Den of the Dragon
Act I: The Dragon Who Loved to Share
Long before the city of Dragonheart existed, the majestic red dragon Kelthios the Warmhearted made his home in the lush valley at the foot of the Scarlet Peaks. Kelthios was unlike any other dragon. While most dragons hoarded treasure and jealously guarded their gold, Kelthios believed that wealth was meant to be shared. He delighted in the joy that his hoard brought to others, and saw no reason to keep it hidden.
Travellers passing through the valley would often find Kelthios lounging on a golden pile of coins, offering magical trinkets, enchanted baubles, or handfuls of gemstones to anyone who stopped for a chat. When asked why he gave so freely, Kelthios would always say, "What good is treasure if it doesn’t make someone smile?"
It was Kelthios’s generosity that attracted settlers to the valley. Farmers, artisans, and adventurers decided to build their homes near the friendly dragon. They began calling the place Dragonheart, in honour of the dragon whose kind heart brought them all together. Kelthios himself helped build the city, using his massive strength to haul stones and his fiery breath to forge tools.
Act II: The Golden Age of Sharing
Dragonheart quickly became a vibrant city, with Kelthios at its heart. Every week, the dragon would host a Treasure Bazaar, where he invited the townsfolk to take what they needed from his hoard. No one left empty-handed—whether it was a farmer needing tools, a bard looking for inspiration in an ancient artifact, or a child dreaming of a shiny gemstone.
Kelthios also acted as the city's protector, though his methods were far from traditional. When a gang of bandits tried to rob the town’s vault, Kelthios swooped down and showered them with so much gold that they were too embarrassed to keep stealing. The bandits were last seen opening a jewelry shop in the city.
Dragonheart flourished, becoming known as the City of Generosity. Kelthios’s treasure attracted merchants, wizards, and adventurers from all corners of the world, eager to trade or seek the dragon’s advice. The city also became a hub for magical innovation, as the artifacts Kelthios shared often contained unique properties that inspired new spells and inventions.
Despite all the riches, the people of Dragonheart prided themselves on their sense of community and fairness. They created the Council of the Hoard, a group of townsfolk who helped Kelthios manage the flow of treasures to ensure that everyone benefitted from his generosity.
Act III: A Treasure Worth More Than Gold
One fateful day, Kelthios awoke to find his hoard stolen—not by thieves, but by a mischievous wind elemental named Zephyrspark, who had grown jealous of the dragon’s fame. Zephyrspark scattered the treasures across the land, leaving Dragonheart in dismay.
Though the city’s vaults were empty, Kelthios refused to let despair take hold. "Treasures come and go," he told the people, "but kindness is eternal." With a mighty roar, he rallied the townsfolk, who banded together to recover the scattered treasures. Farmers, artisans, and adventurers set off on a grand treasure hunt, each returning with more than they had taken—new friends, incredible stories, and gifts of gratitude from the places they visited.
In the end, Dragonheart’s hoard was restored, and the city became even richer than before—not just in gold, but in goodwill. Kelthios, delighted by the adventure, declared that every year the city would host the Festival of the Shared Hoard, a time when everyone gives freely to their neighbors and celebrates the true treasure of Dragonheart: its people.