Creative Corner

since i'm constantly losing track of my clan lore - it's spread across notes on my phone, blurbs in my sketchbook, and bios of my dragons - i want to put it all in a single spot! here's where i'll be sharing the story and daily life of my clan, a beautiful cave network that extends from high in the sky to far below the sea. welcome to sunbeam grotto, where the tranquil sea air puts dragons of all tempers at ease! ----- The Sunbeam Grotto is a hidden sanctuary nestled between Wind and Water territories, built into the coast of a lagoon where the water is always calm. As the lair space knits together land, sky, and sea, so does the population - dragons born in Water contentedly cohabitate with dragons from all elemental regions. Here, a nomad can find a home, an exile can find acceptance, and any dragon without one of their own can find a family. Even during times of contention, the borders are always open, and the serenity of the shores imparts an overwhelming tranquility upon visitors hostile or benevolent. [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2980717]clan quests[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/8965362]wishlist[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2997315]biolocke[/url][/center] [quote=table of contents] Welcome to Sunbeam Grotto! [LIST] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411#post_46569186]location and overview[/url] [/LIST] Sunbeam Grotto's history - [LIST] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411#post_46569187]the beginnings[/url] - Sunbeam Grotto's origin and founding [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411#post_46569189]the great hibernation[/url] - the clan's best-kept secret - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/2#post_46989333]deeper explanation here[/url] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411#post_46569190]recent history[/url] - restructuring the clan after its hibernation [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/1#post_46569191]present day[/url] - effects of Sunbeam Grotto opening its borders [/LIST] Sunbeam Grotto's residents and their home - [LIST] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/1#post_46569301]members and clan structure[/url] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/1#post_46569306]exceptions to site lore - dragons & Sornieth[/url] [*] breed-specific notes: [LIST] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/2#post_46989335]bogsneak, coatl, fae, gaoler[/url] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/2#post_46989337]imperial, nocturne, obelisk, pearlcatcher, ridgeback[/url] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/2#post_46989339]skydancer, snapper, spiral, tundra[/url] [/LIST] [*] general notes: [LIST] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/2#post_46989340]on the elements[/url] & [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/2#post_46989343]on the breeds[/url] [/LIST] [*] locations - [LIST] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/3#post_47364978]Sunbeam Grotto[/url] [LIST] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/3#post_47775161]Glittering Library[/url] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/3#post_47775164]Twilit Teashop[/url] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/3#post_47775165]Zephyr Postworks[/url] [/LIST] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/3#post_47775069]Fishspine Reef [/url] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/3#post_47775155]Viridian Forest[/url] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/3#post_47775157]Skunkweed Swamp[/url] [*] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/3#post_47775159]Lilypad Pond[/url] [/LIST] [/LIST][/quote] if you found yourself enjoying my lore, i'll be honored if you left a comment on my userpage or sent me a PM about what you liked best!!

[center]location and overview[/center] [center][emoji=music note][url=https://youtu.be/q6Xl7HKT4Z4]sunbeam grotto theme[/url][emoji=music notes][/center] [map x=2229 y=2551 view=land width=480 height=240]Imagine the reverse side of this cliff.[/map] [center] [url=https://i.imgur.com/qtp3aNw.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/e2YwqfN.png[/img][/url] image: a stylized map of Sunbeam Grotto at low tide, highlighting key areas. click to view in hi res![/center] [center] [url=https://i.imgur.com/gVysSU4.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/gVysSU4.png[/img][/url] image: a simplified view of the undersea from the perspective of a dragon situated within the lagoon of the nesting grounds. click to view in hi res![/center] A keen-eyed dragon flying south toward the Windswept Plateau may notice a spot along the shoreline where sunshine scatters rainbows across the rippling waves. Centered between [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/game-database/stage/18]Redrock Cove[/url] and the [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/den/100277/2016744]Skunkweed Swamp[/url], the tropical oasis Sunbeam Grotto welcomes dragons with pure hearts. The weather here is always sunny, with a clear sky and calm waters, and the air is imbued with a tranquil, healing magic that affects all beings within the clan. Fed by a waterfall cascading down from the Zephyr Steppes, an estuary spills into the sea, parting a pale sandy beach. Rocky cliffs line the water's eastern shore, growing ever higher into the distance and extending up to the cloudcover. Nestled into the cliffside are fully-furnished caves for clan members, visitors, and families; hidden tunnels connect them to caves below sea level. On the other side of the river mouth is a lush green forest, so dense with brush the interior appears dark as night - from here, it is nigh impossible to see what lays within or beyond the wild woods. From here, you might decide to visit the [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/den/100277/2030068]coastal cliff caves[/url] and meet the colorful dragons congregating there... Or, you could [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/den/100277/1941666]dive below the sea[/url] to explore the clan's submarine lifestyle! Instead, you could indulge your curiosity about [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/den/100277/1941668]the forest, and what lies beyond[/url]... Other visitors may decide to approach the [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/65450542]nearest dragon[/url], who looks like they're more than willing to greet an outsider! places of interest: [LIST] [*] the observation lodge overlooking the Wildflower Garden is a home and workspace for the clan's scientists! [*] the library, clan meeting spot, and most of the residents' homes are located within the cave system in the center of the map! [*] a visit to Sunbeam Grotto wouldn't be complete without a swim in the warm, clear water! check in with a resident mage or alchemist for enchantments to assist in swimming for non-Water elementals. [/LIST] secret spots unmarked on the map: [LIST] [*] the clan's newly discovered hot springs are located on a plateau of the cliff above the travelers' den! [*] there's a range of tidepools along the shore near the Viridian Forest. to many dragons, the area just looks like a slipping hazard...but to those with curious minds it's a rich habitat full of discoveries waiting to be made! [*] lilypad pond, a freshwater source hidden deep within Skunkweed Swamp...many go looking for it, but few succeed! [*] there lie memorials in the Viridian Forest and within the cave system, honoring dragons who passed away protecting the clan...dragons who seek guidance may find themselves near one of these sequestered sites. [/LIST]

[center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/6943376][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/69434/6943376.png[/img][/url][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/6907458][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/69075/6907458.png[/img][/url][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/7072064][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/70721/7072064.png[/img][/url] the beginnings[/center] [center][emoji=music note][url=https://youtu.be/07Cv-20iE1I]an early morning walk on the beach[/url][emoji=music notes][/center] Sunbeam Grotto began with a small group of dragons who all experienced a similar vision, drawing their bodies and minds toward a sunken cave system on a secluded stretch of beach. A young Tundra fell into a leader's role as hordes of dragons from all walks of life arrived to the area. Lone travelers and bands of renegades alike seemed to have a memory, or at least an expectation, that there was a thriving clan already occupying the seaside caves. Discovering only the beginnings of a fledgeling clan, many moved on - but others stayed in the grotto, motivated to bring their visions to reality. The residents were organized and encouraged by [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/6943376]Legato[/url], who along with her mate had been the first to discover the clan's home. As the small band of dragons worked together to form the necessities of clan life, bonds of community formed around what had been just a smattering of strangers. Rudimentary structures were put in place to house and nourish the clan members as new cave dens were dug and furnished each day. It seemed near every time a group was sent for forage or supplies that they returned with additional party members eager to join the new clan! As the population ballooned and merged with the land, Sunbeam Grotto finally began to look like the colorful utopic dream many of its members had held on to for so long. Until...

[center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/21099659][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/210997/21099659.png[/img][/url][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/37253291][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/372533/37253291.png[/img][/url][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/8742314][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/87424/8742314.png[/img][/url] the great hibernation[/center] [center][emoji=music note][url=https://youtu.be/-WHK2IZ5nlw]a haunting secret[/url][emoji=music notes][/center] The memories the clan members hold of this time are unclear, the details worn away by trauma and time. Some remember the great storm, while others don't even remember waking up that day. Years passed before various eyewitness accounts were cobbled into a shaky story still full of holes. All that was certain is that [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/2#post_46989333]something happened[/url] on the day of the [url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?p=wiki&article=100]hurricane[/url]. The clan members had woken up to go about their daily duties when all of a sudden the storm hit, and after that, everything changed. Somehow, the clan members had fallen into hibernation - and awakening brought changes that were impossible to ignore. Some clan members noticed streaks of dull gray hair adorning their friends' colorful manes. Typically hardworking adults awoke with unfamiliar aches and pains, forcing them to sit out of laboring. Parents who had lain their newborns down for a nap opened their eyes to see their full-grown children tripping over their own tails. There were clan members who greatly and uncharacteristically overslept. Other clan members failed to wake at all. The sudden aging of all the clan threw its members into panic. But the dragons' appearance wasn't the only noticeable change from the day before - even the most gradual differences over decades, like the steady growth in population and diversity of the Sea's creatures, appeared to the reborn clan as a sudden and overwhelming abundance of food to catch, animals to study, and familiars to greet. The most momentous of news, though, came days later from unexpected travelers - said in an offhand manner, as if it were trivial - the Tidelord had vanished. The power of Water remained, but with the deity's disappearance the dragons of the region had felt an undeniable loss deep within their core. ----- After the clan's reawakening, it was the dragons of Water who first flocked to Sunbeam Grotto's newly opened shores with curiosity and sympathetic intent. While many gossip-sniffers were skeptical before their arrival, the clan held undeniable evidence of their existence during the rule of the Tidelord. Preserved within the clan were artifacts and memories of a bygone home that many seadragons had only ever seen broken and littered along the ocean floor. While the clan elders compose a distinct generation of Sunbeam Grotto's population due to their advanced age and experience, the generation immediately following is equally unique. When Sunbeam Grotto's residents awoke, prospective parents rushed to their eggs, and were awash with gratitude when they found the eggs quietly thrumming with magic and life within. As these lives began and grew in the tumultuous context within which they'd hatched, dragons of this generation came to clearly reflect their parents' and clan's desires and values, for better or worse. ----- It has taken years for the clan to recover the slightest amount since their decades of disappearance. None in the clan have memory of being gone, but the world has undeniably changed in their absence. Dragons who lived through the lost time period rarely speak of it to dragons born afterwards...only when absolutely necessary, and the conversation is treated with the utmost reverence and secrecy. Non-native, particularly obtuse clan members may not sense that the clan holds such a deeply woven secret - there are indeed some members who have lived in Sunbeam Grotto for years, none the wiser.

[center]recent history[/center] [center][emoji=music note][url=https://youtu.be/_O58QNGYY1c]a night spent watching the sea[/url][emoji=music notes][/center] After Sunbeam Grotto's reappearance in Sornieth, its physical location seemed to be in a state of flux. Dragons who left early in the morning for a routine forage returned later that evening in a tizzy, after they had followed their own footprints "home" only to discover a barren beach. The clan's Awakened Council met to discuss the best course of action, and it was decided that no dragon would be allowed to leave, for fear that they may not return. Like many rules in the land of dragonkind, this was not well obeyed. In the years since, a strange anomoly has come to light, only noticeable by observing the dragons who successfully returned home to Sunbeam Grotto and those who happened upon the clan by chance. Only dragons with pure intentions, whether or not they were [i]intending[/i] to find the clan at all, are, in the end, the ones who arrive there. It can only be assumed that former clan members and would-be visitors who failed to breach the boundary may have harbored ill will toward Sunbeam Grotto and the creatures living there. At this realization, the Awakened Council suddenly reversed their decision. The rule now was that any dragon who left assumed the responsibility of their own fate. Knowing they may not return, the remaining clan members took stock of their options; they could stay, reinforce their fragmented home, and push the boundaries of the magical mist - or they could take a break from the tireless work, collect themselves and their belongings, and say a final farewell to their friends and families before flying purposefully into the wind. Dragons squabbled, reminisced, and cried, and just a few short weeks later the clan's numbers were cut by half. The following clan rules took a few years more to develop, after many arguments between opposing counselors, and empirical evidence from the clan itself. The most pressing of matters was the sudden burst in population - even after the departure of many elders, their children and the smattering of visitors who had discovered the clan remained and prospered, beginning a new generation without any organization of living arrangements or distribution of labor. Thus, three rules were born that promised the beginning of a new age in Sunbeam Grotto. First, [b]the great hibernation must be kept secret[/b] to outsiders and dragons born after the clan's reawakening. The magical field surrounding the area remains volatile, and its origins hold a greater secret about the dragons of Sunbeam Grotto - a secret that could threaten the clan's safety. Next, [b]any dragons who find themselves at the Grotto are invited to become permanent clan members[/b]. Whether or not they accept is their own decision, but the dragons living here have reason to believe that the supernatural workings of the land they live on is acting in their benefit. Finally, [b]hatchlings born in clan territory are required to leave the clan once they come of age[/b], or sooner if they choose to go on their own. The juvenile dragons are encouraged to find their own way out into the world and beyond. Because the clan's borders only open to dragons with the right intentions, they may find their way back if their fates lie in Sunbeam Grotto. Exceptions to the hatchling rule have been made in the past, for juveniles showing prodigious talent who were chosen as apprentices by elder clan members. Many dragons native to the clan have found their way back, too, and have been welcomed as the wiser and more experienced adults they've become. Of all those who scattered to the winds, most descendants of the clan remain across Sornieth, serving the purpose of their fate. Another unspoken but universally understood rule is that all adult dragons must contribute to the clan's well-being. Of course, Sunbeam Grotto's population is sustained by its fishers, farmers, caretakers, and laborers; but those who come to demonstrate or hone personal talents must also use their power to benefit the clan in exchange for its space and community. This may manifest in artificers enchanting tools and decor for their clanmates' homes, an alchemist brewing potions to allow those without their own magic to breathe underwater, or scholars contributing compendiums of their findings to the clan library. Even travelers passing through are amenable to this collectivist atmosphere, gifting the clan materials or artifacts supplied by their home clans, or working on municipal projects during their stay.

[center]present day [/center] [center][emoji=music note][url=https://youtu.be/-bnYvzqYc2c]open borders open hearts[/url][emoji=music notes][/center] Currently, Sunbeam Grotto rests comfortably with open borders guarded by a protective boundary. All travelers and visitors who enter the clan through the shroud of mist are welcome to stay as long as they please, and they are immediately welcomed into clan activities. The magic integrated with the clan's territory casts an air of tranquility and benevolence over the dragons of the land. Its power not only affects the spirits of the residents, but hastens healing of the body and mind. Due to this, Sunbeam Grotto has gained a reputation among travelers as a peaceful rural retreat. Among the permanent residents, spirits are high as clanmembers venture in pursuits that would be seen as unsustainable in the clan's past life. Sunbeam Grotto is no longer exclusively populated by hunters, farmers, laborers, and mages; the region has become home to artists and artisans, gardeners and chefs, scientists and authors. Morale has increased between both the elder and younger generations as these trades and others have brought novel pleasures to the clan's open borders. As the years go by, the mist has seemed to retreat. On certain days - when a thunderstorm passes close by, for instance, or on the anniversary of the hurricane - it enshrouds the clan once more, preventing any creature from entering or exiting the territory. For the most part, though, its presence is unnoticed even by dragons who have lived in Sunbeam Grotto all their lives. It seems the magic is content to settle in the wake of the peaceful overtures of the sea - though it will remain until the end of time, prepared to swirl to life if the clan is ever again in danger.

[center]members and [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2977411/5#post_53586749]clan structure[/url] [center][emoji=music note][url=https://youtu.be/pVKWTHso8-s]theme of the thousand currents[/url][emoji=music notes][/center] [/center] The clan itself is amphibious - split between terrestrial dragons living in the Cliffside Caves and surrounding regions, and aquatic dragons who reside beneath sea level. Dragons born in Water naturally possess adaptations for swimming and the ability to breathe underwater. It is the responsibility of the clan mages and alchemists to enchant or dose dragons born in other flights with spells or potions that allow them to breathe underwater. With effort, perspective, and cooperation, dragons from all backgrounds can share in new experiences. This culture of mutual respect and shared work is present in all areas of the clan's inner workings. ----- Most elders are hesitant to leave the clan's borders, for fear they may not be able to return to the only place in Sornieth left mostly untouched by recent calamity. As such, it's generally adults and younger dragons who serve in merchant and ambassador positions. ----- Sunbeam Grotto's tranquil atmosphere and secure location make it an ideal place for young dragons to grow up safely, with no fatal danger hiding around the corner. Nests may be laid in celebration or memoriam, to continue a lineage, or to create a new life from a passionate relationship. While many dragons feel the parental urge to incubate their eggs, it's not uncommon for nesting pairs to lay their clutch and never again return to the nesting grounds, trusting that their eggs and their young will be safely looked after. It's true that some parents and caregivers opt to raise their children on their own, but the great majority of hatchlings are raised in their own sovereign community of peers, teachers, and nest-watchers. Quite a few lone eggs or orphan dragons have grown up within Sunbeam Grotto's warm embrace, and have formed their own close bonds along the way. ----- Formerly, the clan's group of leaders was referred to as the Awakened Council. This Council was made up of dragons of all ages and experiences, but the members shared a commonality in that they had deep, lasting bonds with their familiar creatures. These dragons' strong bonds proved they possessed morals centering on compassion and selfless care, which the clan hoped to embody against a cruel and tumultuous world outside. As with many other components of the clan's culture, though, the Council was forced to reevaluate its purpose after the Great Hibernation. After many dragons left Sunbeam Grotto, the clan and Council was left fractured. Deliberation led to the drawing of a revised Elder Council, so that the clan's decision-making process would be handled by only those who had seen the clan through its fledgeling days and its greatest tragedy. The Council is now exclusive to elders who survived the Hibernation, though their personal feelings, fears, and foibles often bar the members from coming to consensus on their guidance of Sunbeam Grotto. To deal with decisions or disputes that affect the whole of the clan, the Council will call all of these long-lived clanmembers to present themselves, but only those most dedicated to steering the clan choose to attend regular meetings.

[center]x[/center] [center][emoji=music note][url=]song![/url][emoji=music notes][/center]

[center]about the different breeds' biology // exceptions to site lore[/center] [LIST] [*] in regard to size...all modern breeds' eggs are all the same size, and for the first few moons, hatchlings of different breeds differ only subtly in scale. fully grown, i imagine a Fae as 1/10th the length of an Imperial on average, and everyone else fills in in-between. there are plenty of cases of dragons growing unexpectedly large or tiny for their species, usually due to recessive genes passed down from a smaller breed (though...magic overrides science fairly often in this universe). also, the ancients (excluding Veilspun, of course) are massive!! [center][url=https://i.imgur.com/5hhEC3o.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/uv2wnHy.png[/img][/url] these dragons are about average size for their breed. (click for full res) compare to canon sizes - [url=https://64.media.tumblr.com/68c222e938c81e15b540524704f96753/tumblr_p5wmyctJX31vffxj3o2_r1_1280.png]source 1[/url] - [url=https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/617928026914553867/812217661269475328/image0.png]source 2[/url][/center] [*] more about eggs! each breed experiences a different range in length for gestation and incubation. typically, smaller breeds can reproduce much more quickly than the largest breeds of Sornieth, though the actual time periods vary between individuals based on elemental alignment and genetic history - an Earth Fae may take as long to grow and hatch an egg as a Nature Imperial! what this means is my dragons' birthdates and age differences as listed on their site profiles are not automatically canon in my lore (as the incubation and cooldown times aren't canon). [*] all dragons sleep, even Snappers, but needs vary by breed and element. Spirals survive off frequent catnaps, while Ridgebacks tend to sleep like rocks for half the day or more. [*] hibernating dragons can live for years and years sustained only by the magic reserves within their core. it depends on the individual situation, but it is possible for a dragon's reserves to entirely deplete, in which case they will pass away without awakening. hibernation can never be conjured purposefully - it only occurs in two scenarios. either a dragon's body decides it's time (which can be avoided in some cases, not all) - for example, Bogsneaks and Tundras in particular feel a pull to hibernate for the coldest months of the year, especially when living in Ice territory, but if they flee to a warmer location they may be able to push past the urge. any dragon may also fall into a hibernal state after a traumatic incident of some sort, as the remaining magic in their body will force them into hibernation to aid recovery (this is how Sunbeam Grotto's residents survived being unconscious for years). [*] i'm not subscribed to the canon life expectancy for the dragon breeds. my dragons don't have specific ages, just a range that is typically inferred through the contents of their bio stories. generally, dragons mature from child to adult very quickly (within 1-3 decades) and spend the rest of their lives as elders becoming older, typically living for hundreds or a couple thousand years if they are not killed. [*] basic guide for my dragons' ages: permababies are all hatchlings in lore, regardless of their site age. dragons from 4-7 irl years of age are elders who lived through Sunbeam Grotto's disappearance, and any dragons 3 irl years or younger are adults or young adults who were born or joined the clan after its reappearance in Sornieth. [*] as furry dragons notice their hair graying as they become elderly, so do feathered dragons' plumage fades as they age! thickly scaled dragons' hide merely hardens, and their creaky joints become harder to maneuver. dragons with smooth, thin skin may live to see it wrinkle. [/LIST] [center]about Sornieth[/center] [LIST] [*] the single sun rises in the west and sets in the east. Sornieth's sister moons follow the same course, though their different orbits mean both aren't visible every night. only dedicated astronomers can predict the phases and appearances of the moons! [*] much like our Earth's tectonic plates, the continents of Sornieth are slowly shifting over time with the great power still imbued in the planet by The Four. the borders of flights are determined by contention and dominance as much as geography. as such, earthquakes are common across the globe - though more so in areas with high magical activity that enables the great undersea movement of land (Arcane and Nature come to mind in particular) [*] regardless of its description on the new world map, the Sea of a Thousand Currents [b]is not[/b] freshwater!! (arrghhh so wrong for so many reasons...) the Sea is a giant ocean in the middle of the globe that is [i]not entirely[/i] landlocked (see previous point). the Sea churns with waves and salinity from deep below. it's large enough that a dragon in the center of the Sea cannot see land in any direction, though they may be able to see distant, tall landmarks depending on their location. only a dragon with powerful flight ability will be able to fly across the entire Sea. [*] unlike many of the trenches along the Sea's floor that release thermal heat, the Leviathan Trench is ice cold. [*] what's on the other side of the globe? hmm...(whatever it is, it's surrounded by a [i]saltwater sea[/i]!!) [*] sornieth's gravity must be low compared to earth's, to allow these giant creatures to take flight...as such, animals, plants, and insects living on this planet grow much larger than their counterparts on earth. a beetle is actually a pretty filling snack! [/LIST]

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