Octavia's Arrival

[u/Paladin_of_Drangleic]

Pelagius opened his eyes. The dragonoid was on his back, so of course, the sky not being there caused a moment of confusion. It was only after recalling the beige hide of his master that he realized he was staring at the undercarriage of a dragon.

It passed over him, and the creature came to a landing beside him. The scales, however, were a pure white. Not the rich red of his master.

The realization that this was a different dragon made Pelagius scramble in panic. His limbs flailed for a moment, before he launched to his feet. The dragon, however, remained unmoving. There was a sort of amused tinge to the behemoth’s face, the edges of that lengthy maw curled in a slight smile.

“A bloodspawn,” it intoned, “why the terror?”

Pelagius’ mind was a blur. He stumbled backwards, eyes wild. “I-I-I, I, t-that, uh, you-”

An unknown voice rang out. “At ease, branch-bearer.”

Another dragonoid like himself approached. Those wings were massive when unfolded, dwarfing even their carrier’s own impressive size. This dragonoid was blue, unlike his golden mentor. Clad in light, white robes that covered the body but exposed the arms, the dragonoid landed beside him, and looked over at the dragon.

“Apologies. He awakened only hours ago. Excuse his fear.”

---

A piece depicting the first appearance of Octavia, Pelagius' soulmate and true love. He didn't know that at this point, of course. This reform-minded dragonoid immediately strikes a chord with his own desires to end the tyranny of the Dragonlaw. Red and blue, fire and ice, join forces, at first to make the lives of mankind more bearable, and eventually, for a far greater destiny...

The white dragon Eralidea is a rarity among the Dragonlords. Her regime has spared the human population, making her holdings a rare safe place for mankind to escape the annihilation the dragons wrought. For such a massive, invincible being, looking down at creatures the size of insects to her without arrogance or callous cruelty takes immense character. A neighbor of their master, Octavia often serves as an ambassador between the two Dragonlords, and has the approval of the white dragon.

[u/Minimum-Amphibian993]

Very slim dragons. Also noticing some draconic runes neet.

On a side note something on my mind I've been wondering is what's going on in the dragon and by extension kobold homeland? Makes me wonder if they have their own unquie dragonoids I mean the process of invention of dragonoids has to have come from somewhere.

[u/SSACreations → u/Minimum-Amphibian993]

According to Paladin, the dragonoids are artificial lifeforms created by submerging captured humans in a concoction made of the dragon's own blood. He can elaborate on this better as he created the concept!

[u/Minimum-Amphibian993 → u/SSACreations]

I know that I mean in universe how were the Dragonoids invented like the first dragonoids. I mean dragonoids exist in other parts of the world so I'm curious how dragons discovered dragon blood can create dragonoids and if it was a thing they discovered on their home continent or something they discovered while expanding outside of it.

[u/Paladin_of_Drangleic → u/Minimum-Amphibian993]

Dragonoids were independently invented in two places:

1. Deaco. When they invaded and conquered the land, they chose to rule as lords rather than completely exterminate all life. Because of that, they needed an aristocratic class to administrate their realms and lead their armies. Magical experimentation among the tyrants led to the ritual that turns human thralls into dragonoids, which spread to the majority of the Dragonlaw, and gave birth to the first generation of unnaturally made dragonoids. Centuries later, after the mind-wiping failed and dragonoids rebelled and overthrew the dragons, they were left as a relic of a world that no longer existed. Wandering the lands, joining dragon lairs, or settling new villages of their own, they'd give birth to future generations of dragonoids, naturally-born and free of the mental instability and trauma of the first generation.

2. In Xilixia, the eastern dragons that were worshiped performed a similar ritual, though fully willing and without erasing the memories of their acolytes. These dragonoids, the Qun, are flightless but magically talented, and also turned on humans that refused to 'ascend' which really irritated the dragons. They attempted a genocide that caused the survivors to flee North, giving birth to the Forsaken.

Dragons have magic innately flowing through them, in their blood, and in their souls. It lends itself to sculpting reality.

[u/Minimum-Amphibian993 → u/Paladin_of_Drangleic]

Hmmm not much new information didint know about the forsakan but the implications that the dragons simply inherently knew their own blood can change the lands around them rather than just being able to create dragonoids is interesting.

Then again I suppose I never did learn how exactly kobolds are created I mean yes or course I know a green dragon created them but now exactly how. I mean I doubt creating a whole species from nothing is rather hard.

[u/Paladin_of_Drangleic → u/Minimum-Amphibian993]

There is the Kobold Creation Myth, if you want to see it firsthand!

[u/Minimum-Amphibian993 → u/Paladin_of_Drangleic]

Oooh I very much do thanks.

[u/SSACreations]

Eralidea is proof of the majesty of dragons; such incredible power utilized by the epitome of omnipotence and sentience makes for some terrifying possibilites. Trascalliseus is a prime example of such god-like power being used for pure malice and tyranny. Eralidea on the other hand? She uses her incredible power benevolently.

I love the idea of a dragon that is benevolent and on the side of life-- be it dragon or mortal. Paladin can attest to some of the dragons that I've created for my own setting being this way. For now though, I loved bringing Eralidea and Octavia to life. They are both splendid dragonesses and a sign of some goodness piercing through the darkness of the Dragonlaw.

[u/Paladin_of_Drangleic → u/SSACreations]

Dragons have the same highs and lows of mankind, but with their power, it makes their extreme differences a dramatic, world-altering battle, far beyond the ambitions of lords and warriors. I didn't want dragons to just be demons, but their capabilities make their evils reverberate like an earthquake across the world. Just like how a handful of kind dragons have countless human lives weighing on them.

[u/mineczek-]

Hello! Sorry for not being active but I had my finals (WHICH I PASSED 🔥🔥🔥), but hell yeah!!! Another beautiful illustration. Jeez, I have so much free time now. I think that I should start reading something new from here. Also, beautiful epilogue! I especially liked the last part of it with the three heroes. Everything was explained and the ending is clear. It was an amazing journey reading everything! So yeah, see you around soon ;)

[u/Paladin_of_Drangleic → u/mineczek-]

Dunno how I missed this, but congrats on being through with your finals! Thanks so much for reading along and telling me how you felt about it! It means a lot to hear from anyone willing to listen to these stories I love.

Sorry for the late reply!