Spitfyre/Lore

Welcome again, <player>! How's it going for you? Did you come to me to hear about your situation here? Oh! Did you maybe need me show you to someone or something? I'm here for either!

Your Situation

I know it can be confusing, returning as one of the Gifted for the first time! If you want me to explain some of what is commonly forgotten, just ask. Right now, we're both small, but someday we'll be working towards adulthood, and, if we are patient and worthy, the status of ancient!

Otherwise, if you have specific questions about Istaria, our land, you can probably read up on it in the tome near the Shrine.

Gifted

We are special among all of the Races of Istaria because we're Dragons! Like other living races, though, some of us have been granted the ability to recall after death to the last Shrine that our souls are bound to. This is called the Gift. While there can be a temporary negative impact on the strength of the newly-returned Gifted, it wears off over time or you can feel a bit better through eating. You are now among the few in Istaria who can cheat death, <player>! Do you want to hear about what caused the Gift?!

The Gift came from the Ritual of Life Everlasting, which was the arcane ritual developed and performed by two of the Eight Mages of Istaria -- a group of naka-duskael magical practitioners. The Ritual was supposed to be a means to bring arcane forces to bear in the struggle against the forces of Blight, as represented by the Withered Aegis. The Ritual was a failure since it did nothing to affect the power of Blight on the Prime. On the other hand, though, there was a side effect that changed some of the Living Races that none of the mages expected. If Dragons did the Ritual or knew the magic, maybe we could have forseen it, but we weren't involved with the naka at the time.

Commonly Forgotten

Once the final rites of the Ritual were enacted, everything changed for Istaria's inhabitants, though nobody really knew just yet. Today, our scholars believe that the Ritual brought forth a subtle, yet all-encompassing element of the Realm of Energy on to the Prime itself! This element reacted to the strong infestation of the Realm of Blight in the world by permeating the world's essence with a mix of energy and life magic. This in turn triggered a potential for change. Emphasis on potential! Not everyone has been affected by the Ritual. The single biggest change was the gift of virtual immortality to those affected. Some believe that the Gift is the first step on our path to divinity, but this is unlikely to be true. After all, it wasn't just our elders that were affected; many inexperienced or short-sighted naka were as well. You think the "power of divinity" would be a bit more well chosen, wouldn't you? Even I know that!

Naka'Duskael

What are the naka-duskael? Your transition must have been a traumatic one indeed for you to forget what we call the Humans, Fiends, Gnomes, Dwarves, Half-Giants, Saris, Sslik, Elves, Dryads, and Satyr. Don't worry, that sometimes happens! You might remember in time... I hope?

Withered Aegis

The Withered Aegis had rampaged throughout the lands west of the Great Barrier for years, decimating everything in their path. We, however, had begun to learn about the Gift, and the Gifted had begun to develop and understand their powers. Even with the Gift, we faced an overwhelming foe in the Withered Aegis. Their leader, Torrin Macalir, was once a brilliant Sorcerer and leader of Human society. He gave up his soul for the powers of Blight and it corrupted him to the core. Still, he understood the Living Races, something the beings from the Realm of Blight could not comprehend. Much like Blight is an alien existence to the Prime, so is the Prime to the Blight. He used that against us, quickly emerging as the outright leader of the Aegis itself in their war against the Living Races.

Adulthood

You and I are both hatchlings right now. We have not yet completed the Adult Rite of Passage. Once we have completed it, then we will soar in the skies of Istaria as is the birthright of all Dragons! When you feel that you are ready, seek out Karane, our finest historian... but for now, this is a long time away. Enjoy the earth between your claws while you can!

Ancient

The Ancient Dragons of Istaria are truly amazing! They can fly higher and faster than any other in the world. They are matchless in their power, wisdom, and abilities. I look forward to the time after I complete my Adult Rite of Passage when I can speak with Karane the Historian about starting on the Ancient Rite of Passage!