|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:24 am
Welcome to the grand city of Dorhaven, home of wizards and land of wonders. If you are new to the city, we recommend you read up on the lifestyle here so you have a sense of what to expect. We hope you enjoy your stay!
Contents
* Wizard Life
* The Dragon's Role & Dragons as Creatures
* The City
* Elements and Magic
* The Dragon Breeding Establishment
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:17 am
Wizard Life
Wizarding life starts with intense training and study, learning to harness one's inate magical abilities to form small spells, and reading magical literature to expand one's knowledge. This study may take years, no less than four and possibly as many as eight or ten. Only the best wizards are able to complete a series of tests which grants them acceptance into the Order of Wizards.
At that point a wizard will receive their first dragon. Most wizards are between the ages of 15 and 25 at this stage, and may fall into a variety of roles depending on their age and interest. At the institute they may be professors teaching magic, or researchers studying specific elements. Many of the younger wizards are still students, and take classes to perfect their magic. Wizards may function outside the institute to offer their services to others, as healers or mercenaries. It is usually these types of wizards who do the most traveling, but it is more common for a wizard to have a permanent home.
Almost all wizards specialize in specific elements, which usually correspond to the elements of their dragons. Wizards who wish to delve into a new element will often seek out a dragon of that element to amplify their abilities. The oldest and most venerable wizards may have entire flights of dragons.
Unfortunately, only these most venerable wizards are paid well. Most wizards will have to seek out the rewards of odd jobs here and there to supplement their earnings, and provide extra finances for new dragon purchases or spell components. Most of these jobs and requests are posted on the Market Bulletin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:15 am
The Dragon's Role
Dragons are practical purchases for wizards, they are not merely pets. Often raised from the egg, they are trained to perform menial tasks, assist in research where they can, and act as couriers for their wizard.
Of most importance is the dragon's bond with it's wizard, and it's affinity with an element. This bond is active at any distance, so most dragons are simply left to wander the city provided they keep themselves safe and stay out of mischief.
Although their ancestors once lived and thrived in the wild, dragons are now primarily a domesticated species. There have been no signs of wild flights for centuries, many historians and biologists believe the initial rush to tame and bond dragons led to the destabilization and consequent disappearance of their natural populations.
Dragons as Creatures
Dragons have the potential to be highly intelligent creatures. Although they are not given to reading and writing as humans are, they can be avid thinkers and problem solvers, and have distinct personalities. Thus they may or may not play well with other dragons when the opportunity for interaction occurs. Usually it is individual personalities that determine how well a pair of dragons will get along, not elemental biases, although their wizard's attitude towards the other dragon's wizard may have an effect.
Dragons are very good at communicating with each other, through animalistic vocalizations and body language. They are able to interact with other creatures only on a very basic level. They cannot communicate verbally or telepathically with their wizard, but the wizard may gain a sense for their personality and mood much the way it is possible to get to know a dog or a cat. On the other hand, dragons are extremely adept at reading the mood and expression of their wizard.
Despite having an affinity for magic, dragons cannot use that element's magic the way their wizard can. They may have adaptations suited to the element, like firebreathing or increased buoyancy, but these are minor and not considered real magic since they have a physiological basis. Only dragons with large wing traits can fly, but all are agile and can easily scale a wizard's clothing/table legs/bookcases/potted plants.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:22 am
The City
The city of Dorhaven is a large, sprawling mass of stone buildings with the Research and Instructional Institute at it's heart. The streets are mostly cobblestone, with street vendors predominantly in the west side, also known as the Shopping District, and an assortment of homes ranging from student-budget rooms to grand mansions inhabit the east side. The city is surrounded by forest, but the diverse terrain also has it's fair share of underground caverns, rivers and clearings, and is not four days ride from wastelands to the north, and ocean to the south.
The people of the city are not all wizards, but the Institute at the center influences every aspect of city affairs. Merchants tailor their sales to the scholarly population, and magical ingredients are commonly bought from street vendors alongside fresh fruits and fish. The sale of dragon eggs is a tightly regulated but thriving business, and the city's prominent breeders often live more comfortably than the wizards themselves.
Most of the city's inhabitants live comfortably, although there are varying degrees of comfort. Walking is the most common method of transportation, but some citizens own a horse, particularly the ones who travel frequently, and the wealthiest may even own their own carriage. Mail is delivered via courier, dragon, or pidgeon. Technology is limited to pre-electric mechanisms, most of which are steam, coal, wood, or oil powered, since magic has provided much of what people would need for day to day living.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:08 pm
Elements and Magic
There are many different elemental affinities seen in dragons, and subtle variations among them. Most affinities amplify spells that are easily distinguished as falling within the realm of a certain element. For example, fire affinities assist in fire manipulation spells and the like, whereas water affinities are useful for water based spells.
Some elements are a bit less obvious. Poison and Cure based elements are useful for both the diagnosis and treatment of toxins and injuries respectively. Affinities for more abstract concepts such as Pride and Anger allow for casting spells upon one's self and others for the purpose of strength or abilities falling within the sphere of that element's influence.
Some elements provide a more powerful affinity than others. For example, Inferno is stronger than Fire, and Torrent is stronger than Water. These affinities are usually developed in a dragon with significant experience, and will allow their wizard to cast much more advanced spells.
But even within a basic elemental affinity like Fire, there is a great deal of variation in strength. A wizard has to learn to use the strength given through the dragon's bond, and it takes time and practice for them to reach their spellcasting peak for any given element. Wizards with new dragons may find their bond conveys very little strength, but this will grow over years as the wizard learns to handle it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:36 am
The Dragon Breeding Establishment
Most of the city's dragons are in fact not owned by wizards, but the breeders. Rookeries are often among the largest buildings in the city due to their space requirements for housing so many dragons, each of which is specially bred and will be available to pass on the purest lines of traits, affinities, and appearances.
Because releasing dragons into the wizarding community removes the dragon from the breeder's control, it is recorded in the Dragon Registry with a generation number. First generation dragons are hatched straight from breeding stock for wizarding purposes, and any dragons produced by those dragons will be marked with higher generation numbers. Thus dragons which remain in the breeding establishment lack this generation marker, since their lineages and offspring will remain tightly regulated.
Liscenced breeders are the only people other than full Order members who are allowed to own dragons, on the basis that they are providing dragons for wizards rather than using the bond for themselves. This breeding liscence is as difficult to get as an invitation to the Order, and it's conditions and regulations are as strict, if not moreso.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 8:08 am
Famous People
The city of Dorhaven has a long history, which dates back to the founding of the Order. There has been lots of time for famous names to appear and make themselves known to generations ahead for their deeds. This quick list includes many names most wizards will be familiar with. Deceased individuals are marked with a (D).
Ayan, Arron - Well known dragon breeder, owner of the Gilded Nestery.
Bask, Damian (D) - Hero of legend, slayer of the Graywurm that threatened to eat dragonkind.
Black, Murrey - Well known dragon breeder of questionable origins.
Borre, Lionell (D) - The first wizard to discover the magic to transfer a dragon's bond to a new owner.
Drake, Amos (D) - One of three ambitious wizards of legend, vanished in the northern mountains.
Eternin, Sigwarin - Well known dragon breeder, owns the West-Road Wyrmery.
Fax, Lilith - Responsible for the theft and illegal sale of over 250 dragon eggs around the continent. Still unapprehended.
Ferrier, Raine - Well known dragon breeder, owns the Emerald Scale Rookery.
Harper, Gabirel - Famous traveling bard and historian.
Hughley, Iridin (D) - One of three ambitious wizards of legend, vanished in the eastern swamps.
Johil, Arhk - Current High Wizard of the Order.
Kimmel, Terry (D) - The first dragon breeder to breed a dual affinity dragon.
Monaco, Alford - Current director of the Dragon Registry.
Webber, Milan (D) - Founder of the Research and Instructional Institute in Dorhaven.
Xanathir, Torenos (D) - One of three ambitious wizards of legend, vanished across the southern oceans.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:27 am
Races
Dorhaven is known around the world as the capital for magical training and knowledge, and potential wizards will sometimes travel great distances to receive education and instruction at Dorhaven's Research and Instructional Institute. As such it is a very multicultural community.
(Work in Progress)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
