Berix Snakeye

The waves lapped against the white sands, leaving thin, golden strands of mermaid-hair seaweed on the beach. The thought of its sweet, fried taste made Berix Snakeye's stomach growl, and he turned to Draconach Shogun Asok Tanoso, who still sat deep in meditation. It would not do to disturb him, even if Berix's hunger demanded it. When the sun reached its zenith, the shogun would be finished, and they could break their fast.

Movement further along the beach caught his eye, and he saw a contingent of Dragonsguard sprinting toward him. Sparing a glance around, Berix strode to meet them. As they drew near, he counted eight ashinach, foot soldiers, and he recognized Dragutsu Tiamian, their commander, at their head. The dragonborns' leather armor creaked and slapped as they ran, and Berix winced and turned again to the shogun, but he remained unmoving.

The Dragonsguard were out of breath when they arrived. “Dragyo Snakeye.” Tiamian saluted and glanced at the shogun. “There's a skiff making its way along the coast from the north, and it's full of humans. Assassins. Its about an hour out and headed this way.”

“How many humans?” Berix asked.

“Ten,” Tiamian replied.

“Then I want you and your dragonborn in the palm trees.” Berix pointed. “Stay out of sight and wait for my orders. And if anyone disturbs the shogun, I'll have their head.”

As Tiamian began directing his dragonborn, Berix started north along the beach, making his way toward a small outcrop of rock that cut through the wash and joined the reef further out. The rocks were wet, and he carefully clambered across them. When he reached the end, where the rocks dropped away into the bright colorful reef, he shrugged the great bow from his shoulder and crouched, waiting.

True to Tiamian's word, almost an hour later a long skiff bobbed into view. Cloaked figures hunched low in its shallow hull while others rowed, driving the boat through the current.

Berix shifted his quiver around, selected an oversized blunt arrow from within, and notched it to his string. When the skiff came within range, he stood and drew the bow, took aim, and fired. The arrow sailed through the air and smashed violently into the side of the boat, penetrating both sides of the vessel and creating two gaping holes. As the boat filled with water, the cloaked humans cried out and frantically set about trying to bail it out.

Berix waited for a moment and, satisfied his target was sinking, made his way back to the beach. To the south, the shogun remained seated in meditation. The sun had not quite reached its zenith.

Berix beckoned at the palm trees, and Dragutsu Tiamian and his ashinach emerged and hurried toward him. When they arrived, he said, “I want the heads of any who make it to shore, save one. Keep one alive. There are questions that need answers.” Berix Snakeye was born nearly five-hundred years ago in the Snakeye brood, a renowned clutch that produced three dragonborn that went on to become dragyo, regional commanders of the Dragonsguard, an occurrence that has never happened before or since. Many call it the “miracle brood” and consider it to be a gift from Brood Mother Yrsiss, Goddess of Dragons, herself.

Berix was recognised and singled out for potential at a young age. His skill with the longbow was unparalleled, and he quickly surpassed both his peers and his instructors. Before long, none could match him.

It was Berix Snakeye who fired the famous long arrow: a single shot that stopped the civil uprising in Draykh-Nahka by piercing the eye of the rebel leader and killing him outright, thus ending the War of Broken Pacts before it even began. This feat won him the title of dragyo and the nickname “General of the Bow.” He was personally recognized by the Draconach Shogun, head of the Dragonsguard, who granted him command of the northwest grasslands province of Draykh-Nahka.