×
Create a new article
Write your page title here:
We currently have 1,908 articles on The Quelmar Wiki. Type your article name above or click on one of the titles below and start writing!



The Quelmar Wiki

Durzibethinus: Difference between revisions

(Fixed links)
(Added to Trivia, improved overall wording)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Worldbuilders}} {{Infobox character|name=Durzibethinus|image=Durzibethinus.png|caption=Moments after his rebirth as a [[Dragon]].|relatives=[[Feredemius]], [[Smargarg]]|affilliation=[[Ruby Court]]|alias=[[Ruby Court#Resurrected Court|Emerald Thane of Sardior]], Durian Grunwald, Adrian Grunwald|birthDate=826 [[PR]]|birthPlace=[[Northern Snowy Mountains]], [[Isonhound]]|species=[[Dragon]]|gender=Male (he/him)|eyes=Emerald|field1=Class|field2=Domain|value1=[[Quelmar Deities|Deity]]|value2=Trickery}}
{{Worldbuilders}} {{Infobox character|name=Durzibethinus|image=Durzibethinus.png|caption=Moments after his rebirth as a [[Dragon]].|relatives=[[Feredemius]], [[Smargarg]]|affilliation=[[Ruby Court]]|alias=[[Ruby Court#Resurrected Court|Emerald Thane of Sardior]], Durian, Adrian Grunwald|birthDate=826 [[PR]]|birthPlace=[[Northern Snowy Mountains]], [[Isonhound]]|species=[[Dragon]]|gender=Male (he/him)|eyes=Emerald|field1=Class|field2=Domain|value1=[[Quelmar Deities|Deity]]|value2=Trickery}}


'''{{PAGENAME}}''', also known as '''Durian''', is an [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Emerald Dragon]] and the [[Ruby Court#Resurrected Court|Emerald Thane of Sardior]]. Prior to his ascension, he lived a mortal life in [[Isonhound]] as a [[Dragonborn]] named '''Adrian Grunwald''', son of the high sorcerer in a hidden town called [[Jadenhill]]. After leaving home in 825 [[PR]] with the hopes of finding a way to protect his clan from hostile [[Dragon|Dragons]] and [[The Second Draconic Crusades|Crusaders]], he changed his name to '''Durian''' and discovered the existence of [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] as well as his own emerald heritage. This sent him down a path towards helping to resurrect [[Sardior|Sardior, the Ruby King of Gem Dragons]] and defeating his disgraced ancestor [[Feredemius]], who served as the original [[Ruby Court#Prehistoric Court|Emerald Thane]] before the dissolution of the prehistoric [[Ruby Court]]. Durian’s role in the ritual to resurrect [[Sardior]] caused him to be reborn as an [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Emerald Dragon]] and empowered him to sit on the reassembled [[Ruby Court]] as the new [[Ruby Court#Resurrected Court|Emerald Thane]]. Following his deification, he took to using the name '''Durzibethinus''', a draconic name his father had given him, in order to protect his identity as well as his clan.
'''{{PAGENAME}}''', also known as '''Durian''', is an [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Emerald Dragon]] and the [[Ruby Court#Resurrected Court|Emerald Thane of Sardior]]. Prior to his ascension, he lived a mortal life in [[Isonhound]] as a [[Dragonborn]] named '''Adrian Grunwald''', son of the high sorcerer in a hidden town called [[Jadenhill]]. After leaving home in 825 [[PR]] with the hopes of finding a way to protect his clan from hostile [[Dragon|Dragons]] and [[The Second Draconic Crusades|Crusaders]], he changed his name to '''Durian''' and discovered the existence of [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] as well as his own emerald heritage. This sent him down a path towards helping to resurrect [[Sardior|Sardior, the Ruby King of Gem Dragons]] and defeating his disgraced ancestor [[Feredemius]], who served as the original [[Ruby Court#Prehistoric Court|Emerald Thane]] before the dissolution of the prehistoric [[Ruby Court]]. Durian’s role in the ritual to resurrect [[Sardior]] caused him to be reborn as an [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Emerald Dragon]] and empowered him to sit on the reassembled [[Ruby Court]] as the new [[Ruby Court#Resurrected Court|Emerald Thane]]. Following his deification, he took to using the name '''Durzibethinus''', a draconic name his father had given him, in order to protect his identity as well as his clan.


== History ==
== History ==
Durian was born at the [[Jadenhill#Religion|Temple on Jadenhill]], a small community off the southern coast of [[Isonhound]]. Its population is primarily metallic [[Dragonborn]] and was settled by a clan of devout [[Bahamut]] worshippers who emigrated from [[Pteris]] in the early [[PR]] era to escape the chaos of the [[The Cavalry Rush|Cavalry Rush]]. The town of [[Jadenhill]] consists of little more than the temple, which is partially built into the ruins of an ancient abandoned mining project.
Durian was born at the [[Jadenhill#Religion|Temple on Jadenhill]], a small community off the southern coast of [[Isonhound]]. Its population primarily consisted of [[Dragonborn|Metallic Dragonborn]] and was settled by a clan of devout [[Bahamut]] worshippers who emigrated from [[Pteris]] in the early [[PR]] era to escape the chaos of the [[The Cavalry Rush|Cavalry Rush]]. The town of [[Jadenhill]] itself comprised mainly of the temple, which was partially built into the ruins of an ancient abandoned mining project.


The temple practiced its worship in relative peace and seclusion for nearly three centuries, finding ways to honor [[Bahamut]] while they awaited his inevitable return, such as studying the [[Monk|Way of the Ascendant Dragon]]. However, they would fall victim to the [[The Razing of Isonhound|Razing of Isonhound]] in 700 [[PR]], flattening most parts of the temple that were not housed in the repurposed mining tunnels. Most lives were spared, but it was a devastating loss that would prove too difficult to build back from without outside help. They began tiptoeing back into the outside world to attempt trade and other forms of participating in greater society.
The temple practiced its worship in relative peace and seclusion for nearly three centuries, finding ways to honor [[Bahamut]] while they awaited his inevitable return, such as studying the [[Monk|Way of the Ascendant Dragon]]. However, they would fall victim to the [[The Razing of Isonhound|Razing of Isonhound]] in 700 [[PR]]…which flattened most parts of the temple that were not housed in the repurposed mining tunnels. Most lives were spared, but it was a devastating loss that would prove too difficult to build back from without outside help. They began tiptoeing back into the outside world to attempt trade and other forms of participating in greater society.


Blaming the [[Dragon|Dragons]] of [[Tiamat]] for this misfortune, they wrote letters declaring their loyalty to the church of [[Kragnux (Deity)|Kragnux the Dragon Slayer]], adding the god to their pantheon of deities. Around this same time, a few of the children in town had been born with brilliant, gemlike scales and proved to be gifted with psionic powers and sorcery. The origins of this gem ancestry was unknown, but the temple's priests interpreted it as a blessing from [[Bahamut]] as proof that they were on the most noble path.
Blaming the [[Dragon|Dragons]] of [[Tiamat]]—the only [[List of Dragons#Dragon Deities|Dragon Deity]] they believed to be active at the time—for their misfortunes, the town wrote letters declaring their allegiance to the church of [[Kragnux (Deity)|Kragnux the Dragon Slayer]] and added him to their pantheon of deities. Around this same time, a few of the town's hatchlings had been born with brilliant, emerald-colored scales and proved to be gifted with psionic powers and sorcery. The source of their unusual ancestry was unknown, but the temple leaders referred to these gemlike hatchlings as "patinas" and believed them to be a blessing from [[Bahamut]]…serving as living proof that their clan was on the most righteous path.


This interpretation would prove regrettable as the growing church of [[Kragnux (Deity)|Kragnux]] became radicalized against not just [[Dragon|Dragons]], but against all draconic races. The temple heard word of the [[Dragonborn]] being slaughtered in the [[The Second Draconic Crusades|Second Draconic Crusades]] and quietly dissolved their allegiances to the church, but it was too late to recluse their community again. They had rebuilt and thrived with the benefit of outside trading partners who knew of the temple and would soon be visiting in greater numbers.
This interpretation would prove regrettable as the growing church of [[Kragnux (Deity)|Kragnux]] became radicalized against not just [[Dragon|Dragons]], but against all draconic races. The temple heard word of the [[Dragonborn]] being slaughtered in the [[The Second Draconic Crusades|Second Draconic Crusades]] and quietly dissolved their ties to the church, but it was too late to recluse their community again. They had rebuilt and thrived with the benefit of outside trading partners who knew of the temple and would soon be visiting in greater numbers.


The temple leaders devised a system for receiving guests, erecting a mage tower dubbed the [[Jadenhill#Court of Quartz|Court of Quartz]] to serve as a visitors center as well as house many of the artifacts pulled from the former mining tunnels over the years, including a large amethyst gem shaped like a [[Dragon]] egg. They also appointed a high sorcerer, one of the gem-touched [[Dragonborn]], to reside in the tower and perform an essential part of their plan using one of the few rocky relics in the collection brought over from the old continent.
The temple leaders devised a system for receiving guests, erecting a mage tower dubbed the [[Jadenhill#Court of Quartz|Court of Quartz]] to serve as a visitors center as well as house many of the artifacts pulled from the former mining tunnels over the years…including a large amethyst gem shaped like a [[Dragon]] egg. They also appointed a high sorcerer—one of the "patina" [[Dragonborn]]—to reside in the tower and perform an essential part of their plan using one of the few gem relics in the collection brought over from the old continent.


Dubbed the [[Selune Splinter]] and described as a fragment from an ancient moon crystal imbued with peculiar paranormal properties, it is able to amplify illusionary magic to increase its effect and distance. Wielding this artifact, the high sorcerer could cast a spell over the entire temple to disguise its [[Dragonborn]] residents as [[Elf|Wood Elves]], the primary inhabitants of the [[Woldlin]] region. This ruse was successfully kept up for the remainder of the century, and the monotonous high sorcerer position would be passed between gem-touched [[Dragonborn]] before reaching Durian's mother.
Dubbed the [[Selune Splinter]] and described as a fragment from an ancient moon crystal imbued with peculiar paranormal properties, it was able to amplify illusionary magic to increase its effect and distance. Wielding this artifact, the high sorcerer could cast a spell over the entire town to disguise its [[Dragonborn]] residents as [[Elf|Wood Elves]]…the primary inhabitants of the [[Woldlin]] region. This deception was successfully kept up for the remainder of the century and the monotonous high sorcerer position would be passed between "patina" [[Dragonborn]] before reaching Durian's mother.


Ironically, the long-awaited return of [[Bahamut]] in 795 [[PR]] would also soon signal the end of this ruse. As [[Dragon|Dragons]] were now free to wreak their will on the realm, the temple came under attack by an unidentified [[Dragon]] in 825 [[PR]] and the [[Jadenhill#Court of Quartz|Court of Quartz]] was robbed of its collection, including the [[Selune Splinter]] which they had spent decades relying upon for protection. Its residents were sitting ducks in a world finding itself at odds with the [[Dragon|Dragons]] for the first time in over a century. How long would it be before the rest of the realm grew frustrated and turned its sights back on what was left of the draconic races?
Ironically, the long-awaited return of [[Bahamut]] in 795 [[PR]] would also soon signal the end of the town's ruse. As all [[Dragon|Dragons]] had been set free to inflict their will on the realm, the temple came under attack by an unidentified [[Dragon]] at the start of 825 [[PR]] and the [[Jadenhill#Court of Quartz|Court of Quartz]] was robbed of its collection…including the [[Selune Splinter]] which they had spent decades relying upon for protection. The town's residents were suddenly left vulnerable in a realm which found itself increasingly at odds with [[Dragon|Dragons]] for the first time in over a century. How long would it be before the rest of the realm grew frustrated and turned its sights back on who was left of the draconic races?


Adrian, son of the high sorcerer and presumed next in line for the position, changed his name to Durian (a portmanteau of his elvish and draconic names) to conceal his identity and snuck away from the temple with aspirations to show the realm that the [[Dragonborn]] are equal victims of the [[Dragon|Dragons]]' ransacking ways and can be strong allies in the fight against them. If he could also uncover a new means of protecting his clan somewhere along the way, that would be all the better.
Adrian Grunwald, son of the high sorcerer and presumed next in line for the position, adopted the alias of Durian (a portmanteau of his elvish and draconic names) to conceal his origins and snuck away from the temple with aspirations to show the realm that the [[Dragonborn]] were equal victims of the [[Dragon|Dragons']] ransacking ways and could be strong allies in the fight against them. If he could also uncover a new means of protecting his clan somewhere along the way, that would be all the better.


== Adventures in Quelmar ==
== Adventures in Quelmar ==
{{Infobox_character|affilliation=[[Harbingers of Sardior]]|name=Durian Grunwald|image=Durian.png|caption=His [[Dragonborn]] form, prior to his rebirth.|relatives=|languages=Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Infernal, Primordial, Telepathy, Wiki|alias=|marital=|birthPlace=[[Jadenhill]], [[Isonhound]]|deathDate=|deathPlace=|species=[[Dragonborn]]|gender=Male (he/him)|height=6' 4"|weight=260 lbs|eyes=Emerald|field1=Class|value1=[[Sorcerer]]|playerName=[[User:Jeffbuterbaugh|Jeff]]|birthDate=806 [[PR]]}}
{{Infobox_character|affilliation=[[Harbingers of Sardior]]|name=Durian|image=Durian.png|caption=His [[Dragonborn]] form, prior to his rebirth.|relatives=|languages=Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Infernal, Primordial, Telepathy, Wiki|alias=|marital=|birthPlace=[[Jadenhill]], [[Isonhound]]|deathDate=|deathPlace=|species=[[Dragonborn]]|gender=Male (he/him)|height=6' 4"|weight=260 lbs|eyes=Emerald|field1=Class|value1=[[Sorcerer]]|playerName=[[User:Jeffbuterbaugh|Jeff]]|birthDate=806 [[PR]]}}


=== Draconic Divinations ===
=== Draconic Divinations ===
Line 39: Line 39:
Durian discovers the existence of [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] and attempts to befriend one of them, leading him towards questions about his own identity…
Durian discovers the existence of [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] and attempts to befriend one of them, leading him towards questions about his own identity…
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Not yet convinced that fighting was the best solution for his clan, he found himself in the town of [[Tsojcanth|Tsoljcanth]] where he was intrigued by the unique problem plaguing its residents: they were being rendered invisible to one another at seemingly random intervals. Durian joined a search party in following clues to the potential source of the problem: a stolen [[Dragon]] egg, strange in appearance and not dissimilar to the "egg-shaped gem" that had been stolen from [[Jadenhill]]. The party tracked the egg into the forest and found themselves battling invisible monsters. In a last-ditch attempt to shake them off, Durian shouted at the monsters that "I need to protect that egg!" In that moment, the monsters became visible to him and a brilliant [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Sapphire Dragon]] appeared flying overhead. Durian had never heard of a [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragon]] before. He called out to her "who are you, who do you follow?" before witnessing her fly off with the egg, questions unanswered. Shortly thereafter, the party heard a voice in their heads declaring them friends of [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] and being granted the [[Draconic Boon#Boon of the Galadiir (Corundum Egg)|Boon of Bleucorundum the Sapphire Dragon]], a protection which would render them "invisible to any [[Dragon]] who would hurt you, so long as you don't shed any [[Dragon|Dragon's]] blood." Possibilities raced through Durian's mind, could this boon lead to the solution for his clan that he'd been looking for? What is a [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragon]], could this be the reason he looks and feels so different from the other metallic [[Dragonborn]] at home?
Not yet convinced that fighting was the best solution for his clan, he found himself in the town of [[Tsojcanth|Tsoljcanth]] where he was intrigued by the unique problem plaguing its residents: they were being rendered invisible to one another at seemingly random intervals. Durian joined a search party in following clues to the potential source of the problem: a stolen [[Dragon]] egg, strange in appearance and not dissimilar to the "egg-shaped gem" that had been stolen from [[Jadenhill]]. The party tracked the egg into the forest and found themselves battling invisible monsters. In a last-ditch attempt to shake them off, Durian shouted at the monsters that "I need to protect that egg!" In that moment, the monsters became visible to him and a brilliant [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Sapphire Dragon]] appeared flying overhead. Durian had never heard of a [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragon]] before. He called out to her "who are you, who do you follow?" before witnessing her fly off with the egg, questions unanswered. Shortly thereafter, the party heard a voice in their heads declaring them friends of [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] and being granted the [[Draconic Boon#Boon of the Galadiir (Corundum Egg)|Boon of Bleucorundum the Sapphire Dragon]], a protection which would render them "invisible to any [[Dragon]] who would hurt you, so long as you don't shed any [[Dragon|Dragon's]] blood." Possibilities raced through Durian's mind, could this boon lead to the solution for his clan that he'd been looking for? What is a [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragon]], could this be the reason he looks and feels so different from the other [[Dragonborn|Metallic Dragonborn]] at home?
</div>
</div>


Line 47: Line 47:
Eager to find out how [[Bleucorundum|Bleucorundum's]] boon really worked, Durian took a job in an area where a [[Bronze Dragon]] had reportedly been sighted. He would be providing protection to a cargo boat named the '''River Queen''' while it sailed from [[Sneerwell]] to the [[Isonhound#Geography|Ssaphíbían River]]. He met the rest of the adventuring team at the dock and they all boarded the vessel, which was being captained by two '''Korreds'''. They were not on the river for long before they had their first sighting of the [[Bronze Dragon]] swimming towards the stern of the ship. They managed to put some distance between themselves and the [[Dragon]] by kicking the boat's engine into temporary overdrive, but the [[Dragon]] eventually caught up and attacked the boat with its lightning breath weapon. The team managed to get one more boost out of the boat's engine to escape the [[Dragon]] again, but the engine was shot afterwards.
Eager to find out how [[Bleucorundum|Bleucorundum's]] boon really worked, Durian took a job in an area where a [[Bronze Dragon]] had reportedly been sighted. He would be providing protection to a cargo boat named the '''River Queen''' while it sailed from [[Sneerwell]] to the [[Isonhound#Geography|Ssaphíbían River]]. He met the rest of the adventuring team at the dock and they all boarded the vessel, which was being captained by two '''Korreds'''. They were not on the river for long before they had their first sighting of the [[Bronze Dragon]] swimming towards the stern of the ship. They managed to put some distance between themselves and the [[Dragon]] by kicking the boat's engine into temporary overdrive, but the [[Dragon]] eventually caught up and attacked the boat with its lightning breath weapon. The team managed to get one more boost out of the boat's engine to escape the [[Dragon]] again, but the engine was shot afterwards.


The '''Korred''' captains docked the boat to address any damages and refuel at their midway station, which turned out to be an illicit mining operation in the [[Isonhound]] forests that the captains were involved with, even hauling mining equipment on their boat. As they pulled in, however, it was clear that the site had been completely destroyed, presumably by the [[Bronze Dragon]]. The team explored what was left of the site, displeased with the environmental scarring that the mining had caused, and quickly turned against the unapologetic '''Korreds'''. So much so, that when the [[Bronze Dragon]] eventually caught up with the team, they fed the '''Korred''' captains to him. They had a brief conversation with the [[Dragon]], who revealed that there were still enslaved workers trapped in the collapsed mine. He was unsympathetic to them, however, as he believed that anyone involved with this mining "deserve their fate." Durian also spoke to the [[Bronze Dragon]], but it was very clear that Durian was invisible to him as the creature struggled to make eye contact and follow the sound of Durian's voice. This was curious to Durian…did this mean that the [[Bronze Dragon]] still sought to harm him, or was he simply now invisible to all [[Dragon|Dragons]] of the [[Dragon#Metallic Dragons|Metallic]] and [[Dragon#Chromatic Dragons|Chromatic]] variety? More importantly, what did it say about the moral perspectives of [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] if [[Bleucorundum]] viewed all non-[[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] as potentially harmful? There was a [[Warforged]] on their team who also seemed to be invisible to the [[Dragon]], but Durian did not know where the [[Warforged]] sourced their invisibility from.
The '''Korred''' captains docked the boat to address any damages and refuel at their midway station, which turned out to be an illicit mining operation in the [[Isonhound]] forests that the captains were involved with, even hauling mining equipment on their boat. As they pulled in, however, it was clear that the site had been completely destroyed, presumably by the [[Bronze Dragon]]. The team explored what was left of the site—displeased with the environmental scarring that the mining had caused—and quickly turned against the unapologetic '''Korreds'''. So much so, that when the [[Bronze Dragon]] eventually caught up with the team, they fed the '''Korred''' captains to him. They had a brief conversation with the [[Dragon]], who revealed that there were still enslaved workers trapped in the collapsed mine. He was unsympathetic to them, however, as he believed that anyone involved with this mining "deserve their fate." Durian also spoke to the [[Bronze Dragon]], but it was very clear that Durian was invisible to him as the creature struggled to make eye contact and follow the sound of Durian's voice. This was curious to Durian…did this mean that the [[Bronze Dragon]] still sought to harm him, or was he simply now invisible to all [[Dragon|Dragons]] of the [[Dragon#Metallic Dragons|Metallic]] and [[Dragon#Chromatic Dragons|Chromatic]] variety? More importantly, what did it say about the moral perspectives of [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] if [[Bleucorundum]] viewed all non-[[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] as potentially harmful? There was a [[Warforged]] on their team who also seemed to be invisible to the [[Dragon]], but Durian did not know where the [[Warforged]] sourced their invisibility from.


After the [[Bronze Dragon]] took off, the team's [[Druid]] melded into stone in order to rescue the enslaved workers trapped underground and return them to the surface (including a [[Shifter]] from the [[Shifter#Igneous of Isonhound|Igneous of Isonhound]] tribe). Meanwhile, an [[Artificer]] worked on the boat's engine to make it operational again and the team was able to sail home.
After the [[Bronze Dragon]] took off, the team's [[Druid]] melded into stone in order to rescue the enslaved workers trapped underground and return them to the surface (including a [[Shifter]] from the [[Shifter#Igneous of Isonhound|Igneous of Isonhound]] tribe). Meanwhile, an [[Artificer]] worked on the boat's engine to make it operational again and the team was able to sail home.
Line 86: Line 86:
Durian sets out to learn everything he can about [[Sardior]] and acquires one of the only known physical remnants of the [[Dragon#Gem Dragon|Gem Dragon]] god…
Durian sets out to learn everything he can about [[Sardior]] and acquires one of the only known physical remnants of the [[Dragon#Gem Dragon|Gem Dragon]] god…
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Following the battle of the [[The Shadow Forge Shutdown|Shadow Forge]], the '''Curator''' offered a favor of information to those who aided in the battle. Durian used his favor to ask the '''Curator''' about [[Sardior]], but he was unable to provide any new leads except to reaffirm all that [[Yggwilv]] had already said. He suggested seeking out the [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] for more answers, a recommendation which Durian felt very intent on following. He spent six weeks conducting research on [[Sardior]] and the [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]], using bribes and favors in order to compile a list of nearly everything ever put to paper about the ancient ruby god. It was not a terribly long list, which is predictable when conducting research on prehistory beings, but Durian was confident that it was at least comprehensive. One particular find caught his attention: stories of an unknown sixth type of [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragon]]. He immediately connected this sixth type with [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]], a mysterious dark entity who had recently began plaguing Isonhound. Durian surmised that [[Sardior]] must have casted this sixth [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragon]] out of his court and that they had returned to exact revenge on the reemerging [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]]. He felt further supported by this claim after some other adventures turned up a previously unknown [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragon]] type: [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Obsidian]].
Following the battle of the [[The Shadow Forge Shutdown|Shadow Forge]], the '''Curator''' offered a favor of information to those who aided in the battle. Durian used his favor to ask the '''Curator''' about [[Sardior]], but he was unable to provide any new leads except to reaffirm all that [[Yggwilv]] had already said. He suggested seeking out the [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] for more answers, a recommendation which Durian felt very intent on following. He spent six weeks conducting research on [[Sardior]] and the [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]], using bribes and favors in order to compile a list of nearly everything ever put to paper about the ancient ruby god. It was not a terribly long list, which is predictable when conducting research on [[Prehistory]] beings, but Durian was confident that it was at least comprehensive. One particular find caught his attention: stories of an unknown sixth type of [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragon]]. He immediately connected this sixth type with [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]], a mysterious dark entity who had recently began plaguing Isonhound. Durian surmised that [[Sardior]] must have casted this sixth [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragon]] out of his court and that they had returned to exact revenge on the reemerging [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]]. He felt further supported by this claim after some other adventures turned up a previously unknown [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragon]] type: [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Obsidian]].


Around the same time, a handful of adventurers returned from visiting [[Sro]] with six ancient artifacts called the [[Tear of Sardior|Tears of Sardior]]. Durian was shocked by the possibility of a physical remnant of [[Sardior]] still existing on the realm. He attempted to leverage his research in exchange for one of the artifacts. He soon felt guilty for withholding information and apologized for attempting that trick, freely sharing the research with the [[Band of the Iron Hawk]] as well as his theory about the identity of [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]]. Durian would eventually acquire a [[Tear of Sardior]] by bartering with someone outside of the guild. Being the only artifact of [[Sardior]] that he knew, he fastened it into a necklace to wear as a holy symbol in the same manner as his pendant of [[Bahamut]].
Around the same time, a handful of adventurers returned from visiting [[Sro]] with six ancient artifacts called the [[Tear of Sardior|Tears of Sardior]]. Durian was shocked by the possibility of a physical remnant of [[Sardior]] still existing on the realm. He attempted to leverage his research in exchange for one of the artifacts. He soon felt guilty for withholding information and apologized for attempting that trick, freely sharing the research with the [[Band of the Iron Hawk]] as well as his theory about the identity of [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]]. Durian would eventually acquire a [[Tear of Sardior]] by bartering with someone outside of the guild. Being the only artifact of [[Sardior]] that he knew, he fastened it into a necklace to wear as a holy symbol in the same manner as his pendant of [[Bahamut]].
Line 119: Line 119:
Durian emerged from the tent, wiser than he was the year before, and his weariness around festivals was quickly validated as a thunderous, quaking boom crashed the celebration. In the panic, Durian noticed a commotion coming from the [[Pendergras Industries|Pendergras]] factory and darted towards it with another group of adventurers to investigate. They saw a shouting [[Gnome|Half-Gnome]] man remote controlling a group of [[Autom|Automs]] and demanding to know what was going on at his factory. It was '''Tolmè Pendergras''', who turned to the adventurers and asked what they knew about the situation. Durian noticed a familiar sight barricading the entrance into the factory: the amethyst '''Warforged-Centaur''' from the [[Into the Greedy Green/The Story So Far#Session 53: DOS III|Most Sanctified Disciples of Sardior]]. "It's a '''Warforged-Centaur'''," Durian shouted in surprise, but this did nothing to clarify things to '''Tolmè''' as he readied his [[Autom|Automs]] to attack. Durian turned invisible, trying not to rouse a showdown, and spoke in the minds of the other adventurers to convince them to help the [[Into the Greedy Green/The Story So Far#Session 53: DOS III|MSDOS]]. Likewise, he sent a telepathic message to '''Tolmè''' pleading to stand down his [[Autom|Automs]] and let them handle the situation. '''Tolmè''' seemed very skeptical, but allowed the adventurers to push through to the entrance of the factory.
Durian emerged from the tent, wiser than he was the year before, and his weariness around festivals was quickly validated as a thunderous, quaking boom crashed the celebration. In the panic, Durian noticed a commotion coming from the [[Pendergras Industries|Pendergras]] factory and darted towards it with another group of adventurers to investigate. They saw a shouting [[Gnome|Half-Gnome]] man remote controlling a group of [[Autom|Automs]] and demanding to know what was going on at his factory. It was '''Tolmè Pendergras''', who turned to the adventurers and asked what they knew about the situation. Durian noticed a familiar sight barricading the entrance into the factory: the amethyst '''Warforged-Centaur''' from the [[Into the Greedy Green/The Story So Far#Session 53: DOS III|Most Sanctified Disciples of Sardior]]. "It's a '''Warforged-Centaur'''," Durian shouted in surprise, but this did nothing to clarify things to '''Tolmè''' as he readied his [[Autom|Automs]] to attack. Durian turned invisible, trying not to rouse a showdown, and spoke in the minds of the other adventurers to convince them to help the [[Into the Greedy Green/The Story So Far#Session 53: DOS III|MSDOS]]. Likewise, he sent a telepathic message to '''Tolmè''' pleading to stand down his [[Autom|Automs]] and let them handle the situation. '''Tolmè''' seemed very skeptical, but allowed the adventurers to push through to the entrance of the factory.


After a bit of struggle crossing the [[Iron Horse]] track that circled the factory, they entered to find it in the midst of a large-scale heist. '''Warforged-Centaurs''' were rolling around collecting as much [[Wovenstone]] as they could for use in the [[Into the Greedy Green/The Story So Far#Session 53: DOS III|MSDOS']] project to resurrect [[Tuschello|Tuschello the Topaz Dragon]]. Durian also spotted the topaz [[Warforged]] from [[Into the Greedy Green/The Story So Far#Session 53: DOS III|MSDOS]] standing atop a high balcony giving directions, and he called up to ask how they could help. The [[Warforged]] thanked him, telling them to grab [[Wovenstone]] and start carrying it to the cart they had parked outside. Durian began to do so, but '''Tolmè''' soon caught up with them and discovered his factory in the midst of being robbed. He turned his [[Autom|Automs]] on the adventurers as well as the '''Warforged-Centaurs''' and even began shooting at them himself. Durian tried to escape by hitching a ride on a conveyer belt deeper into the factory, where he discovered [[Into the Greedy Green/The Story So Far#Session 53: DOS III|MSDOS']] '''Clockwork Dragon''' also wreaking havoc. This gave Durian an idea and, in the chaos of the factory floor, he casted a major image of [[Smargarg|Smargarg the Emerald Dragon]] that roared "court is called, the five complete the four, the ruby will be…[[Sardior|Sardior's]] return is inevitable!" This served to briefly distract the [[Autom|Automs]] in the ensuing fight which persisted until everyone heard a monstrous roar coming from outside. The adventurers fled the factory to find the source of this roar and discovered an enormous [[Red Dragon]] attacking the town. Believing that he couldn't help in this fight without drawing [[Bleucorundum|Bleucorundum's]] wrath, Durian fled through one of the [[The Feywild|Fey]] portals that the '''Curator''' had left behind, depositing him and the [[Topaz Astrolabe|Astrolabe]] at the '''Lunaran''' temple in [[Seglock]].
After a bit of struggle crossing the [[Iron Horse]] track that circled the factory, they entered to find it in the midst of a large-scale heist. '''Warforged-Centaurs''' were rolling around collecting as much [[Wovenstone]] as they could for use in the [[Into the Greedy Green/The Story So Far#Session 53: DOS III|MSDOS']] project to resurrect [[Tuschello|Tuschello the Topaz Dragon]]. Durian also spotted the topaz [[Warforged]] from [[Into the Greedy Green/The Story So Far#Session 53: DOS III|MSDOS]] standing atop a high balcony giving directions, and he called up to ask how they could help. The [[Warforged]] thanked him, telling them to grab [[Wovenstone]] and start carrying it to the cart they had parked outside. Durian began to do so, but '''Tolmè''' soon caught up with them and discovered his factory in the midst of being robbed. He turned his [[Autom|Automs]] on the adventurers as well as the '''Warforged-Centaurs''' and even began shooting at them himself. Durian tried to escape by hitching a ride on a conveyer belt deeper into the factory, where he discovered [[Into the Greedy Green/The Story So Far#Session 53: DOS III|MSDOS']] '''Clockwork Dragon''' also wreaking havoc. This gave Durian an idea and—in the chaos of the factory floor—he casted a major image of [[Smargarg|Smargarg the Emerald Dragon]]. Echoing the prophecy he had learned from [[Into the Greedy Green/The Story So Far#Session 53: DOS III|MSDOS]], the illusion roared "court is called, the five complete the four, the ruby will be…[[Sardior|Sardior's]] return is inevitable!" This served to briefly distract the [[Autom|Automs]] in the ensuing fight which persisted until everyone heard a monstrous roar coming from outside. The adventurers fled the factory to find the source of this roar and discovered an enormous [[Red Dragon]] attacking the town. Believing that he couldn't help in this fight without drawing [[Bleucorundum|Bleucorundum's]] wrath, Durian fled through one of the [[The Feywild|Fey]] portals that the '''Curator''' had left behind, depositing him and the [[Topaz Astrolabe|Astrolabe]] at the '''Lunaran''' temple in [[Seglock]].


Within the safety of the temple, Durian met [[Echemus|Echemus the Crystal Dragon]] for the first time, who was using his healing tears to cure adventurers' wounds. The '''Lunarans''' debriefed Durian on just how bad things really were on the outside. The seismic explosion he heard in [[Sneerwell]] had actually been felt all across [[Isonhound]], its epicenter being the [[Northern Snowy Mountains]]. Dark [[The Shadowfell|Shadowfell]] energy was flooding from the exploded [[Northern Snowy Mountains|Mountains]], rendering the surrounding areas uninhabitable and quickly sweeping across the entirety of [[Isonhound]]. Even [[Sneerwell]], which was closer to the southern coast, would soon be enveloped in darkness along with the rest of the continent. On the bright side, the '''Lunarans''' and the adventurers held up in the temple had discerned that the [[Topaz Astrolabe|Astrolabe]] was capable of producing a protective dome that repelled dark energy, similar to the dome that the [[Crystal Moonwell|Moonwell]] created around [[Seglock]]. This meant they could potentially use it to save one other city, if only they could figure out how to activate it. At first they thought it might attach to the [[Crystal Moonwell|Moonwell]] somehow, but none of the configurations they tried seemed to securely fit them together. So they tried a different approach, postulating from the '''Lunarans'''' books that the [[Topaz Astrolabe|Astrolabe]] could only be activated once in a lunar cycle. They counted the time since its last activation, discovering that the next cycle was set to begin in a mere couple of hours. The adventurers debated the best location to activate the [[Topaz Astrolabe|Astrolabe]] and landed on [[Gammelgard]], reasoning that it was a port city which could allow them to transport refugees safely off the continent. Durian, ready to jump back into the fray, took the [[Topaz Astrolabe|Astrolabe]] and leapt into the '''Curator's''' portal headed to [[Gammelgard]].
Within the safety of the temple, Durian met [[Echemus|Echemus the Crystal Dragon]] for the first time, who was using his healing tears to cure adventurers' wounds. The '''Lunarans''' debriefed Durian on just how bad things really were on the outside. The seismic explosion he heard in [[Sneerwell]] had actually been felt all across [[Isonhound]], its epicenter being the [[Northern Snowy Mountains]]. Dark [[The Shadowfell|Shadowfell]] energy was flooding from the exploded [[Northern Snowy Mountains|Mountains]], rendering the surrounding areas uninhabitable and quickly sweeping across the entirety of [[Isonhound]]. Even [[Sneerwell]], which was closer to the southern coast, would soon be enveloped in darkness along with the rest of the continent. On the bright side, the '''Lunarans''' and the adventurers held up in the temple had discerned that the [[Topaz Astrolabe|Astrolabe]] was capable of producing a protective dome that repelled dark energy, similar to the dome that the [[Crystal Moonwell|Moonwell]] created around [[Seglock]]. This meant they could potentially use it to save one other city, if only they could figure out how to activate it. At first they thought it might attach to the [[Crystal Moonwell|Moonwell]] somehow, but none of the configurations they tried seemed to securely fit them together. So they tried a different approach, postulating from the '''Lunarans'''' books that the [[Topaz Astrolabe|Astrolabe]] could only be activated once in a lunar cycle. They counted the time since its last activation, discovering that the next cycle was set to begin in a mere couple of hours. The adventurers debated the best location to activate the [[Topaz Astrolabe|Astrolabe]] and landed on [[Gammelgard]], reasoning that it was a port city which could allow them to transport refugees safely off the continent. Durian, ready to jump back into the fray, took the [[Topaz Astrolabe|Astrolabe]] and leapt into the '''Curator's''' portal headed to [[Gammelgard]].
Line 185: Line 185:
They carried on deeper into the factory, descending lower until finally reaching the basement. Another one of the corpses with glowing, emerald green eyes sprung up in front of them as they approached the hangar bay, but most of the party simply walked past it. Durian, however, hung back and questioned [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]], "I don't understand…why haven't you tried to kill us yet? All you've done so far is taunt us." By this point, Durian's [[Elf]] disguise had worn off and [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]] slyly hissed back, "which one of your friends do you care about the most?" Indignant at the question, Durian refused to answer and stormed past him to catch up with the rest of the team. They located the component they were searching for on a nearby worktable and grabbed it before turning their attention to unchaining the fleet of [[Airship|Airships]]. As he was helping to disconnect the chains, Durian heard the familiar voice of [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]] cackling in his head, "I'm going to kill you, but first you're going to watch me kill all of your friends!" Just then, the entire party heard a loud, monstrous roar from one of the far-off dark corners of the hangar. They had already managed to unchain two of the [[Airship|Airships]], so they quickly designated pilots for each [[Airship]] and all hurriedly climbed aboard, launching off as quickly as their thrusters would propel them.
They carried on deeper into the factory, descending lower until finally reaching the basement. Another one of the corpses with glowing, emerald green eyes sprung up in front of them as they approached the hangar bay, but most of the party simply walked past it. Durian, however, hung back and questioned [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]], "I don't understand…why haven't you tried to kill us yet? All you've done so far is taunt us." By this point, Durian's [[Elf]] disguise had worn off and [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]] slyly hissed back, "which one of your friends do you care about the most?" Indignant at the question, Durian refused to answer and stormed past him to catch up with the rest of the team. They located the component they were searching for on a nearby worktable and grabbed it before turning their attention to unchaining the fleet of [[Airship|Airships]]. As he was helping to disconnect the chains, Durian heard the familiar voice of [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]] cackling in his head, "I'm going to kill you, but first you're going to watch me kill all of your friends!" Just then, the entire party heard a loud, monstrous roar from one of the far-off dark corners of the hangar. They had already managed to unchain two of the [[Airship|Airships]], so they quickly designated pilots for each [[Airship]] and all hurriedly climbed aboard, launching off as quickly as their thrusters would propel them.


As Durian peered off the stern of the [[Airship]], he saw the reanimated skeleton of a gargantuan [[Dragon]] flying towards them with incredible speed. Its eye sockets were filled with green fire and it was steadily gaining on the two [[Airship|Airships]]. Members of the party launched ranged spells and weapons at the monster, which seemed to slow it down for a while. Thinking back to the massive [[Sardior|Ruby Dragon]] woven into the tapestries in [[Bleucorundum|Bleucorundum's]] lair, Durian casted a major image of what he imagined [[Sardior]] to look like and shouted, "you cannot stop him!" For a brief moment, [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]] seemed startled by the visage of his old boss before coming to his senses and flying straight through the illusion. The party continued pelting heavy blows at the monster until they managed to put a respectable distance between them. Durian casted another major image off the stern of the [[Airship]]—this time of a massive [[Dragon#Gem Dragon|Emerald Dragon]] like how he imagined [[Feredemius]] must have looked in the old days—and loudly echoed the prophecy: "court is called, the five complete the four, the ruby will be…[[Sardior]] will return and there's nothing you can do about it!" This visibly enraged [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]] as the entire skeletal [[Dragon]] became washed over in green flames and caught up to the [[Airship|Airships]] with a sudden burst of speed. In his shock as he stood off the stern of the [[Airship]], Durian roared his breath weapon at the monster as it quickly bolted towards him. This was in vain, however, as the skeletal [[Dragon]] grabbed Durian in his teeth and slammed him into the deck of the [[Airship]], knocking him unconscious. His wounds were stabilized by another member of the party as the rest of the group threw a final round of blows at the monster before its bones began to break apart and land scattered on the ground below them. The party carried on their course towards [[Seglock]], having secured two [[Airship|Airships]] as well as the vital component for '''Tolmè''' to craft an artificial [[Crystal Moonwell|Moonwell]].
As Durian peered off the stern of the [[Airship]], he saw the reanimated skeleton of a gargantuan [[Dragon]] flying towards them with incredible speed. Its eye sockets were filled with green fire and it was steadily gaining on the two [[Airship|Airships]]. Members of the party launched ranged spells and weapons at the monster, which seemed to slow it down for a while. Thinking back to the massive [[Sardior|Ruby Dragon]] woven into the tapestries in [[Bleucorundum|Bleucorundum's]] lair, Durian casted a major image of what he imagined [[Sardior]] to look like and yelled out, "you cannot stop him!" For a brief moment, [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]] seemed startled by the visage of his old boss before coming to his senses and flying straight through the illusion. The party continued pelting heavy blows at the monster until they managed to put a respectable distance between them. Durian casted another major image while standing on the stern of the [[Airship]]—this time of a massive [[Dragon#Gem Dragon|Emerald Dragon]] like how [[Feredemius]] appeared in his vision of the prehistoric [[Ruby Court]]—and shouted "if you want to stop the return of [[Sardior]], you'll have to kill me first!" Seemingly accepting this challenge, [[Feredemius|The One That Waits]] was visibly enraged as the skeletal [[Dragon]] became entirely washed over in green flames and caught up to the [[Airship|Airships]] with a sudden burst of speed. In his shock, Durian roared his breath weapon at the monster as it quickly bolted towards him. This was in vain, however, as the skeletal [[Dragon]] grabbed Durian in his teeth and slammed him into the deck of the [[Airship]], knocking him unconscious. His wounds were stabilized by another party member as the rest of the group threw a final round of blows at the monster before its bones began to break apart and land scattered on the ground below them. The party carried on their course towards [[Seglock]], having secured two [[Airship|Airships]] as well as the vital component for '''Tolmè''' to craft an artificial [[Crystal Moonwell|Moonwell]].
</div>
</div>
=== Chronoseptic Antics ===
=== Chronoseptic Antics ===
Line 566: Line 566:


=== Durian ===
=== Durian ===
Durian was sturdily built like most [[Dragonborn]], although he was not exceptionally strong. His scales were a shimmering emerald color with a fine, prickly texture and translucent at the surface. He had draconic emerald eyes and long head tendrils which hung down his back like a mop of hair. He also had a tail, uncommon but not unheard of amongst [[Dragonborn]]. His garbs would forego the customary blue of most [[Bahamut]] worshippers, instead opting for assorted metallic hues to better resemble the metallic [[Dragonborn]] most common amongst his clan. He still expressed his allegiance to [[Bahamut]], however, by donning a conspicuous pendant with his religion’s traditional symbol and color. He also wore a necklace that he handmade fastened with a [[Tear of Sardior]], symbolizing his mission to help resurrect the god of [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Neutral Dragons]].
Durian was sturdily built like most [[Dragonborn]], although he was not exceptionally strong. His scales were a shimmering emerald color with a fine, prickly texture and translucent at the surface. He had draconic emerald eyes and long head tendrils which hung down his back like a mop of hair. He also had a tail, uncommon but not unheard of amongst [[Dragonborn]]. His garbs would forego the customary blue of most [[Bahamut]] worshippers, instead opting for assorted metallic hues to better resemble the [[Dragonborn|Metallic Dragonborn]] most common amongst his clan. He still expressed his allegiance to [[Bahamut]], however, by donning a conspicuous pendant with his religion’s traditional symbol and color. He also wore a necklace that he handmade fastened with a [[Tear of Sardior]], symbolizing his mission to help resurrect the god of [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Neutral Dragons]].


=== Durzibethinus ===
=== Durzibethinus ===
Line 579: Line 579:


=== Durian ===
=== Durian ===
Durian’s prior knowledge of what existed outside [[Jadenhill]] had all been secondhand, so he looked upon the world with wondrous eyes. He asked lots of questions, seeking knowledge and solutions to problems that may not have even occurred yet. He had a deep appreciation for his own mortality, but would go all in for a cause he felt was just. He would try to fall back on the teachings of his temple when confronted with a new moral dilemma, but often privately struggled to fit all quandaries into the good-versus-evil paradigm that [[Bahamut]] espoused. He hoped that joining the fight against [[Dragon|Dragons]] would help bring clarity to his religious anxieties. The realities of the conflict, however, only further muddied his outlook.
Durian’s prior knowledge of what existed outside [[Jadenhill]] had all been secondhand, so he looked upon the realm with wondrous eyes. He asked lots of questions, seeking knowledge and solutions to problems that may not have even occurred yet. He had a deep appreciation for his own mortality, but would go all in for a cause he felt was just. He would try to fall back on the teachings of his temple when confronted with a new moral dilemma, but often privately struggled to fit all quandaries into the good-versus-evil paradigm that [[Bahamut]] espoused. He hoped that joining the fight against [[Dragon|Dragons]] would help bring clarity to his religious anxieties. The realities of the conflict, however, only further muddied his outlook.


=== Durzibethinus ===
=== Durzibethinus ===
Line 616: Line 616:
*In 820 [[PR]], visiting representatives attempted to scout Durian for [[Katharda Academy]], a proposal which his mother outright refused as he "has a purpose here" and stated that the school "cannot accommodate our unique situation." The representatives warned of the escalating [[The War of Many Names|War of Dragons]] but, after implying that they could see through her [[Elf|Wood Elf]] disguise, she angrily dismissed them, exclaiming "this is your fight, we're just trying to survive through it." Durian kept a longstanding grudge against his mother for not allowing him to go, and he likely would have gone himself had he not been a year short of fifteen (the age of adulthood in [[Dragonborn]] societies). His place was instead offered to [[Frances|Frances Langford]], the next candidate on the school’s list.
*In 820 [[PR]], visiting representatives attempted to scout Durian for [[Katharda Academy]], a proposal which his mother outright refused as he "has a purpose here" and stated that the school "cannot accommodate our unique situation." The representatives warned of the escalating [[The War of Many Names|War of Dragons]] but, after implying that they could see through her [[Elf|Wood Elf]] disguise, she angrily dismissed them, exclaiming "this is your fight, we're just trying to survive through it." Durian kept a longstanding grudge against his mother for not allowing him to go, and he likely would have gone himself had he not been a year short of fifteen (the age of adulthood in [[Dragonborn]] societies). His place was instead offered to [[Frances|Frances Langford]], the next candidate on the school’s list.
*Durian's mother eschewed many aspects of [[Dragonborn]] culture due to the fear of her family being discovered by [[The Second Draconic Crusades|Crusaders]]. This included conventional draconic names, so she named her son Adrian at birth with the intent of making him sound more elvish. His father, however, was far more relaxed and gifted him the draconic name Durzibethinus on his fifteenth birthday. Upon leaving home, he combined both names and began calling himself Durian in a halfhearted attempt to reclaim some part of his identity.
*Durian's mother eschewed many aspects of [[Dragonborn]] culture due to the fear of her family being discovered by [[The Second Draconic Crusades|Crusaders]]. This included conventional draconic names, so she named her son Adrian at birth with the intent of making him sound more elvish. His father, however, was far more relaxed and gifted him the draconic name Durzibethinus on his fifteenth birthday. Upon leaving home, he combined both names and began calling himself Durian in a halfhearted attempt to reclaim some part of his identity.
*Before leaving home, Durian had never seen or tasted the fruit of his unintended namesake. Coincidentally, however, durians are one of the few fruits that appear on the [[GM:It Came From Kiston#Scavenging Table|Scavenging Table]] for the [[Dragon]]-ridden mainland of [[Kiston (Island)|Kiston]]. Additionally, a single durian fruit once came into [[Jadenhill]] as a gift from an overseas diplomat, but it just ended up used as a kickball.
*Before leaving home, Durian had never seen or tasted the fruit of his unintended namesake. Coincidentally, however, durians are one of the few fruits that appear on the [[GM:It Came From Kiston#Scavenging Table|Scavenging Table]] for the [[Dragon]]-populated mainland of [[Kiston (Island)|Kiston]]. Additionally, a single durian fruit once came into [[Jadenhill]] as a gift from an overseas diplomat, but it just ended up used as a kickball.
*While visiting the lair of [[Smargarg]], Durian came across the [[Amethyst Dragon]] egg which had been stolen from the [[Jadenhill#Court of Quartz|Court of Quartz]]. He left it alone as he could not tell it apart from any other gem egg, but the party's ship captain managed to swipe the egg and fled before anyone could see as it almost immediately hatched into an [[Amethyst Dragon]] wyrmling.
*While visiting the lair of [[Smargarg]], Durian came across the [[Amethyst Dragon]] egg which had been stolen from the [[Jadenhill#Court of Quartz|Court of Quartz]]. He left it alone as he could not tell it apart from any other gem egg, but the party's ship captain managed to swipe the egg and fled before anyone could see as it almost immediately hatched into an [[Amethyst Dragon]] wyrmling.
*Throughout most of history, the [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] went to great lengths to keep their existence in the realm a secret…a behavior that the [[Dragonborn]] of [[Jadenhill]] seemed to similarly display. By choosing to forgo his [[Elf|Wood Elf]] disguise upon leaving his hometown, Durian inadvertently helped lead the charge for [[Dragon#Gem Dragons|Gem Dragons]] and other gem beings to allow themselves to be seen once again.
*Following his ascension, Durian became a [[List of LEGNdary Characters|LEGNdary Character]] throughout the mortal realms and his adventures were echoed over the centuries, even inspiring a myth about an [[Elf]] who accrued so much knowledge of [[Dragon|Dragons]] that he ultimately turned into one.
*Following his ascension, Durian became a [[List of LEGNdary Characters|LEGNdary Character]] throughout the mortal realms and his adventures were echoed over the centuries, even inspiring a myth about an [[Elf]] who accrued so much knowledge of [[Dragon|Dragons]] that he ultimately turned into one.



Revision as of 04:51, 21 May 2024

Durzibethinus
Moments after his rebirth as a Dragon.
Relatives Feredemius, Smargarg
Affiliations Ruby Court
Aliases Emerald Thane of Sardior, Durian, Adrian Grunwald
Date of Birth 826 PR
Place of Birth Northern Snowy Mountains, Isonhound
Species Dragon
Gender Male (he/him)
Eye Color Emerald
Class Deity
Domain Trickery


Durzibethinus, also known as Durian, is an Emerald Dragon and the Emerald Thane of Sardior. Prior to his ascension, he lived a mortal life in Isonhound as a Dragonborn named Adrian Grunwald, son of the high sorcerer in a hidden town called Jadenhill. After leaving home in 825 PR with the hopes of finding a way to protect his clan from hostile Dragons and Crusaders, he changed his name to Durian and discovered the existence of Gem Dragons as well as his own emerald heritage. This sent him down a path towards helping to resurrect Sardior, the Ruby King of Gem Dragons and defeating his disgraced ancestor Feredemius, who served as the original Emerald Thane before the dissolution of the prehistoric Ruby Court. Durian’s role in the ritual to resurrect Sardior caused him to be reborn as an Emerald Dragon and empowered him to sit on the reassembled Ruby Court as the new Emerald Thane. Following his deification, he took to using the name Durzibethinus, a draconic name his father had given him, in order to protect his identity as well as his clan.

History

Durian was born at the Temple on Jadenhill, a small community off the southern coast of Isonhound. Its population primarily consisted of Metallic Dragonborn and was settled by a clan of devout Bahamut worshippers who emigrated from Pteris in the early PR era to escape the chaos of the Cavalry Rush. The town of Jadenhill itself comprised mainly of the temple, which was partially built into the ruins of an ancient abandoned mining project.

The temple practiced its worship in relative peace and seclusion for nearly three centuries, finding ways to honor Bahamut while they awaited his inevitable return, such as studying the Way of the Ascendant Dragon. However, they would fall victim to the Razing of Isonhound in 700 PR…which flattened most parts of the temple that were not housed in the repurposed mining tunnels. Most lives were spared, but it was a devastating loss that would prove too difficult to build back from without outside help. They began tiptoeing back into the outside world to attempt trade and other forms of participating in greater society.

Blaming the Dragons of Tiamat—the only Dragon Deity they believed to be active at the time—for their misfortunes, the town wrote letters declaring their allegiance to the church of Kragnux the Dragon Slayer and added him to their pantheon of deities. Around this same time, a few of the town's hatchlings had been born with brilliant, emerald-colored scales and proved to be gifted with psionic powers and sorcery. The source of their unusual ancestry was unknown, but the temple leaders referred to these gemlike hatchlings as "patinas" and believed them to be a blessing from Bahamut…serving as living proof that their clan was on the most righteous path.

This interpretation would prove regrettable as the growing church of Kragnux became radicalized against not just Dragons, but against all draconic races. The temple heard word of the Dragonborn being slaughtered in the Second Draconic Crusades and quietly dissolved their ties to the church, but it was too late to recluse their community again. They had rebuilt and thrived with the benefit of outside trading partners who knew of the temple and would soon be visiting in greater numbers.

The temple leaders devised a system for receiving guests, erecting a mage tower dubbed the Court of Quartz to serve as a visitors center as well as house many of the artifacts pulled from the former mining tunnels over the years…including a large amethyst gem shaped like a Dragon egg. They also appointed a high sorcerer—one of the "patina" Dragonborn—to reside in the tower and perform an essential part of their plan using one of the few gem relics in the collection brought over from the old continent.

Dubbed the Selune Splinter and described as a fragment from an ancient moon crystal imbued with peculiar paranormal properties, it was able to amplify illusionary magic to increase its effect and distance. Wielding this artifact, the high sorcerer could cast a spell over the entire town to disguise its Dragonborn residents as Wood Elves…the primary inhabitants of the Woldlin region. This deception was successfully kept up for the remainder of the century and the monotonous high sorcerer position would be passed between "patina" Dragonborn before reaching Durian's mother.

Ironically, the long-awaited return of Bahamut in 795 PR would also soon signal the end of the town's ruse. As all Dragons had been set free to inflict their will on the realm, the temple came under attack by an unidentified Dragon at the start of 825 PR and the Court of Quartz was robbed of its collection…including the Selune Splinter which they had spent decades relying upon for protection. The town's residents were suddenly left vulnerable in a realm which found itself increasingly at odds with Dragons for the first time in over a century. How long would it be before the rest of the realm grew frustrated and turned its sights back on who was left of the draconic races?

Adrian Grunwald, son of the high sorcerer and presumed next in line for the position, adopted the alias of Durian (a portmanteau of his elvish and draconic names) to conceal his origins and snuck away from the temple with aspirations to show the realm that the Dragonborn were equal victims of the Dragons' ransacking ways and could be strong allies in the fight against them. If he could also uncover a new means of protecting his clan somewhere along the way, that would be all the better.

Adventures in Quelmar

Durian
His Dragonborn form, prior to his rebirth.
Player Name Jeff
Languages Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Infernal, Primordial, Telepathy, Wiki
Affiliations Harbingers of Sardior
Date of Birth 806 PR
Place of Birth Jadenhill, Isonhound
Species Dragonborn
Gender Male (he/him)
Height 6' 4"
Weight 260 lbs
Eye Color Emerald
Class Sorcerer


Draconic Divinations

Durian leaves home for the first time and is given an alarming vision of the future before meeting a Silver Dragon with a peculiar ideology, causing him to have a crisis of faith…

Surprise Sapphire

Durian discovers the existence of Gem Dragons and attempts to befriend one of them, leading him towards questions about his own identity…

Bronze Boating

Durian tests the limits of the boon that Bleucorundum gave him by taking a job which would lead him to encounter another child of Bahamut

Sardior Secrets

Durian meets an ancient witch who is the first to divulge the existence of the Ruby Court as well as his god Sardior, the Ruby King of Gem Dragons

Seglock Siege

Durian struggles to enjoy a festival in Seglock when Horatio Cheshire crashes the party, riding atop what appears to be an aspect of Tiamat

Shadow Showdown

Durian is recruited by the Curator to help shut down the Shadow Forge and put an end to Horatio Cheshire's abominations once and for all…

Splintered Priorities

Durian joins a guild in order to reacquire the Selune Splinter, an artifact of tremendous significance that had been stolen from his clan…

Jeered Tears

Durian sets out to learn everything he can about Sardior and acquires one of the only known physical remnants of the Gem Dragon god…

Sanctified Machines

Durian meets the Most Sanctified Disciples of Sardior and pledges to support their efforts to resurrect Sardior by any means necessary…

Emerald Epiphany

Durian tracks down the lair of an Emerald Dragon who teaches him how to read minds in exchange for helping to return one of his eggs…

Fairly Devious

Durian uncovers the true identity of The One That Waits and weighs the consequences of sharing his revelation with any other adventurers…

Harbinger Havoc

Durian learns names for all of the original Ruby Court members and ponders what it means to be a Harbinger, forming the Harbingers of Sardior to share information more efficiently…

Festive Fall

Durian brings the Topaz Astrolabe to Sneerwell in hopes of deciphering its purpose, instead confronting The One That Waits face-to-face while Isonhound is enveloped by shadows…

Slight Sworn

Durian becomes disillusioned by the network of guilds and decides to leave the Iron Hawks in order to focus all his efforts towards resurrecting Sardior

Amethyst Altercation

Durian encounters Bleucorundum once again, who sends him on a mission into a city with no name that is being guarded by a possessed Amethyst Dragon

Kill Durian

Durian resists The One That Waits as his true identity is confirmed and he sneaks some of his shadow monsters into Seglock to take out his uncooperative descendent…

Green Tech

Durian returns to the Pendergras factory in Sneerwell and is once again forced to confront his ancestor, The One That Waits, who has taken over the facility…

Chronoseptic Antics

Durian is sent to Gammelgard by the Curator to investigate the Dwarven Citadel and is hurled back in time by the Dragon Uhlm to free Kristang from his imprisonment…

Divine Rebirth

Durian wields the Emerald Blade during the Battle of Five Lights, causing him to be reborn as an Emerald Dragon and transformed into the new Emerald Thane of Sardior

Emerald Atonement

Durzibethinus sends Rooney, his first Harbinger, to help investigate a surge of psionic activity which leads to the lair of a purified Feredemius

Adventures in Lyaphaire

Sardioric Warning: A fragment of Quelmar has leaked into a parallel universe, which means you are now entering a lorespace from an entirely separate realm. If you come across any beings, places, or items with Quelmarian counterparts throughout your multiversal travels, please report these echoes to Sardior.

Adrian Grunwald
After Sardior took his emerald essence.
Player Name Jeff
Date of Birth 826 PR
Place of Birth Northern Snowy Mountains, Isonhound
Species Dragonborn
Gender Male (he/him)
Height 6' 4"
Weight 260 lbs
Eye Color Emerald
Class Monk


Prologue

Adrian finds himself dropped into a strange new realm, having been radically altered and left to wonder whether Sardior's resurrection ceremony had actually worked…

Grails & Graves

Adrian feels like he has hit a wall with his Monk training and takes the first opportunity to leave the Deus Temporis temple and explore more of this new realm, eventually ending up in the small village of Terakai and getting recruited for a new job alongside an unusual band of characters…

Ghosts & Hills

Adrian awkwardly consents to play ghost host before setting out with the newly-formed search party towards the Pericles Hills in hopes of finding the missing children, but instead they get rained on and punch some face-sucking monsters to death after getting ambushed in a cave…

Caverns & Bullywugs

Adrian learns the consequences of trying to sneak inside a cave without darkvision and the team is attacked by Goblins, then they learn of some Hags residing deeper in the cave and also meet some Bullywugs guarding a bright stone before the team decides to leave in search of a more definitive lead…

Hags & Tortoises

Adrian and the team return to the cave and get distracted by a gem-adorned tortoise before getting roped into a sisterly conflict between two Hags, then they almost successfully beeline past a Goblin encampment and Adrian nearly gets separated from the rest of the team by running way too fast…

Arrows & Chasms

Adrian gets hit by an obscene amount of flying projectiles and does some more dashing around while the team carries a couple of unconscious Goblins for seemingly no reason, all while managing to explore nearly every nook and cranny of the cave system except the part that might contain any Hags

Nothics & Mimics

Adrian has some secrets about his past exposed by an unknown creature lurking in the darkness and the team finally locates the bone-riddled lair of the second Hag, who offers the same murderous proposition as her sister before shedding some light on the reason for the pair's soured relationship…

Bugbears & Goblins

Adrian and the team confront the Bugbear who has taken up residence alongside his horde of Goblins inside Nephilla's lair and they finally figure out where all of the townspeople's missing children have been disappearing, but what they discover is far from what could be considered a happy reunion…

Mirrors & Fountains

Adrian barters with Kyar' for information on how to turn the transformed children back into their normal selves, Dave talks to a strange pointy-toothed man in a two-way mirror, Ashe gets nearly killed after being flung off a balcony, and Merys gets turned into a Goblin after drinking from a fountain…

Children & Monks

Adrian and the team make a less-than-heroic return to Terakai with a mob of uncontrollable children in tow and they all agree to ask Silence for help in dealing with their families, then a mentor from Ashe's past appears in town and the rest of the team must suddenly say goodbye to their friend…

Dreams & Bartering

Adrian makes use of some much-needed downtime by distributing the loot he picked up in the Shrieking Caverns to his friends and teammates, but his momentary feeling of calmness is disrupted by a nightmare that unlocks a lost memory from the day he sacrificed his emerald essence…

Fans & Flames

Adrian and the team run some field tests to try and figure out what could have caused the enchantment on the returned children, then they debate amongst themselves what their next course of action should be before finally deciding to travel to Gorothair, the city where Urza had located the children…

Bowls & Dolls

Adrian and the team begin their journey towards Gorothair—the unofficial capital of Westprong—in hopes of tracking down more of the culprits responsible for abducting the children of Terakai, but a creepy doll they meet along the way ends up splitting the team on what it means to be sentient…

Airships & Guilds

Adrian learns that his temple chores imparted some transferrable skills when an Airship crash-lands on the team's path, then they briefly lose track of Dave moments after arriving in Gorothair and they all consider joining a guild, except for Adrian who seems very opposed to that idea for some reason…

Inns & Talismans

Adrian and the team get lost while trying to find an inn to stay at before debating the benefits of joining a guild, then they visit a shop called Les Talismans which sells esoteric magical items and they get their strongest lead on the missing children yet in the form of a small, mysterious black pyramid…

Rats & Basements

Adrian and the team stop by the Razorwind Mercenary guild hall so that Merys and Maple can drop off their applications as well as accept their trial job, leading them all to kill rats in the basement of the Yellow-Bellied Baron tavern where they discover another missing child with a creepy doll…

Tunnels & Alcoves

Adrian gets stuck in the denial phase of grief after another child dies on the team's watch, then he gets in a shoving fight with Dave while Maple investigates a familiar-looking mirror which violently shatters and forces her to strike a deal with a mysterious Warforged to avoid permanent death…

Circuses & Galleries

Adrian and the team relocate the child's body back to their rooms at the Welcome Rest, then Adrian gets in a skirmish with a Yuan-Ti outside of a circus tent before they all decide to revisit Les Talismans and follow a new chain of leads which brings them to an orphanage as well as an art gallery…

Appearance

Durian

Durian was sturdily built like most Dragonborn, although he was not exceptionally strong. His scales were a shimmering emerald color with a fine, prickly texture and translucent at the surface. He had draconic emerald eyes and long head tendrils which hung down his back like a mop of hair. He also had a tail, uncommon but not unheard of amongst Dragonborn. His garbs would forego the customary blue of most Bahamut worshippers, instead opting for assorted metallic hues to better resemble the Metallic Dragonborn most common amongst his clan. He still expressed his allegiance to Bahamut, however, by donning a conspicuous pendant with his religion’s traditional symbol and color. He also wore a necklace that he handmade fastened with a Tear of Sardior, symbolizing his mission to help resurrect the god of Neutral Dragons.

Durzibethinus

In his true form, he is a massive Emerald Dragon with shimmering, translucent scales and two lengthy horns crowning the top of his head. Clusters of smaller crystalline protrusions encircle the rest of his head like a mane. His eyes glow with a pupil-less, emerald hue. Powerful, sinewy limbs match his long neck and tail while broad wings spread from his spiny back. Hard spikes stick out from each of his leg joints. His feet are adorned with razor-sharp claws.

Despite his imposing natural shape, he often favors disguises and will even polymorph into his prior Dragonborn form. In this shape, he appears nearly identical to how he looked before his rebirth, with the addition of wings which are similar to his old spectral ones except that they remain a permanent fixture.

Adrian

Adrian is identical in appearance to his prior Emerald Dragonborn form, except that all of his scales have taken on a metallic gold color. The flecks of emerald in his eyes are the last visual remnants of his gem heritage. He wears lightweight garb with accents of emerald hues to try and bring out the color of his eyes and bolster what remains from this side of his ancestry. He wears a pendent around his neck from the temple of Deus Temporis that trained him…specifically, a gold pendant shaped like Alram—the Metallic Gold Dragon God of the Past—from the three-headed Dragon god of time.

Personality

Durian

Durian’s prior knowledge of what existed outside Jadenhill had all been secondhand, so he looked upon the realm with wondrous eyes. He asked lots of questions, seeking knowledge and solutions to problems that may not have even occurred yet. He had a deep appreciation for his own mortality, but would go all in for a cause he felt was just. He would try to fall back on the teachings of his temple when confronted with a new moral dilemma, but often privately struggled to fit all quandaries into the good-versus-evil paradigm that Bahamut espoused. He hoped that joining the fight against Dragons would help bring clarity to his religious anxieties. The realities of the conflict, however, only further muddied his outlook.

Durzibethinus

Becoming a Dragon has altered his mind in ways that even he does not fully understand. Emotions feel larger than before, for better and worse. He is more confident and curious, but also more paranoid and mistrusting. It’s difficult to discern if these changes are entirely the result of his new form, enhancing traits that were already there, or if they are in part due to Sardior’s influence. When he begins having an intrusive or self-doubting thought, it’s as if another part of his mind rushes in to squash the thought before it can fully form. He is persuaded to his core that this is what he was meant to become…and yet he sometimes feels a dissonance between mind and body, as if he’s merely the same insecure Dragonborn piloting this huge, powerful creature. He quietly hopes and trusts that these incongruent feelings will dissipate as he acclimates to being a Dragon.

Adrian

Being new to Lyaphaire, Adrian can come off as endearingly naive when encountering new things. He hides a chip on his shoulder due to feeling forsaken by his god, Sardior, after sacrificing himself for the Gem Dragon god's resurrection and being consequently discarded in an unfamiliar realm. He speaks about his past in vague terms and is often reluctant to talk about it since he is doubtful that anyone would believe him, yet alone be able to provide the sort of closure he desires. Optimism is a shaky habit to kick, however, so he hopes for a day when he is able to prove his worthiness to the Gem Dragons and reclaim his emerald essence…possibly even return home and learn if his efforts to revive Sardior had paid off.

Abilities

Durian providing aerial support during The Shadow Forge Shutdown.

Durian

Durian was naturally gifted with psionic abilities, but the way he wielded those powers was often lacking in finesse. Aside from communicating via telepathy, he could also psychically lash out at enemies like a mind whip and exhale psychic energy as a breath weapon. When dealt damage at close range, he reflexively retaliated with a burst of telekinetic energy to push away the aggressor. He could also summon temporary spectral wings which allowed him to fly.

He could create fire at will, drawing upon the Gold Dragon part of his ancestry. He was also taught a number of illusionary spells meant to prepare him for being the high sorcerer of Jadenhill, such as disguisement and invisibility. Additionally, he was very multilingual as a result of his upbringing as a courtier.

He utilized his innate magic abilities to find new ways of avoiding close brushes with death. He figured out how to feather fall after being thrown from a crumbling balcony during his first encounter with Sro. After being nearly digested by Bleucorundum's phase gelatinous cube, he learned how to see invisibility.

Following his reacquisition of the Selune Splinter, Durian used it as an opportunity to practice some of the ranged illusionary magic that he was only just beginning to learn before the artifact was stolen.

After tracking down the lair of Smargarg the Emerald Dragon and requesting his help with locating Feredemius, the Emerald Thane of Sardior, the Dragon taught Durian the Boon of Telepathy, which strengthened his existing psionic abilities and enabled him to read the minds of other creatures.

Durzibethinus

The Thanes of Sardior are meant to be Exarchs for their gem types, so Durian’s psionic and psychic powers were radically amplified by his transformation as well as his physical size and strength. He has unmatched prowess in telepathy, clairvoyance, and illusions (skills which he can further project while interfacing with his Gem Artifact, the Emerald Splinter). He is able to exhale a disorientating breath weapon of psychic dissonance. He has a powerful bite and claw attack. He can also fly, teleport and change his shape at will.

His psychic presence seeps into his surroundings over time, a trait which he can use to purposefully imbue certain items and even other creatures with his own emerald essence. He used this ability to transform Rooney into his first Harbinger, forging a Patron-like relationship and psychic link which allows him to see through the Ranger's eyes as well as telepathically communicate.

Adrian

Adrian lost access to his psionic abilities after Sardior took his emerald essence, which initially left him severely weakened upon first landing in Lyaphaire. Over the course of a few years residing in this new realm, however, he steadily rebuilt his strength by training as a Monk in the Way of the Ascendant Dragon.

Trivia

  • Durian’s family was primarily of Gold Dragon ancestry, hence why his simpler spells were often fire-based. Exhibiting gem features seemed to be a recessive gene as Durian’s immediate family were all gold sans for him, his mother, and grandmother.
  • Despite knowing that he differed from his siblings in a major regard, Durian identified as a Gold Dragonborn until his encounter with Bleucorundum. Being faced with the existence of Gem Dragons completely shook his sense of self.
  • Durian was one of very few telepaths in Jadenhill and took extra coaxing as a child to verbalize his words, so he was overly eager when meeting other telepaths on his journeys and would try using telepathy as the primary means of communication with them.
  • In 820 PR, visiting representatives attempted to scout Durian for Katharda Academy, a proposal which his mother outright refused as he "has a purpose here" and stated that the school "cannot accommodate our unique situation." The representatives warned of the escalating War of Dragons but, after implying that they could see through her Wood Elf disguise, she angrily dismissed them, exclaiming "this is your fight, we're just trying to survive through it." Durian kept a longstanding grudge against his mother for not allowing him to go, and he likely would have gone himself had he not been a year short of fifteen (the age of adulthood in Dragonborn societies). His place was instead offered to Frances Langford, the next candidate on the school’s list.
  • Durian's mother eschewed many aspects of Dragonborn culture due to the fear of her family being discovered by Crusaders. This included conventional draconic names, so she named her son Adrian at birth with the intent of making him sound more elvish. His father, however, was far more relaxed and gifted him the draconic name Durzibethinus on his fifteenth birthday. Upon leaving home, he combined both names and began calling himself Durian in a halfhearted attempt to reclaim some part of his identity.
  • Before leaving home, Durian had never seen or tasted the fruit of his unintended namesake. Coincidentally, however, durians are one of the few fruits that appear on the Scavenging Table for the Dragon-populated mainland of Kiston. Additionally, a single durian fruit once came into Jadenhill as a gift from an overseas diplomat, but it just ended up used as a kickball.
  • While visiting the lair of Smargarg, Durian came across the Amethyst Dragon egg which had been stolen from the Court of Quartz. He left it alone as he could not tell it apart from any other gem egg, but the party's ship captain managed to swipe the egg and fled before anyone could see as it almost immediately hatched into an Amethyst Dragon wyrmling.
  • Throughout most of history, the Gem Dragons went to great lengths to keep their existence in the realm a secret…a behavior that the Dragonborn of Jadenhill seemed to similarly display. By choosing to forgo his Wood Elf disguise upon leaving his hometown, Durian inadvertently helped lead the charge for Gem Dragons and other gem beings to allow themselves to be seen once again.
  • Following his ascension, Durian became a LEGNdary Character throughout the mortal realms and his adventures were echoed over the centuries, even inspiring a myth about an Elf who accrued so much knowledge of Dragons that he ultimately turned into one.

Behind the Screen

  • Durian was created out of a desire to introduce Gem Dragon lore into Quelmar following the release of Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons, as well as to help answer the question of why Dragonborn continued to sporadically appear after the point in the Quelmar Timeline when Dragonborn were presumed to have gone extinct (the implication being that a few clans managed to survive undetected throughout the Second Draconic Crusades). Some secondary elements from Durian's backstory, such as the Selune Splinter, served as callbacks to previous Quelmar campaigns that his player participated in.
  • Several elements of Durian's backstory drew upon themes of queerness, such as the power of language and its impact on identity when sufficient vocabulary does not exist to properly describe oneself. This manifested as a Gem Dragonborn, ignorant to the existence of Gem Dragons, identifying as metallic as it was his culture’s closest (yet entirely inadequate) approximation for what he was. Other themes included masking to fit into a social order and how such forms of suppression can be multilayered, as in the case of an Emerald Dragonborn masking as a Gold Dragonborn masking as a Wood Elf.
  • Another one of his player’s goals was to test the outcome of playing a character whose motivations for learning new spells were entirely narrative-based (specifically as a Sorcerer, a class whose spells remain the same from day-to-day). For example, Durian learned Feather Fall following a session in which he nearly died after falling from a great height. The next time he leveled up, he learned See Invisibility after being nearly killed by an invisible monster. Following this approach, the highest level that Durian reached as a player character was level 8.
  • One of the primary inspirations for Durian's name was Adrian Greenburg, a costume designer most famous for designing the ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz.

Gallery

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. (Hi Margarita's Table. 🇩🇪)

Recent changes

  • Mslilith • 01:20
  • Psuvillager • Yesterday at 18:09
  • JaeltheJust • Yesterday at 15:21
  • BurgerWise • Yesterday at 12:56
  • Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. (Hi Margarita's Table. 🇩🇪)