SIMON JUNAK WAS A LEGEND... UNTIL HE VANISHED.

Simon Junak doesn’t want to go back into the game. Anuras Gibul: Heaven and Earth Renovated was supposed to be a new life—a place to escape a dangerous world. Simon excelled, reaching the exalted heights of a dragon rider.

His dream shattered when Tanmen Sudha, his true love, was trapped and killed by the ruthless Lord Oroka. Simon fled the game and hid from his enemies.

Everything changed when his parents call him out of hiding to save his brother. All Simon wants is to go in-game, save his brother and get out—but an ancient prophecy, blackmailed gamemakers, the whispers of a rebellion, and rumours that Tanmen might not be dead keep pushing Simon to do more.

Can Simon put his past behind him and play a different game? Or will Oroka seize control of everything?

Raise the Dragon is an epic litrpg action adventure with dragons, sword fights, massive battles and a band of heroes that might just change the world.

Tropes

• An Ancient Prophecy: Simon is pulled into an ancient prophecy claiming that a dragon rider will return

• The Evil Overlord/Tyrant: Lord Oroka is a ruthless antagonist who controls the Eastern territories and uses torture and hostage-taking to enforce his will.

• Conspiracy/Corrupt Government: The antagonist is revealed to be working with a powerful gang outside the game, who have either infiltrated or effectively bought the government.

Game Mechanics and Systems

• Class and Levelling System: The game employs explicit RPG mechanics, including character creation, choosing classes, tracking XP, and gaining power through levels.

• Monster Zones/Dungeons: The world features defined mob zones and dungeons used for quests and levelling.

• Animal Familiars: Simon gains control of an entire wolf pack after defeating its king

• Title/Fealty System: Simon claims the title of "King" of the Western Islands, which provides military buffs (8% on attack and defence) to all who "swear fealty" to him.

• Respawn Mechanics: Defeated players typically "respawn as level-one noobs with nothing", confirming the classic MMO death penalty.

Themes:

• The Fallen Legend: Simon was once a "fearsome Dragon Rider" and a "legend" who wielded immense destructive power. He later acknowledged trying to undo some of the "havoc he had caused.”

• A New Path: Simon explicitly commits to being "a different person" upon re-entering the game, accepting that he "did some pretty terrible things last time". He seeks a "Path to Redemption" and strives to fight "with honour"

• The Fusion of Virtual and Real Worlds / High Stakes: The setting introduces an elaborate virtual environment, Anuras Gibul ("Heaven and Earth Renovated"), where the consequences are terrifyingly real, merging science fiction with dystopian reality.

• Lethal Consequences: Although players inhabit Cryo-pods, experiencing prolonged pain in the game can cause the player's body to die in the real world

• Political Overlap: The lines between the worlds are explicitly erased by the antagonists; the Redstone gang outside the game is "allied with" or "even owns the government," using in-game exploitation to fund real-world power

• Sensory Reality: The game emphasises realism, including touch, taste, and pain. Simon marvels at new features like the ability to smell and the hay fever simulation.

• Organised Resistance: Simon finds himself drawn into a resistance movement

• Rejecting Brute Force: Simon actively chooses "Honour" and "Generosity" over physical attributes like strength or cunning when leveling up personal qualities.

• Ethical Warfare: Simon risks his mission and confronts his teammates by insisting they cannot kill innocent NPC servants, arguing that if they want a better world, they "should live a little bit like that now". He tries to avoid unnecessary pain or death for his opponents.

• Family Obligation: Simon is initially motivated purely by family duty, forced back "onto the grid by a desperate plea" to save his brother, Jimmy. His parents play an active, vital role in the resistance.

• The Importance of Trust: Simon overcomes his natural cynicism and isolation to form a team, relying heavily on the steadfast Alf. Alf’s loyalty is so deep that he risks his life and willingly follows Simon, even when Simon’s decision-making seems reckless.

D. Hayes