![[ZenProPic.png]] ### **The Armadillion Hatchling** During one of their perilous adventures, the members of Sordia Vignti found themselves deep within the ruins of an ancient temple, hidden in the heart of a craggy mountain range. This temple, once belonging to an unknown civilization, was now the lair of draconic beasts scaled, wingless creatures with plated hides and powerful tails, resembling a fusion of dragons and armoured mammals. Amidst the ruins, the party stumbled upon a solitary egg, large and covered in an intricate, natural plating that glowed faintly under the torchlight. The creatures guarding it fought fiercely, seemingly protecting the egg rather than attacking out of aggression. After a tense battle, Sordia Vignti managed to subdue the guardians without exterminating them. Upon closer inspection, Zara and Ellette realized that the creatures were not merely protecting their territory; they were standing watch over something sacred a relic of their kind, an unhatched life. Torn between leaving it behind or taking it to safety, the party debated intensely. Some feared that tampering with it could anger powerful forces. Others, including Zara, felt a deep connection to the unborn creature, believing that fate had placed it in their hands for a reason. In the end, Zara convinced the others to take it, promising to care for whatever hatched from within. The egg cracked. A small, armoured creature emerged a child-like being with humanoid features but distinct armadillo-like plating across its body. It was neither entirely beast nor fully humanoid, but something in between, a unique lifeform unlike anything they had encountered before. Its wide, curious eyes locked onto Zara first, and in that moment, she knew, this child was hers to protect. Zara named it Zen, inspired by the calm she felt when she first held it in her arms. Though some in Sordia Vignti were wary, fearing what Zen might become, they agreed to raise it as one of their own. Zen grew Quickly into a playful, curious, and highly intelligent child. It was incredibly agile, capable of rolling into a protective ball to evade danger, and its plated skin made it tougher than most. Yet, despite these abilities, Zen was still a child, one that longed for belonging. While Qwimby tried to train Zen in stealth and trickery (often leading to mischief), Steve saw potential in its raw strength and resilience, fashioning it a small wooden club to spar with. Karrut, ever the guardian of nature, studied Zen’s origins and believed it might be the last of its kind, or perhaps a descendant of an ancient, lost race. Ellette found Zen endearing, though she often teased Zara about becoming a "mother." Zen’s presence at the Keep is a constant reminder of Sordia Vignti’s bond—they were not just warriors, but protectors of those who needed them. Whether Zen’s origins would one day call it back to the mountains, or whether it was destined for a greater purpose, one thing was certain, Sordia Vignti had found something special that day. And they would stand together to protect it.