Kingdom

Our fantasy kingdom is named The Mystic Realm of Kayda and it is home to various creatures, citizens, and ancient magic. The kingdom was founded many of centuries ago by The Great King and his Dragon Kayda. Between the ancient magic from the Mystic Tree, protection from Kayda and the wisdom of great rulers this kingdom flourishes. Currently the Reigning royalty is King Mithros and Queen Freya, with their guiding support from the Council.

The Royals and Council Members

#### *King Mithros*

**Once Prince of Avalon, Knight of Kayda**

#### *Queen Freya*

**Protector of the Mystic Tree The Powerful Seer**

#### *The Kingdom's History*

General Information:

Symbol: Dragonfly

Colors: Purple, Gold, Teal

Kingdom Name:  The Mystic Realm of Kayda

Motto: from small beginning comes large wings

Dragonfly named: Kayda

Kayda means little dragon

King: Mithros Shamshir ibn Antunis de la  Fuente de Vitalis

Queen: Freya Cassandra de la fuente de Vitalis (of the Willowind Clan)

Lore:

On the edge of a humble farming town laid a spiritual forest that grew the Mystic Tree. Beyond the magic that it held, the stars above it told an ancient forgotten prophecy. However the skill of star reading is rare and often unused. But fate has a funny way of making things relevant again. For the young farmer’s daughter was born with foresight, and her path soon took her to be the protector of the Mystic Tree; who would over the years, show her how to read the stars. It was there young Freya saw the Prophecy that some day, a prince from another kingdom would be part of the key to finding the Fountain of Youth, which in turn would be the secret of finding the late great dragon Kayda.

….and so our story begins within the Mystic Realm, a place filled with heroes and adventures of all creeds, plethora of rare fantasy creatures, and beautiful landscapes beyond imagination. For many centuries it lay without a true ruler. Although the areas have made do, the citizens hoped for a true ruler to bring enlightenment and peace. To become ruler you had to do one simple thing: Find the lost dragon Kayda.

Every year, whoever was brave enough to try, could exclaim they would join The Hunt, which was the highlighted event at Brielle Festival (aka the hunting ground festival) . Joining the Hunt refers to finding the long sought after mysterious dragon. The festival would mark the beginning of that year's hunt, and it would always always start with hope, celebration, and love. Once festivities had simmered down one person, drawn at random, would get a chance to read the prophecy to the hopefuls. The adventurer would have a year's time to come back with the sought after dragon. Few returned in one piece, and even fewer returned at all.

In the sea of hopeful adventurers who had gathered around for the start of the Hunt, stood the Prince of Avalon Mithros. Although it was not unheard of for a prince to toss his hat into the ring, it was just that they just had more to lose, especially if they didn’t come back. He had traveled a far distance from his Kingdom of Avalon, within a chance meeting of Freja. But now, he stood there in line, with various knights, a gnome, a few teenage boys, a beautiful witch and her gladiator of a partner, and a few other misfits. His eyes flickered over his competition, as his last memory of his Kingdom played in his mind. There exchanging words with his leader, King Maximus Thoropocles Odinson, on bended knee, asking permission to take part in a search for a long lost dragon. It was but a half truth, for something was drawing him to find the Seer. His King, his best friend, smiled from ear to ear, gave his blessing and a hug, and sent him on his way.

His concentration broke, when the prophecy was given:

Many, many centuries ago

A king and dragon we all know

Ruled this land with all their might

Until one battle, the King lost his fight

Now it seemed, evil would take command

Except that is not what the dragon had planned

On death’s door, the dragon could not let evil stay

And banished this group far, far away

The broken kingdom from events so tragic

Was only healed by the Dragon’s magic

But now, at what price for the dragon was gone

For the dragon was last seen at the day’s new dawn.

So now, today, to find this dragon of old

One should have these to behold

Strong with the mountains might

Swift as the river sword to fight

A sum should be more than one

For they should read beyond the sun

Now our story has come to an end

It is time to find  our dragon friend

Adventurer please help us end this travesty

And in reward became our majesty

So quick, now, follow the sky

And remember if ever lost just follow the dragonfly

The group dispersed like water breaking from a dam. People pushed by him, some to hurry on their way, and others to run alongside their hero. He let the others wash by him, their shiny armors and swords twinkle until they disappeared into the horizon.

Mithros thought of a different approach which led him to the local tavern. “I am looking for a seerer, by the name of Freya?”

The bartender almost paid him no mind “that kook? What does a man like you need to be messing with that nonsense?”

“I have business to attend to; where may I find her?” he slips a few coins.

The bartender picks it up. “Follow down the mountainside, where the hills roll free and there are a few waterfalls. That is the start of her clan’s property. The Willowinds I believe they are called.”

“Thank you,” and with that  Mithros took off following the directions. It was but a three days journey. He wondered if it would cost him the contest, but did it matter? The only thing he was certain of was to find her. She had the answers, or at least he hoped. He found himself at the end of his travels at an old worn down cottage with just a few hours left of daylight. As he looked around he noticed the cottage was full of dust, maybe something had happened to her? But then his eyes met a letter “Follow the path to the clearing, there is a large white tree with multi-colored leaves, I am waiting there.” Signed “Freya”. To the right of the letter was a lantern.

By the end of dusk he was already in the dark woods. It was a few hours until he came upon the site that was described to him. The little house had a light on, the yard was illuminated by iridescent flowers and various torches. He followed the cobblestone path up to her door. The sign read “none of this nonsense please”, he smirked. “Come inside” a soft voice echoed.

“How did you know?”

She was propped up in a large red chair by a roaring fire, her nose in a book, she had square rim glasses that fit perfectly on her nose. She removed them to look at him “the cards told me you’d be at my cabin today, and I heard your footsteps on my path.”

“That explains it,” he glanced around.

She put her book down alongside her reading glasses on the table, and raised herself to bow to the prince in front of her.

“Oh no, please, you don’t need that.”

“Of course your highness” she smirked.

From there they discussed their journeys from the different kingdoms, the lore of the quest and what brought him there to her house. As the conversation drifted she brought him outside, past her front porch, onto the dew laid grass, and with a snap of her fingers the lanterns turned off. “Look there,” her fingers pointed to the twinkling stars above. They hummed with their heartbeats across the neverending swirling blue canvas. “Over here we have a few constellations I am sure you are aware of,” he nodded. “But these stars here, well no one knows what they are, what they mean. But I do. They are our map, where to go. In general that isn’t a peculiar thing for a seer to see their path in the stars, but our path ends at this constellation.”

“Which one is that?”

“The fountain.”

“The Fountain of Life?”

“Yes, a myth I believe. But that's what these stars say.” And for a few minutes, they searched the sky, only finishing as their glaze met each other and they smiled. “But I am glad you sought me out, I believe this to be a story for the ages.”

“You know what, I would usually laugh at that, but I believe it.”

The next morning they headed out on the map that Freya had transcribed to paper. It had been a few weeks of the journey that had them facing various monsters, traps, and puzzles. Until one day, with a simple turn, led by the stars, they found themselves in a world that had been engulfed by ivy. It was a trap set by a wood nymph, and the two adventurers were now lost. Two days passed, with little food and little water they were losing hope. Until one afternoon when Freya was continuously being popped on the head by a little bluish dragonfly. She tapped Mithros shoulder “I think it wants us to follow it.”

“Na, it is just a dragonfly. Leave it alone.”

And she didn’t. This little thing flew around her and bopped her head two more times. From there she grabbed his arm and onward they went following the dragonfly, and in a few minutes they popped back out to a side of a mountain. “And you said don’t follow the dragonfly”, she smirked. Their next adventure was through the bottom area of the mountain, a dark cave filled with various luminous creatures and flora. It was quite beautiful if it wasn’t for the creepy feeling of eyes peering deep into them.

“We are being tracked’ Mithros informed Freya.

“Now what?”

“Look for cover…”and at the end of those words a monster appeared. Mithros rallied his sword and it was a clash of strength. The teeth, the snarls, the various eyes. No one was sure quite what this monster was, but they knew that it was it, or them. Or rather it or the dragonfly because after a few minutes in battle the focus was on the dragonfly. In a brief reflex, Freya threw herself in front of the monster, leaving a large slash in her back. This enraged Mithros who in the next few minutes showed the darkness how he earned his title of prince. His technique, strength, and footwork could not be outmatched. The monster then quickly slain. He rushed over and with care gathered Freya and the dragonfly through the cave and out a little passageway.

It was night, Freya healed, she read the stars again. They were in the right location, just not at the right elevation. They needed to climb the giant mountain, but for now, they laid at its feet. The night was quick, safe, and cool. The dragonfly hummed around them and led the way as the morning sun kissed their path. It was a handful of days, of scavenging, climbing, and deciphering clues that led to their destination. They remarked how the mountain was carved more and more like a dragon as they reached the top peak. The details verged on lifelike, but they thought it was all due to the long trip and limited hours of sleep. It was not until they both stepped onto a formally designed stone pavilion where a voice greeted “who goes there?”

It was long and drawn out. It made the travelers shake a little bit “it is I, Prince Mithros Vitalis of Avalon, and my companion Freya of….”

“Freya Cassandra de  Fuente of the Willowinds.”

“Are you worthy?”

“What makes anyone worthy?” Freya asked back, Mithros held his tongue, he may have not been so quick to question the stone beast.

The voice murmured, while the mountain shook to reveal a stone dragon. “You have either brought us the missing dragon Kayda, or you have failed. If you have failed, I am hungry.”

“The missing dragon…is named Kayda?” asked Mithros.

“Yes,” quickly answered Freya “She was the guardian dragon, who brought peace, protection, and wisdom to this kingdom. She faded when the last known ruler died in battle, using her last bit of power to shield the kingdom from any true misfortunes.”

“That’s why you all have been able to survive without someone ruling…”

“That’s what the stars say at least.”

The voice bellowed “where is the Great Kayda?” They looked at each other in silence, both quietly and quickly trying to figure a way out of this current predicament. “Silence? Not as I had hoped, but a snack will always be welcomed.”

“WAIT” Mithros shouted. “Freya did not choose this pilgrimage, but I did. She did me a favor, she was nothing but guidance. This kingdom needs her, and her abilities. I have faith in her, unlike many of the others. Let her live.”

“I am not a heartless dragon, this can be arranged,” and before anyone could react the mighty stone dragon head snapped back, jaws opened wide, and was but an inch away when the tiny dragonfly pushed this dragon back. With every passing second the dragonfly grew bigger and bigger until it was equal size to the stone dragon. Though this dragon's scales were iridescent purple-blue with gold specks. It’s wings were like a dragonfly’s and twinkled as the sunlight danced over. “Kayda?”

“I have returned” said the once small dragonfly.

From there it was an easy ending. The adventurers were spared and flown back to the kingdom. Everyone celebrated for the return of their dragon, and for the new rulers. If it were another pair, perhaps they would have split their responsibilities or titles. But it was clear to even the coldest of hearts that the pair had found their own gift on their journey, they had found love. The celebration went from coronation to wedding celebration. Kayda looked upon with approval and insisted on officiating the wedding, and when she did so, she united them both in spirit, in law, and by name. For they were now, and forever would be Their Majesty’s  Fuente de Vitalis