Thyrsus the Dragon
The new sensation to hit New Adtham has people talking more than I've seen lately, and with good reason: it appears that one of the newest members of the Adventurer's Guild travels with the most amazing of friends, a DRAGON. And not your dragon of legend, breathing fire, terrorizing kingdoms, and devouring princesses. No, this is a friendly dragon that is seen resting on the shoulders of a ranger, when not flying about seemingly for the joy of flying.
Thyrsus has proven a curious creature in the city, exploring the many corners of New Adtham, though typically seen in the Cockled Moor with his companion, the halfling ranger named Flynkin. We've got the exclusive story on this charmer, and how he came to travel with a halfling and enter the city!
Few in New Adtham outside Dolly Sisters would be familiar with the quaint Halfling village called “Mountainrest”. Located at the base of the mountain range on the Bombora river, which does not feed into our massive Djel that runs through New Adtham, but rather snakes its way through the evergreen forests emptying into the Gilgai lake, it remained remote, in no small part by choice. On the edge of the mountain range (The Rim, as most call it), a gorgeous multi-level waterfall served as the home of Mountainrest, using the force of the Bombora to power waterwheels and mills. Though aware of our distant city, most Mountainrest halflings were quite content to keep their distance. A simple and content life in the pines, most of Mountainrest preferred to get on with the important things, like solid agriculture to survive the cold winters but maintain the great feasts halflings are famous for.
Thyrsus watched the halflings for some time from the safety of the trees, but could not resist the smells off of the cookfires. Once convinced the halflings were no threat, he made himself cautiously known. Having been coaxed to friendship by offers of food and drink, Thyrsus became a friend of the halfling village known to all. Not meaning insult, the halflings at first treated him as a potential pet. Those who may encounter this remarkable being take note: this is no simple beast, and most certainly not a pet of the ranger Flynkin. Eventually, it was made clear that Thyrsus was and intelligent and independent creature, communicating mostly through images and feelings, but also capable of levels of speech. This humble interviewer can say with astonishment that this communication happens entirely through thought! Having this strange and wonderful creature connect to my mind was an experience I'll not soon forget, particularly as his story progressed.
Thyrsus is unusually taken by smells, especially of herbs. He loves food and drink (the Halflings always gave him beer), but especially loves eating fragrant herbs. His favorite snack is a pine cone; he may frequently be crunching on a pine cone. Flynkin recounted that Thyrsis will almost always eat any good smelling plant or nut if he's never seen it, and I can attest that Thyrsus perpetually has a faint spice scent surrounding him that seems like a blend of a kitchen spice cabinet and the pine woods. It reminded me of holidays, home, and a peaceful forest garden all at once. He seems aware of the fascination that surrounds him, and both amused and proud. He also doesn't seem afraid to use that to his advantage: I can attest that a beautiful young woman stopped by the interview, and Thyrsus flatly pretended to be less intelligent than I knew him to be, nuzzling the woman until she bought him a bowl of a particularly fine gin (the smell hooked him at once). Thyrsus gave me a sly look afterwards, sending contented and amused images into my mind. I can also say that the rest of the interview got interesting, as sharing the thoughts with an inebriated dragon makes for sloopy note taking.
Unfortunately, our most popular new arrival has a tragic cause for being here. Mountainrest was viciously attacked by a hobgoblin hoard. At the hobgoblin attack, I watched through his memories as he hid near a fire, until a halfling neared him fighting a hobgoblin. Remaining unseen, Thrysus watched the halfling friend be killed. He lashed out with his tail, stinging the hobgoblin by surprise, and the poisoned hobgoblin fell on top of him, crushing a wing and pinning him down. He was discovered by Flynkin (who it seems was the only survivor of Mountainrest), and the two helped each other recover: Thyrsus mostly in body, Flynkin mostly in mind. They were discovered by a ranger of the famous Tusks, who recruited them to the cause.
Despite this tragedy, Thyrsus remains a joyous entity to be around. His bond with Flynkin is deep and clear, even for those who haven't shared thoughts with him. His only possession is a single pine needle twined around his front left middle claw, matching one twined around Flynkin's, and when not exploring, Thyrsus seems to prefer physical contact with Flynkin, usually resting on his shoulders (even though he's starting to appear too large to for this perch to be comfortable for Flynkin). The bond with the ranger seems to be unique, and later, a mage friend recounted with awe that Thyrsus appears far stronger than a typical 'pseudodragon', the proper name for such an entity. I saw this for myself when Thyrsus was accosted by a drunk young sorcerer, insisting that such a magical creature should be 'the familiar of a lofty magic user, not some half-grown hunter'. With a hiss and a snap of the tail that I barely saw, the mage appeared confused, then fell soundly asleep. As Thyrsus gave the contended soft rolling growl I came to recognize as his version of a cat's purr, Flykin explained with amusement that the rude mage would probably be out for a while; that tail contains a cocktail of toxins that can leave all but the strongest out for hours.
So the most amazing arrival in New Adtham happens to also be perfectly ready to take care of itself, and the ranger Flynkin. I do not envy the enemy with malice on the mind who stumbles across this charming but dangerous duo, particularly after noticing Thyrsus gnawing on a VERY large bone. I could not bring myself to ask where it came from, though with certainty Thyrsus was responsible for it being missing from its former owner. He doesn't JUST eat herbs, after all.
Thyrsus has proven a curious creature in the city, exploring the many corners of New Adtham, though typically seen in the Cockled Moor with his companion, the halfling ranger named Flynkin. We've got the exclusive story on this charmer, and how he came to travel with a halfling and enter the city!
Few in New Adtham outside Dolly Sisters would be familiar with the quaint Halfling village called “Mountainrest”. Located at the base of the mountain range on the Bombora river, which does not feed into our massive Djel that runs through New Adtham, but rather snakes its way through the evergreen forests emptying into the Gilgai lake, it remained remote, in no small part by choice. On the edge of the mountain range (The Rim, as most call it), a gorgeous multi-level waterfall served as the home of Mountainrest, using the force of the Bombora to power waterwheels and mills. Though aware of our distant city, most Mountainrest halflings were quite content to keep their distance. A simple and content life in the pines, most of Mountainrest preferred to get on with the important things, like solid agriculture to survive the cold winters but maintain the great feasts halflings are famous for.
Thyrsus watched the halflings for some time from the safety of the trees, but could not resist the smells off of the cookfires. Once convinced the halflings were no threat, he made himself cautiously known. Having been coaxed to friendship by offers of food and drink, Thyrsus became a friend of the halfling village known to all. Not meaning insult, the halflings at first treated him as a potential pet. Those who may encounter this remarkable being take note: this is no simple beast, and most certainly not a pet of the ranger Flynkin. Eventually, it was made clear that Thyrsus was and intelligent and independent creature, communicating mostly through images and feelings, but also capable of levels of speech. This humble interviewer can say with astonishment that this communication happens entirely through thought! Having this strange and wonderful creature connect to my mind was an experience I'll not soon forget, particularly as his story progressed.
Thyrsus is unusually taken by smells, especially of herbs. He loves food and drink (the Halflings always gave him beer), but especially loves eating fragrant herbs. His favorite snack is a pine cone; he may frequently be crunching on a pine cone. Flynkin recounted that Thyrsis will almost always eat any good smelling plant or nut if he's never seen it, and I can attest that Thyrsus perpetually has a faint spice scent surrounding him that seems like a blend of a kitchen spice cabinet and the pine woods. It reminded me of holidays, home, and a peaceful forest garden all at once. He seems aware of the fascination that surrounds him, and both amused and proud. He also doesn't seem afraid to use that to his advantage: I can attest that a beautiful young woman stopped by the interview, and Thyrsus flatly pretended to be less intelligent than I knew him to be, nuzzling the woman until she bought him a bowl of a particularly fine gin (the smell hooked him at once). Thyrsus gave me a sly look afterwards, sending contented and amused images into my mind. I can also say that the rest of the interview got interesting, as sharing the thoughts with an inebriated dragon makes for sloopy note taking.
Unfortunately, our most popular new arrival has a tragic cause for being here. Mountainrest was viciously attacked by a hobgoblin hoard. At the hobgoblin attack, I watched through his memories as he hid near a fire, until a halfling neared him fighting a hobgoblin. Remaining unseen, Thrysus watched the halfling friend be killed. He lashed out with his tail, stinging the hobgoblin by surprise, and the poisoned hobgoblin fell on top of him, crushing a wing and pinning him down. He was discovered by Flynkin (who it seems was the only survivor of Mountainrest), and the two helped each other recover: Thyrsus mostly in body, Flynkin mostly in mind. They were discovered by a ranger of the famous Tusks, who recruited them to the cause.
Despite this tragedy, Thyrsus remains a joyous entity to be around. His bond with Flynkin is deep and clear, even for those who haven't shared thoughts with him. His only possession is a single pine needle twined around his front left middle claw, matching one twined around Flynkin's, and when not exploring, Thyrsus seems to prefer physical contact with Flynkin, usually resting on his shoulders (even though he's starting to appear too large to for this perch to be comfortable for Flynkin). The bond with the ranger seems to be unique, and later, a mage friend recounted with awe that Thyrsus appears far stronger than a typical 'pseudodragon', the proper name for such an entity. I saw this for myself when Thyrsus was accosted by a drunk young sorcerer, insisting that such a magical creature should be 'the familiar of a lofty magic user, not some half-grown hunter'. With a hiss and a snap of the tail that I barely saw, the mage appeared confused, then fell soundly asleep. As Thyrsus gave the contended soft rolling growl I came to recognize as his version of a cat's purr, Flykin explained with amusement that the rude mage would probably be out for a while; that tail contains a cocktail of toxins that can leave all but the strongest out for hours.
So the most amazing arrival in New Adtham happens to also be perfectly ready to take care of itself, and the ranger Flynkin. I do not envy the enemy with malice on the mind who stumbles across this charming but dangerous duo, particularly after noticing Thyrsus gnawing on a VERY large bone. I could not bring myself to ask where it came from, though with certainty Thyrsus was responsible for it being missing from its former owner. He doesn't JUST eat herbs, after all.