by TJ Reynolds
By combining various minerals, gems and rock types, the dragons produce some of the most breathtaking works of art. A selfish dragon through and through, the Bale Dragons will give supplications to Yugos and to the glory of their own powers until the season has passed. Then they crush the masterpieces with a few lazy swings of their armored tails and fly off to sulk in lonely haunts until the next solstice.”
“The Basilisk is listed only because so many mistake this creature’s nature. Called False Friend by the dragons because of a long-forgotten betrayal. Called Egg Stealer because the basilisks have long coveted the dragons’ power, and have been known to steal and eat their unguarded eggs. Called Pretender for the manner in which basilisks will claim to be the very creatures they hate the most. Unwinged creatures with cruel hearts, the basilisks were hunted to near extinction.”
“The Mireen Dragon is known for its shimmering green-scaled hide. These noble and gentle dragons prefer to live in the deep forest, using the evergreens as camouflage. Often servants of Andag, the Mireen Dragons surprisingly often choose Yugos as well, as they worship fire, respecting its powers of consumption.”
“The Kolshar Moon Dragon is a smaller beast of only 10 cana snout to tail. They once called the Pearl Islands their home, and though their hides are a mottled gray that is unimpressive to look upon, the creatures earned their name as Moon dragon for their rare nocturnal behavior. These beasts tend to worship Angut, the god of the Abyss, and were once powerful enough to stand up to the council of dragons.”
“The Orondi Dragon, also simply called the Gold Dragon, is a noble creature whose bright scales speak equally honest of their bright minds. Given to endless study, these dragons choose a wide range of deities, each worshipping the god closest to their individual personality. Despite having the mental prowess to do so, the Orondi seek most often to become advisors and not the leaders of the world. And their services are considered more valuable than any other asset. It is said that if a king has the benefit of an Orondi advisor, his kingdom will flourish a thousand years.”
“The Angitan Dragon, named after its host deity Angut, once called the peaks of the Zargan Mountains their home. Often called The Wingless Dragons or The Wingless, the Angitan had thick limbs and a broad, muscular chest. Given their small wings, most of the Angitan were incapable of true flight. Gliding from peak to peak, however, remained well within their power. The race eventually died out after an extended war with cousin creatures that diverged from the Angitan and plunged deep below the mountains. These monsters of the dark were said to have been corrupted by an ancient evil. The war that followed took a toll on both sides, but the Angitan Dragons lost too many of their numbers to recover. A hundred years has passed since the last of these majestic creatures was seen in Anvar.
Select Examples of the Fauna of Anvar:
Baliska: The spawn of the larger and more formidable basilisk. In accordance to the will of their creator, these beasts are given to taking on many physical forms. These creatures can live independently of their basilisk master, and surprisingly, show signs of intelligence and goodwill towards other creatures when free of subjection.
Bunyip: A race of humanoid creatures with primitive technology but a keen sense of culture. Considered friendly by most species of Anvar, the bunyips are nevertheless often targeted as a food source due to their high fat content.
Fell Bully: One of the largest species of frog in the known world, the Fell Bullies secrete a poison from their musk glands that induces vivid hallucinations lasting upwards of twelve hours. The beasts have dwindled in numbers as the ancestors of modern Brintoshi hunted them for the drug they secrete for centuries.
Gargen: A small imp-like race of humanoids with the body of its closely related gargoyle brethren. Having adapted to subterranean environments, their wings have withered. Though no longer capable of flight, their stout limbs make them formidable foes.
Midgeling: A race of diminutive humanoid creatures that excels in music, dance, and story-telling. Lacking the ability to craft paper, the midgelings pass on their knowledge in the oral tradition.
Miremog: A many-limbed creepy thing that lives in the swamp in the southern reaches of Brintosh. Many claim it came from a sentient and benevolent species that was transformed by centuries of blight.
Lesser Fenrir: a strange creature that can be found along the eastern slopes of the Zargan Mountains, the lesser fenrir has confused a great many biologists. Several fruitless debates have been held regarding the creature’s parentage. Seeming caught somewhere between a feline and canine, the fenrir remains an uncategorized species.
Glass Spider: typically innocuous creatures, the spider’s gained a foul reputation after the infectious black fungus spread through their numbers. Those that fell to the infection initially became aggressive. The disease could not be cured, however, and eventually, these infected spiders lost control of their will. The glass spiders formed their alliance with the kobolds centuries ago. Such close unions between diverse species is rare, but much came of the unique interactions. This includes a pheromonal adaptation on the spider’s part, allowing them to sense their kobold rider’s emotions. Likewise, the kobolds learned a portion of the glass spiders’ language, which consists primarily of arm waving and rhythmic tapping.
Daldrim: once mere amalgamations, the daldrim slowly evolved to become a true species. When Bancroft and Kaius discovered them, they’d only begun to forge the elaborate culture they’d some day be known for. Cooking, with an emphasis on sauces and novel methods of spicing dishes, became their most notable accomplishment.
Kobolds: an ancient race sculpted from the stones of the mountains themselves by early dragons. Finding themselves in need of trustworthy servants, the dragons worked with their Earth Cores to create the first kobolds. After the betrayal of the dragons, many kobold tribes either went extinct or pulled ever further away from civilization. Only after the reawakening of the shivvered Earth Cores did the kobolds at last emerge again.
Brief Description of the Three Kingdoms of Anvar:
Brintosh (The Tiger): The military powerhouse of Anvar. Once worshippers of peaceful Andag, the pale-skinned savages left their primal roots behind when they adopted the fire and steel of Yugos. They maintain control of the largest harbors, and therefore have a large navy and incomparable cavalry and heavy infantry.
Brintosh’s capital is Creshon.
Kaltan (The Phoenix): Holding an economic advantage, Kaltan maintains independence from Brintosh through a thriving spice, horse, and gem trade. Rumors have surfaced claiming the Kaltanese nobles have an alliance with the Pinteans. Their elite forces consist of mounted archers, light infantry, and a network of peerless assassins.
Kaltan’s capital is Shosh.
Hintar (The Dragon): Fallen from power, this realm still maintains its territory by taking advantage of the Zargan Mountains that divide the continent. A tall and golden-skinned people, the Hintari boast the most powerful mages, rangers, and light cavalry.
Hintar’s capital is Arba.
Concise History of the Formation of the Three Kingdoms of Anvar:
The world of Lianin is composed of an endless, tumbling sea and three continents, which account for the majority of all viable landmass. The two most populous continents are Pintea and Anvar. The third continent remains a land of legend, and though few are remembered, has been called by many names. The Land of the Gods is one of them.
Pintea lies across the Wyvern Sea, so despite hostile relations, Anvar and her rival continent refuse to contend in outright war due to the difficulties of navigation. Dominated by the Elven Council, Pintea is home to many of the magically affiliated races: the gnomes, the beastkin, the elves, and their stocky cousins, the dwarves.
Anvar was once called Hintar and was ruled by the Hintari lords of old. Having made the mistake of allowing the Brintoshi and Kaltanese refugees to flee the islands off the coast of Pintea, the Hintari soon found their shores overrun by savages. The Brintoshi and Kalt
anese grew in population, and formed an alliance. The warlike civilizations forced Hintar to split its kingdom in three parts, and bound one another in an unlikely alliance called the Cantor Treaty.
A century later, the kingdoms of Brintosh and Kaltan found themselves bored and hungry for more territory. Reforging their alliance, they plotted and played out The Dragon War. Hintar struck a deal to maintain control of a portion of their old territory. By committing an act of unforgiveable betrayal, the Hintari royalty sided with the Tiger and Phoenix, and ambushed their dragon allies. All of the dragons were killed in a single massacre.
Brief Introduction of the Three Major Hintair Families:
Surtir Family: once the most powerful of the three, the Surtir were responsible for many of the great achievements of old Hintar. Many of the treaties and laws governing dragons, Earth Cores, and their sworn allies the monks were signed by the Surtir. Not all of the Surtir patriarchs were honorable or just, but a great many were. The Sunken Keep was their final enterprise.
Madriga Family: the youngest of the three lines, the Madriga were once little more than farmers. By consolidating their lands and controlling distribution, the family slowly grew until it was nearly as powerful as the Surtir. Gaining a taste of the privilege that comes with power, the Madriga quickly developed a reputation for being hard masters and greedy tradesmen. Their inevitable position on the high council was, according to some scholars, the first step taken towards the War of the Dragons.
Kargani Family: by far the oldest of the great families, the Kargani boasted the bravest warriors in Hintar for centuries. At last, the simple but effective javelin skirmishers proved insufficient when the Hintari long bow and spearmen were implemented by the Surtir family. This only served to inflame relations between the two families. The feud between them lasted until the Surtir were at last unseated from power. It was recorded that the Kargani took the lion’s share of the Surtir holdings, and are currently the strength of Hintar’s nobility.
Further Bancroftian Idioms and Their Qualitative Translations:
Easy come easy go - Quick to hand but hard to throw
Blessing in disguise - A wyvern with blunted teeth
Dime a dozen - A dollar for a basket of chicks
Letting the cat out of the bag - relinquish the hippogriff
Stealing my thunder - Steal my chain lightning
Wild goose chase - a centaur hunt
Two birds with one stone - three heroes in one trap
Elephant in the room - the dragon in the cellar
Breaking the bank - splitting gemstones
A tall glass of water - a wineskin full to bursting
Speak of the Devil - naming tomorrow’s storm
Straw that broke the camel’s back - pebble that smote the mountain
Sorcha’s Heavenly Leavened Loaf:
Baker’s Receipt~
◆1 1/2 cups of Buttermilk (If you’ve no Buttermilk at hand, substitute with equal parts of Clabbered Milk.
◆6 dessert spoons of rendered Swine, Duck, or Beef fat
◆1 dessert spoon of Molasses
◆1 dessert spoon of Sugar
◆1 kitchen spoon of Salt
◆3 1/2 cups of Flowre (wheat, rye, or barley)
◆3 kitchen spoons of Yeast (substitute with equal parts of Saleratus if no yeast is at hand)
◆1 salt spoon each of Thyme, Rosemary, and Angelica
◆A skosh of Sorrel and Black Pepper
A Note on Preparation and Execution~
Remember the adage: a lazy farmer loses his crop, but a lazy cook (or in this case a baker) can send his neighbor to an early grave with a plague of ill humours. WASH YOUR SHIVVING HANDS!
Preferably with a bar of sandsoap.
Always prepare your work area by rubbing it down with lemon rinds or else give it a good scrubbing with vinegar or a nip of your father’s whiskey.
After, strew some extra flowre about your kneading board.
Finally, make sure to knead for at least ten minutes. It’s a pain when you’ve a dozen more to follow, but the movements invigorate the body and spirit!
Steps for Producing the Dough~
Churn your buttermilk, lard or tallow, sugar and molasses in a bowl. In a separate, more commodious bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients, including the yeast.
Finally, stir the dry into the wet, just a little at a time now.
Make sure your stirring arm is good and loose, especially if you make double.
The dough shouldn’t be too dry. If it is, add a splash of buttermilk and you’ll be in the clear.
Next, knead the bread.
Take advantage of this activity by envisioning all of the disappointing figures in your life. It’s better than iced brandy and lemon tea… well, almost so.
Finally, cover your dough and let it rise for an hour. When it has plumped up to twice its size, give the lump some good punches before kneading it over a few times more.
Many bakers fashion their dough in the likeness of loved ones or prominent figures in society. Animals, most especially birds, are popular as well.
I use a shivving bread pan, but do as Andag inspires you.
While the dough sets to rise for another half hour, quicken your stove and latch it tighter than a chicken’s vent. You’ll want a moderate oven.
As any goodwife will tell you, leave the loaf in the oven till she’s good and done. Golden brown is what you want to see. (For a bit more flavour, pull the loaf out a few minutes early and brush on some black butter. Then put the loaf back in till it darkens to the color of molasses.)
Methods and Mannerisms to Enhance Enjoyment of the Loaf
It isn’t unwise to enjoy freshly baked bread without adornment.
When still warm, few things in this harrowing land can compare.
For the pioneering pallete, however, utilize a salamander to toast a slice or two. It lends the bread a fine crunch that brings to mind the textures of crisp bacon or glazed scones. I am partial to Canapés, modest portions of sliced bread that are either buttered or sautéd and slathered over in minced meats or fish.
If you find a need for a more spectacular crunch, mind the same slice of bread with the salamander twice over. A few in the town over call this zwieback bread, and though I consider it abhorrent, my father has taken to it.
Most often, a fine loaf of bread is best served alongside a proper meal. Aside from a proper portion of greens, a well seasoned house lamb can be a fine treat.
Consider placing a rasher of gammon on the bread, or do as the Brintoshi soldiers do (half-starved savages as they are) and fold the gammon between two slices of bread. I can’t be certain, but I believe this invention is referred to as a sandwich.
Croquettes remain my favorite companion to the Heavenly Leavened Loaf. They can be made with minced meat or fish, folded in with a few handfuls of raspings, dried herbs, and chopped giblets. Mold these into flat cakes and fry them in oil.
Regardless of how you take your bread, I feel certain you won’t be finding a more thorough accounting of its procedures than here.
Three pennies a loaf, Winford’s Bakery in Mindonne Town has and always will have the finest bread in all of Anvar!
Book Three: War Torn
1
Hawk Flies with Sparrows
Kai
The wind cut up over the distant peak like an invisible blade.
Bits of ice caught the afternoon light, turning them into a haze of golden sparks that cascaded upwards towards the group of dragons.
Kai shifted his wings slightly, gaining a bit more altitude so as to make the transition a little easier.
Now, let’s see if the young ones can manage the same with better results than last time, Kai thought, turning his long neck around to watch the dragonlings follow.
The first, the largest of the bunch, shifted his broad wings at the perfect time. A shudder passed through the dragonling’s body as the wind buffeted it, but it made it through easily enough.
After, the green-scaled Mireen dragonling thrust her head forward and charged into the blasting wind. Her smaller body rocked a bit harder; she had a stout heart and did nothing by half-measures.
The last two of the dragonlings, one gold and one white, braved the harsh winds.
The gold, an Orondi female nearly the same size as the Mireen, performed an interesting maneuver. She closed her wings halfway but inhaled and flattened her chest slightly. This allowed her to barrel through the harsh wind a little easier.
The Ananri, however, didn’t perform so admirably.
He shifted his head side to side, as if searching for some better solution than before. And of course, when the blade of wind crashed into his much smaller form, the dragonling’s flight was all but destroyed.
His wings popped back, and his thin body shook.
As he’d done time and again, the little dragon was thrown back, completely thwarted by the wind.
Kai circled round and met the Ananri.
Flying under the floundering dragon, Kai guided the beast back toward the others.
The two passed through the Knife’s Edge together, Kai’s massive body absorbing most of the force and allowing the little male to avoid a second disaster.