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[NEWS:] UO Herald Story: Crimson Dragon

Vallend

Sage
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
Crimson Dragon
Kilandra Cotten 23 Mar 2009 19:15:04

Some time ago…

Taerlstratar looked intently into the shining orb he held with refined grace between two of his foreclaws. Despite being an immense creature his ability to move every muscle in his body with poise was unsurpassed, and holding the twelve inch orb eloquently was as simple a task as breathing.

To himself he thought, “The Shadowlords will be the ones to do it, they are going back home. And I will go back as well; its past time to take my true place in the lands now called Britannia. Curse Mondain, foul little human. Perhaps, it’s time to kill them all.”

While pondering the destruction of every human in existence, the orb changed its scene, shifting from showing an image of the works of the Shadowlords, to some of the younger looking Crimson dragons. Taerlstratar peered a bit closer into the orb, his large cat like pupils moving as if by command – fluxing out and then in slightly to get the best view possible from the small scrying orb. “The young ones… they too have a purpose for me.”

Taerlstratar knew all too well the bloodlust that lingered in the hearts of the young Crimson brood; he also knew the lack of wisdom and restraint that came without years of knowledge and experience. Make no mistake however; the young ones were not simply mindless killing instruments. Young Crimsons were still smarter than any human, gargoyle, or elf back home. They simply desired the very thing that was their birthright – to rule the lesser species.

The brood was too big now – a new home was needed, new conquests, new terrain – out of this endless void where Mondain had trapped them. Taerlstratar moved his massive wings out to their full length, a full hundred and fifty feet by human standards, stretching himself out a bit before returning the orb to its pedestal and collecting his legs underneath him. There was work to be done.
 

Vallend

Sage
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
I found these answers to questions by Draconi in UHall very interesting:

hmm ... interesting.

However ... this seems to muddy the waters a little over who the ultimate foe of this arc is. The shadowlords and the crimson, which are the ultimate enemies and which are the hearlds of change? Or do we see now two different powerful forces on the move, neither fully respecting the other?

I find myself hungry for more backstory on these crimson and their homeland.
I don't think I'm revealing anything too secret by saying that the Shadowlords are using the Crimsons, and the Crimsons are *definitely* using the Shadowlords.

The Shadowlords are your true threat for now, and while their presence will eventually come to an end, the dragons' return is a permanent part of UO.
Please, for the love of UO don't make them tamable! *winks*
Not a chance. These are the Ultima dragons - stronger, smarter, and more powerful than mortals could ever hope to be. They are not the same as the pale shadows that were once Mondain's thralls, left to scrounge for scraps in Covetous and beneath the Serpent's Spine.

Their very presence instills fear in the weak. No, they can never be tamed.
Will the Shadowlords' presence ever truly end, though? :p

But yes. This fiction mentions the 'void' -- is this the same void that Lord British and Nystul may have ventured in to? Is it possible that things *other* than the dragons could pop out? Regardless, I'm glad the dragons are permanent. They're so... powerful looking. I want to tame one! Let me tame one. ^^
Yes, it is the same void.

The ethereal void in Ultima is like outer space to us. A key difference is that the void is not just stars and galaxies, but a true ether of magic and power pervading creation, a dreamlike substance full of good and ill, with parts chaotic and parts quite orderly.

I'm sure more about the dragons and their relationship to the void will be revealed as the story progresses.

And no, no taming for you, Lady Mana!
 
C

Corvak

Guest
the void seems to be a recurring theme in fantasy worlds.

The warcraft universe follows a similar concept, calling theirs the 'twisting nether' It's filled with demons.

In Warhammer 40,000 they simply call it 'The Warp' It's also filled with demons.
 

TimberWolf

Babbling Loonie
Alumni
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
Agreed "The Void" is almost becoming a literary device standard in 1000's of stories.
 

Farsight

Crazed Zealot
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
And in Doctor Who is where they sent the Daleks.

It's a good way to describe "Unknown".
 
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