Aeyrie

An aeyrie is a fortress constructed and operated by the Dragon Rider Conclave.

Purpose

An aeyrie serves as the operating bulwark for a Conclave to protect a specific regional area. It also serves as the nest and rookery for the nurturing of dragons and training of dragon riders.

Architecture

An aeyrie is generally constructed of stone and tends toward a very open layout and wide hallways to permit the movement of dragons throughout the interior of the structure. The fortresses are also populated by a network of tunnels that serve as a warren for a local kobold population that tends to the care of the dragons.

Aspirants are housed together, deconstructing tables used for dining during the day and constructing cots and beds to use in the same hall at night. Each has a chest and a bad to which they are responsible.

Full riders are housed in higher levels of the aeyrie with rooms large enough to also allow their dragons to sleep in the same room.

On the highest level of the structure is the rookery, where the brood queen of the local flight resides with a nest to care for the dragon eggs.

All aeyries maintain their own gardens and sometimes livestock. While many often rely for the most part on tithes from local communities for keeping them protected, every aeyrie understands that they must have some means of self sufficiency in case of emergency.

Defenses

An aeyrie is defended by thick, stone walls and natural defenses. Built upon mountain peaks, cliffsides, or the top of mesas or karsts. This tends to provide them with a great deal of protection from any land based attacks as what paths up to the aeyrie tend to be steep, winding, or narrow.

History

What isn't widely known about the aeyries is that they are all quite old. There have only been modifications and repairs made to existing aeyries. There have been no new builds. The origin of these aeyries remains unknown. Whether the Dragon Rider Conclave is aware of the true origins or not remains a mystery to the public. There remain many empty aeyries throughout the world. Some non-dragon riders have attempted to inhabit the the abandoned structures despite the difficulty in reaching them without the aid of a winged drake.