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Wayward Dragons

Lost and Despair No More

To those who are lost, wandering is not always the answer. Sometimes it aggravates the problem, causing one to fall deeper into despair, but one should not fall too far into their own misery, as more often than not, the Wayward Dragons might appear.

It is said that the world and the planes beyond favor those of Dragon Scales, no matter their size, no matter their heart. For once all Dragons were lost in the world, created by Kallex to grow and thrive, left as hatchlings in a nest. Now the children of Kallex remember their fears and despair and wish to save those who have not yet faced such loneliness, such emptiness as the realization of being lost. Now, the Wayward Dragons appear to those who have lost hope and their way.

So when you find yourself lost and are unsure of where to go, take a moment to look around you. With a little luck, one of the Wayward Dragons will appear, showing you the way to wherever you most need to be.

— The Tale of the Wayward Dragons
  Every culture has its myths, some with more truth to them than others. Those of more animalistic races tend to have more truthful myths, especially when creatures of the world may come to their rescue. The tale of the Wayward Dragons is no different, some truth existing in its various retelling throughout the years as more Dragonkin children enter the wider world and find that not all are so forgiving or kind about the stereotypes of the Dragonkin's colors.   The Wayward Dragons was meant to be a tale of warning, one that said a level head was the most important when despair took over in certain situations. It was not expected for the magic of the Dragonkin and their heritage to manifest help, even in this small way. For all that are lost, this tale has sound advice, but if you are lucky enough to be a lost Dragonkin, you may truly find one of the Wayward Dragons.

Historical Basis

For as long as the Dragonkin have existed, one version or another of this story have been told to children as they begin to think of moving beyond the sheltered villages that most Dragonkin call home. Outside of their own people, Dragonkin are subject to prejudices and stereotypes that are often far from reality but color their relationships with others nonetheless.   It is unknown whether the story of a lost Dragonkin was meant to be taken figuratively or literally, but in both instances, a Wayward Dragon would appear to a Dragonkin in despair, leading them to where they needed to be. Even though the story has changed through retelling, the general premise has remained the same.

Variations & Mutation

The largest variation between all the retellings is what type of Dragon appears when a Dragonkin is lost. It is believed that in the earliest retellings a Dragon of the same heritage would appear to the Dragonkin but in more modern tellings, this has changed drastically. More commonly, the Wayward Dragons are either Fey Dragons, Jewel Dragons, or Floral Dragons, all coming from the Wandering Forest.
Date of First Recording
Unknown
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Summary

The tale of the Wayward Dragons is about a young Dragonkin who gets lost and is trapped in despair. As the young Dragonkin struggles with taking the next step, a Wayward Dragon appears to him, showing him the path that he must follow to move forward, releasing him from the hopelessness that first gripped him when he became lost.  

Cultural Reception

This tale is one of the most widely accepted tales among the Dragonkin, no matter their color or heritage. All Dragonkin children will be told this story at least once during their lifetimes, giving them a bit of hope and perspective, especially if they choose to move on from the Dragonkin villages that had protected them early in their lives.


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Jul 22, 2024 12:15 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Awww, I love this. I hope it is true.

Emy x
Explore Etrea | Summer Camp 2025
Aug 26, 2024 17:44 by Amy Winters-Voss

Quality Myth Badge by Amy Winters-Voss

Your excellent article is in my shortlist (Fox's Picks of the SC 2024 Myth Articles) for the prompt "A myth, urban legend or conspiracy theory believed by many to be true".   What a beautiful myth of hope!

Author of the Liminal Chronicles urban fantasy series | Author Website
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