The Dragons Tale

Long ago the Dragons lived in harmony with the people (both human and fay) of the lands. They could be found in the fields and forests. They survive by eating berries, fruits, and nuts - not people and domesticated livestock. Collecting shiny things is a past time for them. Throughout the ages Dragons have had a penchant for treasure. They collected gold, silver, jewels, and other objects both natural and unnatural. But, eventually as the people of the lands spread out and claimed property, territory, and kingdoms for themselves, the Dragons were forced to move.

The Dragons made their new lairs in the old castles and caves. Inside their lairs they piled the treasure in an area set aside just for that. Often they slept on, or near it. Man and fay have sought this treasure. Some seek the fame and fortune it will bring. Others to reclaim family treasure. And a few because of the ancient power contained in some of the pieces.

For long ago, when the land was still young, there was a balance in the powers. Then, somewhere along the way, man and fay decided they needed more influence. To obtain this influence they became greedy. Greed led them down many different paths with evil being the dominate one. Some wanted to rule the land and all the people of the land. They turned to the forces of the land to harness the power for their own will. By twisting and bending these forces, sometimes in an unnatural way, they created power unequaled and unseen before. They stored these powers in gold and silver wrought from deep within the land itself. The powers created were neither good nor evil - they just were. It was the purpose behind the use that made it good or evil. Both man and fay became mages to control and contain these forces. Mages understood the forces and knew how to use them. Others knew what the forces did, but not always how to use them, or the consequences of their use.

Now, Dragons being themselves, and not seeking power, because they were already powerful and understood the forces of the land, continued to collect treasures. Often them came across a battlefield littered with corpses from armies fallen. Amongst these corpses lay the various articles of gold and silver that contained the forces of the land. This did not matter to the Dragons. They would collect their bounty and return to their lairs to stockpile their treasure.

This stockpiling of treasure led man and fay, good and evil, to seek the Dragons and the treasures of their lairs. Many wanted to control and use these rare and powerful items. Some to fight off evil, and evil to overpower the good. For lost long ago was the art to harness the powers as battle after battle killed the craftsmen that forged them in the beginning. Generation after generation slowly lost the art to make these things as the knowledge was not passed on for fear of misuse and died on the battlefield with the wielders and makers. Thus, now the Dragons are hunted for what they have. It matters not to a Dragon if their treasure is to be used for good or evil. What matters is someone wants to relieve them of their treasure.