…and so the war raged on. Brother against brother, father against son. The kingdoms of Isban fought courageously against Bravinston. Many towns lay burned out by the raging war. Getrious was the mightiest warrior this land had ever known and his name spoken would terrify most. His cunning was matched only by his ferocity in battle and his many victories spread his legend across many lands.

He led is armies north into the lands of Isban. He knew that this battle was the last he’d ever fight. By his side always was his main adviser Ologeon. Ologeon was a mysterious older man, always dressed in a finely crafted plate armor of exquisite quality. He carried at his side a long sword crafted of blackened steel, sharper than any weapon ever known. Ologeon came to Getrious’ camp one evening as he celebrated a battle victory. Ologeon spoke to him of his own victories in far off lands to the east. Getrious became interested in the war stories of Ologeon and the two of them drank the night away. As dawn broke and Getrious awoke his head was filled with visions of future battles and in them all Ologeon was by his side.

Years had gone by and Getrious finally had fought his way into the lands of Isban. Quickly and fiercely the armies of Isban rallied and kept the black army of Getrious at bay. The armies of Mrenk were strong and battle hardened. Mrenk had many spies in place and knew of the coming army of his brother Getrious. He tapped his countries riches and bought the services of enough mercenaries to triple his armies’ strength.
Frustrated by the inability to penetrate his brothers’ forces, Getrious sent three assassins into His brothers’ lands. These hired killers had but one mission, and that were to bring Mrenk to Getrious in any way possible, dead or alive. One by one the assassins returned to Getrious. Two of them fell victim the Mrenks elite guards and the other lost his head to Mrenk himself.

Furious, Getrious rallied his troops and blindly forced his way into Isban. Immediately his assault was stopped. The might of Mrenks forces were just too powerful.

That night Getrious paced his encampment, growing ever angrier by the sounds of his brother’s army celebrating from across the valley. As Getrious surveyed his army of bloody, broken men, he finally felt the agony of defeat. He raged and screamed at the dark sky. A strong hand grabbed his shoulder and spun him around startling him. As his body spun in place he unsheathed his sword and planted it firmly into the neck of the one who would dare challenge his time. It was not an enemy whose eyes he looked into; it was the eyes of his trusted adviser Ologeon. Something was different though, although the eyes belonged to his friend, they held a fury and power that no man could posses. Getrious stood speechless as Ologeon smiled slyly.

“What brings you to disturb my fury?” said Getrious.

“Ah my lord….”, came slyly from Ologeon. The words came, more or less slithering through the night.

Set back, Getrious breathed hard.

“My lord, I have something that you may need. Something that will help you defeat your brother.” was Ologeon’s response.

“Ologeon if it is so important that you come to me now good friend, please, tell me what it is.” Getrious whispered.

Ologeon smiled and turned and walked away from Getrious. The two walked off into the night, Getrious yelling for his friend to stop and answer him. Not heeding his masters’ words Ologeon walked into the valley that separated the two armies.

“Follow me and you shall be granted a great gift master.” yelled Ologeon back to his friend.

Curious Getrious followed his adviser, trusting that this was not a trap. As they came around a clearing, a massive Black dragon stood waiting. Getrious’ blade sprang into his hand and the huge wyrm hissed violently. Ologeon spun around, laughing at Getrious’ expense. The dragon lowered down and seemed to speak unheard words into Ologeons ear.

“Yes old one. He does have the power in his soul. His blood does boil with the fury we need.” Ologeon spoke back to the dragon.

Startled by these events, Getrious tried to speak but was stopped by a loud roar and the sound of thunder. As he blinked he realized Ologeon was making the noise and the thunder came from him. In an instant two great wyrms stood before him and Ologeon was nowhere to be seen. The larger wyrm that stood were Ologeon once stood erupted into an evil laughter, followed by his new companion.

As the laughter trailed off... “Getrious my friend, you have been chosen.”

“By whom and for what.” stated Getrious.

“We need a champion.” said Ologeon. “We need your fury, your power…your soul.”

“My soul is not for taking.” Yelled Getrious, as a violent wind started to blow through the clearing.

Ologeon snickered. “You have no choice.”

Getrious held his sword out and took a defensive posture. Ologeon seemed to smile, anticipating his friends’ resistance. He lunged forward and in an instant the two began a melee. Ologeon struck first by racking a claw across the chest of Getrious. Falling to the ground from the impact, Getrious slashed out and cut open the arm of the leather skinned beast. An acrid stench filled the air as the great wyrms acidic blood hissed from the wound and spewed into the air. Ologeon roared and reared back on his hindquarters. His chest expanded greatly as he breathed in all of the air his lungs could take. Getrious knew what was to come next. In a moment the area would be awash in the acid breath of the creature. He scrambled to his feet and with the all of the strength he could summon he charged Ologeon and attempted to thrust his blade into the chest of the black dragon. With a great blow the blade plunged into the chest of the dragon. Getrious stood there or a moment and was horrified at the sight of his blade melting from the beasts acid blood. He looked up and his vision was filled with the open maw of his once loyal advisor. Instead of a stream of acid, only words spewed forth.

“We waste time warrior. You are no match for me.” said Ologeon.

“What do you want…champion…?? I am no ones champion.” was Getrious’ response.

“There is a war being fought Getrious. A war that is more important than any battle you have ever fought. More important than any land you have ever conquered. The end of the world will come if this war does not stop. We dragons are killing each other. If we come to an end, then everything will end. As we speak others like you are being chosen…….”

Getrious slowly withdrew what was left of his blade from hide of his friend.

Ologeon continued. “We have been watching humans for a long time. The Dragon War has gone on for to long. It must stop. It must stop now. Your brother has been chosen. As we speak the Bronze known as Vacarnos is crossing him over. You have no choice. It is already written.”

Getrious stumbled backwards. Thoughts of his brothers new found power enraged him. “What do I do…….?? What will it take…?” yelled Getrious.

Ologeon smiled. “I knew you’d want this.”

The other black dragon stepped forward and drew a circle in the earth. In that circle he began to inscribe ancient runes. With a quick bite he drew forth his own acidic blood and let some burn out the ritual taking shape in the earth. As this went on Ologeon told Getrious to stand in the circle. As he did what he was told, both dragons began to chant. The air crackled and became acrid. The air became cold and Getrious could see his breath. The air where the other dragon stood began to shimmer and Getrious could feel his own skin beginning to crawl. His blood boiled and the shimmering wyrm disappeared. Blackness washed over Getrious and unconsciousness came quickly.

When Getrious awoke he was back at his encampment. He was dressed in the armor Ologeon wore but something strange. It was not armor that he wore but scales. The black blade now strapped to his side was as black as night, sharper than any blade known to man. He roared in the morning. His new powers rippling threw his veins. His blood was dragon, his heart was black……. His brother waited.

And so it is written...The tale of the creation of the first champion.

All original content is copyrighted 2003-2004 by House Rules Publishing and affiliated staff.