Post by frobones on Jul 17, 2009 11:55:35 GMT -8
The Quest of Skor Peon
The aftermath of the Great Bael Turath and Arkhosta War left the Dragonborn civilization to start anew. Most of the Dragonborn scattered about the lands and assimilated itself into established cultures and civilizations. However, a handful of Dragonborn managed to acquire unclaimed land for their own and formed new civilizations. A clan amongst these civilizations was known as the Scalescar. Their land consisted of a valley, known as the Unbroken Basin, surrounded by a mountain ridge. The Scalescar society established itself along this ridge, as the valley was home to some of the most heinous creatures known.
The Scalescar clan is home to several Dragonborn bloodlines: Reddyar, Duggal, Garodya, and Peon. Every 5 years, the top two candidates of each bloodline are selected for the clan trial. It is rite of passage to validate the bloodlines stay in the clan Scalescar. Most notable among the candidates was Skor of the Peon bloodline, along with his mate Evandra. The trial is to survive in the Unbroken Basin for 3 years, disconnected from civilization and living off the land side-by-side some of the most dreadful creatures imaginable.
The time has come again for bi-decade trial to begin. Skor and Evandra, along with the other 6 participants in the trial entered the Unbroken Basin, knowing that they would not see civilization for 3 years. The Unbroken Basin is a savage land, untouched by any humanoid for 1000s of years except by the few who dare entered to prove their worth. Acquiring food was no menial task, as the plant life within the Pit is like none seen throughout the civilized world. Surviving amongst the land’s native creatures would nearly be an insurmountable task, let alone hunting them for food. Skor and Evandra certainly had their fair share of close calls, near death experiences and sleepless nights. But as the first year progressed, their task became less arduous as their time spent in the Unbroken Basin strengthened their resolve, determination, and will. Realizing that their survival stemmed from their dependence upon each other.
3 years having past, the gates that separate the Unbroken Basin from civilization unlock. Allowing those still alive in the Pit to return to society. Skor and Evandra arrive at the gate, along with a representative from the Reddyar and Duggal bloodline. Customarily, the survivors of the Pit were treated to a celebratory feast in tribute to their success. However, the bloodline who's representative did not return from the Pit is banished from the clan as they have been deemed unworthy.
After the feast, Skor, Evandra and the other representatives were brought before the council of elders. After being congratulated on their success, they were escorted to the ceremonial chambers to inaugurate their accomplishment. As they entered the ceremonial chambers, Skor felt an icy chill shoot down his spine.
“Welcome, and congratulations once again champions of the Unbroken Basin!” exclaimed the lead Elder. “You have proven that you and your bloodline is worthy of being called a Scalescar. Now please, come gather around the ritual circle so we can begin the ceremony.”
Skor and the others proceeded to their assigned position along the ritual circle, with Evandra opposite of him. Once they were in position, the Elder began a series of chants. As he began to speak, the ritual circle lit up and an arcane energy began to erupt from underneath - whipping about like ethereal tentacles. This energy began latch onto the bodies of the champions. At first, the energy was a welcome feeling of invigoration. But it soon turned to wracking, agonizing pain. Deep within Skor's being, he felt something was wrong, perhaps corrupt. He tried to leave the ritual circle, but his body could not move. It was as if he was frozen in place, bound to the circle.
Fear began to settle in Skor, “Could these be my last breaths alive?” he thought. “No! I won’t let it end this way, not when Evandra and I have so much to live for!” He could not move much, but at the very least he could move his eyes. His eyes fell upon the pain and agony of a suffering Evandra. Unable to tolerate this sight of his lover, he attempted once again with all his might to break free of the ritual circle. As he flexed every muscle in his body and drew upon every ounce of his Dragonborn heritage, he was able to break free. Immediately, he rushed over to Evandra to free her of the bindings. As he was charging towards her, he began to she her transform into a being of fluctuating energy. Having picked up enough speed, he was able to tackle Evandra free of the ritual circle.
As Skor hit the ground and tumbled away, he laid on the ground looking at Evandra. Her glow of energy began to subside and her form started to stabilize, she was returning to the physical and material world. But to Skor's dismay, she was reduced to that of a drake, a lesser form of a Dragonborn. Skor then looked around to see the other champions, but he saw nothing. They all had vanished. All who remained in the room were the Clan Elders, himself, and his beloved devolved Evandra.
“Well, well...” says the Lead Elder, “it seems you had the will to break free of our bonds.”
Skor immediately shouts, “What have you done to Evandra! Return her to normal immediately!”
“My dear Skor” replied the Elder, “That would be a waste of our time and power. Furthermore, you will not be around much longer to see her.”
Skor heartbroken and befuddled asks, “Where are the other champions? What have you done to them and my Evandra?!”
“-Sigh- I guess I can appease the wish of a Dragonborn that is about to perish” says the Elder reluctantly. “As you know, all Dragonborn came from the split blood of the dragon god Io. He perished as collateral damage in the clashes between the gods and primordials. The Unbroken Basin is an orchestrated trial to surface the most prominent members of our clan, only the strongest and truest of Dragonborn can survive its harshness.” The Elder continues, “Our goal is to transmute these Dragonborn into their pure essences, and with them we will attempt to resurrect our Dragon god Io.”
“As you can see, the others have already been reduced to their essences. However, you broke free before much could happened and you interrupted the process of the one at your feet, leaving her in the state she is now. Stuck between that of a Dragonborn and the essence we seek. If the process is interrupted, we can no longer gather the subject’s essence.”
Skor begins to realize that his death may be imminent. “So, now that I have granted your final wish”, says the Elder “your time is at an end, for even one such as yourself can see the repercussions of having this knowledge leave this room. Our clan would topple and the chance to revive Io would be lost.”
Unarmed and weighted by his overbearing sense mortality, Skor comes to term with fate. As the elders began to chant another spell, all Skor can do is embrace his unconscious Evandra and whisper his love for her upon deaf ears. As the elders finish their chant, a wave of invisible energy washes over Skor and Evandra. However, this energy is not from the elders, its emitting from Skor's forearm. The elders launch a dark miasma bolt towards the seemingly helpless couple. But as the bolt contacts them, a violent vortex of energy erupts, engulfing the two of them.
As the vortex dissipates and the smoke subsided, all that is left is burnt ash imprinted on the floor. The elders were a little concern at the outcome of their assault, as what they saw was not their intended result. But having no sight the Dragonborn or the drake caused them to ignore their concerns, confident that their secrets will be kept hidden.
That was 4 years ago. After the vortex had engulfed Skor and Evandra, Skor was transported through space. Transported alone, Skor believes that Evandra is still alive; she was simply in a different location. Thus, Skor's quest is twofold: First he must unite himself with his love Evandra, then they must locate the Scalescar clan and finally put an end to them and return Evandra back to normal. His quest will be a long one, as the whereabouts of Evandra and the clan is both unknown to him. The Scalescar clan resided in a secluded land apart from other cultures and civilizations. Having no ties to the outside world, almost no one knows of their existence, let alone its location. As for Evandra, although she may look like an ordinary drake to strangers, the bond she and Skor had would make it unmistakable for him to identify her.
The aftermath of the Great Bael Turath and Arkhosta War left the Dragonborn civilization to start anew. Most of the Dragonborn scattered about the lands and assimilated itself into established cultures and civilizations. However, a handful of Dragonborn managed to acquire unclaimed land for their own and formed new civilizations. A clan amongst these civilizations was known as the Scalescar. Their land consisted of a valley, known as the Unbroken Basin, surrounded by a mountain ridge. The Scalescar society established itself along this ridge, as the valley was home to some of the most heinous creatures known.
The Scalescar clan is home to several Dragonborn bloodlines: Reddyar, Duggal, Garodya, and Peon. Every 5 years, the top two candidates of each bloodline are selected for the clan trial. It is rite of passage to validate the bloodlines stay in the clan Scalescar. Most notable among the candidates was Skor of the Peon bloodline, along with his mate Evandra. The trial is to survive in the Unbroken Basin for 3 years, disconnected from civilization and living off the land side-by-side some of the most dreadful creatures imaginable.
The time has come again for bi-decade trial to begin. Skor and Evandra, along with the other 6 participants in the trial entered the Unbroken Basin, knowing that they would not see civilization for 3 years. The Unbroken Basin is a savage land, untouched by any humanoid for 1000s of years except by the few who dare entered to prove their worth. Acquiring food was no menial task, as the plant life within the Pit is like none seen throughout the civilized world. Surviving amongst the land’s native creatures would nearly be an insurmountable task, let alone hunting them for food. Skor and Evandra certainly had their fair share of close calls, near death experiences and sleepless nights. But as the first year progressed, their task became less arduous as their time spent in the Unbroken Basin strengthened their resolve, determination, and will. Realizing that their survival stemmed from their dependence upon each other.
3 years having past, the gates that separate the Unbroken Basin from civilization unlock. Allowing those still alive in the Pit to return to society. Skor and Evandra arrive at the gate, along with a representative from the Reddyar and Duggal bloodline. Customarily, the survivors of the Pit were treated to a celebratory feast in tribute to their success. However, the bloodline who's representative did not return from the Pit is banished from the clan as they have been deemed unworthy.
After the feast, Skor, Evandra and the other representatives were brought before the council of elders. After being congratulated on their success, they were escorted to the ceremonial chambers to inaugurate their accomplishment. As they entered the ceremonial chambers, Skor felt an icy chill shoot down his spine.
“Welcome, and congratulations once again champions of the Unbroken Basin!” exclaimed the lead Elder. “You have proven that you and your bloodline is worthy of being called a Scalescar. Now please, come gather around the ritual circle so we can begin the ceremony.”
Skor and the others proceeded to their assigned position along the ritual circle, with Evandra opposite of him. Once they were in position, the Elder began a series of chants. As he began to speak, the ritual circle lit up and an arcane energy began to erupt from underneath - whipping about like ethereal tentacles. This energy began latch onto the bodies of the champions. At first, the energy was a welcome feeling of invigoration. But it soon turned to wracking, agonizing pain. Deep within Skor's being, he felt something was wrong, perhaps corrupt. He tried to leave the ritual circle, but his body could not move. It was as if he was frozen in place, bound to the circle.
Fear began to settle in Skor, “Could these be my last breaths alive?” he thought. “No! I won’t let it end this way, not when Evandra and I have so much to live for!” He could not move much, but at the very least he could move his eyes. His eyes fell upon the pain and agony of a suffering Evandra. Unable to tolerate this sight of his lover, he attempted once again with all his might to break free of the ritual circle. As he flexed every muscle in his body and drew upon every ounce of his Dragonborn heritage, he was able to break free. Immediately, he rushed over to Evandra to free her of the bindings. As he was charging towards her, he began to she her transform into a being of fluctuating energy. Having picked up enough speed, he was able to tackle Evandra free of the ritual circle.
As Skor hit the ground and tumbled away, he laid on the ground looking at Evandra. Her glow of energy began to subside and her form started to stabilize, she was returning to the physical and material world. But to Skor's dismay, she was reduced to that of a drake, a lesser form of a Dragonborn. Skor then looked around to see the other champions, but he saw nothing. They all had vanished. All who remained in the room were the Clan Elders, himself, and his beloved devolved Evandra.
“Well, well...” says the Lead Elder, “it seems you had the will to break free of our bonds.”
Skor immediately shouts, “What have you done to Evandra! Return her to normal immediately!”
“My dear Skor” replied the Elder, “That would be a waste of our time and power. Furthermore, you will not be around much longer to see her.”
Skor heartbroken and befuddled asks, “Where are the other champions? What have you done to them and my Evandra?!”
“-Sigh- I guess I can appease the wish of a Dragonborn that is about to perish” says the Elder reluctantly. “As you know, all Dragonborn came from the split blood of the dragon god Io. He perished as collateral damage in the clashes between the gods and primordials. The Unbroken Basin is an orchestrated trial to surface the most prominent members of our clan, only the strongest and truest of Dragonborn can survive its harshness.” The Elder continues, “Our goal is to transmute these Dragonborn into their pure essences, and with them we will attempt to resurrect our Dragon god Io.”
“As you can see, the others have already been reduced to their essences. However, you broke free before much could happened and you interrupted the process of the one at your feet, leaving her in the state she is now. Stuck between that of a Dragonborn and the essence we seek. If the process is interrupted, we can no longer gather the subject’s essence.”
Skor begins to realize that his death may be imminent. “So, now that I have granted your final wish”, says the Elder “your time is at an end, for even one such as yourself can see the repercussions of having this knowledge leave this room. Our clan would topple and the chance to revive Io would be lost.”
Unarmed and weighted by his overbearing sense mortality, Skor comes to term with fate. As the elders began to chant another spell, all Skor can do is embrace his unconscious Evandra and whisper his love for her upon deaf ears. As the elders finish their chant, a wave of invisible energy washes over Skor and Evandra. However, this energy is not from the elders, its emitting from Skor's forearm. The elders launch a dark miasma bolt towards the seemingly helpless couple. But as the bolt contacts them, a violent vortex of energy erupts, engulfing the two of them.
As the vortex dissipates and the smoke subsided, all that is left is burnt ash imprinted on the floor. The elders were a little concern at the outcome of their assault, as what they saw was not their intended result. But having no sight the Dragonborn or the drake caused them to ignore their concerns, confident that their secrets will be kept hidden.
That was 4 years ago. After the vortex had engulfed Skor and Evandra, Skor was transported through space. Transported alone, Skor believes that Evandra is still alive; she was simply in a different location. Thus, Skor's quest is twofold: First he must unite himself with his love Evandra, then they must locate the Scalescar clan and finally put an end to them and return Evandra back to normal. His quest will be a long one, as the whereabouts of Evandra and the clan is both unknown to him. The Scalescar clan resided in a secluded land apart from other cultures and civilizations. Having no ties to the outside world, almost no one knows of their existence, let alone its location. As for Evandra, although she may look like an ordinary drake to strangers, the bond she and Skor had would make it unmistakable for him to identify her.
