Ancient dragon lore

by Bill Tiepelman

Azure Eyes of the Celestial Dragon

In a galaxy not too far away, on a planet called Luminaris—a place that looked like an interstellar disco ball on acid—there hatched a peculiar baby dragon. His name? Glitterwing the Fourth. Not because there were three dragons before him (there weren’t), but because his mother, Queen Frostmaw the Shimmering, had a flair for drama and thought numbers made things sound royal. Glitterwing, however, had other opinions. He liked his nickname better: Steve. Steve's Grand Entrance Steve’s birth wasn’t exactly a serene, mystical moment. He cracked out of his egg with all the grace of a squirrel on caffeine, flailing his tiny limbs, his metallic scales catching the light like a disco ball having an existential crisis. His first words weren’t poetic, either. They were something along the lines of, “Ugh, this light is awful, and what is that smell?!” From the moment he hatched, Steve had one glaringly unique feature: his impossibly large, strikingly blue eyes. While most dragon hatchlings looked like a mix between a kitten and a medieval weapon, Steve looked like a giant plush toy with an attitude problem. He immediately became the center of attention in the dragon kingdom, which, as you can imagine, annoyed him to no end. “Can we all stop gawking like I’m the last pastry at the buffet? I’m just a dragon, not a fireworks display.” Destined for Greatness? Nah, Just Hungry. The elders of the dragon council, a group of ancient reptiles who spent most of their time arguing about whose hoard was shinier, declared that Steve was destined for greatness. “His scales glitter like the stars, and his eyes pierce the soul!” they proclaimed. Steve, however, had other plans. “Cool story, Grandpa, but does greatness come with snacks? Because I’m starving.” Steve quickly developed a reputation for his biting wit and his insatiable appetite. While most dragons his age were practicing fire breathing, Steve was perfecting the art of sarcastic commentary. “Oh, look, another fire-breathing competition. How original. Why don’t we try something new, like, I don’t know, competitive napping?” The Misadventures Begin Steve’s snarky attitude didn’t exactly make him popular with his peers. One particularly jealous dragonling, Blaze, challenged him to a duel. “Prepare to meet your doom, Glitterwing!” Blaze roared. Steve didn’t even flinch. “Okay, but can we schedule this after lunch? I have priorities.” When the duel finally happened, Steve won—not with strength, but by making Blaze laugh so hard he fell over and rolled into a pile of mud. “See? Humor is the real weapon,” Steve said, polishing his claws nonchalantly. Despite his reluctance, Steve’s fame grew. Adventurers from distant lands came to see the "Celestial Dragon" with the sapphire eyes. Steve found this both flattering and exhausting. “Great, another group of humans pointing sticks at me and calling them ‘weapons.’ Can someone at least bring me a sandwich this time?” The Day Steve Saved the Kingdom (Accidentally) Steve’s most famous misadventure occurred when a rival kingdom sent a group of knights to steal the dragons' treasures. While the other dragons were busy preparing for battle, Steve was busy eating his weight in moonberries. The knights stormed into the dragon cave, only to find Steve lounging on a pile of gold. “Oh, look, more tin cans. What do you guys want? Directions to the nearest McDragon’s?” The knights, thinking Steve’s enormous eyes and shimmering scales were some sort of godly warning, panicked. One knight screamed, “It’s the divine dragon of doom!” and fled. The others followed, tripping over each other in their haste. Steve blinked, confused. “Wait, that worked? Huh. Maybe I am destined for greatness. Or maybe they just didn’t want to deal with a dragon who looks like he hasn’t slept in weeks.” The Legend Lives On These days, Steve spends his time napping on his hoard (which mostly consists of shiny rocks and discarded armor) and coming up with increasingly sarcastic remarks for nosy adventurers. He’s still the talk of the kingdom, much to his annoyance. “I’m not a hero,” he insists. “I’m just a dragon who happens to look fabulous.” But deep down, Steve enjoys the attention—just a little. After all, who wouldn’t want to be a glittering icon with piercing azure eyes and a knack for making knights wet their pants?     Bring Steve Home: Celestial Dragon-Inspired Products Can't get enough of Steve's snarky charm and shimmering brilliance? Now, you can bring a piece of his celestial magic into your own home with these exclusive products: Dragon Tapestry: Adorn your walls with Steve’s radiant glory, perfect for transforming any room into a mystical lair. Canvas Print: A high-quality art piece showcasing Steve’s celestial aura, ideal for dragon lovers and fantasy enthusiasts. Throw Pillow: Cozy up with Steve’s enchanting presence, a whimsical addition to your living space. Dragon Puzzle: Piece together Steve’s mesmerizing features with this fun and challenging puzzle, perfect for quiet evenings or dragon-loving gatherings. Embrace the magic of the celestial dragon and let Steve’s legacy light up your life—one sparkling scale at a time.

by Bill Tiepelman

Golden Scales and Giggling Tales

The fire crackled in the hearth, its light casting flickering shadows across the cavernous library. Deep within the ancient stone walls of the Elarion Keep, amidst shelves groaning under the weight of countless tomes, sat Lena, a girl of ten summers with eyes too wise for her years. Her golden curls seemed to catch and hold the firelight, framing her face as she stared intently at the tiny creature nestled in her lap. The dragonlet, no larger than a housecat, shimmered with a brilliance that rivaled the finest gold coins in her father’s treasury. Its scales reflected the warm hues of the flames, and its delicate wings, translucent as gossamer, trembled faintly as it breathed. The creature chirped softly, its voice a high, melodic trill that sent shivers of delight through Lena. She stroked the dragon’s back gently, marveling at the warm, smooth texture of its scales. The Beginning of Magic Two weeks earlier, Lena had discovered the egg. Hidden in the hollow of an ancient oak deep in the Forbidden Woods, it had pulsed with an otherworldly light. Despite the tales of dangers lurking in the forest, Lena had been unable to resist its call. The moment her fingers brushed its surface, she felt a connection she couldn’t explain. She had wrapped it in her cloak and carried it home, knowing instinctively that her life was about to change forever. When the egg hatched under the glow of a full moon, Lena had gasped in wonder as the tiny dragon emerged, stretching its damp wings. It had looked at her with eyes of molten gold, and in that moment, an unbreakable bond had been formed. The dragonlet, which she named Auriel, seemed to understand her every thought, and she found she could understand its strange, melodic chirps. A World in Flux Lena’s world had been one of structure and expectation. As the daughter of Lord Vareth, she was destined for a life of political alliances and strategic marriages. Yet with Auriel in her life, the confines of her predetermined path began to crumble. The dragonlet was more than a companion; it was a spark of rebellion, a symbol of a world beyond duty and decorum. But magic, as her mother often reminded her, was a dangerous thing. It drew the curious, the covetous, and the cruel. Already, Lena had noticed changes in the keep. Servants whispered in corners, their eyes darting to her when they thought she wasn’t looking. Her father’s advisors had grown more vigilant, their gazes lingering on her when she passed. She knew it was only a matter of time before someone tried to take Auriel from her. The Storm Breaks The night the soldiers came, Lena was ready. She had hidden Auriel in a satchel lined with soft wool and slung it over her shoulder. The dragonlet’s faint chirps were muffled, but she could feel its fear through their bond. She slipped through the shadows of the keep, her heart pounding as she evaded the guards who scoured the halls. The betrayal had been swift and inevitable; her father, desperate to maintain his fragile alliances, had agreed to hand her over to the Order of Sanctis, a faction that sought to control all magical creatures. As she fled into the woods, the sounds of pursuit echoed behind her. Auriel, sensing her distress, began to hum, a low, resonant melody that seemed to vibrate in her chest. The trees around her shimmered faintly, their leaves catching an unearthly glow. A memory surfaced, one of her nursemaid’s tales about the ancient bond between dragons and the natural world. Perhaps, Lena thought, Auriel’s magic could save them. A Fierce Awakening Stopping in a moonlit clearing, Lena placed the satchel gently on the ground and opened it. Auriel crawled out, its wings stretching wide as it chirped urgently. The dragonlet’s scales began to glow, brighter and brighter, until the clearing was bathed in golden light. Lena felt a surge of power, an overwhelming sense of unity with the world around her. The pursuing soldiers burst into the clearing, but stopped short, their eyes widening in fear and awe. Auriel rose into the air, its wings beating steadily. A deep, resonant roar filled the clearing, and the soldiers fell to their knees, shielding their eyes from the dragon’s radiance. Lena stood tall, her fear melting away as she realized the truth: Auriel wasn’t just a companion; it was her protector, her partner, and her destiny. Together, they were more powerful than she had ever imagined. A New Beginning When the light faded, the soldiers were gone, retreating into the darkness. Lena gathered Auriel in her arms, her heart swelling with gratitude and determination. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: she would never return to the life she had left behind. With Auriel by her side, she would carve a new future, one built not on duty and expectation, but on courage and freedom. As she stepped into the shadows of the Forbidden Woods, the dragonlet chirped softly, its golden eyes gleaming with trust. Lena smiled, her golden curls catching the moonlight, and together they disappeared into the night, their story just beginning.     Explore More: This magical artwork, titled "Golden Scales and Giggling Tales," is now part of our Image Archive. Prints, downloads, and licensing options are available for those captivated by the enchanting bond between child and dragon. Let this piece add a touch of wonder to your collection!