Hemlock
(#61173714)
Level 1 Imperial
Familiar
Barkback Boar
Click or tap to view this dragon in Predict Morphology.
Energy: 50/50
This dragon’s natural inborn element is Light.
Male Imperial
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Personal Style
Apparel
Skin
Scene
Measurements
Length
28.98 m
Wingspan
17.66 m
Weight
8523.95 kg
Genetics
Taupe
Ripple
Ripple
Terracotta
Bee
Bee
Metals
Firefly
Firefly
Hatchday
Breed
Eye Type
Level 1 Imperial
EXP: 0 / 245
STR
6
AGI
6
DEF
6
QCK
5
INT
8
VIT
8
MND
6
Biography
|
 HEMLOCK
BARGHEST LORE AND LINEAGE PROJECT
GENERATION II CAVIAR'S LINE 
"Those who hunt need to remember that a jungle also houses those who hunt the hunters."
P ride, honour, duty. An heirloom stolen, a chase begun. One that will take a beast far across his homeland furtive. Soon, they will know of greater powers with vested interest in their endeavour. With time, all will flow in perfect motion; the end of a long game already set in stone. All in the name of rescue and succour. All it has to do, is wait. This is the tale of the Barghest, Hemlock. |
|
The town of Arrowstone was cast into silence. For once, it was not an ominous, insidious silence, but a quiet peace that settled upon the land. Beside the riverbank that rushed with crimson water, the ruins of an old castle towered amidst an overgrown field. The flowers bloomed, brilliant beneath the light of the full moon as fireflies flitted through the air, landing gently upon a myriad of petals and leaves. Concealed within the confines of the castle, three luminous eggs basked in a beam of moonlight that streamed in through a diamond-slatted window. The forms of two massive beasts curled around their unborn children in a nest of animal pelts. They shifted uneasily as they watched the path of the moon. . . waiting. An old clock struck the hour, its toll echoing through the old castle in tune with the first dark cracks that slivered across the eggshells. The red beast smiled as he watched his children come into the world, curling himself closer to his mate as they waited with anticipation. These were the first of Caviar’s children that he would see with his own eyes. He whispered a promise that despite their curse, they would find a place in this world where they belonged. The second child first saw red. Caviar's dark mahogany fur and gleaming crimson eyes loomed before the hatchling he pulled himself free from the shell that confined him. He met his father's gaze with a challenging glare in his eyes. He was born a hunter, his senses keen and in tune with the subtlest of changes around him. He took the name Hemlock his legacy became that of the hunt. The beast's form changed with the seasons, sometimes a great rust-colored hound that ran through the woods before he donned the pelts of other creatures and molded himself to their essence. Sometimes his tusks would scrape the ground as a boar or his antlers would curl towards the sky as he stared through the eyes of a proud elk. Now, Hemlock offers his sport for the hunters who come into the woods, allowing them to chase him and sometimes even letting them take from his territories. Still, those who disrespect the creatures they hunt find their roles reversed, a great rusted hound chasing them with snapping jaws. And Hemlock never lets go of his prey.
Layout, lore and artwork by awaicu
Banners by PoisonedPaper
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The night was still young in the merchant town of Salkhi's Outpost though the moon had long past its peak. The streets still bustling with activity as shopkeepers of all kinds offer their goods and services to night-goers strolling down the shopping district. For today marked the last day of Founder's week: A week of celebration to commemorate the city's establishment. Thus did residents and tourists alike savour the last of the nightly hours before the fanfare was put away for the rest of the year.
Among the partygoers, a rust-red hound weaves past their merrymaking. It was a handsome thing, stately yet fierce, its eyes had a noble quality to them in the way it surveyed its surroundings. It trotted around the streets, searching for something, or someone. Then, it catches a familiar scent from a Mirror slinking to somewhere more secluded. They were eventually outside the city walls; The hound stood by a distance as it watched the Mirror meet up with a Guardian under oriental pines. The dragons spoke in hushed whispers before the Mirror produces something from the pouch hanging at its waist.
A necklace, exquisite and extravagant in design, dripping in precious stones. And dangling amongst the set gems, was a coin-sized crest medallion of Arrowstone. The hound growls, still unsure of how the thieves eluded them but they will find no sanctuary here. The hound’s form began to shimmer and grow until there was a hulking red beast-like creature scratching the pavement with elongated claws. It lets out a bloodcurdling snarl as it lunges toward its prey.
There was a sound of something flying across the air. Blinding pain. The force of the blow knocks the beast off its feet; it looks down to see a ballista arrow sprouting from its chest. Its vision blurs as it sees the hazy forms of the two dragons approaching. The last thing it saw was the Guardian's claws reaching toward them before a blinding light swallows everything.
Darkness. Then, a gasp for air. The hound opens its eyes. An infinitely white expanse greets them. They get up and survey their surroundings but there were no landmarks, no shadows, nothing. Just white space as far as the eye could see. They then noticed that the pain was gone. No wounds, no scars. What is this place?
"My, my. that was rather reckless of you charging in like that. You could have very well lost your life there."
A voice from behind. The hound spins around to see a dragon, a Pearlcatcher dark and iridescent. There was a growl-
"Who?"
"Dear oh dear, that was rather impolite. I expect more from a son of Arrowstone."
The hound’s skin prickled at those last words. "How- Why do you know that?"
My, I'm certain you're positively curious about many things, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait as of the moment; I have some business to attend to, you see." The dragon vanishes, leaving the aggravated beast alone to howl at the vast nothingness. It seemed like an eternity as it wandered its prison, looking for a way out of this static plane. It snarls in frustration as it rakes at the emptiness of the landscape. Then, "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."
He turns to find the dragon behind him again. "You…!" It brought its claws down on the strange being, only for it to phase through them like a mirage. "Really now, is that how you treat someone who saved you? Never mind that, everything is in order so come along."
Darkness clouds the beast's vision- a sudden sensation of being hurtled somewhere before an abrupt halt. Its sight returns to them, revealing an austere bedroom with scattered trinkets and baubles. Something felt off about his body, he wasn't sure what it was. He tries to move, but his body refuses to obey. His senses tell him that the dragon was somewhere by his side.
"Now, now, don't get too excited. Creating a vessel from scratch is tricky work, after all. Hm, yes. It seems everything is finally in perfect working order. Try moving."
His body suddenly lurch, having regained control of his…? Where he expected his arm to be, a scaled limb and draconic claw were in their stead. He spins to confront the Pearlcatcher and caught his reflection in a nearby mirror…no, not his reflection. An Imperial stares back at him, mimicking every movement he made. It was indeed him but not him. "Lovely isn't it? I'd daresay you look quite dashing as a dragon."
"What is the meaning of this, mortal?", he snarls.
The Pearlcatcher began to shake, but not out of fear. In fact, a laugh escapes their lips. "Mortal...!", They managed to exhale out, "Now that, that one is funny!" They take a few more moments to calm down before addressing the beast, the amused smile on their face remaining. "Well then, since you asked, I, the mortal Araki, intend to take you on a tour of the city."
Silence.
"Beg pardon, but did you expect me to believe a claim as ludicrous as what you said?"
The dragon, Araki, locks eyes with him with a knowing smile. "Of course Hemlock. After all, you, barghest son of Caviar, Lord of Arrowstone, can you not separate truth amongst lies?"
A chill down his spine. How? How did this mortal know all of this? And worst of all, they tell no falsehoods, as inscrutable as the stranger was. What are they?
"And what do you intend to do after that?"
"My, my. So many questions, naturally, of course. But all will be revealed in due time. For now, shall we take a stroll?" The hound felt its body seize up as control was taken away from him again. It snarled at the dragon, though they paid little heed to its protest. "Do not fret so. This is but a temporary arrangement." With that, the Pearlcatcher walks out of the house with the hound in tow.
The sun shone brightly above the busy streets. How long has it been since that night? The path was crowded with beings of all sizes and shapes. Some hawked their goods like they were during the festival, and several discussed prices with customers. Hemlock couldn’t help but be mystified at the sheer busyness.
"Quite the sight is it not?" the dragon pipes up, "I imagine this is not the norm in your little village." The Pearlcatcher weaves past a cart carrying produce, causing the hound to do the same. "Hm-mm. I suppose this is a good time as any to provide you some answers. How about we start here? Your so-called thieves are quite accomplished poachers."
"Poachers? They did not take any creatures from Arrowstone territory.", Hemlock rumbles.
“And they did not intend to, not when they have- as they say, a bigger fish to fry. The tales of your kind have reached the ears of those with money to throw away; what better showpiece than a real-life specimen of the legendary Barghest?”
“Then why..?”
But the dragon continues his walk without saying more. They move further out of the market street and eventually reach a majestic building, glass-panelled and brimming with flora. The Pearlcatcher seems especially sprightly as they enter.
" Welcome...to the Conservatory!"
A beautifully-lit atrium greets them, a grandeur unfounded and unexpected in the rest of the outside world; flora and decor embellish the halls and beyond. Hemlock marvelled at all of the bursts of colours tastefully sectioned and arranged as they strolled through the building, so many of which he's never seen before. The Pearlcatcher eventually led them to a pond; Myriads of koi cruised amongst the lilies, scales glimmering in the afternoon sun. An easel and painting supplies were conjured out of thin air and Araki soon was putting paint onto canvas without so much a word. The beast felt control given back to him, and he would have used the opportunity to put the dragon in their place but curiosity got the best of him.
"You asked why steal a family heirloom?" the dragon, Araki, finally answers without looking back. "Simple. One of you was bound to separate from the pack to give chase. These are no ordinary poachers, you see; they've done some extraordinary work for quite some time now. They've been planning this commission for weeks, I imagine. But it seems their current client is not particularly picky with whether their new addition is dead or alive.”
Araki continues to paint, seemingly unaware or uncaring of the beast's reaction. "But for all their careful planning, they’ve made a particular error: I'm quite unwilling to sort through the mess of having my land sullied with vengeful barghests. And because of some clod's unsavoury demands of all things. Thank your lucky stars that I intervened in time but you would continue to stick out like a sore thumb if I didn't do anything. I didn't have time to deal with your poachers, you see. Slippery bunch, the lot of them."
"And transforming me into your kind was your solution?", They growled.
"Transform? Oh, no, you misunderstand. Think of the vessel as another pelt, though you can't take it off for the time being, not yet. "
Hemlock decides to ignore how the dragon knew of his capabilities, though his head was beginning to spin from trying to process everything the dragon said. "Not yet? What do you plan to do now?"
"One question at a time now, though I suppose the answers to both questions are more or less the same." Araki finishes their artwork: an oil painting depicting a close-up perspective of its subject matter, the koi pond. There was little time between their conversation, yet the illustration had no sign of hastiness. He lets go of his brush, which dissipates into nothing and turns to face Hemlock. "The guards are tracking your little poachers down. And I intend to let them do their job."
"You would let those mortals interfere?"
“You may not put much trust in these mortals, but they are more than capable of finishing the job", Araki states as if they're answering his thoughts, "You may remember that your hunters are still looking for you and I don’t know if you noticed, but the guards have reason to pursue you as well. There will be a fine mess of things if you don’t stay put. Besides, all will be well the day after the morrow."
Hemlock huffed. Though he suspects he would not have a choice in the matter while he’s still imprisoned within this vessel. "Why such confident words?"
"Why? Oh, you wound me...! I thought you would have better faith in me after your rescue." Araki puts on a dramatic pout but it was evident that they did not really care. "But do you at least believe me when I say I’m working in your best interest?"
Hemlock held his silence. The dragon was only testing him, he knew. The irritating smile on their face meant they already knew his answer.
"Trust is earned. Not given. Our goals simply happened to align."
The pearlcatcher nods, seemingly satisfied, and the smile morphs into something more sagacious. A sensation coursed through Hemlock, which could only be described as weights falling off his body, chains being broken; The vessel suddenly felt lighter, free.
"Then can we base our cooperation on that notion?"
The hound preserved his pensiveness. He still does not trust this being and their way of things but...
"If you can retrieve what was stolen from us, then very well."
"Good. Well then, let us leave here. We have other places to be." The painting and easel disappear and the pearlcatcher walks off to the conservatory’s exit. Hemlock hesitates for a moment before following after them.
As Araki promised, the dragon took the barghest through a tour of the city, much to Hemlock’s chagrin. And each place they went, dragon would tell him many stories and anecdotes in earnest fascination. Soon, they were back on the market streets and the hound followed impatiently as the Pearlcatcher casually strolled around; purchasing painting wares and chatting with the peddlers. But he has given his vow that he would wait until the foretold day, and so he will.
Sunset gives way to dark skies and the two return to Araki's abode. The pearlcatcher seemed well pleased with themselves as they sorted through their purchases. Hemlock spots the painting that Araki had done earlier in the afternoon laying on its easel as if it never left the lair. He turns back to find the dragon already starting on a new one.
"Are you certain that we need not do anything?"
"You need not do anything. There is still one last thing for me to finish."
"And what would that be?"
"You're looking at it right now, hm hm."
Hemlock took a closer look at the canvas Araki was working on. A rough bust sketch of a dragon embellished the blank slate, the form grandiose and refined. "I'm afraid I do not follow."
"You need not to, but believe me when I say this work of mine will assist us quite well."
The hound kept his silence as he wondered what they meant by that. Though he has learned by now that the dragon's actions were as mysterious as they were purposeful.
"If you wish to explore the town further I will not hold you back, so as long as you stay out of trouble.", the voice was nonchalant as if they knew their companion would comply, "Meanwhile, I will remain here; there's a deadline I have to meet." With those words, Araki returns his attention to the painting. Seeing nothing would be gained loitering around here, Hemlock slips out of the lair and into the night.
Hemlock wanders the streets of Salkhi's Outpost. There still were shops that would push onto the night but the streets were less crowded than the first time he stepped into this new land, a welcome change. This place, and the land that it rests on were different. Different from the home he had left in his hot pursuit. And yet its alienness was not offputting, instead having a certain charm to it.
He soon found himself in front of The Conservatory, unaware of how he arrived there. The dragon had said that seeds and cuttings were collected from all over the world, all in the name of building the Conservatory. How beautiful they were; He had never left the hamlet since he was born but if this was just a fraction of what the world offers...well his little world of Arrowstone seemed even smaller.
The evening sky was a cloudy haze, the stars barely visible with the glow of lanterns and torches outshining anything else over the town. He finds himself beside with frustration at his own helplessness- so used he was to doing everything with his own strength. A part of him wanted to run under the cover of the dark and find the poachers himself but he was well aware of his situation.
Just this one time then.
The new morning brought little excitement as Hemlock looked toward Araki's easel; The still wet yet finished painting rests in its place. A proud skydancer looks out from its canvas in satin red, bedecked in flowers and jewels, almost ad nauseam. Yet he could not deny the skill and artistry behind the strokes. Araki follows his gaze and puts on a mock frown. "I do not wish to sound petty but it's a shame my client has such questionable taste."
"You've said that this painting would play a part in all this. Does it have to do with the mortal depicted on it?"
"Very astute of you. I have created a bargaining chip, one guaranteed to be of great value."
"And what do you have in mind?"
Araki smiled a very serious smile. "You'll have to wait and see."
The painting was dry by the time the sun began to set. Araki casually strolls through the streets with Hemlock close behind. The was an air of impatience around the barghest; Araki had said that it was a quick trade meeting. Still, he wonders where this falls in the grand scheme of things. They soon turn to a dank and old corner of the streets. Araki stops and Hemlock spots the other party, three draconic figures dressed in shadowy robes, emerging from the shadows. The smallest one, a fae, approaches closer.
"It is done?"
Araki removes the covering of the painting and carefully presents it to the fae. The largest dragon among the three, a Guardian, takes it from his claws and held it up for the fae to inspect carefully. After a moment of scrutiny, the dragon nods.
"You have done well, my master will be very pleased."
"I am ever grateful for your kind words. Now, do we have an agreement?"
"We won't stand for outsiders waltzing in on our turf. The guard department will find aid. You have my master's word."
The Fae signals for the painting to be covered. A robed Wildclaw does so as they take the painting from the Guardian's hands and walk away. The Fae dips their head in goodbye and leaves on the shoulder of his large companion. Soon, Hemlock and Araki were alone. The Barghest gives the dragon a questioning look, but they only smiled.
"Right then, shall we leave this place? It's getting quite dreary in here, I must say. All we now need to do is wait for the morrow."
"Well, well. I have good tidings for you." So went Araki's morning greeting as Hemlock stirred from his slumber as they left to get breakfast. They came back quickly with victuals at hand and lay their spread on the floor. Hemlock simply stares, as the realization dawned on him that he has not eaten in days. Araki tilts their head and looks at him with an almost kindly look.
"Come now, what's with the face? You'll need the strength for the journey ahead."
"...I suppose you already know."
Araki paused before giving out a small and gentle laugh. "Perhaps, but really now, what do I gain from acting in malice now?"
Nothing he knows yet. Araki pushes a plate of cold cuts in his direction. After some more hesitation, he accepts the platter.
"Once you have your fill, we'll set for the town gates. I do hope you've settled all your business here by then. Hm, hm, hm."
Breakfast was finished and the two were soon on their way. As they near their destination, Hemlock could see town guards rounding up a group of dragons and beastmen clad in hunter garb. One of the guards spots them and marches towards their location, a female imperial. She had a smile on her face, though nothing was friendly behind it.
"Mr Araki! Perfect timing as always."
"Ah, Allegro dear, good day to you."
The Imperial called Allegro smiled even wider, akin to a shark, "Who's this friend of yours?"
"A friend of mine, as you said."
The beast stares down at his companion with curiosity. The guard's eyes narrow with a sharp glint turning them to Hemlock and back to Araki, her intent was unreadable. "We caught your thieves and found your item in their persons." She produces a glistening item, the necklace. "Your information is accurate as usual. Still, there are some questions I have regarding the true nature of the situation."
The air tensed, only to dissipate as Allegro threw her head back in laughter. "Or maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about." She hands the necklace to Araki. but her eyes kept their suspecting gleam. "Have a pleasant day Mr Araki."
The guards herded the poachers off to questioning and the Pearlcatcher motions for Hemlock to quickly follow him out the gate. When they were far away enough from the town, Araki returns Hemlock's necklace to him, nodding in satisfaction. All seemed to be original and genuine. He glances down to meet the dragon's eyes. “I admittedly did not expect this conclusion. But you have proven to me that you are capable of keeping your word."
"My, after all the time we spent together?", Araki says with a frown before laughing heartily. "Well, as I said before, what benefit would I get from antagonizing you?"
"None that I know of yet."
"A wise answer." There was a silence between dragon and barghest as the two stare off into the distance. Araki was the first to speak again. "Before you leave, may I trouble one favour from you?"
"...You have saved my life and returned me what was stolen. I suppose I could do that."
"Is that right? Well then, visit me once in a while would you?"
Hemlock faces Araki in surprise. The Pearlcatcher almost sounded lonely. Even so, he could not deny the sincerity behind it. After a moment of mulling, he nods.
"...Very well. When beasts slumber in the winter months, you will find me at your door."
"I would very much appreciate that. Thank you...Hemlock."
The barghest nods one last time before bounding off towards his homeland, his form shimmering and changing until a rust-red hound was sprinting through the oriental pines under a bright sun. And when the time came to honour that vow, honour it he did. Every winter, Araki would see a silhouette of a familiar dragon coming toward his home. Sometimes they visited for a week, other times only a day or two, but visit every winter they always did.
Did they ever learn to truly trust each other? Perhaps. On one winter's day, there was banter coming from the usually empty lair of Araki the Painter, as he happily passes a plate of cold cuts towards the accepting claws of a friend.
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