The Path of the Great Dragon/The Great Library

The Great Library

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Truly a collection of small libraries, the Great Library is the sum of the knowledge stored and studied in Temples of The Path of the Great Dragon. Open to all of the religion's members, peasent and noble, it contains rare relics, ancient manuscripts, and scholarly musings. It constantly growing, as new wisdom, and old writings, are found. It is the single largest collection of Great Dragon related information in the entire world.

Because of the value of writings from the time of the Great Dragon, there exist many forgeries and fakes. Furthermore, because of the difficulty in translating ancient documents, the meaning or wording of them is often confused. This is represented in the Great Library by the "Authenticity" rating, which represents the likelihood that the document is real, and translated correctly. A rating of 90-100% is known to be real, 70-90% is most probably true, a rating of 50-70% is probably real, but may have lost alot of meaning in translation, while a rating less than 50% casts real doubt on the document being authentic.

META: Information in these articles might be known by any full member of the Path, or anyone who had been let into the Library by a full member (a not uncommon event, given the ideals of the religion).

The Scholarly Articles of James Indiana

• Published: Present Day
• Authenticity: Not Applicable

On bloodlines from the time of the Great Dragon:

The bloodlines of the nobles who brought about the path are unclear; it is known 1 of the bloodlines ended before the discovery of the New World. The others, it seems, survived. Most adopted a variation of 'Dragon' as a family crest or name, but it is hard to tell the original bloodlines from those who adopted the practice later..."

The Oracle of Draconis

• Published: During the rule of the Great Dragon
• Authenticity: 70% - Significant translation errors.

"On the third night of the festival, the Dragon spoke to his oracle. He sayeth: “At dawn, following the fifth year, and the end of the age of the Drow, 7 men will leave their homes. Four will leave from this place, my mountain throne. Two will leave their posts on the contested border. One will come from the eternal wars to the south. They will come to the place where men and exiles clash, and there, from the ashes of four wars, they will bring about the land of Draconis, and guard my throne, and there I will one day return.”

Gilead's account of the Dragon's Sacrifice

• Published: modern transcription of an oral history
• Authenticity: 85%

Long ago, a Great Dragon who lived in the central mountains. It claimed dominion over all the continents, between the snows at the top of the world, to the warmth of the southern sea. The Nobles and peasants both looked upon the Great Dragon with gratitude and respect. There are stories of The Dragon demanding unwavering fealty, and sending great misfortune on those who opposed it, but there are also tales that it held the first free elections, spoke the first just laws, and forgave even those who sought to destroy it. It is clear that the Dragon had the best interest of all mankind at heart, but that those who strayed from its path would be smitten by his mighty talons.

After thousands of years, but before even the first Realm existed, a group of nobles banded to together to secretly oppose the Dragon, and sent a group of the bravest nobles to slay the dragon. While wise and just, The Dragon had ruled too long, they reasoned. Mankind could not advance itself while under the rule of such an old and admittedly strict leader; traditions would become too ingrained, and neither technology nor commerce would flourish under his direct rule. They arrived at his Mountain Throne, drew their swords, and fought heroically. But were no match for the Great Dragon. In one stroke of His terrible claws, they were torn asunder.

“Why throw your life away like this?” Asked the Dragon, but since he was all-knowing, he knew the answer.

The mark of a great Being is being able to be swayed by logical argument. And the Dragon was certainly great. The Dragon, in a divine revelation, realized the heroic Nobles were right; mankind could not become as great as Him while he ruled them; only by facing challenges on their own could they one day gain wisdom and strength.

So, the Dragon made a great sacrifice. He allowed one of the heroic Nobles, with her dying breath, to strike him down with her sword.

But the Dragon would not leave mankind alone in the night. From that day forth, he would watch over mankind. Occasionally, he would guide events; choosing Kings and Queens, adding his hand in battle, coming in visions to give men guidance. He also sent his supernatural servants out to the world to help mankind, both by guiding them and by giving them a chance to prove themselves.

By studying his words, and following his teachings, we can make ourselves greater assets to all mankind.

Blaeric's Account of the Discovery of a Lost Temple

• Published: Modern Day
• Authenticity: Not Applicable

An excited knock at the large oaken doors of Blaeric’s chambers snapped the Duke out of his stupor. He sat at his large writing desk, littered with papers and reports come in from all over the realm. Blaeric sighed at the pile that lay under his wrists. Those were only from the city. He had several clerks sort through the realmwide reports and select the few deemed important enough for his personal attention. That pile was twice as large and he had barely made a dent in Poitra’s records. It would be another long night.

Blaeric had found himself daydreaming of late. He longed for the sword to be back in his hands, but he had also grown accustomed to the honour and security of his position. He had been daydreaming quite often, however. Or were they daydreams.

He often found himself looking, as though through someone else’s eyes, at battlefields and courtrooms that he somehow knew had not existed for centuries. Snippets of battles flew across his mind, battles he had never fought. Worst of all, he remembered, or seemed to remember, dieing. And more than once.

Blaeric swallowed at that. Ludicrous as it sounded, he was somehow so sure. And through every daydream he felt a presence, a guiding spirit that seemed to be a part of him. Guiding him through these…memories. Teaching him of battle, and justice. Could it be the work of the Great Dragon? Blaeric chuckled slightly at that. True, all his life he had felt somehow, guided, by some being greater than himself, but the Great Dragon himself? Why would the gods take an interest in him? No, it had to be something else.

As the knock was repeated Blaeric hastily capped his ink jar and strode to the oaken doors, parting them to admit Roln, one of the commoners who had pledged to serve him in the name of the Path.

“Sire,” came Roln’s excited voice, nearly squeaking, “We have uncovered something! Your order to clear the sewers as part of our search was right!”

“Show me,” Blaeric ordered, and frowned slightly. How had he known to have the sewers searched? Sure, Poitra was known to sit atop an ancient city, but it too was massive. How could he have been so right?

Surrounded by his guardsmen, Blaeric hurried out of his manor house and was greeted by the group he had assigned to Roln in front of the gates. Blaeric checked the position of the moon, and sighed. Devin, Blaeric’s scribe, would have to finish the reports tonight. The man always checked in around now to see if he needed assistance on finishing the day’s business, and would see to the unreviewed reports still lying on his desk. A good man, Devin.

As they approached the entrance to the sewers that lay only a few blocks from Blaeric’s estates, the Duke caught Roln by the coatsleeve. As he spoke, his guardsmen began to lead the way into the sewers.

“Tell me Roln, what is it you think you have found? I wish to know so that I can consult my thoughts.”

Roln’s voice came again in an excited squeak, “Sire,” he said breathlessly, “I believe we have located what remains of an ancient Temple of the Path.”

It felt surreal to Blaeric to be walking through the dimly lit avenues of the sewer system below his city. Oh, the grime did not bother him in the slightest, any number of battlefields he had served in boasted much worse conditions. What was odd was that the sewers and aqueducts had been built upon what was unmistakably the streets of the city that had once stood where Poitra now stood, now sunken beneath and crumbling. Vast stone piping intertwined with crumbling, unidentifyable buildings made Blaeric's spine shiver.

"Not so far now, my Lord," Roln informed after nearly an hour. The group had been waling mostly in silence, all taking in the erieness of their environment.

After a few more minutes Roln stopped abruptly, as did the other searchers. "Here we are, Sire."

Stepping forward, Blaeric took in the sight of the massive building that stood in front of him. High and wide, it was clear the building had ended in a long point that had long since crumbled away. A massive opening stood at the lopsided centre where Blaeric surmised the apparrantly massive doors had once stood. Inlaid across the stonework were several winged creatures, intertwined with one another. Blaeric recognized them immediately at some stonemason's interpretation of dragons.

"We had the records searched before I came to inform you, Lord Blaeric," came Roln's now steady tone, "We found this same image printed on several of the documents found by Lord Roland in his search of the city. It seems likely that they came from this building, and if they are connected to the Path, I believe our only conclusion can be that this is the rumoured temple that once stood in the city."

"Astounding," echoed Blaeric's deep voice as he strained to take in the implications of what he was staring at. Strange, did this place seem familiar? It seemed as though he was sure he had stood in this exact spot at one time.

Snatching a torch from one of his guardsman, who quickly fell into rank behind him, Blaeric offered Roln a nod, and led the way into the temple.

It was...dingy. The temple had clearly lay empty for more years than Blaeric cared to think about. The air carried a musty thickness that was stifling. Oddly, no spiderwebs hunh anywhere, not even in the darkest corners. And the temple was....bright, as if the torches they carried were giving off twice as much light as they should.

Blaeric bagan to walk between a row of tables towards a small altar that stood along the back wall...

Suddenly he stopped, and his vision began to blur. It was as if his very eyes were filling with water. Then his eyes became clear, and things looked much different.

He stood in the same spot, but the temple was no longer dark and dreary. Candles were lit on all the tables, and sunlight came in through large windows filled with coloured glass that had stood empty and dark moments before. And there were people.

Dozens of people in red robes strode between the tables, and sat in them conversing or reading. Nothing could be heard, as if Blaeric's ears had been filled with mud. He looked around in wonder, taking in large tapestries that hung from sturdy walls which moments before had been cracked and slumped. Staring straight ahead he saw the altar, covered in a red cloth embroidered with gold trip, with a large golden sculpture seated proudly on top. Suddenly a man was talking to him, soundless words that he could not hear. The man was quite tall, blonde and fair, and was dressed in red like the others, only he held a sparkling golden sword belted around his waist. Motioning for Blaeric to follow, the man led the way to the right wall, where a large vault stood open. Blaeric realised the man was carrying a thick leatherbound red book, which he was gesturing with excitedly. As they approached the vault, the man placed the book inside, and closed the vault, sealing it, and began to walk away. Blaeric's vision blurred once more.

Sound came flooding in, though there was not much to be heard. He was standing again in the temple, only the tapestries and the people had again vanished, and the must in the air had returned in full force, and a thick layer of dust once again covered the crumbling furniture and cracked walls.

Blaeric looked around, and noticed he was standing in front of the vault, though now it too was covered in a thick layer of dust.

"Erm, Sire?" came Roln's hesitant voice, snapping Blaeric out of his contemplation. "Are you alright, My Lord. You're face went all blank just then and you dropped your torch, then you waled over here. Is something the matter?"

"I...no, Roln. No." Blaeric said distractedly. "I was merely lost in thought for a moment. Shaking his head as if shaking off a shiver, Blaeric motioned toward his men. "Open this vault immediately. And be carefull, there may be something important inside."

The guardsmen, who were still looking at him with a bit of concern, began to work on the vault, and very soon had broken the ancient bolts that held the door in place.

"Stand aside," Blaeric ordered. He was now shaking slightly with anticipation, if he found a book inside...

Kneeling in front of the vault as the dust cleared from the door, which had now been removed. Blaeric's eyes widened in shock. There were several objects in the vault, most unrecognizeable with decomposition, but in the centre of the top shelf sat a crumbling, but mostly intact leatherbound book.

It was red.

Taking it carefully in his hands, Blaeric studied it. He recognized the pattern on the worn cover immediately as the one he saw in his...vision? Dream? Memory?

Spinnig suddenly, Blaeric cradled the book under the crook of his arm, and began to bark orders. "Roln, find fifty men and start cleaning this place up. I want every inch of dust gone. Ebin, take five guardsmen and come with me. When we reach the street, I want you to find out what stands above this temple immediately, and report back to me."

Igonoring their nods of compliance, Blaeric hurried out of the temple, and began making his way back up to the surface.

The walk back to his estate had seemed like a timeless blurr, one that Blaeric could barely remember. As he entered his chambers, he shut the door quickly behind him, and leaned against it heavily. He had been shaken up. Badly. What was happening to him? How is it that he saw the temple as it was when it was populated, for he was sure know that was what he had seen. Had it been a vision or..... a.... memory?

Blaeric shuddred violently.

Remembering the book in his hand, Blaeric rushed to his writing desk and smiled. He had uncovered an ancient temple of the Path! Such a discovery on its own was astonishing, but this book was something else. Carefully opening it so as not to damage the brittle parchment, Blaeric's eyes widened in shock.

The runes inlaid on the paper, barely legible in some parts, were the same as those found by Lord Roland. Noth only did this mean they were from the same time, but, if Roland's man was still in the city, there was someone nearby who could translate the thing! Atleast what could be read of it.

A hasty knock brought Blaeric up from the book and he opened the door, revealing a breathless Roln.

"My Lord," he puffed, "I have done as you asked. Workmen are already down in the temple cleaning up what they can. I've instructed them to carefully transport any artifacts thy find to the main hall downstairs. I have also discovered what lays over the temple. It is a worn out tavern, sire, abandoned since the undead sacked the city."

Blaric cringed at the thought of those corpses crawling all over his city. "Excellent Roln. I have one more task for you. Seek out a man in the city. I know not his name, but those who attended Lord Roland on his stay here should be able to locate the man he employed for certain...tasks. Find him, and bring him here immediately. Also send up one of the scribes. I have several letters to dispatch immediately."

Nodding in assent, Roln ducked out and went scurrying down the stairs. Blaeric hurried back to his writing desk and began to write furiously, glancing excitedly at the crumbling book.

The Dragon's Hand

• Published: 5 to 50 years after the Dragon's Sacrifice
• Authenticity: 70% - Significant translation errors

Herefore is told of five Great Men who served as the Almighty Dragon’s Hand. Men chosen by the Great Dragon for their skill, bravery, and commitment to justice and upholding justice and meeting injustice with great fearlessness and fury. The Great Men of the Hand served purposes for the wishes of the Dragon and those purposes were twofold. Their duty the First was to uphold the edicts of the Dragon, and ensure his will be done by those who worshiped and sheltered under his light. For yes, the Dragon sees all and knows all, but saw that for mankind to thrive they must learn to hear his will spoken by men whom he chooses, and let them make their paths through the advice of the Hand for it is divine and comes from the Dragon himself, though few could hear the Dragon’s voice directly and listen with knowledge to his words. Hence the Hand was his mouth to the people under his light. Their duty the Second was to protect the Great Dragon and the light he shines over all. For this duty the Hand was wiling to give its life in his protection. And indeed they were called upon to die, and die they did when the men of the world rose in arms against the Dragon, before his great sacrifice. The story of that last battle goes thus:

As the noblemen raised their weapons to smite the Great Dragon, for feeling he had ruled too long, the Hand was summoned from their scattered places among the people to defend the Great Dragon and the light he shines on all. It was then the Hand came together in mighty battle, severing the heads and gutting the bodies of the Dragon’s foes. So many in number were the foes that the Dragon himself joined his Hand in bloody battle, banishing the enemies from the plane of the living. But soon, in triumphant bravery four of the Hand had fallen, leaving none but one standing to defend the light of the Great Dragon. Last was this act, and the last of the Hand charged, roaring in mighty defiance of this injustice, throwing himself upon the foe, and indoingso was slain to join his brothers of the Hand, all now perished in duty to the Great Dragon. It was then, upon seeing the death of the last of his brave Hand that the Great Dragon saw that, so righteous did his enemies think of themselves that they would turn to him in battle and seek his abdication. It was then, so the Dragon realized that in order for mankind to find his own way he must be able rule himself free of the Dragon’s physical presence. It was thenso the Great Dragon made his ultimate sacrifice, joining his brave warriors of the Hand in eternal light, all whom now fallen in the service of the Great Dragon. Andso as he cast himself into unlife, the Great Dragon, all powerful and all knowing raised in his hand the spirits of his five warriors, the brave men of the Hand who had fallen in his service. These men he made the Apostles of the Great Dragon, forever to stand with him in unlife, to watch over the world and help mankind shape until justice could one day touch all. Two of the men the Great Dragon placed on his knees, in honour to stand forever with him and lead mankind down the Path. Two of the men the Great Dragon placed on his shoulders, in honour to watch forever for him the human race who he so lovingly guides. One man, the last of the Hand to stand with the Great Dragon, the last of the Hand to throw himself upon the Dragon’s foes and die in his honourable light. This man he placed on his forehead, forever to share with the Great Dragon his thoughts, and help with the Dragon’s guidance the human race to find the path to justice. This man he called the Ael’Dregrath, First of the Apostles. The Hand of the Great Dragon stands forever with the Great Dragon, aiding mankind down the path to righteosness.

As the First of the Hand, the Ael’Dregrath, and his four brothers descended with the Great Dragon into the unlife, the Great Dragon gave them another duty to fulfill. For while they serve on the Dragon’s knees, and on his shoulders and atop his brow, all must watch for his Prophets, those who would walk the earth through the millennia, living the lives of men. The Ael’Dregrath and the rest of the Dragon’s great Apostles must watch for these men, and when they walk one must go to him, and join with his flesh to make him whole, so the light of the Dragon might spread and help mankind down the path to righteosness.

So the Ael’Dregrath, and the rest of the Great Apostles passed with the Dragon forever to serve their duties.

For those who died to serve the Great Dragon in his greatest hour, those who became the Ael’Dregrath and the Apostles. For them we remember. These Five names, let them echo through history:

Dedrican Salimaar, Ael’Dregrath, First of the Apostles.

Unfortunately, the names of the other four have been lost to us as the remainder of the page has been worn to such a degree that the ink used has faded and blurred completely.

The Sermons of Roland Occam

• Published: Present Day
• Authenticity: Not Applicable

On tolerance: Well, I suppose I am a priest, so I might as well start acting like one. It has been suggested that I give regular sermons, to give the Path something to think about, and ideals to unite in contemplation of.

Notice I said “in contemplation of” not “in agreement with”. The Path is somewhat unique in that pluralism is encouraged. You need not subscribe to a particular idea, a particular interpretation, wear a particular color of robe, or drink a particular vintage of beer to satisfy some particular deity. You need only live by the Creed to serve the Dragon. I believe intellectual discourse is healthy for us. Wisdom can be found in the clash of ideas and logical arguments. I applaud what Covenant and Legault are doing now; they give their point of view, and consider the other’s. Consideration is the root of all justice. From consideration, we gain not only justice, but temperance and tolerance. When the Brave Nobles confronted the Great Dragon, did he merely call them heretics and smite them, as he could have? No! He considered their ideas, respected their views, and ultimately, in his wisdom, saw they truly believed in the same things he did, and sacrificed himself to set mankind on the path towards greatness. We thus must inherit his justice, temperance and tolerance. We, as followers of the Path, must be tempered, inclined to recognize and respect the beliefs, practices, rights, opinions, and traits of others. Many of us come from Democratic realms; do not leave those ideals behind when you enter these temple walls! Tolerance is written into our ancient laws! Make the Dragon’s tolerance your own, and you become just a little bit more like him. But let us be wary; a religion which chooses tolerance, chooses the edge of certainty; far from the comfortable center. A religion that chooses tolerance along with honor, loyalty, justice, and knowledge, will require of its adherents a constant vigilance of the personal behavior that marches beside the common ideals. To lash out at those who do not know the Dragon’s truths, do not know of his writings, and even those who ignore honor and justice is the comfortable center. It is how they would expect us to act. Let us surprise them. Let us show that we have considered their faiths, and see common threads. Let us show them we tolerate their beliefs, even if they are not ‘correct’. The Great Dragon watches over all, not just the faithful. But when he looks at the faithful, let him see the ideals he showed.

On real-politick: As some of you have noticed, my opinions and perspectives have greatly fluctuated in the past few days. When I am not able to give well-reasoned council, I cannot uphold my duty to advise my fellow man. Thus, I have taken the last few days to contemplate, alone, in the woods of Kraake. Here, after wandering the entire region, I have come to believe that real-politick (acting in the rational self-interest of the state) is inconsistent with the Path’s teachings.

As we all by now know, Belluatera is poised on the precipice of conflict. All our realms face many troubles. I suspect the trials that face our realms differ widely in particulars, so I will not confine my words to any particular clash. Instead, I will merely relay what I have been thinking; I will let how this may relate to Mesh, Ashborn, Fronen, or any other realm as an exercise for the reader. I will speak only of honor, loyalty, and the Great Dragon’s teachings.

As our island ineviatably becomes consumed by war, we will all have to make many choices. Who should we stand with? Should we stand with those we know are right, or should we move in the interests of our own realm’s safety? Should we stay silent when the mighty strike at the weak? Should we stand by when the strong use their strength to control the weak? Shall we avert our gaze so as to not catch the attention of the giant? Should we let our fear dictate our morals, our actions, our convictions? Should our resolve be lessened by opposing strength?

We may be better off if we say “Yes” and do these things. We will certainly be safer. We may be richer and larger. We may even prove to have more peace. So, should we take this safe, secure and prosperous route?

I say, now, from deep in the woods of Kraake, that the answer should be “NO!” The Great Dragon teaches honor! We must stand by our word, our morals, and our principles, no matter the cost, no matter the foe. Should we stare into the jaws of a behemoth, we must have the courage to stare unwavering! The Great Dragon teaches us loyalty. Let us stand as a barrier, defend those we owe fealty, respect, our friendship. If our loyalty should fail we will never command such loyalty ourselves. The Great Dragon teaches us to defend the honor of our friends. To do so, we must stand with them in any just cause. Even if they stand with those we dislike, distrust, and were once our greatest foe, if the cause is just, let us help them. However, we must not go beyond the bounds. Defending a friend without regard for justice is not consistent with the Great Dragon’s other teachings. Friends are honest with each other. If a friend seeks an unjust cause, we must tell him so. In doing this, we help him more than we could with any blade.

My time as a statesman has shown me diplomacy is not always that simple. A leader must always consider the well being of his nobles, lands, and citizens. But this need not be, nay, should not be, at the expense of the Great Dragon’s principles. When honor requires it, when loyalty demands it, and when justice is served, we need to be willing to brave dire peril and pay a great cost. We must do not what seems best, but what is right.