"Power and consequence are always intertwined."

An independent roleplaying blog for an original dragon character, Khaeryx. Written by Calliso (Cal), he/they/she, mun & muse 30+, mutuals only but friendly and open. D&D based for now, with a current verse for BG3, and other verses coming soon.

[khaeryx]

Hello there! I'm Callisto, or Cal if you'd like (30+, he/him). This is my blog for Khaeryx, an original dragon character based in D&D's Forgotten Realms setting! Presently, he has a verses for Baldur's Gate 3 and Dragon Age as well, but I am brainstorming and writing verses for him in other fantasy universes!

Carrd for Rules & Bio

Pinterest for Visage & Aesthetics

Meme Tag (memes never expire)

Other Blog(s): @artifexx (multimuse), @stella-argentea (Astarion sideblog)

[rowan-lilypond]

At least with yours, you're the only one to pay the price. Wenxie, through his mud-and-tear streaked misery, smiled and managed a weak, brittle laugh.

As Wenxie felt fingers on his shoulders, he fumbled for them, and eventually got a hold of the man's arm. Dizzy, he struggled as he tried to do as his benefactor asked of him; eventually getting up upright on legs as shaky as a newborn calf's.

"N-never," he whispered, and made a foolish attempt at fastening some strands behind an ear, as if that would make his appearance any better. "Would I have guessed, that my downfall- my downfall would be some ill-spirited jewelry."

The pain had come and gone in an abrupt shock. Wenxie felt unsteady, the way you do after you've been in the throes of a week long sickness, but the dull throbbing was easier to withstand than metaphorical the spear lancing him through his abdomen. His head a little clearer, he whispered:

"Forgive me. I... I feel as if I am waking from a terrible dream, and I have this terrible suspicion I said a great deal of foolishness while in the throes of it."

[khaeryx]

Well, there went these robes, likely ruined as the young man grasped desperately at his arm and sleeves. A worry for later, of course, for now his attention was on the man, and keeping him on his feet.

"Only a little," he comforted, or at least hoped he did, "The sorts of things any might sputter when in a great deal of pain. Nothing humiliating, I assure you." At least, nothing worse than the writhing fit that pearl has caused, anyway. It hadn't been his words that were the issue. Perhaps then, it was best to direct their focus on the more immediate concern.

"My name is Khaeryx, if there are to be introductions. I assume you've not gotten far enough into your... misadventure to build yourself a camp for the night, or find some other shelter." This, at least, was a predicament that could find a quicker resolution. Far quicker than that pearl, at any rate. "You need to get somewhere that you might clean yourself up, and dry off completely... and likely have something to eat and drink. I don't doubt that you will be in need of your strength, far too soon."

[kikismemes]

𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓬𝓪𝓷𝓸𝓷𝓼 — send 💭 + a topic to receive a headcanon about said topic.

[wolf-eyes-wolf-soul]

Morren didn't think she would get a response as the silence dragged on. She felt drained, exhausted, and the sudden reveal that they had all been lied to yet again did not help. Anger and hurt simmered below the surface but she felt too physical worn down to summon the energy to bring them to the fore. All she could wonder was why. Why hadn't Khaeryx trusted them enough to be honest when they had all eventually come to share their burdens and secrets with him?

And then he spoke and she listened without any real show of emotion, continuing to stare unseeing into the campfire.

Yes, she supposed that him being a dragon would have likely alarmed a lot of people. Dragons were dangerous. Fierce. They lived long lives and most of them tended to be unapproachable at best and actively dangerous at worst. Morren herself had never encountered one before getting infected with the parasite inside her skull. They seemed like great beasts that lived far away from where she made her quiet home. She didn't even know that apparently scale colour meant more than simply something aesthetic.

"I thought you were my friend." She said. There the hurt couldn't be hidden.

That was what had stuck in her the most. Morren had been naive enough to believe they were friends. Maybe it was putting too much stock into their relationship but after having lived alone for so long, only having Esca for real company, she had thought that these strangers that she had found herself were starting to go from strangers to people she could trust. Apparently not. Apparently she couldn't even be trusted with the information of something so fundamental to Khaeryx's being.

"I'd have at least listened to you. You'd been helping us. You hadn't done anything that told me we couldn't trust you." She knew she was the last person to be judgemental of others. She didn't even have a soul that was fully her own. "Astarion tried to attack me when I was sleeping. You couldn't have been any worse than that."

The "but" hung in the air, unsaid but heavy.

[khaeryx]

"I didn't give you reason to distrust me, as you say. So trust me then, to know that I kept such things quiet for a good, and justifiable reason."

He found it difficult to make Morren understand. He wasn't even sure if she could, at least fully. She was an intelligent woman, but this was... different, wasn't it? Bigger. It was bigger than a vampire spawn, or a pact-bound warlock. His secret was rivaled perhaps only by the wizard's. After all, like Khaeryx, Gale could wield a devastation that the rest of them likely couldn't imagine. Khaeryx could have killed them all, all at once, and so quickly that likely none of them would have known what had hit them.

But despite the destruction he was capable of, Gale had the benefit of being human. There were no notions that he would do such a thing knowingly or willingly. Others were not taught or believe that he, by his existence, was inherently suspect. The weight of supposed 'inherent evil' didn't hang over his head, along with all of the justified reasons people believed such a thing.

"But I am still your friend," he gently argued, "Have I not walked beside you all these tendays? Helped feed you, tended your wounds, fought alongside you?" He turned to face Morren more straight on, hands clasped before him, "Do you need to know every part of me, to be my friend? Do I need to know every part of you to be yours? If it is indeed my actions, and not my heritage, that are important, that is."

[selfishisuppose]

@khaeryx asked: “ There’s nothing for miles. ”

He was of course right, but Dorian still groaned. He had hoped for some break, some place to kick off his boots without worry of getting sand into them and make him even more miserable. But here they were, and he was afraid he'd lose sense of direction if it wasn't for the sun. It would be another chilly night in the desert once that was down, a thought that almost had him shudder.

"No? I suppose it's a long trek," one he was starting to regret. No, not really, the alternative was worse, but by the Maker's blue and twisted balls, this was awful. At least coin wasn't running out just yet, and maybe this man would trade. What worth did gold have in the desert? Not as much as water and rations, and he could survive with a lack of food, but water, that part was harder. "So.. Fancy running into someone on their own as well. I don't suppose you'd be willing to trade, if you have any water to spare?" He'd like to make it out alive, possibly starved, but that could be managed for a while at least, he just needed to put more distance between him and his family home.

[khaeryx]

The stranger eyed Dorian for a moment, analyzing perhaps, to see if he was sincere. Understandable, really. Who in their right mind would be walking along, all alone, here in the Silent Plains? There was dust everywhere, and nothing much but scrubland or dunes in either direction. Not even a hint of a tree to provide shade or anything akin to a view. This wasn't the sort of place someone went for a stroll, or to go traveling to explore the world alone.

But they were, at least, on the road. The remnants of the Imperial Highway was still somewhat solid beneath their feet. There was just... who knew how many miles on it, until they'd finally reach the Nevarran border.

"Yes, I have water," the stranger finally answered, his voice deep and smooth, with a somewhat... indiscernible accent. "You are welcome to it." After a pause, the pack at the man's feet was opened, showing naught inside but a map (quickly tucked aside) and numerous full waterskins. At least he was prepared.

One waterskin was pulled out, weighed in the man's hand for a moment, and then offered out. "Water," he reiterated, when Dorian gave his own pause. "I am Khaeryx." Perhaps, Khaeryx wondered, this was merely a case of 'stranger danger'.

[enspelled]

khaeryx's words seemed to encourage him,   his posture straightening as he listened.        “    well,   ah   .   .   .    ”        he   looked   down.        “    i'm   f-   focusing   on   divination,   of   course,   but   also-    ”        faeries.        “    -history   and   .   .   .    other   dimensions   and   .   .   .    anything   i   can   afford.    ”        he   had   to   be   choosy,   considering   the   requirements   of   the   keep.

“    s-   sometimes   i   do   consider   staying.   i   mean   .   .   .    the   keep   has   nearly   everything   you   could   ever want,    ”        he   said,   smiling   at   the   other   —   two   scholars   who've   hit   the   jackpot,        “    but   .   .   .    i   think   i   want   to   see   it   all   as   well.   to   not   only   read   about   it.   if-   if   i   can   persuade   myself   to   leave,   of   course.    ”

the   latter   was   said   with   an   abashed   smile.   that   was   another   reason   to   be   tempted   to   join   the   order.   with   his   anxiety   regarding   change,   he   was   well-primed   to   be   a   homebody.   but   it   seemed   unwise   to   spread   roots   when   he   may   have   to   flee   his   father's   agents   at   any   moment.

as   he   talked,   a   little   elf   owl   with   powdery   blue   eyes   poked   her   head   out   of   his   vest   pocket.   her   wizard   had   clearly   taken   an   interest   in   this   guest,   making   her   curious   too.        “    have   you   traveled   much   yourself,   goodsir?    ”        briar   asked.   the   other   seemed   to   have   a   wisdom   and   confidence   that   often   came   from   experience.

[khaeryx]

"I have indeed, I--" Sadly his composure left him for a moment, words interrupted as the sight of a tiny, fluffy feathered head peeked out of Briar's garment, and whatever Khaeryx had planned to say flew out of the window as his attention was captured solely by the little bird.

His eyes widened, eyebrows lifting, but his expression relaxed fully, a wide smile spreading across his face until teeth glinted in the candlelight.

"My! A surprise visitor!" As tempting as it was to reach for the little creature immediately, Khaeryx patiently waited for the tiny owl to climb out of the pocket properly and find her own footing before he attempted to greet her, gently extending one finger in her direction for her to sniff and inspect. "Hello there, little one!"

Briar couldn't have known, of course, about Khaeryx's utter fascination with such animals. He enjoyed birds overall, his companions in the skies, but little birds - like this elf owl - and ones even smaller like finches and sparrows were a particular, special love. Their grace and speed were a delight, and he found their speedy flight fascinating to behold.

Finally, after a moment, Khaeryx caught himself, and caught Briar's eyes again, as well. "I apologize. Birds hold... a special place in my heart, I'm afraid. I couldn't help myself."

[artifexx]

Spotty activity to come:

My mother in law has had a medical emergency, so my activity will be spotty, likely for the next few days. I won't say I won't be here at all, but irregularly at best. Thanks for understanding, friends!

[blacknighted]

@khaeryx asked: i understand if you hate me. (suggestion of Khaeryx's dragon nature being revealed, but whatever inspiration hits you!) / SEALED WITH A LEAD KISS: still accepting.

"What? No! It isn't like that!" It wasn't! "It's just–" Just what? Henry scrabbled for the words. Face coloring with their desperate row, the brightness of it made bolder with his vigorous sweating, he would stand there, heart thundering, with his weepy sword. And, gods, what a vision he had been, this man more a beast. To Hal, he had never much considered, that perhaps his roads might come across such inspiring creatures, but there. Standing in the flesh and there by the trees? Khaeryx loomed. In his mind— Fuck. Henry frowned. He saw still those scales, those claws, and those brigands in his teeth. "You've been hiding it from me. Why?" Why, indeed? Khaeryx saved him. The knightling's helmet fell. He drank in a desperate pour of air, lungs whining, and turned to him with blood still warm in his temples. Everything, my word, ached. "I want to hear it." Yes. "Go on!" Tell me you thought I'd turn on you, turn you to those lich lords!

Impossible. He was a noble character! He'd said that when they met! Khaeryx saved him! The feel of his fire... Stomping now, he neared. "Haven't I got you?! Didn't I promise?"

[khaeryx]

As a man, Khaeryx was tall, dark, and graceful. In each movement, in walking, casting magic, or fighting, he was elegant in his way. But now, like this? 'Majestic' was perhaps the only descriptor that came close to adequate.

At least six meters tall, and undoubtedly twenty-five meters long with the tail that now curled around his clawed feet, he was enormous, scarcely squeezing into what had previously seemed to be a vast clearing. His scales sparkled like sapphires, with an underbelly so gold that it surely rivaled any dragon's hoard. His eyes were deep blue, like the lapis lazuli in those rings he so loved, sparking behind their color with the lightning that had so recently been the doom of their would-be murderers.

"You are a noble man, Henry," The voice was deeper now, so much deeper than the 'noble' that had walked beside him over those many miles, but poured not from that maw of frighteningly sharp teeth, but from the dragon's very mind, and into Henry's. "A noble man, a knight, is often honor bound to slay a dragon, when he finds one. Especially a dragon like me." Even the 'good dragons', those copper, silver, and gold dragons found as noble benefactors in the fables and tales, were to be treated with caution as the dangerous creatures they were. Those like Khaeryx, of the colors, however, were to be vanquished. Irredeemable evil.

"Does it surprise you that I did not wish your sword turned on me in that duty? That I did not wish to see righteous violence at a friend's hand?"

[behindfairytales]

icons of Mahesh Jadu in The Witcher (s3) as Vilgefortz of Roggeveen

[wolf-eyes-wolf-soul]

Starter for @khaeryx

"Were you ever going to tell any of us the truth?"

Morren felt it was a reasonable question. She felt duped a second time. First Astarion and now Khaeryx, both hiding who they were on a fundamental level and both leaving her with a sense that she had been an utter fool for trusting them so easily. She should have learned the lesson the first time but she had thought that there were no secrets amongst their group left to hide.

And how wrong she was.

She didn't look at Khaeryx, instead her gaze was on the campfire but she was looking without really seeing anything. Her knees curled up to rest under her chin and a blanket settled around her shoulders to ward off the chill of a land without sunlight.

[khaeryx]

For several long moments, silence was the only answer. But at last, words, as inadequate as they might be, came. "Ideally, no." It was perhaps not the answer Morren wanted, but there it was.

"Avoidance of just such a revelation is among my top priorities, when among mortals. It's safer that way, for all involved." Khaeryx paused, his gaze focused on the fire too. It was hardly enough to combat the darkness that surrounded them, but it was the only light they had at the moment.

"If I had disclosed such information earlier, I would not have been able to continue to assist you all. Not if any of you had any brains in your skulls alongside those parasites. You'd have had to run... you'd be fools not to." While not all of this merry little band knew enough about dragons to recognize the increased danger of just what sort of dragon Khaeryx was, enough did. Gale, certainly. Wyll, Lae'zel, Halsin, most likely too.

"Ideally, I would have helped you all with this... dilemma, and then when it was over, I would have traveled on, with no one the wiser. You'd be free of this parasite, the Absolute would be gone, and I would be little more than a chance memory of an eccentric sorcerer. A mere footnote in the story you'd one day tell your grandchildren."

Strange, really, how things never seemed to go according to plan.

[blacknighted]

"No! Stay there, and make it make sense!" He saw this nobleman wince. At that moment, a ball of light shone about the book.

Huh. A man of a graceful tongue, perhaps of a more learned mind, may have thought himself at once gloriously, hopelessly, and deservedly doomed. As it were, Henry, a peasant boy, his speech boorish and unrefined, bore never a lute-string for a tongue nor the mind of a poet. As a consequence, he was of an undressed frankness. his eyes widening at the burn that crawled up his skin. Oh, no. And what is that thought that that held his mind?

Well, that he was certainly and undoubtedly bloody well fucked.

Crack! Henry wretched back sharply, but not before a fantastic surge of magic punched into his throat the earthiness of ozone. Disoriented, he tumbled onto his arse, vision whirring like a punch-drunk boozer's, and heard still the nobleman's voice — or so he believed. Fuck. But he had felt it, hadn't he now?, that last minute bauble that had found his flesh. Summery, he imagined, or like a nap in a peach grove. Guarding. He couldn't recall when last he had felt so safe.

"You're...wait, what? Liches? Why would some nothing bookkeep want with something that?" Why would you? He was played. His sword had fallen out his hand, and his helmet had clattered off where the tome had plummeted. There, it left him to nurse his head's tremendous ringing and that bedeviling rot-touch yet crawling up his arm, and as he eyed that face of his self-made savior, it thundered: he, just now, could've damn well died.

Swallowing, he missed that flurry of summer that had touched him soft.

"How did you know?" To come? Had he felt it that far off? Shit. "You could have let it have me were the book all you came for. But you didn't." Then, because he was dizzy still, magic-touched, feeling as though his brain-matter spilled wet out his ears — "Are you, ah, some sort of guardian angel?" From Hoar? He looked suspiciously at that book as his stubbornness waned. "It's Henry. Of Skalitz. A paladin, aye. I've got no gift for spellcraft and the like, but if you're no villain as you say you are, then fine. I believe you. But you have to tell me where else them components are. There are them bandits all over terrorizing, and I've got to get to them before any of them—" he sputtered, cradling his affected arm to his chest. Fool mortal. Hero. Always in a rush to die. But that book...! "Have you come to help?" Preform miracles?

[khaeryx]

The seriousness of the situation kept Khaeryx from laughing at the paladin's question. A guardian angel? Him? Gods above, those celestials would be insulted - nay infuriated - at such a comparison. A dragon, other than Bahamut Himself perhaps, an angel or divine in the slightest?

"Not an angel, no," He confirmed instead, his shoulders finally relaxing a portion of their tension, now that Henry had dropped the satchel and its hideous contents. He could still feel the thing, raging against his own magic that still surrounded it, but its strength was weakening now that it no longer had a connection to Henry's hand. "But I could not sit back and let an innocent man be harmed in such a way, not when something as simple as my words might help prevent it."

"I heard about the planned ritual some months ago, the Cult of the Dragon are not so sneaky and mysterious as they think themselves to be. I began to investigate, following rumors and clues... and on occasion interrogations. A great many of the cult's lower members are willing to give up information for a few coins... or a confident threat." The simplified version of events, perhaps, but still true at least.

"The bookkeep is but one of many of the Cult, they are surprisingly prolific, and found tucked into most cities, here and there. Most are... well, perhaps not harmless, but often inept and complacent. This particular cohort however... has ambition, as you see." Khaeryx grimaced briefly, but the remaining tension he carried finally bled away, and the ball of magic he'd placed around Henry's satchel at last faded. It seemed the immediate magical danger had passed, at least for now.

"This book you carried is among the most important pieces for their ritual," he continued after a breath, "But you are right that there are other components that I am sure other members of the Cult are hunting down as we speak, most grotesquely acquired. The blood of a unicorn yearling, manticore venom, the ashes of burned griffon feathers... among other more common poisons, herbs, and humours. And... the blood and heart of a humanoid sacrifice." And surely, Khaeryx thought now that he had met this Henry of Skalitz, this paladin had been intended for just such a purpose. They did so love to use the servants of gods for their rituals, their paladins and clerics, and extra insult to the deities they no longer followed.

[intothewildsea]

When he spun her she let out a delighted laugh. The skirt swished around her legs. For a moment, she felt like a princess. Maybe she looked like one, too. At least a little bit.

"Thank you. I usually make my own dresses, but I saw this one in the shop..." And she couldn't resist. It was often that she treated herself to something frivolous. She tried to be careful and frugal with her money. When she'd gone into town to stock up on some of the herbs she couldn't find in the woods, she couldn't help but wander into the seamstress' shop.

And. Well. Oops.

"I don't have anywhere nice to wear it, but I couldn't help but buy it. It's so pretty."

[khaeryx]

"Here is nice enough," Khaeryx gently argued, "The beauty of the every day is reason enough, in my humble opinion." And besides, it truly was lovely on her. The fashions of humans and the like didn't normally catch Khaeryx's eyes; he simply didn't notice what people wore, more often than not. But he couldn't miss how flattering it was on her. A garment that seemed made for her, if ever there was one. Flattering to her build and her coloring, with a whimsical style that truly suited her sweet disposition.

"Perhaps we could make a particularly enjoyable meal for you to enjoy while you wear it. Or simply tea. I may have some cinnamon hidden away from just such an occasion that would do to make something delicious." He didn't eat often, typically forgoing meals and snacks when he was in human form, but Khaeryx could admit his own sweet tooth, at least when in someone like Niamh's company. Besides, a special dress deserved a special treat, didn't it?

[onceawake]

"It all depends on your audience." And many an audience has adored when the hero is revealed to have survived against all odds — but, perhaps, that was the joy of an audience who'd little more exposure to the world at large save through the occasional traveling bard and sensational pieces of news disseminated through paper, oft controlled by the ruling family, but—

A deep sigh follows the second question. ""Would that I did. The druids'd likely be the better source, seeing as most of my pack is rather... not my usual choice." Which was, of course, putting it lightly. Arrai was sure even Khaeryx was faring better in the wilds, but that was hardly a difficult fence to clear.

One clawed hand flicked through the air, the bard grimacing as his hand very much made contact with one of the damned biters, and wiped the half-crushed carcass off on the thigh of his pants. "Pray we'd return there swiftly, too."

[khaeryx]

"I'm not convinced we'll get there before sunset," Khaeryx warned, though his expression brightened a bit as he looked ahead, "It seems you're in some luck, though. The ground ahead looks higher and drier." He nodded, gesturing forward with his chin.

True enough, the trail they followed appeared to be raising, taking them to somewhat higher elevation. Away from the reeds and vines of the swampy land they traversed presently, it looked like there were some proper trees and shrubs instead in the direction they were headed.

"I suppose we should be grateful for small miracles, hm?" While the swamp and insects didn't bother Khaeryx as much as others, it still wasn't among the most pleasant of environs. The strange noises, the stench of decomposing plant matter, and overall gloom were oppressive and tended to turn one's mood down enough. "A light at the end of this gloomy tunnel."

They walked a little further before Khaeryx spoke again, "How are you feeling, then? Aside from the midges, of course." As the only one among the party who'd not been aboard that mindflayer ship, Khaeryx wasn't exactly privy to the unfortunate sensations and pains the others did. It was always best to... check in.

[clotworthyskeffington]

tfw you’re going to a family dinner and that One Fucking Cousin™ shows up

[khaeryx]

@dionadaiir sent: ❛ can’t sleep? ❜

Khaeryx couldn't help his rueful, though clearly tired, smile as he turned his eyes away from the fire to glance up at Eden. "Too often it seems like, doesn't it?" Their shared tent was empty many more evenings than it wasn't this past tenday. Understandable really, considering all they were dealing with at this moment. The 'Shadow Cursed Lands'... and all they'd discovered in their long days and nights in it. And they hadn't even half-resolved this land's many issues yet.

"I am sorry for it, my dear. The darkness is... rather oppressive, isn't it? So many secrets it holds, pressing down on us." It had been three... well, there wasn't much like 'days' in this ever-present darkness, but three sleeps since their group had stumbled upon that dragon cultist. Three sleeps since Khaeryx's identity had been made plain to all of them.

No one had demanded his head or his expulsion from the group, which was a good sign. But no one had discussed it either. A glaring elephant in the room, that no one had yet dared to address.

"Sit with me, if you'd like." Khaeryx nodded towards the little patch of ground beside him. "The fire's warm."

[handsome-edvard]

Also Vilgefortz got sexier so there is also that to love about the Witcher season 4

[aestheticthingsforrp]

'Desert Ruins' by Alina Gimaletdinova