The Shining Bastion
Nestled in the heart of the Aurian Mountains, surrounded by pristine lakes and forests, Aurastone is a grand city built entirely of gleaming stone and crystal. Its towering castles and spires reflect the brilliance of the sun during the day, making the city shine like a beacon of hope across the land.
Aurastone is the capital of the Metallic dragons, a city that represents the ideals of order, wisdom, and justice. It is a structured, radiant city, with streets of polished marble and gold-inlaid buildings. At the heart of the city lies The Argentum Pinnacle, a towering silver citadel that serves as the ruling seat of the Metallic Dragon council.
The Metallic dragons pride themselves on their honor and unity, with the council, made up of ancient Gold, Silver, Bronze, Brass, and Copper dragons, ruling with a balance of wisdom and strength. Aurastone is a city of scholars, knights, and artisans, with great libraries, grand temples, and schools of magic dedicated to maintaining peace and prosperity, despite the ongoing war.
Key Features
The Silver Pinnacle: A massive citadel made of silver, home to the council of the Metallic dragons. This is where strategic decisions about the war with the Chromatic dragons are made, along with diplomatic efforts to foster alliances.
The Hall of Wisdom: The largest library on Thaczil, containing knowledge spanning eons, with ancient texts on dragon lore, magic, and history. Metallic Dragonborn scholars and clerics maintain its vast archives.
The Bastion of Light: A grand temple dedicated to Alyss, the god of order and creator of dragons. It is a place of worship, healing, and reflection, and also serves as a military base for organizing the Metallic dragon forces.
Key Figures
Argentum, High Lord of the Pinnacle
Race: Ancient Silver Dragon
Role: Leader of the Metallic Council
Description: Argentum is an ancient Silver Dragon, revered for his wisdom, patience, and immense power. His shimmering golden scales glow with a soft radiance, and his presence commands respect and awe. He has ruled the council for centuries, upholding justice and balance during the tumultuous war. Argentum’s strong sense of diplomacy and fairness has earned him the loyalty of many, though some younger dragons question his patience in dealing with the Chromatic threat.
Personality: Argentum is calm, wise, and slow to anger. He always seeks peaceful solutions first, but when war is necessary, he leads with strategic brilliance. He is a staunch believer in justice and the laws that hold the Metallics together.
Interaction: Argentum may assign tasks to the players, such as negotiating peace treaties or dealing with rogue Metallics who threaten the city’s harmony.
General Thalindra Brightscale
Race: Ancient Silver Dragon (presents as Dragonborn)
Role: Commander & General of the Metallic Forces
Description: Thalindra is a tall, imposing Silver Dragonborn clad in gleaming plate armor adorned with dragon motifs. She is known for her unyielding loyalty to the Metallic cause and her tactical brilliance on the battlefield. She oversees the defense of Aurastone and commands the forces stationed in and around the city. Thalindra is a direct descendant of one of Aurastone’s original founding families and carries the weight of that legacy with pride.
Personality: Stern and serious, Thalindra has little patience for politics and prefers action over diplomacy. She’s highly disciplined and expects the same from those who serve under her command. However, she is also fiercely protective of her troops and will go to great lengths to ensure their safety.
Interaction: Thalindra might enlist the players to assist with military operations, defend the city from Chromatic raids, or uncover plots against Aurastone from within.
Commander Zarkathis Nightscale
Race: Ancient Brass Dragon (presents as Dragonborn)
Role: Commander of the Metallic Forces Aerial Division
Description Zarkathis is a sleek, brass-scaled Dragonborn with molten amber eyes and acid-burned markings across his lean frame. He stands at 6'5", cloaked in dark, worn armor that blends into the shadows. His sharp claws and jagged spines make him a striking figure, though he moves with silent precision. He has subtle runic scars on his jaw.
Personailty: Zarkathis is cold, calculating, and driven by cynicism, with deep distrust of both factions in the war. Pragmatic and ruthless, he manipulates others for survival, but secretly resents the power-hungry Chromatics. Beneath his exterior, grief and rage simmer, fueling his choices. Though hardened, he respects strength and honor in battle.
Interaction: Zarkathis might enlist the players to assist in his aerial defences, and securing new forward operating bases.
Archmage Elloria Moonsilver
Race: Ancient Bronze Dragon (presents as Dragonborn)
Role: Master of the Hall of Wisdom
Description: Elloria is a highly respected Bronze Dragonborn mage who oversees the Hall of Wisdom, Aurastone’s greatest library. With her copper-hued eyes and robes shimmering with magical energy, she radiates intellect and command over the arcane arts. Elloria is an expert in dragon lore, planar magic, and the history of the Metallic and Chromatic conflict. She is a trusted advisor to Argentum, often consulted for magical matters.
Personality: Elloria is inquisitive, logical, and deeply invested in acquiring knowledge. She can be distant and cold, preferring books to people, but she always acts in the best interest of the city and its people. Her passion for magic sometimes leads her to act impulsively in pursuit of rare knowledge.
Interaction: Elloria might task the players with retrieving ancient magical artifacts, defending the library from arcane threats, or recovering lost knowledge to strengthen the Metallics in their fight.
Master Artisan Zaldor Bronzeflame
Race: Ancient Copper Dragon (presents as Dragonborn)
Role: Head of Aurastone’s Forge
Description: Zaldor is a master artisan and weaponsmith, his coppery scales burnished from the heat of countless forges. He is responsible for crafting the weapons and armor used by Aurastone’s elite forces, as well as creating the ornate designs that beautify the city. Zaldor’s forge produces some of the finest magic weapons in all of Thaczil, and his creations are highly sought after.
Personality: Zaldor is passionate about his craft, often gruff but fiercely proud of his work. He takes great joy in creating beautiful yet functional items. Though not a warrior himself, Zaldor takes great pride in knowing that his creations have protected Aurastone and defeated many Chromatic enemies.
Interaction: Zaldor may ask the players to gather rare materials for his latest creations or test a new prototype weapon. He may also offer to craft special items for the party, provided they can prove their worth.
Alyssia Starshield
Race: Half-Elf
Role: Diplomatic Envoy and Ambassador to the Amalgamate
Description: Alyssia is a half-elf diplomat with a striking beauty and an unshakable resolve. She serves as Aurastone’s ambassador to the Amalgamate, often traveling between the dragon world and the broader expanse to negotiate treaties, trade agreements, and mutual defense pacts. She has a reputation for her calm demeanor and eloquent speeches, always seeking peace where war threatens.
Personality: Charming and persuasive, Alyssia uses diplomacy and subtlety to navigate the turbulent political landscape of Thaczil. She’s fiercely loyal to the Metallic cause but understands the value of alliances beyond their world.
Interaction: Alyssia may request the players to serve as her protectors during dangerous diplomatic missions or ask them to assist in delicate negotiations between rival factions.
Torran Emberheart
Race: Red Dragonborn
Role: Spy and Double Agent
Description: Torran is a cunning Red Dragonborn who once served the Chromatic forces but defected to the Metallic side. He operates as a double agent within the war, gathering intelligence on Chromatic activities while maintaining the guise of loyalty to his former masters. Torran’s scales are dark red, almost blackened by years of espionage and covert missions.
Personality: Torran is secretive and distrustful, always on guard, and his motives can be hard to decipher. While he claims to be loyal to the Metallic cause, his past as a Chromatic agent makes some question his true allegiance.
Interaction: Torran could provide valuable intelligence to the players, or he might need their help in extracting a fellow spy from a Chromatic stronghold. Alternatively, the party may need to decide whether to trust Torran or expose his actions.
Valara Goldenwing
Race: Aasimar
Role: High Priestess of Alyss
Description: Valara is an Aasimar with glowing golden wings and a serene presence. She leads the clergy at the Bastion of Order, the grand temple dedicated to Alyss, the god of order. Valara’s calm and compassionate nature makes her beloved among the people, and her healing magic is said to be a gift directly from Alyss themself.
Personality: Wise and patient, Valara always seeks peaceful solutions to conflict and tries to inspire those around her with hope and faith. However, she’s not afraid to take action in defense of the innocent or to protect the values of Alyss.
Interaction: Valara may send the players on holy missions to retrieve sacred artifacts or assist her in quelling unrest within the city. She may also ask for their help in spreading Alyss' teachings to counter Chromatic propaganda.
