DRAGONFALL
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE
LAND A DRAGON DIES UPON?
THIS IS NOT A PLACE OF HONOUR...
BY CRACKERJACKALOPE
FIRE
Scorching flames of hell
Smoke arise and lava fall
Brimstone in the dirt
Regional effects:
It rains less, plants dry out
quickly.
Unbearable heat.
Animals become violent.
Forest fires.
Metal melts or softens.
Cold
Freezing, bitter bites
Gnawing at the flesh and bone
Absolute zero
Regional effects:
Torrential snow.
Sleet and hail fall hard enough to
cause harm.
Animals are easily startled and
keep their distance.
Waterskins freeze solid.
The air becomes thinner and
harder to breathe.
Lightning
Storm brewing ahead
Thunder crash and lightning leap
Heavengravel fall
Regional effects:
Torrential rain.
Carnivores roar like rolling
thunder.
Lightning strikes seem more
targeted.
Metal becomes charged with
electricity.
A storm twists over the area, the
dragon's corpse at its eye.
Poison
Melting, rotten stench
Bare the bones, undress the flesh
Naught is left but death
Regional effects:
Rot and disease is plentiful.
Blood turns black and viscous.
Trees are bare of leaves.
Animal flesh melts off the bone,
as if by acid.
Dead animals, plants and food
rot instantly, emitting toxic
fumes.
Light
Blinding, vibrant glare
Scorch the eyes, radiant fire
Drive away the dark
Regional effects:
Days seem longer.
Animals possess greater
awareness.
Shadows disappear entirely.
Some herbs gain enhanced
healing properties.
Wisps of light lead travellers
where they need to go.
Darkness
Lurk in the shadows
Feel the call of the abyss
Step into the gloom
Regional effects:
Days seem shorter.
Shadows come alive.
Nocturnal creatures always
seem to be active.
Something is watching from the
shadows.
The void calls quicker to those
who are bleeding out.
A Guide to Dragonfalls
When a dragon dies, its latent magic flushes out into
the surrounding area, severely enchanting the local
wildlife. This is known as a dragonfall.
The carnivores gain their powers first, for they feast
from the corpse directly. Then the plants gain their
powers, as the ancient draconic magic seeps into the
soil. Finally, the herbivores gain their powers, as they
consume the enchanted plants.
As the corpse decays, the area affected by it grows
and grows. A young adult’s corpse may only affect a
few miles around it, while the eldest of dragons can
affect hundreds of square miles.
For a dracologist, dragonfalls are a bounty of study.
They showcase the bounds of draconic magic in ways
that a living dragon never would. Although the
dangers of study are still certainly present.
One may unknowingly find oneself journeying towards
a dragonfall, for the traits begin to show themselves
subtly. By the time it is clear that a dragonfall is
nearby, few travellers can make it back alive.
Text, layout and backgrounds: Crackerjackalope
Additional layout: PendularSand
