Order of the Drakshal
When Kheldon the Great defeated Strax, becoming the first humanoid to survive contact with a dragon, he felt certain that a way of fighting existed that paralleled the dragon's versatile techniques. He travelled north for many weeks, out of the desert, and through the mountains , until he reached the Soulmeliti Forests. There he met an old Soulmeliti martial arts master. He spent three years learning all that the master had to offer, and then continued his journey. His reflections led him to believe that Soulmeliti styles were too narrow, relying on a single main mode of attack. A dragon, on the other hand, used multiple means to destroy his opponent. He arrived in the Underground Kingdom of the Children of Kharl where he tasted their ale. He loved it and inquired as to the brewing process. Kheldon was stunned at the amount of precision and care the Khadra took in brewing. One brewmaster told him that the secret lay in the yeast. "Without those little buggers, no mead will ever be brewed," he said. "The secret is to be the yeast and they will do all of the work."
To Kheldon, the idea of becoming something so small, if only in one's mind, was the secret to learning to fight like a dragon. He rushed south, and, at a picturesque valley in the eastern Rheuthengage Mountains, built a monetary with his own bare hands. He began to write out the details of his style, the biology and draconian actions behind it. Most maneuvers in the style correspond to some form of draconian attack. The style, which means "Way of the Dragon," in Soulmeliti, is perhaps the most complex in all of Tarien. His monks still brew ale , to become the yeast, as a way of focusing on the details of the intricate maneuvers. All Drakshal monks also study biology, to better understand the nature of a humanoids vitals when striking. Most monks tie their robes with a six foot long sash that they can spin at high speeds and wield as if it were a staff
Upon Kheldon’s death, his disciples sought to preserve the ideas he had taught. The monastery drew upon the human population of the area, and travelers from far away began to visit the site, both to learn and to participate. The monastery grew, but its membership became exclusively human. Soulmeliti considered the brewing to be frivolous, and few Khadra had the agility to even pass the basic training regimen, although they remained frequent visitors, and participated in brewing competitions. The monastery held itself above the political intrigues, but did extend its arms in aid to passing travelers, regardless of their race or creed. It was this policy of tolerance that made the monastery the site for a historic peace treaty signed between the Soulmeliti and the Galencians, which was called the Drakshal Accords. The monastery has become a favored place as neutral grounds for negotiations.
In 543 BC, when Kerr razed Geyla, the monks set up a refugee camp and helped care for the survivors. It was during this incident that one of the monks discovered he could extend his healing Ki power to others through his knowledge of biology and anatomy. This discovery saved many lives, although the Drakshal attributed it to the healing power of their brews. The monks also aided in the re-building of the city.
In 47 BC, the monastery became involved in the only true internal conflict it ever experienced. A group of monks, led by a master named Seiveux of the Empty Hand, decided that their brew should be sold for profit to hire people to expand the monastery itself. These monks wandered about Tarien, selling the highly prized brewing secrets, unbeknownst to the current Grand Master. Seiveaux was thrown out for his behavior, and never seen again. Rumor abound, however, of a small, secret monastery of these rebel Drakshal who follow slightly different goals, which are close to the heart of a dragon, namely personal greed. The rumors, however, have never been confirmed. Fortunately for the official monastery, the amount of care put into the brewing process seems to have something to do with the end result, which could never quite be obtained by those who had purchased the secret recipes.
The monastery has maintained their policy of indifference throughout the centuries, and has rarely become involved directly in any major political events. During the Great War, a monk named Ren did become a major player in the events that unfurled, and subsequently became a teacher at the Academy of Tarien, maintaining a small monastery there.
Two Afternoon Conversations
Qazan looks up. His companion, a dwarven traveling brewer named Khershok is nodding off in a drunken doze in the late afternoon sun. Qazan has been standing on this stump in the forest since before lunch. Perhaps it is time to move. The monk lowers his arms, and explodes forward in a fluid burst of motion, only to settle on a stump ten feet away. Qazan can feel the stump beneath his hands and bare feet, feeling the power of the great dragon he is imitating as he grips the rough hewn wood. Khershok’s head snaps up and the Khadra resumes his monologue as if he had never paused.
“The secret truly lies in re-applying both the yeast and secondary hops at the proper temperature, which usually comes in the early evenings. You feel it, you know. It’s simply that…hello, what’s this?”
Three dirty men walk into the clearing, openly armed. The shaggiest of the three lets out a bellowing laugh and begins to taunt the relaxing pair.
“What do we have here? A drunk stumpy fellow and a sissy in a dress? Who deserves the first beating?”
Khershok gives an imperceptible nod of his head, as if in pity for the poor fools, and resumes his lecture. The men, none too pleased at being ignored, reach out for Qazan to hurl him at the Khadra, who continues to speak. Qazar, without leaving the stump, explodes into action. His leg shoots out, catching the first man in the throat, paralyzing his instantly. Balancing on one leg, Qazar tears the shirt off of the second fellow. He spins it in the air, striking the leader in the face, caving it in with the force of an ironwood staff. As the first two hit the ground, Qazar has grabbed the shirtless man and hurled him twenty feet through the air back into the forest. Qazar himself is already again settled as the dragon upon the stump and is listening patiently to Khershok’s dialogue. The man with the collapsed throat pulls his wounded companion back into the forest. Khershok’s words follow him driving him faster from two individuals who obviously have important business to discuss. He would not disturb them, whatever anyone said.
Founding Date
1246 BC
Type
Religious, Monastic Order
Parent Organization
Location
Controlled Territories
Manufactured Items