Vanderwood

Hello fellow dragons, it is I, Vanderwood! Oh? What's that? You haven't heard of me? Well, that's a shame- but worry not! I intend to stay in your clan for some time, to spread around my glorious legend... Oh yes, go on, sit down and gather around as I tell my tale! P.S. - Don't forget my souvenir! Infused Crystal Minerals & Ores This crystal pulses with an unnatural energy and strange shapes move within. One should not stare overlong into it, lest they begin to stare back at you. (Special thanks Artorias.) 80

Uh-oh, looks like this mosaic fool wandered a little too far from his home lair, and now he's off to see the world! If ever you feel the need to exalt, he'd really appreciate it if you could just return him to the home lair, or to the 'Dragons Off To See The World' thread, here.

Vanderwood stopped by a disparate group of dragons in the Sunbeam Ruins, which resulted in uproarious fun that was had by all, as he made good on his promise to spread his legend. He told wild and outlandish tales that couldn't possibly be true, egged on by Hanae. Yin, the resident jester, not to be outdone, spun his own fabulous yarns. The competition between the two only ended when the whole clan was in tears of laughter.

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Vanderwood's next stop was the dragons of the Everbloom Gardens. He was welcomed by a strange dragon with a bird skull on his head, and a female dragon that covered herself in bows, who seemed like she was trying to attract him. He accepted the welcome and regaled them with tales of his journeys, enjoying the warm atmosphere he seemed to be smothered in. He was warned of a small group of outcasts at the edge of their territory that everyone seemed to avoid. Curious, he ventured near and encountered them, wary of what he'd encounter. To his surprise, they weren't as terrible as he thought, besides Vandr. He grew close to a female dragon named Akafr and happily became a father. He was cast aside by the others of the clan, causing him and his children to become part of the LowWind sect.

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The stones shifted in his wake, a merry tune ringing out. Vanderwood spread his tale to any hatchlings who dared to listen, as he spun and sang a tune with the local Wildclaw bard. It was fascinating meeting so many new people in such a small amount of time, and he loved every moment of it. Having a song spin about him just adds to his growing reputation. By the time he returns to Dragonhome, he will have more of a reputation to go off of. Everyone will know of him!

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From Dragonhome, Vander found his way to the inhospitable burning sands of the Abiding Boneyard. Many warned him against venturing into the burning sands, but the gaoler refused to hear their warnings. "My story must be spread to the very furthest reaches of the continent!" he would proclaim. And so, the bard found himself wandering the great lifeless expanse. His spirits were high at first, as he walked on singing or playing music to pass the time. His tune changed on the tenth day, when food and water were running out, and no sign of life was to be seen for miles. He tried to turn back, but the dead landscape only seemed to repeat itself. On the fifteenth day, a dust storm kicked up from the west and blanketed the whole world in darkness. Vander could do nothing but struggle on. The wind-whipped sand stung his eyes and rendered him blind. Dust covered everything, got into everything, he could feel the weight of it dragging him down into hopeless despair. And when Vanderwood found that his aching legs could carry him no longer he simply collapsed to the ground, into the embrace of the choking dust. He couldn't tell how long he had laid there, struggling under the weight of the dust and fighting to breathe. All he knew was that eventually darkness took him. Cold heavy claws dragged him suddenly back from the abyss. He was blind and deaf, heavy with sand, and he could not make out the voice that spoke to him. It was so hot beneath his fur, Vander felt like he was burning. Suffocating. And then he was drowning. The unseen dragon had grasped him by the horns and doused his mouth and nose in warm water. Again and again, he could only cough and choke in the moments between pouring. He was still coughing up blackish grit when they let him be, and he weakly collapsed back to the ground. His breathing was easier now, thanks to this mystery dragon, but he was still to weak to resist as he was hauled over their back and dragged off. He just hung across the large dragon's back, coughing and half-dozing. Voices drifted to him through the packed sand in his ears, and Vander thought that he could hear singing. It sounded so distant.

The next time Vanderwood woke, it was to more water. Strong claws were holding him down again, by the shoulders. He jolted awake, struggling, but his hands found only unyielding muscle and he was too weak to fend them off. Helpless and frightened, he could do nothing but allow them to drown him. Hold him beneath the water and-- Rinse the sand from his eyes? Indeed, when he could finally open his eyes, he saw that the guardian holding him down was looking on with a mix of concern and empathy, not of ill intent. She was one of two guardians, one a lean desert raider, and the other a golden-eyed light dragon. A third dragon, a masked skydancer, knelt beside him and gently stroked the back of his hand. Still confused, he stopped his struggling, and allowed them to finish washing the sand from his ears.

When they finished, Vander had been shaved of much of his thick fur, and gently cleaned of sand. It was hard to breathe still, but the Paladin told him that it would clear on its own, so long as he didn't get caught in another dust storm. She had introduced herself as Iratha, and told him that the others had brought him to her from outside.

The other guardian lay protectively by his side as he dried by a fire. It was cool enough to light one underground, without ever getting as cold as night in the desert. She had introduced herself as Farstrider, and she had a stern face that Vander thought might be intimidating if she didn't clearly pity him. The third dragon was Dusk. A fellow bard, she had a sweet and soothing voice that seemed to hum with magic. She was sitting nearby, encouraging him to eat a bowl of soup that had been brought from upstairs. The skydancer sang sweet melodies for him as Farstrider told him how he had been found.

"Dusk and I make our living as guides," said the guardian, "helping dragons across the Boneyard safely. We had sheltered in an abandoned serthis tunnel to ride out the sandstorm, and were just emerging and getting our bearings when Dusk spotted you. I might'a just thought you were a rock, all covered in dirt like you were, and I definitely didn't think you was alive."

The coming weeks were some of the quietest Vanderwood had ever known, at least for the sound of his own voice. Far and Dusk introduced him to their clanmates, and he learned that he was living inside the massive skeleton of an ancient beast, and the tunnels beneath. Clan Haven was more than accommodating to him, and while he waited for his lungs to heal and his strength to return he learned new tales and songs from Dusk and another resident bard named Allomere.

When he felt ready, Far and Dusk escorted him through the Boneyard and back to the easier to handle Contagion. He spent the whole journey singing with Dusk, and sharing his own stories with them. He parted ways with his new friends at the edge of the contagion, promising never to brave the sands without a guide again.

Vanderwood was ready for whatever came next, and to share the tale of how he braved a mighty sandstorm and came out kicking, of course.

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Once more, it seemed like sand was determined to be his enemy. Vanderwood arrived in the Shifting Expanse a few weeks after his excursion in the Plague domain, and was quickly met by a whirling, stormy sandstorm. It tossed the gaoler around like a leaf, then promptly dumped him on the outskirts of the Sanctuary.

Sand Minerals & Ores Some dragons ingest sand to soothe upset stomach, others build castles with it. 15

He was quickly brought in and given a safe place to rest and recover. The dragons of the Sanctuary were welcoming and kind, and he was lucky enough to feel better just as the Brightshine Jubilee went underway.

There were many festivities for all, and Vanderwood was happy to participate with his own extravagant tales of his travels. The little ones especially were enthralled, and he was often seen trailed by young dragons, begging for more stories. As the festival came to a close, the saffron gaoler felt it was time to go on his way. With well-wishes to the enthusiastic hatchlings (who were very sad to see him go), he continued on to new sights.

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Vanderwood made his way to a large city called Lightweaver's Shadow. He was instantly drawn in by the sound of music. He spent his time in the city playing music with Victoria and Fret. He had a riotous time with them and wished to return again soon.

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continue the story here

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Owners I've Had: Jaynk DarkPuffin xIridium Origamighostt DarkPuffin (Again) GrinningWolf24 sgkat CalciumFeather CapsStarShield septarianflare EbonyUnderscore Dracknorin BlazingSkyDragon Reiyn