Good morning class. Today, there has been a slight change of plans. The original lesson I planned to teach you was a general overview of dragon magic. At the end I would have given you the pleasure of watching me cast one of those spells. This morning I was interrupted by your young classmate Uldeer. He’d spent the last week researching dragon magic and volunteered to cast the spell. As you can see, your classmate Uldeer has in his hands a scroll with a dragon spell on it. Have no fear, the spell is a simple one, akin to a cantrip. While I do not expect all of you to survive this term, It would look poorly on me if the entire class were to suddenly be vaporized while I was teaching it. No, the spell is a scrying spell, one that a dragon would typically use to surver the lands surrounding his lair. Even white dragons can cast this spell. So while he begins, I will explain dragon magic to the rest of you. Go ahead Uldeer. And do not forget to annunciate.
Dragons are descendants of the Titans, and as such favored of Kor’Tunnai, the goddess of magic. It should be of no surprise that they were the first to learn magic. Magic was pure and unfettered in those first ages. The dragons could cast mighty magics, without having to rely on any components but their own essence. That has not changed much. Any dragon can cast magical spells without tools. There are dragons who choose to devote themselves to a god, or to the study of arcane magic. Those are exceptions, but the general rule applies. A dragon priest for example, needs nothing but their patron’s holy symbol, which they typically engrave on one of their scales, or talons. Beyond that, they rely on their own essence to power the spells they have been granted access to.
After the Dragon Wars, a great deal of lore and magic was lost. Much of that was due to the wanton destruction that the Dragon Slayers of the Second Age wrought, much to the disapproval of Kor’Tunnai. In fact, it was because of such destruction, both her beloved dragons, and the magic they wielded, that she censured paladins for nearly three centuries. Only allowing their return when the infernal broke the seal surrounding the Pit.
You see, dragon magic was very much a unique and personal experience. A given dragon would focus magical energies to achieve a desired result. It would often require much experimentation. Once perfected, the spell would be engrained in the dragon’s mind and soul. Now, I see your little minds churning. Could any dragon, created any spell on a whim? With few exception, the answer is no. The typical dragon both powered and weakened by elemental energies. A white dragon could in theory, learn spells that would give it a fiery aura, or unleash fiery devastation to its opponents. However, it would be much harder for such a dragon to learn it on its own. Since it is intrinsically tied to the element of water, opposing elements, in this case fire. are harder to control. It would be far easier, to seek out another dragon who knew the spell, and ask to be taught it. In this case, the gestures, and arcane words would have already been proven. It would be up to the white dragon to master the technique, as opposed to creating one from scratch.
And now we come to the heart of the matter, as it were. If you were paying attention, you noted that dragons cast magic that draws on both their elemental nature, and their dragon/Titan heritage. This is why it is difficult for mortals, to cast any dragon spell. For the energies that a spellcaster summons needs that natural element to manifest the desired effect. If the caster doesn’t possess it, then the spell can go awry.
As you can see, the scrying spell Uldeer was confident he could cast has not gone quite as expected. Permit me a moment to stop time around his flailing form, and let us deduce what has occured.
At first glance, it would appear the energies have vaporized his clothing. If only that were the case, his modesty could be easily concealed with a quick spell to summon a cloak or other garment. However, if you look here, here and here, you can see the tatters of his robe, and that they are transparent. I suspect that he will never again be able to wear clothes. If you look a the bricks he is standing on, you will note they have become transparent as well.
Fortunately Uldeer’s modesty will likely be the last thing on people’s minds when they see him. Note that his skin is completely transparent. Curiously, his bones have only become translucent. One can see the muscles, veins, and even nerve fibers in some places. If you needed to brush up on anatomy, Uldeer is your man.
As you can see his neck is bending at an awkward angle, despite his best attempt at holding it up. The reason for this is clear, no pun intended, his eyes have grown to the size of melons, the optic nerves grown to match. Unfortunately for Uldeer, there’s not enough room, and you can clearly see where the skull as been broken from the inside. As he clearly was attempting to hold his head up, and perhaps in one piece, it is possible his brain has not been damaged too much. Though from the blood pooling out of his ears, I have my doubts.
In the attempt to cast a dragon spell of seeing, it has nearly backfired on Uldeer. The most obvious effect is that instead of seeing out, everyone can see in…him. Also, if you look at his eyes, you’ll notice images moving along his pupils. I suspect he is currently looking out at the courtyard. Which means he did manage to cast some of the spell. If I was sure he could hear me I would congratulate him. After I let him out of the temporal freeze spell of course.
The most important lesson when casting any spells you are not intimately familiar with. Always read the fine print. If the spell is infernal, draconic, or even celestial in nature, and you do not possess the correct bloodline, remember our student Uldeer. It is likely the first and only lesson he will ever teach.
Next week, we will be touching on Fey magic. Do I have any volunteers to cast some magic?
No?
Good, you are learning.
Class dismissed!
Draen Do’Gra
A Darkness Rising 