A book by Hoihe Dacino of Candlekeep: The Dragon Warriors

[Hoihe]

Up on the cloudpeaks, not far from the cave that isn't too far from the "holy site of Draconic gods", Hoihe Dacino, using his left hand like every other time, hunches over a desk made from pine (crude as most things within his little retreat) scribing into what seems to be a book with a dragon scale (drained of it's colour and material) on it's cover. In draconic runes, the name is spelled out through what seems to be carvings upon the book with pinewood covers. "The Dragon Warriors" it states merely. A link of metal connects the pages within with the cover, allowing for one to take a page out or put one in at whim. Excelent for writing about something without much official records. At last, the cover is covered in Arcane Runes, making it immune to all the elements.
His tools are the ink of the squid, the quill of the bird, the claws of his hand, and the paper of pine.

[Hoihe]

"Introduction" spell the carved runes atop the pinewood cover. Each and every rune are about inch deep, carved out by something crude. Ocassionally claw marks can be seen.

Allow me to welcome you to my very first book. One that will hopefully grant insight into the classes of Dragon Warrior. This book is not written by a scholar who is sitting in his armchair, examining others... no. This book is written by one with experience in the matter. Utter experience. Let what is writen here be unbiased though, for Oghma's request is just... "Let there be knowledge!" and as an Avowed, I can not disagree with it.

- Hoihe Dacino, Avowed of Candlekeep, Sorceror of clan Silverstone and Dragon Warrior of Bahamut.

[Hoihe]

And upon the first page, the crude carvings of claw turn to the finery of a well-educated man's quill. The runes read "Basics"

Basics


The term Dragon Warrior is perhaps even less known as the term of Dragon Disciple. While only some can become Dragon Disciples: those with dragon blood and access to ancient rituals created by True Dragons and their half-blooded first generation offspring. The Dragon Warrior offers an alternative to those who feel that the roar of the dragon is a beautiful sound. People who ascend to becp,e such are sometimes dragon blooded sorcerers who do not have access to these rituals of ascension to half-dragon hood, like my good self, for Dragon Warriors are less potent than the disciples and dragons are much more open about these rituals. Otherwise the circumstances are what awaken the fires of dragon in one, not these rituals.

So Dragon Warriors are only those who have a hint of dragon in them already?

The answer is no.
There is another caste of Dragon Warriors. Those whom are pure-bloods of their race may become dragon warriors themselves: Human, halfling, elf, orc, dwarf... vur zyak shafaer((and so on)). The list goes on to each and every race capable of thought. Dragons are mighty creatures, propably the mightiest that are born on Toril.. It is only natural that people feel attracted to such power, and try to obtain even if but a margin of it. Sometimes it's not the humanoid that seeks the dragon for the Dragon Warriorship, but rather the dragon itself. Goodly dragons: the metallics. They tend to reward those who help them with drakes, riches or the ocassional scale. But some take it further, and initiate the one into such a rank, where they stand as a representative of a dragon's power in their own socieity, and act as it's enforcer.

Conclusion

So... what is a Dragon Warrior? A dragon warrior is often regarded the "poor man's Discipleship", but it's a great honour to be considered one even still. The rituals are trying, many die in the process. They are not trying in but physical terms, but in mental terms as well. A truly dedicated Dragon Warrior, in order to achieve the greatest power they can muster from their training, must think & act like the dragon they so praise.

[Hoihe]

With the basics finished, upon the other side of this sheet of paper stands the line... "Aridarastixiejir gethrisj persvek Vorastrix" as in "The blood of the dragon flows in the sorcerer's veins", in gilded letters.

Aridarastixiejir vur tija rechanir ((Dragon blood and spell casting))
[The draconic runes above are soaked in blood. But it is in an artistic manner. The stain forms a blaze]

Dragon blood is a magnificient magical focus, one that my fellow avowed has written a book on. True Dragons have but limited a spell selection, dragon-blooded humans have a wider one but it is not always the case. The fragile balance of "potenticity" and "Control" is based on the balancing of the creature's true blood and the density of the dragon's heritage.

Vorastrixi ((Sorcererers)

Many of the most powerful sorcerers are very distant relative to their dragons, the density of the dragon blood compared to their "normal" blood can be imagined like a drop of water to the sea of swords: very immarginal. They still retain potencity but have a great deal of control on this small dosage. As with brass dragons, like the saying goes amongst the gold dragons "Only heed such in small dosage. Anything more than a drop will easily become out of control". There is a dead zone, betwen the power of a half-dragon and that of a merely tainted where the Dragon Blood is so imbalanced that casting a spell would most likely cause disaster. Such cases are when the child turns his father's hair aflame, or makes the local barn's livestock ready for feasting. It is great potential, but a complete lack of control. If this potential isn't taken hold of early, before one becomes an adult: it slowly fades away as the blood tames in the sorcerer's veins.

Even those who have been lucky to receive help in controlling this power, find that their strongest spells are difficult to control. I myself am counted amongst these. The circles 8th and 9th are open to me, and I can evoke more spells from here than many wizards. As I cast them without a focus that I can keep hold of, I can not cast them safely. Meteor Swarm attacks the wrong target or far more meteors sling out, Disjunction strips the wards of the wrong target, Greater Shout takes a far more potent range, Polar Ray becomes Polar Blast... the list goes on. Such focuses are magical items that contain the spell "Eagle's splendor" within, and depending on the ratio of potencity/control, may end up a hard find.

Vorastrixi vur Darastrixi ((sorcerers and dragons))

Such inviduals, if given resource, lean over to what people call " Dragon Disciple", but those who do not: They seek the closest thing, the Dragon Warrior. Unfortunately those whose powers' leash was not taken a secure hold of early lose the ability to ignite the blood in it's truest form without the most painful rituals.

But how do the people without potential, or interest become a Dragon Warrior? A difficult question: one that I had to ponder on for days up the frozen peaks of the Cloudpeaks, within the Crystal Cave the the temperature is way beyond comformatable, in cold places. After some time it dawned upon me: my powers erupted when I almost froze to death, as an instict of survival. Another account told me that He began to find the "sting" of acid tickling, and it's foul smell "Sweet". This led me to the conclusion: If people are exposed to the extremes of their dragons' element, the fires of dragon awaken in them and they suddenly develop a resistance to the element..

Not all who awaken them enjoy their presence, some even quell it and suspend it, afraid from power. Dragon Blood is a pathway to many abilities, some considered to be unnatural by many: such as growing claws, fangs or having skin tougher beyond that of the common pure-blood. But all of this is natural. They can be avoided if one wills so.

[Hoihe]

And a new sheet of paper lies on the next page, with the draconic runes of "How: Purebloods"

The ones without Dragon blood: How?

It is clear that there are people that wish to become a dragon or at least become as close to it as possible. It is also clear that dragons seek helpers, for they have a longevity but their time is precious. The two sometimes meet and work out an agreement much like that of a paladin and his god. But it is a rare case, more often than not only one of the requirements apply:

When the non-dragon seeks dragon warriorship:

This is the case more often than not and often just ends in crushed dreams. Dragons, as noble as some are, are still known for their arrogance. They do not take kindly to outsiders requesting to join kinship with them. Metallic dragons are often just, or just seek some amusement as coppers often do. They set a noble task ahead of the volunteer and if they complete it, they may proceed with the ritual. Sometimes this task is beyond the comprehension of the seeker, the dragons will decline them. Chromatic dragons on the other hand may request horrible acts from the bidder which more often than not end in his untimely death. Should the bidder succeed, even then they will more often than not just end up as the meal of the chromatic.

When the Dragon seeks a warrior:

Villages often have rumours of disappearances in the night, which is mostly contributed to the Fey or Fiends but dragons have a hand themselves. Widely known fact amongst scholars that learned about dragons and the Arcane that dragons can assume the form of most humanoids and animals. Chromatic dragons for amusement and power, metallics for their curiousity or clandestine justice. Dragons sometimes return to their real forms without paying much heed to the surroundings and may end up having a witness. A metallic dragon would most likely explain to the witness, especially they were a friend or just wipe the memory with a powerful spell or ritual. Children sometimes ask "Teach it to me!" without breathing, getting on the dragon's nerves. Sometimes the dragon breaks and teaches them the closest thing, in request of kinship. Chromatics mostly just eat the witness or if feeling bored, they force her to serve them as a Dragon Warrior.

There also are cases where a dragon was wounded in a battle againts it's opponent. Should they land near a pureblood who does not run away, they will ask their aid. If the lesser creature proves worthy, the dragon performs a painless ritual which bestows them with dragon blood then knight them as a "Dragon Warrior"

When both apply:

The dream of both the dragon in need and the common pureblood. Dragons that form clans and families might find their members underwhelming, and enlist such individuals as their guards and noble servants, like a knight to a king or a paladin to a god. As impossible as it sounds, it can happen with chromatics too: when a individual of great power comes to them, and they are in a difficult position. This relationship is more like that of a man forming a pact with a fiend, fragile at best.

The process:

[A long list of arcane materials and instructions span across ten pages at least, explaining the ritual in a way that it can't be reproduced without guideance or keen intellect, but explain it well enough for one to imagine the amount of pain one must endure during the ritual, as their blood becomes overabudant for a while... and they must bleed out until it once again quells to normal levels]

[Hoihe]

At last, after the many pages of rituals and their graphical descriptions, comes common draconic writing. Atop the sheet of paper stand "donoap di wer regiprea" as in, the Path of the Gifted. The rituals described are painful and near horrible. There was one ritual though, that was rather painless, but required a true dragon to perform it, it seemed like a "knighting" ritual. It is obvious though, that those who bid to become a dragon warrior are to be above avarge in terms of physical and psychological endurance.

The Path of the Gifted.

Now that the pure-bloods are explained, it is time we examine the ones with the gift of Aridarastixiejir ((Dragonblood). Their rituals are different, but none the less trying. The ways a Jilg di Aridarastixiejir ((holder of dragonblood)) can get access to these rituals is pretty much the same as those that do not hold it if a bit easier.

Dragons sometimes hunt their bloodline, out of fear that the "weak lesser creature" can not protect it and it's easy-to-get presence might endanger them. This is most common amongst chromatics.If they deem the creature worthy, they bestow it with discipleship and keep them in their lair. Much like the Great White Wyrm of the Cloudpeaks. If they are useless, they just eat them.Those of the middle ground or with very faint access are given the position of Dragon Warrior, and may act as the hoard-scrubbers...Vzs. ((vur zyak shafaer = Et cetera = And so on.)).

Other times the regirprea((gifted)) seeks out the darastrix((dragon) and requests the training of blood. I am counted amongst these. A little story so that the honoured reader, you, may know how such a quest blossoms.

The quicksilver

My draconic resistance and breath were awakened by almost freezing to death in the foothills outside of Nashkell. It was strange to once again feel the draconic power awake within me for I have received a curse that slowly made my blood's power fade. My claws did not grow back after I was bestruckt and I couldn't call upon my arcane prowess either. For years I endured the loss, learning the Arcane as everyone else: through books.
This experience brought back memories, and made me think: "Maybe there is a cure."

I have ran through what books I had access to as an Acolyte, even requested entry to the library ocassionally with an avowed's escort. I have found that my blood was that of a silver through research and that that it was quelled by Arcane means. I've dug deeper, and found that there is a certain training that could help one further their draconic blood.

I began to seek records, rumours on where Silver Dragons reside, and eventually found the Earthfast mountains to the North-east. I travelled there by the teleportation aid of Gorion, friend of Candlekeep. There I wandered for days, alone, living on what little food i've brought and then ate what I found. I ocassionally fought an ogre or another, hiding out in caves tends to put one in dangerous situations.

Eventually in a valley, i've spotted a campfire. I creeped up, thinking more ogres. I was mistaken and a comely woman was sitting beside it, singing to herself. She was a bard or at least I've thought. I knew that song and dance can enhanche one's magical potential, so i've asked her for training. She complied and taught me some basic song beside the campfire. Her soothing, beautiful voice apparently lured others there, but they were of malicious intent. More ogres. We engaged them and during the fight, I was cornered with multiples of them infront of me. My breath weapon pained me, but I had to choose: pain or death. She turned to me just as i've used it. I damned myself afterwards for commoners tend to cast me out, out of fear of seeing it. My breath worked, the ogres were seriously injured, many died, the rest ran away: recognising the breath as one of a silver dragon's, even if weak.

We spent time together, I kept asking her about silver dragons in the area, she just laughed and told me i'll eventually find one and they aren't far away at all. Silver dragons tend to assume humanoid forms, one thing i've forgotten with my meeting with her. She said that we'll find one in one of the highest attitude caves. We trekked up the mountain for days. It was as if she intentionally led me to harsh, cold sections of the mountain. I did not pay heed, my silver blood protects me from cold. When we arrived at the peak there was a massive cave fitting for a dragon. There I was scared out of my skin as I've seen her transform into a massive creature: a young silver dragon. She shot me a grin and said that we may begin the real training.

I had to try to cast my spells while she encased me with bursts of her cold breath. I could barely breathe when she first did it, the weight of the frost that materialised within the breath, pushing the air out of my lungs. I even fainted. But over the week's period i've became accostumated to it, I wasn't even scared when she disappeared off the mountain, flying off then charging at me breath achill. My training as a Dragon Warrior began. I have written a detailed journal on this adventure, and donated it to Candlekeep.
Seek out "Journey to the Earthfasts" for more on this expedition.

Some time later back on the Sword Coast I found a ritual that could empower one's magical powers and break powerful curses. Just what I've wanted. This ritual is included in this chapter. For referrence, it required specific materials: Eagle Feather, Eagle fece, two pounds of the same material the dragon's scales are majorly composed of (silver in this case), a hundred lions and the willingly given blood of a dragon whose bloodline matches.

So I've gathered the majority materials. I wondered where could I get aridarastixiejir until I remembered Sarah. I have sent her a spell of "Sending" and requested a meeting. She agreed and we were to meet at a clearing upon the mountain. I did not know teleportation back then. Wizardry wasn't my thing, I was a sorcerer after all. Wizardry was just to keep me just and to avoid getting rusty with the Weave. Laitae Lafreth, a sun elven Seeker of Candlekeep aided me. By this time, i was a Seeker myself. We've met in the farmlands outside of the Baldur's Gate and teleported to the Earthfasts, the clanhold of Silverstone. I described the place a bit far too poetically, and she landed us by the mountain's foothills. We've heard barks so we've set upwards the mountain, braving yeti and whatnot. I was disoriented by my curse's oppression and my blood's condition. I received a blow to the head and fell unconcious. I am a large one, back then, thankfully. I was a bit shrunk. My blood was weakened, and such were it's effects. Those with Silver Blood are known to be larger than others, to be statuesque. After a long climb, she set me down in a high attitude cave. There she woke me up with smelling salts and a splash of water.

I was disoriented and didn't recognise the symbols at first. I stared blankly at the snow that was falling within the cave. After some time I did recognise the caves as that of the Silverstone and I contacted my master, Sarah Silverstone: "We were there". She berated me for being late but told me to come to her hoard room. Laitae and I turned invisible, and we snuck past the yeti guardians.

There I met Ashalon Silverstone [The Silverstone part of the name seems to have received a drop of blood, and a dark cross. The name of Ashalon has a small sign next to it... the sign that is used to identify people in a hit list... It is clear to the reader this Ashalon was not a friendly person to the writer], someone who I did not know back then. My mentor introduced him to me as my quasi-brother, her fellow apprentice. My eyes lit up with a slight joy. Even if by just name, to finally have family again. She told us that only one of us may receive her blood this year and we had to prove our worth. I did not wish to be pitted againts him in a brawl. Now i am sure that he would have loved such. No, we were tested by how well we followed our training how close we were to the frost, how true were our "silver souls". I have emerged victorious but by only a small margin for I was exhausted. I offered to give him healing for the test consisted of us having to endure her relentless breath. Ashalon teleported away with vengeful gaze and I was given Sarah's blood to work with.

I have gathered some of the most powerful spell casters of the area around Baludr's Gate. Be they Divine or Arcane. I've received help from a priest, a morninglord, a sun elven wizardess, a doctor of medicines and some others. We have emerged succesful, but I have almost died. 4/5 of my blood stained the grass I collapsed upon. I was given first aid swiftly. For a few days I could barely move. Then suddenly my spells suddenly began to jump out of my control. They just came to me as naturally as breathing. I have managed to scare the other patients with an ocassional spell. The magic came to me was different from what i've learned from books. Even if there are similiar spells do not think i can properly record my spells or memorise spells that aren't natural to me. At first, the density of my dragon blood was weak so were I. As i've progressed down the path, acting more and more as I thought true of a Silver dragon, it became more dense, and I grew stronger.

As I write this book, I am still learning but I have enough experience to provide ample insight. That is my story, and that is it for this chapter. Bahamut's dogma is the one I follow and it commends actions, not words. These are words but words that come from actions, the recorded form. Let them act as the example of what one has to go through to become a Dragon Warrior. If you are a regiprea reading this, and seeking the donoap: do consider this little true story. And now: for the following pages until the fifteenth, I shall describe rituals akin to those with Aridarastixiejir.

[And it is true, for the story and the introduction took up two pages, the rest... arcane formulas and descriptions.]

//phew... 1 hour of writing produces this!

[Hoihe]

//Will edit for mistakes once the content is done... just a note... for myself mostly .

And at last, the rituals of how are done. The favourite subject of Hoihe Dacino comes, Duty. The "Hatchling" of Silverstone wrote this page with great joy. A drawing of Torm's symbol, a blank gauntlet stands where the gilded draconic runes should be.

A dragon warrior and his obligations : Part 1, the Dragon.

Welcome again, kind reader. Welcome to the meat and core of being a dragon warrior: The Duty.

As I have mentioned in the beginning, a Dragon Warrior is much like a god's champion, a paladin of a god. Not everyone can be become any of these three. That is with ample reason. Nokglaur((Devotion)), is this reason. For a man or woman to dedicate their life to one ideal, to one way of living is a decision of heavy weight even if for such a great reward.

It is an easier path though. In some perspective. When a paladin stops following their path, they fall from grace, lose their lent power. A dragon warrior's strenght isn't lend-lease, it is permanent. Only a powerful counter ritual, which extracts the dragon blood from the warrior's veins may make a dragon warrior or disciple lose their status.

I know of a dragon warrior who have abandoned their bloodline's path, going for banditry with the power of gold. He worships no god. He does not even pay heed to his kind's behaviour. Of course, he does not fully realize his power either, but what he learned stays with him. Even as a rogue. Turn a few pages back, and read what I've wrote, what it takes to be a dragon warrior. It takes psychological constitution, the ability to think and act like the dragon they follow. It is a source of power, of understanding. If one abandons it, their physical prowess remains, their changes keep, but they do not have the soul. Unlike a paladin, who must go through their rituals again though, Dragon Warriors merely need to begin their mental training again to regain their true status.

[The rest of page 16 holds illustrations about the five most well known metallic dragons, and descriptions of what a dragon warrior of that kind should act like.

Silver Dragons:Keep your calm, like your ancestors: Sereneity is a virtue. Wisdom is the key to sucess, do not scoff at it: understand it. Focus, for concentration is the key to success. Let people fight their battles, but do not shy away from aiding those who ask.

Gold Dragons: Justice, it flows in your veins. Truth, you should never hide it for nefarious reasons. Duty, always heed it. Honour, gold dragons are the paladins of dragonkind. Serenity, for it is a virtue. Defend the weak, for your strenght is given to you for that reason.

Bronze Dragons: You are of the protector of the Waters, help the sailors. Do not ignore injustice, act upon it and deliver swift retribution with mercy. Keep your breath in check, for you may be thought of as a talosite.

Copper Dragons: Do not shy away from a joke. Help the miserable and lighten their life. Spread humour, for it is Hlal's blessing, but keep it good-natured, you are not a green dragon's warrior.

Brass Dragons: Seek to enrichen your vocabulary, honour the people by sharing your knowledge with them. Keep yourself full of new things, for your master will examine it thorougly

P.S: Do forgive me for not including the chromatics, but I know naught regarding them.

[Hoihe]

The next sheet of paper follows the other's topic, but this time it is clearly about the divine, for instead of the well known symbol of duty, a circle without anything adorning it stands drawn at the top of the page. It is a perfect circle, like Asgorath himself.

A Dragon Warrior and his obligations p.2: The gods

What are we, mortals? What are we without the guideance of the greater beings? Every and each mortal heeds the words of another above them, but is there anything that holds more truth than the word of a god? No, there isn't.

Gods expect their children to honour them with ample reason. If you create something then you have all the right to ask for something in return. Gods' request is simple, a short prayer of thanks. Every and each race has a known creator, save the humans. A dragon warrior, while they are not a half blood they are in a difficult position. Without lord Asgorath ,whom is also known as Io in certain planes and locations, there would be no world. Some scholars disagree and put him to a lower status. Even then, a Dragon Warrior must be thankful to him for She created dragons. Without It's presence there woudln't be the creatures to praise. And there wouldn't be a world to live in.

Asgorath does not really care though for things that do not endanger the dragon kind. Do not be disheartened warrior if the World-shaper does not answer your prayers. If you seek immideate reaction though, there are two gods that share an ample interest in non dragons. Bahamut and Tiamat. The Warring gods. They may not reply either, but do know: What you do in their name, they are grateful for.

There are other gods, pay them favour as well. Were you humored by a copper dragon? Thank Hlall. Did you slay a dragon in the name of one of the Warring Gods? Dragons deserve respect in death, no matter their race. Stab a sharp weapon through their heart, then stop for a prayer. Utter Ssifisv Persvek Martivir [The draconic words of Rest in Peace are written using molten gold], lower your head and pray for Lendys, to deliver Just punishment for their sins and to deliver their well deserved rewards for their paragon acts. Pray to Chronepsis for they must find peace in death, and request him to guide the honourable foe correctly.

[The rest of the 17th page are illustrations about the draconic pantheon, their dogma written underneath]

Bahamut:
"The dogma of Bahamut is based on:

Justice Nobility Protection Honor.

He teaches his followers to always uphold the highest ideals of honor and justice, To be constantly vigilant against evil and to oppose it from all fronts, and To protect the weak, liberate the oppressed and defend just order. "
[It is clear that the writer greatly enjoyed copying this dogma, and he has written it with a mix of Platinum and silver ink.]

Tiamat:
"Rival deities of all creeds and from every pantheon are inherently tyrannical. They seek only power, at any cost, despite their honeyed words. The Dragon Queen is the only being powerful enough to defy the gods and overthrow their despotic rule, as demonstrated by her overthrow of the other Untheric deities. Work tirelessly toward the day when Tiamat will banish the gods from Faerûn and unite the world under her rule. Toward this goal, follow her commands unquestioningly and be willing to sacrifice yourself in her service. To overthrow the gods requires power, and power is acquired through the accumulation of wealth and magic. Power demands respect. Chromatic dragons everywhere are to be venerated as the spawn of the Dragon Queen and paid homage. When Tiamat assumes her throne, her draconic children shall serve her as dukes, and her clergy as their mortal vassals."
[It is obvious that the writer took great pains to copy this dogma, for it is written in a colour of red ink... colour of agression]

[And the page goes on and on. It could be thought almost as a religious book, with the amount of deicfic knowledge compressed into one page.]

//can't find the others' dogma. Sorry.

[Hoihe]

//I wonder how many words I wrote, is there an easy way of finding it out without posting it on a writing site?

[Valefort]

//Around 4720 if you didn't add spaces everywhere.

[Hoihe]

//Around 4720 if you didn't add spaces everywhere.

//but how?

[Valefort]

// copy paste in a text editor, edit a bit to remove text formating [ I], , etc.. have the beautiful software count the spaces.

[Hoihe]

Upon the next side of the sheet, the same runes stand but they are followed by a different one. Instead of urathear((deity)), the simple term of irthir ((knowledge)) stand.

A Dragon Warrior and his obligation part 3: The Knowledge

The material written here responds most to those who seek to parley with dragons, hereby knowledge on how to understand a dragon is described:

Dragon Warriors must know the lore of dragons. They must know how to tell chromatic to metallic, friend to foe. When a layman spots a dragon then another of the same race, they can't spot any difference save for the most obvious of scars or size. A dragon warrior must know how to differentate dragons even from the same age, family and gender. There is no greater humiliation than mistaking your Elder for your master.

A Dragon Warrior must also know how to notice the emotion of a dragon. It can save their life or their chance of success regarding their tests. Generally, the older the dragon the more serene their expression will become. Identifying the mental state of a great wyrm during a light winded dialog is next to impossible for a layman. A wyrmling's trigger-happy emotions on the other hand, make even a layman understand their intent. A dragon warrior must tackle the impossible and recognise happiness, sadness, distaste, disapproval from a great wyrm. It is difficult to achieve and without the mental state it's impossible. It is far easier to identify a kin's emotions to the emotions of another species.
I will now give some pointers on what to keep an eye for.

Wings: A dragon can use it's wings for more than just flying or combat. It is a tool of communication. If a dragon's wings are relaxed then one thing is certain : They do not deem their conversation partner a threat. Unfortunately even if their wings are raised, it does not mean that they deem you a threat, merely they are expressing their alertedness.

The Eye: The obvious choice for understanding the state of mind. Every sentient or even unintelligent creatures express emotions varying from basic to the most complex through their eyes. The same methods of reading apply to dragons, but one must watch for a few things. Like cats, dragons have a slit of an iris, which can expand extremly wide to take in more light. This alone can show fear or anticipation. But there is more to it, to the casual observer a dragon's eye is always a slit. If one were to look close they would find a second iris and pupil within the first. This inner apperture can be shifted and rotated to the extent of 90 degrees. If a dragon shifts it to overlay the first, they seek to focus on one point in great detail. But when it is set to the right angles, it shows that the dragon feels that there is something hidden or just wishes to examine his enviorment as a whole.
The idea of blinking when scared can be abandoned with dragons for their eyeballs are protected invisibly.

The Ears: Perhaps one of the most difficult tools and the least rewarding. A dragon's ears can be difficult to differentate from their frills. Their only use in a conversation is to see if the dragon is listening, it constatly twitches towards the source of the sound.

The Claws: A dragon has a set of claws that have some semblence to a human's hand. It can grasp, but not so precise. It is enough to use wands or cast spells. When taking a dragon's claws into consideration, act the same way as you would with a spell caster.

The facial characteristics can not be described, they have to come with practice.

Dragon Warriors and laymen

The saying goes "Got a thing with dragons? Ask the closest retired Dragon Slayer!". While a dragon slayer may provide many a valuable material regarding how to fight a dragon as an outsider, the Dragon warriors can give more valuable insight with their understanding of Hows and Whys. The Dragon Slayer knows how to avoid blows, how to strike the hardest and cause the greatest bleeding. A Dragon Warrior dedicated to protecting their kin knows the same and more. When a dragon roars, a dragon slayer takes it as either pain or anger. A dragon warrior must see deeper and act upon it. Dragons aren't scared but they can be threatened. Act according.

A dragon warrior's utility does not expand to just fighting though. They can also be an useful tool when parleying with dragons for they can be understanding. Just do not bring a metallic dragon warrior to a meeting with a chromatic. Dragons have excelent sense of smell. They do not like dragons from the other type. When talking to a dragon of the Dragon Warrior's type... they are invaluable.

Also pay heed to make sure that there is no ignorance, there is knowledge. Your avarge person beleives that dragons may only breathe fire and are evil. It is within your power to allow them to see the truth. Use your own breath as demonstration if you beleive it to be strong enough. Many needless deaths can be avoided this way. Teach them about the oh so praised too, they may understand not to run when a dragon lands seeking aid.

//Based this chapter on:
Dragon Friend (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, a dragon samurai gets a +4 circumstance bonus on all Charisma-based checks when dealing with dragons of his type's color.

And Hoihe's no green dragon warrior, that's why he failed epicly with Achiusk

[Hoihe]

And at last comes the last page before the final cover. Perhaps the page that interests general scholars the most. The page where the Dragon Warrior's abilities are described. Abilities that set them apart from normal men and women.

The power of a Dragon Warrior

People fear dragons and rightfully so. They are mighty creatures. Those whom are related to them are often also feared. People fear what they do not know. Let this final chapter be the gust of wind that whiffs the fear away.

A Dragon Warrior is gifted with plenty of abilities. From the ability to understand a dragon's mind to martial abilities. A dragon warrior often ends up mutating: growing fangs, claws even having their skin become hardy. These are more of a status symbols than actual weapons. While the claws are sharp as a sword, while the fangs are capable of piercing leather, It is too dangerous to use them in a real fight. A Dragon Warrior's head is not protected by the scales of a dragon and a helmet gets in the way when biting. A Dragon Warriors hand might be encased in chain or mail but the claws are not large enough to pose a real threat to the strongest armour, claws can not be used for defence either. There are ways to use the claw, such as when the warrior ends up in a wrestle or ends up overpowering their opponent. With some insight one can use them to disable an opponent. Grasp their bicep and they will rue the day forever thanks to the pain. Graps their throat and they die swiftly. Far easier than simply strangling. If all is lost, these weapons can be used to defend one self still. But there are better weapons to a Dragon Warrior which I shall now describe:

A Dragon Warrior can not be scared: Dozens of battle tactics rely on scaring and demoralising the opponent. They do not work againts a Dragon Warrior. It is not a supernatural ability like a paladin's immunity to fear. That comes from the god's blessing and not from the intense training and state of mind. A dragon warrior can not be scared because they endure the most fearsome: the Dragons, on a daily basis.
After meeting with a true Great Wyrm and speaking to one, one's mind becomes diamond to fear. But this immunity does not merely hail from meeting with the great wyrms, far from it. If it were the case then half of the adventurers all over Faerun woul be immune to fear as well. The true source is this is the ability to think as a dragon would. The ability to flee from unslightly odds is not stripped from a Dragon Warrior unlike a paladin. Dragons can flee too. But when you think of yourself as what you are: Someone who was recognised by the Great Wyrms themselves for your ability. You then receive a powerful state of mind.

The resistance of elements: A brass, red, blue,bronze gold Dragon Warrior in a desert has no problem walking around in heavy mail at all even in the intense heat of the Fire Pits or a Volcano they are barely disturbed, though a blue or bronze dragon warrior will have trouble. A silver or white dragon warrior can endure the most extreme of natural cold without any trouble. They can walk around wearing nothing and not become sick. Black, green and copper dragons also have an ease in cold areas, but it's only a tiny bit. Blue and Bronze dragon warriors when exposed to the power of storms, the lightning do not flinch. Their skin won't become singed from simple surge of electicity. Only the strongest storm may harm them. A copper, green or black dragon warrior may find acidic bath to be not so painful. The substance simmers of their skin.

Dragon breath: A dragon warrior is not a true dragon, they do not possess the Draconis Fundamentum. A true dragon uses the said organ to invoke the power of elements into their breath, a dragon warrior instead shares a half-dragon's technique. They take a deep breath, fill their lungs with air. They concentrate: assailing their lungs with elemental energy from outside. Their veins carry the energy too in the form of aridarastixiejir. Once the air within is properly energised, with a powerful exhalation that turns the lungs devoid of any air the dragon warrior becomes fearsome. The untrained will have trouble keeping concious after such but the well trained will be able to quickly recompose themselves, swiftly refilling their lungs with air. It is a draining process either way and for reasons of safety only the most experienced dragon warriors may breathe thrice a day. The Dragon Breath grows with the warrior. Even if it is not the focus of training it ages. Dragons become more powerful as they age, dragon warriors enjoy a bit of this blessing as well by the course of their breath.

Weapon of the Elements: One of the more disturbing abilities. A trained dragon warrior with a firm grasp of their abilities may shape their breath into a far less exerting technique, the Elemental Weapon. There are three ways to do it, in the order of difficulty: To lick the weapon, to spit on it and at last to breathe on it. A dragon warrior's body eventually becomes like the dragon's they imitate, reeking of elemental energies and powers. Licking or spitting on a weapon results in a weak enhanchement but those are the least dangerous and easiest to control. When breathing againts a weapon a Dragon Warrior must learn how not to exert their remaining breaths for the session, how to not destroy the weapon and at last how to keep the energies on the weapon, mostly in the form of a persistent cloud.

[Hoihe]

And the sheets of paper turn to hard pinewood once again, the finery of a skilled scholar's vellum turn to the carvings of a crude tool.

Vinxa ihk urcaxir sia turasjir shafaer Darastrix Arytissi. Si charis mobi re sva gekip vi lauth halitradi kikrema.

- Avowed Hoihe Dacino of Candlekeep.

((Thank you for reading my book on Dragon Warriors. I hope there are at least a few mysteries explained. ))

// The random draconic words are there to remind anyone reading this that the book is in draconic and for flavor.


Awaiting DM approval!

This book is IC and is written by Hoihe Dacino based on his experiences.