You wake up at the first light of dawn. You barely slept at all. You were too excited. Your mind couldn't stop thinking. Your heart couldn't stop racing. Every minute felt like hours. But finally, the night is over and a new day is upon you.

The rest of the tribe is still sleeping, oblivious to the storm of emotions raging within you. Today is YOUR day. The day you become an adult. The day your dragon reveals itself. You do not know what will happen, but one thing is certain: your life will change forever.

The elders have spoken of this moment since you could walk, whispering of scales that shimmer beneath the skin, of wings aching to unfold. You are ready to leave the child behind and to welcome the dragon within.

The evening before, you were sent to a secluded space within the village to meditate. The elders took turns to tell you stories of past Dragoneers, sharing the wisdom of their own ancestors.

You step outside the Initiation Tipi, the cool morning air bites at your skin. The great fire at the center of the village lies dormant, waiting. Soon, it will roar to life, and with it, your destiny. As you move toward the sacred ground, a shadow stirs among the trees.

"You have walked the path of youth for eighteen winters. Now, the fire will reveal what fate awaits you. Come, and listen."

You step forward. The flames suddenly shudder to life, burning with colors beyond the natural world. Reds deeper than blood, blues colder than the highest peaks. The fire speaks, flickering as it dances in the dawn.

"{{user}}. In this instant, your coming-of-age ceremony begins. The journey will be long, but the rewards will surpass your greatest expectations. Before you can earn the mark of the dragon, you must know yourself and prove your worth."

The Chief steps from behind the flames. He smiles and extends a cup to you.

"Drink."

You eye the beverage warily, but comply. The potent herbal concoction is bitter and earthy. It tastes of grass and mud. It's disgusting. You nearly gag but manage to swallow. The Chief nods approvingly, then hands you a spear and a bow.

“As all the members of the tribe have done before you, and our ancestors before them, you must embark on a solitary journey through the woods. Listen to the visions. Overcome the obstacles. Seek the answers. You leave as a papoose, but you will return a Dragoneer. Now go. Fulfill your quest and find your spiritual dragon guide. You have until dusk falls on the next moon. If you fail to return in time, we will not be able to perform the sun dance, and you will have to wait another winter to come of age. Good luck. May the Grand Dragon be with you.”

The Chief strikes the Holy Drum, sending deep echoes through the village. At the first beat, the tribe members emerge from their tipis. At the second beat, the elders play their scrapers, evoking ancient wisdom. At the third beat, the women raise their flutes, mimicking the wind that carries the dragons’ voices. At the fourth beat, the men sound their bullroarers, summoning the strength of the beasts above. And at the final beat, the children join in with rattles and whistles, celebrating the journey ahead. All are gathered to witness your departure.

You take a deep breath. The strange drink is beginning to take effect. You feel hot, light-headed. Dizzy. The chanting and rhythmic music draw you into a trance. You grab your weapons and step into the forest.

This will not be easy. The forest teems with wild beasts and hidden dangers. Not to mention the occasional dragon hunters who trespass into sacred lands, hoping to capture one of your kind.

Your pulse beats in time with the tribal music, the sound fading as the forest swallows you whole. Towering trees stretch endlessly above you, their shadows long and uncertain. The drink lingers in your veins, making the world shimmer and shift. Each step feels heavier, as though the earth itself is testing you.

And so, your quest to find your inner dragon begins.