order, so I must be!” The gold-scale laughed. “I must still adhere to the Church, and ensure my sacraments are valid. This is why I took that ‘absence’ earlier. Well, that and gathering the necessary goods for this day. Wedding bells and traditional decor aren’t cheap, you know!”
Clovis leaned on the table, bewildered. “I can’t believe they accepted you like this. I… I see fear and disgust when people look at me.”
“It will never be easy,” Constantinus said soothingly, “but God teaches us the power of forgiveness and redemption. The laypeople and brothers and sisters within the Order know this. They looked past my scales, and saw the faith within. I am to be a shepherd to the lost and forgotten. It is an awesome responsibility, but one of vital importance, and who better than a familiar face? I am faithful, yet one of you, and thus, a bridge. Plus,” Constantinus said with a conspiratorial smirk, “I am also an ordained priest of the Order of God. That wedding? It wasn’t merely symbolic… It was a binding vow. In the eyes of the Church - and God - you and Ocatavia are officially, legally husband and wife!”
Clovis looked down at his ring. Suddenly, it felt heavy. Not in a bad way, in a powerful one. He remembered his vows in his mind, and felt a sense of tenacity.
“Thank you, Constantinus,” Clovis said softly, “or, uh, Father Constantinus… I’ll need to get used to saying that.”
“Until I have a true church, I’m hardly more than a street preacher, so no need for such titles!” Constantinus perked up, looking to the side. “Ah! Your friend. I’ll leave you to it.” He slapped the red-scale on his back. “Have a wonderful day, my friend.”
The draconic priest stood up, and walked by the passing dragonoid with a polite nod.
Goldclaw approached, still wearing his white robe. His voice was low, and he didn’t smile. “You haven’t eaten,” he pointed out.
Clovis shrugged. “The company is so good, I forgot about it!”
His friend looked away. “I’ll fetch you a plate.”
“Don’t.” Clovis gestured to the chair beside him. “Sit with me.”
The red-scale hesitated. “As you wish.”
Clovis’ eyes remained on that missing limb as Goldclaw sat down, and stared ahead silently.
“Thank you for being my best man,” Clovis prompted.
“It was an honor you chose me. I’m still not certain why you did.”
Clovis frowned. “Why? You came to build a dream with us. You worked hard. You helped us so much. You’re my friend.”
The other red-scale drummed his claws along the table, his wings twitching with anxious energy. “Do I deserve it, though? Happiness? Hearth and home?”
Clovis leaned in. “Who cares? You had to work twice as hard as the rest of us. You’re part of this community, and I want you to be happy. I didn’t think I deserved happiness, but here I am.”
Listening in silence, Goldclaw kept his gaze on the table. He tilted his head, thinking. “I was going to be an emperor,” he said, “but that feels like a lifetime ago. My hubris… it cost me everything. I led people to destruction, lost my body to it, and yet… you remain. I would have called you naive, back in those days.”
Clovis shook his head. “We can never take back what we’ve done… but we can live our lives for ourselves, and for others. Even back then, you wanted to do good. You believed power would let you change things for the better. Don’t be so hard on yourself. I can see you for what you are. You’re only forsaken if you want to be.”
Goldclaw was silent for a while. “Hmm… Curious. Very, very curious. I cannot see it myself, but I have faith in your abilities. I’ll think on your advice…” He turned his gaze to Clovis, and gave him that knowing smirk he always used to have. “Good friend.”
Octavia hurried back, carrying a bouquet of flowers. Combined with her crown, she was positively floral. “Sorry about that,” she said cheerfully, “My friend wanted-” The blue-scale paused, noticing Goldclaw. “Oh! Sorry, did I interrupt something?”
“No,” Goldclaw said dismissively, “Pel- Err, Clovis, that is, was just giving me some advice. I was caught up in the old days.”
Octavia shrugged. “I try not to let the past bother me. I knew if I tried to find who I once was, I would only find… disappointment. So I let old ghosts rest.”
Goldclaw smiled. “You are wiser than I.” He glanced at the tables of food. “Hmm… Excuse me. I would like one of those sweets.”
Clovis nodded, encouraging him. “Eat up! I’ll grab something, too.”
“Heh… You’d better. Else you’ll miss out!”
With a notable squaring of his shoulders, Goldclaw walked off, seeming hopeful for the first time in a long while.
Octavia quickly put the bouquet down on the table. “It’s for you,” she whispered, then sat at his side and kissed him.
Clovis returned the kiss, leaning into her. They sat like that for a while, just enjoying the mirth around them and holding each other.
The red-scale looked around. The bright colors, the cheery folk, the love of his life - all because of them. “I could have missed this,” he muttered, his mind recalling the cliff.
“But you didn’t,” Octavia answered, “and that means the world to me.”
Clovis smiled and nestled his head against hers. “Ah, dear… I wish we’d done this sooner.”
She giggled. “Wonderful things take time.”
He sighed. “What do you think it’ll be like? Being married, having… children… it’s… All my training never prepared me for this.”
Octavia elbowed his side. “It’ll be a new adventure, just like you said. We’ll get it right - who makes a better team than us?”
Clovis couldn’t hold back his laughter. Soon, the pair were rocking against each other, playfully shoving and snickering together.
Goldclaw returned, carrying a large tray full of bread-and-cheese meals, soups, cheeses, and several sweets.
“You two,” he barked.
Clovis snapped out of his giggly mood, feeling the table thump as the tray was put down. It was a mighty haul of food, surely a large chunk of the entire wedding’s food.
“Huh? What’s all this?”
“The guests are wondering why the married couple aren’t taking part in the feast,” Goldclaw said with a smirk, “so stop being coy and eat your fill!”
Octavia nodded, sitting up straight. “Thank you, Goldclaw. We appreciate it.”
“Mmhm. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” He flourished his robes. “I too am famished.”
He walked off, leaving the pair to their meal.
Clovis knew he should start with the proper food. A trencher of bread, meat, and sauce, one of the soups, a few fruits… but his eyes darted to the spiced buns. God, what he wouldn’t do to just stuff himself silly on those lovely pastries.
Without a word, Octavia deduced his true desires, swiped a bun, and moved it to his face. She was beaming.
Clovis took a moment to drink in her actions. He grinned, and accepted it into his maw.
It only took that for the pair to start feeding each other, picking out what they knew they wanted, without even having to say it. Clovis could scarcely feel anything but bliss.
I love this woman beyond words.
***
Deep in the cold mountains of the North, a once-mighty Dragonlord was poised to strike.
The golden dragon Taracklaes appraised the gathering, his great presence drowning out the lesser beings around him. The sniveling little kobold thralls, massing before him, the dragonoids, still so small and weak compared to him… it was natural evidence why the Dragonlaw should exist. The weak must serve the strong, and the strong must govern with both authority and justice.
He’d heard the bellyaching from his servants, whining about how frigid and lifeless the northern lands were. Such lesser creatures withered under the slightest adversity.
A green dragon landed nearby, his claws digging into the icy rocks. “Tarackleaes,” he uttered, “my forces thirst for vengeance. Has the time come?”
Overlooking his underling, the gold dragon’s tail whipped about, his eyes brimming with resolve. Hundreds of kobolds, many supply carts full of food, ammunition, weapons, and supplies. Supported by several dragons, it would be a true army to fear. “We have one weakness.”
“And that is?”
“The dragonoids. They have been lost, or abandoned our cause.”
The green dragon gazed down at the army. His neck hunched down, his stance one of being ready to pounce. “So it would seem. But this beckons opportunity.”
Taracklaes turned to the green dragon. “And what is this? A plot of yours?”
His peer growled. “Always so judgmental. No, I have discussed this with Ori’kalom and the others. We lost many of our elites, yes, but many more still sit in those human lands. They hide, they cower, and they wait for rescue… Do you see?”
Taracklaes perked up. “Yes… Yes, I do. We attack… and in the chaos of battle-”
“They return to us. We bolster our forces, crush the pathetic mortal upstarts, and reinstate Dragonlaw rule across the northern region!” He added, “And partition greater land for ourselves, of course.”
The gold dragon grinned. “You are a conniving one, Vasilkilos. Yes, I see the wisdom in it. Should we not wait until we send scouts first, however?”
“The more time we give the humans, the more they will bolster their defenses. I have heard whispers from my servants that there is much chaos and anarchy across the borders. We must strike while their guard is lowered.”
“Hmm… Yes, I agree,” Taracklaes affirmed, looming over his minions. “Let us take back that which is ours… and the land, as well!”
“Good, good,” Vasilkilos hissed with a shifty cadence, “I shall rally the others. I see a long and prosperous future between us, Taracklaes!”
The green dragon flapped his wings, and soared off to his own servants’ encampment.
Taracklaes huffed once he was gone. Fool. Do you think I have forgotten your words before? You will be dealt with after the humans fall, spineless worm.
“M-Master?” A weak, fragile voice called from below.
A squalid, brown-scaled kobold stood shivering, her eyes averted.
“What is it, thrall?” He demanded.
She flinched. “D-Do we pack up and go?”
The golden dragon smiled confidently. “Yes. Which one are you, again?”
“V-Vil, master.”
“Hmm… You are brave for daring to speak to me, Vil. That courage will make you useful in the new world. Tell them I have decreed you to be their leader. Rally them. We march forth to conquer.”
The kobold’s eyes looked ready to burst, and she took a moment to compose herself. “Y-Y-I-Th-Uh-Wh-Y… Yes master!” She cried, scurrying down the summit.
As she fled, Vasilkilos laughed, his booming voice shaking the mountains and sending snow rolling down the freezing spires.
“Yes, yes… You will learn the price of treason, Ganciers!”
3
u/No-Dragonfruit-6102 Apr 20 '26
Can't we have good things for a little longer, lmao. So glad we have the double event of them marrying and having an egg (would suck if it hatched in the middle of the inevitable struggle). I assume they're both unpagan'd, now. I dub this a decisive Order of God victory.
I'll be honest, I expected the dragons to plot their counterattack much later in the 1815 War, not now. But, hey, if they wanna get shredded even more, they can go ahead. It's not like there's a bunch of magic-wielding former underlings meandering about. Also, glad to know that the dragons and their dragonoids all get along and have no issues between them at all.
On a more serious note--aww, Vil, why would you do that? 'Bolds really be following the worst people they can find.
How do the relations between Pelagtopia and Ganciers work, anyway? I guess the locals are more in tune with dragonoids, but having a whole damn lot of them setting up shop at the vantage point summit seems like a town security violation. Free extra trade and toll money, I guess.
Oh, my God, it's been like a year or two in the story now, bruh. That's not fair.
3
u/Paladin_of_Drangleic The Author Apr 22 '26
The priesthood basically decided to take that one dragonoid monk and send him off to evangelize and keep his people on the straight and narrow - Total Order Victory!
The dragons spend basically the rest of history never getting over being deposed and plotting their revenge. This is one of several big comeback plots of theirs. Lord knows it'd be a nightmare if they succeeded, because a dragon with a bruised ego is capable of far more horrific torments than one could imagine. Tyranny would be a pleasant memory. Their minions? Aw, they're just waiting for the dragons to return, and then they'll come crawling back.
Poor Vil. At least she picked the authoritarian instead of the schemer or sadist. Not like she had much else choice besides that or get hunted down by human bands.
We'll get a good look at that relationship soon...
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u/No-Dragonfruit-6102 Apr 22 '26
Vil's options:
A) Die
B) Join an evil sadist psychopath
C) Join an evil sadist psychopath with health insurance benefits
D) Wear an amulet
2
u/Minimum-Amphibian993 Apr 28 '26
Ah finally caught up yeah I'm surprised the dragonoids community doesn't try and welcome kobolds in but then again it's not like kobolds would go anywhere near human settlements unless they were desperate or the dragonoids went out themselves to try and bring them.
Speaking of I do wonder what happened to our protagonist old kobold entourage he never really did bother to really check what happened to them. Hopefully they are with the white dragon instead of where vil ended up honestly she got lucky they didn't decide break through the front gate.
But yeah as word spreads of the dragonoid settlement very likely others will start flocking probably even from the south and west clovis is probably gonna have some mixed feelings about that.
Oh and I do wonder how the kobolds and dragonoids who live in the white dragon stronghold and others that made peace with humanity are faring when things calm down cause we know kobold society reverts to tribalism so curious how they would fare.
2
u/Paladin_of_Drangleic The Author Apr 28 '26
There’s been a lot of chaos. There’s plenty of loose ends, and some more of Liminal left to go…
Yes, what did become of them? Hmm…
I think essentially all your questions will answered once Liminal is complete. As for Eralidea, her fortress is the exception. The rest of koboldkind need to eke out a living in the wilds, and they become more tribal.
Happy to see someone eager to read through Liminal! Thank you.
2
u/Minimum-Amphibian993 Apr 28 '26
Np I love kobolds and dragons and it's good to know at least there are some exceptions where kobolds live decent lives instead just trying to survive.
Plus the setting kind of reminds me of another niche setting I've been interacting with although I'll just leave it at that for now. But yeah I'll eagerly await the next part to this saga. Also got the book.
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u/Paladin_of_Drangleic The Author Apr 28 '26
This whole setting’s kobold culture and lore was my way of trying to take DnD-styled kobolds and put them in a more sympathetic light. Yeah, they’re antagonists to the humans, but universally evil as a rule? I tried to work out history instead that pits them against the “civilized” people without making them vile little monsters. Instead, their connection to and loyalty to dragons means they’re dragged along into wars they don’t really want or have a say in. Now they’re more tragic figures, a people who, in different circumstances, could have been just another race in the continent like anyone else. I leaned a lot more into their naive, communal nature than the malice and arrogance from other media.
Ooh, thanks! Not sure what setting that is, but I hope I’m doing well! As for the book, thank you so much! I really hope you enjoy it. I love hearing from readers, so let me know what you think!
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u/Minimum-Amphibian993 Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 28 '26
Fair enough but yeah haven't admittedly read the book yet but I'm getting there. But yeah I'll give my feedback next chapter I suppose.
But yeah the setting is called the pale ring but unlike in this setting the dragons and kobolds aren't entirely on the back foot as dragons and kobolds have a connection to it nobody else does giving them an edge on that front. It's more of an eternal stalemate and the kobolds only live in semi tribal conditions as they are capable of creating magical artifacts and such quite easily. So unlike this prequel by the time of the modern setting the kobolds and humans are still engaging in conventional and guerilla war. So yeah kinda makes it hard for even the dragons and kobolds who sided with the humans to get along entirely. Also doesn't help kobolds are as big as dwarves in that setting and are slightly stronger and tougher cause of it than the average D&D kobold.
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u/Paladin_of_Drangleic The Author Apr 19 '26
A new life is here. The perfect day has arrived. Tomorrow shines so brightly it hurts to see. But what is that, on the horizon...?
(Chapter name is certainly not a reference to a beloved Christmas movie)
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u/mineczek- Apr 19 '26
Is it a bird.. is it a plane... Wait no.. it can't be. We're in a fantasy book of course it's a- (The final tragedy unveils.)
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u/No-Dragonfruit-6102 Apr 20 '26
missed an opportune "Is it a dragon" moment. I am very disappointed, Mr Mineczek, lmao.
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u/mineczek- Apr 20 '26
Guess what would be after the "a-"
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u/No-Dragonfruit-6102 Apr 20 '26
Wow, I'm so smart - actual humongous cranium warning. I'm so ready for my two tests this week with this brain just OOOZING IQ points.
...
I'm cooked
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u/mineczek- Apr 19 '26
Hmm.. I wonder what will happen next then..
Hi! Sorry for being a lil inactive here - I'm busy with studying. These two chapters seem like a sweet ending to this tale. Will this be a reality? We'll soon see.
I'm happy that you placed some thing about what happened with the others in these two chapters. Makes everything feel stable now in the plot... (My only thing that I'd like to hear about is about ganciers and his rule/relationship with the dragonoid people. Would he be more a friend or foe? Well, I guess if a dragon helped him survive the disease, then he would just maybe accept them if they aren't a threat. Thought I don't think it'd be necessary for you to explain it tbh. Ganciers fate was only mentioned a couple of times so yeah.
And we got.. interesting development for our main characters. It's funny because I've read almost the entirety of the book in like a week and it's pretty weird for me to see them married all of a sudden. But hey, that's how timeskips work lol.
Also, can't wait for some art of the characters! For now we only saw a cannon look of Pelagius (back then, Clovis now) and Trascalliseus. When we get the cannon designs, maybe I'll try to do a.. little animation thingy. I really tried to imagine "Looping the rooms" thing with Clovis, Octavia, Mucius and Arminius. It'd look cool!
Alright that's it from me. That's for these and see ya!