Dragon Companions
"The Kandari is no easy thing to master,” Stchn said. “They are like too many others.” He waved his hand in disgust. “They do not take the tests seriously. They think Kykini will answer to them once they wrap their fingers about the wand. They are wrong. Dragons chose their companions and if they find one wanting, they will no longer be a companion. Sometimes they are no longer much of anything."
~~Stchn, The Glass Volcano
all artwork by Shanda Nelson
History
The first reference to dragon companions comes from a myth about Gada Kiori and her first battle with the sfinckses, dating some 23,890 years ago. His name was Asevalan, and he kept records of the conflict. The myth calls him "companion of esteem to the Earth Mother Dragon."
After this time, tales of four other dragons and their companions become common. Not that the dragons had many companions, but the stories told about those few fill volumes on dusty library shelves. Many of these stories have a religious cast to them, whether the adventures were religious in nature or not. Some Searian scholars believe this is due to orders latching onto popular mythic characters and attempting to lure people to their cults through the link.
The last known dragon companion was a Rakan named Farara, who mastered Lajaka, Ice Dragon of Lassa's artifact. She lived during the Jonna Empire's withdrawal from aki n'di ori lands, long enough ago for the tales of dragons and companions to fall out of reality and into the bin of myth and legend. Modern scholars think dragons and their companions are nothing but characters in stories used as propaganda against the uneducated masses.
Humans call those who defeat the artifact dragonmasters. Dragons call them companions and scoff at the hubris that names them master.
Neither dragon companions nor dragonpriests mention the exact nature of the trials. This secrecy has prompted many a scholar to make outlandish guesses as to what, exactly, they entail. Due to prejudice in some circles, a common misconception has taken root that only wielders can touch the dragon artifacts, so only mystery artists may vie for them. Other scholars laugh because the identities of several non-wielder dragon companions are known.
The Trials
Who can become a dragon companion? How is it accomplished?
Potential dragon companions are wielders, warriors, even weavers, who have dared to enter a dragon lair and complete several mysterious trials to reach a dragon's artifact. Once they have retrieved the dragon's artifact, the final trial is triggered and they must battle a last danger before the dragon appears and accepts their bid to be a companion. These trials are harsh and survival is not guaranteed. Cunning and strength are helpful, but not necessary. Sometimes luck plays a larger factor in success.
There are five known dragon lairs; the Glass Volcano (Flame Dragon), Hekara's Abyss (Ice Dragon), the Crystal Waterfall (Water Dragon), Seaside (Wind Dragon), and the Well (Earth Dragon). Each provides a unique challenge to potential companions, though what, exactly, those challenges are have been lost to time and the reluctance of dragonpriests and dragon companions to speak of them. Scholars agree, however, that from the dragonpriest perspective, the Well contains the most difficult series of trials. Since Gada Kiore is considered the Earth Mother's avatar, this is accepted as "well, duh" knowledge.
It is normally a personal decision, which lair to traverse. For wielders, they typically select the one that is in their magickal leaning (mystery artists attracted to flame spells decide to enter the Glass Volcano, home of the Flame Dragon). For adventurers, they often choose based upon the nearness of a lair. For commoners without wielding or warrior training, they often happen into them by circumstance, and make it to the artifact by wit and a good dollop of luck.
The dragons have designed their lairs' tests to be challenging but completable by anyone with enough courage and skill. They will not automatically hand their artefact to anyone, no matter their:
- family name
- wealth
- rank
- wielding prowess
- martial prowess
- religious affiliation
- ancestral importance
- homeland
Sikode has dreamed of a wand topped by a fist-sized diamond for as long as he can recall. He discovered through his schooling that the object was the artifact of Lajaka, and he took the dreams as portents of his future success in finding and mastering it.
There are times, potential companions dream of lairs and artifacts and dragons. This occurs when the person lives near the lair. There are times, when the dragon gives gifts to a potential companion, like a piece of jewelry or a knife.
Only humans may become dragon companions. Why?
IT'S A SECRET!
Dragon Companion
Dragon companions have the distinct honor of being linked to dragons. Dragonpriests alluded to the link but did not elaborate on its nature, keeping it a well-guarded mystery. If any dragon companions mentioned it in their memoirs and writings, those are lost to time.
The companions are second only to the dragon in the lair. This held more importance when dragonpriests still resided in them, but for the purposes of relations with governments and various leaders of civic and religious institutions, the companion speaks with the dragon's voice.
Companions are treated with respect and the utmost caution because no one wants to upset a dragon and fall to dragon justice. Even the nastiest rulers acquiesce to a dragon companion because retaining their throne and influence depends on dragon goodwill. Religious leaders, especially those who view dragons in the same way they view sylfaodolon, make them honorary members in their orders and grant them access to rituals and artifacts normally denied outsiders.
When companions leave the dragon's lair, the beast goes with them. They adventure around Seari until the companion dies, at which point the link between them is broken, and the dragon returns to their lair.
Only one family has ever had two members become dragon companions. Eserial mastered the Kandari and became companion to Kykini Cede, while her son mastered the Vendari, and became companion to Lajaka. Children of dragon companions tend to think they will inherit the rank upon the death of their parent, without needing to do anything to achieve it. They are wrong.
No one has ever been a companion to more than one dragon. Scholars believe that dragons are jealous of their companions. Realists point out few want to complete more than one trial.
Famous Companions
- Farara, companion to Lajaka
the last known dragon companion - Rorque, companion to Lajaka
Was said to have founded the Rastem, the most famous and elite music institution on Seari, with Lajaka's backing - Eserial, companion to Kykini Cede
mastered the Kandari and the Flame Dragon aided her in conquering the initial peoples of the Jonna Empire - Okadani, companion to Kykini Cede
a shadowartist and Flame warrior; granted the unique title of jeva jy kani, or the Blue Shadow Flame - Deuce, companion of Gada Kiore
National hero of Oritan; from Shalradioh
helped quell a third sfincks war before it gained a footing; she assassinated the sfincks leader Xukath in 4980 BGI
Lower Continent desert hero who brought her culture to Tonga, influencing the right of succession, art and music
retrieved the Vethen Crosscatch, a sylf-touched gold sculpture of a horse, from the Dry, giving it to Djarkin Thrall's cult in Mackdregh. Myth says the last of the Dry's rain went with it
led the Riqish revolution in Yethnik (modern-day Amberfar)
defeated the Drae-goun grassland warlord Nosoglas and helped draw the modern border with Fein
I really like how the trial is set up for one to become a dragon companion, as well as the mysterious nature behind what it actually means to be a dragon companion. I can see how having a dragon follow you around, however, would command instant respect.
Adazuri: A shonen-inspired magitech fantasy world home-brewed for 5e.
Thank you :)