.
.
.
.
The flora and fauna of the region did not change without the local dragons noticing. There was even a small push to try and preserve it. This small collation of dragons banded together to begin Operation REPAIR. This was an ambitious project that pulled dragons from all sorts of trades as well as all different flights.
The operation was the brainchild of Dr. Zelis Stormbreak, and together with her colleagues at Cactus Ridge she drew up a series of research projects intended to help preserve their homeland from more harm.
.
Pictured: Environmental Engineer Dr. Zelis Stormbreak
.
The project had difficulty gathering steam, but those who agreed to join the project were devoted and enthusiastic about its success. Unfortunately many of the discoveries and innovations found through the research they did manage to complete did not make much of a splash. Getting grants was difficult, though the greatest difficulty was combating the cultural desire to push and change and grow rather than sustain, manage, and protect.
However, some renewable projects that were first pioneered in REPAIR have gained new interest and are being taken more seriously. The greatest triumph being the wind turbine farms throughout the shifting expanse.
Today the organization has shifted its approach to education due to funding restraints. But their goal is to inspire the next generations of innovators to put their minds to the project.
.
.
Most projects fell to the wayside as funding evaporated, or were forgotten altogether. One of the most successful projects has been forgotten entirely due to unfortunate circumstances. Funded privately by a handful of generous donors who sought a return on their investment, the most ambitious project took place on the northernmost mesa off the coast of the mainland. This project was kept under wraps in order to protect potential ‘trade secrets’ from being revealed. This chafed the researchers, but if they wanted money they had to obey.
Uninhabited, the difficult travel allowed it to be one of the last remaining bastions of original flora and fauna of the region. The local varieties found on the mesa were also extra hearty from surviving in the harsh conditions and high altitude.
.
Pictured: A rough example of a mesa island. Note the sheer drop on the sides.
.
The goal was simple: Create flora and fauna that was robust enough to survive and thrive the vicious lightning, rain, wind, and storms that plagued the expanse. A permanent research station was created on the mesa island, and was populated by biologists, engineers, environmental scientists, chemists, and the like. Bringing rare samples of flora and fauna from other parts of the region, they set about trying to strengthen and cross varieties.
The project started slow, but gained steam with some breakthroughs with a species of electric pine crossed with a spruce found on the fringes of the scrubland. Over five years of hard work and the little science colony had a healthy young stand of forest. The first trees still needed protection from the powerful winds and devastating fires caused by lightning strikes, and more than a few dragons perished from this dangerous work.
The key was engineering the plants to naturally uptake copper, grounding them and allowing for the dispersal of electrical charges when they were large enough to withstand the initial force of a lightning strike. This would also double in providing support against the wind, and root the trees down and combat erosion.
Extensive digging in the plateau was prohibited in order to protect its integrity, but that meant the journey to and from the plateau was even more dangerous. During short though predictable spans in the summer, it was safe enough to fly or glide to the mainland shore if one was quick and robust enough. Otherwise the crossing had to be made by ship to the base of the plateau, where ridgebacks would climb up the face of the plateau with large packs of supplies on their backs. There was much debate over allowing for one tunnel to allow safer passage, but this proved impractical for larger and more complicated shipments of trees and raw materials.
.
.
During winter of the fifth year, the climate took a turn for the worst. The storms around the spire unexpectedly increased in range and intensity, catching dragons off guard and sending parts of the region into a standstill. Radio equipment was destroyed by rogue lightning strikes, causing fires and chaos on top of the mesa as the dragons clung for dear life in the protection of their tiny groves.
.
Pictured: Whoops
.
The LS Scalescreamer, a medium sized vessel that ferried dragons and materials occasionally to and from the mesa never arrived as scheduled, and was presumed lost at sea. Those on the mesa did not even dare scale down to find out for sure, for the storm never faltered and never gave them a break.
Under duress they fought to survive and protect their work as it was the only thing that could save them. The very center of the mesa was the most protected, making use of the limited existing flora and fauna, they rebuilt while waiting for rescue and more supplies.
For weeks. Months. Years. They tended to their creations and waited.
.
.
Generations later, the waiting was long forgotten. Instead they had managed to protect and pass down their knowledge and scientific pursuits, perfecting the engineering of a new and robust ecosystem. A temperate rainforest obscured by the turbulent thunderstorms and the heavy rolling clouds of the region today thrives. Mainland dragons consider the mesa unreachable and likely barren, allowing the long forgotten experiment to mature and thrive.
.
Pictured: Late afternoon in the forest [By user avenged7x on Deviant art]
.
A marvel of engineering, the once native forest plants of the region could now thrive in the turbulent storms. The descendants of the engineers, biologists, chemists, and environmental scientists now call the dark, lush forests home. They treasure their forest, and are devoted to maintaining it just as they are gathering new knowledge and data. Individuals will even come to favor a particular tree and call it their own.
The forests themselves are thick and dark; mostly tall monstrous conifers with a smattering of smaller deciduous trees between them. The great pines are struck by lightning constantly, but through genetically modifying the plants with copper, they harmlessly disperse their charge across the tops of the canopy, and into large, glowing, electrified pine cones that provide natural light 24/7. The canopy itself is so thick that in the heart of the forest there is no wind beyond a breeze, and no rain beyond thick foggy drizzles. Most off the water is diverted into special streams along the great trunks, running down into a series of pools that allow for any particulates to sink into the bottom or be filtered out.
.
Pictured: Bright Daytime light if there is a break in the storms.
.
The plateau itself is mineral poor, and with the majority of it being taken up by the trees themselves- what remains is what was originally delivered to the site generations ago. These dragons are extremely resourceful and recycle everything. They have also become talented in creating plant-based plastics using hearty weeds that grow near the edges of their plateau home. They are engineers of a unique and curious ecosystem.
.
Pictured: This is a place that shadow dragons would find likeable.
.
It is dangerous to go near the rim of the mesa, since that is where the treeline thins and there is less cover. Many a dragon has perished in this way, so the work to gather useful items there is done with special equipment and with dragons of long experience.
Many of the creatures native to the island have flourished and diversified, as well as co-habituated with some of the creatures purposely and accidentally brought during the first expeditions. All things on the island have become so used to the constant muffled rumble of thunder that they tune it out.
.
Pictured: Many even have glowing properties.
.
.
Life on the island mesa is shut off from the mainland, allowing for a unique culture to thrive. With the trees so large, many lairs are either in cavities of the trees themselves, beneath the roots, or shallow dens made in the deep fertile soil. Some brave and eccentric dragons will make elaborate tree houses in the lower branches, but at their own risk. They are very conscious of their impact upon their careful ecosystem, though it has become far more robust than they give it credit for.
.
Pictured: A Typical Treehouse structure
.
Pictured: A shallow Den Structure
.
Pictured: New Prefab structure for a new community space. Ignore the human.
.
Pictured: Important Lair Aesthetic. Furs, cozy spaces, and warm lighting are all common.
.
So not only do they recycle and make careful use of what resources they have, but they are very mindful of their numbers. Families wishing to expand must put into a lottery system. The amount of numbers drawn per season depends on the population, but once you are drawn and have a successful clutch, you are not allowed to participate again.
.
.
Hatchlings are immensely important and cherished by the community. Being so closely knit means that most dragons know most dragons. All the hatchlings go together to mandatory education classes as well as helping their parents in their work. And all dragons are encouraged to keep notebooks and journals to preserve knowledge and share their discoveries. This habit is started as soon as a dragon learns to hold a quill.
.
“The difference between science and screwing around is writing it down.”
.
Being limited on resources forced innovation in a number of areas. Not only in the plant based plastics, but in re-forging metals, papermaking, glassmaking, and weaving. Most things are plant based in some way. Lightning striking the edge of the mesa creates lightning sand or fulgurites, which is re-melted and used in durable glassware. Ironwood tree branches can be tempered with heat to create tools that are almost just as good. Maguyvering solutions to problems are a source of community pride.
.
.
Without a closer look, one would not realize that these dragons do not have all the modern lab tools that those in the mainland do. Electronics tend to struggle on the mesa, but it is an active bit of research in order to help maintain their forests. Care for the flora and fauna is taken very seriously. A tree that is ill or failing is tended to in the best of their ability. And any tree that does perish is heavily researched before it is harvested and used for resources. It is in their best interest not to let these trees fall, as they would cause incredible damage due to their large size. Instead they are cut slowly from the top down in pieces.
There are multiple research stations throughout the island. Highperch is a structure woven between three large trees on the center of the mesa, well within the canopy. It is a dangerous though useful location to monitor the crown health of the trees and the storm activity. Highpearch is built with a cage like structure to ward off any stray lightning strikes. Large amounts of metal are not permitted on the platform at all. While the view is beautiful, the most anyone can ever see is the trees from the rest of the island disappearing into the thick clouds of the storms.
Most lighting is made harnessing bioluminescent plants or animals, the electrified pinecones, or tapping into the copper lines in the trees for more traditional light. Most lairs are well lit and cozy, whereas beyond the community center everything is lit only by more subtle means.
Pictured: A typical Mesa Dweller
The smaller gene pool of the island meant that some genes and colors were more common than others. Dull or dark primaries dominate the population, though some may have bright accent colors and tertiary colors. Secondaries tend to vary more broadly. Stripes, blotches and spots tend to be common among the hides of dragons here as well. In the past there was a small line of imperials, but the last of their breed died generations ago. Large dragon breeds tend to have more difficult times on the island, with ridgebacks and guardians being on the smaller ends of their sizes due to island dwarfism.
Pictured: Another mesa dweller
.
.
.
We excavate faster than a lightning strike!
The Tunnelstrikers are an excavation company hired to work in conditions other dragons would refuse. There has been growing interest in the lone mesa out at sea, and an investor is interested in what it has to offer.
Thorem Talonstride was lead digger when they were given the task of burrowing up from the unpleasant rocky beach to create safe passage to the top. The obstacles were unusual, but he took great pride in completing every task for his clients. But what he did not expect was to pop his head up within a ring of surprised dragons in a dark forest.
.
Pictured: Thorem Talonstride
.
This was the first encounter the locals had with an outsider in generations, and to summarize the story: it was pretty rough. But after some negotiating, Thorem and his team were released and allowed to leave on the grounds that they did not continue their work. There was much debate between the locals on whether or not to fill the tunnels or allow them as an exception.
Thorem’s employer of course would have none of this, but the mesa dragons had the upper hand in their inhospitable mesa. And Thorem and his team were good dragons who knew when something was not fair or right. For now, they are fascinated by exploring the world of these strange dragons. Some of these dragons are even interested in venturing out to the mainland to explore the world and bring back useful materials. The contract is still up in the air as to whether or not there will be consequences, but for now the Tunnelstrikers team has taken an unusual turn into diplomacy and discovery.
.
.
.
The Stormsurge Mesa Project
.
.
Introduction
.The flora and fauna of the region did not change without the local dragons noticing. There was even a small push to try and preserve it. This small collation of dragons banded together to begin Operation REPAIR. This was an ambitious project that pulled dragons from all sorts of trades as well as all different flights.
The operation was the brainchild of Dr. Zelis Stormbreak, and together with her colleagues at Cactus Ridge she drew up a series of research projects intended to help preserve their homeland from more harm.
.
Pictured: Environmental Engineer Dr. Zelis Stormbreak
The project had difficulty gathering steam, but those who agreed to join the project were devoted and enthusiastic about its success. Unfortunately many of the discoveries and innovations found through the research they did manage to complete did not make much of a splash. Getting grants was difficult, though the greatest difficulty was combating the cultural desire to push and change and grow rather than sustain, manage, and protect.
However, some renewable projects that were first pioneered in REPAIR have gained new interest and are being taken more seriously. The greatest triumph being the wind turbine farms throughout the shifting expanse.
Today the organization has shifted its approach to education due to funding restraints. But their goal is to inspire the next generations of innovators to put their minds to the project.
.
.
Taking a Biological Approach
Most projects fell to the wayside as funding evaporated, or were forgotten altogether. One of the most successful projects has been forgotten entirely due to unfortunate circumstances. Funded privately by a handful of generous donors who sought a return on their investment, the most ambitious project took place on the northernmost mesa off the coast of the mainland. This project was kept under wraps in order to protect potential ‘trade secrets’ from being revealed. This chafed the researchers, but if they wanted money they had to obey.
Uninhabited, the difficult travel allowed it to be one of the last remaining bastions of original flora and fauna of the region. The local varieties found on the mesa were also extra hearty from surviving in the harsh conditions and high altitude.
.
Pictured: A rough example of a mesa island. Note the sheer drop on the sides.
The goal was simple: Create flora and fauna that was robust enough to survive and thrive the vicious lightning, rain, wind, and storms that plagued the expanse. A permanent research station was created on the mesa island, and was populated by biologists, engineers, environmental scientists, chemists, and the like. Bringing rare samples of flora and fauna from other parts of the region, they set about trying to strengthen and cross varieties.
The project started slow, but gained steam with some breakthroughs with a species of electric pine crossed with a spruce found on the fringes of the scrubland. Over five years of hard work and the little science colony had a healthy young stand of forest. The first trees still needed protection from the powerful winds and devastating fires caused by lightning strikes, and more than a few dragons perished from this dangerous work.
The key was engineering the plants to naturally uptake copper, grounding them and allowing for the dispersal of electrical charges when they were large enough to withstand the initial force of a lightning strike. This would also double in providing support against the wind, and root the trees down and combat erosion.
Extensive digging in the plateau was prohibited in order to protect its integrity, but that meant the journey to and from the plateau was even more dangerous. During short though predictable spans in the summer, it was safe enough to fly or glide to the mainland shore if one was quick and robust enough. Otherwise the crossing had to be made by ship to the base of the plateau, where ridgebacks would climb up the face of the plateau with large packs of supplies on their backs. There was much debate over allowing for one tunnel to allow safer passage, but this proved impractical for larger and more complicated shipments of trees and raw materials.
.
.
The Great Turbulence
During winter of the fifth year, the climate took a turn for the worst. The storms around the spire unexpectedly increased in range and intensity, catching dragons off guard and sending parts of the region into a standstill. Radio equipment was destroyed by rogue lightning strikes, causing fires and chaos on top of the mesa as the dragons clung for dear life in the protection of their tiny groves.
.
Pictured: Whoops
The LS Scalescreamer, a medium sized vessel that ferried dragons and materials occasionally to and from the mesa never arrived as scheduled, and was presumed lost at sea. Those on the mesa did not even dare scale down to find out for sure, for the storm never faltered and never gave them a break.
Under duress they fought to survive and protect their work as it was the only thing that could save them. The very center of the mesa was the most protected, making use of the limited existing flora and fauna, they rebuilt while waiting for rescue and more supplies.
For weeks. Months. Years. They tended to their creations and waited.
.
.
Fruits of their Labor
Generations later, the waiting was long forgotten. Instead they had managed to protect and pass down their knowledge and scientific pursuits, perfecting the engineering of a new and robust ecosystem. A temperate rainforest obscured by the turbulent thunderstorms and the heavy rolling clouds of the region today thrives. Mainland dragons consider the mesa unreachable and likely barren, allowing the long forgotten experiment to mature and thrive.
.
Pictured: Late afternoon in the forest [By user avenged7x on Deviant art]
A marvel of engineering, the once native forest plants of the region could now thrive in the turbulent storms. The descendants of the engineers, biologists, chemists, and environmental scientists now call the dark, lush forests home. They treasure their forest, and are devoted to maintaining it just as they are gathering new knowledge and data. Individuals will even come to favor a particular tree and call it their own.
The forests themselves are thick and dark; mostly tall monstrous conifers with a smattering of smaller deciduous trees between them. The great pines are struck by lightning constantly, but through genetically modifying the plants with copper, they harmlessly disperse their charge across the tops of the canopy, and into large, glowing, electrified pine cones that provide natural light 24/7. The canopy itself is so thick that in the heart of the forest there is no wind beyond a breeze, and no rain beyond thick foggy drizzles. Most off the water is diverted into special streams along the great trunks, running down into a series of pools that allow for any particulates to sink into the bottom or be filtered out.
.
Pictured: Bright Daytime light if there is a break in the storms.
The plateau itself is mineral poor, and with the majority of it being taken up by the trees themselves- what remains is what was originally delivered to the site generations ago. These dragons are extremely resourceful and recycle everything. They have also become talented in creating plant-based plastics using hearty weeds that grow near the edges of their plateau home. They are engineers of a unique and curious ecosystem.
.
Pictured: This is a place that shadow dragons would find likeable.
It is dangerous to go near the rim of the mesa, since that is where the treeline thins and there is less cover. Many a dragon has perished in this way, so the work to gather useful items there is done with special equipment and with dragons of long experience.
Many of the creatures native to the island have flourished and diversified, as well as co-habituated with some of the creatures purposely and accidentally brought during the first expeditions. All things on the island have become so used to the constant muffled rumble of thunder that they tune it out.
.
Pictured: Many even have glowing properties.
.
A culture of Preservation
Life on the island mesa is shut off from the mainland, allowing for a unique culture to thrive. With the trees so large, many lairs are either in cavities of the trees themselves, beneath the roots, or shallow dens made in the deep fertile soil. Some brave and eccentric dragons will make elaborate tree houses in the lower branches, but at their own risk. They are very conscious of their impact upon their careful ecosystem, though it has become far more robust than they give it credit for.
.
Pictured: A Typical Treehouse structure
Pictured: A shallow Den Structure
Pictured: New Prefab structure for a new community space. Ignore the human.
Pictured: Important Lair Aesthetic. Furs, cozy spaces, and warm lighting are all common.
So not only do they recycle and make careful use of what resources they have, but they are very mindful of their numbers. Families wishing to expand must put into a lottery system. The amount of numbers drawn per season depends on the population, but once you are drawn and have a successful clutch, you are not allowed to participate again.
.
Hatchlings are immensely important and cherished by the community. Being so closely knit means that most dragons know most dragons. All the hatchlings go together to mandatory education classes as well as helping their parents in their work. And all dragons are encouraged to keep notebooks and journals to preserve knowledge and share their discoveries. This habit is started as soon as a dragon learns to hold a quill.
.
“The difference between science and screwing around is writing it down.”
Being limited on resources forced innovation in a number of areas. Not only in the plant based plastics, but in re-forging metals, papermaking, glassmaking, and weaving. Most things are plant based in some way. Lightning striking the edge of the mesa creates lightning sand or fulgurites, which is re-melted and used in durable glassware. Ironwood tree branches can be tempered with heat to create tools that are almost just as good. Maguyvering solutions to problems are a source of community pride.
.
Without a closer look, one would not realize that these dragons do not have all the modern lab tools that those in the mainland do. Electronics tend to struggle on the mesa, but it is an active bit of research in order to help maintain their forests. Care for the flora and fauna is taken very seriously. A tree that is ill or failing is tended to in the best of their ability. And any tree that does perish is heavily researched before it is harvested and used for resources. It is in their best interest not to let these trees fall, as they would cause incredible damage due to their large size. Instead they are cut slowly from the top down in pieces.
There are multiple research stations throughout the island. Highperch is a structure woven between three large trees on the center of the mesa, well within the canopy. It is a dangerous though useful location to monitor the crown health of the trees and the storm activity. Highpearch is built with a cage like structure to ward off any stray lightning strikes. Large amounts of metal are not permitted on the platform at all. While the view is beautiful, the most anyone can ever see is the trees from the rest of the island disappearing into the thick clouds of the storms.
Most lighting is made harnessing bioluminescent plants or animals, the electrified pinecones, or tapping into the copper lines in the trees for more traditional light. Most lairs are well lit and cozy, whereas beyond the community center everything is lit only by more subtle means.
Pictured: A typical Mesa Dweller
The smaller gene pool of the island meant that some genes and colors were more common than others. Dull or dark primaries dominate the population, though some may have bright accent colors and tertiary colors. Secondaries tend to vary more broadly. Stripes, blotches and spots tend to be common among the hides of dragons here as well. In the past there was a small line of imperials, but the last of their breed died generations ago. Large dragon breeds tend to have more difficult times on the island, with ridgebacks and guardians being on the smaller ends of their sizes due to island dwarfism.
Pictured: Another mesa dweller
herbalist
Mesa Edgerunner
Electrician
.
Current Affairs
We excavate faster than a lightning strike!
The Tunnelstrikers are an excavation company hired to work in conditions other dragons would refuse. There has been growing interest in the lone mesa out at sea, and an investor is interested in what it has to offer.
Thorem Talonstride was lead digger when they were given the task of burrowing up from the unpleasant rocky beach to create safe passage to the top. The obstacles were unusual, but he took great pride in completing every task for his clients. But what he did not expect was to pop his head up within a ring of surprised dragons in a dark forest.
.
Pictured: Thorem Talonstride
This was the first encounter the locals had with an outsider in generations, and to summarize the story: it was pretty rough. But after some negotiating, Thorem and his team were released and allowed to leave on the grounds that they did not continue their work. There was much debate between the locals on whether or not to fill the tunnels or allow them as an exception.
Thorem’s employer of course would have none of this, but the mesa dragons had the upper hand in their inhospitable mesa. And Thorem and his team were good dragons who knew when something was not fair or right. For now, they are fascinated by exploring the world of these strange dragons. Some of these dragons are even interested in venturing out to the mainland to explore the world and bring back useful materials. The contract is still up in the air as to whether or not there will be consequences, but for now the Tunnelstrikers team has taken an unusual turn into diplomacy and discovery.
.
.
Quote:
As always, this lore is free for anyone to use. Just be sure to link back here! If you ever do anything interesting with my lore, give me a ping! I love to see what people do with it.
Have fun!
Have fun!
