aaaaaaaThe Leadersaaaaaaa
Amadeus, Clan Leader and Ice Flight Representative
You follow the Tundra along the worn path in the snow, staying at his side but a pace or two behind. You can tell this path has existed for a long time, the land slowly worn down. As he leads you towards the commanding central den you observe many clan members going about their day. Some walk, some fly, and some frolic through the snow without a care. A sense of wonder fills your chest, interrupted only by the Tundra's words. "We're thankful to have you visit us, and thankful to still get visitors," He chuckles warmly. "I'm sure you've heard about what happened to us a few years ago. We're finally returning to our glory days again. There's so many young new dragons roaming the icecaps." His eyes twinkle as he sweeps the scenery himself.
Together you approach the entrance to the central den. A huge arch of blue glacial ices forms the opening. The curve is smooth and free of icicles, making the structure appear friendlier. As you both cross the barrier you feel the air become noticeably warmer. A huge fire burns within the barriers of a sunken conversation pit at the center of the room. A number of fluffy animal pelts and downy pillows surround the fire at a safe distance. There are a few dragons laying around, napping or chatting quietly with each other. The interior ice walls are intricately carved and a wide hole covered in a thin layer of ice on the ceiling allows sunlight to swell within the structure. You hadn't even noticed you had stopped, staring in awe at the sight. Amadeus stirs you out of the trance with a gentle laugh, "I've seen that look a hundred times over, it never gets old." The tundra swings a pale blue wing out in a sweeping motion. "Welcome to the central den. We host a little of everything here. There are dens, an armory, the library, our council chamber, and of course, our warming center. This is where clan members often come to socialize with each other." You express your awe and Amadeus' chest fluffs up with pride.
The tundra beckons you to follow once more and leads you to a specific set of thick furs on the far side of the fire. You settle into the warmth and Amadeus does the same with a noticeable groan. "Forgive me, my bones have grown quite weary these past few years." He smiles to reassure you, but you note the sadness there.
As you both warm your bones he regales you with the tale of the founding of the clan. How he and his mate wanted to leave their lives and destinies behind and the hardships they faced over the years. You grow drowsy as he speaks but try your best to pay attention. When you have a moment to spare a glance at your surroundings you notice a few other dragons looking your way. Though your spine tingles with apprehension it doesn't take long to realize the dragons are not concerned with you, they are simply listening to their leader. When the tundra lets out a sickly cough however, you find your head swinging back to him while everyone else turns away. Amadeus loudly clears his throat and apologizes. He seems out of breath suddenly. You wait politely for him to continue but instead the tundra rises, bones aching, and asks if you'd like to continue the tour now. Though your hesitant to leave the cozy warmth of the fire you came here to learn about the clan and if it was time to move it was time to move.
Amadeus guides you towards a hallway marked with a symbol of a shield and swords, signifying the armory is ahead.
Tallah, Clan Leader and Army General
It's hard not to notice the shift in the air as you and Amadeus step into the armory. Is it tension? Maybe just stuffiness from the lack of windows? Un unfinished relief is carved into the wall at your right and a map of the continent hangs on the right. The hallway opens up to a larger room filled with weapons, armor, shields, and defense mannequins. A large ridgeback sits at the far end of them room, scroll in hand as she counts a set of weapons hanging on the wall. Amadeus stiffens a bit as she turns to face you both. Her face is frozen in an annoyed state a few beats too long before her eyes clear and she shifts into smile. Unfortunately that smile feels more threatening than friendly. "Hello Amadeus, are you guiding a tour again?"
The Tundra folds his wings tight against his body. "Yes dear, isn't it so nice that we still get such kind visitors?" The ridgeback lets out a tight hum in response. she swivels her head in order to get a better look at you. You can't help but shiver under her worn gaze. there is an unpleasant story here, one you're not sure you want to hear.
"My name is Tallah." She shifts her neck reach it's full height, looking down her sharp nose at you. "I'm the matriarch of this clan, and I also lead our army. Unfortunately, army leader is my main role these days." You barely catch it, but Amadeus' wings twitch at her words. She stretches her claws and waves them in the direction of the weapons along the wall. "I was raised to fight in the war for the Icewarden's territory but now I fight for my own. Most of our weapons are made here by our skilled clan members. Some are scavenged from beastclans, but most of their pathetic weapons are smelted down for our superior ones." Tallah scowls, her voice dripping with malice at the mention of beastclans. "You will have to visit Wrex and Ares on your tour. They are responsible for our impressive collection."
The matriarch notes the apprehension in your eyes and smirks. "We are a peaceful clan but we're been having trouble with some outsiders lately. Keep your wits about you while your here, especially at night. We have posted guards but-" She turns to her mate, "Stranger things have happened."
The two leaders stare at each other for some time. You try to read what is there with some difficulty. Fear? Concern? Exhaustion? For such a happy place, these two seem to be having a difficult time. You try to step back a little but the movement breaks their focus and they both turn to you. Amadeus flares a wing out your way. "Ah, with that said, lets continue on this tour before dusk, shall we?"
The tundra leads you away and Tallah sends you off with no more than a nod before she turns back to her weapons. Amadeus leads you to large set of armored doors that set nicely into a thick layer of ice and pushes them apart with a loud creak. Sunlight fills the room and as you exit you steal one last glance at the clan's matriarch as her gaze slowly swivels to yours.
Prince Frostbite, Clan Heir
The snow crunches under your talons as you step back outside the central den. You steal a glance towards Amadeus but he continues to hold his head high, just without a smile plastered to his face. He leads you towards a bridge that connects two of the icecaps. Over the bend you can see a few buildings. Most notable are a large glass greenhouse, a tavern with smoke rising from a chimney, and the bright, waving flags of a trading post. An active trading post at that- you see a dragon flying in for a landing as you step foot onto the new area. Amadeus is also taking these sights. He breathes out as a smile returns to his face.
As you reach the greenhouse you see a large guardian dragon walking through the antechamber between the interior and exterior exits. He has a distinct flint coloration and the ends of his beard glow red like dying embers. Many layers of thick furs are laid over his back and broad shoulders. Amadeus wings flare out in joy as the guardian exits the antechamber into the snow. "Frostbite, my son! Just the dragon I wanted to see!"
Frostbite quickly gallops over to you both. "Father! H-How have you been t-today? Are you guiding a t-tour?" He lays a frosty red wing over his fathers back. It drapes him easily, after all the guardian is twice his father's size. Frostbite turns to you with a grin. "My name is F-Frostbite. It is nice t-to meet you."
"Frostbite here is our humble heir to the clan." The tundra leans gently against the larger dragon. "Though it wont be long until he-" Amadeus' words are cut off by a bought of sharp, painful coughs. Frostbite brings his other wing out to divide the space between you and the leader and you step back, startled. The guardian shields his father as the coughs turn to a dull wheeze.
You duck away from the scene and try to look around as a distraction but the whispers of conversation still reach your ears. "Father, let me t-take over the tour - y-you need to rest."
"No, no. I'll be fine. Let's not scare our guest."
"I know h-how much it m-means to you but-"
The whispers dull to a point you can't hear any more, but the guardian is folding his wings back to the side as you turn back to the pair. Frostbite gives you an awkward smile and Amadeus is looking at you apologetically with his head down. "Forgive me. I've been feeling ill as of late, but it's nothing to fear." The tundra shakes himself from head to tail as if to signify he's feeling better. You walk closer to rejoin the pair with mild apprehension.
"Anyway, we wanted to give you a tour of our marvelous greenhouse. Frostbite has been working tirelessly here as of late with some of our other clan members. The greenhouse is one of our greatest assets, almost triple it's size now from when it was originally created, and we'd love to share it with you."
Amadeus leads you towards the entrance to the class doors of the antechamber, his son plastered to his side. You seem to have gained another guide for the remainder of the tour.
Princess Noel
After exiting the incredible greenhouse you almost forget that you're on a massive icecap in southern sea. That is, until the cold wind hits your face as the antechamber door opens. Amadeus and Frostbite both chuckle as your expression shifts with the temperature.
"We have one more stop I'd like to share with you before I let you go," Amadeus says as he shakes out his wings. "The future of Sornieth is just as important to us as the present, which is why we have an incredible support system for upcoming parents with our nursery."
The nursery is an unassuming structure that looks to be carved from a miniature glacier. You can tell by the window placement that the inside two if not three floors to explore. As the three of you step inside you're surprised to see what looks like a smaller version of the central den's welcome center with the warming fire ablaze inside. Though instead of seating space there sits a variety of specially carved cradles in various sizes. While a few are empty, most are filled with eggs. A teal pearlcatcher sits between a few, reading aloud scrolls of hatchling stories to the unhatched eggs. She gives you a silent wave as you pass by.
You follow Amadeus and Frostbite up a curved staircase to the far right of the room. As you climb the steps echos of laughter and shrill young voices flow down. A melodic pair of voices chimes in to silence the giggling that soothes to anear silence as you enter the room. The bright and colorful space of the large playroom is filled with light from the dome of thin ice that makes up the ceiling. Toys, dyed furs, scrolls, and books fill the room. At the center sits a gray tundra and a golden pearlcatcher, and sitting in a semi-circle in front of them are a hoard of hatchlings and young dragons.
The gray tundra lights up, as if not already glowing with joy, "Dad! It's so great to see you out and about!" The children all turn to you with curiosity, but a pair of young tundras comes barreling out of the group shouting "Grandpa!" as they rush forward. The little balls of brown and blue-gray fur barrel into the older leader. Though it knocks his breath for a moment he quickly recovers and laughs, kneeling down to nuzzle the pair. The gray tundra whispers something to the pearlcatcher who tries to distract the children as best as she can before approaching.
She Amadeus in her wings and Frostbite leans down to give her a gentle headbutt of affection. You feel embarrassed but also enamored by such displays of love. When the three pull away the gray tundra turns to you and extends one of her pale yellow wings in greeting. "It's nice to meet you. My name is Noel. I'm here today helping Sunny with some lessons while I take care of these two tykes." she uses both paws to rub the tops of the children's heads. "These troublemakers are Cheer and Asher. My daughter and nephew. Our own little prince and princess of the clan."
"Though there was a time when you and your brother were the prince and princess." Amadeus smiles warmly at his children. Frostbite shifts awkwardly in place while Noel laughs. Seeing as the adults were busy talking, Asher and Cheer take this opportunity to slip away and play with the other children.
"Dad gives the
best tours, don't you think? Though I hope he keeps it short for you. There's so much to look at here you'd be out until sunrise tomorrow!" Noel grins, "But of course if you are looking to stay the night we have plenty of open dens available." She learns up against the large guardian at her side. "And I must say, getting my brother to come along is a special treat!" Frostbite slaps his broad tail against his sisters legs affectionately and rolls his eyes.
"W-We really s-should wrap things up, father." Frostbite says gently. A brief look of concern washes over Noel's face as she glances at Amadeus. "It's g-getting late and I'm sure t-they want to explore at t-their pace."
Amadeus sighs with defeat. "I know you're right, but I just have so much more left to share."
"We know." His children say in unison. This must happen often. But it was true, there was still tons to explore on the icecaps and you've barely had a moment to yourself to do so since arriving. You were growing eager to explore.
Noel turns her attention to you again with a softer smile. "Lets get you outta here before you go deaf. Though I won't take you myself, I recommend visiting the trade hub next. Even if you're not looking to shop it's become it's own little community hub and Kalman's tavern has the
best food!"
You smile in thanks and follow the group of dragons back down the stairs and out of the nursery. They stop a good ways from the entrance and turn back to you.
"I really do hope you enjoyed your time here, no matter what you came for. We'll get out of your way and let you explore at your leisure, but do consider staying the night with us. Any clan member would be happy to help you set up." Amadeus nearly glows with pride, and you can see he has a lot be proud of.
You thank the leader for his time and watch the family walk away together before you look around at the ice and snow around you, wondering where to go next.
