Jortreva the Crusader

Jortreva the Crusader lifts her wings in a graceful motion as she lowers her chin to eye Ironhand in greetings, ”I am Jortreva, Crusader of Veeshan. I am the ear to the whispers upon the shadows and the eyes to witness the tainted footsteps of our enemies that corrupt our path. Your kind, the second generation of the lesser gods’ creation, have brought us into being as we are now — for that, we hold neither gratitude nor contempt. It is your actions that have sent us spiraling through an umbra of immeasurable danger that could secure the destruction of all upon this world, but it shall be through the undying efforts of the [champions] that we may have some chance to ward this darkness back into the oblivion it strives to create.”

You say, ‘What are champions?’

Jortreva the Crusader says ”We are four elemental dragons bred to be champions among our people — within this world. We do not seek recognition or praise from either world — yours or that of Veeshan’s brood — but we seek to protect and maintain the balance that keeps our worlds separate, yet unified upon the same plane of existence. When Kerafyrm was first placed into stasis by our predecessors, the elemental warders, the [council] ordered the arranged breeding of what would be the warders’ replacements when the time came for their stations to ascend. However, the unpredicted actions of the second generation have thrown us into a new role — the role of Crusaders.”’

You say, ‘What council?’

Jortreva the Crusader says ”When dragon kind was accompanied upon this world by the lesser god’s intrusion, the council of elders was formed. Immediately our ancestors realized the need for our kind to be of sound unification if we were to prevail and remain the superior beings upon what is rightfully our world. As we watched the eras pass through both the second generation and our own cultures, the members of the council changed. Eventually, one known as Kildrukaun would be appointed Arch Priest of Veeshan through divine rite and ceremony — a sacred part of our institution that I shall not divulge to one as yourself. His first decree would be to condemn the unification of souls between dragons whose elemental influences were of opposition. It was of his belief, and thus the belief of the council, that such a union was against Veeshan’s will and would have dire consequences upon the entire dragon nation. Time would pass again before [fate] would descend upon Kildrukaun’s decree.”’

You say, ‘What fate?’