From the Egg to the Stars (A Dragon Quest)

Wow.... Would you look at that! Another Update! What's that, three this week?
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[X] Advance

Though there is uncertainty in your movements, you begin to move forward, trusting in your skill with dreams to protect you should the worst come to pass. The lights overhead continue to swirl lazily around. You almost stop to admire them as you continue along the branch as they seem to dance amongst each other.

At the end of the branch is a small woodland clearing, and you instinctively know the boundary between dreams when you see it. You have been lead here, somehow, and you recognise the trees surrounding you. This is the clearing where you hatched.

In the centre of the clearing, sits a woman, her countenance calm, she beckons you over, and as you approach, you see a second figure, very similar to the first, now that you see them both at the same time.

You recognise the second figure easily. Curled in the woman's lap, her breathing deep and eyes closed, sleeps Alaina.

You begin to chirp a question at the woman, but stop when she places a finger on her lips, smiling at you. "She sleeps still. And those who would hurt her will know where she is if she wakes. Please, simply think any questions at me, and perhaps we can preserve her safe slumber for a little longer."

You immediately look between the two of them, and the woman has to stifle a laugh, one hand idly stroking Alaina's hair. "No, I am not her mother. Though we are related distantly, and I love her as if she were my own, it has been a long time indeed since I have had children.

"My name is Aribeth. And I am the dryad of the Jeweltree."

You blink at her, not knowing what a "dryad" is, but realising that it sounds important.

In response, she sighs lightly. "The dryads are the treespeakers, the wardens of the forests. Our souls are bonded to trees and should they come to harm, we will too. It is our charge to defend nature and allow it to flourish."

Nodding, you think you know what a dryad is now, but why is she in a castle?

"Long ago, perhaps even when your parents were young, little dragon, I fell in love with a mortal. Though he was doomed to die, I was determined to live alongside him for as long as his life permitted, so I poured my soul into a seed from my tree, and we travelled together for a time.

"During our adventures, my husband, for we had married on our journeys, came into the ruler ship of the surrounding lands as first it's lord, and then as its king. He built this castle using the magics of him and his allies, and together, we ruled this area of the world with compassion and strength.

"But mortals are doomed to age and die. And so, after he had lived a long and full life, he passed from this world and left our children and I to move on in his stead. In the highest tower of this castle, there was an arboretum he had built and filled with plant life as a gesture of his love for me. It was here that I finally planted the seed that I had poured my soul into, and from it sprouted the Jeweltree."

Reeling a little from Aribeth's tale, you continue to stare at her, wondering why you haven't seen her around the castle. Surely, she can leave the tree and move around? Aribeth smiles in response, though it is slightly wistful in nature.

"My descendants have ruled well, better than well, on their own. I have long since stopped participating in courtly life, as they would likely defer to me rather than thinking for themselves. I am content to remain here, looking after those gifted with magic while their powers develop."

Aribeth's smile fails as her expression grows grim, her gaze falling on Alaina as she continues to stroke the young girl's hair. "Alaina is powerful, very powerful indeed. She sleeps within her dreams to hide her developing mind from evil influence. If she were to wake, she would be a beacon to them, and I doubt if I would be able to hold them at bay."

You recall the words of your mother, as she called you a "Dreamwalker" and Aribeth's eyes widen, her expression becoming one of shock as she processes the memory you send her.

"A Dreamwalker? Are you sure? If so, then it is important that you develop your abilities, and though I have no doubts that you will become mighty indeed, as dragons are wont to do, I would ask you to keep Alaina in your heart and mind. She will likely need your aid somewhere down the line." As Aribeth says this, Alaina begins to stir in her lap, and Aribeth smiles down at her.

"Alas, I believe our time is up. Alaina is about to wake, and so you should to." Aribeth grins, "and worry not, I shall help you down from my branches, though perhaps you should not climb quite so high in the future?"

As Aribeth speaks, you hear her voice becoming fainter and fainter, your surroundings fading into darkness before you feel the branch beneath you shift as you start awake.

"Neppy…?" Comes the sleepy voice of Alaina from the bed directly below you now, and claws carefully retracted, you leap, landing on Alaina's legs, where you then sit, looking up at her.

Smiling at your appearance before her, Alaina looks up, to where the tree branch that bore you down to her is swiftly moving back to its previous position.

Shaking her head, Alaina gathers you into her arms and deposits you on the bed, where you dutifully turn away from her as she gets changed, ready for the day.

As Alaina finishes dressing, you hear a knock on the door to the room, and jumping from the bed, you follow Alaina as she heads to greet Laurel, who is waiting for you both. Turning, she leads you both downstairs to where your breakfast is waiting, and you eat heartily as you prepare for the day.

"So, where shall we go first?" Laurel asks, as Alaina takes a pause from inhaling her food.

In response, Alaina hums, her fingers finding her chin as she thinks.

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Where in the castle do you explore? (Pick three)

[] The Library – Lots of things to do there, like read, and stay quiet… Nah! Let's go pester the librarian for sweets!
[] The Wizard's Quarters – The Court Wizard, a man named Magister Tannenbaum lives and works there, using his magics for the kingdom's good. Alaina says he's a bit crabby, but he should get a kick out of meeting you…
[] The King's Court – Lots of people turn up at the King's Court, most of them to see the king and petition him for something or other. Alaina is sure that if you went there, you would cause a big stir.
[] The Garrison – Alaina says she wants you to meet her mother, and that she can normally be found drilling the men and women who make up Linderin's armies, making sure that they're capable of keeping the peace if something were to happen.
[] The Kitchens – Even though you've just eaten, Alaina says that Matron always has something warm for those who ask. Laurel shakes her head slightly as Alaina says this, though she doesn't outright object.
[] The Castle Gardens – Laurel suggests that perhaps you go wandering together in the castle gardens. They are beautiful this time of year and you might be able to find Mattias there, which seems to excite Alaina some.
[] Write-in – These are subject to immediate GM veto. I've left this in case I've forgotten anywhere.

Alright, have fun arguing about where you wanna go. Where you go will be decided by the three highest voted areas. and will be written in that order. It's time to start meeting my big old cast of characters.