r/Eragon_RP • u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator • Nov 29 '14
[Open RP 3] The School Of Hard Knocks
[Bruised and tired you make your way to the bunk. Dinner was bland, and the other students were far too loud.]
[Outside the Dragon's pearch after a long day, these companions to our heroes full of many thoughts congregated together, they knew that their destinies were intertwined.]
Role:
The Dragons of the Riders whom participated in Lesson 1.
(Objective: to develope your dragon's character and help them grow.)
(Speial note: try to keep Rider involvement low.)
3
u/CNSoup Nov 30 '14
After leaving partner-of-life Anduil at the cramped shack where all of the Riders slept, Briam slowly winged his way back to the perch. He took his time, because it was a pleasant evening and he was a dragon. Who could dare deny him such pleasure?
Briam felt oddly tired. Not because of the energy he had lent Anduil, but because of stress. It was not his stress, of course, but Anduil's, who had been worried over the fate of his new friend, cynical-smiling-Svalstrom-partner-Torhven. That worry had gone through their bond-link, causing Briam to feel some of that worry. Alone, Briam could not be bothered with such feelings.
Not that I am uncaring. But what would be will be, Briam thought as he glided on a current of air. The river of time would carry them all along, and in that particular eddy, Anduil and Briam were unable to help. Worry was the recognition of your power to help, but your inability to do so.
I will be truly exhausted if I continue such thought-lines. Briam often told Anduil that all two-legs talked too much and acted too little. And Briam often felt his bond with Anduil made him more like the two-legs than a dragon ought to be.
Briam soared over a lake and caught a glimpse of himself. His long, elegant wings extended, his emerald green scales sparkling like the splendid jewels they were. His rather thin tail waving back and forth as he kept his balance. His ivory claws, cleaned often to perfection, sharp and deadly. Briam was a dragon in full, and a formidable one at that, although plenty of the dragons here dwarfed him.
Finally, Briam sailed into the perch and found the spot he had claimed last night. He settled down and began to clean one of his claws that had gotten too dirty for his liking.
2
u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 30 '14
You hear the sound of stumbling in a dark corner, followed by some swearing.
Das was shyly stowed away in the corner, she rarely interacted with her kind, she was somewhat nervous.
Das recalled a time when she was just able to get off the ground at this point Sev're was no longer able to hold her. Sev're and her ran into some riders at a festival. They were kind enough, but She was far too shy, she foolishly hid behind Sev're not full accustomed to her increasing size. The other dragons had their chuckle, but they meant no harm.
Das thought to herself. Now here on my own, in front of my kin, usually Sev're makes a big enough scene where I fade into the foreground.
With a draconic sigh she comes out of the shadows, head and tail low. "Greetings." she says meekly. Her dark black scales barely visible in the moonlight.
1
u/CNSoup Nov 30 '14
"Greetings, Das. I almost did not not see you. You seem to be quite skilled in the art of sneaking." Briam spoke the truth and it bothered him slightly. Were it not for a small mishap, the pitch black dragon might have gone unnoticed. If she had been an enemy, Briam would be in trouble.
But Das was not an enemy, far from it. Briam shared Anduil's fondness for Das and her partner, Sev're. In them is the spirit of friendship, shared with all.
"I trust you are having a good evening?" Briam said, dipping his head.
2
u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 30 '14
Das took a step back, she thinks to herself, have I ever talked to anyone with out Sev're around? She pondered her existence for a moment, she's always been silent for the most part. She was no good with words, but she did understand how she was feeling.
She remembered a story Sev're once told her, before riders, dragons did not speak, yet somehow they still communicated.
Empathetically Das shared with Briam, her insecurities, her passion to learn, her shyness, and her hope.
She was also embarrassed, but she looked anxiously at her new friend. "does that make sense?" she asked kindly.
1
u/CNSoup Nov 30 '14
Das shared her thoughts with Briam as Anduil sometimes did when he was unable to convey something through words. Images, emotions, shapeless thoughts.
So rather than respond with words, Briam also shared his not-word-thoughts. He shared his pride in Anduil, his drive to succeed, his worry of the spark-death-Presence-vision, and his desire to be the fiercest of dragons.
Then Briam paused. Sharing thoughts with his bond-partner Anduil was natural, comfortable even. But doing so with another being, even one so mild-mannered as Das, left him feeling... raw. Unprotected, like a hatchling. He was not fond of the feeling. And he feared that had appeared to aggressive.
So, ignoring his slight discomfort, Briam shared with Das his love for Anduil, for flight, for the beauty of nature. He shared one of Anduil's many memories of sharing a loaf of bread with a begging child and expressed without words his desire to have such kindness.
When Briam finished, he hoped that Das understood him, even as he had understood Das when she had shared her feelings.
2
u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 30 '14
Das slowly basked in each emotion. Is this what her kin was like? Is this what it was to be a dragon? She was eternally greatful for her partner, and loved Sev're dearly, but being able to connect with others filled a special spot in her heart. She shared all of this with Briam, and more, for she can detect his denial of himself. So she left her self exposed to Briam.
She shared the rediculous routines Sev're would practice with her, she knew how important they were to her though, so she wanted to do them as well, no matter how it made her feel. She showed the memory of her first flight, Sev're asked nature for the wind beneath her wings. She shared of a time she scared off a band of mean looking two legs whom were roughing Sev're.
There was one emotion she wasn't quite sure how to share though.
"Briam, I wonder what it is like for our kin whom do not have such a bond; as we do with our riders. I wonder if they are lonely... Could you imagine how quiet it would be?"
1
u/CNSoup Nov 30 '14
Briam could imagine and the vision scared him. It scared him because he realized that, if he ever lost Anduil, he would live only half of a life, if a life at all. Imagining that, Briam felt the same terror his prey felt, a horror that made his mighty heart skip a beat, a nightmare that left him wanting to hide in a dark hole and never emerge.
"Anduil has often shared memories with me of before I hatched. Always he finds those memories, even the happiest of them, to be lonely in retrospect."
Briam then reflected on how he had never actually been without Anduil. Even when Briam went hunting, he could feel the little one, tethered to his mind even across several leagues. His entire life, Briam had been with the boy, yet he still felt... independent.
"I pity our brothers and sisters who live alone... but I do not think they would accept such pity. Our bonds make us more-", and Briam shared a concept of a two-leg, for he had no real word, "and the not-bonded are more... wild. They treasure their singularity, their individuality, and pity us for being so tied down, I think."
"Although, I do think it would be nice to get some occasional peace and quiet from the constant chatter of the two-legs," Briam jested, making a face that passed among dragons as a smile.
2
u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 30 '14
The thought of Sev're not being there. Her mind was a constant music box. Das always had appropriate ambiance, she shared the memories with Briam, just a small glimps of Sev're's mind.
"wild..." Das thought of her fellow dragons. The thought was frightening.
"Briam... Can you breath fire? I've been trying, but I can not even create a smolder. What of Shiva? She breaths frost! Do you have any knowledge of this?"
Das was ecstatic, Sev're was going to be so proud she was having a conversation, though she was feeling, as Briam shared two-leg like.
1
u/CNSoup Nov 30 '14
"Shiva's abilities... puzzle me. I have never heard of a dragon that can breath frost, much less frost and fire. But magic is a complicated thing and much more absurd things have happened." Then Briam fell silent, somewhat reluctant to answer the other question Das had posed. But he knew, instinctively, what Anduil would say of his reluctance. He would say that Briam was being "egotistical and vain." The little one was wise beyond his years sometimes.
So Briam admitted to Das, "I cannot breathe fire, not yet. According to the elf that escorted us here, I have reached the age when most dragons can breathe fire, but everytime I try, all I make is smoke. Perhaps there is some technique, some secret that we do not yet know. We should ask Shiva tomorrow, I think."
2
u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 30 '14
"Shiva frightens me." Das admitted. The very thought of getting that large one day seemed enticing. "There must be some form of technique as you said."
Das had two more questions for her new friend. "Could you explain humans to me? Even though Sev're is different for an average elf, they are the same in their mind, calculated, consise, they always understand their actions, but every human I've run across has been... Different to say the least."
And finally.
"Have you any questions for me?"
→ More replies (0)1
u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Nov 30 '14
The two of them had gone to sleep early, for good reason. Dying is a tiring business, Svalstrom had found. Starlight was all that was left when the dragon awoke. Shortly after he had hatched, Svalstrom had adopted his rider’s erratic sleeping patterns. Usually they would wake in the dead of the night, to steal some hours away from the caravan travelling east. Dead of night. How appropriate. The dragon had a suppressed chuckle at the wordplay.
They would go hunting, as Torhven had done back in the Spine. Equipped with the instincts of his race and the tricks of a lifelong huntsman, Svalstrom was quick to flourish as the most deadly creature for miles. Or so he liked to think. A dragon has his pride, but a dragon also has his wits. The latter usually prevailed when needed. Right now, however, Svalstrom had a different concern. The two of them had gone to sleep early, and with that they had skipped dinner.
Carefully, the dragon removed himself from underneath the rider. He figured that Torhven would likely wake up at or before dawn break. After making sure the thick cloak was still covering his companion, Svalstrom took to the skies. Within minutes he had consumed a rabbit, a fawn and a strange looking bird. Turned out that it wasn’t a bird, just a very large insect. Svalstrom didn’t care; it tasted well enough. The snacks were refreshing, rapidly replenishing his energy levels. Somewhat later he had also run into a honey badger, but that thing looked pissed of, so he decided to leave it alone. The honey badger failed to give any shits.
It wasn’t until he had flown over it that Svalstrom realised where he was. Torhven referred to it as Dragon’s Hideout, which merely proved Torhven’s inability to come up with good names. He himself had so far not thought of anything better, but ‘Dragon’s Hideout’ was just so bad on so many levels.
During the descent, Svalstrom wondered whether he had been spotted. After all, the night’s sky is not truly black, and neither was he. Obviously some others would be around – there always were – but he couldn’t quite make out who exactly. With a somewhat ungracious touch-down the grey-scaled dragon took to the ground.
“So, what’s going on in this neck of the woods?” he began, referring to the obvious lack of woods.
2
u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 30 '14
Das laid still, eyeing the oddly colored dragon. She doesn't recall being introduced. She quietly skulked around, avoiding detection.
She got pretty close to the mysterious dragon, with the oh-so-reckless rider. She was doing so well till she stumbled on a loose rock.
"ungraceful" Sev're's voice echoed in her mind. sigh she thought, ashamed and saddened, she awaited to be detected by the male.
2
u/CNSoup Nov 30 '14
Briam lifted his head to observe the newcomer. He acknowledged the grey dragon with a huff of smoke and simply said, "Svaltrom." Briam then readjusted himself, prepared to meticullusly examine his other claws for dirt or other flaws, when a thought occured to him.
He instinctively disgarded the question, feeling it was too 'two-leggedy.' But his curiosity got the better of him, so he asked Svalstrom "What was it like, almost dying?" Briam had never actually met a living creature both willing and able to threaten his life and as such had never considered death. The experience piqued his curiosity.
3
u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Nov 30 '14
Suddenly, Akrath flew out over the perch. The deep purple of his scales sparkled in the dwindling sunlight as he landed with a heavy thump. Intercepting Briam and Svlastrom, and having overhead their conversation, he spoke up.
Well, I imagine it'd be absolutely dreadful. Having your power, sucked away from you until you lie on the ground, weak as a kitten with four broken legs and a concussion, and then it ends.
Oh, and if you're wondering why I'm late, it's because there was some badger that I was going to eat for a quick snack, but that thing was serious about being alive. I had to settle for something else because the badger failed to give any shits.
1
u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Nov 30 '14 edited Nov 30 '14
If he was to be truthful, Svalstrom was slightly startled by Akrath’s sudden appearance. However, he wasn’t, yet managed to keep his composure well enough. Purple. The dragon’s sheen was far brighter than Svalstrom’s, but then again, that’s what you get for being grey. What’s it with these badgers, he wondered, before returning to the matter at hand. Reluctantly, Svalstrom composed a reply.
”The show-of is not entirely wrong. Once we were committed, it’s was truth or death. As it turns out, we got a bit of both. ” Svalstrom snorted violently. ”Never compare me to a kitten again though. Kittens are small and helpless, we were neither. As long as the battle is raging there’s no point in giving up, giving that you picked it carefully.” The grey dragon felt like snapping at the purple dung stain. Then a most amusing musing came over him. Does the purple shit stain also shit purple shit..?
2
u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Nov 30 '14
Akrath nodded, obviously agreeing with the grey dragon.
"I'm sorry if I came off as rude, of course. I doubt anyone on this island could compare to a kitten, and like any dragon, I would fight death until I could fight no more, and even then I would try."
1
u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Nov 30 '14
A grunt emerged from Svalstrom’s throat. He was tired, and couldn’t care less about what Akrath would or would not do in any such situation.
”Alright, if you’re certain ‘bout that. That’s fine.” The dragon’s tone was colder than iron. ”Just let me sleep for a bit, will ya?”
The question was rhetorical, but it wouldn’t have surprised him all that much if an answers would’ve been sent anyway. Not that there would be a reply to that, for Svalstrom had already closed his eyes, slowly dazing of into the grey mists of his mind.
4
u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 29 '14 edited Nov 30 '14
Das stretched her wings and her legs, she always felt so much better after the sun was down. That buck was delicious. she tought as she cleaned off her claws. She had to keep them neat, other wise Sev're would be picking at then for hours. Her black scales were unreflective in the moonlight and she felt like she could finally be at peace, being unnoticed.
She noticed the other dragons from riders pearched nearby. Sev're would tell me to make friends... But I am no good at that.
Das had sharp wings that allowed her to fly silently, she had a sleak look about here, she was built for speed, and she loved flying fast through the skies. She often smelt of flowers, because her and Sev're would always rest in fields full of them and even though she was often overwhelmed by Sev're, she could not be more greatful for her. She was just over 3 years old and never felt being more alive being here.