Lian

Lian Quiet | Secretive | Trustworthy “Don't mention your move before you make a move." ― Amit Kalantri

Position Secret Keeper Clan Status Newcomer Lian is the clan secret keeper. She is bound to secrecy by a powerful spell keeping all of the clans secrets safe. Dusk Rogue Vest Apparel A close-fitting vest for a nighttime wanderer. 1500 Potted Deepmine Fungi Organics A favored sign or distance marker used by clans living in the undersea cave networks that connect the Tangled Wood and Dragonhome. 29 Dusk Rogue Hood Apparel A hood to conceal the identity of the nighttime wanderer. 1100 Silk Spool Organics A strong, soft thread used in the creation of fine garments. 20

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Best Kept Secret

Lian and Alru moved very slowly through the forest, Lian was blindfolded she followed Alru by holding his tail loosely in her mouth. She had passed the test to become the clan’s secret keeper, now she would be taken to a sorcerer to be given the knowledge of the clan and be bound to a powerful silence spell. As Alru slowed to a stop, Lian attempted to acclimate herself. She could sense something moving only a few yards in front of her but with the blindfold still covering her eyes, she had no way of knowing what.

Suddenly, a voice broke the silence that Lian hadn’t noticed. “Have you brought me the most trustworthy in all your lair?” The voice spoke with the sound of moving earth.

“Yes, your majesty,” the slight tremor in Alru’s voice caused Lian to question what she had gotten herself into.

“Remove the coverings and we will begin the process,” the voice said. Alru did as instructed, gently removing the cloth blindfold. A large imposing figure caught Lian’s eye, she assumed this was the voice she had heard. The dragon was larger than even the largest Guardian and appearing to be made of stone, not unlike Earthshaker.

The stone dragon spoke again “Are you, Lian, prepared to learn and keep the secrets of the clan?”

“Yes, I am,” she tried to remain confident, but she feared her voice would betray her terror. If the stone dragon noticed her hesitation it did not acknowledge it, but instead continued.

“Do you understand the importance of the role you are undertaking today?”

“Yes,” her voice sounded small.

“Do you accept that, from this day forward, speaking at all will be a source of pain and revealing the secrets relinquished to you today will mean instantaneous death?”

She knew she the punishment for revealing the secrets was death but no one told her about speaking causing pain, she considered for a short moment before responding, “Yes, I do”.

“Alru, do you accept that you will be giving up this knowledge forever and passing it on to Lian?”

“Yes”. The stone dragon seemed to consider the responses given for a moment.

“Let us begin the ceremony.” The stone dragon reached out two large hands placing one on Alru’s head and the other on Lian’s. Lian was surprised by how light and gentle it touch was considering its rocky appearance.

Within seconds of contact with the stone dragon Lian began to see a series of images flash before her eye. It went by to quickly for her to process and yet, somehow, she knew exactly what was occurring.

Alru, Bru, and Efina sat around a rock table in a tent, they discussed the ethical ramifications of using magic to falsely alter the moods of the dragons in the clan. They wanted a world full of peace and tranquility, but dragonkind was volatile. Eventually the debate was settled. An ancient dragon, Sakhmet, was brought in to place the spell, while a second dragon, Myca became the host. Sakhmet warned the three leaders that the spell was dangerous, it could have negative effects on the dragons it affected, but the three insisted.

The same three seated at the same table, a different debate, this one settled much quicker than the last. A Gatekeeper would be assigned, a powerful dragon with the ability to see inside others minds and view their intentions. This dragon would prevent those with bad intentions from leaving while still allowing others to wander. She knew of Alru’s desire to build a powerful and loyal army but she kept silent because she knew this goal was not borne of a desire to conquer or wage war but from a need to keep himself and his family safe. Though she disagreed with his methods, she would keep the secret for him.

The stone dragon removed his hands from Lian and Alru’s heads, ending the scene as quickly as it began, and spoke again, “the transfer is complete, Alru, you will now longer remember what it is you came here for today. Lian, you are saddled with a heavy burden, carry it well. The stone dragon closed its eyes and appeared to lose all sentience, becoming nothing more than a pile of rock.

“Let’s go back home,” Lian said, flinching as the words ripped through her throat like a knife. Alru seemed dazed, not unlike someone who had just moments ago had memories ripped out of their head, but he followed Lian back the way they came. She followed the scent until the two eventually reached the lair, never to speak of the event that had just transpired.