Caretakers Valley

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Countless moons ago, we lay under the stars recounting heroic stories to the heavens befriending the night.Flashes of that murderous morn, are etched into our memories, as we ran for our lives blinded by the cloud of ash and chaos. The only thing to break through the veil was the smell of searing human flesh.

We know not their origin.

We know not their purpose.

We know not why they attack our peaceful city.

All we can truly know is that they are here and we must survive.

Most who remain amongst the living have lost near all of their kin. I hear the screams of my wife and son everytime my eyes close. See, some of these monstrous lizards can draw more than fire and brimstone from their bellies. Some may let forth the nightmarish screams of a giant. A scream that shakes the soul and turns the feet to stone. I was rooted to the ground and forced to watch my family burn to ash. I must not put my tears before my fellow man. I will grieve when our valley finds peace.

We hide amongst the worms of the earth in hope that we will again walk in the light of the day. Though… even the depths of our ancestors bones prove to be hunting grounds it seems. We have found no safety in truth, only an illusion that we cling tightly to.

In memory of a different time we fight to survive. We are the caretakers of this valley and we shall not surrender it to a horde of insatiable demons.

The children have been gathered as they carry the burden when we no longer can. Listen as the night falls and you can hear their voices through the stones.

"Since first dawn we once were

Caretakers of the valley

From the living orchards of Viscner

To the dancing waters of Tiumbey

When our time is right

We shall take back the dawn

Light afire the night

The winged demons are gone."

Though survival is of the highest regard, if we live only to fear the dragons, we lose our humanity. We become nothing more than their prey.

Fortunately, amongst us are an assortment of society. From farmers to shamans we have preserved a fair chance for the days ahead.

Knowledge amongst those living in the caves has allowed us to locate and employ resources we otherwise would not have found if we had not fled together.

The damp cave walls provide for growth of mosses, fungi and lichens. The possibilities of life truly are astounding. These three organisms allow us to develop agriculture, medicines and textiles.

Religion is crumbling as no one wants their god to take credit for the fucking dragons. Early on, one of the scholars found a mushroom that lights as if it is a reflection of the moon. Those in religious turmoil accused the scholar of witchcraft and everything went absolutely mad until they tired of not being able to see a damn thing. Now those mushrooms light our entire cave system.

There was even a new musical instrument made, a true marvel. Typical instruments echoed too loudly off of the stone becoming muddled and bringing far too high a risk that the dragons would hear. It sounds almost like ocean waves and though it is only a small ball it uses the walls to project and amplify its sound to a safe volume. While the songs are not easily danced too, the task becomes easier if you consume the purple moss and these activities have lifted the spirits of a badly broken people.

The sweet relief of music came just in time. Shortly after what we have named moonshrooms spread throughout the cave, people began to lose their sight. We believe it was due to the time spent in the dark but all that can be done now is do our best to prevent it in others.

We rotate through the slivers of daylight in the front of the cave to sweep the darkness from our eyes. To prevent a moment of blindness from the trasition from dark to light that can leave all of us vulnerable we do not all go at once.

Scouts like Bagdun and Whispering William salvage items left in the villages and search for survivors. They also track the dragon's movements and learn as much as possible from a distance. We are never sure that they are amongst the living in the Valley until they return. To preserve their senses they only rest amongst us for a few days at a time.

All told true, we will cling to our humanity whether fate gives motive or not. I was once Esgrund the blacksmith but today I am known as Esgrund the relentless. We shall restore our valley and honor our duty as Caretakers.