Dragons of Tirenia: Ercolia and the Dead Dragon

Ercolia was an ancient seaside city, believed to have been founded by the mythical hero Ercole in the years after the Hostwar. It became popular under the Auromian Empire as a holiday destination, and its hot-water springs were believed to have healing properties. However, Ercolia was destroyed a long time ago during a volcanic eruption. Even one of the gold dragons who was there at the time, a member of the imperial family, was killed. The lava flows and the ash completely buried the city, and it was lost to history.

But not for much longer.

Aurelius Victor Incantator Divus was the uncle of the Emperor and a mighty wizard. He cast a great spell as he perished to ensure his survival. His body was almost destroyed, but his indomitable will kept him alive - barely. It took an excruciatingly long time for the dragon-wizard to free himself, and his sanity is the poorer for it. Eventually, however, the undead, mummified corpse freed himself - to find that the world had changed. The eternal empire was no more, and dragons were persecuted by the Church. Unaware of the conspiracy of the dragon princes, Aurelius returned to Ercolia, where he excavated an underground home for himself. He used his magic to prepare an army of mummified corpses to serve him, and bided his time. One day soon, the world will know what a true god, a true dragon, is capable of doing...

Image result for mount vesuvius in eruption
Art: 'Mount Vesuvius in Eruption.' Joseph Mallord William Turner, 1817.

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