The kingdom of Draconia, an adventurer named Martin was exploring a cave when he heard a cry from deeper within the cavern. Martin searched the cave and found a dimly lit room. As he stepped closer he noticed the walls of the room were covered in runes he had never seen before, distracted by the runes Martin almost forgot about the crying. In the middle of the room was a cradle and in that cradle was a baby. The baby looked as though it was only a few months old, yet the cradle it was lying in looked ancient. Martin stepped closer to get a better look at the baby and when he did the baby giggled, reaching its little arms out to the man above. Martin, though loved by many, was lonely. He never found the one who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and start a family with. And so, Martin took this opportunity to raise the child he never thought he'd have.
"What a lovely boy you are, I think I'll name you Donn" Martin said adoringly.
Martin left the cave baby in hand and went home. Little did he know he would be changing the fate of the world. But would it be for the better, or the worst. Over the next 15 years Martin Raised Donn to be a son anyone would be proud of. Martin didn't tell anyone of the odd state he had found Donn in because he knew that the kingdom was a very superstitious place and would treat his son with suspicion making him an outcast. Martin raised his son to fight, to protect the weak, to hunt and cook for himself out in the wilderness, to track his prey and to be undetectable as he needed.
Donn surpassed all Martin's hopes and was well on his way to being an epic adventurer but there was just one problem. The child was deathly afraid of fire and would avoid it at all costs. Donn's friends made fun of his fear and laughed at his dream of being an adventurer like his revered father. "How can an adventurer be afraid of fire," they laughed mirthlessly at him. Donn tried all he could but something about fire made him lock up with fear. How could he explain to anyone, especially his brave father, that the fear took such complete control of him that he couldn't move or run away. Donn sighed with a deep sadness knowing that he was broken and would be an utter disappointment to not just his father, but the whole kingdom if he couldn't find a way to face his fear and become the man he dreamed of becoming with all his heart. His only relief was that his best friends Kit and Finn knew the truth and helped cover for him. They understood that he was brave and pushed him to keep trying to overcome his fear. The trio would often go hunting in the woods together. They could spend days roaming silently through the vibrant green woods searching for unsuspecting prey. Donn was a swift and deadly killer who always seemed to be able to track his prey with a precision that baffled his friends. "How do you do that," both Kit and Finn would question. They both attributed it to his being raised by such a renowned adventurer but still felt that Donn may have some information he was holding on to, refusing to share. It was well known in the kingdom that a hunt with Donn would always mean a feast after because he had never once come home empty handed. Donn couldn't explain to his friends how he felt a pull and followed it to his prey, and how he sometimes felt bad for the creatures as they had no chance of escaping once he had their trail. On this particular day the trio decided to split up and see who could find prey the fastest, with both Kit and Finn declaring they would definitely beat Donn this time. Donn secretly hoped they would and often thought of letting them win but knew his friends would never forgive him if he did. Donn closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and searched for the pull to find his direction.
Donn reached into the darkness in the center of his being and felt the pull. He turned left where the pull was stronger and opened his eyes. He could sense something big coming in the trees not too far from him. The creature gave off a strong aura and felt very powerful. Donn didn't know what could give off such an aura. Trying to think of what to do he froze, and soon enough the creature made its way to Donn. Out of the trees came a boy who looked to be Donns age. He was tall and slender yet looked strong, he had black hair that went a little past his shoulders. His eyes were deep and Donn almost got lost in them, but he quickly snapped out of it when the boy asked. "Who are you?". Donn was a little nervous at the sight of the handsome boy before him, and answered, "I-I'm Donn." The boy tilted his head and smiled a mysterious smile at Donn. "My name is of no importance, Donn but I am no danger to you. I have heard of you in these woods, the hunter who can find any prey. I must warn you now, I am no prey but I have been hunting for you." The boy smiled again at the discomfort his words caused Donn but this smile was sly and knowing. The boy seemed to know something Donn did not. Donn stuttered "Why do you seek me?" The boy just shook his head and replied "Curiosity, I just had to meet you. Now that I have, I can see the allure. You are something more than meets the eye. We shall meet again, have no doubt in that dear Donn." Just then Donn was distracted by a shout from Kit in the distance, and when he turned back the boy was gone as if he had never been there at all.
When Donn got back to Kit and Finn he realized he had forgotten to catch any prey. Donn spied the rabbit in FInns hands and realized for the first time he had lost a bet, he silently cursed the handsome and mysterious stranger for distracting him from the bet. "Oh how the mighty have fallen, I finally beat you!" Finn said with glee. "I can not believe you finally lost a bet." Kit said half jokingly. "It's not my fault." Donn claimed. "And why would you say that?" Kit questioned. "Well, you see, I met someone in the woods. He was tall and had a very mysterious air to him. He looked young yet very handsome." Donn said, trying to recall more of their interaction still lost in the memory of his deep eyes. Kit and Finn glanced at each other and burst out laughing. "What a ridiculous excuse, Donn. You just can't stand losing." "That is not true!" Donn said, a little embarrassed. The trio burst out into uncontrollable laughter and decided it was time to head home for the day. "Better luck next time, Donn." They all headed back to the path to town.
The town of Hestia was a bustling town founded by the famous adventurer Eric Hassel, who had wanted a place for his friends to come together when they weren't on an epic adventure. The town had expanded further than he could have ever dreamed. The girls in the town saw the trio approaching and quickly fixed their hair. The trio were the best looking guys in town and all the available ladies dreamed of marrying one of them, especially Donn. If they had only known that they didn't stand a chance with 2 of the three in the trio they would have been shocked. Donn had a habit of befriending the strange and unusual, who were strangely drawn to him. Donn had a charm and charisma that people found to be simply irresistible. The trio headed to the local tavern, The Raven's Nest, owned and operated by Martin, Donn's renowned retired adventurer father. When the trio went inside they were met with a young girl in their faces, this girl was Adia. "There you guys are. What took so long? Me and Stellen have been waiting forever!" Adia said impatiently. Adia was the most energetic and fun loving friend in their group, she just happened to also be the youngest. Her beautiful smile
often changed to a scowl of rage in an instant, as Adia was very passionate and
protective of her friends and family. Her brother Stellen was her polar opposite,
the cool headed leader of the gang. Adia spying the rabbit in Finn's hands and the empty hands of the others was instantly puzzled. "Donn, where is your kill?" Donn sighed in resignation knowing he would have to explain it all again and not be believed.
Stellen walked over in that moment replying in his deep steady voice, "Adia let's head to the table and eat. Donn doesn't need you pestering him. I'm sure he will tell us the story." Stellen winked at Donn and they all headed to their favorite table in the back of the tavern. Waiting at the table was the remainder of their friends Baylin and Darya. Baylin was a short and curvy woman who had a friendly and inviting face and Darya was average height with unruly red curly hair that had a mind of its own. The two women were madly in love with each other and had been for as long as anyone could remember. Since the day that Baylin had walked into the bakery of Darya's family it had been love at first sight. The two were inseparable and spent all their time together, unless they were with the gang. The gang loved to spend time adventuring together or causing chaos in town for the uptight people of the council who felt that the young should be well behaved and follow the rules. The gang loved to bend those rules but were good at heart and very unconventional.
"Tell everyone why you came back empty handed, Donn," boasted Finn. "How I finally beat the mighty hunter." The gang looked shocked for a minute at the revelation that Donn had lost his first bet ever. They all looked at Donn with expectation, for something extraordinary had to have happened to make him lose. Donn looked back at his friends trying to decide if he should tell them the truth or not, if they would even believe him. "Well, after me, Kit, and Finn split up I was looking for an animal when I ran into an odd boy." Donn explained, the group looked at him and then laughed. "Donn do you really expect us to believe such a ridiculous claim" Adia said, still giggling. "I'm not joking!" Donn exclaimed "He was tall, had black hair, and had a very strong aura. And though he looked young he carried himself very elegantly. I was enthralled by him and lost track of time. That's why I lost the bet." Donn said, hoping that the group would believe him. "Donn, I know this is a first for you but no one is going to believe such a story.
You lost fair and square so just accept it." Adia patted his hand in sympathy and the group laughed. Donn gave up trying to get them to believe him and they all had dinner together.