The Scaled Elf
Deep down below the mountains of the Wilderness in the South lies a cave overflowing with riches. Gems and statues, golden coins and fine fabrics await its visitor, but nobody entering the cave ever left it unscathed. Those lucky enough to survive a trip to the woods before the mountain range do not only struggle with orientation (in case they haven't taken a magical compass with them), they lose connection to all five of their senses. Dizziness, nausea, confusing smells that do not suit the area, sudden unexpected sounds and screams, an unexpected softness or hardness of the floor beneath them with each step - there have been several reports of adventurers losing their minds on these grounds; those that came back needed weeks to recover.
Those daring enough to try are advised to find items that guard them from the dangers of this place. Resistance against strong enchantments is vital. Survivors have spoken out about their trips once they returned to their senses. They mentioned a prisoner hiding inside the cave, tied to the heavy stone walls. Golden chains bind him to the cave walls, forged with magic stronger and older than everything they have seen before. The prisoner, an elven man with scales protruding from his cheekbones and chin and wings wide and black like a bat's, asked them for a trade. All the wealth inside his cave for his freedom. Even though some tried their luck in breaking his chains, neither of them succeeded. They were told that these chains were council-made. They possibly cannot be broken by mortal hands.
The stranger is horned and unaging, has white-grey skin and deep green and black scales spread throughout his limbs and face. Adventurers that have met him mentioned that he might be a descendant of one of the few dragonborns from the outer realms.
Spread
The story of the dragonborn elf is mostly spread amongst scholars and adventurers that have been to the Wilderness or are planning to visit it. Since the cave can rarely be found (mostly during full-moon nights), the number of adventurers following into the footsteps of former explorers is rather small.
Legend encyclopedias feature stories about the scaled elf similar to Yeti sightings.
Variations & Mutation
There are several versions coursing throughout history about the bound elf in the cave. Some speak of a full-grown dragon from the Great Beyond that has been imprisoned in the grounds of Aradeia to free their folk from this beast.
Others speak of a cursed prince that has been taken underground to keep him safe from his curse. Legends are common and beloved among Aradeian folk; it's their favourite pastime to tell them.
In Art
In the Grand Library of Sithaline, there's a painting of a broken-hearted elven prince with drooping leathery wings covering his back like a cloak. He is seen with transparent tears rolling down his face, his pale green eyes focused on a stained glass window showing the night sky. It has been the inspiration of many stories throughout the elven kingdom's literature.
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