From: baphelocl@aol.com (Bapheloc L)
Date: 05 Jun 1998 22:37:35 EDT
Myriad pastel hues reflect off the barely snow tipped mountains of the eastern range of RhyDin. Fluffy radiating brilliance of clouds along the western horizon drifting lazily signaling the dawn of another day on the world of RhyDin. The air is full of the sounds of freshly born wildlife calling out to thier parents to fill thier ravenous stomachs. Those creatures of the night scurry back to thier liars to
hide from the light with the spoils of thier hunt. From the rural settlements people are as well just waking to the routine of chores that help provide the sustence of the civilizations of RhyDin. For some the task of simply living is more barbaric compared to other civilized intelligent beings.
Tall wispy blades of grass chime a tune in the summer morning breeze across a slightly rolling meadow. The trickle of a winding creek accompanys in delightful melody as it works its way across the meadow to other lands. Like the swimming of trout in the creek the wild venison beasts of RhyDin weave across the meadow for thier morning drink. Bounding and leaping gaily through the flowing fields as the sun shines off thier milldewed fur. Almost
innocent childlike way they play about the warm sunny morning. Until the shadow comes over them signalling pending doom.
Suede soft leathery wings glisten a mettallic golden brightness as a stark contrast to the pastel hues of the mountain tops. Long whipping spade tipped tail like a snake floating on water flows in wake of the hunargy beast. Jeweled orbed eyes swirl an urgent orange as the massive draconic head swings back and forth looking for appropriate nurishment. The many facets blinking and covering his eyes to focus and protect from the elements. Within
moments the heated smell of warm venison flesh reaches his muzzle. The herd strolls lazily before him way below across the meadow. Instinctively the talons extend as a pike line of phalanx blades marching to the opposition. The hunt is on.
Golden sails fold back to hug tightly to the reptialian frame as it begins to plummet like a rock in a dive. Fore limbs extended forward, talons outreached ready for the split second grab as the spade tipped tail vainly trys to urge further momentum downward against gravity. The sun warm to the beast's backside ruins his surprise as he sees his own shadow passing over the herd below him. As one, the herd springs to a run as if shot from the
meadow for thier very lives. Few struggle to get up from thier creekside naps, but the moments lapse is enough for the hunter to find its victim. Sweeping in towards the ground, wings unfold with a loud creaking snap and catch the wind to prevent collision with the surface. Simualtaneously claws reach out grabbing a buck by the sides plucking it into the air. Quickly as wings beat with tremendous strength the muzzle reaches around the creature's
neck crushing life from it with a powerful bite. Onward and upward towards a mesa top the platinum draconian flys as the lifeless form of the buck dangles from his clutches.
After a gorging meal in which he finishes by using his forked tongue to clean the dripping blood from his muzzle, a swimming bath sounded delightful. Dropping over the edge of the mesa his wings unfold again lifting him to rise on a sizzling turmoil. Soaring again over the meadow now vacant of further eatings, he spots the small mountain lake on the horizion. Its clear crystal icy blue water beckoning him to frolicking antics as he makes his
first dive. The water sent shivers along his spine to the tip of his tail. After a bout of scraping his scales along the rocks of the lake bed for scrubbing cleaniness he drifted about sleeply for several moments. Finally dragging himself from the potential wavey drifting sleep of the lake he scans for a warm rock. A prominent outcropping of sand stone catches his jeweled orbed eyes instantly as the brightness of the near mid-day sun reflects
from it. Becoming more of a quadraped then the biped he usually is he crawls to the outcropping's peak. Tail wraps about a spike from the ledge as he hugs the warm rock sprawling out lazily over the entire outcropping. Muzzle absently stratching an itch roughly along the lip of a sand stone. Finally, he rests his head down on a fore limb as many facets begin lidding over in a meditative conteplative state. Wings folded back proectively over most
of his form creating literally a solar panal absorbing the sun's radiance.
His view of the bustling RhyDin Towne with trade caravans, various noble contingents, and the various traveler either a foot or by mount sent his thoughts to drifting to a summer here on RhyDin. He was on the verge of tieing up some loose ends from his previous period of time on RhyDin. What land that he still owned on the world of RhyDin including properties within RhyDin Towne he had sold and was finalizing those contracts now. Soon he would
be personally wealthy away from the House's coffers, to persue some private interests. He had also removed House Lathadoscia offically if not already done from most affliations, and assumed any finiancial transactions to himself. He had taken a sabbatical from the House Lathadoscia to pursue some of his own goals. The House was more involved on another world trying to help save the civilizations from some dark one's forces. The struggle between
good and evil does not interest him as the aspects of the essence of the mutliverse does. With the homeworld of Dracoern destroyed, this was a chance to start afresh a new adventure of life. A back to basics of living, well at least luxurious basics afterall he thought to himself with a dagger long fanged draconic grin. The question had been plagueing him as to what to do with it.
He enjoyed mostly upon his return to RhyDin the duels of the Arena. He was happy to find out that he could assume his previous rank of Warlord. Though a bit rusty with the ten foot long quad-bladed serrated spear staff of adamantine and mithril fondly known about the rings as the "SoB", he was managing to get back some sembalance of skill again to maintain his Warlord rank. A pultry ten more wins then losses in a couple of weeks, but better then
going negative right away. The weapon was more properly named the Sceptur of Baphelocutis as it was a symbol of his might and service to the immortal hierarch of the sphere of energy, Ixion. The thrill of melee combat had awakened the more draconic side of his nature. The raw animalistic urge to do battle as ruthlessly as possible fueling his passion for the duel. It was often the more human rational part of him that kept it in perspective of
being a sporting spar. Yet still he was remeniceint of his younger adventuring days of just trying to survive on various quests. Perhaps for once in a very long time he felt challenged in life to prove himself once again.
This summer cycle he intended to do just that atleast in the rings of the Arena. It wasn't going to be through challenges or trying to dictate his view of honor upon others. It was simply going to be as his orginal Kensai, Xenograg, had so often reminded him, "Let your actions speak for you". As well let your blade prove your worth in a venue where worth is determined by the skill of the blade and not by words he often felt when listening to the
chatter about the rings. For so long he had never taken his dueling seriously enough to excel as a warrior. Just enough to be a challenge, or finally having achieved his Warlord ranking. His tenure as Baron was so short and for all the wrong reasons he barely recollected upon it. Eventually by tournement another title might become his some day he thought. For him his desires within the rings laid more in just being a tough warrior that many
respect for simply his skill.
Soon, RhyDin would know him. The WarDrac of DoS. He felt more alive then ever returning to his warrior ways. Yes, it was delightful to embrace the thrill of combat once again. WarDrac Reborn!
WarDrac Reborn!
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From: baphelocl@aol.com (Bapheloc L)
Date: 20 Jul 1998 14:13:41 EDT
Rhythm of the slow beating wings upon the warm summer air droll on like a resting heart. A decent sized shadow swims over the landscape lazily in winding patterns in seemingly random direction. The metallic glint of the flying reptilian form sure sign of one individual on RhyDin, the WarDrac, Baphelocutis.
Always winding through canyons, valleys, up over mountains ridges, and spire ranges leaving one never sure if he is coming or going from where to hence. For many weeks he has searched the various realms of RhyDin for something simple, but special. A place to call home. He no longer wished to live in the civilizations of the humanoids. To live in a structure designed with the needs and wants of the other types of humanoids he had walked among
was no longer appetizing. His base draconic senses and urges longed for a type of home that was more of a "Lair."
Finally, on a night when the moon was full and he was dipping and winding through a highlands range, he happened upon such the loveliest of spots. Among some of the higher craggy rocky peaks of this highlands range, he came upon on such gigantic a mountain he almost flew into it thinking it was the night sky. For it had risen so wide and high quickly before him he barely had time to swoop upwards skimming the steep side barely without crashing.
Upon reaching the lip of either a crater or a wondrous bowled valley his eyes danced with the sparkle of all the stars it seemed. He immediately folded his wings as he gripped the edge of the spire he was flying over landing with a shuddering jerk of his massive form. His multicolored jeweled orbed eyes swirling a orangish yellow in alarm as he scanned the area before him.
The cause of the sparkling pin points that had caught his attention so suddenly, surprisingly were from two different sources. One a crystal clear icy looking mountain lake towards the center of the valley within what must have been a huge crater at one time in the peak of this enormous mountain. Reflected off the lake with such clarity of sharpness was the full moon night with all the stars shining so bright that between the actual sky and the
lake's reflection caused a sense of vertigo momentarily as he established his equilibrium from flying to landing. The other source of the sparkling luminance that caught his attention was from the leaves of the trees that seemed to grow thicker together then any other forest he had encountered. Like gliterring metal coins they dangle from ivory branches catching and reflecting light as the rain would. He was awed by such a lovely sight fond of
sparkling colors especially with such lighting.
After a few moments soaking in such a lovely sight to behold he walked down within the valley for a closer look. The redwood sized ivory colored trees with their sparkling various metallic colored leaves seemed to cover the entire floor of the valley. Much like a woven braided blanket of ivory trunks threaded around each other with spires shooting up everywhere blossoming into an umbrella of branches of the sparkly leaves. He himself could
barerly move about through the trees, the option of flight haven been cut off. He just used his senses and tried to stay on a course that would lead him towards the beautiful lake. It took him a long while to reach it, the moon having made a sucnificant journey across the sky.
The lake was formed in a part of the forest in which the trunks had formed a bowl of their own to catch the rain and the run off from the surrounding spires of mountain at the edges of the crater. Little feeders of brooks and creeks could be seen disappearing in winding paths into the forest further. He sat upon a knotted trunk on the shore of the lake and just watched the surroundings. He watched for so long that he happened to notice the sun
rising behind him in the wee hours of the morning. The transformation of the lake, the forest, and of the whole cratered valley high up in the highlands range from the shiny metallic glistening night to the fiery hues that erupted across the leaves as the various reds, oranges, and yellow rays of RhyDin's sun shone upon these crystalline leaves was daunting to the draconic senses. He was so moved by the beauty and the serenity of the place and the
effect it had on him, that it simply couldn't be anymore then the perfect home for him.
As if the forest was responding to his empathy with the surroundings, the knotted trunks he was sitting upon began to raise up into the sky a few meters. In fact for a few meters all around him the trunks bulged upward like a bubble as he jumped off and down to the floor below him. When he turned towards the mound he realized the forest had created a cave opening at the edge of the lake. Wide enough for more then his full wingspan and about
three times his hieght. The ground stopped shaking and bouncing after a few moments as the threaded woven trunks of the forest shaped tighter to complete its own transformation. Cautiously he looked all about him for any signs of life, or some sort of being or other magics that might be effecting the area. Satisfied eventually after a thorough scan of the area, he stepped up to the opening of the new cave.
The cave beckoned him further, like a comforting hug from an affectionate loved one when returning home from a day's long journey or work. He became apprehensive but took a step further to investigate. The cave entrance was illuminated as the ivory trunks absorbed the sun's morning rays directly since the entrance faced east. As he walked farther in it seemed the trunks conducted the light all along their forms, giving him no need for additional
light sources during the day. The pathway began angling down into the mountain and started turning to the left in a winding corkscrew pattern. The sound of cascading water could always be heard to his left on the otherside of the trunked walls of the tunnel. Presumably coming from the surface lake down through the crack of the trunk that formed it's bottom. A tune chimed with a light pleasant melody from the dripping effects of the water from the
bottom of the lake. Finally, reaching the bottom of the descending tunnel of trunks as they fanned out like a ramp he found himself in a cavern. Rather a cavern created by the growth of trunks and the actual mountain surface. He surmised he was standing on what used to be the bottom of the crater or the floor of the valley, so technically he was still above ground. The cavern was almost the size of the whole catacombs below the Red Dragon Inn
that formed the Arena of Swords.
That trademarked maniacal dagger long draconic fanged grin that spread Cheshire cat style appeared as he thought of the potential this would make for his new home. Rather his new "Lair." A place that was very inaccessible to travelers on foot or by other ground traveling means since the spires that lead up to the valley were so steep and rocky. Only creatures of his size or smaller could fly into an opening that seemed so well camouflaged by
it's surroundings. The lake was perfect for swimming and bathing. He had fed off the domestic herds in the surrounding realms easily enough to know food was close at hand. It seemed odd there wasn't much other natural life about the cratered area, but he could investigate and explore at his leisure for other signs of neighbors. The effect the place had on him was indeed the most inspiring and left him content regardless of what was happening
elsewhere on RhyDin.
Indeed, the WarDrac had finally found his home, his lair.
Date: 20 Jul 1998 14:13:41 EDT
Rhythm of the slow beating wings upon the warm summer air droll on like a resting heart. A decent sized shadow swims over the landscape lazily in winding patterns in seemingly random direction. The metallic glint of the flying reptilian form sure sign of one individual on RhyDin, the WarDrac, Baphelocutis.
Always winding through canyons, valleys, up over mountains ridges, and spire ranges leaving one never sure if he is coming or going from where to hence. For many weeks he has searched the various realms of RhyDin for something simple, but special. A place to call home. He no longer wished to live in the civilizations of the humanoids. To live in a structure designed with the needs and wants of the other types of humanoids he had walked among
was no longer appetizing. His base draconic senses and urges longed for a type of home that was more of a "Lair."
Finally, on a night when the moon was full and he was dipping and winding through a highlands range, he happened upon such the loveliest of spots. Among some of the higher craggy rocky peaks of this highlands range, he came upon on such gigantic a mountain he almost flew into it thinking it was the night sky. For it had risen so wide and high quickly before him he barely had time to swoop upwards skimming the steep side barely without crashing.
Upon reaching the lip of either a crater or a wondrous bowled valley his eyes danced with the sparkle of all the stars it seemed. He immediately folded his wings as he gripped the edge of the spire he was flying over landing with a shuddering jerk of his massive form. His multicolored jeweled orbed eyes swirling a orangish yellow in alarm as he scanned the area before him.
The cause of the sparkling pin points that had caught his attention so suddenly, surprisingly were from two different sources. One a crystal clear icy looking mountain lake towards the center of the valley within what must have been a huge crater at one time in the peak of this enormous mountain. Reflected off the lake with such clarity of sharpness was the full moon night with all the stars shining so bright that between the actual sky and the
lake's reflection caused a sense of vertigo momentarily as he established his equilibrium from flying to landing. The other source of the sparkling luminance that caught his attention was from the leaves of the trees that seemed to grow thicker together then any other forest he had encountered. Like gliterring metal coins they dangle from ivory branches catching and reflecting light as the rain would. He was awed by such a lovely sight fond of
sparkling colors especially with such lighting.
After a few moments soaking in such a lovely sight to behold he walked down within the valley for a closer look. The redwood sized ivory colored trees with their sparkling various metallic colored leaves seemed to cover the entire floor of the valley. Much like a woven braided blanket of ivory trunks threaded around each other with spires shooting up everywhere blossoming into an umbrella of branches of the sparkly leaves. He himself could
barerly move about through the trees, the option of flight haven been cut off. He just used his senses and tried to stay on a course that would lead him towards the beautiful lake. It took him a long while to reach it, the moon having made a sucnificant journey across the sky.
The lake was formed in a part of the forest in which the trunks had formed a bowl of their own to catch the rain and the run off from the surrounding spires of mountain at the edges of the crater. Little feeders of brooks and creeks could be seen disappearing in winding paths into the forest further. He sat upon a knotted trunk on the shore of the lake and just watched the surroundings. He watched for so long that he happened to notice the sun
rising behind him in the wee hours of the morning. The transformation of the lake, the forest, and of the whole cratered valley high up in the highlands range from the shiny metallic glistening night to the fiery hues that erupted across the leaves as the various reds, oranges, and yellow rays of RhyDin's sun shone upon these crystalline leaves was daunting to the draconic senses. He was so moved by the beauty and the serenity of the place and the
effect it had on him, that it simply couldn't be anymore then the perfect home for him.
As if the forest was responding to his empathy with the surroundings, the knotted trunks he was sitting upon began to raise up into the sky a few meters. In fact for a few meters all around him the trunks bulged upward like a bubble as he jumped off and down to the floor below him. When he turned towards the mound he realized the forest had created a cave opening at the edge of the lake. Wide enough for more then his full wingspan and about
three times his hieght. The ground stopped shaking and bouncing after a few moments as the threaded woven trunks of the forest shaped tighter to complete its own transformation. Cautiously he looked all about him for any signs of life, or some sort of being or other magics that might be effecting the area. Satisfied eventually after a thorough scan of the area, he stepped up to the opening of the new cave.
The cave beckoned him further, like a comforting hug from an affectionate loved one when returning home from a day's long journey or work. He became apprehensive but took a step further to investigate. The cave entrance was illuminated as the ivory trunks absorbed the sun's morning rays directly since the entrance faced east. As he walked farther in it seemed the trunks conducted the light all along their forms, giving him no need for additional
light sources during the day. The pathway began angling down into the mountain and started turning to the left in a winding corkscrew pattern. The sound of cascading water could always be heard to his left on the otherside of the trunked walls of the tunnel. Presumably coming from the surface lake down through the crack of the trunk that formed it's bottom. A tune chimed with a light pleasant melody from the dripping effects of the water from the
bottom of the lake. Finally, reaching the bottom of the descending tunnel of trunks as they fanned out like a ramp he found himself in a cavern. Rather a cavern created by the growth of trunks and the actual mountain surface. He surmised he was standing on what used to be the bottom of the crater or the floor of the valley, so technically he was still above ground. The cavern was almost the size of the whole catacombs below the Red Dragon Inn
that formed the Arena of Swords.
That trademarked maniacal dagger long draconic fanged grin that spread Cheshire cat style appeared as he thought of the potential this would make for his new home. Rather his new "Lair." A place that was very inaccessible to travelers on foot or by other ground traveling means since the spires that lead up to the valley were so steep and rocky. Only creatures of his size or smaller could fly into an opening that seemed so well camouflaged by
it's surroundings. The lake was perfect for swimming and bathing. He had fed off the domestic herds in the surrounding realms easily enough to know food was close at hand. It seemed odd there wasn't much other natural life about the cratered area, but he could investigate and explore at his leisure for other signs of neighbors. The effect the place had on him was indeed the most inspiring and left him content regardless of what was happening
elsewhere on RhyDin.
Indeed, the WarDrac had finally found his home, his lair.