:: Random Item—Maya's Molten Hide ::

Maya’s Molten Hide

by Wm Jay Carter III, 6/24/15

Materials: Copper

Culture: Draconians

Condition: Short/Wide, Dull

Color: Dark Brown

Keyword: Reckoning

Following the earth-shaking bangs and clangs coming from around the bend, you emerge from the gorge in time to witness a reckoning of an epic scale out on the sand dunes. The combatants are two ajagara avatars; one of metal and one of crystal by the looks of them, both snarling with lethal intent. Around them are gathered armies of their younger draconian kin, all gnashing their teeth at their rivals. Though the champions are formidable, the battle looks to be near its close.

You watch as the dragon made of violet crystal clamps its teeth down on the polished copper neck-plates of the other. A noxious fume rises up from the wound as the polished copper begins to tarnish and turn a dark dull brown. The copper dragon opens its mouth and shouts, a bolt of lightning flashing forth. But the arc forks wide, striking the crystal dragon’s kin with devastating results. The crystal avatar turns and roars, unleashing a spray of foul-smelling steam over its opponent. When the cloud clears, all that remains of the crystal’s rival is a bubbling puddle of liquefied copper.

The Baingani and Tamba tribes have been at each others throats for ages—since the Advent of the Strangers, it seems. The oldest of the Baingani tribe, an avatar of crystal named Raj (“King”), is actually the brother of Tamba’s eldest member, Maya (“Illusion”), an avatar of metal. While their elemental aspects are not directly at odds, it was not always so.

When Raj and Maya first took their oaths they swore themselves to Dhatu, the divine soul of metal within Athanasia. Maya was bestowed scales of copper, while Raj received a hide of gold, a more kingly gift. Maya quickly became jealous of Raj and challenged her brother for the right to rule the tribe. Raj was obliged to accept, but he could not bring himself to kill his own sister. He begged with her to concede, but she would not. So it was that Raj compromised, and forfeited rule. As Dhatu demands that his oathbound never compromise, Raj’s allegiance was stolen by Aga, the divine soul of fire, and Raj became a warlock.

Thereafter, Raj was a bane on his kindred. Aga commanded him to lay waste to Tamba’s settlements and wage a civil war against his sister, the new queen. Remaining true to her vows, Maya never compromised, and defended her people with tooth and claw. This event tore the tribes apart, and their rivalry lasted for centuries.

But the centuries changed much about the siblings. Remorseful over what he had permitted Aga to do through him, Raj reconciled himself to the World Soul and took oaths again, this time as an avatar of crystal. Meantime, after her heart had been steeped in bitter hatred for so many years, Maya at last brought a decisive challenge to her brother’s doorstep.

Raj came out the victor of the battle, and now all that remains of his sister is so much molten copper. In Maya’s memory, Raj has commanded his now-unified tribe to use the metal only to craft the finest armor, that they should be protected by their once-noble queen.