A man named Matt was exploring a cave with a group of his friends. They were looking for a rare gem that was known to be found in these caves. They were just out for fun, hoping to get lucky. It was a dark night, the eve before the blood moon. The guys decided they would all propose to their girlfriends that evening, and wanted to give them an extra something with a ring. Sapphires are super rare on Valeroma, and only the super wealthy can afford them. Matt and his buddies just hoped they would get lucky.
They were all exploring different areas of the cave; which when you think about it, isn't very smart. But that's men for you. Anyway, Matt was in one of the caves farthest from the entrance. He came to the very end, and was about to turn around when an item caught his attention. It was glowing a soft orange color, with black in it, kind of like a piece of coal. As he got closer, his excitement grew. He picked up the object, and a small scroll fell off. Setting the object down carefully, he bent down and picked up the scroll, carefully avoiding setting it on fire with his torch. Carefully unrolling it, he read the letters written in beautiful calligraphy:

[center][color=red]When the night is dark and the moon is red
Hatched will be a dragon of dread
Eyes like amber and scales like the earth
More than the world his head will be worth
The dragon of dread will be a shifter and more
The kind of monster you read of only in lore
He will seek to rule the last of his race
And make the whole world know of his face[/center][/color]

Matt stared at the words. He had heard this short poem all his life, but why was it written on an ancient scroll? He stared at what must be a dragon's egg. A smile lit up his face. He found his something special, a baby dragon for his fiance was the perfect gift. He carefully put the egg in his pack, and stuffed the scroll in his pocket. Working his way out of the cave, he found his friends already waiting for him. They were all empty handed. "What took you so long, Matt?" they asked. "Just taking my time, being thorough, and all." He said, wanting to keep the egg to himself and his soon to be fiance.

The next evening

Matt took his girlfriend out for dinner. When they finished eating and came home, he brought out his pack with the egg, plus a small blue box. He walked to his girlfriend, and cupped her face in his hand. He smiled as she leaned into it. He lead her outside, for she loved the outdoors. They looked up at the sky, seeing that there was indeed a blood moon. He turned to Amanda and carressed her face again. "Amanda, I am deeply in love with you. Every week, every day, hour, every second I see you, and my heart leaps in my chest. I have no idea what is in store for us, but together I know we can get through anything." Getting down on one knee, he opened a box containing a diamond ring. "Amanda Renee Shiloh, will you marry me?" Amanda covered her mouth with her hands. "Yes, Matt. A million times yes." She held her left hand out and Matt slipped the ring onto her finger. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hard.

When they pulled apart, he took her hand and led her to the swing overlooking the lake. "I have something else to show you, dear." He said, swinging the pack off his back. "The guys and I went exploring yesterday, and I found this." He pulled the egg out of his bag, and held it in front of her. "A weird place for a dragon egg, but it's-" He cut off as the egg started to shake. He set it on the ground, excitement growing on both of their faces. "Matthew, you got me a dragon? That's amazing!" she said.

The egg continued to shake and crackle. Finally, a crack appeared on the egg. A little dragon worked it's way through the egg. It squawked at it's 'owners'. The Dragon changed to a full grown man. "I am Vaeros. Thank you for finding me. Now die." he had barely finished talking when he grabbed them both by their jaws and twisted sharply. Their necks snapped and their bodies fell to the ground.

A sick smile grew on his face. "I am fire. I am death. I am, Vaeros." He said, changing back to his dragon, which in the few minutes he was alive, had grown to almost double his original size. He roared, and headed to the nearest city, eager to fulfill his purpose.

In the next few minutes, Vaeros was at his full grown size. His powerful wings sent him flying through the air at unimaginable speed. He reached the nearest town, and he roared his loudest. Now that he's gotten the town's attention, he let huge streams of fire erupt from his maw. Fire consumed entire houses, and quickly spread. He swooped down and obliterated more by swiping his tail on the structures. Once that city was practically in ruins, he flew on; he gave a good roar once in a while to announce his arrival.

Vaeros moved from town to town. Wherever he went, he left destruction in his wake. By morning, the entire world new of Vaeros' arrival, and his purpose. They stood in fear of this creature, this creature who seemed bent on chaos and destruction, for that is what was written.
The prophecy has been fulfilled. Vaeros runs free across all of Valeroma, wreaking havoc on everything he comes upon. What stands in his way? A small group of heroes, chosen from birth. With guidance from the notorious Nym, these six young men and women could very well defeat the greatest threat Valeroma has ever faced.

L

The Vision from Lalei

Deep within the realm of dreamland, a voice calls out from the darkness. At first it is a soft voice, a quiet voice, but as you grow more aware of it you realize it is echoing in your mind, enveloping your senses until you are only aware of its presence. Then out from the echoes comes a strong, feminine voice. It is calling your name. A pale hand stretches out to you from the darkness. This strange dream suddenly has a clarity only experienced in visions.

“Come, brave soul, I have something you must see.”

The hand vaporizes in wisps of smoke as you attempt to move towards it. Like a curtain, the dark mist of nothingness rises to reveal the interior of a cave. A lone egg shimmers in the recesses of the cavern, kept warm only by the words etched by fire in the scroll that lies atop it.

“Vaeros, the dragon of dread. Long has he slumbered, in wait for the day when he may awaken in his fury.”

You watch as a hand removes the parchment and plucks the egg from its nest.

“That day has come.”

The vision grows dim and opens again upon a young man and woman standing under a blood red moon. While the scene continues to unfold the voice in your head grows even more powerful, thundering in your ears and rattling your body as it recites the prophesy you have heard since childhood.

[center][color=red]“When the night is dark and the moon is red
Hatched will be a dragon of dread
Eyes like amber and scales like the earth
More than the world his head will be worth
The dragon of dread will be a shifter and more
The kind of monster you read of only in lore
He will seek to rule the last of his race
And make the whole world know of his face”​[/center][/color]

You watch as the baby dragon now hatched transforms into a man. "I am Vaeros. Thank you for finding me. Now die." The scene closes upon his great hulk taking flight from the broken bodies.

“He will wreathe the world in flame. Ashes and shadow will bind you and all of Valeroma to a living death none may escape.”

A mixture of smoke and burnt flesh assaults your nostrils. Burning houses crumble before your eyes as the sound of crying children echo from within its walls. Your favourite tavern is crushed under the weight of the mighty dragon, the liquor pouring from the broken casks spreading the hungry fire faster throughout the city.

“No one can stand in his way. All you hold dear will vanish.”

You are suddenly lifted up from the fires and placed on a formless plateau to join five other figures in a circle. Though it is dim, you can just make out the features of your dream fellows. Your view widens abruptly as your eyes leave your body to look down on the six standing in the circle.

“But not all is as hopeless as it seems.” The voice has returned to its softer tone.

As you take this in, the slim figure of a young, red-haired woman appears in the midst of the circle. Immediately you are back in your body and facing this apparition. Her hair and clothes whip around her body as if a strong wind is blowing, though you can feel nothing, and her eyes gaze deeply into yours unblinkingly. A slender hand lifts from her side and reaches out to you. You recognize it as the hand from earlier in this vision. Her lips part and the quiet but firm voice slips from between them.



The words are spoken with the same authority as the earlier recited prophesy. A small smile appears on her face as her hand returns to her side.

“This second verse of the prophesy has long since been forgotten by the peoples of Valeroma, but that does not make them any less true. You have been chosen since before your birth, Vivian, Kassandra, Astrid, Odran, Trygve, to uphold this prophesy. Only by banding together to confront Vaeros is there any hope for Valeroma. Without you, Valeroma will fall.”

Her eyes darken in a glare as a playful pout plays on her lips. “If this is not motivation enough to take this vision seriously, so help me I will haunt you every night and you will never ever have another restful sleep again, is that understood?”

The mood lifts with another smile. “Now, watch and listen carefully.” The woman raises her arms until they create a semi-circle above her head. Between her arms a map appears, marking where you currently are with your head upon your pillow. It shifts and moves across the land as a drawn line connects your position to a place on the map called The Forsaken Grove. “Be here in two day’s time, before dawn. There I will meet you and speak with you further, but for now I must go.”

A vortex opens, swallowing the woman and the five other figures from your dream. You are alone again in dreamland as the dark mist surrounds you in sleep once more.

Vivian was dreaming soundly. A smile was upon her face, as she and Emma went racing through the fields. Viv changed to her dragon form, and roared. Emma squealed with glee, and jumped into the makeshift saddle so she didn't fall off, and urged Viv to fly. Laughing, a sound which sounded very unnerving when she was in her dragon form, Vivian ran several more steps, and took off into the air. Hang tight, little one. she said in Emma's mind, as she did barrel rolls, and dives. Emma loved this, she squealed and laughed with glee.

Then it all changed. Emma vanished, and Vivian found herself back in her elven form, laying in her room. Sitting up, she looks for her clock, but finds instead a ghost like looking hand reaching out to her.

“Come, brave soul, I have something you must see.” and then promptly vanished.

The voice in her head made her jerk. She stood, and walked to where the hand had been, and was then transported to the interior of a cave. Her eyes lit up when she saw the egg. It had been a long time since any egg had hatched. Hundreds of years. She remembered the last one as if it were yesterday. But her delight quickly turned to dread as the voice returned.

“Vaeros, the dragon of dread. Long has he slumbered, in wait for the day when he may awaken in his fury.”
The egg is taken by someone, and the parchment with it.

"That day has come."

Looking at the scene before her, Vivian's heart sinks as she notices the blood moon. But her attention soon focuses on the young couple standing in front of the egg from earlier.

A booming voice sounded in her mind. The words of the ancient prophecy roared in her head, causing her to grimace slightly, and bring her hand to her sword. She listened to the words of the prophecy that she had heard for years, but never given it any credit.

It was then that the dragon, now hatched, changed to human. Vivian gasped. Never had this happened before. Never in the history of Valeroma. Shifters were always born as their "lesser" being, either human, elf, or dwarf. Not the other way around. And on top of that, never had a shifter changed that early. It took years....then he spoke. "I am Vaeros....die."

As he changed back again, he had tripled in size. Terror flew through her veins like fire.

“He will wreathe the world in flame. Ashes and shadow will bind you and all of Valeroma to a living death none may escape...”

Vivian watched as the scene changed. Vaeros, now at his full size, attacking villages. Children, Women, Men, everyone was dead. Only a few wailing cries remained. Tears were streaming down her face.

“No one can stand in his way. All you hold dear will vanish.”

As the scene around her changed, Vivian drew her sword. The sound of metal ringing through the air, Vivian turned to see....five others? By the looks of it, there were all confused and scared. While Vivian knew what was happening, she was indeed terrified.

"But not all is as hopeless as it seems." A young girl appears. Red hair, green eyes, and very spirit like. She listened as she spoke of a second half of the prophecy. Her brow furrowed, for she had never in all her years heard of a second half. The girl met her eyes as her voice grew in power once more.



“This second verse of the prophesy has long since been forgotten by the peoples of Valeroma, but that does not make them any less true. You have been chosen since birth, Vivian, Valaina, Kolmar, Niklaus, Agardir, Crystal, to uphold this prophesy. Only by banding together to confront Vaeros is there any hope for Valeroma. Without you, Valeroma will fall.....If this is not motivation enough to take this vision seriously, so help me I will haunt you every night and you will never ever have another restful sleep again, is that understood?”
As the being named everyone, a picture of each person appeared in her mind to match the name. When she got to the haunting part, a smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. A know it all, full of itself being was to guide them? Figures.

When the being showed them where to go, and the time, Vivian nodded. Knowing already, her choice.

As soon as the Vision ended, Vivian woke with a start. She was surprised to see the pillow, and her sheets were covered with sweat. She was never a sweater when she slept.

Knowing what she must do, she changed into her travel armor, packed what she could carry in a large, large bag. She went outside, sneaking out of the house, so she wouldn't awaken the family she was staying with. She went far enough away, and changed. Her dragon form, about 80 feet from tip to tail, grabbed the bag, and flew off in the direction of the Forbidden Grove. It was a days journey, even by the air.

A Day Later

Vivian landed a few miles from her final destination, figuring it'd be best to take the rest of the journey on foot. She didn't want to scare any of the other members of the...chosen ones if she wasn't the first to arrive. After an hours walk, she emerged into the forbidden grove. Looking around, she realized she was the first one there. She went to lean against the lone tree in the center of the grove, worn out from her long journey. She closed her eyes, and soon drifted into a light sleep.