Conversations with Onyx

Tell me about Darkness. Who is he to the Empire?

Darkness is an Undying dragon, the same way Treeborn are Undying fae. Of the most ancient dragons, there are 5 that were known as Dragon Rulers - Darkness, Earth, Flame, Sky and Ocean. They built no empires, no clans, no kingdoms, but all bowed under their wings, and all found shelter there   Current dragon clans trace their lineage to these five dragons. The Infinite Blue Clan, currently the most powerful, are the direct descendants of Sky and Ocean. Other Clans may trace their bloodline back to more of these five original dragons. For example, the Deep Mysteries Clan was founded by a member of Infinite Blue (Sky and Ocean) and The Abyss (Darkness and Ocean). Members of the Deep Mysteries Clan have a strong affinity for Ocean's type of magic as well as lesser powers from both Darkness and Sky.  

Why are some dragons friends to the Empire? How did that happen?

There are only a handful of dragons allied with the Empire. Onyx himself is the child of Shadow (child of Darkness) and Diamond - his egg was extraordinary and the Empress was instrumental in helping him hatch. Her master jewel-craft and magical talents let him break free from an unbreakable egg.   When Onyx described them as "not quite friends" it is because it's more accurate to say that she is his godmother. For her role in his hatching, I assume that Onyx, Shadow, Diamond, and perhaps Darkness as well would never abandon her.   Onyx believes that the Empress tasked him with the protection of the Dwarven city because the war was already progressing badly for her and she wanted to put him somewhere safe lest her enemies retaliate against him if she lost.  

What do you know about Catena?

Catena was the Last Rider, as far as Onyx knows. Her dragon is Shrouded Petrichor, the daughter of Shadow and Mist. She is a younger half-sister to Onyx. As godmother to Onyx, the Empress had been invited to the hatching of Shrouded Petrichor's clutch and Catena accompanied her as a trusted general. She was the only elf present.   When Shrouded Petrichor hatched she wandered amongst all the guests until she found Catena and promptly shoved her way into Catena's lap and went to sleep. Evidently there is something about Shadow's children that called out to elves - if there had been more elves present perhaps the other dragons hatched that day would have similarly sought riders.   Catena and Shrouded Petrichor's magic is compatible to unprecedented levels. Shrouded Petrichor can draw herself (even as a full grown dragon) into Catena's shadow while Catena could step into any shadow and emerge from Shrouded Petrichor's shadow.  

What role did this line of dragons play in the foundation of the blood bond with the elves?

Shadow contributed magic to the blood bond with the elves. It's possible that Onyx knows more but this is a story I should hear from someone else. I don't really know who yet.  

Tell me about the Covenant and what the Empress' goals for the Empire were.

The Empire itself cannot be explained without understanding how Kaide lost her family. That isn't a story she is willing to hear or tell yet.   The Covenant was made of trolls, fae, elves, dwarves, and Osyr, though Osyr were non-voting advisors because they were of a different order of magnitude of strength and experience as a people. Again, the Osyr were divided on this - some felt that they should participate as peers.   The Covenant of Ten Nations had always been about achieving peace and unity. When they were offered powerful magic to help further unify the lands of the Covenant, how could they refuse? The magic itself had been offered by Ingans.... and it would have turned Elves, Fae, Trolls and Dwarves into something similar to the Collective. The Osyr were divided on this - some felt that they had already lost the sea to the Ingans and that if their Ancient Enemy took the land as well they would have nothing left. Better to accept the gift of magic now and transform themselves again to survive. They were the only ones undecided; the four other races had already agreed.   Onyx doesn't know what the Ingans said or truly offered, only that the Empress at the time believed it to be a lie. It's hard to imagine that people would choose to become what the Collective are, especially ancient fae.  

Do you recognize this symbol or this person [Void]?

The symbol, no. The person himself...yes. Void is the child of Darkness and Trenali, a Treeborn fae of quiet repose and the end of all life. He shouldn't exist! Not only because he is both dragon and fae but because his mother is a being of death - she shouldn't have been able to create life.   He has heaven-defying magic because of this. He shouldn't exist and so his magic also ends up doing things that shouldn't be possible. He has always been a wanderer because he never fit in anywhere and so it didn't matter to him where he went. Destruction has followed in his wake but usually it is of things that ought to be destroyed - unstoppable regimes, cruel leaders. He isn't a villain but he wouldn't be recognized as a hero either.   He avoid groves at all costs but has protected both fae and groves whenever he can. Perhaps he worries that he will bring destruction upon groves.   He vanished a long time ago after a grievance with several Treeborn. 75 miles South of here there is a lake where a mountain once stood at the site of their battle. All involved parties were presumed dead until now. There were rumours that these Treeborn were people who had issues with his mother.  

Do you know whose legacy this blood carries?

The blood belonged to No Moon, a child of Darkness and Sky. He was enormous, larger than any other dragon. His wings would blot out the stars and cast a shadow over an entire nation. His magic was of shadows and darkness, his bloodline rich with majesty and likely very compatible with elves.   His legacy is a war with the Zephyr. They were envious of how the younger races worshipped No Moon. In his shade secret joys could blossom, treachery could not survive, and star-crossed lovers could meet. In turn he disdained the way the Zephyr lorded themselves over the younger races.   Onyx only knew for certain that No Moon had passed away because Shadow knew and wept over him for quite a while. His loss saddened many and Onyx says the world would be a better place with his arts back in it.