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Written by Dawn Moorin
- A comprehensive guide to Valamar War College.cover.
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dragons. - valmar's great swordDear future Riders,If you're reading this, let me begin by wishing you the best of luck in your first year. Some of you may already know me, but allow me to formally introduce myself as Dawn Moorin. I've devoted my life to studying dragons and their riders. Entrusted with the official task of writing a guide for potential dragon riders. I offer you a piece of advice: you only get one chance, make it count.Brief History.Before the advent of dragonback and rayvnback riders, the skies were ruled by Rayvn and Dragons. They terrorized humans without exception. Years of endured torment from the dragon's and rayvnโs unmatched power sent the weary into a state of cynicism . And consequently, humans turned on each other. Haeloria and Mahasura, both powerful conquerors, held complete control over their respective territories. Haeloria governed from the west and north, while Mahasura dominated from the East to the South. Both nations' histories were marked by innocent bloodshed, but Haeloria tended to assimilate conquered cultures, becoming a melting pot, while Mahasura brutally slaughtered those they conquered, earning a reputation for cruelty and barbarism.At that time, King Valmar sought peace with Mahasura's ruling family, led by Emperor Kuroi. For the first time, both nations agreed to join forces to rid the skies of the beasts. They arranged a marriage between their children, but Kuroi's folly allowed his enemy into Mahasura's lands, leading to his downfall. Valmar, with his mighty black dragon, Darroagh, the first dragon and its bonded on record, slew Kuroi and his bloodline, along with those who opposed him. Although direct accounts of the event are scarce, it's believed Kuroi intended to ambush Valmar.Initially, Valmar suspected Mahasura's prince of kidnapping Cleo and sent search parties. Eventually, it was revealed that the two had fled into the mountains of Mahasura. A year later, the prince and princess returned on Rayvnback, wielding dark magic. Corrupted by this magic, they became a formidable force known as The Rayvn Lovers. They were idolized by rebel armies and supporters.For forty years, Valmar fought against his own daughter, sparking a frenzy within Haeloria, leading to a massive uptick in dragonriders. Many believed Haeloria had rightfully conquered Mahasura, labeling Mahasura's forces as rebels. Many dragons bonded with humans to aid in the war against the Rayvns. Unexpectedly, on the anniversary of the war, the rebellion surrendered to Haeloria, though Valmar's daughter was missing, reportedly dead from an infected wound, according to the prince.Devastated by his daughter's loss, Valmar spared the children of the rebellion but executed the Mahasura Prince and his army. He placed a blood curse on the rebel children, marking them with inky shadows. Dragons were later said to have eradicated all Rayvns, wiping out the species entirely.Important People.King Valmar Alden - The first bonded rider ever recorded in Haeloriaโs history. He founded Valamar War College and led what is now called the Darrogein army. The Alden bloodline still remains in power to this day.Cleo Alden - Haeloriaโs princess who was whisked away by the Mahasura prince. It was said that he infected her mind with dark magic making her turn her loyalties to the enemy people. Her body was never found even after extensive questioning of the Mahasura prince.Kuroi Jasuu - The last emperor of the Mahasura people.REDACTED โโโโโโโ Jasuu: - The prince of Mahasura who spearheaded the Mahasura army. We donโt know if he was the first rayvnback rider but he was the first one ever seen.Important Locations.Laceravian - our continent, first found by explorers around REDACTED โโโHaeloria - we once shared our borders with Mahasura, now thanks to the late King Valmar we have expanded to every edge of LaceravianMahasaura - the conquered kingdom that fell to its knees. Home to the extinct rayvns and their riders.cover.
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dragons. - Factions.Within the military, four very important factions help the military work like a well-oiled machine. Each faction has its own training process and acceptance requirements. The only two factions that work closely with dragons are Infantry and Wings.Scribes: Those accepted into the scribe faction are known to be precise and thorough. They must go through a rigorous education process before they can apply. They spend most of their days in the Library of Cleo. Recording important meetings, and attacks on wards or bases. Many of Haeloriaโs best researchers and teachers are from the scribe faction. They are taught to remain impartial and unbiased to all information gathered and cataloged. The Library of Cleo remains one of the most heavily guarded places in all of Haeloria as it contains all of Haeloriaโs history and secrets.Infantry: Those who are not chosen at Threshing are instead sent to the Infantry faction. While not as glamorous as being on dragonback, the Infantry mainly specializes in on-the-ground attacks on horseback. They work closely with the Wings faction.Wings: As you know the Wings Faction is comprised of dragons and their riders. Led by the Wingโs Commander whose word is absolute, just below the ruling monarchy. Riders within the Wingโs Factions are treated no less than heroes within Haeloria.N.C.Hs: Also known as the noncombat healers that have extensively studied the human body. All N.C.Hs lack magic but work in tandem with the citizens of Haeloria as their doctors. They are knowledgeable in herbology, apothecary work, and anything that helps extend the lives of Haeloriaโs citizens.Magic & Wards.The capability to harness magic as a human is bestowed only through the establishment of a bond, serving as a wellspring from which individuals can draw. Our primary examples of such bonds are with dragons and rayvns, majestic creatures that, due to their immense size and age, naturally cultivate and store mana. However, despite forming bonds with riders, these creatures are unable to utilize magic themselves, underscoring the transactional nature of the rider-dragon relationship. Dragons grant their riders the ability to wield boundless magic, enabling them to weave protective wards over The Veil.Wards function as expansive shields, enveloping designated areas akin to colossal domes that permit select entities to enter. The larger the protected area, the greater the magical expenditure required to sustain the ward. For instance, there exists a widespread misconception that the entirety of Laceravian is shielded, which is impractical and untrue. Instead, the kingdom of Haeloria and its surrounding cities are fortified. Urban centers like Stagon and Licos serve as hubs for ward posts, which act as conduits for the magic channeled by riders, projecting wards across specific distances.While ward posts extend the reach of wards over vast expanses, the resulting shields are thinner and less enduring than those crafted without such aids. To address this limitation, we've devised a strategy of establishing interconnected ward posts, facilitating a perpetual cycle of ward magic flowing from one post to another. However, excessive deployment of ward posts leads to overly thin perimeter defenses. Extensive testing has determined that the optimal balance lies in maintaining no more than four wards to uphold stability.Nonetheless, a drawback of this system is the daily requirement for riders to replenish the magic sustaining the wards. Regular perimeter patrols are conducted across the four key cities housing ward postsโStagon, Licos, Karnas, and Seviciaโto ensure the integrity of the protective enchantments.Wing Structure.The Wing is a very simplistic structure, depending on how many cadets make it past their pre-trials they are placed in either the unit Tail, Claws, Eyes, or Fang squadron, comprised of six cadets and one squad leader. There are four squad leaders who then answer to Unit Captains, until reaching the highest rank within the military Wings Commander who directly answers to the monarchy in ruling. Wings Commander make all decisions regarding the military. Knowing this basic structure of command is essential for every cadet if they wish to keep their heads.Signets.After bonding with a dragon, riders will manifest a signet, or in layman's terms a power. This power is deeply connected to who the rider is at their core, reflecting their personality. How easily a riderโs signet manifests depends on how strong a rider and dragonโs bond snaps into place. Some may at first struggle to manifest their signet but it typically happens within the first two weeks of the bond. After a rider's signet presents, riders will be placed into one of three specialties.Ranking Order.monarchy, wings commander, field officers, unit leaders, squad leaders, cadets/ridersTeam Specialties.A team typically consists of two Bellators and two Taces. However, if you're fortunate enough to have a Santorum, you'll have only one Tace. Teams always consist of four ridersโnever more, never lessโas this makes it easier for the Team Lead (T.L.) to ensure everyone's safety. Teams are only assembled when a mission arises, and are always formed with the rider and mission in mind. Team Specialties, also known as Specs, provide a straightforward way to keep track of everyone's signet abilities. Not every single signet ability is cut and dry, leaving some room for error when assigning Team Specs.Bellators: Riders who become Bellators are front-line defenders, with the primary responsibility of protecting their teammates. Their signet specialties allow them to sustain and absorb massive amounts of damage. While Bellators often assume the Team Lead (T.L.) position, this is not always the case. Bellators prioritize strength and durability over speed and agility.Taces: Better known as โAcesโ are the opposite of Bellators, they focus on damage, speed, or agility. Typically they will find themselves flying in the middle of the Team, scouting or ambushing. Those who are placed in the Tace Spec, deal high amounts of damage, thanks to their signet ability, but they usually lack any sort of defense.Santorums: Riders in this specialty, known as 'Saints,' are rare. They possess the ability to heal, shield, or provide buffs to their team, and in extraordinary cases, they can mend souls and bring people back to life. As a prized position within teams, entire squads have been known to sacrifice themselves to protect their Santorum, as anyone can be revived but only if a Saint is present. Saints deal little to no damage on their own.valamar war college insigniaart by @ kidghost1919cover.
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dragons. - The Veil.A circle of mountains, shaped like a crescent moon, is heavily guarded by dragons. This large piece of land, surrounded by the ocean and covered in a thick mist, is nearly impossible for humans to reach unless by dragonback. Humans are forbidden to step foot within The Veil, but many riders know its location. All dragons are born and raised within The Veil, and while leaving it is normal, discussing it with humans, even bonded ones, is taboo in dragonic society. Within The Veil, The Elder Six form a council of dragons who are the final authority in their society, judging and deciding the fates of those who break their laws. Little is known about them or their laws, but we think dragons hold four laws sacred:1. The Elder Sixโs words are absolute.2. Giving humans dragonic knowledge, rider or not, is punishable by death3. Any intentional harm upon a younglings is punishable by death4. A battle of teeth and claws is the ultimate problem solver.Dragons.While a naturally prideful and violent species, they have learned to find a delicate balance with humans. But donโt be a mistaken rider, your dragon is always in control. A species that purposefully keeps aspects of their society/culture hidden from their riders. It is a well-kept secret and for good reason, many humans fear dragons if they find REDACTED โโโโโ โโโโโ โโโโโ โโโโโโโ โโโโโโโ โโโโโ โโโโโโ โโโโโโโ โโโ โโโโโ โโโโโโโDespite younglings being few and far between, dragons are not a purely monogamous species. Unless they form a mating bond with their chosen partner. Dragons mate for life and do not share partners. Same-sex bonds are frequently recorded, proving that their relationships are similar to humans and not based purely on the instinct to procreate.Dragons can only speak telepathically with their bonded and other dragons. At a very young age, they are taught to build mental โwallsโ around their mind to keep other dragons out. Memory razing is an extremely painful experience where a (more powerful) dragon can forcefully enter another dragonโs mind, shattering their mental walls to go through their memories. Breaking through another dragonโs mental wall is a subtle (yet painful) way of showing dominance. If a dragonโs mental wall is weak, then so is the dragon.Rider Bond.The bond between a dragon and its rider is special and unique to each pair, initiated solely by the dragon. Once formed, this bond can only be broken by death. This connection ties their minds together, allowing them to communicate telepathically and feel each other's emotions. If a dragon dies, their rider will also perish. However, if a rider dies, the dragon will endure immense pain but will survive. Losing a rider is extremely traumatic for a dragon, and many retreat to The Veil, never to be seen again, though this is not always the case.Mating Bond.Mated dragons typically avoid the Threshings because they always prioritize their mate over their rider's life. This has been proven true. The difference between a rider bond and a mating bond is stark: a rider bond is purely transactional, whereas mated dragon pairs have a romantic relationship. Mated pairs are instinctively protective of each other. โโโโโ โโโโ โโ โโโโ โโโโ โโโโ โโโโโ โโโโโ โโโโโ โโโโโ โโโโโ โโโโโ โโโโโ, theorize it could negatively affect their riders.It goes beyond the depth of human love or adoration to a primal, undeniable requirement for proximity. One cannot survive without the other. (taken from fourth wing by rebecca yarros)Dragon Types.Red: Red dragons are the most common type seen during Threshing. Naturally fierce and extremely territorial, Reds prefer the company of their own kind over other dragons. They are medium-sized but known for their extreme loyalty to their riders. When approaching a Red dragon, exercise caution in your movements and posture, keeping your head and eyes down as a sign of submission. Reds are notoriously temperamental and fickle. If a Red approaches you, wait for its approval before moving. If you decide to approach a Red, do so from the left or rightโnever directly from the front, as they will perceive this as a challenge.Black: Very few Black dragons have been sighted since Darroagh, and seeing one at your Threshing would be a rare occurrence. These formidable dragons are the largest type ever recorded, with a massive size and wingspan. Little is known about Black dragons, as they are reclusive and solitary creatures but have been seen around other dragons. Although they fly slower than most dragons, they hit harder in every aspect. All Black dragons are descendants of Darroagh's mother, and their fire is pure black.White: White dragons have never been seen at Threshing, and for good reason. These dragons lack pigment in their scales, a biological defect that affects their size and temperament. This defect is theorized to occur when two different types of dragons procreate, although this theory remains unproven. White dragons are smaller than the other five types and are nearly impossible to catch or even see during the day or night, as their scales reflect their surroundings, keeping them perfectly hidden. Like Black dragons, very little is known about them. Their fire burns as pure white flames. Due to the limited knowledge about them, if you encounter a White dragon, your best course of action is to run.Green: These dragons are renowned for their exceptional intelligence and preference for intellect over physical strength. If you encounter a Green dragon during your Threshing, maintain your position but avoid approaching. Green dragons are revered as flawless siege weapons due to their strategic prowess. Unlike Red dragons, who demand submission when approached or approaching, Greens are known for being the most demanding of all dragon types.Blue: Blue dragons are undeniably the most ruthless of their kind, relishing in brutality. They are highly selective when it comes to choosing both riders and fellow dragons. Often referred to as the "royalty" among dragons, Blues typically keep their distance from other dragons. Their temperament and combat style are akin to catsโsmall, agile, and extremely dangerous if underestimated. While not as diminutive as White dragons, Blues are renowned for their incredible speed, which rivals even that of Whites. Do NOT approach a Blue dragon during a Threshing; they have been known to stalk their chosen rider for miles before revealing themselves. Their fire burns with a brilliant blue intensity.Brown: Brown dragons are known to rival black dragons in strength and size, although none have ever grown as large as black dragons. When they find a rider they favor, they test their strength through battles of teeth and claws. These dragons are infamous for their unique behavior of consuming cadets who fail to prove their worthiness. Any display of weakness or hesitation when approaching a brown dragon can lead to immediate deathโthey have a keen sense of fear and its scent can trigger their rage. Despite their ferocity, among all five dragon variations, browns are often the most patient with their riders and are one of the few types that won't attack on sight.cover.
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