The Red Drake of Flammen-Flachland

== Grass Before Ash ==
Upon the Valreans arrival to their new home where they begin the rebuilding of their society, the locals of whom lived there just before their arrival pled a warning of the beat in the east and how the very forests cinder at its arrival and the fields of crops reduce to ash before it retreats to its lair in a forgotten mineshaft of a civilisation untold in any history book.The tales of old are now sung in the halls of mighty Valreach, the tale begins where the mountains kissed the sky and the forests whispered secrets of old, there is a tale often told around the hearths and in the mead halls: the tale of Altargon, the red dragon, and Sir Alberic, the noble knight who faced him. Altargon was a fearsome dragon whose scales shimmered like molten lava under the sun. His eyes glowed with an ancient malevolence, and his roar could be heard for miles, striking fear into the hearts of all who heard it. For centuries, Altargon had ruled the skies over what is now valreach, his lair deep within the ground of a forest bordering the farmlands of Valreach. His reign of terror was marked by fiery devastation and the hoarding of hundreds of skulls plundered from the lands below.
The people of Valreach lived in constant fear, offering tributes to the dragon in hopes of appeasing his wrath. Villages were razed, and brave warriors who dared to confront him in a dire need to protect their reborn nation were never seen again. It seemed that no force in the world could stand against Altargon, until one fateful day when a young knight named Sir Alberic arrived at the gates of Zie-Segrespent's castle. Sir Alberic was renowned for his bravery and skill in battle. Clad in shining armour and wielding a sword forged by the finest blacksmiths in the neighbouring nation of Helsia, he had journeyed far and wide, seeking out his birth right to once again honour his families oath and protect Valreach. When word of Altargon’s terror reached his ears, he knew that his destiny lay in slaying the beast and bringing peace to the land.
The Valrean people welcomed Sir Alberic with open arms, seeing in him the hope of a brighter future for the people. The court buzzed with excitement and apprehension as Alberic knelt before the king, pledging his life to the quest of slaying Altargon. The king bestowed upon him the ancient sword Dragonsbane, said to be imbued with divine light from the ancient realms strong enough to pierce even the toughest dragon scales. With the blessings of the king and the hopes of a nation resting on his shoulders, Sir Alberic set forth on his perilous journey to Mount Velkar. The path was fraught with danger; treacherous cliffs, wild beasts, and the ever-present threat of Altargon’s watchful eyes. But Roderick’s resolve was unwavering, his spirit fueled by the cries of those who had suffered under the dragon’s tyranny. 
=== The Road Ahead ===
As he navigated the forest, the air grew warmer, and the sky darker. The once lush forest gave way to barren rock and twisted, charred trees—evidence of Altargon’s fiery breath. At last, he reached the entrance of the dragon’s lair, a massive crater that seemed to pulse with a sinister energy. Steeling himself, Alberic ventured into the darkness. Inside, the crater was a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers, the walls lined with the glittering ores and skulls Altargon had amassed over centuries. Gold, jewels, and precious artifacts lay in heaps, their allure overshadowed by the oppressive presence that filled the air. Deep within the heart of the lair, Alberic found Altargon, his massive form coiled around a mountain of skulls, his fiery eyes glowing in the dim light.
“Who dares to enter mein domain?” Altargon’s voice echoed through the cavern, a low rumble that shook the very ground.
“I am Sir Alberic of Valreach,” the knight declared, his voice steady. “I have come to end your reign of terror.”
Altargon’s laughter was a terrible sound, reverberating through the cavern like thunder. “Many have tried, all have perished. What makes thou believe you will fare with due favour?”
Alberic drew Dragonsbane, the blade shimmering with a light of its own. “I have something they did not: the will of a free people and the power of this enchanted blade.”
With a roar that shook the mountains, Altargon lunged at Alberic, flames spewing from his maw. The knight rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the inferno, and charged at the dragon. Their battle was fierce, a clash of steel and scale, fire and fury. Altargon’s massive tail swept through the air, smashing into the cavern walls, while Alberic’s sword struck again and again, seeking a vulnerable spot.
For hours they fought, the cavern trembling with the force of their combat. Alberic’s armour was scorched and battered, his strength waning, but his determination remained unbroken. With a mighty roar let out by Altargon a flame embodied tornado enshrouded both in an arena, with a belowing explosion the roof of the cavern caved in as both were sent soaring into the air being cast onto the surface, Altargon took to the skys as Alberic bounced from tree to tree. In a rage Altargon scorched the land with a flame so hot and full of hatred that it lit a blue melting the very ground, In a desperate attempt to level the odds Alberic launched his family spear into the air striking the dragons wing causing it to cascade down to the ground crashing down with a roar of pain and anger that could be heard from the homes of Zie-Segrespent.
=== The Demise of Altargon ===
In a final, desperate manoeuvre, he leaped onto Altargon’s back, climbing towards the dragon’s head. With a mighty thrust, he plunged Dragonsbane into the base of Altargon’s skull, the enchanted blade piercing through scale and bone. Altargon let out a deafening roar of agony, his body convulsing as the magic of Dragonsbane coursed through him. With a final, shuddering breath, the great dragon fell, his lifeless form collapsing onto the land he had scorched for so long. Exhausted and wounded, Alberic stood victorious over the fallen beast. The Forest lay silent and molten, for the faint crackle of lingering embers. Slowly, he made his way out of the molten land, the weight of his journey pressing upon him. When he emerged into the light, the sun was setting, casting the sky in hues of gold and crimson.
Word of Altargon’s defeat spread quickly, and the people of Valreach rejoiced. Sir Alberic returned to the castle, greeted as a hero by the King and his court. A grand celebration was held in his honour, and the kingdom was united in a newfound hope and peace. In the years that followed, Sir Alberic’s legend grew, his tale inspiring generations of knights and adventurers. The treasures of Altargon’s lair were used to rebuild and enrich the land, and the once fearful villages flourished. The great dragon’s skull was mounted above the gates of the castle, a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice that had brought about a new era of prosperity.
And so, the tale of Altargon and Sir Alberic was passed down through the ages, a story of courage, resilience, and the triumph of good over evil. The red drakes fiery reign was ended, and the noble knight’s legacy lived on, a beacon of hope for all who heard it. Sir Alberic is known for many adventures and acts of bravery, this is only the beginning to the noble tale of Sir Alberic.