Paludrex

Introduction

“These mortals... they've come all this way for us. Steel yourselves. ENDURE.”

The Eidolon to which much of Rhyst’s actual form may be attributed, Paludrex is a being of divine Order and Permanence. He is the Dragon most familiar with mortals, and there are more religions and founded groups upon Rhyst that are dedicated to him than any other Eidolon. He is a dark bronze and copper colored dragon and a patron to all earth spirits. It is said that he is the only entity that may pass into Hysena’s realm, and in the ancient texts of Highshield’s libraries one may find vague mentions that his true domain lies beyond her own.

Background

In the time before time, Paludrex was content to toil amidst the darkness and found comfort in the solid ground underfoot. So long as he could stand, he could recognize this realm for the peace and the quiet that it offered he and his kind. When Zahhak’s fire illuminated the mana pools that formed within the black earth, he did not wish to tamper with them. In fact, prior to the greater conflict that would shatter their realm, Paludrex warned the other Eidolons about what the element may bring. He foresaw the discord and the fighting, but could do nothing to stop it.

When the first sparks of war came to life, however, Paludrex did not side immediately with those who wished to defend the Infinite Void that they called home. Shocking all who believed Paludrex as one of the most steadfast and resolute of the Eidolons, he chose to side with the other seven who sought to push the limits of reality. It is believed that this choice was attributed to two things. First, the Earthen Dragon knew in his heart that this fight would not be one that ended in anyone’s benefit. No matter where he stood, the outcome was decided the moment the first fires shined light upon the differences among his kin. Second, due to this inevitable Chaos, someone would have to carry Order into whatever beyond awaited.

And so when the Infinite Void shattered and the planes were formed, Paludrex did not ally with the Void and its stubbornness, nor did he see those of the Faewild as friends due to their extremist thoughts. Instead, Paludrex started to craft a world with the other Eidolons that chose Rhyst, and alongside them he knew he could create a place that would find certainty and assurances within itself. In his ideal vision, Rhyst would be what the Infinite Void couldn’t achieve; a realm by which magic existed while simultaneously promising itself that it could survive eternity. Paludrex hopes for longevity, but can make no declaration on whether or not he believes it is currently achieved.

The Cycle of Souls was used to formulate a greater purpose for the new universe, and with it came the Convergence, a process by which the other Dragons would exact change and self-repair upon the world and the cosmos. Though Paludrex did not fight the idea, his blessings upon the Aurumtine stood as a clear stance that he took on the subject. He understood the necessity of mortality and of the resetting planar system that this new realms required, but the Earthen Dragon decided that if Sol could go on burning and the oceans would never dry up, then he would protect at least one gem within the world he shared in forging.

And so civilization was founded upon the mountains he oversaw, and with them came the warden spirit of Delta who was tasked with defending the land once Paludrex descended into his coil beneath those very mountains to slumber. Over time, like his counterparts, mortals would discover his presence, and with it came the Earth Draconians that now bear the gifts he granted them in appearance, stature, and skill. The Ando Order, those who had walked the path of the hero Sayua, knew the Dragon well and came to stylize many of their writings and philosophies around Paludrex. Highshield rose to power, a more structured society than that of the monks, but one that came with the politics and the caste systems that they went without.

Though Highshield’s light was a beacon from age to age, there were still shadows that lingered within its walls, and eventually a group of warlocks that had heard the whispers of the damned believed that they would find reward in the next life for upending the Dragon’s passive rule over the Aurumtine. They were promised all of the gold in their caverns and all the glory of mythic heroes, and eventually, they did what only the most blasphemous within the kingdom could ever think to do. It is believed that they were enticed by some agent of Nevanerro, but no such entity has yet come to light.

Paludrex was contained within an infernal spell that scarred his coil with paedion, and placed under such pressure, he was imprisoned in unison with Zahhak, Melusine, and Fah'nadir. Within the Emerald Moon, he was the Dragon who practiced the most patience, for while the others believed the world could turn to chaos without them, the systems that they had in place ensured that Rhyst could act on its own for a time, and if that notion was proven, then it would mean his aspirations could eventually come true, for a world that doesn’t rely on its gods would be one that could survive infinity.

It was for this reason that upon their rescue, Paludrex finally advocated for a removal of the Convergence. Melusine felt similarly for her own reasons, and though Zahhak had his apprehensions, he was eventually convinced to agree. Fah’nadir’s wrath would prove too much, however, and in her departure, Paludrex feared the worst. A shadow was soon to come across Rhyst beneath the wings of the dark winds, and though Fah’nadir saw it as retribution, Paludrex knew it would only deepen the wounds that Nevanerro had sown.

To this end, Paludrex has returned to the Aurumtine following his Grand Declaration, and from his seat atop the peaks he has settled himself as the First Warden and protector of Rhyst. His sight crosses through the horizons and encircles the world itself, and without rest the Earthen Dragon now watches and waits for any clear sign of the infernal enemies or extraplanar interlopers.

Trivia

• Paludrex holds supreme command over the earth and is able to part it as one might the sea. He often travels this way underground, though he is no stranger to flight as a necessity

• The Earth Apheiron is melded with the power of the Earthen Dragon, and as such it is filled with the might and power of that self same element

• Paludrex notes Vul'karik as one of his primary foes, for though Paschia Fel, Nevanerro, and Eden are all counted as traitors by the Void King, the Earthen Dragon is the fourth name on that list of grudges. Vul’karik has never forgotten Paludrex’s original philosophies, given they are both Eidolons of Order, and he believes the Dragon turned his back on his own beliefs in the time of the great war

• Paludrex is sometimes spelled Palludrex given different translations in historical texts and changes in language and alphabet

Credit

Tattles https://forum.verdict.dev/showthread.php?tid=3143