Ollimar watched as the trespassers moved through his trees: A small group of human bandits, whooping and cheering boisterously as they directed the stolen horses further into the thicks, pulling that pilfered cart full of trader's trinkets and treasures along a barely worn trail. Fledgling mages, the green could tell at a glance. Rare among their ilk, but it explained why they were so visibly successful. And it would make his fun all the greater.

A roar sounded through the woods, echoing a primal ferocity that sent the horses into a panic, beasts fighting to turn to retreat on the narrow path while still hooked to their great wooden cart. The bandits shared a terrified glance between the three of them before hopping down, one attempting to calm the horses while the other two summoned mana to face whatever had made such a dreadful sound.

Ollimar didn't make an attempt at stealth, having his own plans for a display. Instead, he strode down the road directly before them, a regal, powerful posture for the group to behold as he approached the caravan, heavy footfalls causing the foliage to rustle and shake around them.

The horses were the first to fly into a frothing frenzy, twisting and jumping to free themselves and flee in horror, the man trying to calm them soon giving up on the beasts and moving up along side his allies for support. The trio of men steeled themselves, prepared to face the beast to defend their spoils, and their lives, before one very suddenly began to scream in terror. His companions looked to him in confusion, watching as he quickly ran horrified back down the road they'd come, bellowing wails audible all the while. The two remaining shared a glance before turning their attention back to the green monstrosity, hands alight with energy. Fear suddenly hit the pair like a great, physical wave as the dragon slowly strode closer, a wicked toothy grin on his scaled muzzle, teeth enormous and pristine.

The pair suddenly looked shaken, dripping a nervous sweat as fear drained the color from their faces, though they managed to keep a good bit of composure, recognizing magic eminating from the great beast, obviously the cause of the sensation of hysteria. The two began a volley of offensive spells, the man on the left launching beams of crackling energy at the dragon while the other conjured trios of brilliant green darts that seemed to accelerate with purpose towards that forest dragon.

An overwhelming dread filled the pair as their spells seemed to simply dissipate before reaching the diabolical monster, the thing grinning knowingly and hungrily at them all the while, moving closer by the moment, their best magic, and their resolve, soon melting like a candle in a kiln.

"You shouldn't have come here, mortals." The dragon spoke, voice exploding out from within the men's heads, causing them to hold their hands to their ears in vain. The sky seemed to darken through the treetops, as though night had come hours early. The ground quaked unnaturally with each of the lithe dragon's footfalls, splitting the earth beneath them as branches and leaves cascaded down from above.

The sound of panicked babbling came from behind the remaining human as his companion scampered for his life down the path in the opposite direction. The lone man watched his cohort flee, momentarily bewildered, before turning back to the green abomination, scaled demon leaking bright orange fire from his grinning jaws and nostrils, eyes glowing a solid green as though they burned with emerald flame. Trembling, the man attempted one last spell, a diversion to mask his retreat. To his horror, the bandit found his casting ability entirely absent, looking down at his own failing, shaky hands, seeing them covered in a spreading rot, slowly melting to reveal oozing flesh and bone.

Ollimar watched as the little biped began to scream at the vision he'd imparted on the human's feeble mind, almost laughing aloud as the last of the trespassers scrambled and fled, falling over himself multiple times as he did all he could to escape the beast, abject horror pushing his legs to their limits.

The green didn't pursue, grinning smugly to himself. He knew they would flee the woods entirely before his spells wore off. The horses had fled into the outer forest, off the beaten path, much to the dragon's delight; They would make a fine dinner. The bandit's spoils would make a useful gift or bargaining chip with the sea drakes the next time he had dealings with them, and the humans would no doubt spread word amongst their ilk to stay far, far away from the Eastern Oak.


A very awesome headshot I managed to grab from  Fefairy. If you haven't had a chance to check out their gallery, be certain you do so immediately!!

This was something I got on a whim at the suggestion of a friend. Ollimar ended up with a bit of a lengthy neck, and a lot more malevolence than I'm accustomed to him having, but I still very much love this image. A dragon with a handsome, toothy grin is always irresistible in my eyes!