Kattaringageld

ScCrow Header Image for Metal Print PageKattaaringageld

`Kat-ta-`rin-ga-geld

`Kat-ta-`ring-a-geld

Click to view a larger image

Buy   Customize Information

Kattaaringageld_01

Kattaaringageld_01

Once a great land existed on this world. As time passed, pieces split apart to create great islands and continents.  The dragon Kattaringageld discovered one such land and took it for his home.  The Lore among the people describe one tale of such land.

There are those who speak of a great island somewhere in the waters south and east of charted territory. Of those who journeyed there, most were sailing lost and unwilling to risk once again a voyage returning home. The natives are dark, recluse and few . They speak language that seems to have no root in any language known.

The local lore states that long ago the land was called Fagma Olaitcha. It was a paradise where water bubbled from below allowing life to flourish and diverge. Kattaringageld reined providing protection while culling infirmed or misbehaving sorts with dragon tooth, claw, and fire.

One day while on patrol, Kattaringageld spied a group of creatures sprawled upon his beach. Animals with this condition was not a new situation. Disease often devastated a population of one species or another. He learned to removed such before it spread beyond control. This group peeked his curiosity as they were not of forms which he had not before observed. Two male and 6 female appeared to not as yet succumb. These he moved to an isolated spot which provided food and water. Now safe, he returned to cleanse his beach of dead and broken ship with dragon fire.

The new creatures recovered and gave thanks for the dragons generosity. They begged permission to remain in place for women were with child and required time to construct a ship for sailing home.

Kattaringageld knew a time was approaching when a dragons gains the urge to return to their place of birth and gather with his clan. An offer was made. The humans would be allowed to stay until his journey was complete. In payment, they would serve as guardians to protect and maintain his land. When once again he returned, they were to depart and speak not of this land or what had happened there.

They eagerly agreed. The deal was struck and one day Kattaringageld set upon pilgrimage home.

But men are men and deep within all resides the seeds of evil, greed and power. The gift they were given ceased to satisfy and as is the way of man they soon began to venture out and change the garden to meet their own desires.

Dragon gatherings are momentous events and do not quickly end. One hundred years passed before Kattaringageld once again approached his realm. Excitement coursed though his veins in anticipation of setting foot in his beloved gardens. As he approached bells rang out and fires were lit and humans scurried about. “Ah, the humans welcome me back” he thought as he passed low to remind himself of the wonders under his wing. Instead he saw terrain no longer familiar. He landed near the source of bubbling waters and looked to see see approaching humans.

“What have you done?” he asked. “Where are my apple orchards and chestnut trees. Where are my deer and sloth and bear. Why does my water smell of defecation. The air is fouled. Why are there so many humans residing here?”

No answer was to come. Instead, a horn sounded and the humans attacked. The dragon spewed a wall of flame incinerating a wave of weapon fire. Alas, having been taken somewhat by surprise, he was injured and diminished in both offensive and defensive power. They fought and struggled. Ten human heads were bitten off. and ten removed by claw. Four humans were stomped under dragon foot and four were set afire.

He saw more humans running closer to join the skirmish. Kattaringageld, now sprouting arrows and spears at various places on his body, took to the air in retreat. The humans cheered and beat their drums as he escaped to air above the range of their attacks. Soon he came to rest in salty water. This reef was know only by those who could survive below the surface. It provided sanctuary and sustenance. Rest and recovery now the need, but it also provided time for well planned plot.

Almost one year later, Kattaringageld once again touched down just beyond the edge of his garden and began slapping his tail upon the ground. BOOM! BOOM! It did not take long. The wildlife soon started gathering near.

“My friends. I regret that I have failed in my duty and ability to protect you. That time is gone. Now you must pass along word that the time has come to leave this place. Be wary and strong. The humans cannot be trusted and I must take action. Our land is changed and now must now be transformed. To survive you must adapt. Go! When the moon once again full round in the sky, you must be already gone. Make your way towards the waters edge.”

So it was that on a moon lit night, Kattaringageld came to rest atop mountain high and flat. There he watched waited and watched the moon round into shape. It was a time to feed and drink and recover from efforts of flight. Seven days after, a full Dragon wing sat well rested at his command.

The humans were still asleep in their dwellings when a burst of dragon fire set fire to all outlying structures. Storage facilities for weapons and food were the first to take their wrath. Then, with humans beginning to stirring and looking through open windows, roofs were set afire. This last attack was performed not to kill, but to drive inhabitants out of their abodes. Soon the goal was achieved. The wing retreated to the perch so as to observe the spreading fire.

When at last the sun was up and the fires had burned to ash, the humans sat surveying the damage. Out of the rising morning sum, they heard the flapping of a dragon wing as it landed central to the chaos. Kattaringageld soon was sitting with a full compliment of dragon wing in formation just behind. He waited for the humans to approach.

“Humans!” he spoke. “I make no further claim up on this land which you have spoiled. It is now your responsibility. You have stolen this garden and ruined it beyond repair. I will leave this land for unsoiled ground. I wish you long life so as to long regret this betrayal to me and to the land.”

“We will slay no more of you unless you interfere or attack us. This land is yours. Do with it what you will. Live if you can. Die if you cannot. If you live, perhaps you will gain respect for the land that has provides sustenance.”

Then the dragons wing circled around the bubbling water, each preparing to act. Kattaringageld initiated the next action and all his wing followed. One by one in turn they bellowed fire onto the bubbling water. When one was finished the next stepped in until it was once again their turn returned. It was not fast, but the effect was sure. The ground began to melt and as it did, the water and gas trapped within was now freed to escape into the air. This left behind empty space into which the molten ground settled. Flapping wings served to draw wind across the fire. With each, the temperature increased. Soon, it was like an oven not allowing heat to escape. The molten ground was melting down into a magma which lay below. There was no explosive burst. The pressures below soon found  escape to higher ground.  A lava flow emerged upwards filling all above and spreading out, no longer constrained. It did not take long. With the pressure and heat exhausted, things began a slow cool to form a plug. Bubbling water would never flow again to feed the land.

Soon, regrouped atop their perch, Kattaringageld spoke. “I offer my gratitude to you, the members of my clan. You know what to now do. I will join you at our meeting place.” With that, all but Kattaringageld took to flight, each laying destruction to any copse of wood to be found. No timber would be standing for the humans to use to build or ships or homes.

The change upon the land was rapid. Now no life giving water flowed to nourish. The only water was that provided from the sky, which occurred rarely. Only creatures who could adapt arid baking land could thereafter survive.

Few humans survived the trek to waters edge where they could eek out existence. Still, there were times and areas where once again they waged war up on the land. Any species who eats all its food supply cannot survive. Over time, survivors changed. Most learned to live in harmony with and to respect the land in which they live. So it remained until the land is once again discovered.

Kattaringageld took to flight and headed into a north western wind. A new home waited beyond the waters edge with mountains high not so easily accessed by human kind.

Scarecrow

Kattaaringageld_02

Kattaaringageld_02

Kattaaringageld_03

Kattaaringageld_03

Kattaaringageld_04

Kattaaringageld_04

Kattaaringageld_05

Kattaaringageld_05

Kattaaringageld_06

Kattaaringageld_06

Kattaaringageld_07

Kattaaringageld_07

Kattaaringageld_08

Kattaaringageld_08

Kattaaringageld_09

Kattaaringageld_09

Kattaaringageld_10

Kattaaringageld_10

Kattaaringageld_11

Kattaaringageld_11

Kattaaringageld_12

Kattaaringageld_12

Kattaaringageld_13

Kattaaringageld_13

Kattaaringageld_14

Kattaaringageld_14

Kattaaringageld_15

Kattaaringageld_15

Kattaaringageld_16

Kattaaringageld_16

Kattaaringageld_17

Kattaaringageld_17

Images Too Dark ?

View

The images are at times a little dark. Be aware that you are viewing them on a computer screen, cell phone, etc.  The visibility may be affected by your settings, time of day or even your location.  Often, viewing them in a less lighted environment helps.

If they are really too dark, then I need to make adjustments to the images. At times I created items that looked good only to come back the next day and wonder what happened to them.  Too dark or too light! I may have been affected by the same conditions.

One other note! While you can certainly look at them on your phone, I think you will find the experience much better when viewed on a larger computer. Some times, the extra space is just better.