Creative Corner

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3MOSqkp.png[/img][/center] [rule] [size=4][font=charter]You had intended to make your visit to the [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/world-map?poi=69&view=land&viewpin=true]Colonnades [/url] a brief one. The only reason for your trip was at the insistence of your clan, who had been begging you for several months now to take your nose out of your tomes and experience the real world. Leaving for no other reason other than to get them off of your backs and to enjoy your books in peace once and for all, you made your way to Dragonhome. Figuring the land would be barren enough to give it a look around before turning back. You, of course, forgot to factor in the [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/effort/1]Dustcarve Dig.[/url] Born from the chaos wrought during the Dustcarve Dig, the labyrinth of shops and bazaars that now called the base of the [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/world-map?poi=1&view=land&viewpin=true]Earthshaker's charge[/url] "home" threatened to swallow you alive. You fought your way through the packed crowds and pretended not to hear the merchants yelling at you from their booths, eager to offload their trinkets. Something about the whole business rubbed you as being...[i]exploitative [/i]. As you recalled from your history texts, the Pillar stood as a testament to the Earthshaker’s sorrow at losing His brothers and sisters, a solemn reminder of the days of peace that had been lost at the beginning of the [url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?p=wiki&article=12]Third Age[/url]. To turn a site of grieving into an entertainment venue seemed callous at best, and unscrupulous at worst. You allowed the weight of your hypocrisy to roll over you as you edged your way closer to the Pillar’s epicenter. The crowds were a wave pool, pulling you closer and closer to its center against your will as they rushed towards their destination. It wasn’t difficult to figure out why: the crowd deposited you at the mouth of a set of [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/world-map?pinx=2637&piny=740&view=land&viewpin=true]great, towering tents[/url]. Banners streamed from the tips of each in bold, irreverent colors: noxious oranges, baby-blues, and pastel chartreuses flew together in a horrible clash of taste. Several banners connecting the wall of tents all spell out the same thing: "THE SPIRITED LADY CIRCUS: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE". You highly doubted that. All you wanted right now was a nice cup of tea and a good book, which didn't tend to be typical circus fare. Still, you had already made it this far. You figured that you might as well complete your journey. Walking into the circus grounds, you temporarily doubt that you're in the Earthshaker's domain. But for the arid, cracked ground beneath your feet, nothing here feels like something you could imagine being in Dragonhome. Smaller tents dot the sides of every pathway, each offering something unique. The air is alive with the scent of popcorn and sugarfloss, which makes you salivate just as much as it turns your stomach. A set of pathways cut between the tents and appear to end at some center point within the circus grounds, but you decide against following them - go any deeper, and you're afraid you'll never escape the Colonnades. Sticking to the path you came in on, you circle around the grounds until... ...you cannot [i]believe [/i]what you're looking at. Sure, it's not a traditional-looking one, but you know a library when you see it. A large caravan loaded with all manners of books and tomes stands in front of you, door coaxed open in a universal display of "come on in!" You accept the unspoken offer and enter. Like most traveling caravans, the inside has been enchanted to be larger - in fact, you can scarcely make sense of where the ceiling is, surrounded by stacks upon stacks of books. A large staircase splits the library in half, blocked off by a large oak desk on which papers sit scattered. A dragon sits behind the desk, furrowing his brow in what appears to be frustration. But when he looks up, any indication of his upset is missing. He smiles broadly. [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/67498448][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/674985/67498448_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][size=4][font=charter]"Welcome to the Spirited Lady's archives and library! May I help you?"*[/columns] [center][size=4][font=charter] [emoji=tundra confused size=1] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149/3#post_54527219]"Where is this?"[/url] [emoji=tundra happy size=1] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149/3#post_54527223]"I'm looking for something to read."[/url] [emoji=tundra winking size=1] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149/4#post_54527225]"Can you tell me more about the circus?"[/url][/center] [rule] [size=4][font=charter]*Note: You can read below if you want a more straightforward summary of my clan lore without juggling through Abbot's dialogue!

[center][size=5][font=charter][b]OOC[/b][/size] [/center] [rule] [size=5][font=charter][b]Welcome![/b][/size] [size=4][font=charter]This is a compilation of lore for the Spirited Lady Circus clan as written by me, Hyzenthlaay. This thread serves as a host for my clan history and longer writing pieces, as to not fill up my dragon's biographies. If you're here, chances are that you are interested in learning more about the world I have created. Thanks for that! It means the [i]world[/i] to me. Heh. [i]I would appreciate it if you did not post![/i] I want this thread to be as streamlined as possible. If you have any comments or questions about the lore presented here, please feel free to ask me directly! I love hearing feedback. [center][font=charter][size=4]Below is the thread directory.[/center] [center][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/ea8d0763ea25b53a261649f075c11453/tumblr_inline_o23f0bnrIT1r3lvtf_500.png[/img][/center]

[center][font=charter][size=5]Basic Directory[/center] [center][size=5][font=charter]This lorebook holds three basic kinds of writing: [b]overviews[/b], [b]chapters[/b], and [b]sketchnotes[/b].[/center][/size] [size=4][font=charter][b]Overviews[/b] are a summarization of my clan's history, culture, lore, etc. It is meant to briefly introduce you to the core concepts of The Spirited Lady, but can be delved into further if you are interested. [b]Chapters[/b] are writings exclusive to one or more of my clan's dragons. These tend to be more storylike looks into the lives and pasts of circus denizens. [b]Sketchnotes[/b] are also writings exclusive to my clan's dragons, but are [i]far[/i] less comprehensive than chapters. These are simple brief notes - mostly to myself - about details I would like to remember about my dragons, as well as rough drafts for potential story ideas. Each permanent dragon has a sketchnote linked in their bio, and they can be found that way. You will only find [b]Overviews[/b] and [b]Chapters[/b] linked in this directory! Sketchnotes are of less importance since they're really more meant to be notes for myself. Theoretically, you could read the thread straight through, but I would [i]highly[/i] recommend against it. Since I add new ideas as I go along, often out of order, it will likely be very disorganized if you take this approach. [center][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/ea8d0763ea25b53a261649f075c11453/tumblr_inline_o23f0bnrIT1r3lvtf_500.png[/img][/center] [font=charter][b]Overviews[/b]: [LIST] [*] [size=4][font=charter][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149/1#post_47761815]Clan Location[/url] [*] [size=4][font=charter][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149#post_47761817]Clan History[/url] [*] [size=4][font=charter][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149/1#post_47761819]Clan Culture[/url] [*] [size=4][font=charter][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149#post_47761831]Clan Occupations[/url] [*] [size=4][font=charter]CLOWNPANTS! [/LIST] [rule] [font=charter][b]Chapters[/b]: - [size=4][font=charter][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149/3#post_48083026]Bring Out The Worst[/url], Duscellis, Sida: Even a surprise discovery on the circus grounds during a rainstorm can't fix the tension between Duscellis and his staff.[/size] - [size=4][font=charter][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149/3#post_48071318]A Lot On Your Plate[/url], Meatloaf, Garbage Plate: Meatloaf's cousin makes a surprise planned appearance.[/size] - [size=4][font=charter][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149/2#post_47940828]On the Dustcarve Dig[/url], Friend Of The Earth: Friend makes her predictions of the Dustcarve Dig's significance. (Pre-Obelisk reveal) - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149/2#post_47940817]On the Creation of Snappers[/url], Friend Of The Earth: The mythos of how Snappers came to be. - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149/3#post_47996718]Security[/url], Montblac and Valentine: The circus protects its own. (TW: Violence, Death) - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149/2#post_47770600]Just Another Prep Shift[/url], Meatloaf: The little voice in Meatloaf's head speaks its mind.

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General Information:

Location is everything to a clan. It determines their way of life, trade and occupation, who survives and who doesn't.

The Spirited Lady circus itself isn't particularly a location. It's not even a clan in the traditional definition of the word. Rather, it is a collection of traveling caravans, tents, trailers, and other temporary structures carted about by generations of circusfolk as the circus makes its worldwide tour route. These mobile homes are usually fitted to provide both housing and entertainment. A ring in which lionsnakes perform tricks by day may convert into a room by night by means of magic, technology, or genuine ability to rough it - though many modern performers have made means to separate their performance and rest areas. Performers and staff new to the circus would be rendered homeless if not for the saving grace of what sits at the circus' very center: the Big Top. While it hosts The Spirited Lady's feature attractions in its operating hours, newbies are encouraged to sleep in makeshift hammocks slotted in the few spare bits of canvas the tent can provide until obtaining homes of their own. It is suggested that dragons make friends with current staff before this becomes their destiny for the next several moons.

Since time immortal, the historic Spirited Lady has pitched tent at the Pillar of the World's base. Up until recently, the heart of Dragonhome would largely be considered the worst location for a circus, perhaps second only to the Icewarden's prisons.

But Dragonhome is not the circus' permanent docking place. It is simply where staff and performers rest in the off-season. In the height of its travels, The Spirited Lady made several trips to the Pillar a year, swapping dragons each time. Those needing a break from travel stayed within the permanent housing provided by the stability of Dragonhome. They tended to and guarded the more permanent dens, spare caravans, and properties of their fellow circus crew, returning to the traveling circuit upon the circus' next arrival. The relative peace of Dragonhome was also a major selling point, with many performers eager to take breaks from the demand of the spotlight.

Recently, a cultural influx has enveloped Dragonhome, and the historic resting grounds of The Spirited Lady have found themselves swallowed by the development of the Colonnades. With countless waves of immigrants, artisans, merchants, and bright-eyed researchers reaching the Pillar base in the thousands, The Spirited Lady has decided to ground itself for the foreseeable future: eager to grow more permanent roots among the burgeoning culture shift.

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Clan Layout:

The Spirited Lady Circus is arranged in the loose shape of a circle.

[center][size=5][font=charter][b]Clan History[/b][/center][/size] [size=4][font=charter]The beginning point of [i]The Spirited Lady[/i] circus is not entirely clear. It is known that the original name of the circus has stayed impressively similar over the millennia that the circus has existed, shifting slightly only to account for changes in language evolution - and this trail of hard evidence ends here. From there forward, all is speculation. Historians have assumed that the founder shared some sort of connection with the name [i]Spirited Lady[/i], either naming herself after the circus or the circus after herself, thanks to the few texts of hers that remain in storage. Foundational, religious connections to the Earthshaker are one of many theories regarding the circus' creation, and it is the one officially recognized by the circus. Though, whether this was born out of genuine belief or as a marketable mythos is difficult to determine. Oral histories of the circus do exist through a band of storytellers known as "[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/den/452562]The Friends[/url]", who have stayed with the "clan" for generations. They pass on their knowledge to visitors and their own children alike, the latter of whom are expected to do the same in their adulthood. The veracity of their claims has been questioned by historians, and even considered blaspheme by others, but those working at the circus seem to uphold their veracity. If nothing else, the Friends are incredibly well-spoken orators... Like many of Dragonhome's features, little has changed about the circus until recently. By all accounts, they have been traveling Sornieth for millennia. Acts have been changed, added, and dropped in accordance with shifting tastes, but the core concept of [i]The Spirited Lady[/i] as a traveling circus has held steady. Some who work there now can claim heritage to workers past, and veritable family names have been formed - particularly among the [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3015149/1#post_47763120]Clown performers[/url]. [img]https://i.imgur.com/Yo8qq82.png[/img]

[center][size=5][font=charter][b]Clan Culture[/b][/center][/size] [size=4][font=charter]Given the taxing and often under-compensated nature of their work, dragons of [i]The Spirited Lady[/i] find a great deal of comfort in one another, with very few clan "loners". There exists a natural bit of competition between them all, as you'll find happens in most places where talents gather, but for the most part, it's all in good-natured fun. A few performers nurse what can politely be described as "darker" tendencies, but nothing ill has come of them...yet. Compared to other circuses and entertainment ventures, [i]The Spirited Lady[/i] in particular has a reputation for being a queer cultural hotspot. Given the large number of identifying members, it boasts and its propensity for pushing the standards of entertainment, this is not a huge surprise. Due to this and the circus' familial aspect, it is common for it to be the first place many young runaways head. Many can be found working odd jobs across the circus grounds, thankful to have a roof - or canvas - over their heads. [img]https://i.imgur.com/Yo8qq82.png[/img]

[center][size=5][font=charter][b]Clan Occupations[/b][/center][/size] [size=4][font=charter] Not everyone can be a performer, nor do they want to be. It takes all types to make a circus function, requiring the roles listed below. Some dragons only occupy one role, while others adopt multiple. [b]Ringmaster[/b]: An extremely prodigious title traditionally only held by a single dragon, the Ringmaster is responsible for keeping the circus operational. This involves ensuring the wellbeing of performers, arranging payments, maintaining security, handling difficult guests...the list could, and does, go on. Currently, [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/64475568]Duscellis [/url]holds the title, though since expanding operations into the "Midnight Circus", he has honored [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/69759660]Lyric[/url] with the title as well. [b]Performer[/b]: An incredibly broad title within the circus, "performer" refers to any dragon that offers some kind of service or act to the customers of the circus. This ranges from more traditional circus acts such as [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/64642114]clown shows[/url] and [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/68648507]acrobatics [/url]to unusual offerings, such as [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/71059323]tent-wide terrariums[/url] and [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/64499893]fortune-telling[/url]. [b]Food Service[/b]: Eager eyes lead to hungry stomachs! The tourists visiting the Spirited Lady Circus can only walk to so many tents and performances before their stomach begins to growl - which is where dragons employed in food service come in. While most are not performers, [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/69312639]some have dared to blur the lines between food and art...[/url] [b]Assistant[/b]: While they may not take to stage themselves, or at least be its focus, many acts would not be operational if not for the help of assistants, who conduct the background work that is necessary to maintain an act's magic. Whether that be [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/71151560]repairing outfits[/url] or [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/66636327]acting as target practice[/url], assistants make the circus go 'round. [b]Librarian[/b]: Given the age of the circus, a fair amount of history lingers within its confines - history that would otherwise be lost to time without the conservation efforts of librarians. Responsible for maintaining historical documents - from the benign, like old ledgers, to the fascinating, like vintage caravans - librarians occasionally double as performers, [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/1200165]putting their historical artifacts up for view in museum-based tents[/url]. [b]Janitor[/b]: The circus is sprawling, with hundreds of guests attending a day - it's bound to be that at least [i]a few [/i]of them don't know what a garbage can is. In come the janitors, who are responsible for keeping the circus in tip-top condition. While they're usually dealing with trash, vermin, and bodily fluids, some janitors clean up more...[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/74404159]unusual things[/url]. [b]Security[/b]: While the circus presents itself as a place for whimsy and joy to flourish, the unfortunate truth is that not all who attend will hold themselves to those standards. When guests get rowdy, a hatchling goes missing, or a guest simply needs directions, [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/lair/452562/2015467]security is there to help[/url]. [b]Elder[/b]: While not an official role in of itself, this is an honorific usually given to the circus' long-standing performers; particularly those that younger performers look up to. While some elders have mixed feelings about being seen as "old", most can't deny that they appreciate the respect, [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/68648507]and are more than willing to help their "young'ins".[/url] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Yo8qq82.png[/img]

[center][size=5][font=charter][b]CLOWNPANTS![/b][/center][/size] [size=4][font=charter] You'll notice that many of the performers of the Spirited Lady Circus - and a fair number of its employees, too - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/scrying/predict?breed=6&gender=1&age=1&bodygene=25&body=90&winggene=1&wings=2&tertgene=8&tert=2&element=6&eyetype=0]have a very distinct fur pattern[/url]. These dragons are informally known as "CLOWNPANTS!" (the emphasis is very important). [img]https://i.imgur.com/Yo8qq82.png[/img]

[center][size=5][font=charter][b]Special Look Locations[/b][/center][/size] [size=4][font=charter] The circus is vast and impossible to take in over the course of a single visit. If there are places that you're interested in visiting, now's the time to visit them. [img]https://i.imgur.com/Yo8qq82.png[/img]

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