The Paladin Karl Valerian Writes

When I arrived at The Golden's Temple in Axis they knew I would be coming to join them and they immediately offered membership into the Golden Order due to the training I had already experienced with the Crusader's people and because they knew my secret.  I felt that my fellow paladins and indeed anyone who served the Golden Order might resent my instant elevation without actually proving myself.  I agreed to undergo the same training as anyone applying for membership.  It seemed to please the priests that I made the offer so I feel I made the right choice.

I'm not going to say that the training was easy but it was definitely less brutal than what I had experienced before. I don't think a single person died and nobody had to learn any of the vile dark secrets that the Crusader's people have to learn, some of those wake me screaming at night even now.

I tried to help my fellow applicants. Most appreciated it I think. Some did not. And by some, I mean Anson Cole. I guess I should be grateful that he developed his hatred for me. It was because of his vicious attack that I learned that I was already accepted by The Great Gold Wyrm.

In a regular training session Anson and I were set up to spar with each other. Though I suspect Anson managed to insert himself into that match with me. He came on very strong. This wasn't new to me but when I realized he was actually trying to hurt me it flipped a switch in me I didn't know I had, or still had. The Crusader trains rage and hatred into combat. I had hoped I had left that behind.

I fought back in kind. No one tried to stop the match despite its obvious turn. I'm sure it looked much too dangerous to try to interrupt. The match ended suddenly when Anson took what was surely a mortal blow. The shock was obvious on his face as he fell. And as he fell, I realized my mistake. I had no desire to kill this man just because he didn't like me. I dropped to my knees over him nearly as fast as he fell. And I prayed to The Gold for help, for I had made a grave mistake. He didn't answer in words but his healing power flowed through me to where I was trying to hold Anson's wounds together.

Anson was healed enough so that he wouldn't die, and the priests came and took him away. I was told that The Great Gold Wyrm had shown that he had accepted me into his ranks with this unusual show of power. Usually the paladins weren't able to heal until after the swearing in ceremony.

I didn't see Anson again after that. The priests told me that I didn't need to worry about him. They didn't blame me for anything that happened and said I shouldn't blame myself either.  I took their council and went on my way. I don't know if he was kicked out or if they made him start his training over or something completely different.

Having actually earned the title of Paladin of the Golden Order I thought it was time to go on my pilgrimage to the Golden Citadel, The Great Gold Wyrm's stronghold that now lies in ruins.  The Gold's paladins are expected to visit the ruins and clean out any monsters trying to make it their home. Also I believe that visiting the ruins of the once splendid golden dome give us a sense of humility.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, others had different plans for me.   I was approached by a woman of stunning beauty, I was used to that description being applied to me but rarely had I seen it in others.  She seemed to be of mixed race but I wasn't sure exactly what.

I didn't know it but she was a dragon in human form.  I didn't consider that at the time even though I had heard that some of the more powerful dragons could transform into a human form. As far as I knew I hadn't met any that could change.  I can only assume that she was one of those more powerful ones.

She handed me a very official emblem of The Great Gold Wyrm and told me that The Gold had requested my presence at his citadel by the Abyss. I expressed that I was greatly honored by such an invitation and would indeed head there immediately.

Nearby was standing a young half-elf woman that overheard The Gold's invitation. She said she was headed that way and wondered if we could travel together. So travel together we did.

And as we traveled we both noticed a large orcish fellow behind us on several occasions. This very large half-orc seemed to be accompanied by another who was as tall but much leaner. This individual kept himself completely hidden.

As we traveled fellow travelers became much more rare but still these two odd individuals seemed to be following us. As they drew closer the half-elf maiden and I  discussed whether or not to confront them.  About the time we were close enough together... a confrontation we did have.  But not with the orc and his hidden companion but with giant vultures with biting  snake tails.

Six of these vultures attacked the four of us. During the combat we saw that the cloaked figure was a hyena-man also known as a Gnoll. And he was a mage!  Very surprising!

The half-orc was very good at ripping these things to shreds. And my companion seemed to be having a bit of trouble with her dress.  She apparently kept a bow hidden in her skirts. Unfortunately, hurriedly taking her bow out seemed to give her a bit of trouble.

After the vultures were dispatched we did a tentative meet and greet with our fellow combatants. The half-orc introduced himself as BA and the Gnoll introduced himself as Gar. 

And a dragon voice in my head introduced himself as Dravonis.

I greeted Dravonis respectfully as all dragons should be.  To which he responded, "What? You can hear me?"

Oops! I had just revealed my secret to a dragon that didn't know I could hear them. This was supposed to be a very carefully kept secret. If this was one of The Three's dragons spying on us, I had just failed miserably.

It was then that I saw a small dragon head peeking out from under Gar's hood.

Dravonis told me that I could trust Gar for he was a noble creature.

It turned out to be a complete coincidence that we were traveling the same way. Gar also had an invitation to see The Gold. So we decided to all travel there together which turned out to be a good thing as we were attacked by humanoid turtle demons very soon thereafter.

We arrived at the Gold Dragon's citadel and were greeted by more beautiful people.

This is when I started to figure out they were dragons. Of course a dragon in human form is going to be beautiful.

They escorted us to a meeting chamber then they just stood to one side. I was a bit confused until The Great Gold Wyrm's head appeared in the room.  I knew it was an illusion but I also knew The Gold's presence was in the room.  I was awestruck and dropped to one knee!

It turns out that Gar and I were the ones invited to this meeting to be given a quest.  Sunfar pulled a golden orb out of her bodice and said that the Elf Queen had given her this orb to bring to The Gold Wyrm.  The half-orc apparently wanted to recover some of The Gold's scales that had been stolen from the dwarves.

The Gold said that it was interesting timing for this golden orb to show up. He ordered Sunfar to keep the orb and give it to the dragon known as Dravonis when the time was right.

The Gold told BA that he had to prove himself. He must join our quest and afterwards his actions would be judged. BA seemed to be in a big hurry and tried to negotiate with The Gold. That didn't last long.  Arguing with The Gold..... BA was either very brave or....

We must all travel to a mysterious place known as Starport to help the dragon Dravonis.

I realized I was privy to a great secret.