The Drakona is a dragon, albeit a tiny one, which has been bestowed upon the Aeoliran High Goddess of Destruction Pariya by the High God Creation Arkon as a symbolic animal of the fire realm. Barely a fore high, this dragon has the ability of its larger counterparts to belch fire with startling abruptness and effectiveness. This has been thoroughly documented in the varied tales of Pariya and her exploits. However, an aspect of the Drakona as nearly unverifiable as it is mysterious is its tendency to bring “gifts” to those most in need of his services. It is a common belief and hope amongst women that if a fire is created and appealed to with enough desperation resulting from the wrong doings of men that the Drakona shall appear amidst the flames and bestow upon the seeker a stone not unlike the gem which is often depicted upon the forehead of Pariya Herself. This gem is then hidden in the household and never mentioned to anyone. The gems are said to have changed the lives of all that have received them. The men of the house are either unknowingly rehabilitated to the “proper” ways of a loving home (through pain, anguish, and finally… fear) or driven out of the home and out of their minds.

Many a wronged woman has spent long evenings staring into the embers of a fire just hoping to catch a glimpse of Pariya’s reptilian companion, the Drakona. While most would try to avoid the Aeoliran High Goddess of Destruction at all costs, her companion is sought after by the women of Aeruillin quite often when vengeance is desired upon the men in their lives.

The following is a description gleaned from a myriad of sources; most notably, those sacred scrolls held and protected by those in service of the esteemed Library of Hjoreh. The author of this document has searched the desert over, however, inquiring amongst tribes both prominent and obscure, in an effort to bring all aspects of the Drakona to light. Sadly, the resulting effect has been more a blurring of the lines rather than the enlightenment one generally seeks when pursuing knowledge through written word. This has become the case, so often, when attempting to ascertain any knowledge of those worldly aspects associated with the Fae. I present the information, nonetheless, as it is the opinion of the Library that once uttered in any tongue, a thing becomes real and is thus worthy of documentation. It is entrusted upon the reader to assemble his or her own reality in whatever way they see fit.

Appearance. It should be noted that as very few folks have actually seen the Drakona, the image of Pariya’s companion is most often experienced in the form of art. This includes gargoyles set about the various temples dedicated to the One Lady as well as tapestries hung within the domains of those loyal to Pariya and her ways. Also, young men still new to the ways of Caelereth draw pictures of the somewhat smallish dragon in the sand as they attempt to convince each other that his very existence is but a myth. It is rumored that these same men can often be found in their elder years, alone in the desert, still drawing the same pictures and unaware of the “gift” of the Drakona to those that once loved them.

At first glance, it would seem that the Drakona is almost laughable in stature. It is said that he stands a mere fore in height, less than one third of a ped tall. According to a scroll recently discovered in the vaults of a temple to Pariya, impressive arrays of glossy scales cover the tiny dragon from smoking nostril to spiked tail-tip. Those armoured scales found upon his back and wings are a brilliant red, whilst those under his chin, neck, and belly are a warm yellowish-orange. Green eyes are set within his skull like precious gems. When he moves, it is purposeful and deliberate. It is obvious from the look in those green eyes that the Drakona would be hard to convince of his own tiny size. He truly does have a heart of fire and a searing determination to go with it.

The Drakona’s wings, it should be noted, seem a bit small even for its minuscule size. This does not mean that he is incapable of flight. Rather, those women fortunate enough to have seen him and those men unlucky enough to have crossed paths with him, claim that his aerial movements are more of a floating nature rather than the soaring or gliding movements normally thought of when contemplating a dragon.

There is an exception to this idea of smallish wings upon the Drakona, however. In the newer colonies established upon the Plains of the Forsaken, there exists a group of nearly fanatical Pariyan followers which have set about the task of creating the newest Temple of Pariya. They feel that this new place will be her true home and have placed an even greater significance upon the existence of the Drakona than anywhere else yet discovered. Within the temple lies a huge chamber meant to become the home and lair of the Drakona. Two large doors mark its entrance, painted upon which is a mural depicting the Drakona as standing a head and a half taller than Pariya herself, its huge wings wrapped about the goddess in a manner of protection. This temple, largely because of this mural, is seen amongst the more traditional Hjorians as an affront to the goddess, normally known for her fiery strength and power. She is, after all, the High Goddess of Destruction.

Generally, when seen, the Drakona is sitting on its hind legs. In the few instances where gargoyles have been constructed depicting the Drakona outside of a temple of Pariya, it is generally found sitting on its haunches with its forepaws extended out to the viewer, gem in hand. This is the image of the Drakona which Aeruillinian women hope to see after staring long hours into the flames of a fire. Its paws do bare dragon claws. However, as the Drakona has not the meat eating needs of a mortal dragon, his claws are shorter and well maintained, presumably by Pariya Herself, as the Drakona’s entire body is said to be ass hot as the fire within its belly.

Special Abilities. Undoubtedly, the first special ability of the Drakona one might encounter is its breath of fire. In truth, the Drakona’s breath is every bit as impressive as that of the great drake, itself, the fire dragon. It would seem that the little gift of Arkon is nothing but fire when he chooses to let loose with a singing puff of arson. Although he has not the quick temper of his master, he can be quite formidable when angered.

It is rumored by followers of the High Goddess of Destruction and those desirous of the Drakona’s attention that the companion to Pariya does, indeed, share the goddess's ability to sense emotional energy. They claim that this is undoubtedly how he finds those in need of his aid.

This leads us to his other special ability: that of hopping in and out of the Void with ease. As has already been mentioned, it is commonly believed that the Drakona has the ability to suddenly “appear” in the flames of a fire. According to the highest level priestesses of Pariya, he shares the ability of the goddess, which is to travel effortlessly from Asharvéa to anywhere within Aeruillin and possibly even Caelereth. He is a clever little dragon, however, so it is quite possible that the Drakona simply sneaks into the fire, as the one gazing into the fire is likely unaware of all else around them.

Territory. Those sightings believed to be valid, regarding the Drakona, have all been in Aeruillin. Also, it is believed that the Drakona regularly enters into the Void to retrieve the gems that he is known for in the tales of his exploits. Some even claim that the gem so often depicted upon the forehead of Pariya was a gift from him as well in an attempt to curb her temper.

Habitat/Behaviour. The Drakona is said to spend the majority of his time at the side of the High Goddess of Destruction, Pariya. As he was a gift from Arkon, he is bound to her for all eternity. As she tires of him quickly, however (it is a well-known fact that Pariya despises all males), the Drakona is often free to venture off to find and deliver his gemstones.

It should be noted that in order for the gemstone to work, it is said that it must be carefully hidden within the domicile of the woman in receipt of it and never mentioned to anyone. Should the husband, or anyone else for that matter, discover it, the gem shall “disappear” and return unto that place in the Void which it came. It is said that each gem contains the concern and attentiveness of the Drakona and is powered by the rage of Pariya, herself… the latter, of which, there seems to be no shortage of in the foreseeable future.

When away from the goddess, the Drakona moves about in a lazy, meandering fashion. He enjoys this reprieve from the time spent with Pariya. At her side, he is generally withstanding a steady stream of verbal abuse and attempting to avoid the occasional fireball hurled at him. It was, indeed, wise of Arkon to make this hapless dragon out of fire, himself, as he is not nearly as agile as the Quick-Tempered One.

Diet. Simply put, the Drakona has no need of food. He is immortal, a creature of fire and magic like the goddess he was gifted to so long ago. He does, however, crave that invisible energy that is associated with the emotions of a woman in need. Perhaps this is why he is so “generous” as to bestow his gifts upon the women of Aeruillin. It is likely their energy that sustains him through the trials brought upon him by the goddess Pariya in her seemingly constant fits of rage.

Mating. There is but one Drakona. It was the intent of Arkon that this shall remain the case throughout the existence of Caelereth and beyond.

Myth/Lore. The origin of the Drakona has been largely described in the paragraphs above. In summary, he is a companion given to the High Goddess of Destruction by Arkon, himself. Those women of Aeruillin who suffer emotionally at the hands of men desire his attention. He is immortal and magical in nature. He is truly unique and is often depicted in the form of flame-spouting gargoyles about the temples of Pariya or alone as the gem-bearing little dragon so sought after at fireside on the loneliest of nights.

It is true that Pariya vents frequent fits of rage upon this little “gift” dragon. However, even the fiery High Goddess of Destruction cannot help but have something of a soft spot for the Drakona. Although Pariya’s hatred of men has steadily increased throughout her existence, particularly since her failure to secure the cooperation of Arkon and Har’wyn on that fateful day, the Drakona has stood faithfully beside her and her followers and continues to do so even now. Indeed, it has been said that many of Pariya’s followers, and thus much of her strength, have come to her through the efforts of the Drakona.

Researchers. Thus far, it would seem that this is the first attempt to fully document the creature that is the Drakona aside from his appearances at the side of the High Goddess of Destruction, Pariya. Men generally avoid him for obvious reasons and the women of Aeruillin all seem to have a common knowledge of him handed down secretly from mother to daughter on the darkest nights in the desert.

These lines were penned by Grevarius Rendragon, Assembler of Realities and Servant to The Library of Hjoreh.