The Dragonwarriors

The Dragons and their Riders are part of an elite Guard. It is a specialized group of people, spread all across the Kingdom of Shai, who act on the behalf of the Monarch -or not depending on how corrupt the monarch in question is- to protect the people.
Their duties range from diplomatic missions to other countries, where they act as ambassadors for the King, to soldiers when the Kingdom is at war, to spies when there are things that need to be nosed out into the open. When there is nothing else to do, the Dragonwarriors simply act as Guards for the Monarch. It is this face which most people in Shai are aware of, and very few nowadays actually know that they do more than ride their Dragons during public parades, or surround the Monarch when they travel through the Kingdom.

People near the Capital City tend to think of them as fancy Soldiers, or Courtiers who have bought themselves a stylish mount and place in the Monarch's private Protection force, so in general the Dragonwarriors are not looked on well. However, those who live in the countryside or more vulnerable areas are well aware of how much these people do to keep the land safe, whether it's sung about by Bards or kept quiet to prevent too much gossip. Being accepted into training as a Dragonwarrior is considered high praise if you come from a small village, but if it is in a city, then it is simply assumed that a Noble has bought their son or daughter into this place.

It is generally assumed that a position in the mostly highly ranked Guard in the realm comes with many acquaintences in Nobility and Royalty, and high-paying wages, but in times of war it can be an extremely dangerous job. At all times, it is not simply sitting around and entertaining the Aristocracy with feats of trick-riding, which some people assume.
So opinions on what it is that the Elite Guard of the Monarch truly is for is varied, but one thing is certain: whatever it is they do, it isn't to be taken lightly.
Dragonwarriors are paid a monthly purse of Gold by the Monarch, and receive bonuses for various things, such as tournaments and special service to the Crown or Kingdom.

In the East, it's much more serious than in the North--their responsibility is not to try to minimise corruption among nobles and establish fair wages for workers, but to defend coastal villages from Raiders either from outside of Shai or within, from the whimsies of the weather, and from the dangerous beasts, human or otherwise, who prey on people.



Students enter the Dragonhalls after being Tested for the Mind Gift which allows them to Bond with the dragons. This Testing is carried out by full Dragonriders, once a year, in every village or city across the Kingdom of Shai. Students, upon entering the Dragonhall, are between 12 and 15 years of age, mostly on the older side but depending on their potential it ranges. After at least a year of training with Instructors, who are full Dragonriders, in the ways of combat (archery, hand-to-hand and swordfighting/daggers) and history about the land of Shai and the Dragonwarriors.

At this point, after passing a test at the end of their year they choose an egg from the clutch of a Female dragon as soon as it's laid. From that point on, as well as their original lessons, they learn about dragon anatomy and care, and take on the duties that would initially belong to the mother Dragon such as turning their chosen egg.
On Hatching Day, about a month after the laying of the eggs, the Dragontrainees take their places by their eggs, and wait for them to hatch. As soon as the dragonets break free of their shells, the trainees would feed them and care for them, then promptly begin training together as Warriors. They bond regardless of gender or color. As they grow together, they develop a mental bond that includes the ability of Mindspeech. At the beginning, among the first years of the Hatchlings life, they train in matters of care and teamwork.

After 3 years, the pair will be assigned to an individual trainer from the adult Instructors, who will bascially be a mentor. That instructor and their dragon would start to teach the pair fighting skills, and find where the talents of the pair lay. Some dragontrainees would train for spy work, or diplomatic missions, or basic fighting in the King's Guard, or learn to accept a position of Command. Not all Dragonwarriors are found suited to be warriors, but they all receive equal weapons training in defense.
At 3 years, the pair begins to fly together. The dragonet, at this point, is nearly fully developed. Their fighting training increases. Another 2-3 years of study and training would follow, in which the individual instructor would take them on brief training missions.

At 5-6 years, the Pair take up full responsibility as Dragonriders, the bulk of them going into The Guard, but others taking scouting missions and others more political positions. Between 5-6 years, a female will have her first mating flight and then lay a clutch, and the newest Trainees who have passed their Exam choose an egg...and the cycle continues.