Side tangents aside I have more to work on which led to me now rendering tallow while I remove the membrane from the hide before throwing it in a bucket of charcoal and saltwater. This process is going much faster now that I know what I'm doing.
Though there is a massive amount of meat for me to work with again making me wonder what things I can do with it all instead of just compost at this point. With there not being much that comes to mind besides chumming the water or using it as bait to study other dragons.
"I'll figure it out when I get there." I mutter, deciding to just make more compost for the moment while trying to think of other things I can use the meat for.
—----------------------------
The rest of the day having gone by with me simply rendering tallow and making more compost as there isn't much else of me to do besides that. After a couple more batches of compost and tallow later I end up in my sleeping bag with the dragon manual in hand.
'Time to continue where I left off a couple days ago.' I think the page turned to that of what Deadly Nadders eat. With it saying Nadders prefer to eat birds due to the taste and flavor. With a Nadders preferred bird being a chicken due to them easily being caught and being quite dense.
Though Nadders will also happily eat fish, deer, yaks, and boars if they come across them. With it also not being uncommon to see a Nadder eating a variety of plants but little is understood on why they do.
Nadders are also most commonly found in the barbaric archipelago but sightings all across that of Europe due to being a widespread species that can easily populate. Though Nadders generally prefer to be close to the ocean similar to that of the archipelago due to the density of sea birds.
With a Nadder occasionally using their magnesium blast to herd birds in the air similar to how sea animals do with fish. This allows the Nadder to have a higher chance to catch their prey and return home with food.
I then flip to the next page and see that is all. With their diet and habit taking a single page. 'That's it, nothing else.' I expect there to have been more. "Vikings hunted dragons for hundreds of years and there is no breakdown of the internal systems." I exclaim, making me let out a groan.
'Calm down, it's the middle ages, what's to be expected.' I think putting the dragon manual away and staring at the ceiling of the cave. 'Didn't even say what you could use the Nadders byproducts for.' I sigh and decide to just go to bed.
—----------------------------
'Should I start trying to make bricks soon.' I think while I keep making clay. Which is still a rather weird thing to do considering its dirt and water than letting it dry together to make a shitty quality clay. 'Would be convenient if I had a proper clay deposit around.' I sigh as I dump more clay into my inventory.
'Slowly making my way to that forge, I may be able to use that Gronckle iron formula soon.' I think as I now wonder how I make a brick mold or just do it by hand on a flattish rock. 'A new day a new problem.' I wonder how many times I may have thought that.
A bit later I bring out a flat rock and pull out some clay and start shaping to the best of my abilities with it taking me at least twenty minutes before I get a proper brick shape out of the clay. 'Now to let it sit for a while before I put it in the kiln.' Happy I remember that pottery class I took after school.
'I wonder what I can do with bricks.' I think as I keep making more and more bricks. 'How do I make mortar for the bricks.' I think realizing my next dilemma as I dig through my head knowing I must have searched it up at some point.
'Could I just use more clay, or mix reeds with sand and animal manure.' I think before it clicks in my head that I did indeed read a reddit post. 'Lime with sand. No idea what the ratio is though.' I think as I finish making another brick to set aside.
'Now how to make lime or find limestone.' I think as I scratch my chin for a second somehow forgetting my hands are covered in clay. "Damn it." I mutter as I click my tongue. 'What is limestone made of?' Trying to recall anything from my chemistry class and the geology for dummies book I read.
After racking my brain for an hour I still can't think of it, making me groan as I take more clay out of my inventory, my eyes glancing at the seashells in my inventory which I got from randomly collecting stuff on the beach.
'I can't think of anything.' I groan as I start another brick as I start to squint as if my brain is yelling at me to tell me something. With it finally clicking. "Limestone is calcium carbonate, you moron." I yell out and look at the seashells again.
"Know what else is calcium carbonate, fucking seashells." I groan having fixed my lime problem now just needing to throw the shells in the kiln with layers of wood and I'll lime. 'Well I'll be closer to having lime, I think it was a three or four step process.' I think with a small shrug as I finish another brick.
'Let's set up the kiln so that I can start making lime, then fire up the bricks.' I think as I make a small layer of wood than shells and rinse repeat until most of the kiln is filled. 'Now I start the fire and keep adding wood and shells until no more can be fit.'
I then do exactly that, starting the fire under the kiln and making bricks in the meantime having to go back to the kiln every other brick to reload it but the process being relatively faster than I expected it to be.
Almost dying from lack of air when I got to close occasionally but aside from that everything went well. 'I need to make a place specifically for this I feel.' I think as I waft my hand in front of my face with the entire ceiling of the cave being covered in smoke.
'I should think about making firebricks soon, though that means the process of mixing my clay with sand and fine charcoal.' I think now regretting that all the bricks I'm making aren't firebricks. 'I could use these bricks to make something else, but if I want to make a better kiln or furnace I need a firebrick.' I think as I finish making another brick.
'I think this is enough bricks for today and the kiln should be done in a bit.' My eyes over on the kiln as I wash my hands off using my inventory to pour water down before making my way to the kiln. 'No need to put everything in there in a bucket or anything similar, then add water.'
"Only enough until it reacts if I recall. Then add more water when it starts slowing down, until all that's left is a putty." I mutter to myself hoping I have the process right in my head and that I don't screw this up.
'This also means I can stop using just charcoal and ash to tan my hides.' I think with a smile as the kiln finally stops smoking, letting me look inside to see the kiln filled half way in nothing but lime. "My sweet beloved." I mutter as I peer down at it knowing I should probably wait a bit before grabbing it so that way I don't burn my hands.
A while later I finished removing all the lime, or whatever it is properly called in its current state. Leaving one of my barrels having about a third of it filled in lime as I start pouring in hot water watching the former shells start expanding.
Some time later and a lot of water and mixing later I have my lime putty. 'Now to remove it from this into a different container.' I think, not knowing what to put it in besides the current barrel. 'I guess I can make something else to store it tomorrow.' I think and decide that's probably the best option.
"I think I'm done for today." I mutter with a sigh and put the barrel in my inventory. Looking around the cave to try and think of anything I need to do before bed. After my look over I give myself a small nod and go to my corner to read a bit before bed. 'Let's do Monstrous Nightmares tonight.' I think while holding open the dragon manual.
The monstrous nightmare is a large stoker class dragon that will typically live by itself. With there only being two times this isn't true. The first being in their infancy where young monstrous nightmares will stick together and figure out how to navigate their bodies and the world around them.
The second being when it comes to mating or living under an alpha. With monstrous nightmares having rather large territories that they are very protective of. This being due to how much a monstrous nightmare needs to eat to fuel its body.
This also explains their rather fiery temper and deciding its better to fight first and ask questions later. Usually seeing any dragon or animal that is smaller than them as weaker and lower in the pecking order. This also being the same with how these dragons decide their mates.
With large males having more choices on who they can mate with and usually bullying smaller males. Though this doesn't stop craftier smaller males from sneaking about and managing to get to a female. Even if this can lead to their possible death if caught by the larger male.
While the female is rather uncaring on which of the two mates with her. Rather a female monstrous nightmare will try to mate with as many males as possible to ensure that her eggs are safe after the mating season is over.
This is usually because if a male dies leaving the female unattended they will destroy the eggs from the previous mate to ensure that only their line continues. Not caring how this would affect the mate at the sight of their crushed eggs.
Though not all monstrous nightmares are like this with some cases of females letting out a distress call where a more kind hearted male will help the female and remove the new male. This potentially leading to the aiding male to become the new mate or simply wishing to help in passing
While the monstrous nightmares most known ability being able to set itself on fire which is due to its kerosene gel. Which it secretes from the sweat and saliva glands. The gel after drying can also work as a fireproof adhesive which helps the monstrous nightmare not cook itself. With the dragon in its infancy producing an excess of this gel to ensure they are properly coated.
Though despite it being a dragon notorious for setting itself on fire it is an extraordinarily good swimmer. This being because of its sail-like protrusions on its body and snake like form. But this usually leads to a monstrous nightmare to not set itself on fire and remove both its strongest ability and defense.
This could even be detrimental to a monstrous nightmare if their bodies aren't properly coated in their kerosene gel. This leads to possible hypothermia due to their fire providing most of their body heat as well as giving them resistance to other dragon fire.
But this is only a concern in older dragons or those that have issues in coating since birth. With those that die from this problem being natural selection. Unless this is being forced upon them of course.
'The more you know, and there are still two more pages.' I think as I give them a quick glance over with the next page being about their climbing and running capabilities as well as their ability to apparently unhinge their jaw. With the last page being their diet and habitat.
'I'm so happy I got this book.' I think with a smile as I put the dragon manual into my inventory and try to go to bed. But a random thought showing itself every once in a while on what a Nightmare that's constantly on fire looks like.
—----------------------------
Two weeks having gone by with me focused on making more bricks and lime putty. With two barrels filled and enough bricks to maybe make a wall. Though having recently swapped to firebrick which I for some reason know how to make. No idea on why but hey here we are.
With such bricks simply being made with clay, sand, and finely grinded charcoal. This somehow making it jump in its fireproof quantity. With the only downside being that it has to gradually heat and cool rather than me using my kiln.
But I was able to make a stove and a couple other accessories like beam supports for the cave. Which is simply a charred log that is put in the ground than surrounded by brick and mortar. Nonetheless its something other than just grey colored stone and gives some more support to future excavations.
"I should make a better kiln tomorrow." I say to myself as I finish making yet another brick and look behind me to my kiln. 'Should probably be a lot bigger than this one that way I don't have to worry about all the smoke.' I think and decide to make it outside as well.
'I just have to hope it won't attract dragons like a giant signal fire.' I think and pray that won't be the case otherwise it would be a waste of brick. 'After I make the brick kiln I can make a furnace.' I think with a small smile.
'After I make the kiln I may take a break though.' I think as I look at my clay stained hands and let out a small sigh. Having done this so much I can do the motions without a thought. 'What I would give for automation, maybe I'll try and tame a dragon soon.' I think figuring it can't be that hard considering how they made it look in both the movies and shows.
"I do have to keep in mind though that they are wild animals." I mutter and decide that Gronckle would probably be the best place to start considering how docile boulder class dragons are in the first place. 'May tame a small flock or herd of them that way I can have little workers.'
"Fuck it I'll do it now." I say while finishing another brick which I put to the side and walk out the cave. 'I should also map out the island while I'm doing this.' I think as I pull out a stone slab dip my hand into some lime putty to use as paint.
'Need to make paper and dyes as well.' Adding that to the list of a million things and making my way across the island. Passing a couple animals though not many dragons. The occasional Nadder quill or scratch marks from Zippleback. Even scorch marks from Nightmares but nothing that signifies a Gronckle just yet.
Though that promptly changes once I come across a rather rocky clearing and see a small group of Gronckles munching away. With it consisting of rather colorful dragons. The largest being a brownish yellow and the smallest looking to be a blue hatchling.
'Okay pull out the dragon nip and pray.' I think as I throw everything else on me into my inventory and let out a loud coughing sound as I would prefer not to scare them. This caused the group of four and the small hatchling to turn around and look at me.
"Hi, can I interest you in some dragon nip and rocks." I say rather awkwardly with the largest seeming quite confused on why I'm not charging forward and trying to kill them. Even looking at one of the other Gronckles as if I'm stupid and don't know what I'm supposed to be doing.
"I'll feed you guys and give you a place to live." I offer trying to sweeten the deal with the Gronckles still trying to figure out what's wrong with me while the hatchling looking between what's going on rather confused about everything.
Seeing this I take a deep breath and take very slow steps. With one of my hands outstretched holding a dragon nip. "I just want to be your guy's friend." I say gently. 'Definitely not to make my life easier and abuse your guys' love for rocks.' I think as I slowly advance.
With one of the Gronckles slowly moving back, concerned about this whole thing with it being the smallest of the flock. While the other three still seem confused by all this. Of course the hatchling unconcerned and starting to waddle towards me and plops down at my feet.
I look between the Gronckles and the hatchling asking for permission to kneel down and give them a small pat but getting a rather strong scowl from a green Gronckle that screams you touch my baby I tear you apart.
"Point taken." I say clearing my throat and dropping a small bit of dragon nip for the hatchling which gives it a rather curious glance before taking a sniff. With the small Gronckle than hopping around and shakily flying up to my hand to try and smell more.
My eyes go to the green Gronckle which seems to sigh as it trots over and grabs the hatchling's tail with its mouth before rolling its eyes. This of course causes the hatchling to whine and cry because it's a baby. Which seems to make the largest Gronckle chuckle.
Or what I believe is a chuckle. I'm making my best interpretations about all of this. "I mean no ill will." I say as the others start coming towards me except the purple Gronckle which seems rather distressed by the others coming towards me and taking a sniff of the dragon nip.
"I won't hurt any of you." I say earnestly as the largest Gronckle waves its head as if assuring that they are okay to come over. Which the purple Gronckle obliges begrudgingly. Their entire body shaking as they come towards me as if ready to either run or kill me at the smallest hint of danger.
"I'm going to put my hand out." I say mainly to that of the shaky Gronckle as I do exactly that though very slowly letting them sniff the dragon nip. The effects are shown almost immediately as they calm down and let out a breath. "Would you all like to come home with me?" I ask though the question focused on the hatchling.
As it is unlikely for them to abandon the little guy especially who I assume the mother is. Which would get me at least a Gronckle and a future second when they grow up. The hatchling ready to follow me just about anywhere as long as I offer dragon nip. With the mother seeming to be the same as well.
"Follow me, I'll lead those willing to our new home." I say with a small grin and slowly walk back to the cave with almost all of them following except the purple Gronckle though hearing more dull footsteps behind the rest. 'They seem to be following from a distance.' I think with a small chuckle as I turn my head to see a purple Gronckle trying its best to be sneaky.
'Now that I have some Gronckles I should be able to start making metal, once I find iron that is.' I think now needing to figure out the next problem. As the Gronckles can make the iron and flatten it. But they can neither find me iron or temper the iron.
'Wait, maybe they can find me iron.' I think as I stop and turn around. "Do you guys know how to find iron?" I ask them, wondering if they can even understand me. Making me mentally backtrack to every conversation leading to this point.
My eyes meet the hatchling than the brown Gronckle. "You guys can understand me right?" I ask genuinely curious about the answer as they just stare at me. "I can't tell if that is a yes or not." I question and decide to just keep walking to the cave.
'Their animals, of course they can't understand me immediately, it's going to take time.' I groan as I think of how to find iron. 'After I find iron I should be able to make Gronckle iron, which I believe is just steel.' I think while trying to wrack my brain on where iron may be or what it even looks like.
After a while of walking and the Gronckles following me we made it to my cave. Which looks quite awkward with a family of Gronckles in it and some of them already getting to work at eating the walls. 'I didn't even need to ask them.' I think as I watch the yellow Gronckle.
"All of you go ahead, eat as much as you wish. Just don't touch any of that stuff." I say pointing towards the kiln and stuff made of brick. "I'm assuming it wouldn't taste good and may make you sick." I warn though not completely sure and a little curious but not wanting to test it on my new Gronckle friends here.
All the Gronckles do exactly that with some smacking the walls with their tails to make some rocks. While others just eat what's laying around. With the purple Gronckle having slipped by to join the rest as though they were always here.
'I feel as though this is going to be much more eventful now.' I think as I look to the hatchling who keeps flying into my leg and makes both the derpiest and adorable face I have ever seen. "I will protect you with my life." I mutter as I pick up the little guy.
"Mama I will help you raise him." I say making the green Gronckle turn their head to see me holding the hatchling Simba style. Seeming to consider smacking me with her tail or snagging away her baby.
'I understand you now Fishlegs more than I already did.' I think as I offer a bit of dragon nip to the hatchling and sit down in front of the fire. "I should think of names for all of you shouldn't I." I say to both myself and the Gronckle family.
"No idea what I should name you guys though." I mutter as I go back to chilling with the hatchling and watching the others expand the cave to their wishes. 'Will definitely make excavation easier.' I think as I think over what I can do at the moment to work on.
'I guess I can stick to the original plan to make a better kiln than a furnace.' I think as I pet the baby Gronckle who sits in my lap like a cat. 'I should also make molds, for bricks as well as other things.' I think as it suddenly hits me on how I can find iron.
'Iron rusts due to oxidization meaning I need to look for rust covered.' I think with a smile hoping that's how it will actually work. 'Soon, very soon I will hit my revolution.' I think as I open the dragon manual and decide to finally finish the Monstrous Nightmare section.
The monstrous nightmare can typically be found throughout areas with dense forests and caves. As these dragons prefer to make controlled forest fires to signal mates. While also providing adequate coverage to rain and other weather phenomena.
With some Monstrous Nightmares living in the same cave and forest they were originally hatched in. Though this usually only being the strongest of the clutch which will claim this territory. Where the others will set out in their adolescence to find their own territories.
With most Monstrous Nightmares being quite diverse carnivores. Commonly being found eating anything they can catch from fish, birds, boars, and even small dragons. Though usually preferring fish the most despite the fact it can cause adverse effects if submerged for too long and have an issue producing their gel.
Due to the Monstrous Nightmares' rather diverse appetite they can be found throughout all of Europe, especially areas that have warmer seasons. Though quite like the Deadly Nadder they can be densely found in the Barbaric Archipelago due to their being less human settlements and expansion.
But like all creatures the Monstrous Nightmare has its own set of disorders. Such as the excess production of gel. This has both its pros and cons. Such as a constant intimidation display but also preventing them from having a permanent home.
This disorder being quite hard to identify as juvenile Monstrous Nightmares already produce an excess of gel but as they age the production lowers more and starts to regulate itself. But in this case gel will be at an all time high of production.
This sometimes leads to burns, accidental forest fires, and loss of hunting opportunities. Though there have been rare cases of maturity being reached and even becoming the apex of this species if they are able to reach peak maturity. Making them unrivaled amongst their species even against Titanwings which can be twice the size.
With another disorder being a Monstrous Nightmare that can't produce any gel. Though those born with such a disorder quickly dying due to a lack of heat or sickness.
'I honestly wasn't expecting them to delve deeper into Nightmares than they would Nadders.' I think as I close the book rather surprised over possible disorders and variations in the dragon's genes which can cause an excess or lack of kerosene gel.
"Well guys, I believe it is time to go to bed." I say as I carry the hatchling with me over to my corner and set them next to me as the rest of the Gronckles come walking around to surround me like stones around a firepit.
"Odd but I'm okay with this. Just don't roll on me please." I say as I look at them with the mother of the hatchling looking half tempted to do it right then and there. "Maybe you can understand me." I mutter as the Gronckle looks away and lays down beside their child.
"Even if you don't now. You will eventually." I say with my eyes narrowed before getting comfortable in my sleeping bag. Starting to count the Gronckles like sheep for the fun of it and it working for the first time in my life.
—----------------------------
{A/N Hello good people of Webnovel. I come with another chapter of this fic and with new pals. Being the family of Gronckles which I will need you all to name because I have the naming sense of a potato. So I'll give you the general description of them all and you can decide names.
The brownish yellow Gronckle who is the leader of the flock as well as being the oldest. They have a couple scars littering their body primarily from that of other dragons.
The green Gronckle who is the mother of the hatchling. They are rather protective but like to let their child experience the world. With their body being relatively unmarked by anything.
The yellow Gronckle who is just there. They don't have a single care in the world and will follow the brown Gronckle wherever they go no matter where it may be. They are covered in countless scars but not even half being from dragons or humans but accidents.
The purple Gronckle who is rather skittish. They have been captured before by dragon hunters making them rather antsy when it comes to humans and wanting to run away at the smallest sight of them. Their bodies are covered in scars from spears, axes, and arrows.
The blue Gronckle Hatchling who is head first through the world. They are a new dragon in the world with everything being an experience. With their body barely able to fly but able to easily run.
Descriptions aside I would like to give the mandated apology for a clunky chapter. With time the quality will surely increase but now is not that time. With most of this chapter being about monstrous nightmares and taming some Gronckles. There are also actual advancements such as bricks and getting closer to metal.
But I feel as though I'm dragging this out which is why I finally brought in tamed dragons. That way we can speed up advancing to a decent technological standpoint. Then start the process of studying dragons. Well mainly the internal systems as behaviors, diets, and habitats I will explain as reading the dragon manual.
Though obviously if it's too scientifically advanced to be in the manual it won't be as me even adding disorders felt far-fetched. But I will have Erik (MC) add stuff like gene explanations and other things. Such as the red and green deaths having a very high testosterone production and very small amounts of estrogen.
But during the breeding season a female's estrogen will sky rocket making them more susceptible to male scent markers and such. This is just an example. I don't know if I'm going to actually use this on the red or green death.
Also the Dramillion is complete bullshit. Cool dragon, but its fire power makes absolutely no sense. I will leave it at that.
All things aside I will now put Erik's status below despite the fact it hasn't changed and probably never will for at least another five or ten chapters. But consistency is key, they say. Also please give me any suggestions you may have.
[Status]
Name: Erik
Age: 18
Title: Lumenweeps Champion
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