Kaevad

[Kaevad]

Player: Amanda (Fay)

Name: Kaevad

Age: Approx. 220 years

Race: Dragon-Shifter

Physical Description:

Unruly, crimson hair, messed by hands constantly running through it, falls to broad shoulders, scarred by numerous claw marks. Blue eyes, hidden under a thick brow, are cold and hard to meet. At approximately 6’5” Kaevad stands above most of the population, not that it matters as he tends to hide away in the mountains and surrounding wood.

Kaevad appears to be only in his mid-twenties as his forced change also slowed his aging considerably. He’s lean from living off game for decades, his muscles corded from doing hard labor to continue living as he’d long-since given up on dying. He only wears pants he’s made from self-tanned animal skins as he’d shredded his clothes from long-ago when he first changed. Around his neck is the only possession he has kept throughout the years: his family crest ring strung on a thin piece of leather. His chest, stomach, back (where he can reach) and shoulders bear claw-marked scars from when he attempted the “rip the corruption from my soul”.

He also takes the shape of a large, crimson dragon with golden eyes. He doesn’t shift often, if at all, as the shift is purely physical and causes extreme agony. He’s grown somewhat accustomed to it, but still avoids it due to phantom pains. Partial shifting causes slight pain, so he also avoids it, but when he does his eyes turn green. The more dragon-like he becomes, the lighter the green as it slowly turns to gold.

Possessions:

- His family crest ring, strung from his neck by a thin piece of leather
- A bow he carved himself, strung with a cord he fashioned
- A small dagger he fashioned from one of his claws when it broke
- A shoulder plate and gloves made from his shed scales.

Powers or Strengths:

Human:

Shapeshifting: Kaevad can take the shape of a large crimson dragon. He grows to approximately 15ft in height, ignoring his horns and tail (another 5ft), his wing span is about 35ft across.

Hunter: Having hunted for food for the past 200 years or so, Kaevad has become adept at tracking, hunting and cleaning game. He can set traps meant for small to mid-sized animals, kill them quickly and skin them. He can also recognize poisonous plants and mushrooms and separate them from the healthy ones.

Tanning: He does it the “old fashioned” way so it’s rough, but Kaevad can tan animal hides for clothes, material and whatever else he requires.

Combat: During the 100 years or so that Kaevad was enraged, he practiced the art of combat, often taking out his anger on nearby rocks, trees and the occasional passer-by or wild animal. He’s not bothered with swords or other blades, but prefers to use his claws. Its well worth the pain of shifting his hands into dragon claws to be able to rip an enemy’s throat out in his opinion, or so he’d like to believe; as even with his combat abilities, and practice with bears, cougars and/or bandits, Kaevad really never did quite get the hang of hitting something that was quick on its feet, even if he was quick himself. To put it in a nutshell, Kaevad would have trouble hitting one trained to be fast on their feet – but should he hit them, they’d either be dead, in quite a bit of pain, or out cold.

Fighting Spirit and Fierce Loyalty: These two tie in together as one does not come out unless the other’s involved. Once upon a time, Kaevad would have told anyone who asked he was only loyal to himself and his family. Feeling he’s lost both, Kaevad’s blade and loyalty now seek someone to protect and assist, as he’s determined the human race is absolutely useless. Once he’s found them, he will go to any length to protect them, simply because to his way of thinking, he’s just looking after yet another child/idiot.

Dragon’s Attributes: Even while “fully” human, Kaevad shares some common attributes with his dragon’s side – namely his toughened skin, larger than normal size, and his claws/teeth. His skin, to start with, isn’t actually overly tougher than a normal human’s – certainly he’d be less susceptible to cuts and bruising, and even less susceptible to burns, but a well-placed shot or blade can still easily slice through it. His size is a more prominent “pro” to being half-dragon; as since he can see over the heads of the general populace, he can also see who was headed for him, and whether or not they seemed friendly. It also gives him a clear shot over the heads of said populace if someone headed towards him seemed particularly hostile. Last, but not least, his claws. Just as those out of legend, Kaevad’s claws rivaled the durability of stone, and the sharpness of a blade. Granted, this often leaves his hands sliced to ribbons if he’s not careful, but they make for excellent weapons.

Dragon:

Fire: As a dragon Kaevad can breathe fire. The angrier he is, the hotter the flames get. These flames are conjured magically (one of the small blessings of the potion, he didn’t like the idea of chewing on rocks and hoping for the best). He’s also roughly sorted out how to spit fireballs but it doesn’t end too well, namely it more looks like he burps out a large ball of fire that spills down his front, or perhaps (on rare occasions) about a good couple feet away. Let’s face it, spitting fire with a snake-like tongue can’t be easy.

Roar: As a large dragon, Kaevad has a large voice and can use it to his advantage. It’s not ear-drum busting by any means, but it will leave your ears ringing should he decide to attempt to deafen you.

Size: Kaevad, while he’s not monstrous, is a decent sized dragon, and he knows it. Using his size to his advantage Kaevad can take out a good-sized building with a bit of effort, said buildings are usually wooden in nature. (as such they could just be burnt to save time and effort, but what fun is that?)

Scales: Following the tales of old, Kaevad’s scales are harder than any armor and many have difficulty piercing them. He does have weak-spots, however. His underbelly and armpits all have softer scales that a well-placed blade would be able to slice through, and his wings are a soft, thin membrane that a sword could slice through like butter.

Weaknesses and Flaws:

Shifting Pains: A 6’5” human, but no means, should be able to shapeshift into a 20’ dragon…unless some serious magic is involved. Unfortunately Kaevad doesn’t have that option and all changes to his body are agonizing as any magic involved is actually very minimal. Muscles are forced to stretch, bones to grow and organs (how he manages to breathe fire) expand. (Kaevad has an extra lung essentially that contains a chemical that catches flame when it combines with oxygen, said chemical is produce magically. He’s able to use fire as a dragon due to the toughened tongue and cheek skin and teeth, but using fire as a human will severely burn him.) Such things cause Kaevad extreme amounts of pain; as such tends to avoid shifting as much as possible. Smaller shifts (such as sprouting wings or growing out his claws) cause less pain, but isn’t comfortable either.

Multiple Personality Disorder: While Kaevad’s psychological disorder doesn’t 100% follow the actual medical definition, it has many similarities. Kaevad has what he assumes is his previous, human mind and the dragon within himself, constantly whispering in his ear. And while they never quite take control, they get close. Kaevad has had times that he has watched himself reach out and kill small mammals with his bare hands, or as a dragon, burn small parts of forests, all while consciously fighting to avoid the confrontation. This doesn’t occur often, however, each time it has it was when Kaevad was in emotional turmoil. Noticing the connection Kaevad has sought to avoid becoming upset, though fails miserably most times, mostly due to the stupidity of humans.

Unfamiliarity: When Kaevad is in his dragon shape, or has dragon parts, he tends to hurt himself accidentally. This is due to the fact that since he seeks to avoid shifting at all Kaevad is unfamiliar with his dragon half. As such his arms, hands and parts of his face have scars from when he hurt himself with his claws, horns or wings. This also makes his combat slightly sloppier when he grows more than his claws or horns (ie wings, tail, etc.) as he’s unfamiliar with the extra limbs. Kaevad’s also been known to get stuck in a tree or two because he forgot he’s grown horns and they caught in low branches.

Socially Awkward: Being up in the mountains for little under two centuries tend to make one’s people skills “rusty”. On top of that and Kaevad being from a whole different era, Kaevad’s form of etiquette, social status, etc; are all askew compared to the etiquette the people of Thar Shaddin use. As such the language, manners and whatnot Kaevad uses are completely different… as a general rule of thumb people do not accept or appreciate those they cannot understand, leaving Kaevad very misunderstood and awkward.

Vivid Nightmeres: Kaevad rarely has a peaceful night’s sleep as his nightmares haunt him frequently. These can range anywhere from him slaughtering his family, to changing into a dragon the first time. As such Kaevad attempts to avoid sleeping unless he’s sure he can sleep soundly from exhaustion, leaving him inattentive and causes him to hallucinate at times due to lack of sleep.

Guttural Voice and Thick Accent: Back when he’d been first forced to shift, Kaevad often couldn’t control the flames he could spout, still can’t at time, and so had to harden his mouth, teeth and cheek and throat lining. As such the inside of his mouth resembled that of a dragon, making it difficult to talk. On top of all that he has what present day people would call a “Scottish” accent. A heavy burr on top of guttural growling due to lack of speaking over the years has made Kaevad very difficult to understand at times.

Solar Powered: Despite being able to breathe fire and such, Kaevad is cold-blooded. Not in the sense that he’s emotionless(even though he seems to be at points), but in the sense that he is like a lizard. Kaevad often will have issues waking up in the morning unless he stretches out in the sun and allows it to warm him. The effect is greater when he’s a dragon or has wings, to further catch the suns rays. As such Kaevad is best described as “groggy” or “lazy” on cloudy or rainy days. Cold temperatures also have this effect so Kaevad tends to pass the winter by either sleeping fitfully or staring groggily at the fire he’d built for warmth.

Scars: While obvious emotional and psychological scars exist within Kaevad they do not hinder him as much as the physical ones do. Flesh and muscle pull, twist and pain Kaevad at the worst possible moments, usually in battle. Extreme movement will cause old injuries to flair and often temporarily cripple him, leaving an opening for his enemy to give him yet another scar or possible fatal wound.

History:

200 years is nothing to a dragon… but to a human it’s far too long. This is why Kaevad regrets ever drinking that potion. His father had told him to never go into his workshop, had beat him every time he did, but Kaevad would never listen, and wishes he had every day.

342 PW

Kaevad was born, kicking and screaming, to an alchemist and his wife. Raised an only child, Kaevad knew many pleasures that few of his generation ever received. As an alchemist, Kaevad’s father was sought after to make anything from cures to a simple cold, to love potions, to cures to the worst of ailments. As such Kaevad lived an easy life, and tended to share his wealth with the other children in his village just as his parents shared their good fortune with those who were have a stroke of bad luck.

Kaevad would go on hiking trips with his mother to collect herbs, feel proud and strong when he was allowed to carry the basket containing those precious ingredients. As such he came to recognize the good herbs from the bad, poison mushrooms from nutritious. It was from his Mother that he first learned how to track and live off the land, just as she’d learned from her father.

From his father he learned how to brew minor healing potions, reviving draughts and other minor potions. The young boy was fascinated, so much so he’d often sneak into his father’s workshop as the man worked, simply to watch.

326 PW

Kaevad, as a teenager, was wild, alive and almost to the point of being out of control. He had a passion to match his flaming red hair and a temper that matched even that. Often he’d come home cut and bruised from fighting with the other boys in the village, and just as often his mother would fuss as his father shook his head. Both had hoped he’d become an alchemist like his father, but Kaevad didn’t want that, he wanted power; power enough to draw the attention of his obsession, Kyla. She was beautiful, calm, compassionate, the cool water to Kaevad’s hot flame, and he loved her. But she wouldn’t give him the time of the day, more interested in that farm boy, Kaden.

Kaden was powerful, beefy, a Changer among the boys it seemed. And Kaevad hated him as much as Kyla loved him. She all but fell before him, swooning and sighing, and Kaevad hated it. Sure he was scrawny, but he was smarter than that hair-brained fool. But Kyla wasn’t into brains… no… she liked brawn. So, Kaevad sought to become stronger. That was when HE showed up. The strange man with no name but “master”, who wielded a blade, boasting rippling arms and a strong chest… Kaevad begged the man to teach him, to be his master. The man agreed, for now.

His parents forbade him to meet with the stranger but he ignored them, wanting the secret power the stranger promised. It was under the man’s tutelage that Kaevad learned the basics of fighting, of control, of the power Kaevad so craved. All of which, of course, came at a price. The man wanted a potion, made from a dragon’s tooth. He had the tooth; he simply needed someone to brew it. It would take years for the potion to simmer and set, but it was, the man promised, well worth it. Being an alchemist’s son, Kaevad had all the tools they needed, and with the promise of the strength he wanted pushing him on, Kaevad threw caution into the wind and agreed to brew the potion in exchange for lessons.

Two years of sneaking ingredients, learning the arts of hand-to-hand combat, of trying and failing to win Kyla’s heart and close-calls seemed like a century to Kaevad. But finally, that potion hit that off-crimson color that it required to be for the potion to be finished. The young man was excited, 18 and finally the potion he had worked on so diligently was brewed to perfection. The man looked to the other, younger man and nodded. Both dipped their piece of the hollowed out tooth, and drank the liquid under the full moon. Kaevad did something the old man did not though – he scraped his teeth against the rim of the cup.

The potion was to give the aspects of whatever bone you drank the potion from, but you needed a piece of it within the potion as well. The older man had not realized that. And as the potion turned his own power on himself, he died, shrieking and Kaevad’s arms. Scared and confused, the boy drank a second cup – finishing the potion – and doubling the effects in hopes of following the man he considered his master and best friend to his death. But once again he scraped his teeth against the cup, small shards of the old tooth falling into his mouth, and into his gut when he swallowed. That old habit saved his life, and gave him what he wanted… but the price was more than he’d bargained for.

It wasn’t until several days later that Kaevad started to notice the differences. His nails were much harder, his teeth sharper. He’d grown more as well – faster than what was normal. He’d gone from 5’7” to 6’5” within a week, and the aftermath was painful. His parents were concerned to say the least, and wondered if he’d done something wrong. It wasn’t for another two years that the full effects hit him hard.

322 PW

He was having a nightmare, as he had for the past several nights. His master was drinking the potion even though Kaevad begged him not to. Over and over he fought the restraints that bound him even as his master lay screaming on the ground, hovering over him a dragon, golden eyes glowing. Something was different though, today was the anniversary of that night, and now as the man dreamed, twitching and groaning in his sleep, the dragon boomed in his mind and soul: “Choose.” At first, Kaevad was confused, but the dragon and his dead master clarified.

“Join me…” “Or join me.” Kaevad stared at the two, horrified, even as they chanted together: “Choose. Choose. Choose.” His master mouthed: Join me. Kaevad screamed and fell to his knees, clutching his head. “Choose.” “NO!” “Power, or death. Choose.” “I don’t wish to die!” He screamed at his master, who grinned, blood dripping from his mouth.
“Then don’t.” The dragon lunged, swallowing Kaevad, even as the boy screamed and thrashed in his mothers arms as she looked helplessly at his father. They had entered his room upon hearing his agonized screams. It was an action that would end their lives.

Kaevad’s eyes shot open and a clawed hand snapped forward to grip his Mother’s throat. He watched, screaming in his mind, as the dragon ripped his mother’s throat out, his father screaming in terror. He stood, claws growing, wings sprouting, Kaevad screaming from the agony and horror. He moved to the cowering man and bent, snorted in his face, grinning.
“Kaevad… please… spare me…” The man whimpered, causing the dragon to chuckle even as the son of the man before it sobbed, begging himself to stop.
“There’s no sparing the weak, the wicked and the pathetic. Perish, mortal, and feed your son’s immortality.” Kaevad screamed as the dragon punched his Father through his chest and ripped out his heart. Even as Kaevad screamed over and over not to, the dragon tipped its head back and swallowed the still beating organ. The dragon continued its rampage through the village, slaughtering villager after villager, eating their hearts, Kaevad sobbing and begging with each step.

The village empty of men, women and children the dragon sat upon the small pile of bodies and grinned as it ate a heart, even as Kaevad sobbed silently in the corner of his mind.
“I don’t see why you’re so upset Kae.” His childhood nick-name coming from this monsters mouth made him shudder. “You asked for this.” No… no, no, no, no…” The dragon laughed outright and tossed away the body of the small child whose doll Kaevad had helped find.
“Oh yes, yes, yes you did my dear boy. You “didn’t wish to die.”… well boy, this is the price of immortality.” “What?” The dragon grinned down into the growing pool of blood.
“Well not immortality per-say. You can still die if you’re stupid. You’ll still get old… eventually.” The dragon grinned even as Kaevad stared back at his bloody reflection.
“Each heart you eat is a life you keep.” Kaevad stared in horrified fixation as it ate the heart of Kyla. It was when he felt that meat slide down his throat that he snapped. He screamed in agony even as the dragon roared in triumph. They shifted, agony seared and Kaevad was larger than his home. Fire screamed from his maw, burning the bodies and the homes of those he grew up with, cared about, and lived with. He’d spent 20 years here, only to have it destroyed by the greed of power. Screaming in self loathing and agony, Kaevad flew clumsily away towards the near-by mountain range. Finding a cave he collapsed, still a dragon, and screamed his agony, the roar reverberating down the valley, though no-one could hear or see the tears of blood that streamed down Kaevad’s dead love’s face.

317 PW

Five years… five years and he was still haunted by her face, by the feeling of their hearts sliding down his throat and into his gullet. Five years of screaming, ripping at himself and bleeding after nightmares to atone for his sins. None of it worked, none of it made the nightmares, the dragon’s laugh, the villager’s screams, go away.

He sobbed in a corner of the cave, working slowly to returning human, the pain of transformation making him averse to continuing. The shifters he knew had never mentioned this agony… though none had ever mentioned drinking a potion either. And why had his master died and not him? A shudder wracked through his body even as the dragon cackled in the corner of his mind. Sobbing again, Kaevad listened to the screams of the villagers as he drifted off unwillingly once again.

312 PW

It was his fault, all his fault. Claws pounded the boulder before him, cracks steadily becoming more and more prominent. If he hadn’t drank that potion… if he hadn’t accepted that dragons offer, even unwittingly… he pounded the boulder harder and harder, grunting with each impact. They’d still be alive, he’d still be human, normal. The cracks skittered across the rock faster, chips falling. He wouldn’t be hearing their screams every. Fucking. Night. With a scream he broke the boulder and spun around to face another one, fists bleeding and began to punch it.

It was all his fault…

262 PW

It took him 50 years to come to terms with what happened, to accept that no matter how many times he screamed, ripped his skin to ribbons and destroyed boulders and trees, it would never make up for what he’d done. He stood in the rain, facing the downpour even as that realization struck him, fully human and naked, that nothing he could do could change his past. The only reason he wasn’t dead was because his father had told him that suicide was the coward’s way out… and now. Kaevad closed his eyes and allowed the frigid water to beat down on him. Now he would live for his parents, live the lives of those he’d stolen unintentionally and unwittingly.

But to what end? His eyes snapped open, ignoring the sting of the rain. Why should he bother? They were dead, they didn’t know any better… but he did. He closed his eyes once more and allowed his mind to wander, to work it out. His stomach growled and he looked down, unable to recall when he’d last eaten. Perhaps, for now, he’d live for himself, and come to terms with what he must do. With that thought in mind Kaevad wandered back into his cave and began to plan. Perhaps this time, he wouldn’t be so stupid.

212 PW

Fifty years of meditating, working, pushing himself to live… and he still hadn’t forgiven himself. It was 100 years since that fateful day, not that Kaevad noticed. Time had blurred for him, becoming naught but a number, one he could remember only vaguely. He stood in the centre of the town he’d slowly rebuilt from memory. Every house, every well, and every street he rebuilt brick by brick. Now, standing in the centre of it, he wondered why. In the frames of the doors of every house he carved in the last name, as he’d learned to read and write from his father. He stepped back, watching as the villagers walked through the town even though he was alone.

He’d remade his room, his parent’s room, but all the other houses were empty. The bar was only missing the kegs and food. Now, staring at his handiwork, Kaevad fought to understand the purpose of his labors. He’d started with his home for a more understandable reason: he didn’t want to stay in a cave forever. But the others just… happened. What he’d done, now that the village was complete, seemed as though it were a waste of time. More stupidity on his half it seemed. Perhaps he was more human than he thought. He frowned. Or perhaps the human was rubbing off on him?

He ran a hand through his unruly hair, now an auburn color due to the dirt that caked it. So many memories, so much pain, so much labor… but to what end? The human seemed happy-ish, almost reminiscent. Kaevad frowned further. It wasn’t like him to waste time and energy, so why? Why bother recreating the place he’s destroyed so many years ago? Just to make a non-existent side of him happy? He was no longer human, so why bother trying to appease that side of him? Too many unanswered questions… shaking his head Kaevad went to his home and slipped inside, deciding it was time to just meditate some more on his actions… why not? He had time to spare…

210 PW

A family had found Kaevad’s home town, and Kaevad in it. He was bringing in some fish when he spotted the road-weary travelers knocking on what used to be the mayors door. The children looked starved, the adults more-so, all dragging their belongings on a sled of sorts.
“If yer lewkin’ fer th’ mayor… he’z nawt in thar.” Kaevad rumbled, causing the people to look to him, clearly not understanding. Stupid, or perhaps they just couldn’t understand his dragon-tongue speak? Did that make him the idiot for not knowing or noticing? Bad thought, might want to try to be nice, these people might want to stay. Idiots.

Kaevad winced and rubbed his throat before smiling awkwardly – he hadn’t done that in awhile either, too much like something the human would do. He wasn’t human anymore… was he? He still remembered it…
“Be ye looking fer a place to rest?” Speaking much slower, Kaevad manages to get the words more recognizable, and to temporarily escape his train of thought. The man nodded slowly, looking between the shifter and his family, looking uncertain. Peraps he thought Kaevad mad? Perhaps he was right…
“Y-yes… would any of the towns people be willing to spare a bed?” “They’re all dead.” Kaevad said, scowling. Wouldn’t the fact that this town was empty, make this obvious? It was then and there that Kaevad decided that people were stupid, but then didn’t that make him stupid? He was part people after all. Self loathing burned his throat and lined his next sentence with bile.
“They all died a very long time ago, about a hundred years or so in fact.” He’d been able to keep up with modern speak from listening to other speak while hunting, or sneaked trips into the market for fruits to avoid the sailor’s disease. Not well enough it seemed because he had to repeat himself a time or two, something Kaevad found irritating; the human’s stupidity was becoming more and more apparent, and to be frank, Kaevad was getting a headache. Or was it his stupidity? Maybe he hadn’t learned to speak their tongue well enough? The human’s self-consciousness was rising. Kaevad stomped it down, ignoring the dragon’s laughter.
“That aside, yes… you and your family may rest in any house of your choosing.” “May we stay?” The woman blurted it out, causing Kaevad to stare at her for a time before slowly nodding. Women were weak, needed to be taken care of, or so he’d been taught at an early age. There were two children as well, more beings to care for. A roof over their heads was the least he could do for those three, since their man was such a bloody useless tit. We should eat him, another life to live and you could care for the woman. The idea was tempting, but a bad idea overall. He’d likely end up eating the woman and children too- no. No he wouldn’t, that was bad and what got him into this mess in the first place. Scowling he stomped the dragon back into place.
“If you don’t mind living with a dragon, then you certainly may.” He felt it fair to warn them, saddening slightly when he saw them pale. Not stupid enough to live with a dragon it seemed, perhaps this was a good thing? Solitude was nice… but it was so quiet, and he was getting sick and tired of fighting with the dragon and the human, no matter how infrequently they came.
“I see no dragon!” That was the small boy, no older than 12. Kaevad looked down to him and eyed his defiant face, hardly remembering being that young… though he remembered being that arrogant and stupid.
“Let’s keep it that way, yes?” Kaevad murmured before moving to his home, fish over his shoulder.
“Feel free to come to my home should you desire a meal.” Kaevad looked to the family and gestured at his home. “I live here, but any other house is free for you to choose from.” The man nodded his silent thanks and began trudging towards a decent place, Kaevad turning his head and entering his home. But what should happen if you desire a meal? Kaevad shook his head, fighting to dislodge the dragon. He wished them no harm… for now.

Sure enough, even as Kaevad set the plates he’d swiped from the near-by village, someone knocked on his door.
“Ye may enter freely.” He called without thinking, and enter they did. He looked up, seeing the children’s hungry faces, he gestured.
“Please, eat.” At first, their manners were appalling, even to Kaevad, but they were desperate and starving. Silently he was grateful he’d made more than enough for a family of 10 or so. Finally they finished and Kaevad assisted them back to their home, carrying the children as the husband supported his wife. He nodded, accepting the man’s thanks, as he set the children down on their make-shift bed. He smiled at the almost comatose thanks he received from the wife and the sleepy murmurs from the children. Waving gently he moved out of the house, closing the door behind him, and moving to his own, wondering how the hell they’d managed to get this far.

Surprisingly they were still there the next day, and the day after, and the day after that. Truth is they stayed quite a number of days, something that baffled Kaevad. He’d warned them of possible mortal danger – a dragon, but they hadn’t heeded his warning. Hell they even requested they summon some family and friends. Kaevad had accepted, shrugging. Might was well use his labor for something, and really, these people clearly wouldn’t be able to make it on their own. Bloody humans.

The people arrived slowly, only a family or two at first, then a handful, then soon enough the town was flourishing once more… and Kaevad didn’t quite know how to handle it. Silently he stood back from the crowd, watching as the town was re-restored by these strangers. Surprisingly it didn’t anger him, but almost relieved him. Once more his home town would live. Then the young alchemist and his wife came, and Kaevad knew it was time to leave. Quietly he gave them his home, with his work shop and left for the mountains once more, feeling much lighter and freer.

He didn’t move far, ending up building himself a cabin far enough in the woods he could get the privacy he desired yet close enough he could still go into town if he so desired. He often came into town with a buck or two that he’d killed while training and gave it to the butcher or to a family he knew was having a hard time. He assisted the men with house repairs, farm work or defending the town with any predator stupid enough to come close to a dragon’s lair, as the men (not surprisingly) had troubles with such things. Bloody humans…

And over the years, people came to realize that perhaps their guardian of sorts wasn’t human (about time, it only took them what… a decade?). After all he never aged, his eyes tended to turn green or even golden when enraged, and often in the night they’d hear a dragons roar. They held a meeting in secret, men and women, and decided that they would tolerate it. After all, he’d given them a home, didn’t tax them, and assisted when they needed it... and really, how does a town that can’t handle small predators handle a dragon? One of his more outspoken defenders was a young woman – Adrianna.

She was young, spirited, and very much in love with the dragon-shifter. She was the young daughter of the first family that had arrived, and it never fazed her that Kaevad never aged. Often she would seek a reason to go up to his cabin, simply to talk, to bring him home-cooked meals, anything. This baffled and amused Kaevad to no end, until one day her father came to him and asked if he’d be willing to marry her.

“Look Kaevad. She obviously loves you, and you must be lonely up here all alone. She cooks, she cleans, she could bear you sons.” Kaevad stared down at the man, horrified.
“I could never pass this curse on to any child of mine.” His voice was vehement, inwardly he was raging. He’d been stupid enough to force this on himself decades ago, like hell he’d force it on an innocent. “As for your daughter… she must know what she would be getting herself into. If she is set on spending the rest of her life with me, she must know all of me, as must you. Come to the mountain,” he gestured behind him, “I’ll be there waiting.” The man nodded, confused, but went to deliver the message.

That night Kaevad waited in the light of a full moon, hunched and staring at his reflection in the small pond he stood by. The snapping of a twig alerted him to their presence and he turned, slowly, cautiously. He met their eyes in turn, smoky grey and green with ice blue.
“Yer certain you wish to be wed?” He murmured to Adrianna, watching her flush and nod. His eyes softened. She was so sweet, so naïve. So incredibly stupid. Hissed the dragon.
“Don’t be so quick, child. You dun even knew what ye be getting yerself inte.” His accent thickened as he fought his fear. He’d shifted into a dragon only a handful of times, but he’d rather they knew. Before she could protest, Kaevad slipped off his pants before pushing out the dragon in himself. He bit back the scream as his skin stretched, his tail grew and horns spouted. He was on all fours now, wings ripping themselves out of his back, scales growing over skin, fangs lengthening and eyes growing golden. The dragon in his mind reared and fought for control, but he battled it. There would be no more bloodshed in this village; Changers only knew what the idiots would do. Probably jump off the cliff like lemmings.

Transformation complete Kaevad allowed himself a roar, feeling free again. He panted, his eyes closed before bending his powerful neck to look at the pair still before him. His muscles quivered in agony as he laid down, allowing his head to rest just before the ghost-white father and daughter.
“K-Kaevad?” She whispered, slowly coming forward. He was surprised, but blinked slowly as a yes. She rested her hand on his snout and he blew against her gently, causing her skirts to billow. She smelled nice.
“You won’t harm us… will you?” Kaevad shook his head as a dog would shake to rid itself of water from its fur. He glared at her as if to tell her not to be so stupid... granted she was human, so he had to give her some leeway. She grinned weakly.
“I suppose you would have had plenty of chance otherwise, if you’d wanted to, huh?” Kaevad thumped his tail gently, causing the earth to shudder slightly, before looking to the pale man. Well? He seemed to ask.
“Can you shift back?” Was the whispered reply. Kaevad rolled and closed his eyes before he gritted his teeth.
“Let him be for a bit, Da. Shifting seems painful for him.” Adrianna murmured, now caressing his snout. Kaevad’s eyes snapped open as he stared at her, shocked. She understood. Gently he rose from her and pulled himself in, shrinking rapidly until only a human remained, only to collapse. She shrieked and raced forward, quickly pulling him into her arms, absorbing his shaking with her own body.
“Shifting… it pains you?” The father squatted next to the two, and Kaevad grunted in assent. “Is that why…?” “No. This town has seen enough bloodshed to last enough lifetimes. And I wish all of you no harm.” The response was raspy even as he panted, trying to catch his breath. She held him even though she knew of his true form. It never failed to confuse him, and would continue to confuse him throughout the years. He wed her, but worked to the best of his ability to avoid children.
“I couldn’t forgive myself for allowing you to have a dragon, Adrianna, when I haven’t a clue if he could harm you while in your womb.” He’d murmur when she asked. It was only when they adopted a child who’d wandered into town that she was truly content. Kaevad had his family, his town, and while he’d prefer to just roast half of it most of the time, he enjoyed it… but all good things must come to an end.

180 PW

It’d been 30 years with Adrianna and little Charles as they’d learned his name was. Adrianna had been good about Kaevad never ageing, their son; however was not and left as soon as he had the chance to “escape his monster father”. Adrianna had been heartbroken, and a proud Kaevad had soothed her, often bringing back mail from him to her when he went into the nearby town. Their boy had understood something that the rest of the town had not, Kaevad was a monster, one to be feared. It was on a trip to receive the letters that the raiders arrived. Kaevad was headed home when he heard the screams. He dismounted in a heartbeat, stripped in another and all but ripped into his dragon form; the idiots needed saving and by the Changers, he’d give them what they needed. He flew to them, landing loudly in the centre of town, roaring his wrath. The towns people and raiders alike screamed – all but Adrianna. She ran to him.

He bowed, scooping her gently into his claws and protected her, allowing her to climb astride his neck. That was his worst decision by far, another one of his human ideas. The raiders turned their murderous attention onto him, shooting him with arrows the simply bounced off his hard scales. He snapped down, biting the raiders, avoiding using his fire like the plague so as to not harm the villagers. So caught up in battle was he, that he never heard her scream until her body hit the ground, an arrow protruding from her shoulder. The fall had shattered her bones and she died before his eyes, her final words were “I love you, my dragon.”

Agony seared and Kaevad screamed. Why!? Why now!? What did he do wrong this time!? The dragon rose and slaughtered the raiders in a blind rage, eating their hearts and accidentally damaging several houses in the process, and injuring a couple villagers. When there were none left and Kaevad was alone, he stood in the center of town, human and cradling his dead wife, sobbing. Humans… Changers he hated stupid humans with their fighting, and their deaths, and their killing. The dragon was sated, for now, its tongue cleaning its bloody maw even as the human sobbed at the further loss of what little humanity Kaevad had left.

He left shortly afterwards, unable to stay where he’d made so many memories, headed for his precious solitude once more, hoping to avoid more bloodshed. The dragon had protested, the human agreed.

Present

It’d been nearly 60 years since he left his village and holed up in his mountains once more, meditating and battling boulders and trees to take out his pain, not that he knew that. 60 years of solitude, peace, quiet had left him feeling out of place in time. 200+ years of being mostly alone does that to a person… unless you counted the dragon and the human with him. Even before Aileen, these two different personalities had been evident, though left dormant. The night she died though, they awoke.

Day after day was spent listening to his human moan, sob and complain, begging Kaevad to talk to someone, anyone, just to hear a voice besides his own once more. Night after night he’d deny the human, listen to the dragon hiss obscenities, dark suggestions and feel the bloodlust burn, only to deny him as well. So many years of battling with his human and his dragon halves, and to be frank, he was getting sick of it. The dragon longed for blood, the human longed for contact, and Kaevad longed for precious peace and quiet.

So Kaevad gathered his things, packed them in a simple leather pack and shifted into his dragon form and took flight, his snout pointed for the one city that he knew of: Marn. By the Changers, he hoped this would give him, at long last, peace…

[Saruna]

Approved. Just keep in mind the usual bits as he is a powerful character -- if you are going to have him kill, make it reasonable and in line with the story.