The Hierarchy

Since their arrival, the Prime Dragon Hierarchy (The Hierarchy) has established itself as a guiding force of leadership and growth in the Reach, turning it from a disconnected nascent world into the prosperous and industrious one it is today. Under their rule, development across the newly-dubbed Kerebos flourished, allowing each of the Prime Dragons the opportunity to step away from positions of direct leadership, leaving behind their stewards — the Dragonkin to serve in their stead.

Lore

The arrival of dragons was heralded by the great tear in the sky five years prior to their physical arrival. The Wyrmhole, as it would later be named, severed the heavens themselves, causing concern for the Celestials who had seen to the creation and birth of this world. Eventually panic gave way to acceptance, and it was nearly half a decade before any additional disturbance was felt at the site of the gash. One day, without warning, five magnificent beasts broke through the barrier, briefly hiding the sun above Tyrafin behind the majesty of their wings.

They landed upon the western tip of Tyrafin, crashing upon the rocks and shattering the earth beneath their massive forms. Their arrival was seen across Kerebos, and had proven enough distraction for the darkness that chased them to slip through the Wyrmhole without notice. Contingents from across the continents gathered ambassadors and explorers to seek out what had come to their home, gathering at the cliffside of what is now Drakari to greet them.

Despite their size and ferocity, the five exiles posed no threat to the people, and by all accounts those who greeted them encouraged an exchange of information and culture. Their kindness encouraged the first flow of reconnection between the disparate cultures, and the Prime Dragons wasted little time in ensuring that they could act as neutral parties to quash old rivalries and foster new alliances.

This influence spread as the year passed and a connection was forged with the benevolent arrivals. When the first signs of corruption arose — the darkness which had followed them — it was only natural that they would assist the Dragons best what lurked in the shadows. The battle, known as the bloody Upheaval, shook the foundation of Tyrafin itself, but a decisive victory was earned by the drakes and their new allies, concluding with the sealing of the Wyrmhole, forever locking the darkness of what laid beyond at bay.

United by their hard-fought victory, the people of the Reach — now Kerebos, meaning sanctuary-home in the tongue of the Dragons themselves — continued to seek guidance from the otherworldly travelers. As show of thanks for both the aid and the warm welcome, the Hierarchy was established in the Year 5DA. Under the guidance of the five Prime Dragons, Kerebos was able to develop and grow by leaps and bounds. Massive developments in technology, arcane research, language, arts, and culture all were spearheaded. Travel and trade boomed between once distant lands, and it appeared the sleepy heart of The Reach had finally begun to beat once more.

For two centuries, the Prime Dragons worked closely alongside their neighbours as well as their newly-forged offspring, the Dragonkin, to ensure the prosperous growth of their new home. As time passed, however, each of the Prime Dragons began to step back from the direct involvement, focusing instead on their pet projects and their personal domains, the Primordial Realms. Though the Hierarchy continues, its area of influence and control wanes as national identity grows across the Reach, and to many the necessity of the dragons is not as fervent as it may once have been. While many still worship the Prime Dragons as gods, it is done as a parishoner to a divine: faith that they are listening, but prayers are typically returned with silence.

Campaign: Wither & Bloom

By the year 479DA, the Hierarchy's control extends as far as the western reach of Tyrafin, where the strongholds and center of power for the Hierarchy are maintained. More and more Dragonkin break their oaths of service and dedication, leaving their home in Drakari in search of fame and fortune elsewhere.

At the coronation of Ophelia Mercymorn, a representative of the Hierarchy — ambassador Aelion d'Elzarys, and their retainer, Tallow Birch — helped to stop an attempted assasination on the young heir's life, helping to recement a fraught bond between the human nation of Rosegarden and the Hierarchy.

Dragonkind

As the Prime Dragons settled upon their new homeworld and into their roles as leaders, they began to clutch in secluded, well-protected areas closely associated to their Primordial Realm. Over the course of a decade, hatched whelplings began to spread across Kerebos in search of caves, bogs, glaciers, and crags to call their own. As time passed, these whelps grew into fearsome drakes themselves — though even the largest and strongest among them could not compare to their progenitors. This population boomed, though they were isolated and reclusive by nature. The more daring and foolhardy among them drew the ire of the Hierarchy, who held bounties against the heads of their misbegotten spawn. Dragon hunting has become considerably more rare as their numbers dwindle, finding it difficult to clutch upon Kerebos, for reasons yet to be researched.

There are five main classifications of dragons, each composed of two colours and representing the elemental aspect of their creator. Typically, they will identify with their element, rather than their hue, but prideful dragons may be swayed by vanity, appealing to their scale colours and the beauty reflected upon them. They are as follows:

• Stone Dragons: The prime stone dragon is Forsythis, Conservator of the Overgrowth. Controls the balance of nature and the natural order of things, intervening in the affairs of mortals only when absolutely necessary. Green and brown dragonsworn are their offspring, representing all aspects of the earth from soil to seed.
• Storm Dragons: The prime storm dragon is Orenyr, Warden of the Manastorm. Oversees the world beyond the safety of the Reach, imbuing themself with the esoteric energies of the Arcane Sea to grow more and more powerful. Blue and yellow dragonsworn are their offspring, steadfast chroniclers of all things air and arcane.
• Frost Dragons: The prime frost dragon is Katulma, Keeper of the Eventide. Ebbs and flows the path of the moon and sun alike, ensuring the safe flow of tides and currents. A patron of sailors, seeking her boons for safe travel. White and teal dragonsworn are their offspring, from the clouds in the sky to the depths of watery graves.
• Flame Dragons: The prime flame dragon is Malvam, Champion of the Crimson Scar. Simultaneously the breath of life and the wanton destruction of excess, keeping a close eye on the citizens of Kerebos from their perch above the horizon. Red and gray dragonsworn are their offspring, always bringing the heat and fire.
• Astral Dragons: The prime astral dragon is Elzaron, Sentinel of the Nexus. The watcher of the wyrmhole and defender against the threats that lie beyond, they serve as the de facto leader of the Hierarchy, though no living mortal has laid eyes on them in hundreds of years. Black and purple dragonsworn are their offspring, living on in their spirit.

Realizing that their offspring could not be brought to heel as they first hoped, a second generation of dragonspawn were created: Dragonkin: a smaller, bipedal, humanoid species. The exact nature of their creation is unknown, though they are known to hatch from eggs and many can trace their lineage directly to their Prime Originator. Dragonkin have been known to mate, but the process is laborious and exceedingly dangerous for both parties. As such, newly born dragonkin are rather uncommon, typically to clutches made within communal enclaves where the responsibility of child-rearing is shared. With the Prime Dragon's focus laying elsewhere, their numbers slowly dwindle, but they await the return of their creators to allow their community to flourish once more.

Trivia

• Did you know dragons are cool and rad?

Further Reading

Coming Soon!