The Draconites

The Draconites hide their egocentrism behind intricate rituals and imposing robes – if their opponents are to be believed.   Few factions have such an air of mystery as that which surrounds the Draconite order. They are renowned for their fearlessness in both combat and diplomacy, and are said to make no distinction between the two. The faction originated in the part of the crew of the Zenith that valued resolve and willpower above all else. They viewed the commanding Quassar and Yriedes families as too entrenched in the discussions about what to do with the colonists in stasis, and instead went ahead and woke them up on their own. They were among the first to leave the Zenith after the awakening, disappearing into the dark. Whatever it was that they found out there among the debris and ruins on abandoned worlds no one knows, but they quickly became the stuff of legends, ghosts seldom seen but intensely discussed. The stories claim that their travels in the Dark between the Stars turned them into something cold and purely egotistical. When they reentered the light of civilization, they did it as a disciplined faction of warrior philosophers, possessing secret truths the other factions could only dream of.   THE SECRETS OF THE DRACONITES The Draconites wield advanced technology with obvious elements of the lost wisdom of the old Horizons. How they have acquired this technology is unknown, but whispers in the shadows tell of unspeakable pacts with hidden orders from before the Portal Wars, or even alliances with creatures beyond human comprehension. The Draconites themselves say nothing.   The organization of the order is secret, but they would seem to operate in cells centered on strong leaders, with a minimum of contact between the individual groups. Or perhaps someone, or something, is pulling the strings from the shadows, guiding the faction towards some obscure goal. The only thing known for certain is that they have a system of apprentices, where a senior member guides and educates a younger novice through the mysteries of the order. Some people believe that the order is made up of a series of circles, with the members all seeking entry to the next circle and the next, advancing towards the inner sanctum at the center. The select outsiders who have witnessed the arcane rituals where a Draconite warrior appears to be transcending to a higher form of wisdom supports the latter theory.   The philosophy of the order is the subject of much debate and the most outlandish of theories. That they emphasize conflict as a metaphysical concept is clear to anyone. They regard it as a form of both personal and collective growth. Even though most would think this a very violent approach to the world, some say that it is just as much about inner conflict, about the perpetual struggle with the impure parts of the self, and that the Draconites seek to confront and defeat their inner demons, no matter the cost. This is in many ways reflected in the order’s worship of the Lady of Tears in her cold and strict form, the Executioner. Her sword is sharp and always ready for whoever breaks the traditions or codes of the order, but also for the weak of heart. The Executioner protects any and all who are in control of their own lives and who choose their own death. y NO HOME OR HEARTH No one knows the location of the Draconites’ headquarters. The order is present in many places throughout the Horizon, but usually only with one or a few members. There is much speculation about the order’s actual size and distribution. They were recently offered a seat at the Council of Factions, perhaps motivated by the Consortium sticking to the logic of “keep your friends close but your enemies closer”.   Only one Draconite is known to reside on Coriolis, the council member Mandragor Ho, who, despite a plain appearance, can make the most seasoned of Bulletin reporters shake in their shoes. The exact role of the spokesperson is unclear.