Welcome to the
Northern Seclusion
Here you will find a guide to traversing this foreign landscape and understanding the dragons that thrive within it. Read carefully, lest you misstep. Canon-divergence guide.

The Seclusion is a venerable, cunningly hidden lair found in the Worldedge Wetlands, in an environment like a mix between Hawai'i and a tidal wetland. Unlike the inland Wetlands, the Northern Seclusion is located in an area right at the edge of Sornieth with fierce winds and constant flooding. The village is surrounded by a massive living labyrinth full of danger and sustained by the clan's most magically adept dragons. The dragons who live here are hardy and fiercely independent yet hold a strong sense of community.

Terrain
The Seclusion is situated in an area with dense underbrush, thick trees, and plenty of water hiding various holes and roots and bones. Sinkholes, quicksand, carnivorous plants, swarms of untamable creatures, and the magical labyrinth all pose a danger to the unwary dragon. There isn't enough room for larger dragons to spread their wings, especially in areas with high concentrations of hanging vines.

The vegetation consists of mostly trees and ferns, but there's a surprising variety of orchids. Many have a special history within the clan, or a legend surrounding it. The datura, for example, is a plant of historical prominence. Moss is abundant, where it can grow.

Climate
It's humid, and the temperature is rather mild. Summers aren't too hot and winters are mostly rain. It rains very often, and very unpredictably. The weather is liable to change any second: it could be pouring rain, then cease completely within a few seconds. Wind isn't an issue unless you're flying above the canopy or around the coastline. Flooding is an issue, and because of the regularity with which the Wetlands floods, most dragons choose to make their nests in the trees or on stilts.

Because the lair is set on the edge of Sornieth, they're hit harder by hurricanes and such than clans that live further inland. The most common disaster is a storm. Thunderstorm, rainstorm, windstorm; they all happen. Less common but more severe is a hurricane. When these happen the clan shuffles to the midsection of the jungle - where the branches start to become more widespread and stable. Here they're protected from the flooding and wind. There's an emergency lockdown system that binds each nest to at least three trees so it doesn't fall. Most dragons choose to stay in the communal plaza, as it's the safest place. Most dangerous are tsunamis. Most aren't terrible and die out before they hit the actual living space, but the larger ones will require magically adept dragons to either create a barrier, or risk flying above the ocean to part the wave.

Magic Concentration
The magic levels in the Wetlands are weaker than they would be at, say, the Behemoth or the Pillar, but they are strong enough so that most spells can be performed without much effort. However, magic on a larger scale, like the aforementioned tsunami protection measures, would sap energy from the caster and/or other creature's reserves. Lesser mages may find trouble summoning energy from the environment and may benefit from special charms.

Architecture
The lair lies in a ring of old trees, and while there are constructed walls and roofs, made mostly of wood, rope, and broadleaves, the main structure is the trunk and branches of the trees themselves. They are immensely vast, capable of holding many large dragons without swaying. The lair is designed to be both durable and flexible - it's hard to knock down in a storm or be destroyed by attackers, but can easily be hidden if necessary. Repairs are constantly made to ensure quality.

The Labyrinth
The labyrinth is maintained by the clan's most trusted and skilled mages. It moves. The labyrinth is alive. Most dragons with a basic grasp of nature magic will be able to travel through the maze as they please, but will likely become lost without guidance. The maze is enchanted so that dragons who would assimilate well are guided to the village. But make no mistake. It is dark, unfriendly, and full of thorns. Many who enter cannot find their way out without guidance. Hiding in its corners are the animated skeletons of rogues and thieves who lost their way.

Heirarchy
In the Seclusion, there is no true leadership, and rank is based on trust.

Rules and Discipline

Education

Currency and Trade

Food

Festivals and Traditions
Some noteworthy occasions are seasonal climaxes, the new year, and the equinoxes/eclipses. These sometimes call for a small celebration, mostly in the form of exotic food/ceremonial dishes, origami, and cordgrass weaving. If a dragon dies, the clan will sit vigil out of respect for the departed. The clan's library hosts an assortment of legends explaining many of the celebrations that occur throughout the year, such as that of the summer sea (see below).

Outside Communication

Weaponry and Armor
The most common weapons are long-range ones, like javelins or arrows. Most, however, prefer to use magic or traps, or their own teeth and claws. Knives are common for efficiently cutting through dense shrubbery. Crafting one's own weapon is a symbol of competence. Stealing those of defeated foes is the most convenient strategy, though lower quality weapons will be sold/traded to less established clans.

Weapons are often crafted out of stone, metal, or jade. Rock and metal are the most common materials. Only skilled mages craft weapons of wood, as they are susceptible to destruction in many ways, especially with how much it rains in the region. The weapon must be enchanted to protect it from many sorts of destruction, which takes a high concentration of magic. The ease with which wood can be carved often makes the effort worth it. Jade weapons are of the highest quality. It is not a naturally occurring gemstone in the Wetlands, which makes it rare. Jade is often used to craft arrow tips, since it channels wind magic well. These arrows, if enchanted right, will never miss their target.

Armor is rarely worn. Only on designated battlefields do warriors wear a full set of armor. In the depths of the jungle, only a light cover is needed, since anything more would make it difficult to move around. The clan's distance ambush style of fighting also means a low risk of injury.

Battle
Respect your opponent, and respect the dead, but preserve yourself. If one must fight dirty, there will no consequences. Be fast. If you are incapable of this, be strong and unmoved. Dragons are taught to assess a situation before jumping to fighting. Talking your way out of trouble is much safer than immediately attacking an aggressor. If you are ambushed, fight like a cornered skycat. There are many tricks to learn, some of which could save your life, but the most important one is carved into the "plaza" section of the lair: Be Everchanging.

▹CLAW COMBAT - The art of using one's one teeth and talons to defeat an enemy without the aid of a crafted weapon. Dangerous to both your enemy and yourself. Can be practiced anywhere, anytime.
▹ARCHERY/DARTS - The art of using arrows to defeat or subdue an enemy. These are frequently tipped with sedatives or poison. Best used at a distance. Useful for quelling enemies without risking injury.
▹SPEAR/HARPOON/JAVELIN COMBAT - The art of using a long stick carved to a point or tipped with a spearhead to defeat an enemy. Useful at both a distance and in close combat. Requires open space. These are more common weapons for larger dragons, since they can apply more force, which is highly lethal.
▹DAGGER/KNIFE COMBAT - The art of using a short, sharp object to defeat an enemy. Blades may be straight or curved and is dependent on fighting style.
▹CARD/SHURIKEN THROWING - The art of tossing a flat, sharp object like a frisbee to subdue an enemy. Often aimed at the eyes, ears, wings, or other soft areas. If they hit the eyes, they will cause permanent blindness.

▹MAGIC AND MELEE - The art of using magic to elevate your physical capabilities. Risky. One must be careful not to hex themself.
▹SCRATCH-BASED SORCERY - The art of using the "energy" of battle to build up a solid foundation of breath for magical attacks. Said energy is magic, as magic is attracted to blood.
▹MEDITATIVE SORCERY - The art of using the calm between attacks or dodged attacks to build up a solid foundation of breath for magical attacks. This is easier than scratch-based sorcery for most dragons, since it is easier to feel magical buildup when not fighting.
▹FORTE SORCERY - The art of summoning hidden magic to generate a solid foundation of breath for magical attacks. Forte sorcerers require no preparation to fight and are very skilled in many aspects of magic. Hidden magic can often be found in bones, spilled blood, and stagnant water.

Legends
The Legend of the Summer Sea

References



Caption: A shallow section of the shoreline, perhaps further inland? It is a rare sunny day in the Seclusion. Despite what others might say, the water here is fantastic for swimming. The weather simply doesn't let up often.


Caption: The very edge of Sornieth. It's constantly windy here. About a league or few into the water, the sea and sky become so vicious no dragon has ever been witnessed to return.


Caption: The Seclusion is situated around rivers like this. Replace the trees with massive mangroves and ancient oaks, and you've got a pretty good idea of what it's like.



Caption: Stagnant water deep in the heart of the Wetlands.


Caption: An example of an old tree, heavily mossed tree.

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By Leporidaisical