The Dragonomicon

[Nohiki]

All the dragon threads collected and made up to date. Written as Wizard's guide to Dragons.

Chapter 1: Dragon biology


Dragon bones are very resilient. In ancient times, dragon bone was used to make the most reliable tools, as the pieces were big enough to carve a monolith tool. The surface of the bone is hard, while it's inside gives it it's tough properties.
This makes dragon's bones relatively safe from a physical attack from almost anything, save for high mass-velocity projectiles (using earth magic is recommended), or attack by another dragon or stronger animal.
Dragonbone doesn't have good magical properties on it's own. Several attempts have been made using dragonbone as a wand core, but none could match existing wands in power. The bone is however very useful when ground into fine powder. It can be infused and hold tiny amount of magic (not anywhere near the gems), and then be used to strengthen potions or, in the hands of a skilled wizard, metal equipment.



Dragons are undoubtedly very strong creatures. While the true musle monsters like Earth dragons can break toughest materials with bare hands, even the less muscular ones, like air or water dragons, are still a threat up close to magically unprotected enemy.
Dragon muscle is composed of two kinds of tissue. String muscle tissue is major in water, air and energy dragons. this kind of muscle can contract very rapidly, giving these dragons superior speed and agility in favor of strength. The rope muscle tissue has thicker individual cells, and while they take longer to respond, this muscle can pull with enormous force. Unlike humans, dragon hearts are not a special muscle type, but rather the combination of the above, woven into a fast yet strong pump. Dragon hearts have several layers reinforced with membranes and bone plates, making them a very poor target without proper equipment. The final tissue is the smooth muscle tissue, which makes majority of the other organs. An interesting fact is that this muscle making up dragon veins can contract in a wave function to id the heart when necessary, like while under extreme physical strain.



On the outside, dragons vary in look greatly depending on their breed. The most noticeable is usually the difference in number of wings, from none to multiple pairs. Dragon skin is high demand goods, as it is flexible, tough and usually covered in scales, making it the best material available for inner layers of armor. The scales themselves have very sharp edges, and mechanical properties between those of plates and chain mail, resilient to many kinds of damage. The easiest way to go around them is to use a piercing weapon with the trajectory of the hit against the direction of scale growth. There are again various types of scales. some dragons do not have any. Their hide is the least valued. The smallest scales are so tiny that they can barely be seen by naked eye. These hides are great as sandpaper. The regular scales are are un highest demand for the purposes mentioned above. The extreme case of scales are the armor plate type scales. Be warned that no dragon equipped with these have ever been brought down to study. The scale plates are stronger than any pure metal known and cannot be harmed by conventional means. The final type of 'scales' are dragon feathers. Dragons only possess quills, and they are usually too large to be used for writing.
Dragon horns are an interesting material, as they are non newtonian solid. The behave smoothly when just brushed against but if impacted with greater force, they roughen and sharpen. This makes sense on evolutionary basis, as permanently hard horns would tend to damage dragon wing webs (which themselves are best to make musical instruments). Dragon claws on the other hand are even tougher and harder than plate scales, their properties outmatched only by magical alloys like mithrill and above.
Dragon wings are not of much use, but they are what makes a dragon that dangerous. while some dragon types do not have wings at all (with a few exceptions), whose who do can use them to travel large distances easily or outmaneuver just about everything. There are three criteria for wing classification:
WING SPAN: How wide the dragon's wings are. Usually measured in percents of body length and above 100.
NUMBER OF PAIRS: Whie most dragons only have one pair of wings, some have none (Earth and water dragons), and air dragons usually boast multiple pairs of wings.
WING SIZE: There are only two types of wings as far as size is concerned. Gliders, with very large surface. they serve mainly to travel easily without much effort, and Flyers, which are of small size and serve rather for direction changes.



Dragons vary in size greatly. While they're the size of a German shepherd when freshly hatched, depending on their element and lifestyle, they can grow to massive sizes. Largest recorded dragons are only bested by the whales.

Chapter 2: Dragon types
Originally, the dragons seemed to stuck to clan society, kkeping inter-element breeding a taboo. This has changed since then and half bred dragons are becoming increasingly more common. Due to dragon biology, only dual element dragons can be born, other elements that have potential to be inherited from the family tree are supressed.

Fire
Primary colors: Red, black
Secondary colors: Orange, yellow
Wings: Leather gliders, usually single pair spanning about 120% of body length
Behavior: Hot tempered, sarcastic etc. Most of the time, they're grouchy. Its rare to see them happy.

Ice
Primary colors: Blue
Secondary colors: White
Wings: Leather gliders, usually single pair spanning about 150% of body length
Behavior: They are the coldest and most ruthless type. They don't reveal much of their doings to others and only trust a few close friends. Many of them live a life of solitude, which comes as no surprise considering the size of territory they occupy. The are the mastermind of all dragons.
Other: The most beautiful of all dragon types. Their scales glitter with crystals.

Energy
Primary colors: Yellow, gold
Secondary colors: White
Wings: Membrane type, usually single pair with various span and size. both gliders and flyers observed
Behavior: Playful and Hyper, they are literally the most fun and happy go lucky dragons.
Other: They are usually smaller than the other Dragons, but larger than Flits (see Need To Know Stuff). They are the very fast, rivaled only by light dragons dragons in magic aided and air dragons in regular motion.

Water
Primary colors: Dark blue
Secondary colors: Swamp green
Wings: No wings, only fins. The fins can be big and look like flyer type wings. The royal family can fly. Not flapping wings type. More like hovering. And those who are 100% trusted will be given the ability to fly. Only the royal family can give this ability. Other dragons are NOT able to fly.
Behavior: Very calm, and forgiving. But destroy and pollute their territory, oh no. They are playful and behave like dolphins.
Other: They cannot leave water for more than a few days. They look like eels, except more beautiful and huge. Some may have multiple heads (up to three observed)

Earth
Primary colors: Green, brown
Secondary colors: Black
Wings: Small or no wings, only some can fly. They prefer the ground though.
Behavior: Peace loving, shy and docile, they're the nicest types of dragons. Rather friendly.
Other: It is very rare to see an Earth Dragon fly, for they do not like heights. They prefer the grounds, for it is their specialty.

Air
Primary colors: White, silver
Secondary colors: Gray, bronze
Wings: Common small flyers(multiple pairs) or no wings ar all. Those with no wings are usually faster and more agile. All air dragons can fly.
Behavior: Graceful and cheerful. Very rare to see them angry. Most are daydreamers.
Other: They sleep in midair, though many prefer the Sky Palace. Their flying skills are far better than other dragons, and are usually long and thin.

Dark
Primary colors: Black
Secondary colors: Undead look - skeleton, zombie
Wings: Massive leather gliders.
Behavior: Quiet and mysterious. They're mostly evil.
Other: They don't like socializing with other dragons. Mean and snappish.

Light
Primary colors: Gold, white, silver
Secondary colors: Conditional colors - element charge dependant, chameleons, transparent skin
Wings: Membrane or leathery gliders, about 125% of body length.
Behavior: Gentle, Happy and caring. They are the direct opposite of Dark Dragons.
Other: Up until recently, they were considered extinct. There are very few of them, and despite their power, capturing them is discouraged, not only because of possible extinction, but also because of the difficulty.

Chapter 3: Dragon life cycle
Egg
Dragon eggs are one of the most desired wizard accessories. During the egg phase, a lot of the future dragon's features can be altered, both magically and simply by taking care of it. Note that all dragon eggs that are laid are fertilized (unlaid eggs are absorbed and recycled by the female's body), and thus unfit for consumption, no matter how desperate the situation is. Shattering the shell of such egg prematurely results in an explosion measurable on the TNT weight scale. The eggs need hear to grow, though unlike birds, they survive dormant in extended periods of cold, to resume growth once the conditions are more favorable. The higher the temperature, the stronger the dragon usually is, although there are exceptions to that rule. The future dragon's personality can be mildly adjusted by talking to the egg. Some dragon mothers will spend hours talking to her future children in order for them to be mentally healthy and strong. It is rumored that the egg can even be sung to a certain gender, but the claim lacks any support in evidence. The females are extremely agressive during the period of guarding eggs, often instructing their permanent mates (if applicable) to leave the den. It is thus extremely difficult to gain a dragon egg. The more successful ways include summoning a natural disaster in the den's vicinity, forcing the mother to transport or hide the eggs while she flees and waits out the bad conditions elsewhere, or localizing abandoned eggs.

Hatchling
Once all the magical energy in the egg shell is absorbed by the little dragon, it breaks through and hatches. Hatchlings are depending on their parents for the first year of life, but often remain with their parents until late youth.
Obtaining a hatchling is even greater peril than obtaining a dragon egg, as BOTH parents are usually present. Once captured / raised from obtained egg, hatchling's mind can be bent easily to your desire.

Youth
Young dragons become nigh independent at the age of three, when their size is comparable or greater than most threats, although theoretically they are capable of taking care for themselves at the age of one. At the age fo five, they are usually allowed to leave parents for extended periods of time, which is why a young dragon is the easiest to capture, however these can hardly ever be convinced to aid you and need to be broken or mind controlled, as their child personality will make them do everything in your spite. At late youth, dragons leave the parents.

Prime
At the age of fifteen, a dragon is officially an adult, and at the peak of physical strength. This period lasts usually to their mid-twenties. At this age, dragons are competitive, as those who seek long term mates compete for their attention. It is possible for them to start the family, which is very common for dragons that have already been through a lot in the short time they lived. Very common after wars, as the psychological effect of the war and the concept of "this day might be your last" tends to make them want to continue the dynasty as soon as possible.

Adulthood
Dragons of thirty and more years may still search for long term partnership, but seasonal ones are much more common over 40. At this age, dragons spend most of their time building a career and accumulating sometimes insane amount of wealth by human standards. Single dragon can hoard even a metric ton of raw precious materials, who's value is usually further increased by it being processed and or magically enchanted. It is pointless to try and kidnap an adult dragon, but finding it's treasure is a dream of every human.

Old age
After 600, dragons are considered elders (not to be confused with citizen class/leaders of certain clans) and like humans, their bodies are starting to degrade, as is the level of their magic. While the average life span is from 800 to a thousand years, the oldest dragons recorded are of age over 1500 years.

Death
Nothing is known about a dragon soul after the body dies, though some form of afterlife is presumed as dragons are highly magical creatures. Whether this level allows for spiritual existence or even reincarnation is unknown. After death, the dragons put their dead on display in a special volley, encased in magical crystal seals. Wizards may want to extract dragonbone from the corpses, though such old bone is usually of poor quality.

Chapter 4: Dragon society
Dragons are, like humans, intelligent and sociable beings. Despite the elemental clans being dissolved, the traditions still remain the same in every major territory.

Fire clan
Territory
The Fire fortress and the west and southwest of Dragon essence. The land is scarred with volcanic activity, and most of the land is barren rocks and ash fields with only occasional patches of green and drinkable water sources.
Hierarchy
- Elders
Leaders of the territory, most important during peace. they make the laws and enforce them on the territory through Fortress guard. Due to limited resources the southwest provides, their day to day efforts mainly concern logistics and supply bussiness.
- Alpha
Leader most important during war time, where he/she effectively becomes a king/queen with limitless power, with elders only being advisors. In peace time, the alpha acts as judge and military chieftain.
- Fortress guard
Elite armed forces created but not limited to guarding the Fire fortress. Only the best are allowed in. In peace time they serve as police force, in war time they may be tasked with high risk operations that can only be trusted to seasoned veterans.
- Military
By far the most numerous class of the fire clan. In heart, every fire dragon is a warrior. Over three quarters of the army are reservists that are in peace time tasked with regular jobs.
- Workers
Numerically thin class of citizens. Mostly composed of hunters.
- Traders
Virtually nonexistent in the Fire clan, as their land has little to offer. Traders from other clans usually come to the fire fortress to sell their goods.
- Zealots
Same as traders, the fire clan has next to no religious figures. Those families that are in this class usually stay in for a long time and many generations.
- Youth
Youngsters of all kinds are present in the society, depending on individual families. some are granted complete freedom, while others might be trained for their job from early age.
Education
Fire clan education system is oriented on practical skills, such as mining, smithing and hunting. Only few fire dragons ever grow to be philosophers.
Rites and initiations
Maturity trials
- Trial of Strength: Younglings compete against each other in the lowest age combat games category. The goal is to defeat the opponent before time runs out. Victory in your trial is required to enter military, though most fights here end in a draw.
- Trial of Mind: A test of knowledge. Main subjects are geography and magic control.
- Trial of Spirit: The entry test to the Zealot class. The young must show knowledge of mythical figures, such as the Elemental dragons.
- Trial of Courage: Not really a trial. A first ever solo hunt.
Inauguration rites
- Military ceremonies
Though the military of the fire clan is huge, it is not big on ceremonies. The act of promoting to higher rank is usually done in the field after a battle, without any special events devoted to the occasion.
- Trial of Might
A test one must take and pass in order to be allowed to the Fortress guard. Conzists of advanced trials of Strength and Mind.
- Trial of Fate
A challenge for an Alpha aspirant. Consists of all advanced trials and a last man standing combat trial for all that pass.
- Trial of Wisdom
A test one must take in order to be accepted as elder. In this test, the candidates gather in front of public in a debate. The public then chooses the best to represent them.
Military
Fire clan military is the integral part of the clan society. Almost everyone gets to play a role in it, if only working on it's facilities or preparing the fallen for their last voyage.
One must succeed in the Trial of Strength to enter the military and Trial of Might to enter the Fortress guard. Both males and females are allowed in.
- Ranks and structure
-- Alpha: Commander in chief
-- Battlemaster(3 wings)[Gold bracelet]/Elite guard[Golden armor]
-- Herald[Eternal torch]
-- Special operation[Token of Vulcanus]
-- Wing leader(3 Flights)[2 gold ribbons]/Guard[Tier 2 guard armor]
-- Flight leader(3 Talons)[1 gold ribbon]/Junior guard[Tier 1 guard armor]
-- Talon chief(3 soldiers)[2 silver ribbons]
-- Candidate[1 silver 1 yellow ribbon]
-- Hastatus[2 yellow ribbons]
-- Freshman[1 yellow ribbon]

Heralds are only chosen for important battles where victory is necessary. If a soldier is given a special, secret assignment, they are given a small token to identify their authority that can be easily hidden.
- Weaponry
Fire dragons are pretty dangerous on their own, and thus hardly ever use weapons. Some of them may choose armor modifications like retractable blades, but unarmored warriors do not usually carry anything.
The fire clan has one of the best dragons armors available. Their smiths have a way with metals even the earth dragons can only dream of. Bolstering several layers, each protecting from different kind of attack, only the strongest of fire dragons are actually capable of wearing them without the armor hindering their combat effectivness.
the armors of the fortress guard are more ornate than defensive in purpose.
Relationships with other clans
- Ice: Bein a counterpart element clan, fire dragons are unusually cold towards ice dragons. It is not hate relationship, but they have so little in common that they simply have no business dealing with each other.
- Energy: Neutral
- Water: From time to time, Fire dragons are existentially dependent on water dragons summoning rain on their territory. For this they are in water clan's debt, repaid by guarding the southwest shores from anyone who'd want to pollute the waters.
- Earth: Earth dragon traders are the most common visitors to the fire territory, being one of the few dragon types able to live normally in the harsh environment. They supply the fire clan with all kinds of goods they bring from their travels across Dragon Essence, and in return take precious metals that are mined in the rich mountains.
- Air: Neutral
- Dark: Being enemies in both major wars, fire clan's affinity towards dark dragons is below zero. They often provoke each other and decide against the other in inter-clan affairs out of pure spite.
- Light: the few light dragons that exist are closely affiliated with the fire clan, to the point of being one and the same.
Leisure
when a fire dragon has some free time on his/her hands, they have various activities to engage in. The hot springs littered all across the territory are welcome resting places where one can cleanse himself both physically and mentally and find some solitude.
If the dragon feels like improving on any of his skills or hobbies, they might visit the fortress library where scrolls concerning everything can be found and studied.
Last but not least, the fortress has a huge gaming hall.
Sport
Hunt is the fire dragon sport number one, combining entertainment with practicality.
Fire dragons who enjoy flying have an unofficial high risk sport called the 'infernal dive'. a dragon hurls himself into the crater of an active volcano, spreading wings at last possible second and being thrown back up by the streams of hot air ascending from the lava.
Fire dragons also engage in several athletic disciplines, mostly the jumps and runs.
The major sport are the combat games, where both teams and individuals compete in various objectives, such as capture the flag, king of the hill or last man standing. Only clean knockouts are allowed and no blood is to be spilled.

[Kauria]

Air clan
Territory: The air clan has no specific territory, moving wherever the wind takes them. Their realm is the sky. The main body of the clan lives in the Sky Palace, a collection of massive interconnected spires atop a floating island. The smaller Sky Temple is always nearby, its edges overflowing with verdant life. Although any air dragon may visit the temple freely, its only permanent residents are the priests, a handful of healers, and their apprentices and aides. Despite the islands' tendencies to move about, they are never difficult to find. Storms often erupt around them.
Cultural overview: Also called the Whisper Clan, the air clan is still very much that—a clan. There may be many dragons living away from the central palace itself, but the clan has always been like family, and families do not disband at the word of an outsider.
Air dragons believe that allowing freedom and freedom of expression strengthens one's spiritual connection. For this reason, dragons in the clan are encouraged to do what they're good at so that they may use their individual gifts to their fullest extent.
Hierarchy:
Authority class:
- Priests
The most elementally powerful dragons in the clan, the air priests are a part of every air dragon's upbringing. Most of their duties are, obviously, centered around religious activities. Their extensive powers are balanced out by an oath of nonviolence and a near-total dependence on the rest of the clan. They may have children, but if both parents are priests, the duty of raising the hatchlings falls to the clan.
- Alpha(s)
The traditional position of leadership, the alpha is the face of the clan and renowned and respected for a combination of physical abilities and leadership skills. It is a title that must be earned. They are responsible for conducting a number of rituals, from initiations to funeral rites. It often falls to the alpha to determine the punishment for a crime.
- Elder Council
Largely made up of priests and older dragons, the elders work with the alphas and the priesthood to guide the clan. They decide laws and keep the rest of the authority class in check. It takes the unanimous vote of the council to dissolve the priests' vows of peace and unleash their formidable elemental powers.
Working class:
- Tenders / Caretakers
Air dragons care for each other's children as well as they would their own—it takes a village to raise a child, after all. This closeness extends into adulthood, and air dragons do have a strong tendency to stick together. Tenders exclusively care for the clan's eggs and hatchlings to make sure they receive equal attention and protection. Some also look after the temple's gardens and orchards.
- Performers
Air dragons are, in a peculiarly modest way, extremely flashy. Everything is done with a little extra flourish. Many air dragons are performers at heart, but becoming good enough to receive official recognition is a grueling process, requiring years of apprenticeship, training, and religious tutelage, as well as performing odd jobs for the clan itself in the meantime. Acrobats, dancers, musicians, poets, and singers make up the performing class and are considered very close to their mother element. Personal disputes are sometimes settled through competitions in these areas.
- Artisans / Crafters
The artisanal class of the air clan is fairly large and produces very fine and intricate wares, such as jewelry and dragon instruments. Air dragons spend proportionately little of their lifetimes walking, so their forepaws can be very delicate and dextrous, ideal for fine-detailed craftwork.
- Warriors / Hunters
Air dragon fighters are uncommon, but sparring matches between them can be breathtaking to watch—it's almost like dancing. However, since the clan rarely uses its warriors for actual fighting, fighters fulfill the roles of hunters and guards in times of peace. Hunters are especially critical to the clan's success, since numerous individuals do not have the time or capabilities to regularly hunt for themselves.
- Healers
Healers are a common sight in the air clan. There is an even mix of herbal and magical healers, and both mainly treat diseases and clean up flight-related injuries. Some specialize in soothing stressed-out dragons. Healers often leave the palace in search of work and serve others outside the clan.
- Traders
The air clan might not have the same propensity for inter-clan trade as their earth counterparts, but the trading class is still of considerable size. Although much trade is within the clan itself, air dragons' abilities for travel allow them to trade with even remote dragon populations.
- Navigators
Navigators are most often trained inside the clan, but work outside it, offering their services to other dragons. Having lived above the clouds most of their lives, they are adept at reading stars and maps. They have no trouble relocating the palace after even years spent away from it.
- Messengers
The air clan may keep its distance at times, but its large and quick messenger network helps the clan stay in touch. Many short-range messengers are young dragons in training for higher-ranking jobs. Exceptionally strong and swift endurance fliers can become full-time long-range messengers, and are often entrusted with only the most important information.
- Apprentices
The apprentice class is almost entirely adolescents. They serve and learn under the masters of their chosen craft. A lot of the work is chores.
- Younglings
Any young dragons, mostly those not yet working. Depending on their age, they usually spend their time in the company of their caretakers or each other.
- Other
Very few dragons do not fit into one of the aforementioned categories, but some pursue very specialized interests and are therefore uncommon.
Law: Punishment depends highly on the severity of a crime, and ranges from a restriction of privileges to exile to even death if the criminal is deemed too dangerous. The final say falls to the alpha or alphas, who will often consult with the council for a more balanced opinion—but if they want blood, they'll have blood. As for the actual laws, harming or killing another dragon without reason is obviously illegal. Failing to do one's job for the clan also has consequences.
The most important and unusual law is that air dragons are forbidden to use their magic for the purposes of asphyxiation. Even for hunting, even for warfare. It is a difficult technique, but virtually impossible to guard against. The only dragons permitted to even learn it are the head priests and the alphas, but neither may actually use their abilities during peacetime or without the full vote of the council.
Education:
Air clan education includes advanced flight techniques, elemental history, and daily rituals and prayers. Many air dragons know what they want to do from an early age, and receive further training in their apprenticeships.
Rites and initiations:
Childhood rites
- Hatching: Any life successfully started is worth celebrating. After a young dragon is born, they receive a blessing and a small trinket from a head priest. Some dragons hang on to these gifts into adulthood; plenty don't.
- First Flight: All air dragons learn to fly, many at an earlier age than is typical for the other clans. First Flight is a hatchling's first unassisted flight.
- First Flesh: A young air dragon's first successful hunt.
Occupational rites
- Trial of Service: For dragons wishing to become performers, they must first prove their worth to the clan by doing useful tasks that do not require much training, such as delivering messages, hunting, or aiding the caretakers or priests.
- Apprenticeship: A young adult becomes a pupil and an assistant to a master of their chosen profession.
- Rite of Inauguration: An apprentice displays the skills they have learned and become a member of their chosen profession.
- Alpha Trials: An aspiring alpha must pass the scrutiny of the council by completing trials that test their strength, spirit, wisdom, power, leadership, and compassion.
Religious rites and prayers
- Atmosen's Blessing: One of the first prayers young air dragons learn, it is typically recited at dawn or twilight and represents hope or gratefulness.
- Wind Whispers: A series of wordless prayers done through hand motions. Very quick and short, they help with nerves. Dragons frequently make up their own to help them through their problems.
- Elementals' Prayer: A long prayer that pays respects to each of the known elementals in turn. Used for rituals. Hatchlings raised in the palace must memorize it before they can move on in their education.
- Rite of Ancestry: An adult air dragon makes a pilgrimage to the Crystal Valley and meditates among the air clan's dead.
- Oath of Nonviolence: Apprentices inducted into the priesthood must take a vow to cause no harm to any creature (the exact words are, "any creature that draws breath," but extends to wholly aquatic dragons and animals as well). This vow remains in effect until the council votes to dissolve it, the priest retires, or the priest is expelled from the order.
- Trial of Courtship: Dragons who wish to mate for life usually perform an elaborate aerial courtship dance similar to that of some eagle species.
- Funeral Rite: At a dragon's death, if the body remains whole, the alpha(s), several head priests, and the deceased's friends and family lead a procession to the Crystal Valley, where the alpha entombs the body in shining crystal.
Relationships with other clans
The air clan generally tries to stay out of the other clans' business and maintain at least neutrality to all. Air dragons, particularly in the years since the second clan war, often work for other clans or interbreed with dragons of other elements, though they do retain some loyalty to their mother clan.
- Water: The air clan rarely interacts with the water clan, their respective territories being similarly vast and vastly different. Most water dragons cannot fly, and many air dragons cannot swim, but when interaction does occur between the two, the two clans' perspectives have a lot in common.
- Ice: A friendly sort of neutrality, despite the air dragons' "second-best" status when it comes to physical beauty. The air dragons are among the few non-ice-clan creatures who can handle the fearsome blizzards of the northern territories.
- Dark: Neutral. Dark/Air dragons are fairly common among elemental hybrids.
- Earth: Although elemental opposites, the air and earth clans get along well and frequently trade goods and services with one another.
- Energy: Air dragons and energy dragons get along famously, sometimes getting together to whip up massive thunderheads, race, stormdive, and generally act reckless. The Air Palace is most commonly found over energy clan territory.
- Fire: Neutral. Their territory is a great place for thermals, though.
- Light: The air clan regards light dragons with respect for their connection to the time of the elementals, but warily. There aren't really enough light dragons for the clan to have formed a collective opinion beyond that.
Food: Air dragons are more omnivorous than the typical dragon; they readily eat fruit and other plant matter, fish, birds, and small game mammals. They tend not to go after bigger prey because it's more difficult to take back to the palace and because big meals and flying don't mix so well. Many air dragons eat little, but often.
Leisure
Air dragons, in their free time, like to practice their flying skills by soaring over, under, and around the palace and temple, as well as going exploring (usually with a buddy or two). The palace's constant travel means that there's always someplace new to investigate. Tag and lyrical battles are common pastimes for young adults. More mature dragons might take a walk in the temple gardens, or offer to help the caretakers keep an eye on the little ones.
Sport
Many air dragons are secretly quite competitive, and it takes just a little motivation to get them to wholeheartedly participate in shows of skill. Races and games of tag are some of the most common, being the easiest to organize. There are a number of games that take place entirely in the air, with countless variations, all requiring strength, speed, dexterity, and endurance from the players. Dragons who fancy a fight might go hunting in search of more dangerous game than typical air dragon fare, but the practice is frowned upon for its wastefulness.
On the less physical side, air dragons sometimes challenge one another to lyrical fights, which test each other's skill with the spoken word. The winner is determined by the audience, and it is often used as a bloodless means of settling conflicts.

[Midnightmoon]

Ice Clan

Territory:
The ice clans territory mostly spans the Frozen Lake, but it has been noted that a few individuals travel north to the brisk coasts for increased solitude.
Dwellings: While most families live in individual dwellings which encompass the mated pair, the offspring and possibly immediate blood relatives, there is one place which could be considered the gathering place of the clan. Named the Stronghold, it resides on the southernmost part of the Frozen Lake and is the only place where the clan members gather en mass. Resembling a village, it has a series of smaller structures that surround a large spiraled Dome. From the outside it looks like it could hold a large number of dragons, but not the whole clan, but once you enter and go down the slope into the castle you can see it could house the clan and more, cupping into the lake itself.

Hierarchy:
The ice clan members are all about respect. Everyone is seen in an almost equal regard but one must also have earned a great amount of respect to be taken seriously and be able to take on important roles in the clan. Because of this the Elders are looked highly upon and are turned to when any weighty decision are to be made.

• Hatchling- 0-3 Years of Age
Usually kept within the protected enclosure of the family’s home, it is rarely seen far outside the dwellings, and only when one or both parents are around. This is to protect the hatchling. Being small it could easily get lost in the snow or taken by a predator that had gotten past the families border. Another point would be that it’s body unable to regulated it’s body temperature yet so takes in the cold from the environment. Outside the controlled temperature of the dwellings it could easily become too cold and go into a deap comatose hibernation, which could eventually kill it.
• Youngling- 4-11
Now these are the ones to get under your feet. Allowed out of the home now, but still restricted to stay close, they’re the ones to go out exploring and pestering the parents with “what’s this? what’s that? can I come?” and the ever occurring “Why?”. At Stronghold herds of these youngsters can come tearing around dwellings without warning and scurry around, under and into unsuspecting dragons. While looked upon fondly and listened to, few have gained the respect or skills to play any large roles in the village workings, though sometimes there are ones that show promise.
• Adolesent- 12- 18
It is now that the young dragon can take part in the flow of the village workings. A youngster is usually apprenticed to an older dragon that plays the role of teacher and protector out in the wilds of the Frozen Lake. In solitary dwellings the role usually falls on a parent or older sibling to play this part or the parents may send the youngster off to Stronghold to be looked after there. They are taught tracking, hunting, and fighting, though can also search for other hobbies (fishing, cooking, building, strategy, weapon making…)
• Adult- (starting point may vary)
From this point on age plays only a small part in the village workings. During the years of adolescence the dragon gains respect from his peers to prove his place in the clan. The dragons knowledge, wisdom, strength and personality are weighed and then he will be nominated by his fellow dragons in the task needed.
Ex. -A group of four or five dragons are gathered up to go hunting for Stronghold. Within that group one dragon may be nominated (vocal or assumed) to organise the party. Though, if the Stronghold had to be guarded from an assault, the same dragon who led the hunting party may be delegated as support personnel from the dragon who was delegated to lead in this situation.
• Elder- (approximately 65+)
Usually delegated when the dragon in question has reached his physical limits, and is more useful back at home. In rare cases a well respected and wise younger dragon is able to claim the title of Elder.
They organise the workings of Stronghold, deciding when to start saving for winter and when an adolescent is ready to go without his guardian, who and what to trade with, which border needs the most vigilance and so on.

Culture:
Because of the harsh conditions of the territory everyone works together and learns a bit of everything so that they can find which would better serve the clan. Even the solitary dwellings will aid each other and come to the strongholds call if need be.
What little trade they have is in furs, certain minerals and the production of their ice globes.

Food:
Mostly land based animals such as caribou and other predators; they also fish in the lake they reside on.

War Time:
While during calm times all the elders worked together in organizing the clan life, in war time the control is reasserted to the three wisest dragons nominated by the elders who then become advisors and possibly leaders of their own squads. The hunters become warriors and are split into squads averaging from 4-6 dragons. Within these squads the leaders are chosen by the elders, and the squads are sent out to wherever they are needed.
Since everyone knows a bit of everything- unless they spend the time to specialize in something- the clans members are average fighters, scouts and messengers, though exceptional trackers. Out in another environment they might not be remarkable, but within their frigid territory their teamwork and skill sets are perfect for ambushes, counter attacks and defense.
Most ice clan weapons are made from the ice of the own powers, but there are some made from woods and metals which most often come in the form of spears.

Actives:
Races, fishing, hide and seek, board games, snow fights; everything can easily be used for fun or training. A common game for all ages at Stronghold is the game “Disker”. Coating their hands in feet in ice, the dragons “run” around in two teams and toss a disc of ice across the ice with the goal in mind to keep it away from the opposing players. Hands, feet and teeth are out of the question but the player can use any other means to keep the disc out of the enemies reach.

Clan Relations:
-Water Clan: Considering they reside on the largest inland water source, it is possible to see the occasional water dragon in the Ice Clan territory. In harsh times the Ice clan members would make deals with Water Clan, which aid both parties.
-Air Clan: Neutral; sometimes one stumbles into Stronghold for some reason or another but for the most part ice dragons respect the spirited air dragons.
-Fire Clan: Because opposing natures and priorities most ice dragons show distaste towards any fire dragon who strays into their icy domain. Another point is that if an ice dragon becomes too hot they could overheat and die. Because of this most ice dragons give the Fire Clan a wide birth.
-Earth Clan: Neutral; sometimes the clan will trade with earth dragons for resources.
-Energy Clan: As a whole, the Ice Clan has nothing against the Energy Clan but most of the older dragons disapprove of the energy member’s waste of time and disregard for personal safety.
-Dark Clan: Overall, neutral, but some dragons look suspiciously upon the clan because of the devious rumors that surrounds the unfortunate members. If a dark dragon proves himself, though, then he/she’s welcomed as any other neutral party.
-Light Clan: Most of the older dragons show respect to light dragons, seeing them as protectors of sorts, and the young ones look up to them because of the unspoken respect they see and feal are shown to the element. But that’s only at first; the dragon in question still has to prove their worth to keep that given respect.

Death:
While other clans may entomb their recently deceased clan Alphas in Cyrstal Valley, Ice clan only entomb their most highly regarded, ones that have commited acts right of there with heroism. The one in question must be chosen by most of the clan to be allowed the honor. Because of this you'll find very few Ice dragons in the Crystal Valley