What do you guys think of the new book cover?
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Once the battle was over and the dungeon's treasure was claimed, none of which really interested him, they got some class tokens and a metal club magic item that called down lighting in which he gave it to the Thunder dragon.
Artorius and his forces must move deeper into the dungeon to find the Trial of Might. The dungeon begins to shift once again, revealing a new path, a narrow passage that leads to a vast underground chamber. The walls are lined with ancient inscriptions, and the air is filled with the weight of the ages.
The chamber is dominated by a massive stone pedestal, upon which rests a glowing gauntlet. Artorius's fingers brushed the glowing gauntlet, its surface warm and humming with energy and then, the world fractured.
Artorius blinked, and when he opened his eyes again, he was no longer standing in the cold, oppressive stone chamber of the dungeon. Instead, he found himself standing in a vast, boundless void. The ground was not solid but seemed to shift and ripple like liquid glass. He wasn't alone.
A large stone slab appeared in front of him, rising from the fluid ground, perfectly smooth, with strange markings that glowed faintly. As the slab reached its full height, it split down the middle, revealing a large arm-wrestling table made of shimmering crystal. Around the table, sitting on ethereal thrones, were five figures each one more imposing than the last.
"This is where you will prove your might," a voice said. It was a gruff and cold voice. Artorius stepped forward to face his first opponent. His first was an elemental foe which kept on jolting him with electric form, seeing that was the case he used his word of power for Flame to return the favor.
His next opponent was a stone golem which Artorius knew he stood no chance against so he just tied himself with the word of Crystal making him immovable. After it as a six armed being and since it was using many arms he stuck when it least expected it with a heroic blow in between the brows winning that match.
And so it went on and on until he finally completed the challenge. [Trial of Might — Completed]
Reward: +3 Strength
After conquering the dungeon and completing the trial, Artorius and his forces return to the Thunder Fortress, Raijin's former home. The stone fort stood tall, the very embodiment of the Thunder dragon's power. The storm rages above it, but now it is under Artorius's command.
The fortress was carved from ancient stone, its towering spires reaching high into the sky like the claws of some forgotten titan. It was built into the side of a jagged mountain, nestled among cliffs where the wind howled through the narrow gorges below.
Artorius's forces arrived with a resounding trumpet of horns and the rhythmic clanking of armor. His army had grown immensely dragons of various sizes and colors, their wings cutting through the thick air like living thunderclouds, flew overhead in waves. Mercenaries, sellswords, and soldiers who had heard of Artorius's triumphs now made their home in the shadow of the fortress. Word had spread of his feats, how he had toppled many Dragon Lords, conquered many dungeons, and emerged from the trials stronger than ever before. The banners of his army now flew high above the fortress walls, heralding a new reign.
As they approached the gates of the fortress, the large iron gates groaned open, revealing the vast inner courtyard, where a flurry of activity was already in full motion. Artorius landed his wings folding behind him, his personal guard followed closely behind, and at his command, they moved in formation toward the central command structure of the fortress.
The scene inside the courtyard was a mixture of organized chaos. Hundreds of soldiers, engineers, blacksmiths, and alchemists worked with furious intensity. Crates of supplies were being unloaded from wagons, and the sounds of hammering echoed from every corner. Teams of scouts ran back and forth, providing updates from the surrounding territories, while others helped forge weapons or repair armor.
The mercenaries, a rough and motley crew of adventurers, were grouped in small clusters, laughing and sharing stories of their battles. Some forged alliances with the local dragonkind, while others honed their skills in sparring matches.
Artorius's army had grown in ways unimaginable. From the initial 600 soldiers he came here into this biome, he incorporated 120 soldiers from Zalroth forces then secured 250 forces that had once been Raijin's. Making his total force stand at nearly thousand which he filled up with the dragon in the surrounding area.
In addition to these, a growing contingent of mercenaries had joined, swelling his ranks to over 400 soldiers. They were a ragtag collection each one with a story, a reason for joining, whether it was for scales, glory, or the promise of power. But under Artorius's command, they were beginning to form into a cohesive force. So in total his combined army now stood at 1,400!
Thus with this great influx of soldiers he had to do major restructuring of his entire army! The first thing he did was double his Heavy Infantry now it stood at 4 units, a total of 400 soldiers. They were well-armored warriors trained in close combat, the backbone of Artorius's ground forces.
Next was his flying archers which he made a total of 2 units, 200 soldiers raining death from above with precision and deadly skill. Then came a new unit he created, Rangers, skilled archers and scouts, adept at navigating difficult terrain and scouting enemy movements. Since not all of his dragons were winged he went with them which stood at 200 rangers.
After them was his cavalry swift, hard-hitting warriors mounted on powerful steeds, capable of cutting through enemy lines with devastating charge. They stood at 200 soldiers! Next was his scouts which were lighter, faster units designed for reconnaissance, gathering intelligence, and disrupting enemy supply lines. They were also 200 scouts.
Finally came his new artillery unit that were made up of his engineers, blacksmiths, and alchemists who built siege weapons, crafted armor, and provided the firepower needed for heavy assaults. They stood at only a 100. Besides them were his support unit that were essential to maintaining his growing army whether it be its morale and supply lines, they were made up of healers, cooks, and logistics officers ensuring the army's survival.
Together, this diverse and capable army now filled the fortress, training and preparing for the inevitable battles ahead. Later that evening, in the heart of the fortress, Artorius called a council meeting. The hall, a vast chamber carved from the very mountain itself, was adorned with ancient banners depicting lightning strikes and the swirling winds of storms. At the long stone table, Artorius sat at the head, surrounded by his newly formed council, his closest allies and commanders.
Sitting on his shoulder was Ouroboros who was his right hand man. Sitting next to him were his 3 noble dragons, the Black Dread, the Water Lindwurm, and the Thunder Dragon. Next to them were the elder blooded dragons that included Hewegar, his resident blacksmith, who he made in charge of his artillery unit. The alchemist dragon which he let live and was in charge of the support unit plus another elder dragon that used to belong to Zalroth who he made in charge of his ranged units.
Along with 2 elder dragons which had been following Raijin that he made one in charge of the infantry units and the other the cavalry units. Finally there came his champion blooded dragon who were in charge of each individual unit, now they numbered ten of them.
His forces were growing, but with that growth came new challenges, and now it was time to strategize their next move.
The flickering light of torches cast long shadows over the stone walls. The air smelled of burnt steel and freshly prepared food from the kitchens below. The fortress was in a perpetual state of movement, the heavy beat of marching boots and the clanging of blacksmiths echoed throughout. Yet, in this room, the quiet hum of his council's conversation was only interrupted by the occasional cough or the shifting of armor.
"I must congratulate you my lord on being patronized by the Weather Ryu," Zoklath praised.
"He is a very powerful Dragon Lord!" Kelthar commented.
Raijin couldn't help chuckle, "it looks like we will be kin soon!"
Artorius thanked them each in turn for the complaints though he didn't mention he had an even higher path open to him. Nonetheless this was a good start as more and more powerful dragons will be paying attention to him as he accomplishes greater deeds.
Artorius leaned forward, clasping his hands in front of him as he moved on to what brought them all here. "How is the army coming along?" he asked, his voice steady, commanding. His eyes flicked from one commander to another, seeking reports.
The first to respond was Hewegar, the elder blacksmith dragon who was now in charge of the artillery unit. His deep, rumbling voice filled the chamber as he spoke. "The artillery is progressing well, Lord Artorius. The engineers and alchemists are working in shifts, forging the siege weapons and constructing the new war machines you requested. The ballistae are nearly complete."
Artorius nodded, then turned his gaze to Vurnath who had recently been appointed to command the support unit, overseeing healers, cooks, and logistics. "Morale is high. The dragons are preparing well. The logistics are in place to sustain us through any campaign. However, the growing number of mercenaries requires better coordination, especially the scattered groups from Zalroth's forces."
The others gave their accounts and things were coming along well, he glanced at Ouroboros. The old serpent had been unusually quiet, a strange thing in itself. "Something is on your mind, Ouroboros," Artorius asked.
Ouroboros uncoiled himself slightly, his golden eyes narrowing as he looked toward the far corner of the room. "You are correct, my lord. There is something you must know. The Oblivion Dragon has returned. He has reconquered one of his old biomes, The Black Glass Wastes and is preparing to make his move against the White Lady."
A murmur of shock rippled through the room. Artorius knew nothing of this dragon but seeing the looks of fear and apprehension on his men's face he knew it couldn't be good.
"The Oblivion Dragon was no mere force to be trifled with, are you sure he is back?" The thunder dragon asked. Ouroboros nodded his head in confirmation.
"If the Oblivion Dragon was indeed back, things had just grown far more complicated," Kelthar commented.
"Who exactly is this Oblivion Dragon?" Artorius finally asked.
The room fell into an uneasy silence as Artorius's question hung in the air. The Black Dread's was the only one brave enough to answer as he shifted in his seat, "The Oblivion Dragon," Zoklath began, his voice heavy and deep, "was one of the oldest, most fearsome of the High Dragon Lords. His very name sends a chill through the bones of those who know of him. He is not simply a conqueror, Artorius. He is a force of destruction."
Artorius leaned forward, his interest piqued, his thoughts swirling. "His power is tied to death, decay, and the very concept of obliteration. The Oblivion Dragon does not simply slay his enemies. He erases them, wipes their existence from the very fabric of reality. His breath is no mere fire, it is a torrent of black energy that consumes all things it touches. It leaves nothing behind, not even ash."
The room grew colder as Zoklath's words sank in. The sense of fear in the air was palpable, but Artorius refused to show hesitation. He was not one to be swayed by the terror of legends, no matter how real or dangerous they may be. "So what is our plan now that he is back. I assume he was a rival of the White Lady?"
"Yes," Ouroboros answered, "he and the White Lady fought a long time ago and she came out on top. Now he is back for revenge."
"This is turning into a big old mess, three High Dragon Lords fighting we might attract the attention of one of the Dragon Kings or Queens," Raijin commented. Artorius knew the third high dragon lord he was talking about was him. He now effectively conquered and if you wished to say controlled five biomes.
"That is correct, this level of fighting has not been seen in these lands for a very long time," Ouroboros agreed.
Kelthar, the water dragon noble rubbed his chin in contemplation. "Still we could use the distraction. The White Lady's forces are already formidable. We are dealing with an old power with a vast army, if the Oblivion Dragon forces her to divide her focus… it might give us an opening. We can move while she's focused on him."
Artorius nodded, but a new thought gnawed at him. "What will the White Lady do in response?"
Ouroboros flicked his tongue, considering. "The White Lady is cold, calculating. She may allow the Oblivion Dragon to destroy some of her lesser forces, but she will not let him destroy her stronghold. She will either crush him or trap him. Either way, she will not stand idle."
Artorius ran his fingers along the edge of the map. The lines of battle were shifting before him. "Then, we need to move quickly before the White Lady has a chance to reorganize her forces. But where do we strike?"
The Black Dread spoke up, her eyes glowed as he gestured to the map. "We need to consider the nature of her allies. The White Lady has five biomes under her control. Ravagan, the Crimson Drakonar, commands The Scorched Plains. Vorthul, the Shadow Hydra, controls The Hollow Marshes. Lady Shiun, the Golden Imugi, holds sway over The Dewdrop Meadows. Then there is her half-brother, the Prince, who commands The Glacial Labyrinths. And finally, the White Lady herself controls The Pale Snowfields."
Artorius mulled over this for a moment. The two closest were the shadow hydra and the golden imugi lands. Looking over where the Oblivion dragon was located his nearest target would be the shadow hydra so that option was crossed off.
"We attack the Golden Imugi," Artorius decided, his voice firm. The Golden Imugi, Lady Shiun, her sight was her greatest weapon, and though she did not command the same brute strength as Ravagan or the Hydra, her intelligence and foresight made her dangerous. And unknown to him she had been the biggest thorn in his side.
A murmur of agreement spread through the room. The Zoklath hissed in anticipation. "She is a serpent. We'll crush her with ease."
Ouroboros was more measured. "Lady Shiun is dangerous, but not for the reasons you think. Her sight is not to be underestimated. We need to strike quickly before she may anticipate our movements, blind her with speed before she can use her sight against us."
The Thunder Dragon spoke. "We'll need to be prepared for her tricks. Lady Shiun's sight gives her an edge in strategy. If we make any mistakes, she will see them coming."
"The silver lining is that with the Oblivion Dragon likely to attack the white lady territory, she will be distracted. That's our window," Kelthar commented.
Artorius nodded, his eyes sharp. "Then we move at first light. We'll take the Dewdrop Meadows, silence the Imugi, and secure the territory before she has a chance to react."
Zoklath rumbled in agreement. "We strike fast and hard."
Artorius stood, his figure towering over the table. "Gather your forces. Prepare for war. Our time has come."
As the council began to disperse, Artorius felt the weight of their decision settle upon him. The forces of the White Lady were powerful, but they were also divided. And with the Oblivion Dragon's return, it seemed the battlefield had shifted once again. But Artorius was determined. He would strike, he would win, and he would take the throne of power.
"Ouroboros," Artorius called out, "start up the Draconic Vector Engine. It's time we do some serious training."
"Sure thing boss," the serpent-like creature replied. "We can do the common elements of frost and flame that the white lady and her brother has along with the Crimson Drakonar. But for the more esoteric forces, the machine doesn't have it like the golden imugi and shadow hydra."
"What about the Oblivion dragon?" he asked in case they might be facing it.
"Same it has some strange obliviating power that the machine can't replicate."
"Fine," Artorius said, not exactly happy but making do with what he had. "Let's train what we can!"
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The Dragon Nest was both a vast and ancient place, but also a tight night community. This community was made up of the descendants of Dragon lords, kings, and emperors! A place where dragons of every size, color, and lineage had been hatched, their kingdoms and empires scattered across the farthest reaches of the Nest.
Despite the immense distances that separated them, this community of dragons was bound by a singular truth: their power was built not only upon their own strength but upon the weight of centuries-old alliances, rivalries, and a code that kept their society intact.
The calm of the Dragon Nest had been disturbed, however. Over the past months, an undercurrent of tension had begun to spread among the dragon rulers, as they sensed a shift in the balance of power. The rise of Artorius, an upstart that appeared from nowhere, was not something anyone had anticipated, and neither was the return of the old Oblivion Dragon. Both of these events were shaking the foundations of the order in the Nest.
Word moved strangely among dragons: not by courier alone but by the world itself. Mountains remembered, oceans whispered, the weather carried news. The rise of a new power in the south and the return of an old hunger in the wastes sent currents through the Nest that could not be ignored.
In the heart of a land where the air crackled with the tension of battle, there stood a king whose reign was defined by steel, blood, and combat. Smiling at the endless conflicts arising, he looked on in hunger.
In the cavernous halls of one king, where lava streamed like slow rivers and the air tasted of brimstone, the flames in the forges rose. The ruler there did not rise from the throne often, but when he did the lands trembled. The smiths and infernal attendants spoke in low tones: the flames were hotter, the beasts below restless. It meant preparation, perhaps an eye being turned southward. It meant the possibility of allies and of prey alike.
Across the salt and foam, where scales were sea‑slick and breaths tasted of brine, a seaborne queen watched currents carry the first corpses from a recent skirmish. The sea took notice.
To the east, on a cliff that overlooked the vast, endless stretch of grasslands and endless skies, a queen of a different temperament moved through her palace of scented flowers and velvet-draped windows. It was a queendom of indulgence, where pleasure was a currency as much as power.
In the depths of the desert, under a sun that never dimmed, the sands shook in the vast and barren, never-ending stretch of dunes and scorched earth. An old patient king who had little use for conquest or glory stepped forth from the sands where time moved slower, but with a weight of inevitability.
In the farthest, uncharted corners of the Nest, where the stars themselves seemed dim, a creature of shadows and silence watched the unfolding chaos with keen interest.
There was change in the air in the Dragon Nest as new forces rose and old ones returned, the balance had begun to tip. The whispers of war grew louder, carried on the winds, in the seas, across the flames, and through the shifting sands
The Dragon Kings and Queens, each ruling their own kingdoms of power and influence, watched in silence. They knew that the time was coming when their strength would be tested, and when they would have to make their move.
The great game had begun. And in this game of fire, steel, shadows, and blood, the dragons of the Nest would soon all feel it.
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A/N: Well things are really shaking up. How will this arc end…
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Chapter 26 Recap!
Leveled up Archetype: Leader → Lvl. 17!
+1 INT, +1 WIL, +1 CHA
Leveled up Class: Storybook Squire → Lvl. 17!
+1 STR, +1 CON, +1 DEX, +1 CHA, +1 LUC!