SolsticeSummit

Head Librarian, Solstice Summit

. Advisor Collar Advisor Footies Aerborne Gustgather1635256 Aeruginous Leather Skullcap Antique Claw Breed Change: Bogsneak Primary Gaoler Gene: Giraffe

Solstice #1635256

Solstice

Lore Snippet:
Lore snippet should be a peek into the dragon's life. Where do they go on a daily basis, what do they do on a regular day? What kinds of things do they think about? Who do they talk to? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. In nibh quam, pulvinar a odio in, interdum blandit mauris. Praesent vel tristique metus. Sed interdum molestie nisl, eu feugiat nisi semper feugiat. Sed venenatis libero sem, id maximus lacus accumsan vel. Nulla varius scelerisque tortor, quis consectetur mauris rutrum quis. Quisque orci ex, suscipit sit amet sodales bibendum, pharetra quis nunc. Curabitur neque libero, vestibulum vel feugiat mollis, placerat rhoncus lectus. Mauris at neque tortor.

Pellentesque sagittis sit amet risus nec tincidunt. Fusce finibus tempus tellus, molestie gravida velit fringilla vel. Suspendisse dictum odio tellus. Nam placerat placerat porta. Quisque pulvinar feugiat dolor. Maecenas sapien diam, sagittis sed nulla ac, scelerisque vulputate est. Praesent eu nibh sed mi euismod euismod. Nullam cursus odio eget mi vestibulum maximus. Vivamus suscipit dolor felis, a faucibus enim aliquet ut. Quisque faucibus hendrerit tincidunt.


General Appearance:
What is the dragon's build? Size? Do they have scars, or disabilities? Do they wear apparel? Practical or fashionable? Special features? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. In nibh quam, pulvinar a odio in, interdum blandit mauris. Praesent vel tristique metus. Sed interdum molestie nisl, eu feugiat nisi semper feugiat. Sed venenatis libero sem, id maximus lacus accumsan vel. Nulla varius scelerisque tortor, quis consectetur mauris rutrum quis. Quisque orci ex, suscipit sit amet sodales bibendum, pharetra quis nunc. Curabitur neque libero, vestibulum vel feugiat mollis, placerat rhoncus lectus. Mauris at neque tortor.


Relationships:

¤ NAME - Relationship Info about this dragon or familiar.

¤ NAME - Relationship Info about this dragon or familiar.

¤ NAME - Relationship Info about this dragon or familiar.

¤ NAME - Relationship Info about this dragon or familiar.

Place in the Clan:
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. In nibh quam, pulvinar a odio in, interdum blandit mauris. Praesent vel tristique metus. Sed interdum molestie nisl, eu feugiat nisi semper feugiat. Sed venenatis libero sem, id maximus lacus accumsan vel. Nulla varius scelerisque tortor, quis consectetur mauris rutrum quis. Quisque orci ex, suscipit sit amet sodales bibendum, pharetra quis nunc. Curabitur neque libero, vestibulum vel feugiat mollis, placerat rhoncus lectus. Mauris at neque tortor. Ut aliquam, orci eget molestie semper, leo nisl sagittis nibh, in malesuada metus magna nec nisl. Duis quis est scelerisque, sollicitudin odio nec, pulvinar ligula. Nunc blandit luctus risus, nec accumsan elit euismod sed.

Pellentesque sagittis sit amet risus nec tincidunt. Fusce finibus tempus tellus, molestie gravida velit fringilla vel. Suspendisse dictum odio tellus. Nam placerat placerat porta. Quisque pulvinar feugiat dolor. Maecenas sapien diam, sagittis sed nulla ac, scelerisque vulputate est. Praesent eu nibh sed mi euismod euismod. Nullam cursus odio eget mi vestibulum maximus. Vivamus suscipit dolor felis, a faucibus enim aliquet ut. Quisque faucibus hendrerit tincidunt.

Proin eu ipsum molestie, fringilla lacus sed, tempor quam. Donec condimentum scelerisque ipsum, eu aliquet urna. Suspendisse iaculis nisi blandit leo semper pretium. Suspendisse potenti. Cras ultricies ut augue tempus lacinia. Curabitur a efficitur felis. Nullam vestibulum vitae arcu ac congue. Fusce commodo elit sed diam mattis, in blandit elit sagittis. In facilisis ipsum euismod, interdum nunc eget, suscipit sem. Aliquam in arcu eu turpis hendrerit congue ultrices ac purus. Nam vitae porta odio, vel condimentum lacus.

Pellentesque porta maximus erat, vitae volutpat purus rhoncus tristique. Nullam vehicula nibh sit amet dapibus sagittis. Quisque urna sapien, convallis in accumsan vitae, scelerisque malesuada dui. Praesent in tellus ultrices, sagittis elit a, ornare est. Vivamus sollicitudin posuere sagittis. Nam eu lobortis tellus, ac ultrices odio. Quisque vitae ligula eget turpis dapibus vulputate. In a velit ac metus fringilla scelerisque. Etiam in nunc a odio mattis cursus nec ac dolor.


Hoard and Interests:
What items does this dragon hoard? What pets do they keep? Do they have a favorite color? What is their favorite meal? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. In nibh quam, pulvinar a odio in, interdum blandit mauris. Praesent vel tristique metus. Sed interdum molestie nisl, eu feugiat nisi semper feugiat. Sed venenatis libero sem, id maximus lacus accumsan vel. Nulla varius scelerisque tortor, quis consectetur mauris rutrum quis. Quisque orci ex, suscipit sit amet sodales bibendum, pharetra quis nunc. Curabitur neque libero, vestibulum vel feugiat mollis, placerat rhoncus lectus. Mauris at neque tortor.


Other Info:
Hopes and dreams. Fears. Etc. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. In nibh quam, pulvinar a odio in, interdum blandit mauris. Praesent vel tristique metus. Sed interdum molestie nisl, eu feugiat nisi semper feugiat. Sed venenatis libero sem, id maximus lacus accumsan vel. Nulla varius scelerisque tortor, quis consectetur mauris rutrum quis. Quisque orci ex, suscipit sit amet sodales bibendum, pharetra quis nunc. Curabitur neque libero, vestibulum vel feugiat mollis, placerat rhoncus lectus. Mauris at neque tortor.


Library Entries:
¤ Book Title - (Section)






Art:

The main librarian, and the more sociable of the pair of tundra that are keepers of the books.






http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1079782/2#post_3960603

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Timithius the Wise Healer, responsible for the clan's overall health;
Fireshade the Vigilant Protector, responsible for the clan's overall safety;
Amaranthe the Powerful Mage, responsible for the barrier that keeps the clan hidden, and for teaching magic to the students of the clan;
Sasha the Honest Beastamer, responsible for the care of the familiars that serve and help the clan, and for teaching those skills to the students of the clan;
Shadowreign the Intelligent Financier, responsible for any major spending from the clan's vault, assessing damages and needs, and budgetting necessary expenditure;
Solstice the Caring Librarian, responsible for upkeep of the library, the student's other classes, and for organizing all of the information submitted to the library for safekeeping;
and Shegrasi the Regal King, responsible for leading and organizing the clan as a whole, and making any executive decisions that cannot be handled by others.

The moons shine bright in the clear night sky over Starwood Strand. A trade caravan camps in the safety of the trees at the edge of an open meadow. As the moons reach their peak the sky splits, ripping from the lower moon all the way to the ground. The opening reveals a now-populated area with a towering chalcedony spire whose arms encircle the clearing. The leader of the caravan steps forward first, the rest of the caravan begining to pack up camp. The last dragon in line looks up to see a magenta skydancer holding the sky open like a huge shimmering curtain. As the curtain closes behind them the caravan settles into the new, larger clearing. Small dens line the edge of the grassy area, nesting couples with hatchlings watching the new arrivals and the merchants waiting to trade goods and gold. Larger dens are carved into the towering hights of the spire, and a huge stone door leads to the depths guarded by statues of unusual detail. One of the clan dragons, a white tundra in contrast clothing, speaks to the travelers;

"Welcome to Sagoastra! My name is Solstice. Amar assures me the weather will stay comfortable the rest of your stay, so you are all free to camp here in the clearing. Anyone who wishes to see the library, please follow me."

http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1637007/2#post_15330322
http://hotnstock.deviantart.com/gallery/

Hatched from a forgotten egg, dropped somewhere in the forests of Starwood Strand, Shegrasi grew up alone, tunneling under the roots of trees to rest during the day, and at night eating the blooming fruits and flowers and moss that would appear in the starlight. As he grew older, and more capable, the Wind element in him began calling, leading him to seek out new places.
Travel and exploration was Shegrasi's only love until a certain male Pearlcatcher caught his eye. Shegrasi no longer travels as much, and never mentions the Pearlcatcher. Only he knows that the citrine pendant is actually a shard from the pearl of his lover, and that it was a breed-change scroll and an Emperor that separated them forever.


Settling in the forest where he was born, Shegrasi protects and rules over a small clan of scholars who study the behaviors of familiars and beastclans. He still occasionally works part-time as a bounty-hunter, taking a few opportunities a year to travel again.


Clan Dynamics
How was the clan founded, when, and by who?
The Latesenka("hidden knowledge") Clan was technically founded in the Sprite Era, during the year of Rot, when Plague had dominance. That was when the founders, Fireshade and Timithius, who had found themselves clanless for different reasons, first met while taking shelter in an old den that passing traders would use as a campsite. The clan itself was not developed, or named, until several years later when the trade routes in the area began opening back up again. Fireshade hired a building crew consisting of a ridgeback and a mirror, and carved a new den deeper into the forrest and into the side of a mountain for the clan to live in, allowing the traders' den to be used again.
Has the clan ever had any past leaders? How was the transfer of power handled?
Fireshade led the clan as matriarch for many years, and later handed the reins over to Shegrasi, who was more traveled and knowledgeable, when she wanted to retire.
What topics are subjects of conversation in the clan? What about gossip?
(Thinking...)
Do dragons of different ranks differ from one another in terms of culture? If so, how?
No. The clan consisted mostly of tundras at first, so the culture was family-oriented, with leaders forming strong bonds with their subjects. This culture has not changed much since the founding and leaders who do not care about their workers' personal lives do not last long.
Is there be anything that dragons at the bottom of the hierarchy know that a dragon at that the top wouldn't?
No. The dragons at the top of the hierarchy are watchers and guides more than bosses. They spend most of their time socializing with bottom-tier dragons and finding the best ways to keep the clan healthy, happy, and safe.
Is there anything in the clan that are points of contention, such as policies, rules, or leadership? If so, what do different clan members think can be improved?
There are few dragons who complain about their lot in the clan, and it stems mostly from willful ignorance or personal preference. Each separate complaint is handled by someone from the top of the hierarchy who knows the individual best.
What do outsiders think about your clan? What do they think about your clan leaders?
An outsider walking into the clan for the first time may be amazed by how friendly and organized the clan is. They will always see two or more high-rankers mingling with various groups of citizens.
Does your clan have any allies? Any rivals?
The clan is wary of forming alliances with other dragon clans because of their hoard of knowledge concerning Beastclans and their refusal to join the war against them. Several alliances with neutral Beastclans have been maintained since the founding.
Has your clan ever had any outside conflict?
The clan has rebuffed raids from both Beastclans and dragon clans after the knowledge in the library. Strategy, terrain, and a small band of master-level mages have kept the clan safe so far.

Location & Ecology
Where is your clan located?
The clan is located deep in Starwood Strand and is difficult to find without a guide.
Has the clan always been in the same location or have they lived elsewhere?
The clan has always been in the same location, although the main lair has moved several times.
What is the climate like?
Starwood is a large temporate forrest.
How has your clan modified the land to their needs? Or have they at all?
The main lair has been carved into the mountain and a small area at the base has been cleared out to make room for smaller open-air dens and training areas and farms. The clan tries to avoid changing the landscape more than necessary out of respect for the creatures they work with.
Does the current location of your clan have any history to it, such as ruins or past settlements (Draconic, Second Age, or Beastclan), and if so, does you clan know about it?
Latesenka was the first settlement in the area. Before then, only a single trade route went through the area because the forrest was so dangerous, and still is.
What flora is abundant around your clan area? What is scarce?
(Thinking...)
What is the soil like? Is it good for farming, or no?
Yes. The forrest cycles nutrients in and out of the soil constantly and what few farms there are have been bountiful since they were planted.
What natural resources does your clan use the most?
The river provides a constant supply of fish to the area, but since few dragons in the clan eat fish, they are caught mainly for export.
What natural resources are most abundant? What is scarce?
The most abundant resources are fish, plantlife, meat, and lumber. The most scarce are coal and metal.
What water sources are available?
A river creates the boundry for the territory on one side, and several springs and ponds dot the other.
Does your clan's territory have geological boundaries? If so, what are they?
The "western" border is a wide river running north, the "eastern" border is a valley where springs and ponds form in denser forrest.

Agricultural
Does your clan farm? If so, what crops do they grow?
Yes. Orchards, grass, and wheat crops provide food for the clan, cutting out the greater need for foraging.
Does your clan farm animals? If so, what do they breed?
Yes. The clan breeds a large array of different animals for food, leather, bone, and even pets.
Does your clan gather insects? What type of insects?
Some dragons have insect traps to provide for their own diet; otherwise no.
Does your clan fish? If so, what fish do they catch?
Yes. Plentiful types of seafood are gathered regularly, mainly for export and trade.
How does your clan get their food/water around?
Food meant for the clan is carried in boxes and jugs and delivered to the main kitchen, where the clan's chef spends all day preparing for dinner when all the clan gathers together. Individuals are responsible for feeding themselves the rest of the day and may carry snacks around in pouches.

Trade & Market
What items are commonly imported? Exported?
Bamboo, metal, and paper are important imports for the clan's bookmaking profits. Seafood, meat, books, scrolls, and furs are major exports.
Does your clan have control over any trade routes?
The trade route that runs along the river used to be sparsely traveled, but has since grown. The major rest stop that the clan started in is bigger and better furbished for traders to rest in. Being the center point along this branch allows the clan to get the best deals from both sides.
Is there a marketplace within your clan?
Small shops selling home-made wares and scavenged knickknacks are set up just outside the library, just inside the lair's main entrance.

Education
Is there formal education? Apprenticeships?
Formal education only goes so far as to teach hatchlings basic reading, writing, and magic. Other topics, or more advanced education, must be applied for by the hatchling. Instructors do not allow parents to speak for their children. Hatchlings' natural talents are encouraged, and instructors that have formed a bond with them will often suggest advanced material that might interest them, such as languages, magic theory, topography, familiar studies, and dragon behavioral studies. Rarely, materials not available in the clan will be requested from libraries elsewhere in Sornieth. Once a fledgling is satisfied with the education available in the clan, they will apply for apprenticeship to continue learning their chosen profession.
Does your clan have a public library?
Yes. The library is at the center of the main lair, deep underground. Scholars and mages both study there, and there is a record of everything written in the clan, including early notes on familiars, Beastclan, and ancients. Although the library is technically public, there are still many books in the restricted area that are only available to a handful of dragons.
Does your clan often share new information via papers, books, etc?
It dependson the information. A lot of information is shared through a gossip chain in the clan; other things are added to the library and anyone who wants to know is expected to look it up themselves; if something needs to be known by the entire clan it is announced at supper when everyone is present.
At what age do dragons learn how about how the clan works, occupations, etc?
In my cannon, a day in real time is 15days in FR, so hatchlings "grow up" to adolescents in a little over two months and begin apprenticeships wherever their talents or dreams lead them.
Is information censored when displayed to the rest of the clan?
Not often, unless there is information that might cause panic, or that someone would use for war. Within the clan, this is less of an issue, but when visitors are wandering around information is watched a little more closely.
How much of the clan is literate? Illiterate?
Every hatchling is taught to read and write common as soon as they are able to hold a quill. Dragons who arrive in the clan illiterate are treated with a certain amount of pity.
Is education available to everyone? If not, why?
The library has restrictions to protect the sensitive material there, but basic education is still available to everyone. Most students are taught on a one on one basis, and expected to spend a certain amount of time in the library during learning hours. The classes include beastclan students and allow them to intermingled peacefully with the dragons. Young dragons and Beastclan will often travel to the clan for lessons in magic. It is one of the few clans that support teaching magic to Beastclans, which makes it a safe haven for dunhoof mages especially.

Customs & Culture
What is a wedding like?
There is no formal record of mated pairs, as it is considered private information, and no special privileges are given to monogamous pairs. If two dragons fall in love and decide to raise a family, they might inform their friends or coworkers of the change, but there is no ceremony or required certificate. The pair will simply move into the same lair and build a nest.
What is a funeral like?
If a dragon in the clan dies or is killed, the entire clan is informed immediately. Those who wish to say their goodbyes are allowed a day to bring flowers and mourn before the body is reduced to ash. After that it is up to the next of kin to decide what to do with the ashes. This tradition started after a pair of imperials joined the clan, and when one died, the other would not be consoled until the body was completely destroyed. The ash is good for the soil, and most urns are broken at the top of the mountain or spread through the forrest; a lucky few might have their remains melted into beautiful glass figurines.
What type of festivals/gatherings does your clan host, if any?
Every evening as the trees start to light up, the clan gathers to have a meal together. This tradition started once the clan started to grow as a way for those who worked all day and never saw each other to still be able to share time in the evenings. It is a way to remind the clan that they are family first.
Other small celebrations may be held throughout the year, but for flight holidays and other major events, many in the clan will travel elsewhere to celebrate.
Is your clan religious, partially religious, or atheist?
Small shrines to different deities can be found in personal lairs, but there are no regulations otherwise. Fireshade and Timithius are old enough to remember times when the deities interacted with their creations, and know that the deities are manifestations of each element of magic. The deities are generally respected among the clan, since without them there would be no dragons and no magic, but no worship is required, as the deities themselves have never demanded it. Instead they are treated more like distant friends.

Government
What type of economy is it?
The economy is fueled by exported goods from the clan. Each member of the clan who worked to create a certain export gets an equal share of the profit.
Is there a specific currency used?
Is there a hierarchy? If so, who is at the top? Who is at the bottom?
Does your clan have a militia or some sort of protection?
How does your clan make important decisions?
Is there a form of taxation?
Are there set rules/laws?
What is the punishment for breaking those rules/laws?

Social & Language
How accepting of strangers/newcomers is your clan?
Does your clan like to interact with other clans?
How does your clan interact with their clanmates?
How do your clanmates greet eachother?
Does your clan use only one language?
Does your clan sometimes use body language to communicate?

Family & Familiars
How many offspring do couple usually have?
Who takes care of the hatchlings?
How does your clan interact with the Bestiary?
Are familiars welcomed into the home?
Are familiars more like pets or companions?

Occupations & Clan Roles
What are some of the jobs that your clan administer?
What are the most important ones? Most trivial?
Are your lair accommodations family-owned? Government-owned?
At what age to dragons start helping out with chores?

Game Mechanic-based Questions
How do the lair tabs work? Are they different clans/groups?
Lair tabs currently separate dragons by profession, as groups with similar interests are more likely to be seen together.
How does Gather Items work?
Members of the clan will daily lead a small group of apprentices to gather crops, fish in rivers, or hunt small game and insects, teaching them both a common trade and survival skills. This is included as part of their education and provides the clan with fresh supplies.
If classes are not in session, or the apprentices are not required to go out for one reason or another, the beast-tamers will take over hunting and fishing, and the farmers themselves will continue tending their crops. Insects are often provided by Timithius, as he occasionally ends up with more specimens than intended.
Scavenging is not done intentionally, but members of the clan will often find things just by walking around the territory. Digging also is only done when an individual is curious or turning the soil for farming or bugs or landscaping.
How does the Hoard work?
Individual dragons will hoard things they are interested in, and store them in their own den. The clan itself has a Common Hoard that dragons can drop off unwanted items to, in order to fuel collaborative projects. There is technically not a tax for exports, but the leaders tend to help out in as many areas as possible, earning them an equal share in profit, as every worker gets an equal share. A share from multiple projects or exports gets them more coin than they can use alone, so a large majority ends up in the Common Hoard, allowing a large budget for renovations and new buildings.
How do the Nesting Grounds work?
Nesting grounds are a separate area of the clan for couples to raise and care for their hatchlings. The nest itself may be inside or outside depending on the pair's preferences or needs, and is usually that pair's living space. Hatchlings from different nests will often play together in a common area.
Breeding pairs are typically a couple of dragons who have devoted their lives to raising hatchlings and hatch nests of their own as often as possible. In other societies, they might be considered freeloaders, but for dragons, like wildclaws, raising offspring is something you earn, just as you would a title or profession. The clan is grateful to have enough couples to trade off active duties so that everyone gets enough rest, and temporary nesters(those who have a chosen profession and do not raise hatchlings often) are glad to have extra time for their professions in between incubating duties.
How does the AH/Marketplace/Trading Post work?
AH: The instructors in the clan handle formal applications for apprenticeship and attempt to "advertise" to give the student a better chance at being selected. If a new clan accepts the apprentice, they will pay the advertising fees to prove to the fledgling's home clan that they have the financial security to take care of them. For smaller clans, accepting a new apprentice is a big decision, for some larger clans, multiple apprentices will be accepted even though only one or two can fill the permanent positions. The others are still taught the trade, but many are exalted soon after, as they qualify for the positions they want, but there aren't any available in nearby clans. Those that aren't exalted often travel to other flight territories in order to find a job.
Marketplace: Marketplaces exist all over the realm, and items are exchanged freely. The appearance of the marketplace varies by region, with metalsmiths in Fire having open-air shops for passerby to browse, and in Wind dragons will fly around with a sack or cart of what they're selling trying to catch customers, and in Light one is expected to order from a catalogue and know exactly what their order number is.
Trading Post: Much like the marketplace, trading posts exist all over the realm. They are often much smaller and feature dragons who are not selling anything, but rather trading or buying obscure or common objects.
How do skins work?
In draconic, "skin" is a slang word for tattoos or fur dye, but it is often used for a wider variety of effects one adds to their appearance. Those using war paint or makeup may say "Hold on. I need to finish putting my skin on!" If someone sees a dragon who obviously used magic to improve their appearance, such as adding the night sky to the underside of their seraph-gene wings, they may say "Wow! That skin is gorgeous!"
What is exalting?
Working for the deities would obviously have some perks, like free lodging and healthcare, lol, so obviously a lot of dragons, young and old, will see it as a great opportunity. Exalted dragons work directly under their chosen deity, the same way they would in a clan; cleaning, gathering, translating, experimenting, training, etc, but gain a special pride from it knowing the benefit goes to their creator. Others may simply feel they have nowhere else to go, and that no clan will except them. Others still, may want a job in a certain profession, but none are available in traditional clans.
There are no criteria for exalted dragons, but many still train for years before accepting exalted status, hoping to gain favor with their deity. In order to apply for exalted status, one must be part of a registered clan; many dragons will pay a clan to accept them as a temporary member in order to reach exalted status, as well as the fees for the paperwork. Some clans use this to their advantage, giving dragons a flat rate and an easy road to their dream.