Irial

Some dragons whisper that Irial was greedy and wished to know the future just for his own gain. Others say he never asked for what happened to him, and claim he wishes he could take his choice back. Most agree though that when he lost his sight, Irial was a changed dragon. Irial has a different story to tell.

Once upon a time he could see, and life was good. The young coatl laid around in the sun, enjoying fine fish and telling himself there was no coatl as handsome as he. With a smile like his and keen red eyes, how could he not have a wonderful fate.

There was murmuring though, that the rich coatl was in trouble with a stronger dragon who wished to take his fortune. Irial heard these rumors and thought nothing of it, but that nagging fear stayed in the back of his mind. He would need to ensure that he would keep his fortune.

Irial went on a journey, far from his home in the Zephyr Steppes. He intended to go to the Sea of a Thousand Currents, and intercept a prophecy that was meant for him. On his travels he met many foes, but rather than fight he ran. He ran, tricked, and deceived his way until he found himself at the mighty ocean. There he waited.

He waited many years for that faithful bubble to arrive. In his time gone the dragons from his home assumed he was dead, and the rumored dragon took over Irial’s estate and claimed his treasure as his own. Irial was unaware this entire time, too fixated on knowing about the future rather than paying attention to the present.
Finally on one stormy day, Irial felt a calling. He flew over the water of the growling sea and saw the bubble meant for him. At last, he reached out and held what his future would be. Instead, he got a message…

“Sometimes, those who See too much must pay the price for their transgressions. Sometimes, a trade is made: the loss of one type of sight for the gain of another.
And sometimes, Fortune plays a trick. Blind to the present, but Seeing the future with clarity.

In some hands, this is a weapon. In others a tool. In others still, it is something to be feared and respected in equal measure.
But it is always a curse, no matter what the stories say.
There is always a price to pay. The Sight is no different. For those who See what they should not, there can only be pain.
Mortals are not to know what awaits in their futures, for fear that they will change it to something they think better suits them.”

Irial was confused and angry. What did this nonsense mean?! He roared in frustration, years wasted on nothing. He flew back to shore, where he decided it was time to return home.

He never made it past the Tsunami Flats. The storm grew wilder and at last Irial broke, screaming at the heavens and cursing the deities. Lightning struck down, for Stormcatcher had heard the coatl’s muttering and decided he deserved to see the truth of his prophecy. Irial was blinded, and fell to the ground in shock. The words of the bubble replayed in his mind, circling around him in the darkness.

Luckily for Irial, a traveling wind dragon saw him lying at the edge of Tsunami Flats. He took him to his home in the Twisting Crescendo, and now Irial sits in his home sadly. The words repeating in his mind, constantly. Occasionally he sees a flash of the future, and tells it to his clan leaders. It is his one joy now, for without sight and his fortune gone Irial thought of himself as useless. He repeats the words told to him from the bubble to hatchlings, thinking of himself as proof of the greed for knowing the future. It is his one comfort.

Remember the words, he hisses. Remember them always, so they will not come for you like they did for me.