Post by Ivaii on Sept 27, 2013 2:21:19 GMT -8
At one time, long ago, the dragons of Shai were wild creatures that few but the most trained warriors dared approach. However, these warriors who had initially been trained to kill the pests, who raided flocks and terrorized peasents (though never killed them) realized that there was more to the Dragons than there seemed at first.
For these creatures were intelligent. The first Dragonrider was merely a Warlord who tamed his opponent as a mount. It became a fad among Nobility to have a Mage and dragon as pets, and the noble Dragons became essentially fancy horses. For a time, they resigned themselves to lives as pampered creatures. They appreciated not having to struggle to feed themselves from herds and flocks, that could lead to their deaths. However, as time went on, the commoners of Shai began resenting the Nobles for their dangerous mounts, which the Mages were still required to subdue if they were not properly 'tamed.'
A Mage-Woman hired by a Warlord to care for an egg obtained from the booming black market became by accident the first true Dragonwarrior. She was overseeing the man's future mount, when the egg hatched...and to her surprise, she Bonded with the dragon. It was here that the Dragonwarriors were born. In time, others, in defience of the Nobility, also stole eggs from clutches, and cared for them until the day they hatched. The dragonwarriors were born from this motley group of Rebels.
Legend has it that when an army from the country of Tairna threatened Shai, the Dragonwarriors rose out of hiding and defended the country. The King at the time recognised them as invaluable, and placed them in a position of power. No longer were they refugees.
Under the next 100 years, the Dragonhalls were established, and it was forgotten that the dragons had ever been treated as mere animals. After all, they were marvelous, magical beasts, whose natural skills could be enhanced by runes and the powers of their Rider.
Not only that, but their talents, when combined with their Riders', made the pairs formidable warriors. Who wouldn't respect such a team?
Born from Eggs, the dragons of Shai have very long lifespans. As hatchlings, none can fly, but depending on rarity they may start to fly sooner or later than other dragons. However, all dragons are born with the ability to use their magic and it is trained from the day of their birth.
Female dragons will have their first mating flights after reaching maturity which varies for each dragon depending on rarity. She will fly every year, and lay a clutch of anywhere from 2 to over 20 eggs. During the flight, there is no question of who will be her Chosen mate: she is pursued by only one male, who has been drawn to her ahead of time, usually because of bonds between Riders or the Dragons themseleves. They mate for life, and it is highly uncommon that a female will have more than one suitor at her first Flight. In succeeding years, she will only allow her one male to chase her, unless both riders or dragons have a change of heart. After the first 2 years, their aging process slows. A dragon speaks mentally to the other dragons, and it's warrior Rider if that rider possesses a Mind Talent which allows them to bespeak each other through their minds.
Dragons also come in a range of colors, which are distributed from common to very rare, but rarity doesn't affect rank or size. The most common dragon possible could be the highest position in The Guard. Dragons Bond to their riders based on the nearest Gifted person their egg when they Hatch, not gender. It is possible for a Dragon to deny their rider, and leave them to bond to someone else, if their rider does something that they truly disagree with. If a Dragon's rider dies, and they have a very close bond, the dragon can die as well, but more often than not, the Dragon will simply choose a Trainee who has neared the end of their training, or a Rider whose original dragon died.
These are the basic dragon Colors, though there have been variations:
Common
Sapphire
Emerald
Ruby
Amethyst
Mottled (More than tone of a color on their hide)
Granite
Uncommon
Brown
Amber
White
Dawn
Marbled (More than one color on their hide)
Rare
Copper
Silver
Gold
Sunset
Very Rare
Ebony
Ethereal
Diamond
Elements
For all elements, Runes can be carved onto Dragons' armor to give them some abilities not naturally found with their element. For example, a Water dragon could breath Fire. A dragon's Element is their natural affinity with some aspect of nature. They come in three degrees: Basic control, Moderate control, and Powerful control.
Water: Dragons with the element of Water have some ranging degrees of control over water. Some can summon water from the air, or freeze water. They can always breathe under water, and tend to be gilled and graceful in the water, though that by no means indicates that they cannot fly as well as the others. Dragons with Water can sometimes Foresee events, or create Illusions to blend in with their surroundings or create distractions. Many can manipulate existing water bodies with ease. These are the only Dragons who can be Healers, magically-wise. These dragons have rapid mood swings, and are extremely energetic.
Fire: Dragons with the element of Fire have some ranging degrees of control over Fire. Most of them can manipulate existing fire: moving it from one place to the other, and changing it's shape. These dragons can usually cause explosions and the like, and are the only Dragons who can breathe fire without the aid of Runes. Some can even summon fire without any sort of aid, and all of them have the ability to withstand heat, or fly through flames. For this, they are very valued. Dragons with Fire as their element are renowned for ferocity and occasionally their explosive tempers.
Air: Dragons with the element of Air have some ranging degrees of control over Air. For the most part, they can blow things around, and create gusts of wind with varying strengths, and some can even do so to the extent of hurricane force winds, or create tornadoes. While the ability is not cherished, it is extremely powerful. These dragons can even control the weather sometimes, or calm winds when they are uncontrollable. They are experts of speed (the fastest fliers out there) and masters of Shields and protection. Some have the ability of Illusion found mostly with Water dragons. They are calm, for the most part, but extremely protective.
Earth: Dragons with the element of Earth have ranging degrees of control over the Earth. The most powerful can cause earthquakes, or create chasms in the ground, and seal their foes within. They can often create traps of the earth, weaving plants and things around into elaborate tricks. They can make plants grow from nothing, or create things out of the air where there was nothing before. The element of Earth is rather daunting: They can change terrain shape, if they are very powerful, and some can even shapeshift to other aerial forms. Often, these dragons can be 'chameleons' and blend in with their surroundings if they choose. Dragons with Earth are sturdy and solid, but don't let their slow tempers fool you: they brood, and can suddenly snap.
Dark: Dragons with the element of Darkness have some interesting talents, even though it is not always considered to be an 'element.' The most basic ability they have is creating patches of darkness even in light, and seeming to always be near shadows or dark. They have uncanny vision in the dark, and can even seem to turn into shadows, and disappear. They are experts at the ability of Teleporting themselves and their riders. They are stronger phsysicaly than the shadows, and can create patches of darkness to hide themselves and others in. Like Light elemental dragons, they can draw Dark energy from the air if they are truly powerful, and manipulate it to create shields or a very painful weapon. Darks are solemn and seem to have no sense of humor.
Light: Dragons with the element of Light have some interesting talents, even if it is a bit of an odd element. The most basic ability that they have is creating light, and illuminating areas. Sometimes they can exercise a control over people's minds. Most of these dragons seem to disappear in bright light, and can create orbs of light when there is complete darkness. Others simply seem to glow, and light up their surroundings. Dragons with this ability can tweak light, to make it bend and create illusion of it, and some can even make things seem so real that they fool others into believe it. The most powerful can draw energy out of the air and manipulate it. Lights are optimistic and mischevious.
Maturity Rate
Common
0 months - Magic Training
6 months - Flight Training
9 months - Battle Training
11 months - Full Maturity
12 months - Graduation
Uncommon
0 months - Magic Training
8 months - Flight Training
11 months - Battle Training
13 months - Graduation
15 months - Full Maturity
Rare
0 months - Magic Training
10 months - Flight Training
13 months - Battle Training
15 months - Graduation
18 months - Full Maturity
Very Rare
0 months - Magic Training
11 months - Flight Training
14 months - Battle Training
17 months - Graduation
21 months - Full Maturity
For these creatures were intelligent. The first Dragonrider was merely a Warlord who tamed his opponent as a mount. It became a fad among Nobility to have a Mage and dragon as pets, and the noble Dragons became essentially fancy horses. For a time, they resigned themselves to lives as pampered creatures. They appreciated not having to struggle to feed themselves from herds and flocks, that could lead to their deaths. However, as time went on, the commoners of Shai began resenting the Nobles for their dangerous mounts, which the Mages were still required to subdue if they were not properly 'tamed.'
A Mage-Woman hired by a Warlord to care for an egg obtained from the booming black market became by accident the first true Dragonwarrior. She was overseeing the man's future mount, when the egg hatched...and to her surprise, she Bonded with the dragon. It was here that the Dragonwarriors were born. In time, others, in defience of the Nobility, also stole eggs from clutches, and cared for them until the day they hatched. The dragonwarriors were born from this motley group of Rebels.
Legend has it that when an army from the country of Tairna threatened Shai, the Dragonwarriors rose out of hiding and defended the country. The King at the time recognised them as invaluable, and placed them in a position of power. No longer were they refugees.
Under the next 100 years, the Dragonhalls were established, and it was forgotten that the dragons had ever been treated as mere animals. After all, they were marvelous, magical beasts, whose natural skills could be enhanced by runes and the powers of their Rider.
Not only that, but their talents, when combined with their Riders', made the pairs formidable warriors. Who wouldn't respect such a team?
Dragon Lifestyle
Born from Eggs, the dragons of Shai have very long lifespans. As hatchlings, none can fly, but depending on rarity they may start to fly sooner or later than other dragons. However, all dragons are born with the ability to use their magic and it is trained from the day of their birth.
Female dragons will have their first mating flights after reaching maturity which varies for each dragon depending on rarity. She will fly every year, and lay a clutch of anywhere from 2 to over 20 eggs. During the flight, there is no question of who will be her Chosen mate: she is pursued by only one male, who has been drawn to her ahead of time, usually because of bonds between Riders or the Dragons themseleves. They mate for life, and it is highly uncommon that a female will have more than one suitor at her first Flight. In succeeding years, she will only allow her one male to chase her, unless both riders or dragons have a change of heart. After the first 2 years, their aging process slows. A dragon speaks mentally to the other dragons, and it's warrior Rider if that rider possesses a Mind Talent which allows them to bespeak each other through their minds.
Dragons also come in a range of colors, which are distributed from common to very rare, but rarity doesn't affect rank or size. The most common dragon possible could be the highest position in The Guard. Dragons Bond to their riders based on the nearest Gifted person their egg when they Hatch, not gender. It is possible for a Dragon to deny their rider, and leave them to bond to someone else, if their rider does something that they truly disagree with. If a Dragon's rider dies, and they have a very close bond, the dragon can die as well, but more often than not, the Dragon will simply choose a Trainee who has neared the end of their training, or a Rider whose original dragon died.
These are the basic dragon Colors, though there have been variations:
Common
Sapphire
Emerald
Ruby
Amethyst
Mottled (More than tone of a color on their hide)
Granite
Uncommon
Brown
Amber
White
Dawn
Marbled (More than one color on their hide)
Rare
Copper
Silver
Gold
Sunset
Very Rare
Ebony
Ethereal
Diamond
Elements
For all elements, Runes can be carved onto Dragons' armor to give them some abilities not naturally found with their element. For example, a Water dragon could breath Fire. A dragon's Element is their natural affinity with some aspect of nature. They come in three degrees: Basic control, Moderate control, and Powerful control.
Water: Dragons with the element of Water have some ranging degrees of control over water. Some can summon water from the air, or freeze water. They can always breathe under water, and tend to be gilled and graceful in the water, though that by no means indicates that they cannot fly as well as the others. Dragons with Water can sometimes Foresee events, or create Illusions to blend in with their surroundings or create distractions. Many can manipulate existing water bodies with ease. These are the only Dragons who can be Healers, magically-wise. These dragons have rapid mood swings, and are extremely energetic.
Fire: Dragons with the element of Fire have some ranging degrees of control over Fire. Most of them can manipulate existing fire: moving it from one place to the other, and changing it's shape. These dragons can usually cause explosions and the like, and are the only Dragons who can breathe fire without the aid of Runes. Some can even summon fire without any sort of aid, and all of them have the ability to withstand heat, or fly through flames. For this, they are very valued. Dragons with Fire as their element are renowned for ferocity and occasionally their explosive tempers.
Air: Dragons with the element of Air have some ranging degrees of control over Air. For the most part, they can blow things around, and create gusts of wind with varying strengths, and some can even do so to the extent of hurricane force winds, or create tornadoes. While the ability is not cherished, it is extremely powerful. These dragons can even control the weather sometimes, or calm winds when they are uncontrollable. They are experts of speed (the fastest fliers out there) and masters of Shields and protection. Some have the ability of Illusion found mostly with Water dragons. They are calm, for the most part, but extremely protective.
Earth: Dragons with the element of Earth have ranging degrees of control over the Earth. The most powerful can cause earthquakes, or create chasms in the ground, and seal their foes within. They can often create traps of the earth, weaving plants and things around into elaborate tricks. They can make plants grow from nothing, or create things out of the air where there was nothing before. The element of Earth is rather daunting: They can change terrain shape, if they are very powerful, and some can even shapeshift to other aerial forms. Often, these dragons can be 'chameleons' and blend in with their surroundings if they choose. Dragons with Earth are sturdy and solid, but don't let their slow tempers fool you: they brood, and can suddenly snap.
Dark: Dragons with the element of Darkness have some interesting talents, even though it is not always considered to be an 'element.' The most basic ability they have is creating patches of darkness even in light, and seeming to always be near shadows or dark. They have uncanny vision in the dark, and can even seem to turn into shadows, and disappear. They are experts at the ability of Teleporting themselves and their riders. They are stronger phsysicaly than the shadows, and can create patches of darkness to hide themselves and others in. Like Light elemental dragons, they can draw Dark energy from the air if they are truly powerful, and manipulate it to create shields or a very painful weapon. Darks are solemn and seem to have no sense of humor.
Light: Dragons with the element of Light have some interesting talents, even if it is a bit of an odd element. The most basic ability that they have is creating light, and illuminating areas. Sometimes they can exercise a control over people's minds. Most of these dragons seem to disappear in bright light, and can create orbs of light when there is complete darkness. Others simply seem to glow, and light up their surroundings. Dragons with this ability can tweak light, to make it bend and create illusion of it, and some can even make things seem so real that they fool others into believe it. The most powerful can draw energy out of the air and manipulate it. Lights are optimistic and mischevious.
Maturity Rate
Common
0 months - Magic Training
6 months - Flight Training
9 months - Battle Training
11 months - Full Maturity
12 months - Graduation
Uncommon
0 months - Magic Training
8 months - Flight Training
11 months - Battle Training
13 months - Graduation
15 months - Full Maturity
Rare
0 months - Magic Training
10 months - Flight Training
13 months - Battle Training
15 months - Graduation
18 months - Full Maturity
Very Rare
0 months - Magic Training
11 months - Flight Training
14 months - Battle Training
17 months - Graduation
21 months - Full Maturity