Lord Solaris and Zefrael.
Master of All Ways. Great Traveller. Living Legend.

"I may be broken in body and see worse than I once did, but I can tell the difference between such vile hackwork. Your art is mapmaking, and I wouldn't give this crap to the last pirate who pawned his own ship! You're young, bright and handy, so do the thing properly and don't make me get up! Take pride of your work, labour with passion and then I'll be the first who will shake the hand of the future craftsman."
(Overheard at a workshop of the Department of Astromancy and Cartography)

Lord Solaris is a true legend of the Academy, whose achievements have made him a name throughout the world of Asteria! As a teenager, he severed all ties with his Claw and took a job as a cabin boy on a merchant ship. The reason for this was his disappointment in his own family, who prioritised the gift of magic above all else. A gift he had been deprived from birth, and so few of his family were surprised by his decision to leave the Claw voluntarily. In just a couple of decades he had mastered navigation, reading the stars and sea currents, learnt how to make maps and the geography of the most remote corners of the world. Changing ships like gloves, selling his knowledge to captains of all stripes, young Solaris made a good fortune and gained connections. It was only when there were no secrets left for him at sea that he set out to explore the great continents of Asteria, absorbing knowledge and solving mysteries with a frightening obsession. He has feasted in the tents of the Ashurian nomads and been favoured in the Pleasure Cults of the Kh'Shatrian Empire. He has travelled to the courts of the Night Aristocracy of Des'Ir, as well as personally visited the Dragon Cradle in the far North, where he conversed with the last Grand Patriarch of the five Dragon Clans. Even the “Three of the West” - the Divine Guardians of the Great Kingdom of Fertran, knew his name! He was one of the few mortals allowed to see the mythical "Queen of Bones and Sands", as well as to observe the work of the demonic smiths of the Dark God Furon. His World Books and maps adorn the libraries and throne rooms of the powerful. From the self-proclaimed princes of the "Eastern Frontier" to kingdoms whose existence is hidden from prying eyes. Lord Solaris is the only Draconid to walk the streets of the Old Draconid Empire, not as a slave or a future sacrifice on a bloody altars, but as an "Ur-Balog", meaning "Dear Guest" in the language of the locals.
It seems incredible, but apparently Lord Solaris had time to visit every corner of Asteria, and not just to visit, but to write down and sketch his journeys in great detail. Upon returning to the Undercity, Solaris received an official invitation from the Academy from the sixteenth Grand Master Dragon himself. Moreover, the Dragon immediately granted him the title of Master and an entire section of the Academy just for his needs. So there was a whole Department, which absorbed many directions, from History and Geography, and ending with Astromancy and Geodesy. So the young man, who never had any inborn magical talent, became the founder of the most popular branch of science in the whole Academy - the "Department of World History and Mysteries of Asteria". But even despite these achievements, it is unknown to which Claw Lord Solaris belongs. The Lord himself, has never spoken of his family, and his own Claw has never attempted to declare his kinship with him. Whether this was due to shame at his indifference to one of his greatest offspring or stubborn denial of their own mistakes and absolute pride, only History will judge.
Indeed, fate favours the brave and the determined, but always comes with a price, sooner or later. In Lord Solaris' case, the reckoning for a life of incredible adventure and discovery came at the end of his life's journey. In the night when the last Supreme Master - Maliek, passed away. Not only Asterion almost died that day, but Lord Solaris himself was on the brink of death. Only a miracle allowed the old man to survive, even if the cost was the loss of the ability to walk on his own. The terrible trauma to his spine, though partially repaired by a support device, put an end to any active life for the Great Traveller. What was worse was the incessant pain, which turned into agony, and for which neither the most effective medicines nor the most powerful magic could help. Already renowned for his stubbornness and rudeness, Solaris became even more unsociable and harsh.
Zefrael, a young adept of the Department of World History and an accidental witness to the events of that dreadful night, has volunteered to be a helper and support for the crippled Master. A noble deed and a heavy burden that not everyone can cope with. In addition to the eternal nagging and irritation of the old man, requiring endless patience and endurance, there were also sleepless nights and incessant attempts to alleviate the suffering of a broken body. And in the morning the hopeless work began. For despite his condition, Lord Solaris does not change his habits and schedule. Because of this, Zefrael is constantly loaded and busy. It happens that the young assistant manages to run around the Academy several times a day. And that in itself is a daily feat, considering the intricacy and truly colossal structure of the Academy. It's amazing how the old Master managed to cope with all this alone, without resorting to magic. Chronic sleep deprivation and absent-mindedness due to overwork have become Zefrael's constant companions, but he is willing to endure it and overcome it to the best of his ability. After all, he has the example of his Master in front of him that will die but will not give up on his chosen life. Lord Solaris was, is, and will be a Living Legend to everyone at the Academy, no matter what.



help in correcting the text will be gratefully received



mythology https://www.furaffinity.net/view/47285478/

prologue https://www.furaffinity.net/view/47317984/

chapt. 1.1 https://www.furaffinity.net/view/53903216