The Arkhédiǎn

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====== The Imperial Campaigns: A Time of Dragons ======
=== Author: ===
Kaia Chloros
=== Estimated Publishing Date: ===
~10 [[:Timeline#Ante Decollator, A:eD & Anno Decollator, A:oD / AD|AD]]
=== Location: ===
[[:Tower of Descensus]], exact location unknown.
=== Player Discovery Credit: ===
Provide a screenshot of the in-game text with location details in the ''#lore-notes'' channel on [[https://discord.gg/PMt3vzSXTN|The Compendium Discord]] or to Mortalitas (''marot'' on Discord) in order to have your name listed here.

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===== Text: =====
The [[:Timeline#The Imperial Campaigns|Imperial Campaigns]] are remembered by the descendants of the [[:Tindremic Empire|Empire]] as a time of many things. It was a time of grand battles, conquests, and conquering. It was also a time of abundance and glory, where goods both domestic and foreign flooded the markets of [[:Tindrem]] allowing her people to partake in [[:Nave|Nave's]] many bounties and curiosities.

It was also a time of architectural and infastructural ingenuity that saw the //Empire's// reach stretch from //Tindrem//; to the eastern settlement of [[:Gaul'kor|Gabaria]]; to the southerly settlements of [[:Canteri]], [[:Chloros]], and [[:Amodia]]; to even the western continents of [[:Sarducaa]] and [[:Nordveld]]. The success and refined cultures of the settlements of [[:Beth Jedda]] and [[:Varborg]] clearly owe their successes to the //Empire's// guidance.

From a more poetic perspective, the //Imperial Campaigns// are also known as a time of [[:Dragon|Dragons]] and heroes.

As a scholar of magical history, you may find it surprising that I would cover a topic such as //Dragons//. Or perhaps, if you are more informed, you are surprised I didn't write the topic sooner. Do not be misinformed, dear reader: There is much magic to be found in //Dragons//.

As magnificent, gargantuan creatures of fable and legend, it is little wonder that precious little can actually be confirmed about them. [[:Tindremic Empire#Alis – The Wings|Those who may know hide themselves away in Specula Summa]], and as such we must draw from the wealth of information uttered from all sources, including the [[:Khurite#Khurs|Khurs]] who despise the //Dragons// so.

The //Dragons// are tried heavily in many legends to the mountains, particularly the //Talus Mountains// in [[:Tindremene|Tindremic]] folklore and history. Some say that they are intelligent beings who could fully communicate with mankind if they so chose, while others claim they were nothing but simple beasts, circling the skies and burning cattle.

Others still have speculated that they may have something to do with [[:Sator|the lizard-men]] found in the //Stairs of [[:Gods#Echidna]]//, which would indeed make them the largest, most powerful, and most influential of the [[:Cold Broods]].

As for what they have left behind, there is a rumor that several isolated communities in the //Talus Mountains// revere them as [[:Gods]], gathering the bones of //Dragons// and treating them as sacred objects, praying that one day the //Dragons// will return to them.

The [[:Khurite|Khurites]] gather their bones for different reasons entirely, as evidence of the //"defeat of the Dragon"// by their legendary bird-man [[:Gods#Geeredh|"Geeredh"]]. It is said that a statue of this creature can even be found in the city of [[:Morin Khur]], curiously permitted to stand even after [[:Tindremic Empire#The Annexation of Morin Khur|the city was taken by Emperor Livi Avitus]].

It is said that these bones, as well as the other parts of a //Dragon//, hold unique magical properties unseen elsewhere. There are also tales of [[:Magic|mages and shamans]] who can [[:Magic#Dragon Magic|harness the lingering power of these magnificent creatures]], though evidence of what said [[:Magic]] or ritual would look like is quite lacking.

Instead, we must look to legend and myth to perhaps slightly understand what this could be. The //Tindremic Provinces// claim that the //Empire// used //Dragons// during the //Imperial Campaigns//, a fact rather well attested to by the skeletons said to be found in the south and the //Khurites'// tales of defeating a dragon that is synonymous with the //Empire//.

How then were these //Dragons// used?

Were they allies, as some would have us believe? Or trained animals, as others would have us believe?

Is the power found throughout their remains merely a coincidence? Or were they themselves capable of great magics?

Is it true that they still exist in the caves beneath the //Talus Mountains//? Or are they long-dead beings, driven to extinction by exploitation and war?

There is much to wonder about //Dragons//, and a great wealth of information to sort through.

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