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Published: 2011-08-17 23:58:10 +0000 UTC; Views: 25202; Favourites: 648; Downloads: 258
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The Blue Dragon Khaldun (his name meaning "The Immortal One" in Egyptian) holds court at Thebes as Suzerain (or Pharaoh) of Upper and Lower Egypt.After the collapse of the Old Kingdom, Egypt entered a period of weak Pharaonic power and decentralization. Towards the end of this period, two rival dynasties, fought for power over the entire country. It was by then that Khaldun made his appearance. The Ancient Blue Dragon who had been living in the desert saw the quarreling kingdom an easy target, ripe for plunder. However when he arrived in Thebes he received a completely different welcome then expected. The Egyptians saw him as a descendant of Nut, the goddess of the sky. They believed the dragon had been send as an answer to their prayers, one who would assist the pharaoh in defeating the rival dynasty at Herakleopolis.
Khaldun, sensing an opportunity for something greater then simple treasure,agreed. With a mighty dragon at their side, the Thebans staged a siege at Herakleopolis. The pretender Pharaoh fell under Khaldun's lightning breath and the city was conquered. Khaldun declared himself ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt. The Theban Pharaoh protested of course but he and his followers suffered the same fate as their colleagues at Herakleopolis. The priests sided with Khaldun and the dragon was worshipped as a living god. Khaldun officially ascended the Theban throne in 2055 B.C
Though not a brutal tyrant Khaldun possessed a highly developed sense of order with himself at the top. He saw humans as slaves or useful tools at best. He acted as an overlord receiving homage from his subjects and settling any disputes. As the years went by, Khaldun grew in his arrogance and vanity. Eventually he started to believe that he was truly a god and ordered the start of a building project that would make him the unquestioned ruler of the ancient world. Something which is now only known as "The Black Pyramid."
Something must have happened when the project was completed as Khaldun suddenly seemed to have just disappeared and all traces of his rule were deliberately removed by the Egyptian priests. Indicating a terrible offense against the gods themselves.
Today the only evidence of the "Dragon Pharaoh" is a brief mention by the Egyptian historian and priest from Sebennytos, Manetho. His tomb was never found, nor any traces of this "Black Pyramid" and his existence was dismissed as a myth. A secret lost to the trackless sands of time...or so it would appear.
It's the Blue Dragon and one of the main characters in a story I plan to write when I am finished with my current one. This was a rather complex piece, combining a lot of the techniques I picked up over the months but overall I am pleased with the result. Oh, as for the title of the story, I'll be going with "The Black Pyramid."
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Comments: 160
Netarliargus In reply to ??? [2017-12-30 10:54:38 +0000 UTC]
Not really dead since I never started on it, I opted to write something different instead. so feel free to.
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MasterLacarma [2016-09-05 08:43:10 +0000 UTC]
Is this a real dragon in Egypt? Or did you make this? Because its pretty good and very believable. xD
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KingKastu [2015-04-18 10:27:18 +0000 UTC]
magnificent story, a good starting point for my D&D campaign.Β niceΒ job guyΒ Β
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RenagadeRexRider In reply to Netarliargus [2013-06-15 03:22:30 +0000 UTC]
no problem at all~!
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Jcbq [2012-08-14 06:23:43 +0000 UTC]
I love concepts like this, especially when history and local mythos have a wide enough window of plausibility to make this happen...
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Netarliargus In reply to Jcbq [2012-08-15 13:37:32 +0000 UTC]
Who knows, a lot of cultures have something like a dragon in their legends. Coincendence?
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fannyfae [2012-04-22 14:25:18 +0000 UTC]
The artwork is incredible! The story is interesting and credible and you should definitely stay with it, *especially now* with the options available to those who self publish via digital media. Bravo!
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Netarliargus In reply to fannyfae [2012-04-22 14:49:46 +0000 UTC]
Thanks, I am actually writing a story about dragons right now. The chapters are in my gallery, as well as the artwork to go with it.
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Edward-Smee [2012-04-10 00:01:47 +0000 UTC]
That is really cool. Have you considered doing research on Egyptian Mythology to see if there were Egyptian dragons, and what they looked like?
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Netarliargus In reply to Edward-Smee [2012-04-10 12:06:53 +0000 UTC]
They had dragons, but they looked nothing like our traditional Western ones: [link]
The Egyptian Dragon was a dragon that represented the dark underworld and battled with the Sun God every night. Day and night happened because of Ra. Throughout the ancient mythological texts of Egypt, the theme of resurrection and rebirth can be found time and again. In one such myth, we are introduced to the mighty and dangerous dragon, Apep. A mysterious creature bearing many names, Apep was also known as Apophis, Aaapef and Rerek. Some people, however, preferred this serpent-like dragon to remain Nameless. Whatever his true name may have been, it was kept secret so as not to grant any further power to this tremendous being. The power contained in Apep represented the chaotic elements of the universe, the destructive and dark side of Nature.
Although later mythologies described Apep as evil, the early myth-tellers were aware life was the coexistence of all opposite values. True power could be seen in the contrasting elements of Apep as the destructive darkness, and Ra, the heat and light giving sun-god traveling through the sky in his solar barque.
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big0bear In reply to Netarliargus [2012-04-03 01:49:03 +0000 UTC]
I really hope they didn't put the same curse on this dragon that they put on Imhotep from "The Mummy" he is a walking plague by himself without added power
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Netarliargus In reply to big0bear [2012-04-03 10:44:32 +0000 UTC]
I'm not sure if teh Egyptians were keen on curses, most likey they'd just remove all evidence of a king's existanace after his dead. Struck from the records and all...
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big0bear In reply to Netarliargus [2012-04-03 13:49:47 +0000 UTC]
No curses where their thing, a lot of people watching adventure movies like Indiana Jones or The Mummy, think booby traps are common, however Egyptians, instead of those kinda trap left warnings and curses, Vengeance of the gods or spiritual damnation kinda stuff.
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Netarliargus In reply to big0bear [2012-04-03 19:37:37 +0000 UTC]
That didn't really stop all the grave robbers, even in ancient times. Really a pyramid was like a big sign saying "here lies a dead guy buried with all his treasures."
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big0bear In reply to Netarliargus [2012-04-04 18:34:21 +0000 UTC]
I never said they were effective. Which is why if I built a pyramid I would invest in lethal traps lol
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Netarliargus In reply to big0bear [2012-04-04 19:17:20 +0000 UTC]
Yes, but the mechanisms crumble too over time. And if they have been triggered once the next robber will get through.
Nah, just do like the Vikings, put everything you own on a boat and put it on fire....accompanied by a chorus of singing bearded men.
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DameOdessaStock [2012-03-07 12:28:02 +0000 UTC]
This splendid work has been featured here: [link]
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Netarliargus In reply to DameOdessaStock [2012-03-07 23:36:43 +0000 UTC]
Aww, thanks a lot. Mixing mythology with history is fun...hence a Dragon as Pharaoh.
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DameOdessaStock In reply to Netarliargus [2012-03-12 13:30:48 +0000 UTC]
You're welcome
It's one of the most impressive dragons I've ever seen, the Egyptian look is perfect!
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Netarliargus In reply to DameOdessaStock [2012-03-12 20:43:43 +0000 UTC]
Thanks, I should draw his tomb someday. Hmh...a mummyfied dragon, now there's an idea.
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Netarliargus In reply to KaijuDuke [2012-02-24 22:15:33 +0000 UTC]
Quite a nice concept, no? Thanks.
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ShaderDragon [2012-02-21 00:55:50 +0000 UTC]
I like it! Once again, good color and shading choices for the whole piece that seem to go together well, rather pleasing to the eyes. The dragon has a nice sort of royal or important look to him, while not seeming overdone. And a cool story to go with it as well
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Netarliargus In reply to ShaderDragon [2012-02-21 01:07:07 +0000 UTC]
Thanks, glad to know everything fits together well.
If you like the dragons, I've written a story about them you can read.
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ShaderDragon In reply to Netarliargus [2012-02-23 06:52:11 +0000 UTC]
I'll be sure and check it out soon!
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Grivik [2012-01-11 05:42:56 +0000 UTC]
i love this picture. i never thought of a dragon and Egypt together lol
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Netarliargus In reply to Grivik [2012-01-11 14:12:03 +0000 UTC]
Yes, Egyptians were more into cats, the sun and anthro gods: [link]
Still they also likes crocodiles so...it's not too far off from dragons.
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LOLMANIC45 [2011-12-18 03:09:22 +0000 UTC]
So does Excalibur make a lethal sword to him? (I have been having a Excalibur fetish for the past 2 days, well, anything that deals with King Arthur.
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Netarliargus In reply to LOLMANIC45 [2011-12-18 12:57:33 +0000 UTC]
Dunno, that sword is a continent away and I don't recall Camelot going on a crusade.
And if you like stuff about King Arthur, you should check out this series: [link]
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LOLMANIC45 In reply to Netarliargus [2011-12-18 15:37:58 +0000 UTC]
I'm just saying just by coincidence.
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hidro240 [2011-10-05 20:54:09 +0000 UTC]
Gone for two mounths you come out with 3 epic drawlings
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Netarliargus In reply to hidro240 [2011-10-06 20:24:44 +0000 UTC]
Heh, thanks. There's more to come.
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InspiredDragons [2011-09-16 02:12:20 +0000 UTC]
WOW! Fan-TASTIC! I always admire the impressive amount of detail from your work. I like the dragon design aswell, and gorgeous atmosphere in this piece.
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Netarliargus In reply to InspiredDragons [2011-09-16 11:54:05 +0000 UTC]
Thanks, working towards more complex stuff, gotta challenge myself if I want to get better.
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blackfang1994 [2011-08-29 13:10:37 +0000 UTC]
EEEEEPIIIIIIIC SHIIIIIIIT ALAAAARM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love eveything about this pic!
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Netarliargus In reply to blackfang1994 [2011-08-29 13:35:42 +0000 UTC]
Heh,That alarm of yours sure makes a lot of racket.
Thanks a lot.
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