The Beginning of the End
TW: descriptions of violence, blood, etc.
Long ago, dragons and humanoids lived as neighbors, albeit uneasy ones, though the metallic and chromatic dragons always had their minor spats, being mortal enemies. All dragons remained in their small family groups across the various mountains of Pern, content to live in relative isolation, observing the humans plow the fields and tend herdbeasts far below their cold peaks.
Finally, tensions built to boiling point, and a vicious war tore across the world of Pern, uprooting the lives of people all across the land. It was those known as the “evil ones” who had started the conflict; the chromatic dragons and the depraved lunatics that followed the horrible dragon goddess Tiamat when she called for blood.
It was clear to those who followed the path of darkness: Tiamat was the rightful ruler of Pern, and they worthy of ruling at her side as overlords. The metallic dragons had to be wiped out, for they would never submit to the one true queen.
The metallic dragons, predictably, refused to bow to evil's influence, and rose up to resist. Unfortunately, the humans of Pern were caught in the crossfire as the dragons warred high above. The losses were...staggering. Desperate and struggling, they turned to the gods for aid.
And their prayers were answered.
The deity of the metallic dragons, Bahamut the Platinum, heard the pleas of his people and delivered them their salvation. Following the signs, the humanoids evaded the conflict and travelled to the protected mountain sanctuaries of the regal and majestic metallic dragons.
The metallic dragons were expecting them.
Specifically selected humanoids "stood" for the clutches of the dragon queens, confused and frightened as they were. Miraculously, when the baby dragons hatched, they came to the humans and selected one each, forging a deep life-long bond. These were the first "Impressions" and the first dragonriders were born, destined to combat the encroaching evil.
It took Turns of hiding and careful maneuvering, but the riders and their bonded dragons matured and learned their skills, even as more selected humanoids - "Candidates", as they came to be called - Impressed and joined their ranks. Finally, they were ready to fight back.
The dragonriders - the might of dragons combined with the mind of man - exploded onto the scene, taking Tiamat and her forces by surprise. Enraged, the evil ones pushed back, but the dragonriders had had enough of this attempt at conquest. Aided by the holy Order of the Dragon and the sacred Champion Ser Barton of Benden, the rider faced Tiamat and her horde in the historic last battle - the Battle of Igen Plains.
After so much pain and death and struggle, Tiamat was struck down by the collective effort of the army that marched under Bahamut's banner, many of her followers slain in the following chaos. The rest were chased into the sea to drown, and their bones dot the bottom of the sea all the way to the edges of Ista Island, visible to this very day. The evil was vanquished! Peace, hard fought and heartily deserved, was upon them at long last!
Even after the danger was passed, the dragonriders swore to protect the people of Pern, taking the newly-penned Vow of the Dragonrider and taking up residence in the high mountain homes of their draconic partners. It took many Turns of backbreaking labor to make the hard stone truly habitable for humankind, but the framework was there, and the riders began their watch, ever vigilant, ever watchful.
The Holders and Crafters, in turn, swore to provide tithes - food, cloth, and other products - to the riders that protected them, both in gratitude for defeating the villains and out of necessity, for the dragonriders could take no time away from their patrols or the tending of their bonded partners to farm and weave.
Thus, Pern entered a new age.
Spring - 2508
The Great Dragon War was thousands of Turns ago, and far from the minds of the people. There are more pressing things for the everyday person to think about - putting food on the table for their family, raising their children, paying their tithes. The dragonriders have remained in their Weyrs - the name bestowed upon the mountainous dwellings of the dragons and their riders - ever since the wartimes, still guarding against whatever may threaten the Pernese people. The people, on the other hand, have continued to supply the riders with meat and mead, a Tradition ever constant.
Yet there have been changes, largely unseen or ignored. The Order of the Dragon, once proud and mighty, serving the god Bahamut, has declined in numbers and strength. Ever since the undead horde of 1527, the group never truly recovered from their losses in Pern's defense. Those few that remain struggle to keep their guild alive, for it seems Pern itself seeks to extinguish their light.
Other, more obvious concerns, weigh heavy on the minds of Holder and common-folk alike. The past two winters had been extraordinarily harsh, and the summers following yielding less crops - one due to drought, the other to a swarm of locusts. The people scrape by thus far, but famine is a looming threat if conditions continue as such; the food stores will not last a third cruel winter. Bellies will go empty if the situation is not remedied with great haste.
That's the least of everyone's worries. People have been...disappearing. None were people of true import before - at least to society as a whole. The past disappearances had been of people others wouldn't miss - unskilled laborers, minor field-hands, young adults from crowded families, and the like. Until now. The latest to vanish without a trace was a Holder's child - Lord Holder Vincet of Nerat's third son, Nikolas, to be exact - with many others preceding him. Who was doing this, and why had they escalated to such a high-value target so suddenly?
Questions fly around crowded common rooms, thrown about in hushed whispers. What is happening? What does it mean? Is this it? The Beginning of the End?
(Credits to the Dragonriders of Pern series goes to the amazing Anne McCaffery!)