Creative Corner

[color=indigo] Clans that exist within my lore: [emoji=left wing size=1][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/lair/11900/11288?name=&type=undefined]Clan Shadestar[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/1#post_41836812]Clan Overview[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/2#post_42839196] Clan Members[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/2#post_42837467] The Tkaali[/url] [emoji=gold crown size=1][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/lair/11900/470033?name=&type=undefined]The Order of the Gilded Rose[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/1#post_41840471] Clan Overview[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/2#post_42852864] Clan Members[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/2#post_42657999] The Capital, Atza Kielle[/url] [emoji=sun size=1][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/lair/11900/1701808?name=&type=undefined]The Pantheon[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/1#post_41853418] Clan Overview[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/1#post_41853685] Chernobog[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/2#post_42895346] Kielan Artifacts[/url] [emoji=shockswitch green size=1][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/lair/11900/1423107?name=&type=undefined]The Syndicate[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/1#post_41898520] Clan Overview[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/3#post_43535785] Clan Members[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/3#post_43535677] Ulrike the Ruthless[/url] [emoji=crystal ball size=1][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/lair/11900/1701812?name=&type=undefined]The Inner Flame Coven[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/1#post_41906120] Clan Overview[/url] [emoji=butterfly 2 size=1][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/lair/11900/1696639?name=&type=undefined]The Neverland Grove[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/1#post_41949410] Clan Overview[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/2#post_43482676] Clan's Beginning[/url] [emoji=hourglass size=1][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/lair/11900/1701798?name=&type=undefined]Ishaara's followers[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/1#post_42053353] Clan Overview[/url] [emoji=skull size=1][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/lair/11900/1712914?name=&type=undefined]The Mad King's Court[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/1#post_42108309] Clan Overview[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/2#post_42951400] Oyuuna and Jericho[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/2#post_43434363] Maya and Aleister [emoji=cobra size=1] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/lair/11900/1712251?name=&type=undefined]The Miscreations[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/2#post_42975046] Clan Overview[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2804385/2#post_42975069] Clan Members[/url]

Clan Shadestar

Clan Shadestar is the aftermath of a popular uprising against the Order. It was started by Kseniya, a former Order general who defected and formed an alliance with leaders of clans that had been conquered by the Order, such as the Tkaali priestess Nashira. The uprising was violently put down, but its leaders and several other survivors were able to escape deep into the Tangled Wood to rebuild their movement.

One day, a scrappy little fae named Alarka made her way into the Shadestar camp. The dragons feared that she might be a spy from the Order, although she told a tale of years spent wandering Sornieth. To test her allegiance, Clan Shadestar sent her on a mission- assassinate an Order military commander.

Alarka returned with his head. As she was not one to brag, the Clan did not know about her immense power. She was one of the first dragons to be created by the gods, and carried within her a scrap of the Shade that she was able to overcome and bend to her will. Having proven both her loyalty and her power, Alarka was welcomed into the clan.

As the years passed, she eventually rose to become their leader. The rest of the dragons greatly admired her strength, humility, and generosity. The Order began to accept many new clanmates, sworn into a pact with Alarka. And slowly, Clan Shadestar began its operations again, spreading their ideas through the Order's empire, turning its subjects against itself. It is only a matter of time before Clan Shadestar stages another uprising.

The Order of the Gilded Rose

The Order is the only surviving faction of the much older Kielan Empire. Legend has it that the fall of Kielan empire was predicted by a seer, born into a long line of imperial prophets. Fearing this prophet, Emperor Rod cast her out. The imperial authorities were busy arguing about whether or not this was the right decision. And while they were divided, they were distracted.

A mysterious figure snuck into the castle, and planted an artifact. In three days, that artifact would crack open, spilling plague throughout the empire, infecting and killing everyone it touched.

A select few were spared. Perhaps their internal strength allowed them to overcome the plague, perhaps they were far away from the empire when it occurred, engaging in trading in other countries.

One of the survivors was Princess Erzsebet. She had been given a special boon of protection by Kielan mages to overcome the many diseases she had as a hatchling. This once delicate child was now the only remaining member of the Kielan royalty. Thus, she became Empress. Erzsebet decided to rename her kingdom to the Order of the Gilded Rose, in the hopes that the plaguebearer, or the plague itself, would spare the survivors.

Slowly, the empire began to rebuild. It was noticed by the surviving mages that some of the empire's founders and legends, including Emperor Rod, were still alive in a sense. They were spirits, on a separate plane of existence, but they could be reached through prayer and magic. They had become like the gods, and indeed, that is what they became to the Order.

To reforge their legacy, Erzsebet and the Order resumed the imperial task of conquering, now with a new idea to spread- their gods and myths, so that they would be farther empowered by prayer.

They suffered through many setbacks, including uprisings in conquered territories that had not been properly assimilated, the largest of which was led by two rebels who had been convinced by the peasants to take their side and strike against the Order.

And of course, there was the ever continuing quest to uncover more about who, or what, caused the empire to come to such a sudden and tragic end. The Order employed many mages in this quest, but they became increasingly suspicious of some of their actions. Indeed, several mages had been dabbling in forbidden magic- necromancy, summoning, and shade magics. All mages in the order were put under tight scrutiny, and the boundaries of what was permissible became stricter and stricter. Recently, a group of mages grew tired of the Order's meddling, and left.

The Pantheon

The dragons of the Pantheon were the original founders of the Kielan Empire, now the Order of the Gilded Rose. They were all killed by the plague that decimated the entire empire, and are now revered as gods among the Order.

Emperor Rod, the eternal Kielan emperor, was one of the rare dragons able to master multiple elements. His knowledge of fire did not extinguish the ice within.

Several other Kielans, now members of the Pantheon, gained similar powers, such as Svetovid's ability to create weapons instantly using material scraps and magic, Koschei's ability to scatter his soul to prevent his death, and Morana's ability to control the dreams of others.

Still others found powerful artifacts, such as Veles's bell, which when rang would summon an army of undead to protect the user, or Zirnitra's staff, which could trap spirits within it.

The origins of these powers and objects were a mystery, but the Kielans saw them as proof that the gods of Sornieth had blessed them.

While Kielan was still a young empire, another empire existed. It was called Fefor, and was led by King Jericho, who was known for his ambition, pride, and above all, tyranny. Fefor's people were submit to a king who viewed their suffering as entertainment, and embarked in many cruel experiments to make his nation stronger.

Rod and Jericho became rivals. Rod saw himself as the avatar of holiness and goodness, opposed to Jericho's madness and depravity. Using all the powers the Kielans had amassed, they were able to defeat Fefor and kill Jericho, severing his head.

But to their horror, Jericho refused to stay dead. Some force, whether internal or external, was refusing to let him die. Thorns of Jericho's undying power soon spread throughout Kielan, killing and reanimating citizens.

The Kielans fought back tirelessly. But it seemed like Rod was the one Jericho was after. He would call him "traitor" and "brother", much to Rod's confusion, as he had no relation to Jericho aside from their rivalry.

Within a dream, Jericho stole Rod's crown, and placed it on his own head. It absorbed the blood Jericho has been shedding, and caused his eyes to melt away. Rod understood what he had to do.

With the power of the rest of the Kielans at his side, Rod sealed Jericho's spirit into the crown. This was placed into a magically sealed box, and buried in a cavern deep underground. If all the Kielans worked together, their magic would be more than sufficient to keep Jericho in his prison forever. He attempted to fight back, sinking his thorns into each Kielan's brain, but the 20 of them were too strong for him to take on.

The Kielan empire continued as normal, expanding to the former Fefor lands and welcoming in many new subjects. Many saw them as benevolent protectors, as they had killed Mad King Jericho.

Until that fateful hour when the seer was born, the Kielans lived in peace. When the plaguebringer arrived, 19 of the 20 were killed. It is unknown whether or not this saboteur was an agent of Jericho, as another prophecy had predicted that he would rise again through some vessel, or a simple revolutionary, or even a member of a different empire or group.

What is known is that Kielan rebuilt itself as the Order of the Gilded Rose, and the survivors viewed the original 20 as gods, for their immense power, both in raising the empire and defeating Jericho.

It was noted by the mages that this pantheon still existed in a spiritual form, allowing them to communicate with believers, lend them their power through prayer, and most importantly, keep the vengeful spirit of Jericho sealed in his eternal prison.

The Survivor

19 of the founders of Kielan were killed by the plaguebearer. Indeed, the Order's pantheon contains 19 gods. But there was a time when there were 20 founders, 20 soon to be gods.

The 20th was Chernobog, a mechanical prodigy. At the time of the Kielan empire, Sornieth's technological level was still relatively primitive, so it was impressive that a dragon has figured out how to make life from wires, switches, and cogs.

It was Chernobog's unethical actions that got him kicked from Kielan, of which there are two of note.

The first is the creation of Anastasia. When out hunting, he discovered a beautiful dragoness that had been slain by a beast. Chernobog couldn't bear the thought of seeing her dead, and eventually rotten, so he brought her back to his lair and got to work.

Soon, Anastasia was created- given a mechanical heart and brain to power the rest of her body. Chernobog took her as a mate. After his exile, it was commonly believed that he programmed her to have feelings for him, and indeed, fully programmed her entire personality, as it would have been impossible for him to save the contents of her dead brain. The body of this dragoness, now known as Anastasia, has been given a completely new life and personality, while its original occupant had left it, gone on to the spirit world.

The second was his treatment of his apprentice, Ichiko. Young Ichiko was somewhat of a mechanical prodigy himself, and was sent to Kielan to be taught by the master. One day, after they had been working together for years, Chernobog gave Ichiko a proposal.

He had discovered a new way of making a dragon immensely strong, and indeed immortal, and he wanted Ichiko to be the first one to experience it. Ichiko trusted him, and agreed to the procedure.

Chernobog drained his body of blood and replaced it with liquid mana. His lie was one of omission- Ichiko's body flared with primal power at every heartbeat. His brain was able to summon deep power, both for use in spells and for use in thinking. It would have been nearly impossible to kill him. What he didn't tell Ichiko was that the procedure would leave him to live in agonizing pain for the rest of his life. There was a reason, after all, why draconic bodies ran on blood instead of mana.

Enraged at his master for betraying him, Ichiko let out a powerful pulse, shattering Chernobog's den and burying him in the rubble. Content that he had killed him, Ichiko fled Kielan to look for a cure for his condition, or if that failed, someone who was willing and able to kill him.

Chernobog survived the explosion and was dug out of the rubble by Perun. The rest of the Kielan founders voted on whether or not they should exile him, and they unanimously agreed.

Chernobog and Anastasia, heavily injured, were forced to leave the empire. Everyone in Kielan assumed this would be a death sentence. Chernobog's deeds were wrote out of history in the empire, as they did not want anyone remembering his foul deeds.

But unknown to them, the exiles survived. And ironically, it was Chernobog's exile that allowed him to survive the collapse of Kielan.

As he was written out of history, the Order does not pray to him, or even know he exists. But this is all well and good for Chernobog, who still has his life, and has made a new alliance with the Syndicate, a clan of technically-minded dragons who admire his knowledge.

Ichiko survives as well. He still wanders Sornieth, but has found a similar group of experiments known to others as the Miscreations. The Miscreations have since formed a loose alliance with Clan Shadestar, as they oppose the Order, which Chernobog helped create, and the Syndicate, his new home. He will be sure to finish the job this time.

The Syndicate

The Syndicate began with Ulrike. Although intelligent, she is also ruthless and conniving. She began her black market operations while living in the Starfall Isles, stealing things to resell or crafting counterfeit scrolls and items.

Her black market connections quickly grew, including an alliance with Zvezda, a beastclan poacher for the familiar trade. Once she was accused of murder, she quickly fled her clan to the Hewn City, where Zvezda lived.

The two dragons were perfect for each other. Both of them ruthlessly ambitious, they founded the Syndicate, a vast underground criminal network. Nobody knows the extent of their dealings, but it is commonly believed that they engage in murder, thievery, and forced labour to fill their coffers.

Zvezda decided to relocate their base to the Tangled Wood, making them harder for vigilantes and other justice-seekers to find. There, they set up an underground complex, well hidden and guarded by many engineered traps to protect the Syndicate's leaders, a group of powerful mobsters and criminals. It is assumed that their stash of illegal goods is hidden here as well, ready to be distributed to their allies around the continent.

Anyone who engages in black market dealings in Sornieth will know them by name, but very few know where their base is, as they run operations in every flight's territory.

Recently they have come into contact with Clan Shadestar, who engage in much espionage throughout the Tangled Wood. Stellata managed to infiltrate their ranks, and Clan Shadestar is preparing for a strike against the Syndicate. Alarka describes them as "greedy and despicable". Indeed, their motivations stand in opposition to Shadestar's, so they too are enemies.

They are currently unknown to the leaders of the Order, as they have no need in participating in the black market. However, it is likely that they are well known among the subordinates of the Order. If a rebellion were to break out, the Syndicate would be more than happy to sell illegal weapons and spell stones to the revolutionaries, much to the dismay of the more committed Shadestar revolutionaries.

The Inner Flame Coven

The Coven was founded by Callisto. He was once a mage and archivist employed by the Kielan empire, using his magical knowledge to protect it. It was him who cast the spell on Erszebet that allowed her to survive the plague.

After the plague, which was clearly of magical origin, the surviving Kielans became increasingly suspicious of Callisto and the other mages living within the Empire. Perhaps they believed the plague originated from them, or that they intentionally sabotaged the magical defense system they had set up to allow the plaguebearer in.

Despite their suspicions, the Order still needed the mages. They were, after all, their only connection to their pantheon, and were perhaps the only ones who could uncover the mysteries of the plague. The mages were allowed to stay, but were closely supervised by Soreya, a dragon with magic nullifying abilities.

There was a schism among the mages. Callisto knew that to unlock the secrets of the plague, and how it was able to bypass the defenses he had set up and maintained for years, powerful and dangerous magic was at play. He began to look into forbidden magics, such as those involving the Shade and raising the dead.

Callisto had no intentions of employing such magics, merely empirically observing them to see if they could have some connection to the plaguebearer and their prophet. Many others agreed with him, but a select few did not.

They did not trust Callisto's meddling, fearing that it was taking him down a dark and dangerous path. Anikka, one of the mages who disagreed with and feared Callisto, reported his actions to Soreya.

For this, Callisto's circle of mages was put under even tighter scrutiny. Their materials and spellbooks were examined closely, and the eyes of guards were always on them.

It was Lyra's idea to escape. She hated living under such close superstition, and did not want to spend her life in servitude to a clan which constantly suspected her of doing evil.

Callisto agreed. The Order was exploiting the knowledge of the mages to solve their problems and commune with their gods, while at the same time treating them like prisoners. Together, they developed a plan.

Anise stole one of Callisto's protective crystals and displaced it. This magical disturbance was made to deal with Soreya, who would be distracted by the changes in the protective field. Hanuha distracted the guards by summoning a mighty storm, and Callisto concealed everyone in invisibility orbs, allowing them to go undetected.

They fled the Order's territory, and decided to build themselves a small camp in the Forum. There, they discussed what to do next.

They decided together that they would never again lend their abilities to another clan and would live as a nomadic coven, seeking all manner of magical knowledge all over Sornieth.

To this day, that is what the Coven does. The travel Sornieth, exchanging knowledge and artifacts with other mages throughout the continents. Their ranks have grown, encompassing other mages who agree with their plans and lifestyle.

They have severed their connection with the Order's pantheon, instead cultivating a spirituality surrounding all the gods of Sornieth. The Inner Flame's faith centers on seeking peace and wisdom, and they try to teach this to everyone they encounter.

If the Coven is able to learn about forbidden magic without using it for personal gain, it is possible for Sornieth to enter a new world of peace between all flights, united by a shared love of wisdom, knowledge, and spirituality. That is their mission.

The Neverland Grove

The Neverland Grove was founded by Alto, a child who ran away from their home clan because they felt unloved and unsupported. On their way, they ran into a grove where they stopped to think.

One of their tears splashed to the ground, and immediately a force field was formed around the grove. Another dragon, named Sienna, was sleeping in a log and the bright light awoke her.

Sienna explained to Alto that she was also a runaway. Together, they decided to form a new clan, a safe haven for them in the grove that was now protected by Alto's force field.

The spell hides the grove from all adults. The only people who are able to enter the grove freely are children. As such, the magic of the grove also prevents dragons from growing up while they are in it. Although they gain some properties of adulthood, such as wisdom and certain types of intelligence, physically and mentally they are still children.

Alto and Sienna intended the grove to be a safe haven for runaways, and indeed it is. New additions to the clan include a child kidnapped by the Syndicate who was able to escape. The magic of the grove works in mysterious ways- it is possible that when a child is in mortal danger, all paths they run down lead to the grove. As Alto didn't create the barrier intentionally, they don't fully understand its properties yet.

Ishaara and her followers

Rumours spread throughout the Tangled Wood of a violent cult. The leader of this cult is Ishaara, a dragon who believes herself to be the prophet of the apocalypse.

According to Ishaara's vision, Sornieth will soon meet its end at the hands of an eldritch god. The planet will be transformed into one of chaos and revelry, and only the most hedonistic and destructive dragons will survive, and indeed thrive, in this new world.

Ishaara's cult is just that- she encourages all her followers to be pure pleasure seekers, disregarding the needs of others, except other cultists. In fact, killing is considered one of the greatest pleasures a dragon can partake in, and it is deemed valuable to their god. Cultists are encouraged to be violent.

The cult has a base in the Tangled Wood, but only high level cultists live there permanently to keep themselves hidden. This is where ceremonies of initiation and other meetings take place. Other cultists live in other clans, working covertly to spread the word of Ishaara throughout Sornieth, or simply to advance their own goals and desires.

Unbeknownst to the Order, it was the cultist Camillo that brought the plague upon them, ending the empire of their fore-bearers.

The Mad King's Court

After the defeat of Rod and the rest of the Pantheon, Jericho found it easier to spread his influence outside of the dragons working together to contain him, as their spirits were weaker than when they were alive. He decided to target Oyuuna, a witch doctor with a propensity towards the occult that was living with Clan Shadestar.

Oyuuna was overwhelmed with Jericho's radiant power, and became overjoyed at the idea of bringing the king back to life. As an eager servant, she prepared a body for the king's spirit to occupy- a beautiful young Imperial dragon, felled in combat with Syndicate thugs. Jericho was pleased with his new vessel. Now in physical form, he was able to take Oyuuna as a mate and begin the long task of rebuilding his fallen empire.

Together with Oyuuna, he began to revive other slain members of the Fefor Empire. As their number grows, they prepare themselves to strike against the weakened Order to defeat their old enemies, once and for all. And once Jericho is done slaying mortals, he will turn his eyes to the gods of the Pantheon as revenge for imprisoning him.