On Draconis Elementa
Draconis Elementa, once thoug?ht to be a subspecies of typical Western Dragons, turns out that was not the full story; in fact they seem to be a separate branch of the same tree: one sharing several characteristics while also having their own unique features.
The following notes will go into detail regarding different topics about their Anatomy, History, Culture, Traditions, Myths & Legends, and other topics of note.
Anatomy:
In terms of body structure, Draconis Elementa are almost exactly like their other scaled kin sharing a Bipedal body structure and, in most cases, a pair of membranous wings. However, they do tend to vary in terms of appearance, coming in multiple varieties and scale colours: some possessing horns, feathered plumage and even fins have also been observed.
There are a few notable features that distinguish them from common western dragon, however:
First off; they have a small ridge-like fin that runs from just between their shoulder blades where their wings normally meet their bodies. (This is also present in the rare case one is born without wings) This fin is slightly dexterous and partially prehensile giving them some degree of control which lets them flex it slightly, this allows Draconis Elementa to make small adjustments during flight without majorly shifting their bodies and creating drag. It has also been noted that this can be used in swimming, a trait they share with common sea serpents and leviathans.
Secondly: their tails are also fully prehensile, this is often the envy of some species who don't have this trait as it can make some tasks and simple things rather easy, for example instead of having to bend down to pick up an object Draconis Elementa can simply use their tails. Interestingly enough the prehensile nature does not fully come into play until his kind reach 6 months old, before this age their tails can have moments where they seem to have a mind of their own, and can be both amusing and slightly annoying, this is a result of the neural pathways related to their tails fully developing post hatching: In rare cases this can also occur with their wings.
Last up is their Tongues; this species have long forked tongues: However what is interesting is that this body part is also fully prehensile even down to having individual control of the forked branches at the end, this gives them a reputation of sorts among other creatures for being good at a particular department in the adult industry, and it is certainly a treat to
experience it.
Affects of climate on Anatomy:
The affects that climte can have on the anatomy of draconius elementa is actually quite facinating.
It has been observed that as much as whole body parts such as gills can develops or that other limbs can actually not develop depending on climate, a good example of this is wings not developing on more aquatic members of Draconis Elementa.
This feature can extend to the whole body as well and even affect the types of scales or hide that members of this species develop. For exampe aquatic members of the sepcies will likely develop to be semi-aquatic with thicker hide than scales, this will allwo them to withstand water preassure easier and retain heat in colder waters & weather.
The A-Typical member of draconis elementa will develop with the usual characteristics id having a full set of limbs, a tail, wings and a less pronounced dorsal fin which helps them maintain flight with minimal movements.
there are several features that can be affected by climate, these include, but are not limited to; Horns, wings, scales & hide, fins, webbed toes & fingers and more.
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Flight & Elemental Affinity:
A point to note on Draconis Elementa is the fact that despite their impressive wingspans and clearly developed anatomy that helps with their flight; the actual possibility of them being able to fly is of some debate to many other creatures.
When I asked a medical professional of their species about this I was actually given an insight to this that I had not expected; According to him, their species is not normally capable of flight, gliding is a high possibility in adult life but, their ability to fly actually stems from their elemental affinity.
You see, as we will discuss later on this sister-species of dragons have an innate ability to wield and manipulate elements, but it is a widely accepted fact for most that all members of the species have a subconscious connection to the element of air on a rather small level.
This is often referred to as their 'resonance'. It is through this (or at least it is believed to be through this) that they are able to connect and wield the other elements. But, it also severs another function, to active and sustain flight it seems that Draconis elementa subconsciously manipulate air currents around themselves to generate the required lift for them to stay afloat in the air.
Growth & Development:
The growth cycle of the Draconis Elementa is a pretty simplistic one and is not much different from the growth of other species in the world, for the first 9 months of their life they live and grow in an egg like most reptiles, once hatched they go through the usual growth process of earthing to walk, eat, speak and much of the other parts that comes as part of early development.
The key differences in their lives is in the development of their wings and tails, as mentioned before, even after hatching the nerves and muscles for these limbs are still developing, which can cause odd behaviour in these appendages, such as random moments of stiffness or limpness and spasms, which often leads to embarrassing or humorous moments during early childhood, this normally stops around the age of 6 months, but has been noted to last as long as 1 year, this is normal and nothing to be alarmed about.
The other differance of note is that during their growth, all the way until age 15, an individual will steadily become more accustom to their innate elemental affinity, they are encouraged to develop this by regularly flying and gliding. (With adult supervision in younger members of the species.)
This apparently helps to strengthen their affinity, much like working out a muscle group. Normally by age 15, if the individual has been regularly practising this that they should be strong enough to maintain long flights, particularly long enough to fly out to their ancestral grove for their 'Awakening' (this will be touched on later)
(It is important to note that there is allotted time each day during their schooling at which individuals practice this, this is done to promote healthy growth and is seen as part of their physical education.)
Hoarding Behaviour & Runic Imprinting:
Like most types of dragons, Draconis Elementa also exhibit hoarding behaviours.
Funnily enough, this hoarding can be quite varied but also incredibly focused as individuals can be observed hoarding different items or even other individuals & creatures.
What makes them unique however is a strange occurrence happens when a member of the species finds their coveted treasure. What happens is that upon the first acquisition a process called Runic Imprinting occurs which displays on the keeper's body.
These runes, that appear on the individual (but oddly not on any part of the hoard), often denote either specific parts of the hoard or a specific grouping in said hoard.
For example: if a member of the species were to hoard classic cars, he would likely have a rune denoting each one. However: if they were to hoard something like comic books, these runes would likely denote a genre, franchise, or comics that contain the keeper's favourite character.
In cases where the hoard is living beings, the runes are always singular and for each creature or person, there is a reason for this.
It seems that Runic Imprinting has a psychosomatic component to it, meaning that the individual's views, wants and desires can indeed impact how these runes take shape and how they are categorised in the case of collections.
Now, while this may appear to be cosmetic in nature, there is indeed a secondary feature or purpose to this process. When part of the hoard is in danger or at risk the rune denoting them will glow, this is often accompanied by an unpleasant feeling or sensation that varies in intensity depending on the level of risk. This sensation can vary also, being anything from a sense of dread, a burning or zapping sensation or anything of the like.
It has also been noted that in the case where the dragon's hoard is a living thing, the individual will have an instinctual need to find them, and they seemingly always know where the at-risk hoard-member is.
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Genitalia & Reproduction:
Another part that of their anatomies that is of note is their genitalia and reproductive habits. (I will split each part of this segment into its own category to allow for selective reading)
Male Anatomy:
The penis of a male specimen of Draconis Elementa when not erect rests inside a genital slit, this keeps the penis sheltered from the elements and prevents them from drying out, much like a canines sheath: Their testicles are also stored internally. It is noted that this can vary between individuals: while a genital slit is the typical case, individuals possessing a sheath and external testicles or a humanoid penis (also with external testicles) have been observed, and examined.
When erect, their penis is an impressive specimen, boasting both length and girth, when fully erect, their length can total between six to just over nine and a half inches in length from behind the knot to his very tip. Girth wise their members are difficult to measure due to its tapered nature but at its thickest point it typically measures at 2 and a half inches in girth with a knot that expands a further inch outwards.
As mentioned before, the male penis is tapered in nature, meaning it is thicker at the base and tapers out to a thin point towards the top. Further their penis is also prehensile in nature giving it some flexibility that drives their mates crazy!
Notably their 'output' is also rather impressive, and they process a ridiculous refectory period making time between orgasms quite short which often leads to some heavy duty clean-up after a serious night with their mates or partners.
Due to the fact that that their members rest in a slit, it is naturally very slick meaning the male needs very little prep beforehand, however this species does produce a large amount of pre anyway, especially if you tease them long enough, or play with their prostate.
Female Anatomy:
Much like the male penis, the vagina of the Draconis Elementa resides within their slits hidden from view apart from the actual slit itself, the vaginal secretions of a female of this species are very slick and provide excellent lubrication, this helps when they are laying eggs.
The inner walls of their vaginas are host to a large cluster of nerve endings, meaning that they are easy to stimulate vaginally: including when they are laying eggs. The increased sensitivity enures that they produce plenty of lubricant during the laying process; it has also been observed that females will typically orgasm from delivering, almost like an incentive to reproduce, however reproduction is not required for an egg to be laid.
Intersex Anatomy:
While still rare, intersex individuals of this species can occur naturally, what is unusual about this however is that both sets of genitalia will fully form and be fully functional, it seems this was a trait that is a holdover from a time when their population was dwindling.
When this occurs the genitals of the individual in question are housed within the same slit, due to the fact that the entrance to the vagina also resides inside said slit it can be difficult to find out they actually had one until they lay an egg for the first time.
Because of its position the internal anatomy is quite complex, as there is a slight upwards bend at the entrance of the vagina which makes it feel incredibly tight when any male penetrates the individual in question: further the bump that creates the upward bend is also where their prostate resides, causing to it being incredibly pleasurable for them and makes them leak like a faucet when they are penetrated vaginally.
Reproduction:
The reproductive cycle of the Daconis Elementa is very simplistic, once every 3 months the female (or intersex individual) will enter a heat cycle, during which their libido is heightened, and their female scent is stronger to help attract a potential mate. (It is noteworthy that Draconis Elementa only begin laying eggs after they reach 18 years of age, it seems that their bodies have internalised societal norms of the modern age to a degree)
This cycle often lasts around a week, after which if the egg is unfertilised Draconis Elementa will lay the produced egg the following week; However if the egg is fertilised it will stay inside the body for a further 6 months after this point they will lay a healthy egg often sharing the colours of both the male and female (often favouring the females colours), this cycle makes it both easy for this species to not only tell if they are successfully impregnated, but also who exactly who the father is; or at the very least have a good idea who it is.
Draconis Elementa are not reproductively exclusive this means it is entirely possible for someone not of the species (or even of the same racial category) to impregnate them, it is however slightly more difficult for this to occur when compared to same species breeding.
In the occurrence of a mixed species insemination of a female a Draconis Elementa, the young will hatch from an egg as a young dragon welp, however they may retain traits from the fathers' species, such as having fur, or feathers & feathered wings (in cases of avian species), in rare cases some of their body parts may be more like the father species, this can range from anything as small as ears, to differing genitalia, however the core body is unsubject to change, it seems like there is some "biological failsafe" preventing incompatible anatomies from mixing.
However:
In the case of a male Draconis Elementa inseminating a female of another species, it will be the other way round, the young taking the core genetics of the mother in questions species and body, while adapting some traits from the father, such as patches of scales (or even fully scaled) and membranous wings in creatures with them; species that do not naturally have wings have a rare chance of gaining wings but only if it is compatible with their body, (For example fully aquatic creatures will NOT gain wings).
It has also been noted that the ability of elemental control that this species possess can also be transferred from a male Draconis Elementa to the offspring, whereas in the case of a female being inseminated by another creature, any abilities the specimen in question may possess can possibly be given to the young on top of Draconis Elementa's natural elemental abilities.
Nesting Habits:
During the time this species is carrying young, it can be observed that they will experience cravings for certain foods and/or larger quantities of food.
Draconis Elementa have also been seen displaying nesting behaviours, often finding; by instinct, what they feel is the safest location in their home or dwelling and constructing makeshift nests, in those living in modern cities this will often consist of blankets, pillows, cushions, stuffed animals and various other soft and comfy items, maybe even some of their mates clothes to make the young one familiar with their sire's scent.
In the more tribal sects of this species, gravid individuals will either stay close to their mates when applicable, or be housed in a central tent with plenty of animal furs and a warm fire nearby, or in some cases they will be sheltered at the rear of a cave when this is a viable option.
Hybrids:
Hybrids, sometimes referred to as Draconis-[enter Species type here] are what happen when a member of this species mates with another, due to them being genetically compatible with most races hybrids have become rather common since the nation began opening its borders and allowing mixed species relations & marriages.
How one of these hybrids may look can differ quite heavily from individual to individual, and also depending on the pairing that took place. As previously mentioned in the reproduction topic if a female of this species is impregnated then the young one will often be closer to a dragon in shape and nature and is practically guaranteed to have an innate element that will reveal itself at its awakening.
But in the case of the female being that of the other species, only some traits will be draconic in nature and while there is still a high change of child having an element it is not guaranteed and the young one may receive no elemental abilities whatsoever.
In the event of a male inseminating that of another species the type of pairing may also have some effect on how the child may manifest also, for example egg-laying creatures such as avian or other reptiles may produce offspring that will look not too dissimilar from a member of the Draconis Elementa species.
Whereas mammals and other species that give live birth may only take minimal traits from the father, such as small patches of scales or some other parts of draconic anatomy, such as the tail shape, or having membranous wings over feathered, it is also possible that if the parent is strictly a herbivore that the child will be born able to eat and process meat.
Unfortunately there is a drawback to having a hybrid child which will affect the child later in life if they seek to reproduce: they will only be able to do so with a member of the species of their mother & father. For example Draconis-Canis would only be able to reproduce if their chosen mate is Canine or Draconis Elementa.
Affects of climate on Genitalia:
Another thing to note about the genitalia of Draconis elementa is the fact that the climate they are raised in can affect the variation of genitalia present in members of tribes and comunities in the area.
For example while your typical members of the species with develop a genital slit which houses their reproductive organs & genitalia, in wamer climates its not unheard of that male members of the species are born with sheaths and external testicles housed in a scrotum.
however this is mostly affected by genetics nowadays because of members of the species from differant climates of their homeland cross breeding, but its more typical that a male offspring will be born with the same genitals as the male that sired them.
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Elemental Abilities:
Draconis elementa are also capable of welding powerful elemental abilities (hence their designation), it is as of yet unknown how they are capable of this feat due to how their society frowns upon gaining any such knowledge on this topic, there are multiple theories on this ranging from specific glands in the body either directly producing conditions for the element to magic and other forms of speculation.
What has been observed is frankly remarkable in its own right, Draconis Elementa are capable of producing powerful blasts of their respective element (something I will touch on in a later segment) from their mouths, however in most cases a member of this species will only be able to control a singular element, often consisting of: Fire, Water, Air, Lighting, Ice, Magma and Earth: however Earth elementalists require further explaining due to their unique nature.
In rare cases it is possible for an individual to wield or control dual elements, and in other cases individuals possessing 4 specific elements are born: these individuals are known as Storm Dragons because they wield a collection of Ice, Water, Air and Lighting: all elements that can be found in storms. These individuals are also known by the title "Guardians of The Passing" due to their roles in this species' death ceremony. (Something I also will discuss in a later segment relating to their traditions & customs)
One Individual I have encountered recently, a young grey and black Storm Dragon by the name of Dawn, somehow had learned an old secret of their kind, one that held its place in their legends and fairytales; the ability to apparently use his entire body to wield his elements rather than just firing blasts from his mouth. This allows him to use his abilities in extraordinary ways, he has been apparently been teaching select individuals who he feels can benefit from this these skills, but he says it has been hard going.
Earth Elementalists:
Now, it is important to note that these particular dragons are looked upon with great suspicion by the majority of other Draconis Elementa due to how they come to be.
You see, earth elementalists aren't chosen, apparently it is entirely possible that during their awakening, no element chooses them.
(This is also seen as a bad omen for the family, and it is unfortunately not uncommon that in this occurrence, the family will abandon the individual in question, Fortunately it seems that it is rare that no element chooses them, even rarer in-fact than a Storm Dragon being awoken)
According to legend: which I will write about in more detail when covering that topic, when the first earth elementalist came about it was because she was so dejected and heartbroken at being abandoned that she sought a way to make an element choose her.
What she found instead is that through meditation and various rituals, she could commune with the very earth itself, and bend it to her will, gaining abilities unseen and never spoken of before her time.
It was also at this point that she vowed to never let another like her be abandoned, that she would give them a new family, so, she founded a monastery far from civilisation which would house others who were like her, said outcasts would be brought to her to learn her ways.
Now I have not been able to verify the claims as no one actually knows where this monastery is: besides other earth elementalists who roam far and wide looking for those who could join them. But it is said that these dragons can shape the very ground itself, move mountains, command plants to grow and bear fruit and many other things.
Elemental Surges:
Elemental surges or simply just surges occur when a member of the species experiences extreme emotions or stress due to an event. This often manifests as the users elemental output increasing dramatically or in some cases the user loses almost all control of their element and essentially go into a berserker like state.
This trait is a throwback to when their culture was mostly nomadic and the tribes would fight over territory. however these surges are still seen today in high stress situations, in fact part of the training to become a stormfighter is knowing what to do when you or your teammates are experiencing a surge.
On the topic of managing one: this is a very complex question as it will affect individuals differently due to things like a users actual element or even their degree of elemental control.
Some individuals are even able to control or potentially bring on surges at will, however those are few and far between in the modern era.
Notes on elemental drawbacks & control:
1) It is important to note that while each individual does have a great degree of resistance to the elements they wield (which is mostly expanded and built over extended use) this does indeed have its limit and that extreme abuse of their abilities can injure or even permanently damage their bodies.
Elements such as lightning, ice and fire are the main offenders in this case as users of these elements can easily injure themselves by going too far past the limits of their resistance.
2) Another point of note is that the degree of control of which one has over their element may vary, some may have very little control or stamina for use while others seem to almost have a mastery over their elements (This does not include the individual known as Dawn as his way of wielding his elements is entirely different to the breath based usage that basically all of this species employs)
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Culture & society:
The first thing visitors to their lands will not is that Draconis Elementa have an interesting sort of culture in the way that it is split into two dynamic groups that, while rather different in their lifestyles, they are able to live in peace with one another through a Ballance of mutual respect, shared traditions & beliefs and a sort of codependence. This sort of lifestyle seems to be in stark contrast to other nations and peoples.
The primary thing to note is the two separate sub-cultures that are present in Draconis Elementa's form of society:
First we have the more tribal sect. It appears at a glance that this group are more primitive and lacking, however to make such a judgement would be foolish, instead it seems that they just have decided to not fully embrace modern lifestyle and prefer a more nomadic style of living, however it is important to not they have not fully renounced technology, while they use simplistic and more natural methods of medicine, farming and production of supplies, they also do trade for items such as cell phones and some advanced medicines when necessary but for the most part, they are a very simple people living with basic needs and serving the land and each other very happily.
On the flip side to this we have the ones that have embraced a more modern culture, living in towns & cities, embracing technology to its fullest and mingling with other cultures from foreign lands.
While both sects of this species live independently they also have a lot of shared beliefs and traditions, and as such they co-exist and intermingle quite often: in most cases this is for the purpose of trade, this trade agreement dates back to when all of this kind lived a nomadic lifestyle and would often trade livestock and supplies, now however the city dwelling people of this kind employ the nomadic tribes that settle near the cities as farmers, and in return they give them the supplies they require to continue their own ways of life.
As populations in the cities started to grow, this deal did start to cause stress on both ways of living as the tribal Draconis Elementa started to struggle to keep up with the demands the cities had, this for a time caused an era of strife and hardship which was ended as the city dwellers started to reach out to foreign nations to supplement their demands of livestock and crops, and allowed both cultures to go back to a mutually beneficial relationship.
It is interesting, both cultures have adopted a 'Clothing optional' way of life: for the most part, members of the species will happily stroll about wearing no or very little clothing, when clothing is worn it is often just to enhance visual appeal or for ceremonial reasons.
Age roles:
As with many other cultures, it is very typical for family members to apply themselves to specific roles and duties inside the family.
Elder members of Draconis Elementa, will often be looks to as a source of knowledge and stories of times past, in the more tribal communities it is very often that they will perform or be at the head in most rituals such as weddings, 'Awakenings' and 'The Passing'. This can also be true among the more modern, city dwelling, Draconis Elementa. As such, they are often looked to with a great deal of respect and reverence by younger members of the family.
Parents or adults in families also share this role of teacher, as it is their duty to impart wisdom on the youths and prepare them for their own adulthood, this involves many lessons which can vary from family to family, however the key lessons are always the same, these include (but are not limited to); Flight lessons, 'talks' on anatomy and mating, teaching younger members to cook and how to handle their money.
The youths and young adults of the household also have their own role in the household as well, often starting as young as age 7, the younger members of the family will be given their daily chores, such as helping to clean the home (most commonly looking after their own rooms and those of their younger siblings) or help with preparing meals as part of them learning to cook for themselves.
The only roles given to those under 7 are to clean up after themselves, and wash their plates after meals, beyond that their only tasks are to have fun, be respectful and practice their flight.
Tribal Culture:
The tribal or nomadic peoples of the species live a somewhat simpler life than the more modernised members of the species. While some do settle in locations and build simple villages consisting of huts, barns or simple animal pens: others don't settle at all.
In fact those that do not settle are often called roamers as they for lack of a better term roam from place to place following the migration patterns of prey or livestock.
However its unfair to call this side of the species savage or feral in any sense as they still do make limited use of technology and medicine in rare cases, however they do try to keep to themselves when possible.
In these tribes there are two very important individuals to note in their own form of society:
First there is of course the clan or tribe chieftain, this is often the leader of the peoples in the villages or caravans. How one becomes chieftain can very from tribe to tribe, while some prefer that the chieftain to sire a successor, other tribes have a more democratic method in which if a chieftain is seen as failing or growing weak another will be chosen from a pool of candidates by form of voting or in some cases contest.
The Second most important role in these tribes is that of the shaman who is seen as the spiritual leader, teacher and healer of the tribe. Becoming a shaman is far less complex or restrictive than becoming a chieftain, simply put the tribe shaman will select an apprentice end educate them until they feel there is nothing left for them to teach at which point a succession ceremony is conducted and the new shaman is appointed.
The previous Shaman will often still stick around until they pass on as a form of mentor if needed
Interspecies Relationships:
In the past even thinking of this was seen as deviant or as some purists called it unclean, even now this is still a topic that is debated in some circles. However for the most part in the more developed cities and towns most will not even bat an eye, in fact seeing a hybrid often garners some curiosity from passers-by.
These types of relationships are more commonly seen in the capital city as well as port cities and there is no laws prohibiting or restricting this particular brand of courtship and even more recently marriages between species have become more common.
In some more primitive tribes however this practice is often forbidden and anyone who does so will often find themselves quickly driven from the tribes lands.
Until Recently hybrid children and spouses that were of another species were actually forbidden from taking part in awakenings, and had to have their own form of the ceremony that the families involved agreed upon, this is however no longer the case and they are now allowed to enter the sacred lands at the centre of the island as long as they are accompanied by their family.
Education:
Education for Draconis Elementa is very different than typical schooling that most races impose as it it more flexible to the wants, needs and whims of the individual after a certain point.
The first points of education that members of the species are taught, besides speaking and writing: is about their role in the world and their famalies, but they are also taught about the elements they will someday wield in an effort to make sure they are used to the idea and not afraid of them.
After this the young ones will start learning more foundational knowledge like Mathematics, History, Cartography or Geography, Cooking, Medicine and Biology: things they will need in everyday life, it is at this point they are then encouraged to thing about what they may want to do in their futures as it is roughly within this time that most will then go through their own awakening.
In tandem with their studies hatchlings and whelps will be given large amounts of time for physical activities designed around helping them develop their muscles for flight and their innate elemental affinity, this is done to encorage flight at the early stages in development.
It is also important to note that once they are able to fly under their own power they are given flight safety classes as well as first aid lessons in case of any accidents while practicing.
It is after their awakenings when most start looking towards the future and possible career paths. The Awakening actually signifies the end of their standard education: as after the ritual the teenage members of the species are encouraged to take a year or two to learn to control their element. This is when a parent role in their teenage life becomes vital as it is ofte the parent that will teech them how to control their newly awakened element.
After these two or so years of self and tutored learning is when a choice presents itself, the individual will then have one of three courses before them, either they go to a trade school and learn a trade of their choosing, Or they may also pursue higher education in which they will start to go down a path of a chosen field of knowledge this can range from something like teaching, or even going down into the sciences to learn more about the world.
The final option given to members of the species but by no means the least important or daunting is to go the the stormfighter academy and learn to become their lands most steadfast defenders from various things or even hostile forces.
The Stormfighters:
First and foremost Stormfighters are the nations first line of defence to a degree they would under any other nation be considered a military force, however they have not been used in that capacity in a long time although members in the academy can volunteer for combat training if they desire.
But that is not their only duty, their main task in society is to help mitigate, stop and clean up after natural disasters that affect their lands or in rare circumstances deal with rogue elementals that may roam through populated areas and cause havoc.
Stormfighters also act as backup and assistance for public services such as search & rescue, disaster relief and other civil duties, it its because of their wide ranging jobs that they have very specific education path to encompass all of these tasks.
To become a storm fighter an individual must attend 5 full years at the academy and then a further 2 years working as an apprentice to a currently active stormfighter before taking a final exam. However being a stormfighter isn't strictly a requirement to help in disaster situations as some may choose to freelance after completing the academy.
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Their Homeland:
Draconis Elementa originate from a large island simply called Eden to them.
The island that Draconis Elementa hail from is massive and yet strangely mostly uninhabited, this is due to the way their culture has built itself, while the more urban dwelling members have built cities and towns along the coastline and some slightly further in the central part of their lands are mostly wildlands.
In terms of strict landmass their island is approximately four times the length of the USA end to end, whereas from top to bottom it is about two point five times this, this does raise questions on whether its considered a country or continent on its own but that's an argument for Geographers.
The wildlands are a mixture of both ancestral grounds and the plains and forest regions that the more nomadic tribes roam, this makes visiting these areas a spectacle as the lands for the most part are unspoiled, but these land are also the most dangerous places to explore.
This is in no small part due to the elementals that roam the lands. Elementals are monolithic beings of pure elemental energy that collect various debris to build shells that they then inhabit and wander the lands, often causing wonton destruction as their mere presence often attracts wild storms.
It is because of this that when an elemental wanders too close to a city or a tribes land they are often seen as a threat and dealt with appropriately, often by means of extreme force.
The layout of their lands are strangely artificial looking as they almost seem to take the form of rings that loop round the island until reaching the centre, each ring actually consisting of a different biome.
On the outermost ring you will find the coastlines and cities of the more urban dwelling members of the species, beyond this there is a series of grassy plains, these lands are popular with the more docile wildlife and nomadic tribes. beyond this you will find the forests, where you may find various prey animals, predators like wolves and such and the more daring tribes.
Once you clear the dense forest you will find the savanna like lands beyond, these lands are dangerous in their own rights if you are unaware on how to cross them as there are quite a few dangers. from giant scorpion like beasts to stampeding heard of elephants and rhinos, as will as wild cats, you will also have to contend with the harsh weather and oftentimes lack of water. the recommended action in these lands if to follow the herds, they will lead you to the watering holes scattered throughout.
It is after you are able to brave the savanna and the dunes beyond that the lands become much harsher as you will be met with murky marshlands, adventurers are advised to be prepared entering these lands as there is an almost constant dense fog that surrounds these lands as well as unseen threats in the waters.
After you cross these lands you will enter into sacred grounds, it is worth mentioning any accounts of these lands is second-hand accounts as visitors are not welcome there. there are fiercely protective settled tribes that protect these lands from any would be desecrators or adventurers.
If you make it through the marshes you will be met with an striking phenomena an almost unnatural formation of mountains acting as an almost castle-like wall protecting the most sacred place this species beyond this the lands become even stranger as you would face a sheer flat drop, almost as if a giant pit was dug out of the centre of the island at the very centre of which you will see a singular mountain which its peak reaches just above the mountain walls surrounding these lands.
It is rumoured that the top of this maintain is where the earth Elementalists have made their home, carving a monastery from the bedrock of the mountain itself with their abilities.
Around the base of the mountain is where many families have their ancestral grounds they will travel to for their awakenings, and it is no short journey. even by flight it takes around a full two weeks of travel from the coastline to the sacred groves. On foot it could take anything up to a month, using motor vehicles or technology of any sort in the groves is forbidden, even flying over the centre of the island by plane is forbidden and will be met with extreme hostility by the local tribes if one survives the wild storms that often form above the area.
Kobolds & Kobold-Elementa:
Coincedentally, as members of other species started visiting Eden one species that natually would visit was Kobolds, but it was with them that a strange occurence happened, they were accepted all over the land, even amoung the more xenophobic tribes.
Scholars have atributed this to the fact that Kobolds were hightly respectful of the culture of the land and often in the early years almost venerated Draconis Elementa which was flattering to members of the species.
Even more astonishing is the fact that the visiting kobolds took to crossbreeding almost instinctually and because of their shared reptilian nature, already had most traits that would be aquired by mating with a member of Draconis Elementa.
The only thing they didnt take to so easily is tha fact that kobold-Elementa hatchlings often have a diminished ability when it comes to any elemental abilities they aquire from their parents.
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Traditions & Beliefs:
The most important thing to note about Draconis Elementa is that they have a strong belief system that all embrace in early life but are encouraged to go about their beliefs in a way that feels natural to them, while some are incredibly lax in their beliefs others are a lot more reverent, however everyone takes part in the species cultural rituals from a young age.
First, it is prudent to talk about their core ideals about their nature and their abilities, it is believed by many that their elemental control is not necessarily a gift from the gods or anything like that, but instead that the elements themselves (or the entities behind them, as some believe in an almost Norse Mythology style of their beliefs) willingly lend Draconis Elementa their power, and as such this species has developed a healthy respect for each leading to both ways of living developing a more green society, trying to limit pollution as much as possible, this is not always successful, but they are at peace with that, those that aren't, or are more reverent in their beliefs, instead pray and ask forgiveness from the land and the elements.
I will talk about these in the order they typically happen in life.
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The Welcoming:
The first major milestone for a member of this species is their Welcoming, this event is special as it's the first thing they often see, and experience. The name is as literal as it comes as this is a party to welcome the little one to the world, the hatching process of a Draconis Elementa is often slow and thus the immediate family of the hatchling gather round to watch, it is also not uncommon for secondary & tertiary family to attend, family friends may also attend, this varies from family to family however, some prefer it to be a purely family affair. The party is often a quiet affair, some gifts and well wishes and also shared.
The hatchlings egg is also saved after the young one breaks free, and is stored for a special purpose: To make Eggweave.
It Is important to note, that in the event of the eggs parents perishing before it hatches it is common for either other members of the family or close friends to adopt the egg into their own family.
On Eggweave:
Eggweave is a special and ceremonial material that is made from parts of their own eggs, Specifically the membrane that lies just under the harder shell of the egg.
When a young one hatches from the egg, the discarded remains are collected and store until a family member: usually the mother, can get round to making it into Eggweave.
To make it, the harder shell is peeled from the membranous part of the egg, which is then carefully washed and sliced into thin thread-like stands. The resulting material is said to be almost silk-like in texture, making it perfect for weaving into small blankets often given to the newly hatched member of the family.
The harder shell of the egg is ground down and used to make dye to give the thread a similar colouring to the hatchling.
While blankets are the most common use for Eggweave, it is also important to note that some families use it for grander ideas or projects. For example, more affluent families have been known to adopt the tribal practice of using Eggweave to make a family tapestry, often showing the family line or perhaps the family crest.
Another point of note is that infertile eggs are often broken down as well for extra Eggweave, either for personal family use, or to sell. There is quite a market for Eggweave particularly among families that partake in the making of tapestries.
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The Awakening:
When discussing both their elemental abilities and their beliefs about the elements themselves, it is important to bring up the second major milestone in the life of this species, their 'Awakening' as they call it, at age 15 the members of the family that have already taken part in this ritual prior will fly the young one out to the centre of their continent.
Located here is a vast uninhabited mountain range, contained within is a series of groves valleys and oases. This area of their lands is strictly forbidden from being settled due to its importance in their belief system and this ritual.
Members that are not old enough to participate yet are forbidden from going there because the flight there is part of the ritual as much as the events that take place there, if one is unable to manage the flight there on their own wings, they will have to try again the following year.
Once the individual taking part in the ritual and their family arrive at their ancestral place they will shelter in a cave in the mountains surrounding it and wait till around midnight, the members of the family that are participating are encouraged to sleep till this time. (Sleeping in on this occasion is often frowned upon.) Once awoken, the young dragon will be led into the central chamber of the cave the family have sheltered in, at which point their elder siblings, or parents for a firstborn, will apply some stylistic runes withy body paints before leading them to the mouth of the cave where they will behold the true wonders of the lands here.
These lands are host to some spectacular natural storms playing host to the elements of the world, and thus begins the actual ritual. At the centre of each of these sites will be a collection of stone arches surrounding a stone bench; the arches have old runes carved into them that are believed to protect them from the storms, either this works or these structures are maintained, I am unaware as to which.
The individual is instructed to sit upon the bench and meditate until the eye of the storm is over them, it is at this point when they apparently commune in some fashion with the elements and are chosen by one (or more) often in a violent display of raw power, the intensity of this can vary from individual to individual but is often an indicator of their connection to their element.
This is as much as I know of this particular ritual, as they are quite elusive about any other details beyond this.
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The Bonding:
The Bonding is probably one of the most diverse ceremony that Draconis Elementa celebrate, this is due to the fact the event will often differ due to both partners wishes as well as those of their family members who may want to add some tradition to the event, and while the families may have input it is universally accepted that the final decisions on all this go to both the bride and groom taking part.
Now, while the ceremony will ultimately differ for each individual case there are some holdfast traditions that most will keep to:
First is the exchange of some form of jewellery or clothing, this can be anything to a simple ring or bracelet to a necklace or earrings: or in the cases of clothing it will often be something small like a shirt, scarf of something in-between that is made of eggweave from the families of both bride and groom.
Second is the exchange of a gift to the Sire & Dam of the families they will be welcomed into, this is seen as a sign of respect and shows that the partner is truly thinking of the family as a whole.
Third is the actual ceremony itself, it is essentially a handfasting in which a special strip of cloth made of eggweave from both families is wrapped round the clasped hands of the bride and groom at which point they will exchange their vows and finally embrace each other in a kiss, often entwining their tails for all to see.
The seating for the actual ceremony is much like that of a Norse wedding in that they are separated by gender rather than family, the is to encourage bonding between the families in question.
After the couple are bonded is when the celebrations begin often involving dancing, singing, drinking and eating various foods of the bride and groom's choosing.
There is also one very sacred tradition that is always kept however: The day in question is all about the pair who will be bonded. professing your interest in another at the event or party after is deeply frowned upon.
Typically mates are expected to have been dating for around one or two years before the talk of marriage would even start to arise, now there are indeed instances where couples will do this before, but this is exceedingly rare.
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The Passing:
The Passing is often the most solemn, and yet paradoxical, celebrated event in the lifecycle of the Draconis Elementa.
When a member of this species die, their remains are kept stored away; often frozen in ice. There are notable exceptions to this however, such as in the case of serious injury & disfigurement (this will be touched on later) The remains are kept until the height of the winter solstice, during which there is an aurora that engulfs the skies above their home continent. At midnight, when the skies are alight with the most majestic sight in nature, the bodies of the deceased are burned on pyres. It was once believed, and by some still believed, that the aurora is the spirits of their ancestors coming to take the spirits of their family to their new home in the afterlife.
In the week leading up to this day, the streets of the towns and cities (and the small camps of the nomadic tribes) are host to festivals and celebration. Things such as stalls, games and other such novelties are aplenty, as is the sight of young children running around receiving treats and wearing masks of heroes from legends, mythical beings & beasts, or even simple masks of other races, like wolves, foxes, cats, otters, etc (this inclusion started as their culture started getting visitors from other lands, as a way oof welcoming the visitors and to encourage them to take part in the festivities) at the end of the week, on the day of the solstice, families begin to gather in large fields where the pyres are constructed for the actual Passing itself.
In the event that the body of an individual is too badly damaged that the family do not wish to display it on a pyre, the family can choose to have the body cremated early, after which the ashes are retained to be scattered into the winds on the night of the solstice to join their ancestors. Cremations may also be suggested in the event that a particular mortuary is too full, if the family declines, arrangements are made with the family to transport the body somewhere close by for storage. Also, in the event a body cannot be found, the family will often place an object of note to the individual on the pyre instead, this can be anything from a prized possession (unless passed onto a relative in their last will and testament), their first blanket made from "eggweave", articles of clothing, photos of them, small carvings or anything of the like.
The wood of the pyres is soaked in chemicals that causes the flames to burn in various colours often trying to match the aurora in the skies above, this is done to ensure that the ancestors recognise their kin rising up to join them.
Storm dragons play a vital role in this Ritual, which has earned their kind the nickname or title "Guardians of The Passing", this role is in two parts. First they are tasked with ensuring that any weather does not disrupt the events, as such they will lead groups of air elementalists to deal with any naturally occurring clouds on the day, the goal here is to make sure the aurora is visible at midnight and to prevent rain from putting out any burning pyres. Secondly; when they are flying on the night of the solstice, they are given tail satchels with multiple separate pouches, each containing the ashes of an individual that was cremated previously. (Other dragons are also given this task) Doing either of these tasks is seen as a huge responsibility and service for their people, as such anyone who does such is compensated very heavily. (It is critical to note that they are given breaks to be with family if they have a family member that is deceased on a pyre)
There are a couple of things to note about this event:
Firstly, this is a national holiday only those that choose to work on the day do so, no one is strictly required to do such. (Unless their position is vital to the safety and wellbeing of others.)
Second, criminals of lower offences who have a deceased family member on a pyre are released for a few hours to pay their respects. (More serious offences must be reviewed before release can be granted.)
Third, Individuals of this species who pass away while in foreign lands are flown back home to their families to be stored in time for The Passing, in the event they cannot be flown back in time, they are stored until the next passing.
Finally, as mentioned in the section regarding The Welcoming, should an egg's parents unfortunately pass before its hatching, this is the only time that bodies are stores for longer than usual, during the hatchlings formative years they will be taught about who their parents were, and what they were like. When they reach 5 years old they attend the Passing of their birth parents and are then presented with a choice, to be named in the same family of their mother and father, or if they would like to take the name of their adoptive parents.
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Myths, Legends & Fairytales:
Draconis Elementa have a range of stories, some are theoretical, others, stories from the past, given their nature and abilities, it can be difficult to determine whether the exploits mentioned in some of these stories are exaggerated or actual feats this species can or once could perform, with that in mind it is hard to fully determine what is myth, legend or fairytale, hence my putting them under the same section. I will only touch on two of their stories for now, but perhaps more in the future.
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Legend of Winter:
Long ago, when the world was fledgeling, when only feral beasts roamed the lands, there only existed 3 seasons: The Rising, The Floating, and The Falling. This was the way of the way of life for the longest time most of the elements represented until one day, a most peculiar dragon was born, his scales were the palest white and his parents thought him ill. However, he survived despite all the doubts, he was rather weak, compared to the others in his classes. He even failed his awakening two times, until on his attempt at 17, he powered through, his mother grew worried however as on arrival he was cold to the touch, his body shivering in apparent exhaustion.
Something happened that day, something no one could explain, when he went down into his families oasis and communed with the spirits, it was as though all the heat in the area died, the rain and waters becoming solid. It turns out, that was winter, he had communed with a spirit that no others had and been given an element all of his own. The element of cold, or ice, as he named it later.
Winter had trouble controlling his powers, often leading to outbursts where the land surrounding his home would become layered with frost and ice. The rain turning to snow or hail. This frightened those in his tribe, they feared one day the heat would never return And so, they cast him out told him to leave and take his "curse" with him. Upset and dejected he left, turning cold to the world, and bitter towards his kind as he was turned away again and again. One day halfway through the falling, he decided that maybe they should feel his curse, and so he flew to the highest peak of the world opened his wings and let out his anger on the world. To him, it was beautiful, the world awash in white.
This lasted a full 3 lunar cycles when he realised his power was taking a toll on his body. His wings had frozen stiff, leaving him unable to fly to find food, and water was scarce as it was all frozen over. As he released his hold and waited, as the plants began to spring back to life and the creatures began to wake from their frozen slumbers.
As he hunted for food, he found something he thought he never would; another dragon, she was as white as the patches of lingering snow, and cold to the touch. Over time, they would bond and grow fond of one another, protecting each other from others of their kind. Laughing and giggling as they froze their foes paws to the ground and ran away. The female, or Ni'yebe as she was known expressed her admiration of what he had done, to her, it seamed he had made an all new season, just for them.
However, they both knew it would need to end, or all life would perish, and they would soon follow. Begrudgingly, Winter accepted this logic but also revelled in the idea of his own season, his own time on this world. So he promised to her that every year, in the middle of The Falling, he would return to that mountain top and bring about what he would call winter, after himself.
Over time the world began to accept this fate, that there was now a fourth season, the name winter, became known to all, but not by him or his mate, in fact it was his mother that coined the name to the rest of the world, as each year, when the snow fell, she was reminded of the young ice dragon.
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The Masters of The Way:
Once upon a time there was a small group of dragons, not unlike anyone you would meet on the streets, or among the tribal camps, visually they were no different from anyone else. They held the same beliefs, followed the same ways of life as everyone else. What was different however was their powers.
They were The Masters of The Way, it was unknown how they could do so, but they could wield their powers in ways others thought impossible. They could sling bolts of power from their hands, cloak themselves in an aura of their respective element and virtually anything in between and more.
Legend goes, they were the defenders of the lands, responding to dire threats from beyond the seas, from the skies, or from the ground beneath our feet. It is often said they were avatars of the elements themselves, their devine will on earth.
It is said, that one day a grave threat came to our lands, a threat which these Masters would gather and deal with, the resulting battle left a jagged crater in the lands, that would one day become the great lake, the threat was vanquished, but the masters were never seen or heard of again. Some think they perished, others believe they went their separate ways and lived among us to the day of their passing, teaching a select few their ways, and only those whom the elements themselves deem worthy.
There have been scatterings of stories claiming other dragons have used their powers in strange ways, but none were confirmed.
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Eden: Will of the Earth:
It is said that long ago there was a young hatchling, she bore a coat of emerald green scales, and eyes the colour of oak. Her name was Eden, she was like others her age, she was friendly and oh so kind, always stopping to help others even if it would make her late to classes. She saw everyone as family, much to her own families' amusement.
That changed however on the day of her awakening, after meditating and communing with the spirits, she felt no different than she already had, she could breathe no fire, no lightning, no ice or water, and the only wind she could summon was that in her lungs.
Her family, being of noble descent, did not take to this well, and instead when they got home, told her to pack her things, and leave. She was heartbroken, but it only got worse from there. It didn't take long for word to spread of her "condition", and others began to treat her as if she had something they could catch, everyone she knew, all those she loved and cherished treated her like she didn't exist, and when they did, it was only to make space between them.
She hated it, she cursed the spirits, why couldn't they have chosen her, why didn't they? Was there something wrong with her? Was she really sick like others thought? She had too many questions and not enough answers.
So, for years she searched high and low, looking all throughout their lands for any explanation as to why she was the only one of her kind that the god decided to reject, and after some meditation the answer came to her, clear as day, if they rejected her, then she could do so in turn.
She began researching other faiths from creatures that travelled to their lands learning of rituals, talismans and other such interesting items and practices and gave them a try it seemed fruitless at first something seemed like they would work, but she thought it was simply a trick of her mind and wishful thinking.
Until one day, after hearing about a type of people, a practice she found fascinating, she heard about monks: a person who gave up their possessions their attachments and sought to gain a better understanding of self, and after finding a placed isolated from the rest of her kind, she began to meditate, something she hadn't done since her awakening.
She sat still for days focusing on the feel of nothing but the ground beneath her, on the feeling of how her body worked, how her lungs expanded and contracted with each breath, on the sensation created when she moved her limbs, everything.
After a time she began to notice changes in how she interacted with the world, turning back to the rituals she had tried before, she noticed these too gave different results than before. She found that through sheer will she could bend the earth and ground itself, she could shape stone like fresh clay to create intricate items, she could cause plants to grow, to bloom where they had not been before.
Only now did she feel true to her name, she was Eden, The Will of the Earth. And she vowed, that she would not abandon those like her, if the elements themselves would abandon another, she would not, and she would give them a home and a family.",
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