Storm visited Herenya in the elven lands and she explained the new horrors of these vampires from the north. This wasn’t the first time an evil has come from lands beyond Dragons Continent, Storm advised her he would not pursue unknown territories anymore as Dragons Continent was his concern.
Herenya was baffled by Storm's wariness, she couldn’t help but wonder what could possibly worry the gigantic grand dragon and halt his advance?
She questioned Storm abruptly. “Why will you not go further north of our lands? Why will you not rid the lands of these evils? What lies north that possibly scares you?
Storm was furious at Herenya’s insolence, he roared, “SILENCE YOU CHILD! I AM THE GRAND DRAGON AND I FEAR NOTHING. I also needn’t remind you of how easy I could take your life!”
Herenya was terrified and realised she had let her emotions get the best of her. “Sorry great dragon please forgive me.”
Having realised his own rage got the best of him, Storm pawed Herenya softly with one of his giant claws and apologised. Herenya turned to the new vampire elven child who was chained to a wall as his lust for blood saw him attack all in his path. The poor boy had lost control and was truly a vampire now, he glared at Herenya with hatred and an urge to kill, he now desired blood.
Herenya asked Storm reluctantly, as she secretly knew what the dragon's answer would be. “What do we do with him?”
Storm glared at the child in disgust and horror at what the child had become and what the vampire race does to the innocence of life on his lands, he responded coldly. “We will do with him what we will do with the vampires themselves . . . burn them into nothingness!” Storm blasted the child with green dragon fire until not even his bones remained, just charred green ashes. Storm solemnly turned to Herenya. “I’m sorry you had to see that. I will tell my dragons to patrol the map, seeking out and eradicating any vampires they see on our lands, perhaps if more appear then maybe I will fly north of Dragons Continent!”
It’s not known how many more vampires had made their way into Dragons Continent, nor does anyone know how many exist today. Storm and his dragons spent many years slaying any vampires they came across, as did all the other races, and to this day all races kill vampires on sight . . . if they can!
Gargoyles
Gargoyles are a brutish and physically powerful race in Dragons Continent. Physically intimidating with their muscular and powerful frames, they stand at around nine feet tall and can reach heights of ten feet. Their muscular bodies are also traditionally covered in native tribal markings, which are painfully carved onto their bodies using razor sharp daggers that have been heated and dipped in colourful inks, these markings reflect combat achievements and signifies status and position within tribes. Despite their muscular frames and heavy weight, they are surprisingly agile in the air with powerful and large wing spans that propel them into the air effortlessly and can see them come crashing down on opponents in battle ferociously. Gargoyles live in small tribes with no more than a hundred members, and the tribes are led by the head gargoyle or ‘Alpha’ as they are referred to. Within the tribe males can challenge the alpha for leadership however if the challenger loses, he is disgraced and forced to leave the tribe, if the challenger is successful, the alpha surrenders power and leaves. It’s common for ambitious males to leave their tribes without challenging the alpha and settle in new locations, preferring to start their own tribes and ultimately expand gargoyle settlements.
The gargoyles, despite their looks are very peaceful creatures and despite their battle prowess and abilities, do not like violence and view it to only be used as a last resort. The gargoyles have never fought amongst each other either, they are one of the few races that can display a racial history of peace and prosperity amongst each other. Gargoyles are highly intelligent beings and speak the Human tongue very well, as well as their own native language known as ‘Gargolic.’ Surprisingly, these brutish intimidating creatures do not live off of meat, instead they feed on fruits and vegetables which are grown and produced in their own tribes. Gargoyles are very capable and intelligent farmers, they are able to turn even some of the most rugged areas on the map into fertile lands to grow crops, fruits, and vegetables. Many gargoyles take their produce to markets to sell and trade and regularly meet dwarves to trade produce in exchange for superior dwarven armour. The gargoyles often offer up their strength and labour as part of trade deals with dwarves and help the dwarves build new armouries and blacksmith workshops. Dwarves are small and stocky beings and are not suited to general labour, heavy lifting, and construction, therefore gargoyles are happy to offer their services to help dwarves build and expand their culture, in exchange for precious armours and weapons. The relationship between dwarves and gargoyles is a relationship of peace and respect which is rare to find throughout this land.
Gargoyles have thick reptilian-like scales covering their entire backs, upper arms, and biceps, with the scales also spreading down to the backs of their upper legs. The scales also vary in colour, from green, red, blue, and even snake like patterns are common. The skin that is not covered in scales on their front torsos, lower arms and front legs is thick and hard, it is these areas of which their markings of battle achievements are carved into their bodies, symbolizing great triumph. The gargoyles have Human-like teeth, but with overlapping sabre tooth-like fangs either side of their mouths. They have thick jawlines and bone structures and their muscular physiques create an illusion as though they have been carved out of stone, they are incredible specimens of strength! Traditional gargoyle dress consists of leather and bronze armours which they make themselves as well as fur kilts and waistcoats, their battle armour is usually created by their allies, the dwarves who reside at Dwarven Peaks. Female gargoyles share almost identical traits to males, only they happen to be smaller and less muscular; that being said, the smallest female gargoyles are around seven feet tall and remain immensely powerful. Both male and females also have thick locks of black hair and piercing orange eyes. The gargoyles have mastered giant axe and hammer combat, and due to their size and strength have no issues swinging these gigantic weapons with enough power to cleave a man in half! During Storm's reign, they were visited regularly by dragons who found the gargoyle way of life to be a fine example to the rest of the world. It is said many years ago, the great grand dragon Storm would visit tribes of gargoyles and ask for their opinions and views when wars and skirmishes would break out to try and use their peaceful way of life as an example, however the gargoyle opinions could not breach the ignorant minds of other races.
Gargoyles remain peaceful and shy away from conflict, however the gargoyles may for the first time have to join the other races to fight against the East, no doubt they will help shape the fate of Dragons Continent and shape future generations!
Killing Monsters Page 40