Berne
(#40204002)
Level 25 Skydancer
Click or tap to view this dragon in Predict Morphology.
Energy: 0/50
This dragon’s natural inborn element is Nature.
Female Skydancer
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Personal Style
Apparel
Skin
Scene
Measurements
Length
5.06 m
Wingspan
5.94 m
Weight
619.27 kg
Genetics
Garnet
Cherub
Cherub
Eldritch
Current
Current
Navy
Basic
Basic
Hatchday
Breed
Eye Type
Level 25 Skydancer
Max Level
STR
108
AGI
15
DEF
12
QCK
54
INT
17
VIT
14
MND
12
Biography
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Berne never knew why she always loved to travel, but that's what she always did. Ever sense she left her clan to move with the winds, to feel the air on her wings up with the wind dragons. Ever sense, she stayed on the earthen ground, walking with the dragons and moving through the world. The dragons around her knew of her travels, as she always spoke of them. The hatchlings loved her stories of the world, and this is her newest home. Home Clan: Belongs to Talteal Exploring Dragon Thread |
Items Traveling With
March 11 2019 - Traveled to the Empyrean Forest Clan
She was greeted by the leaders of the clan, the founders Miseria and Shiver as well as the Queen and King of the clan Satine II and Sin Gent. They were warm and welcoming to her and instantly welcomed Berne into their home. The shadow rep Nox and her partner hosted Berne during her visit. They told her the history of the clan, how the first Queen Satine saved them all from a tyrant, bringing peace to the forest after so many long years of unrest and uncertainty. She was amazed by the tales and enjoyed taking tours throughout the clans, helping out in the healers den as well as helping to care for the hatchlings in the nursery.
|
| On her last day Queen Satine II gifted her a sweetheart claw, a momento to remember them by. A feast was held in her honor as they bid their new friend goodbye and safe travels. Satine implored her to be safe and to one day return as she passed by this way again. |
March 18 2019 - Entered Wispwalker Territory
For a while after she left to start travelling again, there was a curious absence of other dragon clans to visit. She didn't understand, really: it was quite a beautiful area of the Wispwillow Grove, lit by glowbugs like a million shining stars, casting a thousand shadows.
When she finally encountered the Wispwalker's outpost guard Icetalon, she was glad to see that someone else was here to appreciate the natural beauty. The place had an almost... otherworldly feel to it. Surprisingly, however, the tundra warned against visiting the main clan itself, explaining how a dispute over the leader's succession meant the entire city was currently very dangerous for outsiders. Instead, he took her to visit the Enlightened One, head of a powerful and secretive local guild named S.P.E.A.K.
|
| The Enlightened One gifted her a Lei made of violets-- symbols of the guild's protection, that would tell any agents she was to come to no harm. She stayed with the guild for several days, learning their history as well as listening on on the stories several of the guild members had been writing in their downtime. There was a sense of sadness as it finally came time for Berne to leave, but many of the guild promised they would see her again, or at least send letters with the help of other agents in other places. And with that she was off. |
March 24 2019 - Crossed into unknown lands
"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE?" Yelled the angry Coatl, rushing to the scene. Shaking with rage he stared at the cracked egg, spilled all over the floor. He took a deep breath, composed himself and faced the towering Skydancer "congratulations, you destroyed the last live egg of an extinct dragon breed from the future. I hope you’re proud of yourself". Berne was both confused and ashamed, she tried to utter an apology but was unable to do so, still struggling to grasp what was going on. The coatl sighed and shook his head "look, you messed up. Big time. And it’s not like I have a time machine to go back to the future and miraculously find another egg of these. But you can help me with something else" he proposed as he turned around and made his way to a huge pile of random objects at the back of what seemed to be his lair. There was relics from ancient civilizations together with items from unknown origin, and others looking oddly otherworldly. Berne followed close behind, some of the items caught her eye and picked up a strange box she had never seen before. It looked like some old technology device "where did you get all this stuff from?" She questioned while examining her curious find. Her interest in his collection made him smile "it’s a long story, but you’re about to find out" he turned his attention to what he was searching for, and unearthed what looked like a gyroscope from the pile of junk. "Alrighty then, hold on to something and don’t lose the camera" he said as he spun the structure around. Berne, wide-eyed clutched the camera tight against her as she saw the surroundings dissolve "wait-WHAT?"
- - -
It was such a bizarre feeling, I knew we were no longer in Sornieth. I started to piece together what had happened. Time travel? Maybe more like instant transportation? Is this another dimension perhaps? I really don’t feel like myself anymore. We were barely even walking and yet everything seemed to rush past us as we moved "ok, choose a spot" he said. I looked around, blasted by images of galaxies, planets, structures and alien creatures. I closed my eyes and extended my arm to touch one of the images. And just like that, we were there. I was surrounded by beautiful rainforests, growing over an abandoned city. The coatl stared at me with a smug grin "I am Aether, and I am a trans dimensional traveller! And now, so are you!" I was in awe. Soaking in the magical experience I never imagined I would come across, but soon it dawned on me "this is overwhelming, for sure. But I still don’t understand why you dragged me into this" I was kind of annoyed at him now, honestly I was starting to doubt if I really wanted to be involved in any of this. What if this adventure was potentially dangerous? Besides, Aether looks like he has completely lost his mind. He turned and started to walk towards the structures covered in massive vegetation "you destroyed a unique piece of my collection, you owe me"
That afternoon we gathered some pretty interesting artifacts, and as we explored we got to know each other a bit better. Turns out he’s actually a pleasant little creature, a bit obsessed with weird stuff and I think solitude has also driven him a little crazy. Other than that, it was a fun trip. He showed me how the gyroscope works, it’s actually called a "Astralwalker 3200" whatever that is. I was curious to see more, and he was more than happy to take me to see other places. Time was definitely distorted and slowed down. We explored so much, gathered tons of treasures and I would swear I had spent an eternity in a very surrealistic realm. It was a great adventure, I literally felt like it had been weeks, maybe even months. I was starting to miss Sornieth, and social interactions other than this lunatic and strange immaterial creatures. So we decided to head back to Sornieth.
- - -
"Well... it was a pleasure, Berne" he said as he unloaded everything onto his pile of artifacts "here, you can take this with you, and perhaps remember to stop by again some day?" He said as he handed out to her a beautiful stone necklace that they had found in their travels. She thanked him and slipped the necklace on "oh! Wait. I also got your camera" Berne gave him the Polaroid camera back, Aether’s eyes lit up "Hey! We never took a picture!" He held up the camera towards them "Smiiillleeeee"
April 3, 2019 - Military Training
Her next visit? A trip to Sornieth's elite special operations task force, known as the Crisis Response Team. These dragons were nothing like the police, or even the normal military. These guys were trained to handle only the highest, most risky operations, and for the next week she'd get to train with them and get a taste of their life.
She was greeted by Anubis, who talked about the basics of what she'd be doing. The Spiral led her into the base in the middle of the Ashfall Waste, talking as he went. "Alright, so for this week you'll be getting to see what we do and even try things out yourself. You won't actually be deployed and if anything were to - theoretically - happen, you'll be treated as a civilian and protected. Got it?"
When Berne nodded, Anubis offered her a winning smile and continued. "Great, you'll get to watch some of our training exercises, try out some of our firearms and gadgets, get fitted with armour and at the end of the week, you'll get to be in one of the training simulations that we've set up. You'll also get to meet the rest of the team." He turned to her just as they stood outside a pair of heavy doors. "Ready?"
"As ever!" Berne replied. The week ahead was going to be tough, but she would get to try something few had the opportunity to do. How many dragons could say they got to meet elite special operations force soldiers? Dragons trained to react to situations others would run from?
She got to meet lots of them, whom Anubis introduced all of them to her. They came from all over Sornieth and beyond, even from the outer lands where Beastclans roamed. They all had names and aliases, some of which she couldn't remember, but once she got to meet everyone available, Anubis took her to get fitted with some armour before they headed down to the range.
"Hm, I think we do have something in your size," Anubis muttered, clambering onto the lockers, his noodly-body slinking over things. "Aha! Here, catch." He tossed down a piece of armour to her that would protect her arm and chest, with fabric draped over her wings. "You can keep that actually, it's a slightly older piece that we don't use and it seems to fit you perfectly. Come on, let's head down to the range."
At the range, Anubis and Berne were joined by an older Skydancer by the name of Elsa "Outlaw" Zorita. She had a whole lot of firearms with her, ranging from handguns, to assault rifles, to shotguns and a marksman rifle. There were gadgets too, including a shock pistol, a pair of goggles, and a battle axe.
She got to try them all out. The axe in particular, was ridiculously heavy, but she summoned every shred of strength within her to lift it up and smash it down on a piece of wood given to her to break with the axe. The axe split the wood right in half, sending splinters crashing all down to the floor.
"You're a natural," Anubis mused, "are you sure you're not military?" He joked, nudging her. Berne laughed.
The rest of the week was filled with lots of things. She got to try out more gadgets including a highly-destructive explosive spider charge belonging to a small but loud Fae, a motion-triggered rigged knife that fired poisoned needles at anyone who triggered the trap, and even a massive flamethrower.
And then the day came when she would participate in a simplified training exercise. It took place in a training house outside of the base, and had been set up to only include one floor of the house, only stationary wooden targets, and she had Anubis and Tracker with her. The goal was to find a "hostage", which Subsonic had volunteered to act as, and extract her to safety.
Berne had learned enough to shoot straight and given weapons with low recoil and easy to control. She wasn't quite as fast as Anubis or Tracker, but she destroyed any targets she saw, feeling a rush of adrenaline when she saw the wood targets splinter. Anubis and Tracker kept her back watched, allowing her to lead. As soon as she found the pink and white Nocturne, she urged her to her feet. "Come on!"
Subsonic had been instructed to just comply with whatever Berne told her to do, so when Berne urged her to get up and follow, she just did, running after Berne. By the time they were outside in the evacuation zone, Berne's heart was pounding from the exertion and the excitement at the successful simulation.
.....
"You did really good, Berne," Anubis mentioned, ready to see her off to her next destination. Berne had the armour piece still with her, ready to take it with her to wherever she was headed to next. "You really sure you're not a soldier?" He grinned.
Berne smiled, chuckling. "No, I'm not. But I think after this week, I'm just a little more of one." She glanced out into the ashy landscape, then threw her arms around Anubis in a hug. "Thank you for the experience. Well, I best be off. The world awaits out there!"
She was greeted by Anubis, who talked about the basics of what she'd be doing. The Spiral led her into the base in the middle of the Ashfall Waste, talking as he went. "Alright, so for this week you'll be getting to see what we do and even try things out yourself. You won't actually be deployed and if anything were to - theoretically - happen, you'll be treated as a civilian and protected. Got it?"
When Berne nodded, Anubis offered her a winning smile and continued. "Great, you'll get to watch some of our training exercises, try out some of our firearms and gadgets, get fitted with armour and at the end of the week, you'll get to be in one of the training simulations that we've set up. You'll also get to meet the rest of the team." He turned to her just as they stood outside a pair of heavy doors. "Ready?"
"As ever!" Berne replied. The week ahead was going to be tough, but she would get to try something few had the opportunity to do. How many dragons could say they got to meet elite special operations force soldiers? Dragons trained to react to situations others would run from?
She got to meet lots of them, whom Anubis introduced all of them to her. They came from all over Sornieth and beyond, even from the outer lands where Beastclans roamed. They all had names and aliases, some of which she couldn't remember, but once she got to meet everyone available, Anubis took her to get fitted with some armour before they headed down to the range.
"Hm, I think we do have something in your size," Anubis muttered, clambering onto the lockers, his noodly-body slinking over things. "Aha! Here, catch." He tossed down a piece of armour to her that would protect her arm and chest, with fabric draped over her wings. "You can keep that actually, it's a slightly older piece that we don't use and it seems to fit you perfectly. Come on, let's head down to the range."
At the range, Anubis and Berne were joined by an older Skydancer by the name of Elsa "Outlaw" Zorita. She had a whole lot of firearms with her, ranging from handguns, to assault rifles, to shotguns and a marksman rifle. There were gadgets too, including a shock pistol, a pair of goggles, and a battle axe.
She got to try them all out. The axe in particular, was ridiculously heavy, but she summoned every shred of strength within her to lift it up and smash it down on a piece of wood given to her to break with the axe. The axe split the wood right in half, sending splinters crashing all down to the floor.
"You're a natural," Anubis mused, "are you sure you're not military?" He joked, nudging her. Berne laughed.
The rest of the week was filled with lots of things. She got to try out more gadgets including a highly-destructive explosive spider charge belonging to a small but loud Fae, a motion-triggered rigged knife that fired poisoned needles at anyone who triggered the trap, and even a massive flamethrower.
And then the day came when she would participate in a simplified training exercise. It took place in a training house outside of the base, and had been set up to only include one floor of the house, only stationary wooden targets, and she had Anubis and Tracker with her. The goal was to find a "hostage", which Subsonic had volunteered to act as, and extract her to safety.
Berne had learned enough to shoot straight and given weapons with low recoil and easy to control. She wasn't quite as fast as Anubis or Tracker, but she destroyed any targets she saw, feeling a rush of adrenaline when she saw the wood targets splinter. Anubis and Tracker kept her back watched, allowing her to lead. As soon as she found the pink and white Nocturne, she urged her to her feet. "Come on!"
Subsonic had been instructed to just comply with whatever Berne told her to do, so when Berne urged her to get up and follow, she just did, running after Berne. By the time they were outside in the evacuation zone, Berne's heart was pounding from the exertion and the excitement at the successful simulation.
.....
"You did really good, Berne," Anubis mentioned, ready to see her off to her next destination. Berne had the armour piece still with her, ready to take it with her to wherever she was headed to next. "You really sure you're not a soldier?" He grinned.
Berne smiled, chuckling. "No, I'm not. But I think after this week, I'm just a little more of one." She glanced out into the ashy landscape, then threw her arms around Anubis in a hug. "Thank you for the experience. Well, I best be off. The world awaits out there!"
April 10, 2019
The Reclusive Chess Grandmaster of the Foxfire Bramble
The earth was dry and feeble beneath her clawed digits as Berne carefully walked along the ancient pathways used by many clans during periods of mass migrations. Shadows flickered at the edge of her vision and feeble rays of light danced along the weak shadows she casted on the ground. A lone bramble strays out of its path and twitches as it falls to the dark soil, the edges splintered, showing signs of decay. Feeble rays of moonlight cut through the dense layers of the silver mist protecting the murky woods, casting a weak light on the darkened earth. Despite the eeriness and the foreboding atmosphere produced by the natural phenomena of the Tangled Wood, a part of her still willingly called it home. Where the flickering shadows and ghastly mutterings of the gentle night winds would spook even the toughest of the Earthshaker's children, the Tangled Wood is a land of opportunity for the cunning and the resourceful. In the Tangled Wood, the opportunities were endless if one knew where to look.
As Berne continued trekking through the winding paths of the murky woods, a small spark of fire ignited and hissed at the cold, damp air a few tail lengths ahead of her current path. After a few seconds have passed, another spark of vermilion attacks the damp air, before the ferocity of the flames gradually subsided to form a tamed hearth. Knowledge was a guilty pleasure of many dragons, and curiosity beckoned her to investigate the interesting anomaly. As she journeyed closer to the source of the warm hearth, the coarse ground of the murky woods suddenly descended into a steep slope. Instinct compelled her to recover her grip with the earth, but alas, gravity has caught her in its menacing maw. An undignified yelp escapes her jaws, and a few seconds later, the slope of the ground flattens out mercilessly beneath her claws.
A bearish growl reverberates through the tunnel, the sheer might of the vocalization seizing the walls in a slight tremor. "For the last time, Charon, go away! I'm in the middle of something important!"
Berne blinked and hastily drew herself back. "Um, I think you have me mistaken for someone else."
Heavy tremors suddenly seized the entirety of the wide tunnel. A thick snout peeks around the corner and the shadow of a draconian figure suddenly seemed to engulf the remaining space around her. The crackling flames of the nearby hearth illuminated the towering figure for a few seconds, revealing the herculean figure of an irritated Guardian. Dark eyes glistened in the flickering shadows of the burrow, belying the agitation barely restrained.
"Who are you and how did you find me? Did Charon send you?" the male Guardian growled. "Did anyone from that irritating clan pick up another stray and decided to play a prank on me again? It wasn't funny the first time and it won't be again! I swear, if Orion's runts are it again, I'll chase them out myself and --"
"Look, I don't know an Orion in my life or a Charon. I found your burrow by accident, I swear," Berne snapped, suddenly. The male Guardian reeled back in astonishment, his mighty maw clamping shut. A torrent of words escaped her with a ferocity that she never knew she possessed. "I've been on the road for a few days and I was just headed to another clan that penned me a letter saying that I could stay with them for a fortnight. In case it wasn't obvious by now, I'm pretty beat up and tired from being on the road for the last few days. Look, I came across your den by accident, okay? I'm sorry that I disturbed your solitude, mister. But if you don't mind, I'll be heading out now."
"Are you kidding me? You want to travel at this time of the night?" the male Guardian snorted. "The mere fact that you managed to find me was no accident. Night is not the ideal time to make your way through this part of the Tangled Wood. You have no idea what sort of critters or shenanigans the Beastclans have concocted."
Could this Guardian male get any more irritating? No wonder he lives out here alone.
"Well, what else do you want me to do?" Berne retorted. "It's not like I have the luxury of finding another den for the night."
The Guardian snorted again. "Contrary to what you may have heard of me, I'm not a total ingrate. I can be socially adaptable, provided I'm in the mood. No, at this rate, you're not going to make it to whatever irritating clan you're supposed to stay with. You can stay here, in one of the spare rooms in my den, until the morning."
"Thank you, I appreciate the offer, but I think it's best for me to move on."
"Did you hear what I just said? I said that it's fine. Come on, follow me."
Berne grumbled. "What you're saying makes sense, but does everything have to be irritating to you?"
The Guardian huffed. "Only nosy hatchlings and clanmates get on my nerves. Otherwise, I don't really care about anything.
Upon entering the Tangled Woods, I was beset by a pair of strange dragons. They looked almost as if they had an insect's shell in place of their scales (This of course, is ridiculous). They seemed to want me to come with them, so naturally I obliged them. I was led to some sort of overgrown, abandoned facility where I suppose they must have lived. There, I met a Ridgeback with the same odd sort of carapace-look, but who had seemingly been bleached.
This was her Hive, she told me. This was the great unification of Sornieth! I must admit, she came off as a little... How do I put this kindly? Overenthusiastic about something that was clearly very unnatural.
Now, I must admit, I don't remember anything after that - next thing knew I was the other side of the woods, away from any Hives of whatever it was they were. I'm not even entirely sure they were real - the Tangled Woods is known for its variety of interesting mushrooms, after all.
Lost and confused, Berne began to wander aimlessly through the forest, the trees surrounding her towered above her head. In all her travels, Berne had never visited somewhere this dark and foreboding and, after a while, it really began to play with her head. Her aimless walk got faster and rapidly turned into a jog and then a run and then a sprint. Had she seen that tree before? Maybe, maybe not - they all looked the same.
Bolting in what she desperately hoped was a straight line, she noticed the trees beginning to thin. The sight of her surroundings changing rapidly numbed her fears, and her gait started returning to normal. Looking around, out of curiosity this time, not fear; Berne noticed what appeared to be the garish stripes of a circus tent in the distance ahead of her and began towards it. But before she could reach the edge of the small encampment, she felt a whoosh of air behind her and everything went dark.
Berne woke up to a small fae perched on her chest. Perplexed, she enquired "where am I?", in response, another voice spoke up from behind her "Oh man, we got another idiot, April's mute, won't talk to you". The voice did not seem malicious and her comment appeared to be nothing more than a sarcastic joke, she couldn't have known that anyway. Turning around, Berne saw a friendly tundra in a thick woollen coat, her cap pulled down over one eye in a failing attempt to appear mysterious. "The name's Beryl", she declared, "and that's April!". The fae - April, was fussing over her head and Berne, wondering what had happened to her, reached up to feel the wound. It was deep and, despite not being in any pain, Berne winced at the thought of what it must look like. Politely, she turned to the fae and requested "please leave me be now, someone near here has done this to me and I must leave soon, as I don't wish to meet them again". April rolled her eyes and Beryl let out a small chuckle "That was Snicket, Mr. Warbler's right hand man, I wouldn't worry about him, Warbler is a much bigger threat", she continued; "We can help you get out of here before Warbler comes down to trap you here forever but, surely you want to know what he has to offer?".
The tundra's words puzzled Berne, what kind of circus was this? Where was she? What did they want from her? Desperate to know, she asked all three of those things - in one breath. The tundra - what was her name again - Beryl, laughed. "We're a small circus troupe thats relatively normal, but our manager, Warbler, is a skilled conman, using us as a way of making money and hiding from the cops". This just confused Berne further, "why can't you just leave?". A voice from behind her - a new one this time, croaked; "Most of us he took in because we had nowhere left to go, some signed a contract - promised fame and fortune, some have no other option, he'll kill us if we try and leave. Warbler is ruthless and holds no affection to any of us, we hove no choice in this anymore". The voice sighed, "my names Ophelia, I used to be a dancer, too old for that now of course, April's taken my place there. Now, I just work on the lights, and probably will until i finally drop dead".
Twisting her head towards the tent's opening, Berne saw an elderly coatl standing there, she appeared ill and was clearly tired. "Im sorry ma'am as this may seem inconsiderate but; how can I get out of here? I want to help but I fear that if i don't leave soon, I'll be stuck here too". Ophelia let out a deep breath and began "It's quite alright child, theres no sense in giving that damned spiral another chance at ruining a life, and I'm sure he'd take a special interest in you, we'll show you the way back to the edge of the woods".
Berne thanked her and enquired the way to the edge immediately, but, before Ophelia could reply Beryl piped up "OPHELIA!! She's going to freeze, she's hardly wearing anything and this part of the forest is nothing but cold and damp". Ophelia appeared startled by the sudden outburst but quickly regained her composure and stated "Oh dear, you're absolutely correct! She can have some old things of mine I'm sure, April is too small to make any use out of them anyway. Berne looked down at her chest and realised her armour was gone, she must have lost it when running through the forest, it was a shame, she thought, but she still had her memories, and that's what was important. Ophelia began to speak again; "April dearie, would you mind picking some things that might fit out of the costume chest?" The fae nodded in confirmation and fluttered over to a large crate full of outfits. She pulled out, with strength far beyond her size, a warm looking red coat and a feathery wing cover. "Oh perfect!" the coatl exclaimed, "now dear, they may be a tad sparkly for everyday wear, but it's all we've got so I hope they do the job". Berne pulled on the clothes as quickly as she could and thanked the three performers franticly, adventure was one thing, being stuck here forever because her curiosity got the best of her was quite another.
Ophelia explained the way to the edge of the trees as best as she could, but admitted that her memory was failing her slightly. The skydancer didn't care anymore, she just wanted to leave, thanking the trio again, she stumbled out of the tent and continued to run.
As Berne continued trekking through the winding paths of the murky woods, a small spark of fire ignited and hissed at the cold, damp air a few tail lengths ahead of her current path. After a few seconds have passed, another spark of vermilion attacks the damp air, before the ferocity of the flames gradually subsided to form a tamed hearth. Knowledge was a guilty pleasure of many dragons, and curiosity beckoned her to investigate the interesting anomaly. As she journeyed closer to the source of the warm hearth, the coarse ground of the murky woods suddenly descended into a steep slope. Instinct compelled her to recover her grip with the earth, but alas, gravity has caught her in its menacing maw. An undignified yelp escapes her jaws, and a few seconds later, the slope of the ground flattens out mercilessly beneath her claws.
A bearish growl reverberates through the tunnel, the sheer might of the vocalization seizing the walls in a slight tremor. "For the last time, Charon, go away! I'm in the middle of something important!"
Berne blinked and hastily drew herself back. "Um, I think you have me mistaken for someone else."
Heavy tremors suddenly seized the entirety of the wide tunnel. A thick snout peeks around the corner and the shadow of a draconian figure suddenly seemed to engulf the remaining space around her. The crackling flames of the nearby hearth illuminated the towering figure for a few seconds, revealing the herculean figure of an irritated Guardian. Dark eyes glistened in the flickering shadows of the burrow, belying the agitation barely restrained.
"Who are you and how did you find me? Did Charon send you?" the male Guardian growled. "Did anyone from that irritating clan pick up another stray and decided to play a prank on me again? It wasn't funny the first time and it won't be again! I swear, if Orion's runts are it again, I'll chase them out myself and --"
"Look, I don't know an Orion in my life or a Charon. I found your burrow by accident, I swear," Berne snapped, suddenly. The male Guardian reeled back in astonishment, his mighty maw clamping shut. A torrent of words escaped her with a ferocity that she never knew she possessed. "I've been on the road for a few days and I was just headed to another clan that penned me a letter saying that I could stay with them for a fortnight. In case it wasn't obvious by now, I'm pretty beat up and tired from being on the road for the last few days. Look, I came across your den by accident, okay? I'm sorry that I disturbed your solitude, mister. But if you don't mind, I'll be heading out now."
"Are you kidding me? You want to travel at this time of the night?" the male Guardian snorted. "The mere fact that you managed to find me was no accident. Night is not the ideal time to make your way through this part of the Tangled Wood. You have no idea what sort of critters or shenanigans the Beastclans have concocted."
Could this Guardian male get any more irritating? No wonder he lives out here alone.
"Well, what else do you want me to do?" Berne retorted. "It's not like I have the luxury of finding another den for the night."
The Guardian snorted again. "Contrary to what you may have heard of me, I'm not a total ingrate. I can be socially adaptable, provided I'm in the mood. No, at this rate, you're not going to make it to whatever irritating clan you're supposed to stay with. You can stay here, in one of the spare rooms in my den, until the morning."
"Thank you, I appreciate the offer, but I think it's best for me to move on."
"Did you hear what I just said? I said that it's fine. Come on, follow me."
Berne grumbled. "What you're saying makes sense, but does everything have to be irritating to you?"
The Guardian huffed. "Only nosy hatchlings and clanmates get on my nerves. Otherwise, I don't really care about anything.
Upon entering the Tangled Woods, I was beset by a pair of strange dragons. They looked almost as if they had an insect's shell in place of their scales (This of course, is ridiculous). They seemed to want me to come with them, so naturally I obliged them. I was led to some sort of overgrown, abandoned facility where I suppose they must have lived. There, I met a Ridgeback with the same odd sort of carapace-look, but who had seemingly been bleached.
This was her Hive, she told me. This was the great unification of Sornieth! I must admit, she came off as a little... How do I put this kindly? Overenthusiastic about something that was clearly very unnatural.
Now, I must admit, I don't remember anything after that - next thing knew I was the other side of the woods, away from any Hives of whatever it was they were. I'm not even entirely sure they were real - the Tangled Woods is known for its variety of interesting mushrooms, after all.
June 6th, 2019
Meeting April and escaping the Twilit Bazaar
Meeting April and escaping the Twilit Bazaar
Lost and confused, Berne began to wander aimlessly through the forest, the trees surrounding her towered above her head. In all her travels, Berne had never visited somewhere this dark and foreboding and, after a while, it really began to play with her head. Her aimless walk got faster and rapidly turned into a jog and then a run and then a sprint. Had she seen that tree before? Maybe, maybe not - they all looked the same.
Bolting in what she desperately hoped was a straight line, she noticed the trees beginning to thin. The sight of her surroundings changing rapidly numbed her fears, and her gait started returning to normal. Looking around, out of curiosity this time, not fear; Berne noticed what appeared to be the garish stripes of a circus tent in the distance ahead of her and began towards it. But before she could reach the edge of the small encampment, she felt a whoosh of air behind her and everything went dark.
Berne woke up to a small fae perched on her chest. Perplexed, she enquired "where am I?", in response, another voice spoke up from behind her "Oh man, we got another idiot, April's mute, won't talk to you". The voice did not seem malicious and her comment appeared to be nothing more than a sarcastic joke, she couldn't have known that anyway. Turning around, Berne saw a friendly tundra in a thick woollen coat, her cap pulled down over one eye in a failing attempt to appear mysterious. "The name's Beryl", she declared, "and that's April!". The fae - April, was fussing over her head and Berne, wondering what had happened to her, reached up to feel the wound. It was deep and, despite not being in any pain, Berne winced at the thought of what it must look like. Politely, she turned to the fae and requested "please leave me be now, someone near here has done this to me and I must leave soon, as I don't wish to meet them again". April rolled her eyes and Beryl let out a small chuckle "That was Snicket, Mr. Warbler's right hand man, I wouldn't worry about him, Warbler is a much bigger threat", she continued; "We can help you get out of here before Warbler comes down to trap you here forever but, surely you want to know what he has to offer?".
The tundra's words puzzled Berne, what kind of circus was this? Where was she? What did they want from her? Desperate to know, she asked all three of those things - in one breath. The tundra - what was her name again - Beryl, laughed. "We're a small circus troupe thats relatively normal, but our manager, Warbler, is a skilled conman, using us as a way of making money and hiding from the cops". This just confused Berne further, "why can't you just leave?". A voice from behind her - a new one this time, croaked; "Most of us he took in because we had nowhere left to go, some signed a contract - promised fame and fortune, some have no other option, he'll kill us if we try and leave. Warbler is ruthless and holds no affection to any of us, we hove no choice in this anymore". The voice sighed, "my names Ophelia, I used to be a dancer, too old for that now of course, April's taken my place there. Now, I just work on the lights, and probably will until i finally drop dead".
Twisting her head towards the tent's opening, Berne saw an elderly coatl standing there, she appeared ill and was clearly tired. "Im sorry ma'am as this may seem inconsiderate but; how can I get out of here? I want to help but I fear that if i don't leave soon, I'll be stuck here too". Ophelia let out a deep breath and began "It's quite alright child, theres no sense in giving that damned spiral another chance at ruining a life, and I'm sure he'd take a special interest in you, we'll show you the way back to the edge of the woods".
Berne thanked her and enquired the way to the edge immediately, but, before Ophelia could reply Beryl piped up "OPHELIA!! She's going to freeze, she's hardly wearing anything and this part of the forest is nothing but cold and damp". Ophelia appeared startled by the sudden outburst but quickly regained her composure and stated "Oh dear, you're absolutely correct! She can have some old things of mine I'm sure, April is too small to make any use out of them anyway. Berne looked down at her chest and realised her armour was gone, she must have lost it when running through the forest, it was a shame, she thought, but she still had her memories, and that's what was important. Ophelia began to speak again; "April dearie, would you mind picking some things that might fit out of the costume chest?" The fae nodded in confirmation and fluttered over to a large crate full of outfits. She pulled out, with strength far beyond her size, a warm looking red coat and a feathery wing cover. "Oh perfect!" the coatl exclaimed, "now dear, they may be a tad sparkly for everyday wear, but it's all we've got so I hope they do the job". Berne pulled on the clothes as quickly as she could and thanked the three performers franticly, adventure was one thing, being stuck here forever because her curiosity got the best of her was quite another.
Ophelia explained the way to the edge of the trees as best as she could, but admitted that her memory was failing her slightly. The skydancer didn't care anymore, she just wanted to leave, thanking the trio again, she stumbled out of the tent and continued to run.
June 20th, 2019
Devotion to the Lighweaver
Berne continued to run until her lungs burned and she could taste the sickly sweet iron on her tongue. How long had she been running...? Coming to a halt and catching her breath, she peered around the ghastly forest, uneasiness settling in her stomach like a rock. Ironic. She thought to herself. An explorer lost in the woods she dares to call home. Berne sighed, resting a claw on one of the nearby trees before she looked to the stars. How long had it been since she departed on this journey? “I think we have put enough distance between us and that thing, the ‘Warbler’.” Berne exhaled as she turned to her familiar. “I suppose it is time to make camp, Harlequin.”
Camping felt like second nature to her. She didn’t even have to think about how to do it anymore, it all just came naturally to her at this point. Gathering up small brush into a pile with the help of Harlequin, Berne was sitting before the warmth of a fire in no time. She made out a yawn with a catlike stretch before she heard the rustling of nearby shrubs. Berne jumped and before she even had time to utter an yelp or plea, an large, yellow blur dashed by her. Instead of lunging for her throat, it skid in the dirt, tossing it over the fire. A loud hiss erupted from its maw, the spiral looking quite hateful at the sizzling ashes before she turned to Berne. The spiral’s face instantaneously lit up with joy as she hopped over to the skydancer. Standing up like an Kamaitachi, she began to trifling throughout the bag slung over her side. Several things fell from it— an array of flowers, buttersnakes, crystals, wait, was that just a skull?
“Hey...!” Berne sputtered, staring at the ruined fire in disbelief. Before Berne had time to even confront her about the damage, the spiral held out something she’d thought lost. The White Raven armour, an gift from the Crisis Response Team.
“I-I—“ Berne began as she grabbed the cloth delicately. “Thank you.”
The spiral merely smiled, nodding enthusiastically. The atmosphere was quick to grow awkward but the spiral didn’t seem to mind until a loud rattle echoed around them: the all too familiar sound of a Shadow Serpent. The spiral’s eyes widened and her ears pinned down as she dashed away, only looking back to motion for the hesitant Berne to follow her.
—
The spiral lead Berne to a clan that looked out of place for an Shadow Clan. Many of the dragons bore the brand of the Lightweaver— Perhaps here to conquer in her name? Berne was quick to notice that she too, felt out of place here. Dragons whispered as she passed by and others just stared. The spiral didn’t seem to think anything was out of the ordinary and Berne stuck close to her side.
The next few days were full of adventure for Berne. Within clan Sempiterno, she was quick to join in their traditions. Everyone morning, the new additions to the clan would accompany the warriors to aid in the effort against beast clans. It was here Berne felt as though she rose to her true potential with the other trainees. Learning from the grander warriors, Berne was even able to learn their sacred move: Eliminate.
Once the other trainees caught up, it was time for the ceremony. A celebrations for those ready to dedicate there lives to the Lightweaver. It detailed how the founding eight seraphim dedicated there allegiance to her service. It was during this celebration, Berne felt it was her time to part to her own destiny. One that excluded serving the Lightweaver for the rest of her life. Just before her departure, she was once again greeted by the quirky spiral.
Once again digging through her strange bag, the spiral produce an handful of Heart Rose. With a wave from her, Berne was once again off to the next clan.
Devotion to the Lighweaver
Berne continued to run until her lungs burned and she could taste the sickly sweet iron on her tongue. How long had she been running...? Coming to a halt and catching her breath, she peered around the ghastly forest, uneasiness settling in her stomach like a rock. Ironic. She thought to herself. An explorer lost in the woods she dares to call home. Berne sighed, resting a claw on one of the nearby trees before she looked to the stars. How long had it been since she departed on this journey? “I think we have put enough distance between us and that thing, the ‘Warbler’.” Berne exhaled as she turned to her familiar. “I suppose it is time to make camp, Harlequin.”
Camping felt like second nature to her. She didn’t even have to think about how to do it anymore, it all just came naturally to her at this point. Gathering up small brush into a pile with the help of Harlequin, Berne was sitting before the warmth of a fire in no time. She made out a yawn with a catlike stretch before she heard the rustling of nearby shrubs. Berne jumped and before she even had time to utter an yelp or plea, an large, yellow blur dashed by her. Instead of lunging for her throat, it skid in the dirt, tossing it over the fire. A loud hiss erupted from its maw, the spiral looking quite hateful at the sizzling ashes before she turned to Berne. The spiral’s face instantaneously lit up with joy as she hopped over to the skydancer. Standing up like an Kamaitachi, she began to trifling throughout the bag slung over her side. Several things fell from it— an array of flowers, buttersnakes, crystals, wait, was that just a skull?
“Hey...!” Berne sputtered, staring at the ruined fire in disbelief. Before Berne had time to even confront her about the damage, the spiral held out something she’d thought lost. The White Raven armour, an gift from the Crisis Response Team.
“I-I—“ Berne began as she grabbed the cloth delicately. “Thank you.”
The spiral merely smiled, nodding enthusiastically. The atmosphere was quick to grow awkward but the spiral didn’t seem to mind until a loud rattle echoed around them: the all too familiar sound of a Shadow Serpent. The spiral’s eyes widened and her ears pinned down as she dashed away, only looking back to motion for the hesitant Berne to follow her.
—
The spiral lead Berne to a clan that looked out of place for an Shadow Clan. Many of the dragons bore the brand of the Lightweaver— Perhaps here to conquer in her name? Berne was quick to notice that she too, felt out of place here. Dragons whispered as she passed by and others just stared. The spiral didn’t seem to think anything was out of the ordinary and Berne stuck close to her side.
The next few days were full of adventure for Berne. Within clan Sempiterno, she was quick to join in their traditions. Everyone morning, the new additions to the clan would accompany the warriors to aid in the effort against beast clans. It was here Berne felt as though she rose to her true potential with the other trainees. Learning from the grander warriors, Berne was even able to learn their sacred move: Eliminate.
Once the other trainees caught up, it was time for the ceremony. A celebrations for those ready to dedicate there lives to the Lightweaver. It detailed how the founding eight seraphim dedicated there allegiance to her service. It was during this celebration, Berne felt it was her time to part to her own destiny. One that excluded serving the Lightweaver for the rest of her life. Just before her departure, she was once again greeted by the quirky spiral.
Once again digging through her strange bag, the spiral produce an handful of Heart Rose. With a wave from her, Berne was once again off to the next clan.
June 28th 2019
Arriving at a new lair, Berne was determined to make her mark. She was quickly gifted a set of Crimson Rogue Footpads as a welcoming gift.
Berne and Mushu took care of a nest together to continue her legacy in her visiting lair.
Many battles were won in the Arena, defeating enemies of all kinds, and obtaining Scholar, MIght Fragment, and Shale Hybrid Fragments along the way.
It was a glorious day on July 3rd, 2019 When Zack and Bursienna were hatched.
Berne was then ready to travel to her next destination.
3rd of August
The third day of Berne's stay began with a loud noise. A loud BOOM could be heard from the section of the scientists and inventor's. Berne woke up from the noise, to find that the sun hasn't even risen yet. She was still tired but she needed to know what happened. So she walked over to the dragons who were standing there, around some thing that couldn't be identified because it was smoking.
Other Dragons had been woken up too. One after another they arrived at the scene.
In the middle of the circle of Dragons on the floor was the object. Upon closer inspection it was an ore.
Just an ore.
"What in all of Sornieth is this?" Asked Zyaro, a Wildclaw that was younger than Berne. She looked at the strange ore sceptical. "How did this even explode?" She turned her head to Runesong an Silverkiller, the two most adventurously inventor's of the Clan. Berne had the same question. After all, the thing appeared to be an ordinary rock. She stepped closer and proceeded to touch it. "NO!" Runesong yelled.
"Don't. It's.. it's some kind of battery that we invented. We wanted to power the apparatus that we found a week ago. You know, that big thing that makes those noises. He haven't figured out what it really does.. and then it just died because the battery was used up.."
Zyaro shook her head and left the scene, mumbling something under her breath that sounded like "too early in the morning." Most of the others followed her lead. Berne however stayed. Now it was only her, Runesong and Silverkiller. The three of them stared at the unusual battery.
"Is there something I can help you two with?" She asked.
"Oh yes, that's really nice." Answered Runesong. The both of them gave her instructions. Together they put the apparatus back together...
6th of August
Some more time had past and there were still a lot of things to see and learn here at the Clan of Shadows. In all those days Berne noticed that most of the Dragons would always stay away from one particular Dragon. He was very quiet most of the time but there was something that seemed to surround him. Some sort of strange aura. Was it fear, that kept the others away?
Berne decided that she wanted to find out. So on one of her last days here she finally walked over to the Imperial.
Rondo was his name..
He didn't even look up but noticed her anyway. "Hello Berne." He said in a way that made her instantly calm. Then, after a moment, he turned his head and looked at her. His eyes were green, so he had to be from the nature flight just like herself. Berne noticed how.. rotten his body seemed to be though. "Why is everyone staying away from you?" She asked. Rondo smiled. "Because of their fear of death." He replied.
"Fear of death?" Berne blinked and hastily drew herself back. The Imperial laughed. "Don't worry, I don't kill anyone. I'm a reaper. My destiny is to help souls get to the other side. Your time isn't up yet. There is nothing to be afraid of for you."
He put his tail around his body. Berne didn't know what to reply. So she stared at him. She could sense that this was the truth. Everything was colder around Rondo.. her instincts told her to run away. But she has had other adventures, so she shook it off and stayed.
"So.. there is actually a life after death?" Berne asked. Rondo nodded. "Of course there is. I could show you. If you think you can handle seeing it. You didn't run away after all, so this might be existing.."
Berne agreed. So he took her to the other side.. then she blinked and it was all over.
"Wow.." What a strange feeling.
Back in the world of the living, she looked around herself in confusion. "But how..?" She wanted to know. Rondo only shook his head. "Keep this a secret, Berne. Living Dragons aren't supposed to be in the land of the dead." With those words he turned and started to walk away. Berne did not follow him.
It wasn't her time to do do yet.
Last day at the Clan of Shadows
Berne made many new friends while she stayed at the Clan of Shadows. It was fun, but now the time to say goodbye finally arrived.
They all stood outside the lair. The Whole Clan. It was raining slightly, but a little bit of sunshine could be seen through the clouds.
Berne smiled at her new friends. The were all there: Silverkiller, Runesong, Rondo.. and Alexavier a young Fae who had been really interested in her stories of all the adventures she had.
"So.. it's time to move on and see new stuff. Thank you for allowing me to stay at your lair for so long." Berne said. The Queen of the Clan nodded. "You'll always be welcome here. It was a pleasure having you with us." She said.
"Farwell." Came from Rondo. He spoke quiet, still she heard it. One after the other they all said their goodbyes.
Then, it was time.
Berne turned around to the direction in wich she would fly out to a new destination.
She looked forward to new adventures...
and what destiny may have in store for her.
Aug 8th, the hidden glade
The shadowlands proved to be a andventure of its own, she soon was lost in the dark covered forests and glowing mushrooms that carpeted the landscape. She stretched her wings to boost a jump to see over the trees but lost her footing and tumbled down a sheer gorge that had been behind her. Only having her pride be wounded she grumbled to her feet and looked around. A distant amber glow with sounds of soft bells and cheers wafted on the breeze with spiced meat following close behind. Curiosity and her stomach drew her closer to them, her claws passing over the outer edge of a ring of pale white mushrooms and stones without her notice.
The air was warmer, and she could see shapes in the firelight, twisting turning above and around the fire in fantastic leaps and dances. Drums began to sound to a thunderous fast beat and a few flutes and horns joined in. As she stepped into the clearing she could see many dragons adorned with paints and stones eating, drinking, and dancing under the moonlight, a grey imperial snuggling her daughter to her side as they watched (or so it seemed, the older one had a mask over her eyes but was still following the dancers with her head.) two nocturnes perched on chairs were singing songs that didn't seem to have lyrics.
a group of guardians watched over a few hatchlings that romped around in the grass and play-fought with one another. The seemingly leader of the group, a Black imperial with purple wings sat at the base of the fire, warming his hide while watching the others. Berne stepped forwards, enchanted by the jovial evening and snapped a twig. like lighting everyone snapped their heads to face her, not angry but curious and a tinge bit worried on their faces.
"Get the Matron." The black imperial called, the grey masked imperial slinking off to a large cabin made long ago with mushrooms woven into the thatching on the roof.
She reappeared at the side of a large Guardian with herbs and wood adorning her body and a thick mane of dark red dancing around her as she moved.
"Hello little one, I am Nightcanthrope. Leader of this clan. May I have your name?"
"My name i-" She remembered her tomes on fae spirits and quickly changed her words. "You may call me Berne."
Nightcanthrope chuckled and bowed her head in respect.
"You are clever, and very interesting. We are a clan of wanderers. Witches, healers, alchemists and oracles. You are welcome to join our feast and rest with us for a while."
Throughout her week staying in the clan she was taught more fighting by the Gaoler pairs who took charge of defending the clan.
They affixed deer antlers to her head so she could spar with them (gently) and run patrols alongside them in the mornings.
tutored in mysticism and some basic tarot reading by Zalerath (the black imperial), the worn cards cool under her claws as he explained what each one meant by itself or reversed, his soft claw tracing the lines in her palm as he showed her what they meant.
she learned some herbology and knitting by NIghtcanthrope. Long nights drawn out by the big fire in the middle of the camp, going over stories and the fine yarns and threads nightcanthrope had collected from her sparse trading with caravans when she needed supplies they couldn't grow. The midday sun washing over them as she helped the old dragon weed and tend the large (By even Gaoler standards) garden packed with herbs, food, roots, and even mushrooms!
She sat for many lazy cool afternoons in the shade of a large oak tree, planted by Nightcanthrope long ago when she first arrived here, the acorn brought from the nature's realm. The brown bark darkened and the leaves a deep dark kelly green. Seems the shadowlands darken the trees no matter where they come from.
Oddly enough most of the dragons here had never learned to fight, the Gaolers kept them safe and most of them use tricks and hidden paths in case of trouble. Direct combat isn't in the nature of this clan it seemed. she was a bit underwhelmed when she accompanied the matron and Seer to the coliseum, they had only made it into the forest area past the training grounds.
though it seemed more that this whole ordeal was a new conquest for them she taught them about the move eliminate and how powerful it was, teaching it to Nightcanthrope and Zalerath and training them in the basics of its use, overseeing them in the harder areas and helping them gather more difficult materials
It had felt like months had passed whenever she looked at the sky, but her journal only listed a few days. The clan might not be of faerie nature but they seemed to have secured their own little home of magic. Through this time she met Zurconican, a fae dragon who went about fixing things that Nightcanthrope couldn't reach or was too big to fix. and on a moonlight night surrounded by fireflies a nest of five healthy eggs were cradled in mushrooms and moss in the stone cavern of the hatchery.
her time with the clan left her with a touch of magic herself, Nightcantrope anointing her forehead with an oil made from coral wax. "With this oil you are officially part of our family, you may enter and leave as you please, and a gift for you, to bring part of our home with you." Nightcanthrope presented her with a woodguard for her tail.
"thank you, mat-"
"No, Nightcanthrope, I'm only 'Matron' to outsiders."
"Of course, thank you Nightcanthrope."
With a pack of food and herbs to aid her further journey, and the forest...somehow less confusing since she entered the glade. had that worn path always been there? regardless, she went upon her way to her next destination, the leaves whirling around her claws as she went upon the path.
Aug 16
After leaving the last lair she visited she continued her travels. Going long and far, taking an occasional break for life's necessities, but otherwise almost always moving. That is until one day whilst she was having a sip of water she was tackled by a stranger dragon, she fought briefly before managing to pin the other below herself. She took a moment to breathe and regain her composure before glancing down at the dragon below her.
He was snarling and glaring deeply at her, but she didn't care, her main focus was how beautiful his scales looked in the rays of light which were managing to hit him. Slowly but surely she applied pressure onto his throat. "Why have you attacked me stranger, I have done you no wrong." She inquired before releasing the pressure on his throat but keeping a claw there to warm him.
The pupil in his eye constricted and he was even more furious at how she dared to threaten him like this, but he understood his current situation enough to respond. "You're trespassing into our land, that itself is more than enough reason to attack you!" He growled lowly with a hint of distain carried in his tone.
Berne was shocked, this place looked totally uninhabited when she landed, no lairs, no hatchlings running around, no dragons flying in the sky, nothing. She looked around to see if there were anymore dragons around, she strained her eyes and finally managed to catch a glimpse of some icy blue scales disappear into a bush. Realising she could be in potential danger of getting surrounded, she had no choice but to leave soon.
Abandoning her spilt water pouch on the ground she spread her wings and quickly took to the sky, not realising as she flew away that in the fight the attackers
had gotten caught on her. However when she did notice it was too late to return it so she took it as a spoil of battle.
Arriving at a new lair, Berne was determined to make her mark. She was quickly gifted a set of Crimson Rogue Footpads as a welcoming gift.
Berne and Mushu took care of a nest together to continue her legacy in her visiting lair.
Many battles were won in the Arena, defeating enemies of all kinds, and obtaining Scholar, MIght Fragment, and Shale Hybrid Fragments along the way.
It was a glorious day on July 3rd, 2019 When Zack and Bursienna were hatched.
Berne was then ready to travel to her next destination.
July 3rd Circus practice
Berne arrived at the Blackmere circus, dragons were packing up the tents and equipment, they were moving onto a new place to spread wonder and joy. When they got to the shining ruins, the circus asked Berne if she wanted to join them for practice and then later in the day she would be in a show.
Berne arrived at the Blackmere circus, dragons were packing up the tents and equipment, they were moving onto a new place to spread wonder and joy. When they got to the shining ruins, the circus asked Berne if she wanted to join them for practice and then later in the day she would be in a show.
August 1st - Clan of Shadows
After some more travelling, Berne arrived in the territory of the Clan of Shadows. A weird Clan, consisting mostly of Outcasts..
It was Ben who noticed her first.
"Who are you? I have never seen you before." He asked in his usual calm way. Almost invisible he sat there in the Shadows of some great trees.
"I'm Berne." She replied. "I'm traveling the world to see new things."
The Pearlcatcher came to his feet. "Welcome in the territory of the Clan of Shadows, Berne." He then said. "Do you want to meet my Clan? I can lead you there. I assume that's what you came for."
Ben lead Berne to the somewhat hidden Lair of the Clan, where she got to know the other Clan members. They were all a bit weird. But in a good way.
It was Ben who noticed her first.
"Who are you? I have never seen you before." He asked in his usual calm way. Almost invisible he sat there in the Shadows of some great trees.
"I'm Berne." She replied. "I'm traveling the world to see new things."
The Pearlcatcher came to his feet. "Welcome in the territory of the Clan of Shadows, Berne." He then said. "Do you want to meet my Clan? I can lead you there. I assume that's what you came for."
Ben lead Berne to the somewhat hidden Lair of the Clan, where she got to know the other Clan members. They were all a bit weird. But in a good way.
3rd of August
The third day of Berne's stay began with a loud noise. A loud BOOM could be heard from the section of the scientists and inventor's. Berne woke up from the noise, to find that the sun hasn't even risen yet. She was still tired but she needed to know what happened. So she walked over to the dragons who were standing there, around some thing that couldn't be identified because it was smoking.
Other Dragons had been woken up too. One after another they arrived at the scene.
In the middle of the circle of Dragons on the floor was the object. Upon closer inspection it was an ore.
Just an ore.
"What in all of Sornieth is this?" Asked Zyaro, a Wildclaw that was younger than Berne. She looked at the strange ore sceptical. "How did this even explode?" She turned her head to Runesong an Silverkiller, the two most adventurously inventor's of the Clan. Berne had the same question. After all, the thing appeared to be an ordinary rock. She stepped closer and proceeded to touch it. "NO!" Runesong yelled.
"Don't. It's.. it's some kind of battery that we invented. We wanted to power the apparatus that we found a week ago. You know, that big thing that makes those noises. He haven't figured out what it really does.. and then it just died because the battery was used up.."
Zyaro shook her head and left the scene, mumbling something under her breath that sounded like "too early in the morning." Most of the others followed her lead. Berne however stayed. Now it was only her, Runesong and Silverkiller. The three of them stared at the unusual battery.
"Is there something I can help you two with?" She asked.
"Oh yes, that's really nice." Answered Runesong. The both of them gave her instructions. Together they put the apparatus back together...
6th of August
Some more time had past and there were still a lot of things to see and learn here at the Clan of Shadows. In all those days Berne noticed that most of the Dragons would always stay away from one particular Dragon. He was very quiet most of the time but there was something that seemed to surround him. Some sort of strange aura. Was it fear, that kept the others away?
Berne decided that she wanted to find out. So on one of her last days here she finally walked over to the Imperial.
Rondo was his name..
He didn't even look up but noticed her anyway. "Hello Berne." He said in a way that made her instantly calm. Then, after a moment, he turned his head and looked at her. His eyes were green, so he had to be from the nature flight just like herself. Berne noticed how.. rotten his body seemed to be though. "Why is everyone staying away from you?" She asked. Rondo smiled. "Because of their fear of death." He replied.
"Fear of death?" Berne blinked and hastily drew herself back. The Imperial laughed. "Don't worry, I don't kill anyone. I'm a reaper. My destiny is to help souls get to the other side. Your time isn't up yet. There is nothing to be afraid of for you."
He put his tail around his body. Berne didn't know what to reply. So she stared at him. She could sense that this was the truth. Everything was colder around Rondo.. her instincts told her to run away. But she has had other adventures, so she shook it off and stayed.
"So.. there is actually a life after death?" Berne asked. Rondo nodded. "Of course there is. I could show you. If you think you can handle seeing it. You didn't run away after all, so this might be existing.."
Berne agreed. So he took her to the other side.. then she blinked and it was all over.
"Wow.." What a strange feeling.
Back in the world of the living, she looked around herself in confusion. "But how..?" She wanted to know. Rondo only shook his head. "Keep this a secret, Berne. Living Dragons aren't supposed to be in the land of the dead." With those words he turned and started to walk away. Berne did not follow him.
It wasn't her time to do do yet.
Last day at the Clan of Shadows
Berne made many new friends while she stayed at the Clan of Shadows. It was fun, but now the time to say goodbye finally arrived.
They all stood outside the lair. The Whole Clan. It was raining slightly, but a little bit of sunshine could be seen through the clouds.
Berne smiled at her new friends. The were all there: Silverkiller, Runesong, Rondo.. and Alexavier a young Fae who had been really interested in her stories of all the adventures she had.
"So.. it's time to move on and see new stuff. Thank you for allowing me to stay at your lair for so long." Berne said. The Queen of the Clan nodded. "You'll always be welcome here. It was a pleasure having you with us." She said.
"Farwell." Came from Rondo. He spoke quiet, still she heard it. One after the other they all said their goodbyes.
Then, it was time.
Berne turned around to the direction in wich she would fly out to a new destination.
She looked forward to new adventures...
and what destiny may have in store for her.
Aug 8th, the hidden glade
The shadowlands proved to be a andventure of its own, she soon was lost in the dark covered forests and glowing mushrooms that carpeted the landscape. She stretched her wings to boost a jump to see over the trees but lost her footing and tumbled down a sheer gorge that had been behind her. Only having her pride be wounded she grumbled to her feet and looked around. A distant amber glow with sounds of soft bells and cheers wafted on the breeze with spiced meat following close behind. Curiosity and her stomach drew her closer to them, her claws passing over the outer edge of a ring of pale white mushrooms and stones without her notice.
The air was warmer, and she could see shapes in the firelight, twisting turning above and around the fire in fantastic leaps and dances. Drums began to sound to a thunderous fast beat and a few flutes and horns joined in. As she stepped into the clearing she could see many dragons adorned with paints and stones eating, drinking, and dancing under the moonlight, a grey imperial snuggling her daughter to her side as they watched (or so it seemed, the older one had a mask over her eyes but was still following the dancers with her head.) two nocturnes perched on chairs were singing songs that didn't seem to have lyrics.
a group of guardians watched over a few hatchlings that romped around in the grass and play-fought with one another. The seemingly leader of the group, a Black imperial with purple wings sat at the base of the fire, warming his hide while watching the others. Berne stepped forwards, enchanted by the jovial evening and snapped a twig. like lighting everyone snapped their heads to face her, not angry but curious and a tinge bit worried on their faces.
"Get the Matron." The black imperial called, the grey masked imperial slinking off to a large cabin made long ago with mushrooms woven into the thatching on the roof.
She reappeared at the side of a large Guardian with herbs and wood adorning her body and a thick mane of dark red dancing around her as she moved.
"Hello little one, I am Nightcanthrope. Leader of this clan. May I have your name?"
"My name i-" She remembered her tomes on fae spirits and quickly changed her words. "You may call me Berne."
Nightcanthrope chuckled and bowed her head in respect.
"You are clever, and very interesting. We are a clan of wanderers. Witches, healers, alchemists and oracles. You are welcome to join our feast and rest with us for a while."
Throughout her week staying in the clan she was taught more fighting by the Gaoler pairs who took charge of defending the clan.
They affixed deer antlers to her head so she could spar with them (gently) and run patrols alongside them in the mornings.
tutored in mysticism and some basic tarot reading by Zalerath (the black imperial), the worn cards cool under her claws as he explained what each one meant by itself or reversed, his soft claw tracing the lines in her palm as he showed her what they meant.
she learned some herbology and knitting by NIghtcanthrope. Long nights drawn out by the big fire in the middle of the camp, going over stories and the fine yarns and threads nightcanthrope had collected from her sparse trading with caravans when she needed supplies they couldn't grow. The midday sun washing over them as she helped the old dragon weed and tend the large (By even Gaoler standards) garden packed with herbs, food, roots, and even mushrooms!
She sat for many lazy cool afternoons in the shade of a large oak tree, planted by Nightcanthrope long ago when she first arrived here, the acorn brought from the nature's realm. The brown bark darkened and the leaves a deep dark kelly green. Seems the shadowlands darken the trees no matter where they come from.
Oddly enough most of the dragons here had never learned to fight, the Gaolers kept them safe and most of them use tricks and hidden paths in case of trouble. Direct combat isn't in the nature of this clan it seemed. she was a bit underwhelmed when she accompanied the matron and Seer to the coliseum, they had only made it into the forest area past the training grounds.
though it seemed more that this whole ordeal was a new conquest for them she taught them about the move eliminate and how powerful it was, teaching it to Nightcanthrope and Zalerath and training them in the basics of its use, overseeing them in the harder areas and helping them gather more difficult materials
It had felt like months had passed whenever she looked at the sky, but her journal only listed a few days. The clan might not be of faerie nature but they seemed to have secured their own little home of magic. Through this time she met Zurconican, a fae dragon who went about fixing things that Nightcanthrope couldn't reach or was too big to fix. and on a moonlight night surrounded by fireflies a nest of five healthy eggs were cradled in mushrooms and moss in the stone cavern of the hatchery.
her time with the clan left her with a touch of magic herself, Nightcantrope anointing her forehead with an oil made from coral wax. "With this oil you are officially part of our family, you may enter and leave as you please, and a gift for you, to bring part of our home with you." Nightcanthrope presented her with a woodguard for her tail.
"thank you, mat-"
"No, Nightcanthrope, I'm only 'Matron' to outsiders."
"Of course, thank you Nightcanthrope."
With a pack of food and herbs to aid her further journey, and the forest...somehow less confusing since she entered the glade. had that worn path always been there? regardless, she went upon her way to her next destination, the leaves whirling around her claws as she went upon the path.
Aug 16
After leaving the last lair she visited she continued her travels. Going long and far, taking an occasional break for life's necessities, but otherwise almost always moving. That is until one day whilst she was having a sip of water she was tackled by a stranger dragon, she fought briefly before managing to pin the other below herself. She took a moment to breathe and regain her composure before glancing down at the dragon below her.
He was snarling and glaring deeply at her, but she didn't care, her main focus was how beautiful his scales looked in the rays of light which were managing to hit him. Slowly but surely she applied pressure onto his throat. "Why have you attacked me stranger, I have done you no wrong." She inquired before releasing the pressure on his throat but keeping a claw there to warm him.
The pupil in his eye constricted and he was even more furious at how she dared to threaten him like this, but he understood his current situation enough to respond. "You're trespassing into our land, that itself is more than enough reason to attack you!" He growled lowly with a hint of distain carried in his tone.
Berne was shocked, this place looked totally uninhabited when she landed, no lairs, no hatchlings running around, no dragons flying in the sky, nothing. She looked around to see if there were anymore dragons around, she strained her eyes and finally managed to catch a glimpse of some icy blue scales disappear into a bush. Realising she could be in potential danger of getting surrounded, she had no choice but to leave soon.
Abandoning her spilt water pouch on the ground she spread her wings and quickly took to the sky, not realising as she flew away that in the fight the attackers
had gotten caught on her. However when she did notice it was too late to return it so she took it as a spoil of battle.
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Exalting Berne to the service of the Plaguebringer will remove them from your lair forever. They will leave behind a small sum of riches that they have accumulated. This action is irreversible.
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