This summer marks a big, two-year anniversary for me and about 22 of my closest friends. June will mark the end of a major Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition campaign that I have been writing and working on for nearly three years. At current count, I have DM’d over 25 player-characters and several dozen NPCs that have helped forge the world of “Destinata.” Beginning at 1st-level, a group of seven intrepid adventurers set out in a world fraught with danger, treasure, and — yes, of course — a few dragons. Currently, six heroes set to close the story (they plan to achieve 23rd-level very soon). We have lost many brave souls over the two-year journey, and I thought it fitting to construct a literary monument in their honor. I have been chronicling their escapades in narrative form for about eight months now and will present their story here, on Pixelated Geek.
The story begins with a prophecy.
PRELUDE, Chapter 1: Suthomyn Draconis (The Draconic Prophecy)
Through the glory of the Platinum Dragon, Bahamut, and his serpentine realm, this scripture was written.
In All His Holiness, these words concern the one true vision, the prophecy made by the Platinum Dragon and his servitors at the time of banishment of the Dark Sister, Tiamat.
The Dark Sister’s expulsion from this realm shall be henceforth known as the Day of Great Ascension, as the Platinum Dragon’s true power was first known on this day. His rule in the heavens as the only of his kind is glory, peace, and righteousness altogether.
At the time of the Great Ascension, His righteousness the Platinum Dragon saw through the Earthloom to the far stretches of cosmos. The All-skein became known to Him for a brief moment, and, from this, His Holiness Bahamut discerned some of this realm’s fate. Though biref and cryptic, the images were stark and disturbing and are inscribed herein.
What follows flowed from the mouth of the Platinum Dragon, Himself. Be all they who hear it blessed and honored, for it is glory itself.
In his name, Bahamut Draconis, the Platinum Dragon, be bold.
Suthomyn Draconis
And in the seven hundred and thirty-third year following the Great Ascension and Banishment of the Dark Sister shall The Heirauphin come into being. The Heirauphin is He, the harbinger of chaos and the unraveling of cosmos. He is also known as the Demarked Heir, the Spell-spiller, the Darkened One, and Fortune’s Favor. His advent shall be abrupt, but the following sixteen years shall be halcyon days. The Demarked Heir shall arrive due to unnatural circumstances; His presence will shake the foundations of belief, faith, and reason.
His birth will serve as the catalyst of a maelstrom. In the subsequent dormancy of His advent, chaos will unfold and spread its tempestuous wrath across the world. The people, bolstered with pride, will fuel the world with the maelstrom’s reign. The Dark Sister, who will have for centuries wallowed in envy, will take her opportunity to return. And we vainglorious Deities will — like our supernal ancestors — be blinded and miss this moment. Her deceit will, once again, prove invaluable in determining the world’s fate.
The Heirauphin must be protected at all costs. He will usher the world out of chaos and attempt to return it to balance.
Disciples of the Platinum One.
Devoted to the Reflective Way.
Dismiss your pride;
Relieve your burdens;
Find the Heir and restore the Order.
Thus in the glory of Bae-huy’mat, the Platinum Serpent.
All images are copyright of the artists.
All Dungeons & Dragons references are copyright of Wizards of the Coast, LLC.
All narrative material and story are copyright of Robert C. Beshere.