The Paladyn's Calling

Campaign: The Lightwyrm's Roost

Chapter 4 / EX2-1

The Paladyn's Calling

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A Swinging Mountain Bash

Summary

The Ilian Church was born when Ilia and the Holywyrm Elysium came together to defeat a wicked demon.

Dialogue

B-b-brrrrrr! The air up here is like ice... I'm freezing my scales off! Will you be all right, Mym? I imagine high altitudes like these are exceptionally difficult for a fire dragon. I'm surprised you're not happier. This could be your chance to freeze out the competition for my darling's affections. Wh-what?! I am in no such competition! B-by my Paladyn's honor, I swear— My, what a lovely shade of scarlet you are. I'm jealous of all that warm blood. What a thing to suggest! It is only natural for a Paladyn to show concern for a dragon's well-being. I am a guardian of the Ilian faith, the same as the Auspex. Ah, yes. Ilia. I've noticed her hangers-on have always been oddly insistent in their affection for my kind. Why IS your faith so gaga over dragons? Are you truly not aware? I would be happy to explain, if it please you. The Church's very origin lies in the joining of human and dragon. In the age of myth, a wicked demon was born into this world. His powers were too vast for human- or dragonkind to stand against alone. Thus did his birth usher in talks between the leaders of humanity and your kind. Ilia spoke for humanity, while Elysium was the chosen voice of the dragons. These two we now revere as gods. They reached an accord that joined human and dragon anew. And then, working together, they sealed the demon away. The people saved by Ilia's efforts came to worship their savior, which heralded the creation of the Ilian Church. To the faithful, the goddess Ilia remains a guiding light—as does the Holywyrm Elysium, who reigns at her side. Fascinating... So you see all dragons as kin to Elysium? Indeed. I'm told that in the distant past, humans and dragons were bitter enemies, but the demon's arrival changed all that. And so we pledge to protect dragonkind now and forever. ...Though I fear some within the Church may have other ideas. But at the least, my own faith remains unshaken, and my oath unbent. Mym, I shall do all in my power to see you safe, no matter the cost. Reeeeeally? So if I said this climb was killing me, you... Then I would strive to carry you to the summit. Even knowing that the awesome weight of a dragon would surely crush me against the rocks. And if I said I was dying of boredom, you'd...what? Dance for my amusement? D-dance?! Never once in my life have I done such a thing... Yet if my lack of proficiency would add to your amusement and stave off an untimely death, then— Oh, awkward is MUCH better! Just one more request, then... Surely you wouldn't allow me to die of a broken heart, no? Which means you will promise to keep your paws off my darling! Wait, you mean His Highness? ...Nrrrgh! Having someone reject your affections is NOT a terminal condition! Er, I didn't mean... That isn't to say... It seems you Paladyns are biologically incapable of lying—to others OR to yourselves.