#dragon species | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

amphiptere-art · 4 months

Text

A history of dragons, their culture in the locked door.

What the hell is the locked door?

Dragon culture has changed alongside it's history. So there are many versions of dragon culture and how it has changed. There are also many magical and physical abilities that dragons possess. Alongside species and elemental prowess. In order to smooth the reading process, and also to allow young users to understand.

Hey!

I will first talk about the The culture of the time, and the history that took place at that time. If there are any species related or magic related exclamations to understand that current culture. I will leave a recommendation for a book that should lead to that explanation.

The beginning times.

When dragons first appeared on this planet like many other creatures we were no more than animals. Simply fighting for a will to survive. The Artist decided to give us minds, so we would no longer fight our companions and be lost. Soon the draconic people begin to grow. Taking on many shapes and sizes. We were limitless in design and magic. The artist had yet to place strict guidelines.

That is until the great God Tick Tock, known more formerly nowadays as Clockwork, came upon The locked door. At first he was a wild dragon like the rest of us. But the artist gave him purpose. He was a living tool for a human adventure. But like many dragons he outlived the human story. Soon he was left alone without any story to progress with.

He had a different name? Tick Tock sounds so silly.

He saw our wild kin, and decided he wanted us to feel the tragic pains and the great victories of a story. So he called out to the creator that gave him purpose. The artist answered. He sacrificed his physical representation on this land to become her pencil. The one that creates all and strives to give everyone their story.

I've heard this kid's tail a thousand times. But this one makes a sound like we are nothing but characters in a storybook. It's weird.

Although he was underneath the Artist's hand, He was able to give his people the wishful mind and purpose that he wished. Any creature that had been given intelligence by the artist was crafted further by Clockworks pencil. Each and every one of them making cultures, stories, histories, and all matters of other things. The locked door was no longer a world of mindless illustrations. Instead it was a world full of wonder and people.

While Clockwork worked hard to maintain all the creatures' new purpose. He made sure his dragon brethren for his focus. They quickly developed into a complex culture. Dragon's designs were no longer mindless. They became focused and split into species. Magic was no longer a wild feat, but the elemental gods rose up and made them defined. Each dragon gained complete control over three elements. And all were blessed with the heated breath.

Why is a myth inside of a history book?

The first dragon culture.

It is here when many dragons started to finally write their own histories. And no longer must we deal with the cryptic words of myth and legend. Although any would be smart enough to realize it is real.

I'm supposed to believe that convoluted story of creation is real? Ha!

But now we can get onto concrete information More well known to the masses. Although if you are not an historian, I suppose this might be a mysterious time. It might have even developed into myth and been lost.

We'll see.

The first dragon cultures split themselves into elemental tribes. Dragons almost remotely lived on their main continent of draconia. With few venturing out to other lands.

As there are many elements I will leave a recommendation to read the elements and magic guide. As there were many more tribes than I am going to mention specifically.

Although let it be noted that all the tribes had tough relationships with each other. The only thing that stopped the tribes from ripping each other apart, was the tribe leaders and the monthly meetings.

Do I really have to read more books?

The tribe leaders were honestly over their heads. There are many dragons to each species and to each elemental class. Meaning that while they represented their people, They often only represented the people in their direct cities. Each tribe leader was blessed with the ability to never age. Not unless they gave up their throne or died in battle. They were immune to almost any disease, and of course they could not die to age. It was often a tribe leader would finally step down when their children outnumbered them to the point that they could not find mates.

While the dragons were not split by species. There was often a specific precedence between different elements. Many elements were expected to be paired up with a certain dragon species.

If you wish to learn about the different dragon species. Go read the book: dragon species and abilities.

Elements separated the dragons highly. While dragons themselves were allowed access to three elemental powers. These elemental powers were somewhat restricted in access. The first element is what usually defines the dragon's physical appearance and hot breath. With the other two magical feats being something that could be learned easier with time.

Due to the heavy separation between elements. There was a heavy prejudice between species. Fire dragons were wrongly called easy to anger. Water dragons were considered softer than they were. Rock dragons are always considered stubborn. But the biggest of these prejudices, The one that sparked a line of change. Was the prejudice that light dragons were good, and shadow dragons were bad.

Sounds sucky.

The Shadow wars.

Tensions were always high, but when an old light dragon King stepped down and was replaced with his son. Many things went wrong. The son had a heavy hatred of Shadow Dragons. Considering them evil and vile. It is not recorded why he hated them so much. Although some people believe it was simply a prejudice that went too far. The light dragon king convinced the other tribes that shadow dragons should not be allowed on their lands.

Despite protests from the Shadow Dragons. Not mentioning the fact that they had done nothing wrong. All the dragon leaders banded together to outcast their species. Driving them across the ocean and into the desolate Isle of the shadowlands. It was a cold place. There was barely any resources or sustenance to support them. Shadow dragons became desperate. And due to desperate actions, They soon became what the other dragons believed they feared.

Dude I have a shadow dragon friend and he is the nicest person ever. What were these guys thinking?

This terrible decision became a spiraling effect. While it might have casted dragon culture into a golden age, It was a nasty time. The old Shadow dragon King eventually died. There are many rumors that the Shadow dragon King's son killed them for the throne. As the new Shadow Dragons King. Going by the name Shadon, took his place upon the throne.

Shadon!? That evil sucker is real!?

Shadon was angered by their mistreatment. And while his anger was fair, He took it too far. Shadon wished to claim their territory back on the continent draconia. Leading his people on a war crusade. It just said the first night they invaded the sky was black. There was no sun for 3 days. The only thing that could be heard was the terrified screams of the dragons as the Shadow Dragons took back their place on the continent.

That really happened? I thought it was a myth.

Shadon was unfortunately not done with that. The dragon still resented The other tribes, Even more so after their aggressive overtaking. Given that they were still fighting tooth and nail to kick the shadow dragons out. Eventually Shadon commanded a borderline be made. It caused a resource supply shortage. As much like The Shadow Dragons before, The dragons of draconia could not go out and receive resources from other islands. He had made a continent-wide lockdown.

Shadon’s tyranny did not stop. Eventually his lust for revenge turned into a lust of power. He started to send out troops to other continents, other isles. Soon the whole world new shadow dragons as evil beings that would take over your home. Dragons became desperate to stop Shadon’s onslaught. So they performed a ceremony to summon the artist onto the land. Unfortunately, a creator cannot meddle with the universe they control. Although they did spark courage in another.

Why not? It sure sounds like they meddle with our lives all the time.

Shadon’s son shadow. While I have not spoken of them much. Shadon had two sons. One named Shadow, and the other named Viserin. Viserin was his eldest son, but was born with albinism. Something he hated and despised. In order to try and impress his father. He became the best assassination shadon had in his troops. His son Shadow on the other hand. Had no such special traits. He was scrawny, small, and had no battle training. Yet Shadon promised him the crown over his elder brother.

Ass.

The artist came to shadow when he was hidden away in despair. His father's violence was something unliked by the child. The artist spoke to him, and while the exact words are not known. They encouraged him to go against his father. That even despite his weak body, the artist would promise victory.

You beat him up buddy.

And so Shadow went against his father. While many proclaim the victory under his claws. Shadow was indeed not strong enough to defeat his father. Instead it was his brother Viserin that killed the tyrant. Ending the suffering of many. And while the tribes accepted the shadows back on draconia, It was more so out of fear.

Shadow led a peaceful life. Light dragons still hated Shadow Dragons with a passion. But the other tribes eventually let go of their grudges. Realizing that Shadow and many other Shadow Dragons had no true evil hearts. Shadow element is in fact not an element casted only with hatred. But it is a sign of lower motions such as grief and sadness. Something one needs in order to recover from events.

Correct. And these old dragons were dumb for believing otherwise.

Shadow unfortunately did not continue his bloodline, as he believed it tainted. Instead when he had gotten the kingdoms to a relatively peaceful state, He asked all the shadow dragons of that brooding season to give their eggs up to the castle and one would be picked at random. The egg that was picked was indeed two twins. Marking another era and unfortunately another war.

So Shadon's line doesn't exist anymore? Just gone?

Dragon culture after the first Shadow war.

The culture still remained relatively the same. They were still cut up as tribes, and elements still held precedent. Although due to shadons crusade, It was quickly taught that you should never judge an element. Although in some tribes this was looked down upon. As tribes such as the light dragon's still heavily practiced prejudice. Something that still heavily impacted the shadow dragons.

The light Dragon and Shadow Dragon war.

The two twin leaders both still felt the tension of the light dragon's kinds rage. The light dragon King still protested against their presence. And while the sister of the twins simply wished to encourage shadows peace. The brother wanted to put the light dragons in their place.

It is unknown exactly how the discussion went. But the sister and the brother split. The sister went into hiding among the tribes, while the brother stayed and led his kingdom to war against the light dragons. While it was only against the light dragons, the light dragon's alliance with other tribes nullified this idea. The brother still refused to hurt or fight the other tribes. But his people would defend themselves nonetheless, and it was believed he'd become another tyrant.

Ohhh. Sibling fights.

While the brother led his war. The sister found a prince of the same age from the light dragon King brood. Soon they grew a relationship. Although both knew they would have to hide it from the light dragon King. They formed their own mini alliance. Shadow dragons and light dragons that disagreed with the hatred between the two tribes joined them. Along with some other elemental dragons that were tired of prejudice impacting The Shadow and light Dragons lives.

This joined alliance fought against not only the light dragon king's warriors, but also the Brothers warriors. Causing not only for the sister's and the prince's affairs to be revealed, but also proving that light and Shadow Dragons could work together. The fighting unfortunately did not stop for some time. Compiling in a battle where the sister herself fought against her brother. The sister using the ancient fire wing technique to take him out.

Well that sounds sad.

If you wish to read about the fire wing technique. Please read dragon species and abilities book.

When the dust had settled the sister cried over her brother's death. As while it is unknown what specifically the brother said to the sister while she drove him to his death. She swears upon her life and it was an apology for all he had done. While the light dragon king celebrated victory. The sisters alliance and the Shadow Dragons mocked him for causing so much pain across species. This mockery spread around the tribes. Although there was still nothing to be done about the segregation between shadows and light dragons.

This dang gon light dragon King sucks.

Dragon culture after the light and shadow dragon war.

Again not much changed after the shadow and light dragon war. Although due to the sisters' alliance, some Shadow dragon and light dragon cities allowed the tribes to walk among each other. Some of these cities the treading was equal. In others, It was not, unusually there would be some segregation over what uses and areas the other species would be allowed.

Will this story of them just fighting ever end? I've gone through half of this book and I feel like I've just heard the same thing like three times.

The New Age.

While the world still lived in misery, The sister and the prince's affair soon became a partnership between the two. The two mates had a son. The first tribe hybrid in years. They named this son Trygan. And with the help of this tribe hybrid, a new age would finally come upon dragons. The age that many would recognize.

I know Trygan! Finally somebody that doesn't sound like a thing from a myth!

Trygan lived among the world where he was not quite one or the other. He lived with both the distrust and the acceptance of multiple tribes and cities. It was confusing for the young dragon at first, but eventually he came upon the same realizations as many shadow dragons had come on to him before. This has to end. But Trygan knew the consequences of war. While it had gotten some results, It was terrible and caused a bunch of bloodshed. So he instead sought to follow his mother's footsteps. Making an alliance that was even stronger than the light dragon king could ever anticipate.

Unfortunately Trygan was not a man of words or politics. His father and mother could only teach him so much. Although luckily he had help from the most unseen places. The God clockwork and finally decided he was done with all this ruckus himself. Whether it was his own need for peace between his own kind, oh perhaps simply wanting to illustrate a new world, is unknown. All that is known, Is that clockwork came down upon Trygan, and offered his services in not only creating the new world, but ensuring that he had the backing of all the tribes.

Oh so now he's meddling.

It is then that Trygan started a different type of crusade. A crusade of letters. Millions of letters he wrote with Clockworks pencil. Sending them not only to the tribe leaders, but also to the mayors and influencers of different cities. It is around this time when Trygan met a female undead dragon. One that was of a species that was not expected of her element. A wyvern. With her help, and many other dragons that searched for him after their letters were given, scoured across the land speaking of peace for not only the shadow and light Dragons, but for all the tribes.

Yeah!

The light dragon King was of course upset by this. As many of his own people had joined to Trygan and his alliance. Only the cities he visited often seem to stay by his side. Although he was foolish and believed that the tribe leaders would still follow his word. Trygan was not a tribe leader yet. So he thought that letters would be unheard by the tribe leaders.

That was until the Shadow dragon king, Trygan mother. Stepped down so that he could have a personal word with the Lord's. It was considered the youngest Lord that had ever stepped down. Sending not only the Lord's ideas of their immortality being utilized. But also to face the fact that Trygan's letters were now official.

So the current King just gave up their immortality just so Trygan could make their point? Ha!

Many of the leaders had already indeed heard of Trygan’s letters. Some who are not stuck up with pride had also read those letters. Trygan had already a heavy group supporting his side. So when he came into the tribe meeting, there was no question who was going to win the argument. Trygan stated the facts clearly. It was the light dragons fault that all of this had started. It was all of their thoughts supporting this prejudice. They all wanted out of this torment, and he had a way. Proudfully explaining that he had the God clockwork on his side already with the solution.

He's got the power of a god and the tribes on his side!

While many agreed. The light dragon King and a few others protested the idea. Calling him a fool for believing he could talk with a God. Mocking the god clockwork as something old and foolish. Proudfully announcing that if this was something they all believed in. They would go to war for it. A while to Trygan did not wish to go to war against the light dragons for another time. The roar of his supporters and the words of clockwork made him accept the challenge. Stating this would be the last war Shadow Dragons would ever do as a tribe.

And so the war commenced. It is recorded as the longest and most strenuous of the wars. Elemental tribe against elemental tribe. While Trygan's alliance held more people, It did not have the rage that the light dragon King and his alliances had. As Trygan still did not wish to bring death upon the land. His alliance left many injured but alive. This continued until Trygan and the light dragon king met in combat. The two battled until Trygan won.

Get screwed sucker!

When the battle was finally over. The God clockwork finally revealed themselves. Commanding that a new order be made. No longer would they separate themselves by elemental tribes. Instead, They will separate themselves into their cities. Their clans. The most respected and loved of the dragons would become king, not some lineage or pure bloodline. These kings shall be marked by a crown of horns. Showing the new order by making try again the first dragon King. Gaining of crown of beautifully twisted horns. Marking the new era.

This is a weird representation of how the war ended. Most books describe Trygan stating these rules. Not Clockwork.

Dragon culture as we know.

It is finally after years of war and struggle. That we get to how dragons are now known to function and operate. There are not as many wars to note after the beginning of a new era. As it was firmly established that elements would no longer act as prejudice, and it is heavily frowned upon to treat a species in a similar matter. Plus for the first couple years the God clockwork used Trygan as a physical vessel to spread the word.

Wait. So was it Trygan walking around or was it Clockwork?

Onwards to the discussion. The history and the myth of Clockworks words is pretty straight on. The dragon tribes split and dismantled. Dragons were told to mingle among whoever they wished. While at first elements still banded together, It allowed other dragons to greet other elemental dragons. And soon many others followed in that path. Rulership was no longer continent wide. Instead they usually ruled areas of land where a certain city or home was established.

This I know.

Within each of these little communities, there would be one dragon that would grow an excellent twisted pair of horns. These horns could either be twisted or be intertwined with others. This dragon would still be given immunity to age and sickness. Although it did not last forever. After a good 20 years that immunity was on the line. If that king decided to be unruly, they're horns would fall off much like a deer's antlers. Not only marking them as a foul tempered dragon, but making them lose their status as king. It is then within the ranks of the clan, another dragon would grow a twisted pair of horns. Marking them as the new leader.

I have to remember that the word King refers to any dragon that is in a rulership position. Some of these kings might have been females.

Unlike in the old times where a king could step down. Dragons of the New era were unable to do such a thing. Although many found ways around it. Different clans would form different rules. Ones of which the king was unwilling to rule, would often form communal groups that would basically rule alongside them. Often naming Sir Kings.

Yeah and it's the best job to have.

Due to the fact that dragons usually rule in clans. Rules will differentiate. Although there is always a couple that are steadfast.

Oh dear goodness here is the boring list.

The first rule is that the dragon with horns is always the king. If conflicts or meetings should arise between clans, It is their duty to deal with such arrangements. Whether that be by themselves or by working as an advisor with their people.

The second rule is that if a messenger or a letter is given to a clan from another clan, They must read and receive it. While they do not have to accept anything within the letter, They must read or listen to the other clans demands or pleads.

A third rule is that bloodshed stays between the fighting clans. While clans that have good alliances with each other are allowed to support with resources or pleading words to the enemy clan. They are not allowed to shed the other clans' blood. Although sometimes this is circumvented by alliance clans declaring their own war against the one that is fighting their friend clan.

A fourth rule is that dragons must be allowed to leave their clans if they wish. There will be no restrictions trapping a certain dragon with a clan. The only time this is allowed is when holding another clan's dragon as prisoner. Of which either that prisoner has to be released or killed at the end of the conflict.

A fifth rule states that no dragon should be judged for their element or species. There are some clans that still do not follow this rule, but this often leads to war with other clans. These clans often also do not have king dragons with as brilliant twisted horns. Some of these clans not even being ruled by a dragon that has twisted horns.

These rules usually keep the clans in peace. Although there were of course conflicts that arise. Usually determined by differentiating rules between clans. Sometimes also created out of territorial disputes. Dragons for the most part live in peace between each other. There is only one dragon species that does not quite live by these clan rules.

That is the dragon species Amphiptere. While they still follow the same rules, It is uncommon they will mix with other species other than a simple clan alliance. Amphipteres as the gods clockwork chosen dragon, usually have heightened numbers and a unique species like system.

If you wish to read about this specific system. You can read Dragon species and abilities book.

But know that Amphipteres have an extra rule that prevents them from fighting other species or clans unless it is in self-defense. I suppose it is Clockworks way to circumvent the fact that they are not communal with other species in a clan-like fashion.

Why do they get a freebie from the clan rules? Just cuz they're special?

Now. The next book in this series goes over the different dragon species and their abilities. And as you can see from my many footnotes, It is heavily suggested that you read that book after this one.

I don't want to read any more books!