The story for this build is quite long, but I strongly recommend reading it as it will provide a great deal of insight and explanation about the Black Dragons.
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After a short time of walking through the winding tunnels beneath Armendahl’s Mountain, Andared and Kyle arrived at the camp of the Black Dragons. The vast openings and chambers that had been carved out of the mountain rock made an immediate impression on Andared. He was equally surprised by the distinct contrast between certain rooms. Many of the personal quarters were very Spartan in nature, containing only a bed and a small desk; however, in each corridor there were at least one or two chambers that contained lavish amounts of tapestries, rugs, and a myriad of furnishings. In particular, he noticed that there were dozens of statues and carvings made in the image of dragons throughout the camp. The architecture and design of the rooms held a consistent and archaic pattern, hearkening back to a bygone age, which led Andared to believe that the Black Dragons had not created this place at all, but had simply discovered it and made it their home.
At first, Andared’s presence was questioned by some members of the Dragon clan. He had anticipated this, and was not offended by the occasional suspicious glance that came his way. With the help of Kyle, word got around quickly that Andared would need to meet with the leaders of the Black Dragons. While on their way, Kyle explained to Andared the structure and purpose of the Dragon clan.
The Dragon clan, as a whole, existed for the sole purpose of protecting Lenfald and her interests. In particular, it was devoted to maintaining peace, security, and the promotion of justice. It was not a group that was sanctioned or supported by the Lenfel government, although it was not in conflict with them either. In general, it acted as a sort of vigilante establishment, carrying out operations and missions that the official Lenfel government could not. In spite of repeated public statements denying that the Lenfel Lords and Dukes had anything to do with the actions of the Black Dragons, it was widely believed (and correctly so) that on at least a few occasions there had been direct correlation between the Black Dragons and the royalty of Lenfald.
The Dragon Clan divides itself into three distinct factions: The Dragon Warriors, Forest Guardians, and Shadow Dragons. The three groups are united in purpose, but the members of each respective entity train and hone their abilities toward a particular skillset.
The Dragon Warriors (of whom Kyle is the Captain) spend much of their time learning and practicing the art of war. Their skills are most often employed by the Black Dragons in the form of assault teams or scouts. They spend almost equal amounts of time completing missions in Lenfald itself and the other regions of Roawia. On the battlefield, their skills in melee and hand-to-hand combat are unparalleled, even by the Areani. At the forefront of any fray, Dragon Warriors lay waste to their opposition with a deadly blend of ferocity and finesse. Although they practice with and become proficient with a vast array of weapons, all of the Warriors unanimously prefer to wield two slender swords designed and crafted by the Black Dragons.
The swords of the Dragon Warriors are almost as fabled as the Warriors themselves. They bear no hilt, valuing speed and precision over protection of the user. The blades of the swords are long and thin, crafted with such a fine edge that they will cut through almost any armor, hide, or flesh, yet sturdy enough to parry or even block a direct strike. Moreover, each sword is inlaid with small flecks of silver found in the Dragonscale Mountains. In the sunlight, the blades glimmer and shine with blinding majesty, and in the moonlight they glow a pale green as if enchanted by magic. Although this slightly weakens the blade, the psychological advantage it provides more than makes up for the loss. At times, the mere sight of these blades has caused outlaws to tremble and flee.
The second faction, Forest Guardians, is almost the antithesis of the Dragon Warriors. They put all their effort into the defense of themselves and others, becoming unbreakable bastions against any foe. This group is more diverse in its roles, ranging from sentries to battle commanders. The prime objective of Forest Guardians is to act as sentries, protecting the provinces of Lenfald and the home of the Black Dragons. Forest Guardians tend be more stationary, and as such they frequently spend long amounts of time away from the camp of the Black Dragons (except, of course, for the ones tasked with guarding the camp itself). By far the most outgoing and interactive of the three factions, Forest Guardians are typically well known, or at least known of, in the communities, provinces, and cities that they protect. Many of them keep birds as pets in order to relay and receive information from the rest of the Black Dragons. They train with a greatsword and a rounded Lenfel shield, protecting their allies and leading them to victory. Many of the Forest Guardians (particularly those who are less robust in terms of physical stature and strength) have great skill with a bow, which is a great boon for those acting as sentries.
The third and most secretive group is the Shadow Dragons. Boasting barely a handful of members, the Shadow Dragons play a very small, but crucial role in the operations of the Black Dragons. Their skillset lies solely in the art of stealth, making them incredible assassins and thieves. The amount of training, skill, and dedication required for this faction is one of the reasons why there are very few of them. The actions of the Shadow Dragons have directly shaped the history of Roawia for decades.
The Black Dragons are led by a group they refer to as “The Council” which is comprised of the three commanders that lead each separate faction. These three leaders govern and guide the Dragon clan as a whole. While individual missions and assignments are generally left to the discretion of faction commanders and captains, all assassinations and direct assaults must be sanctioned by the Council. Along with this, they determine who is allowed into the clan, and they are the chief instructors and trainers of new members.
Andared felt flooded from the outpour of information that Kyle was giving him, but he did his best to keep up. As they walked down the passages Andared realized that this “camp” was at least the size of a small city, and it was also entirely self-sufficient. There were several blacksmiths, tailors, hunters, cooks, and woodworkers among the ranks of the Black Dragons.
“But how can you afford all the supplies and tools? Where do you receive income?” Andared asked.
“We have hunters and foragers who collect food and other rare plants, then sell them at a more than reasonable price to nearby villages,” Kyle replied, then hastily added. “A small portion of the tax taken in by certain members of the governing body of Lenfald is also…bestowed, to us as a sign of thanks and support.”
Andared smirked at Kyle’s careful wording. He would have pressed him on the subject, but Kyle did not give him the chance.
“I just realized something I should have told you earlier. You won’t be meeting with the Council all at once. After hearing my report of you they decided that they would prefer to meet with you individually. You’re about to meet Barrin Strongarm, leader of the Forest Guardians…Are you ready?”
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After a long hiatus from building, I’m finally starting to get back into building for the LCC and continuing Andared’s story. I should be posting the next couple of installments over the course of the next two weeks (before the GC6 ends). Until then, thanks for viewing!
Posted by Andared of Lenfald on 2014-01-22 03:58:59
Tagged: , Lego , Castle