Verdan is an ancient Green Dragon, larger and more formidable than most of his kin, with vibrant green scales that shimmer like emeralds in sunlight and bright golden eyes that have witnessed the passage of over a thousand years. Despite his imposing size and power, Verdan is known for his gentle voice and wise words, embodying the true nature of a scholar and protector of the natural world. He spent much of his life within The Crowned Grove, a sacred sanctuary deep within The Stillwoods, where he nurtured a thriving community of centaurs, who revered him as their guardian and teacher (see: Centaurians).
For many centuries, Verdan remained in a deep slumber beneath the root-covered lake at the heart of the Crowned Grove, his body entwined with the ancient trees and the very essence of the forest. His prolonged rest was a reflection of his growing disillusionment with the world outside the forest, which he had seen slowly deteriorate over the centuries. The once-great forests and meadows of the world had shrunk, replaced by cities and farmlands, and entire species had vanished from existence. Verdan chose to withdraw from the world, hoping that the Crowned Grove could serve as a beacon of hope and a model for a more harmonious relationship between nature and civilization.
However, Verdan’s ancient slumber was disturbed by the arrival of The Sunsations, a group of adventurers who sought his aid in a dire situation. They had learned of a hunting party, known as the Blackwoods, hired by the Goldfinger Co. in Avalon and led by the infamous hunter Marcus Blackwood. This party had been tasked with hunting down the White Stag, a powerful protective spirit of the Stillwood Forest. The Sunsations knew that the hunters were using a poison that could potentially harm the spirit, and they realized that only Verdan could prevent this tragedy.
To awaken the great dragon, Alan Greentree, a member of the Sunsations and a devoted druid, made the ultimate sacrifice. He willingly gave his life to stir Verdan from his ancient rest, knowing that the dragon’s wrath and power would be the only way to stop the hunters and protect the forest.
Awakened by the sacrifice of Alan Greentree, Verdan heeded the call of the Sunsations. He instructed them to gather specific ingredients needed to create a remedy for the poison that had been used against the White Stag. These rare ingredients were scattered across the Druidic burial grounds far to the north, a sacred and treacherous place where the spirits of ancient druids lingered. While the Sunsations embarked on this perilous quest, Verdan took it upon himself to hunt down the hunters who had dared to defile his forest.
Verdan’s wrath was swift and terrible. He tracked the Blackwoods with the precision of a predator, laying waste to their ranks with his breath of poisonous gas and mighty claws. The forest itself seemed to rise up in anger with him, as the trees and wildlife conspired to aid their ancient protector. Marcus Blackwood, the leader of the hunters, barely survived an encounter with Verdan, suffering grievous wounds when the dragon nearly bit him in half. However, at the behest of the Sunsations, who sought to show mercy, Verdan allowed the crippled hunter to crawl back to Avalon, knowing that he would likely succumb to his injuries before he could tell his tale.
Though the White Stag was saved, the awakening of Verdan did not go unnoticed by others. Rei Tyrson, a Dragonborn warrior raised by the Earth Genie Tribe, was tasked by the Dao (earth genies) with restoring balance to the Stillwood Forest. The genies believed that Verdan, an ancient and powerful being, should not have been awakened and that his presence disturbed the natural order.
Rei, along with a group of Dao and their awakened Steel Sentinel, confronted Verdan near the Temple of the Stone Lords. The battle was fierce, with the very earth trembling beneath their feet. Verdan’s power was immense, and many of the Dao perished in the fight. However, Rei Tyrson, with the aid of the Steel Sentinels, ultimately defeated the great dragon. In his final moments, Verdan’s spirit was not vanquished but instead merged with Rei, passing on his ancient knowledge and the duty of protecting the forest.
Verdan’s legacy lives on through Rei Tyrson, who now embodies the dragon’s protective spirit. Though Verdan’s physical form was defeated, his influence over the Stillwood Forest remains strong, ensuring that the Crowned Grove continues to serve as a sanctuary for those who seek harmony with nature. The Sunsations, having witnessed the dragon’s final moments, carry with them the memory of his wisdom and power, knowing that they played a role in awakening a force of nature that would protect the forest for generations to come. Verdan's tale is a reminder of the delicate balance between nature and civilization and the sacrifices that must sometimes be made to preserve it.