Kallista
Kallista heard hissing in the darkness. The slow drip of water. A low rumble from below. The rumble grew in intensity and then she felt it deep in her chest. It roused her from unconsciousness and her eyes fluttered open.
She was lying on her back in a large, dark chamber. A low red glow threw ominous shadows across the high ceiling. The place smelled of sulfter. The hot air contrasted with the cold stone pressed against her skin. Turning her head, she could see that she lay on a black stone table. In the distance, through hazy and heavy atmosphere, she could see the far wall, adorned with large pillars. It was so far away.
“Look at me child” said a thunderous whisper.
Kallista struggled to sit up. Her weak muscles barely responding.
Propped up on her elbows, she stared down at her bare feet. The black table she lay on seemed to be perched on a platform, hot red light shone upwards from a crevice beyond, just out of sight. And beyond that, a large gulf; through heated air, a large creature moved in the distance. A monstrous head materialized out of the darkness, illuminated by the crimson light, the scales of the beast glistened. A tongue flickered between sharp teeth. The draconic face, covered in red scales and framed by black spines, filled Kallista’s field of view. A single large eye regarded Kallista, the dragons other eye, the socket was empty. She got the sense that there were more dragons behind this one.
“Awaken my daughter. Look upon me and rejoice.” Said the hissing voice in a thunderous soprano.
The dragon leaned close. Towering over Kallista. “You are reborn from blood and flame.You are my daughter and you are mine to command. You have but one purpose. You will find my eye!”
The dragon retreated into darkness. It’s voice echoed “Bring me my eye and you will be rewarded in this life and the next.”
In the quiet chamber, Kallista sat. Eventually she stopped staring into the darkness and looked down at her hands. Her pale skin, tinged with purple, glowed in the fiery light. Small red scales adorned the back of her hands.
She reached up and touched her face, feeling small scales behind her ears. In her thick hair, small horns. She knew she should feel frightened, but she did not. Nor did she worry why she had no memories of yesterday, or the day before, or before that.
The dragon, that majestic creature was right, she was filled with joy to serve such a godly being. She slid off the table and stood on bare feet. The black stone floor, cool to the touch.
A shuffling in the distance heralded the arrival of others. Human figures came through a large door at the back of the grand chamber. One held robes, one held weapons, and the other, a necklace.
“Daughter of dragons” the first one said “We are here to aid you in your geas.” The man strung the necklace around her neck as the other figures began to dress her.
“The oracle spoke a name. Baldur’s Gate. Your quest starts there.”