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Male - AroAce
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B I O G R A P H Y
To whomever may find this, in the future from the past.
4th day of the 4th Moon of year XXXX, spring.
____I am writing to you my purpose in which this book shall hold. I, Hourglass, have decided to leave my sheltered home in the Turrets of Goldensparc, and travel across Sorneith. Here, I may hope, will my travels be documented for those after me to read, experience, and enjoy. Although my primary purpose in traveling is the research of dragon clans and social hierarchies, I have brought along a travelmate, Baojing, whom I begrudgingly offered my help to in finding her "soulmate". I will refrain from documenting those escapades, although they may influence where and when we travel.
____The purpose of this book is not to record my own adventures, but I will speak briefly on who I am so you might better understand my motivations. I am a scholar of Stormcatcher at the Goldensparc Institution of Electrical Sciences; however, my intellectual prowess befalls me less so in the categories of energy and engineering, but rather in dracopology and sociology. I am taking my studies and applying them to the real world in hopes of studying the behaviors of Sorneith's many cultures and documenting them for the betterment of social relations.
e terra ad caelum,
Hourglass
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TRAVELMATE
FRIEND
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5th day of the 4th Moon of year XXXX, spring.
____This stop on my journey across Sorneith was an unexpected one. Whilst traveling in the Wiretangle Walk, a small electrical storm occurred, and I was offered shelter in a local clan. I am taking this opportunity to document a very interesting lair: the Labyrinth of Fossils. What makes this clan of note is that none of the dragons in the clan were born there, but were or are all wanderers. I find it… welcoming.
____The clan is located in a hollowed-out butte surrounded by overgrown wires. Up to this point, I had not realized how… dangerous, the outlay of the Shifting Expanse was. Take, for example, the constantly sparking wires nestled between plateaus; or, when one of the clanmembers, Terris, took the time to explain how meticulously carved the interior was in order to avoid collapse during storms.
____As for the social hierarchy, it is run by one leader, an Imperial named Phanes, and his council of priests who run various sectors of the clan: Command, Judgement, Healing, Defense, and Exaltation. Being a clan of Lightning, they are quite efficient workers; although, they prefer to stay out of the bustling cities, and rather do their bidding in the comfort of their own. They also have an affinity for taking in just about any dragon they can find, despite the economic disadvantages. Overall, it is a very interesting clan… I quite like it here.
1st day of the 6th Moon of year XXXX, summer.
____Perhaps wandering through the bright, rocky terrain of the Lightweaver in the dead of summer was not the best idea. Nevertheless, the cool shade and seaside breeze of the Lanternlea Port was a welcome respite. It was there I saw what could only be described as a large frog-like creature with dragon wings zooming through the city to the shaded outskirts. I followed, in the name of science, and came across quite a peculiar, unusually bright lair.
____A conglomeration of nests and resting areas sprawled underneath the cliffs, on the westward side there was also a thick forest that seemed more like it belonged to the Tangled Wood than the Sunbeam Ruins. Upon seeing a newcomer, the clan immediately regaled me with tales of their strange monster-infested forest and tried to sell me a variety of trinkets (and a child!) for protection.
____The clan seems to be held together loosely by the claws of a Pearlcatcher named Aquarius- who is also their trainer, strongest warrior, and provider. Upon questioning, she introduced me to Pegasus as the clan’s “public relations”. Pegasus was a generous host and explained to me that Aquarius and her counsel were the leaders of the clan, but otherwise the members “do what they wish as long as they don’t explode things like they did in the last area”. Later I saw the frog-like creature interacting with two members of the clan and wrestling on an equal footing, so it appears the creature is a genuine member of the clan and has equal footing in its hierarchy. All in all a strange, but not unpleasant visit.
16th day of the 4th Moon of year XXXX, spring
____The wonderfully crisp weather did little to help my discomfort at getting lost in an oddly forested remote part of the Windswept Plateau. Luckily, I caught the eye of a large Imperial who calls himself Galanthus, who offered to lead me to his home nearby. He brought me to an unnamed valley (perhaps that helps conceal its location?) hiding a rather quaint but beautiful mountain village. Galanthus informed me that this place belongs to the Brassbell Clan, and he is the high patriarch that leads it alongside his mate, matriarch Valour, who makes most of the decisions with a few advisors. I asked him if he preferred to go by any titles, but he just laughed, saying it’s an “excessive formality”.
____The Brassbell Clan’s quality artistry is clearly evident by observing their architecture. From public buildings down to the humblest abodes, every structure has intricate scenes carved into its wood and stone. Buildings are connected by worn down paths that loop around trees and over the area’s spiderweb of creeks. And there are beautiful windchimes everywhere, hanging from trees, rock outcroppings, and structures, which I learned is meant to ward away evil and welcome the Windsinger’s presence.
____It is a very idyllic place, one could almost forget the perpetual bloodshed happening elsewhere in Sornieth, which could be why its wardens put such great emphasis on obscurity and self-sufficiency. I learned that there are smaller BrassBell settlements that provide the main settlement with materials: a trading outpost and a coastal settlement to the south and northeast. The obscurity part struck me as especially odd for a Wind clan, but it was a pleasant and interesting visit overall.
19th day of the 4th Moon of year XXXX, spring
____I figured I’d take a break from exploring the surrounding areas and travel to the Viridian Labyrinth. My expedition landed me in the heart of the Gladeveins, the sprawling undergrowth and calm rivers a perfect place to relax. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, I was interrupted. A swampy green wildclaw I had previously not seen emerged from the surrounding bushes, and greeted me. I was taken to their home lair, escorted by a red wildclaw that called himself Revyn. I thought he was rather full of himself, clad in iron battle armor.
____The lair itself was small compared to the other monstrous clans I’d seen, tucked away in a remote location filled to the brim with flowers. It was beautiful, yet excessive. There, a small spiral wearing a grey wolf coat welcomed me. She introduced herself to me as Themis, the leader of the flight. Themis seemed to be protecting a secret of sorts, but refused to tell me. She guided me through the wilderness, waving her winged limbs at what were supposed to be the living quarters. The dens were spread out in such a way they were nearly hidden, but the eyes I saw peeking out of the small dents in hedges and holes in tree roots disproved my initial observation. Themis then took me into the main area, where many dragons as colorful as the lush greenery were conversing.
____The dragons didnt look to be in any bad shape, there were tons of friendly faces all around. Themis informed me that anyone could do practically anything they wanted, so long as it didn’t harm anyone, or go against what they thought was right. She looked down for a second before leaving me to the other dragons. Themis seemed rather young to be in charge of such a large clan. I didnt think much of it, and turned my attention back to the residents. No dragon seemed to be in charge of the other, but the olive wildclaw and Revyn were resuming training in a far corner of the lair. A glimmer caught my eye, and a small path was revealed to me. I took the opportunity and made my way into the deeper woods, so much so it felt like even the trees were leaning in for a hug. I continued walking for a while until I realized something I’d seen before: a pointed rock, in the shape of a dagger. I inspected the familiar rock, but was interrupted by a camouflaged pearlcatcher donning a mask who advised I turn back. I did as I was told, not seeking to get in any trouble. I made it back to the lair in one piece, and looked around once more. I said my goodbyes, and left. So much for a break, yet the unorganized lair was quite pleasant. In summary, I enjoyed the stay.
13th day of the 6th Moon of year XXXX, summer
____Lightweaver's domain, I've come to learn, can get quite hot during the summer months. For this reason, I've decided to travel southwest along the coast, where the ocean's influence helps moderate the temperature. Most recently, I've stumbled upon the Lanternlight Clan, a strange little clan that's made its home in the ruins of what looks to be an ancient village, and at the time of this writing I'm staying with them until I decide to continue my travels.
____The village is positioned on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean and has a set of wooden docks which can be accessed by flight or by a long stairway carved out of the cliff face. The buildings are, for the most part, constructed of the same pale stone that's so ubiquitous in the Sunbeam Ruins, and though many have crumbled the dragons seem to be in the process of repairing the damage.
____The clan is led by a Mirror dragon named Abyss, but decisions are generally made through clan-wide votes. The atmosphere is a cheery one; the dragons are welcoming and the bright lanterns and colorful decorations in the streets certainly help the mood as well. Many of the dragons are rather eccentric, and the clan's culture seems to foster their quirks - the clan insists on accepting any dragon, regardless of their background. Art and music are also highly valued, perhaps even as much as acceptance, and the resulting atmosphere of happiness and creativity makes the clan's village a pleasant place to stay.
____Update, 14th day of the 6th Moon: I've just learned that the Lanternlight Clan's acceptance extends to a ship full of pirates who have just arrived at their docks. Nobody in the clan seems concerned by their presence; apparently, they're members of the clan. Abyss claims they're "good dragons," but I think I may take my leave soon.
23th day of the 7th Moon of year XXXX, summer
____It feels like many days have passed by, wandering through the dry, infertile lands of Godhome. In the far-off distance, I can see the Pillar of the World- Its towering size almost making it feel as if it could be just a few steps away. The illusion broke when I first noticed the haze that I’m all too familiar with back home.
____In some ways, this place is similar to the Shifting Expanse. For one, the almost unbearable heat. I can feel it searing my backside. There are very few trees, too. I can spot one every once in a while, but almost always I’ve observed them on their deathbed. This place feels like it loses life every day that passes; In a strange way, almost mirroring the breakup of all the deities I’ve learned so much about. The Pillar crumbles, representing the death of the peaceful relationship between all of them, while the ground shatters. It’s not hard to understand why I have yet to see even a single dragon while crossing these lands. But, a dracologist does as a dracologist will, so I must continue to wander through these dry, infertile lands of Godhome.
3rd day of the 10th moon of year XXXX, autumn
____I think I would have been lost in the sea if I hadn’t almost crash-landed on the foggy beaches of Lindenmere. I can definitely count myself lucky that a pale Wildclaw called Leanne spotted me from the window of her bookshop and helped me ashore. After explaining my situation and warming me up with a cup of tea, she directed me to the town’s supposed leader, Diell, who is one of the smallest adult Imperials I’ve met.
____He took me on a small tour of the town and patiently answered all of my questions about its history and characters. Lindenmere is a quaint town, founded by two brothers who never expected a community to spring up around them. Diell’s parents were some of the first settlers, and part of the original council, apparently made up of dragons born of each element to represent their respective flights and make decisions for the town. Eventually, certain council members stopped showing up to meetings and other dragons were uninterested in taking responsibility, so Diell was unanimously voted into leadership. He said he still feels unsuited for the role, but everyone else I’ve asked has disagreed.
____Lindenmere really is a small town--there’s one cobblestone street. The buildings are mostly ramshackle, made of wood, bamboo, and large leaves, and there are elements of nature everywhere I look. Large vines and bright flowers creep over every wall, refusing to be confined to window pots. It’s a lovely place, and the few dragons I’ve met out and about have been very kind. The atmosphere is likely even brighter in the summertime. I know I should keep moving to fill this journal, but I don’t think I’ll miss anything if I stay for just a few more days.
21st day of the 7th Moon of year XXXX, spring
____Most dragons would balk at the idea of exploring the region of the plague flight. The sparse foliage growing on the strangely fleshy ground where mutated beyond recognition, often bearing tumors like fruits. The inhabitants who were not slowly perishing while lying in their own sick were dangerous things, with too many eyes and teeth in all the wrong places all made up of spite and sharp edges. I, however, am not most dragons. If I am to travel and document different clans, as was my intention, it would be a pity to not include the frankly hellish landscape that many dragons call a home.
____While looking for a clan to talk to, I soon learned that outsiders were slightly less welcome than many places. One dragon explained it as I had yet to prove myself. The culture of plague, it turns out, is structured with death and disease being the corner-stone of their civilizations. Those born to plague were already blessed by their deity, and those who enter the plague flight often must prove their worth by fighting through the myriad of illnesses that fester in every inch of the flight. Most dragons would turn tail upon hearing confirmation of the rumored deadly pathogens they would face. I, however, am not most dragons.
____I made my way past the wastelands, skirted around clans who thirsted for a hunt, until I came upon a peculiar lair on the edge of the Wyrmwound. It was not the dragon whom perched upon the entrance to the twisted caves, too many eyes and teeth to be considered natural, that caught my intention. No, it was the pastel pink painted sign of a flower shop that caught my gaze. There was a veilspun sitting there, dark hair and pink scales, black spikes covered nearly every inch of him. A natural genetic mutation in veilspuns, but it looked sinister amongst twisted visages that I have been meeting with thus far. The Veilspun had been in mid discussion with a dragon behind him before he noticed me. His eyes ran over me suspiciously and the smile he held was hardly well-practiced.
“Hello,” He stated, “and welcome to Roza’s Funeral Arrangements, here for all your funeral flower needs, how may I help you?”
I attempted to tell him I was not yet planning any funerals, but I was here to study the social structures of plague clans. Unlike most clans, he sighed and let me in, calling for the leader before retiring to his shop.
____The clan leader was large and imposing, at least more than a ridgeback should be. His eyes told of an ice lineage and his posture spoke of an obvious distrust, as if I held any threat to him and his clan. Despite his stand-off-ish attitude, he welcomed me to stay in the guest lair as long as I needed to. He then offered the care of the clan’s doctors if I came down with an illness, quickly warning against consenting to the medical treatment of a certain Dr. Corpse.
____In the few days I spent in the clan, I learned much. Few of those staying in the clan were plague born, and fewer were children of those in the clan themselves. Most were orphans, outsiders, outcasts, and criminals. Those running from a past that would refuse to follow them into the inhospitable wastelands. The original residents were a modest six whom fled from their home in the Icewarden’s domain. The whole clan had the feeling of a cat fished from a river. Tired, bedraggled, and barely held together, yet still fighting tooth and nail. Despite their nature, however, the residents were much kinder than most other plague clans that I had met before. All with their own demons, desperate for a place to be accepted.
____When I left the clan I somehow felt sad, the lair was strange, but kind. Even the more brutal dragons there had something about them that I felt endeared to. Yet, prevailing over the small sadness, was the large fear that I would contract one of the diseases those in the clan had told tales of, the kinds that stripped you of your flesh or left you blind. And so, I bid the strange mismatched clan adieu and tried to not let my scales crawl as the multi-eyed dragon watched my every movement as I left.
13th day of the 9th moon of year XXXX, autumn.
____During my (unintentionally long) trek through Shadow territory, I have come across what I can only describe as a break in the clouds. The Sun isn't visible here, mind you-- such is the very definition of the Shadowbinder's domain--but the sky is an unusually bright shade of grey. It felt like proof that above that oppressively thick cloud cover, the Sun is always there.
____This particular clan is a hodgepodge of all types of dragonkind: look to your left and you might see a row of circus tents, to your right and you might see the crime-infested ruins of an ancient metropolis. Surrounding it to the north and south is a thick forest guarded by two tough-as-nails Gaolers.
____At the center of everything, however, is a massive library whose architecture is rivaled only by the Arcanist's Observatory. The interior of this place is far more colorful and well-lit than the natural landscape it inhabits. It's almost as if stepping through the doors took me somewhere else entirely. The librarians are named Maelon and Lao Ban respectively. Lao Ban seems far more eager to befriend his library's patrons than Maelon is, but the latter's aloof manner never deterred me from feeling thoroughly welcome.
____Would that I could stay here longer, and explore the treasure trove of knowledge that is the library, but I must continue onward.
3rd day of the 12th Moon of year XXXX, winter.
____As the seasons changed and winter came, I decided to make a trip to the Sunbeam Ruins, figuring that I could travel without the threat of heatstroke. I could go over longer distances, and my travels would be significantly safer. At least, that's what I thought.
____I flew out from Lanternlea Port over the ocean, intending to visit the moonportal next. Instead, I blacked out and awoke to two snappers standing next to me. The orange one- Victoria was her name- scolded me for a while, saying something about how I was so foolish to wander right into danger. The other one, Elza, then silenced her and asked for my name and occupation. I replied appropriately, stating that I was out recording entries about the various clans I encountered, and she shook her head and sighed. Elza told me that I had flew right into their clan's magical barriers, and I nearly died as a result. She said that I could go out and explore her clan if I wished, but warned me to not pry into anything and stay for no longer than a week. Heeding this grim warning, I thanked the two for their help and set out to explore.
____Thanks to a friendly passerby, I learned that the clan was called The League of Valor. Startlingly enough, the clan was situated upon hundreds of floating islands, all suspended by magic in the sky. Many of them were mismatched; chunks of desert floated next to icy tundras, islands full of long deceased flora would be merely a few hundred feet with ones with flourishing forests, and so on. It was as if someone powerful had simply pulled these islands out of the ground and taken them for themself similar to how a hatchling may collect all sorts little trinkets with no rhyme or reason. On the four biggest islands sits the four major cities of this clan: Neirin, Aster, Astralis, and Kaito.
____The biggest city by far was Neirin, the clan's capital. This is the home of the clan's leaders, Artemis and Arene. It is also the place in which the Angel's Sanctuary stands, which is a temple serving as the place of worship for the clan's deity, Adrienne. I had the pleasure of meeting Artemis, though Arene was no where to be found. Artemis was very pleasant to talk to, though she seemed nervous. That nervousness only became more apparent when I mentioned that I was a visitor. She thanked me for my time politely and left in a hurry. I attempted to visit the temple as well, but a mysterious and sudden dread kept me from stepping foot in it. Something tells me that I was not welcome to enter.
____Aster was hardly a city; it was more like a massive farming town with a palace at the center. The air was warm and comfortable despite the fact that it was winter, and every field I passed was flourishing. Astralis was something like I've never seen before. Buildings as tall as the stars stood everywhere I looked, and neon lights spilled over every corner of the street. No matter how much time seemed to pass, the sky always remained pitch black, and the stars never looked away. Kaito was a sea-side settlement. The harbor was full of fishing boats, and the ocean extended as far as the eye could see. I dined at a few of the many restaurants located there, and the seafood was better than anything I've ever tasted. The locals in each of these cities were all very kind and inviting. Many dragons offered me a place to stay and free meals, and I felt my worries melting away despite my short visit. However, with each place I traveled to, I couldn't help but feel as if I was being watched, even if I was seemingly alone. If someone or something was indeed observing my every move, then I could tell that I was not welcome there.
____The clan's hierarchy was quite difficult to learn about, despite the fact that I did not intend to pry too much. Most of what I know about the clan was from asking Artemis. She informed me that a governor ran each city while she overlooked everything. Though I had not come in contact with it, the clan boasted a massive military, all ready at a moment's notice. Why the clan would need such a large military, I was unsure. By the look on Artemis' face as she mentioned it, I had a feeling that I should not ask. In fact, I had the feeling that there were many things that Artemis was not mentioning, but I recalled Elza's warning and stayed silent.
____This clan was... highly unusual. On the surface, it appears to be a beautiful and peaceful place to live. The locals are kind and the food is plentiful. With the clan's military, there is no obvious threat of violence to ever worry about. But the secretive and nervous behavior of Artemis and the uncomfortable feeling of constantly being watched tells me that there's something far more sinister here. Despite the fact that I had a lot of fun during my visit, I was relieved when it came time to leave. For my own safety, I don't think I will ever return to this clan.
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Bio template by Mibella, find it here.
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