Roaring Thunder: The Dominion of the Dragon Tyrant Raikoto; Or, The Gathered Storm; Or, Bolt From the Blue-ish; Or, Shocking Developments
The dragon Raikoto is the lord and master of Wilford’s Peak, commanding a prominent view from his cave near the mountain’s summit. He holds sway over wind, rain, and thunder, and the perpetual storm raging above the mountain is a testament to his power. The dark clouds over Wilford’s Peak are as much a deterrent to adventurers as the 70-foot long beast who generates the storm. Raikoto sits, assured in his supremacy, atop a glimmering mountain within the mountain--a vast pile of gold, jewels, and other precious objects.
After gathering such immeasurable wealth, Raikoto has left active conquest behind him in favor of basking among his treasures. This doesn’t mean his peace goes undisturbed, however. Would-be heroes continue to frequently brave the climb up Wilford’s Peak, to either attempt to slay the dragon, or to burgle as much of his hoard as they can carry. So far, none have been successful.
Among the dragon’s hoard are many masterfully-crafted relics: Enchanted swords, amulets bestowing invulnerability, and other precious works of artifice. Searching among his treasures, it becomes clear that Raikoto is most partial to collecting
spellbooks. The gift of magic seems to drive mortals towards hubris, and the dragon delights in proving that even the most powerful humans are nothing before a dragon. Wizards and witches have comprised more of Raikoto’s challengers than any other adventuring humanoid. The dragon is always certain to answer their challenge, taking their grimoires--and their lives--as trophies.
By far, the most valuable objects in Raikoto’s hoard are the pieces of
Cataclysm Carbon hidden toward the back of the cave. The dragon seeks this material, not only out of the traditional draconic drive to collect priceless treasures, but also out of self-interest. A single chunk of Cataclysm Carbon bestows remarkable abilities upon anyone who touches it. The power received is always random, and a person can be empowered by the substance only once, but it is nonetheless a threat to the dragon’s rule. The more lesser creatures that come into contact with Cataclysm Carbon, the more chance there is that one of them will be given an arbitrary ability that might cause serious trouble for Raikoto.
Quite the nuisance, that.
During his sieges upon the world below, Raikoto was certain to gather as much Cataclysm Carbon as he could find, to rob the mortals of their possible advantage against him. He scoured the surface of the world for every trace of it, and any that remains lies too deep underground for anyone to reach. The vast store of the substance is yet another reason for adventurers to raid Raikoto’s hoard, but, again, the dragon himself provides equal reason to
not chase that particular temptation.
Beyond the realm of elemental storm magic--tearing winds, overwhelming downpours, and shockingly lethal lightning breath--Raikoto possesses several other, subtler abilities that allow him to maintain his reign upon the mountain. Birds and other small creatures swear fealty to the dragon and serve as his spies, allowing him to observe the world without having to leave his mountain. Likewise, higher sentiences, such as human beings, can fall under the dragon’s control if they are unfortunate enough to make prolonged eye contact with him. The beast’s hypnotic gaze has allowed him to install several servants throughout the lower world.
More terrible still is the dragon’s ability to pervert the boundary between life and death. By summoning a bolt of animating lightning, Raikoto can transform the bodies of his fallen foes into undead wights. Armed with the same skill and power they possessed in life, the wights patrol the upper slopes of Wilford’s Peak and provide a deadly challenge even before reaching Raikoto at the summit.
Raikoto sits on his hoard of treasure, his control of the mountain absolute. The living serve as his eyes and ears in the world far below, while the dead offer a preemptive
bite to any that would dare approach his domain. Still, the temptation remains of boundless treasure, indeed, of a substance that could create a champion to
rival the dragon. The trouble lies in getting to that point.
Will a hero ever rise to oust Raikoto and liberate Wilford’s Peak? It is very unlikely. Folks are welcome to try though, and if dragonslaying doesn’t pan out, well, the dragon is always looking for new servants. Begging for mercy might at
least leave one intact and un-singed by lightning.
The Hither and Thither Expanded; Or, Drawing Back the Curtain!
The dragon Raikoto is the alternate universe analogue of the aquatic fortune-teller Daniel Obrove. He is not his former life, his blood relative, or a close acquaintance. He's the Obrove if Obrove were an electrically-charged draconic despot, while
the tide-seer seeks divine truth in what washes up on the seashore.
More Obroves can be found on their alt list,
here.
There are more "Danalogues" to come, eventually, so we kindly ask that you...
STAY TUNED!
