Dragon Knight Companions

Dragon Knight and Companions
James Eckert was once a teaching assistant at a Minnesota college called Riveroak. However, due in part to a malfunction with a teleportation device, he and his girlfriend, Angela, ended up in a parallel world that resembled Early 14th Century Earth, specifically the Medieval Ages, with his soul ending up in the body of a dragon named Gorbash. Soon after this, Angela is abducted by an evil force known as the Dark Powers, and James was forced to get help in the form of Sir Brian Neville-Smythe, a remarkable, if impoverished, knight, Dafydd Ap Hywel, an extraordinary Welsh bowmen, Aargh, a large proud English wolf, descended of Dire wolves, Silvanus Carolinus, a powerful and high-ranking magician, and several others. After defeating the Dark Powers, and their minions, Angela was released, and James, after deciding between whether or not to return to his Original Home World, or to stay in this Medieval one, decided to stay with his new friends, and got his rightful body back, and Gorbash had his body to his own self once again. However, the Dark Powers are not content with this, and attack James and his friends at every chance they can.

Baron Sir James Eckert de Bois de Malencontri et Riveroak
Also known as "the Dragon Knight" or sometimes "Sir Dragon"

While originally a teaching assistant, James soon found himself in the body of a dragon. After defeating the Dark Powers, the first time, he got his body back. However, he realized that he couldn't fight on the level of his new friends, and told Brian that he really didn't know the first thing about weapons, and lacked muscles, to which Brian said, "It will be a pleasure for me to teach you the noble use of arms... and as for muscles, it would be strange for a man of your size and thews could not make a good man of deeds"- it was at that moment that James had realized that, while of average height back Home, he was practically head and shoulders above the average person in his new home.

Sometime after this, about 10 months, James found himself switching between a dragon body, and his human body, so he went to see Carolinus. Since James had a Magic Account, if by involuntary means, and was alive, the magic would use him, unless he used it. As a result, James became Carolinus's apprentice, and began to learn magic as a result- though this was mostly a self-taught process. However, his knowledge and understanding of things known to even the average 20th century inhabitant, gives him an advantage over even more powerful Contemporary Magicians, and other similar persons, as he can use his imagination to a greater degree.

Finally, James has his dragon body- which is modeled after the dragon he had originally inhabited upon his arrival- Gorbash, who was quite large, even for those of his community, the Clifsides, all of which were larger than the other local group of dragons, the Mere-dragons. His dragon body is capable of flying for quite some time before getting tired, and is strong enough to carry several thick tree branches, and break them up into more manageable sized pieces (for a fireplace). However, as for carrying a human, that's somewhat difficult, if flying for more then a quarter of a mile.

Of course, given that he is a Knight, and a Lord, thanks in part to a lie he told Brian, and later his acquisition of Castle Malencontri, he does have access to some money, if not a lot, as well as a supply of Men-at-Arms, castle servants, tenet farmers, peasants, and other such folk, who swear loyalty to him, and many of which would gladly fight, and if need be, die for him.

Fighting Style
Due to his own upbringing, as well as certain rules that All Magicians must follow, James is rarely the Aggressor in a fight. Even when attacked, he is initially more concerned with protecting himself, and his companions, then harming his adversaries. However, once his anger is risen, and goes on the offensive, he'll use his larger size, and speed, to his advantage. However, if he's somewhat outclassed, or outnumbered, he'll use magic, typically tricking his foes into not seeing him by the use of "hypnotism", or using a ward that blocks blows. If by chance he runs out of magic, or is on "blessed" ground, or gets blessed himself, he can turn into his dragon body. Once off of "blessed" ground, he can use his magic to teleport himself, and friends, if need be.

Far Range: Will use a form of "hypnotism" in order to fool foes into not seeing him. However, this only works if he, and those with him, remain quiet, as it's possible that if the enemy senses something amiss, the spell might not work.

Medium Range: While not a Jousting Champion, the size of James' "warhorse", Gorp, and his personal training from Brian, along with a few little magical tricks, has allowed James to emerge relatively unharmed in what few "spear-runnings" he's had to do. However, he'd rather not do it if he can avoid it.

Close Range: Thanks to his training with Brian, James is competent when it comes to swordwork- slightly above average. However, James is quick on his feet, due in part to having played tennis back in his original Home World, and this trait has helped him in evading blows. In addition, he can jump and kick out with both feet, catching more than a few foes of guard.

Magic: The magic that James uses is Defensive in nature, and he's unable to use it to harm foes, or put them in danger. However, as mentioned above, he can fool his foes by making them not see him. He can also put a "Hold" spell on them, preventing his foes from moving voluntary muscles, providing that doing so won't put them in Harm's way. He can also set up a protective shield, which will keep those within it safe from harm. He can also heal wounds, even preforming the equivalent of a blood transfusion on two occasions. Also, he can teleport from one place to another, providing that he knows the destination in mind, and has seen it.

Dragon: While not strong enough to carry a full-grown human very far, his wings are powerful enough to send people into a wall, knocking them out. Despite lacking the fire-breathing abilities that are so often found in most dragon stories, his teeth and claws, and tail, are enough to do some serious damage. Also, his dragon body can regain its strength after a minute or two of rest. However, even as a dragon, he's still vulnerable to injury, as evidence by the time he got a spear in his chest, due to the rogue knight Hugh de Bois charging at him with a horse and lance.

Lady Angela 'Angie' Eckert
Initially the betrothed, and later wife of James, she tends to stay at castle Malencontri, taking care of Robert, the child the pair adopted, as well as leading the defense of the place when James is away.

Squire Theoluf
Former Chief Man-at-Arms of Melencontri, he was made James's Squire, as James lacked the time to find a suitable young man of nobility to fulfill this role before he was called to battle certain French forces.

Robert Falon
James and Angela's ward. His parents, and guards, had been murdered during a trip to an Earl's Christmas celebration, when James and the others found them. Since then, James, and especially, Angela, have treated him like their own.

Sir Brian Neville-Smythe
James' first Companion, and friend, Brian is one of the most gifted swordsman and jouster currently living. When he and James first met, Brian was hunting mere-dragons, and almost attacked James, who was in a dragon body, but for James's decision to climb up a tree and convince the good knight that he was also a knight, and a baron, one who'd been place under a spell, with his soul trapped in the body of a dragon.

Being somewhat impoverished, he makes his money mainly by fighting in Tournaments, ransoming the armor and horses of vanquished foes. Due to his victories, he has something of a name with the Lance. He also has a reputation with the sword, once having been declared "the best in all of England".

Fighting Style
Due to being trained since the age of 7, Brian is well experienced in the use of weapons. He is often eager for battle, occasionally getting "drunk" on bloodlust. However, he tends to respect the wishes of James, even breaking off from fighting if told to do so.

Far Range: If out hunting, Brian will use a bow- though he tends to use one a little too strong for him, as he's trying to compete with others who use more powerful bows. In combat though, Brian will not use the bow.

Medium Range: As an experienced Jouster, Brian is highly proficient when it comes to using a lance.

Close Range: Brian is very efficient with a sword, though he'll use other weapons in a pinch, most of which he's highly proficient with.

Lady Geronde Isabel de Chaney
Betrothed, then later wife to Brian, the Lady de Chaney had been waiting for several years for her father to return home, so that she and Brian could marry. During this time, she was attacked by Sir Hugh, and scarred on her face. This scar later vanished, due in part to magic, when she married Brian.

Dafydd Ap Hywel
A Welsh bowmen with a chip on his shoulder towards Englishmen, especially those who profess to be bowmen. While not a man of great dispute, he is not one to hesitate to help his friends, even putting aside his dislike of English to help them out. Descended of an all-but-extinct royal lineage, he prefers to live life as a common archer.

Fighting Style
Known for his abilities with the bow, Dafydd also makes his own arrows, and even made the bow he uses. While he doesn't actively seek out fights, those who set themselves as his enemies, or try to harm his friends, tend to find an arrow in their chests.

Long Range: With his personal longbow, Dafydd can pick off enemies at up to half an English mile away. Since he also makes his own arrows, he's able to use customized ammunition, including armor-piercing ones that can go through plate armor, and give the wearer a fatal wound, even at a "supposedly" safe distance.

Medium Range: Since he doesn't live as a knight, he doesn't carry a spear like one. However, his arrows haven't failed him much.

Close Range: Dafydd is a fair hand with a sword, and almost always carries a knife.

Danielle o' the Wold
Dafydd's wife and mother of his children. She is also an experienced archer in her own right, having been taught by her Outlaw father, Giles o' the Wold, and his band of outlaw archers.

Giles o' the Wold
Allegedly, was once a nobleman, who was declared an Outlaw. He leads a band of free men, all of which tend to be fair hands at the use of a bow and/or a sword. He is Dafydd's father-in-law, due to Dafydd's marriage to his daughter.

Aargh, or Aragh (depending on book)
A proud English wolf, who has protected his territory from all comers. Capable of speech, he often uses abrasive language, and is often pragmatic. Due to being of Dire wolves, he's of an exceptional size. In spite of this, he can be very stealthy, even catching his friends off guard when he shows up.

Fighting Style
When it comes to fighting, Aargh is not too picky about his targets, mainly crippling his foes by biting their arms and legs, breaking their bones with his jaws.

Close Range: Despite relying on only his teeth, claws, and agility, Aargh has proven himself worth any five humans armed with swords or spears.

Silvanus Carolinus
One of the foremost Magicians, Carolinus can be somewhat difficult to deal with, but he does have a certain fondness for James, even bending, or breaking, rules to help him out, such as letting James use his personal magic account when James was all but out of his own.

Fighting Style
While rarely in the thick of fighting, Carolinus can place a Hold, or even Mute, spell on foes, and can teleport people around. Most tend to comply with his wishes, especially after being threatened that they'd be turned into a beetle if they chose not to.

Magic: Like all Magicians, Carolinus can only use his magic for defensive purposes. However, he can put up shields, prevent others from "seeing" or "hearing" him, teleport, and even heal wounds.

Other Allies
Depending on the situation, James and Co have a number of allies that help out.

Secoh
A mere-dragon. While initially cowardly, after assisting James in his first fight against the Dark Powers, Secoh has grown in confidence, and is James' steadfast ally in the dragon community.

Sir Giles de Mer
A knight from the land between England and Scotland, Giles has the ability to turn into a seal upon entering sea water. While not as skilled at fighting as Brian, he's much better suited compared to James.

Hob
The castle Hobgoblin, he is a peace-loving creature, but, like all hobgoblins, he has something of a blood feud with deep-earth goblins, who had expelled them from the Demon Kingdom, for their refusal to take part in causing trouble. Generally shy around others, he has begun to open himself, with most people accepting of him, especially since he's a friend of James. One of his abilities is flying on smoke, occasionally taking unhappy children for rides, in an attempt to cheer them up, as making other people happy is what make hobgoblins happy. Implied to be immortal, as he's over 800 years old.

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A 30 foot tall "Sea Devil", he's a helpful, if simple-minded, sort. If a body of water is connected to the ocean, in one way or another, he can show up in it.

Others
From mortal humans, to long-lived Elementals, to dragons, and even the Knights of the Round Table, as well as Edward the Black Prince of England, James has had numerous other allies, mainly because he was in the area to rid them of the Dark Powers evil influence. These allies have brought their knowledge of the area, and their own weapons, in their fight alongside James and his Companions.