BLOOD OF THE DRAGON Rest a spell, weary traveler. Refresh yourself with some ale from the well. I am told that Merlin, himself, conjured this well to supply Camelot with a never ending spring of refreshment. Pour a tankard, rest under the shade of this old oak tree, as I tell you about this troubled land in which you find yourself. Let me introduce myself. My name is Murio. Some know me as, "Maceio the Magnificent", due to the sleight of hand magic that I perform throughout the territories of Britannia, conjuring up nothing more than illusions that trick the eye. But enough of me now, you have not come to these lands to hear of my exploits. You see, I know many of the secrets that these lands hold that are hidden from the human eye. I knew these lands before the Elvin people left to conquer richer domains across the seas. I knew them when peace was the norm, when villager and farmer trusted one another, when brothers were of the same mind, and when magic was used for the good of all. But do not take the tales that I tell lightly. This is a land of chaos that is inhabited by good and evil folk alike, where Wizards rule and uncanny creatures dwell. I beg you trust no one. A simple peasant, passed by on a cobblestone road, may have studied "The Arts", and may very well handle his own in a wizard duel. While Good Queen Bess and The Wizard King Narcas ruled over the Shire, it seemed that this land was a land of love and loyalty. Wealth was distributed to all the people equally throughout Britannia and without special favor. The only dangers were the rogue bands of Orcs and cutpurses that plagued travelers, but these travelers were prepared for such attacks and were seldom fatally harmed. What no one was prepared for, however, was the bold and outrageous attacks on farms and villages by "The Underground", who were intent on plunder and destruction. As the raids increased it became ever apparent that these, Underground Wizards, were amassing supplies for a formidable army. It became almost impossible for the Queen's "Imperial Wizard Guard" to protect the common folk, and the citizens began to take matters into their own unskilled hands. They sought out and found the Grandmaster Wand Crafter, Fifen, and began flooding him with orders for wands that would protect them from the unwanted raiders. But the King had already enlisted his services and charged him with an impossible task of crafting a wand using the magical gems of the hobgoblins. A wand such as was only known in mythology and folklore. "The Great Wand", as some would call it. A war was about to ensue and the enemy as yet remained undeclared, but the Wizard King had a good mind as to who may be behind it all. The King was in need of such a powerful wand, knowing it would give him the advantage in the battles yet to come. The enemy was also in pursuit of the powerful wand, for it was believed that whoever wielded such a wand would be unconquerable. Fifen, the Grandmaster Wand Crafter, now found himself to be a pawn in the hands of two powerful forces both of which were intent on the ownership of the fabled channeling device. If there was a chance that such a wand could be crafted, only Fifen would have the prowess to do it, as he comes from a long line of prolific wand crafters. In his quest to make the wand a reality, it seemed that destiny would lead him to an elusive Hobgoblin King, a grave of secrets, a mythical dragon, magical gems, a friendly Orc, and a wand so powerful, that in the wrong hands could destroy the world. But whose hand was the wrong hand? There was no doubt that the wand would be difficult to craft, but before the wizarding wand crafter could set his hand to the masterpiece, he was in need of the one thing that he would have to be willing to risk life and limb for. "The Blood of the Dragon". Stay awhile my friend. Have another tankard, and listen closely, as you may wish to choose another path, before I have finished...